Richmond set for new smart card
A new all-in-one smart card could be the future for Richmond residents.
The Council is set to expand the ‘Richmond Card’, which is currently used to receive discount parking charges across the borough.
If the development of the new and improved card gets the go ahead, then residents will no longer have to use separate cards for parking, libraries and leisure services.
Proposals will be discussed on Thursday at the next Cabinet meeting.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 3:53 pm
Researchers say 'no' to third runway at Heathrow
A report from a University in the United States says that pollution would significantly increase if Heathrow got a third runway.
Researchers believe that currently around 50 early deaths a year can be blamed on the airport but they say that would rise to 150 if a third runway was constructed.
The report backs a new airport in the Thames Estuary instead partly because the prevailing winds would mean pollution would be blown out into the North Sea, rather than over London. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 3:53 pm
Hounslow bosses try to find out what makes you happy
Any idea what makes you happy?
Hounslow bosses are trying to find out.
In rather wide ranging brief they want to decide how to set out their priorities for the next few years and to do that they need to know what you need to be happy.
Apparently that’s not just physically, but also in life.
So, if you have any ideas, let them know.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 3:52 pm
Merton wants summer snaps
Merton Council wants the summer celebrations to continue.
They’re asking residents and businesses in the borough to share their photos of the Jubilee and 2012 Games local events by uploading them onto the council’s website.
Photos will be accepted up until the 15th of November. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 3:11 am
Hounslow pursues voter registrations
Hounslow Council is doing all it can to make sure its residents don’t end up with a £1,000 fine for not returning their electoral registration forms.
More than 20 thousand households will be visited by the council’s canvassers over the next few weeks to collect the unreturned documents.
The council has already sent out two reminders.
Even if nothing has changed, voter details need to be confirmed. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 3:10 am
Woking woman jailed for benefit fraud
A benefit cheat has been sentenced to 20 weeks in jail for fraudulently claiming nearly £12,500 in Housing and Council Tax Benefits.
Tracey Boone from Woking pleaded guilty to making dishonest claims for benefits and using another person’s identity to apply for a tenancy.
In August 2010 she used a false name and documents to get a tenancy of a 4 bedroom house. She claimed to be earning 178 thousand pounds a year.
After getting the tenancy, she applied for housing and council tax benefit in her own name.
In addition to the amount owed for benefits she also owes back rent of £18,000. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 3:04 am
Chertsey Hospital improves records
Inspectors say patient records at a Chertsey hospital are now fit for purpose after a previous report found they were not being kept up to date.
The Care Quality Commission inspected St Peter’s Hospital in July and found that care plans and charts were not maintained, putting the treatment of the patients at risk.
On the follow up visit in September, the inspectors visited surgical and medical wards and reviewed 36 care plans. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 3:02 am
Friday, 12 October 2012
Croydon man jailed for rape
A man’s been jailed for six years today for the rape of a woman he attacked in the back room of a shop in Clapham.
Claiming to be a taxi driver 20 year old Atiq Rehman from Croydon, targeted the victim soon after she left Inferno nightclub in April.
Police were able to forensically link Rehman and CCTV also showed him with the victim in Clapham South Side shortly before the attack.
Teenager robbed in Epsom
Police are appealing for information after a 17-year-old boy was robbed in Epsom.
It took place last Friday afternoon when the victim was walking from the railway station to Sainsbury’s on Kiln Lane.
One man punched the victim in the face while the other stole a Blackberry phone, an Oyster Card and around £200 in cash.
The victim suffered mouth injuries including losing three teeth. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 3:30 pm
Surrey sign Lancashire spinner
Surrey have signed experienced left-arm spinner Gary Keedy from Lancashire.
The 37 year old who has made more than 400 appearances for Lancashire and claimed over 800 wickets in all competitions, has signed a two-year deal. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 3:28 pm
Kingston's New School Plans
The first proposal for a 'Free School' in north Kingston has been published.
The Kingston Church Schools Foundation and Woodward Schools have revealed their joint prospectus for a new open entry secondary school.
They’re hoping to be able to open the King Edward the Martyr co-ed in the autumn of 2014.
You can find out more about the plans at an open evening at the Hawker Centre at 7.30 pm on Saturday the 13th.
Kingston By-pass Crash
There was a serious crash on the A3 this morning.
Two cars and a lorry collided between Hook Junction and Copsem Lane.
Emergency services had to free 2 people who were trapped but it’s thought their injuries are not life threatening. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 10:51 am
Heathrow Terror Arrests
Police have been granted further warrants of detention on a man and a woman arrested at Heathrow airport on Tuesday on suspicion of preparing for acts of terrorism.
Both, aged 26, remain in custody.
The arrests form part of an investigation into travel to Syria in
support of alleged terrorist activity.
Police given more time to question terror suspects
Police have been granted further warrants of detention on a man and a woman arrested at Heathrow airport on Tuesday on suspicion of preparing for acts of terrorism.
Both, aged 26, remain in custody.
The arrests form part of an investigation into travel to Syria in
support of alleged terrorist activity.
Putney Crash Appeal
Police are still looking for witnesses to a fatal collision in Putney that happened almost two weeks ago.
It involved a pedestrian and a lorry on the High Street.
Seventy-seven year old, Victor Kavaliero died at the scene from multiple injuries.
The driver of the lorry stopped for police.
No arrests have been made. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:48 pm
Chiswick Accident Driver Bailed
A man arrested following the collision on Tuesday in Chiswick that left a school boy in a critical condition has been released on bail.
The 47 year old had failed to stop after the lorry he was driving hit a 15 year old who was waiting at a bus stop on the A316.
Yesterday he was stopped in East Sheen after CCTV images of the vehicle he was driving were released.
The police investigation continues. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:11 pm
Campaigners in Wimbledon accuse council of being 'misleading'
A group campaigning against plans to expand Dundonald Primary school in Wimbledon are accusing the Council of sending out misleading information.
The recreation ground is currently protected by a covenant.
But some campaigners say there's been a change in the size of the expansion plans in letters sent out.
Head of Merton Council, Stephen Alambritis says they don't want to take away any green space, but have to meet demand for primary school applications.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 5:13 am
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
Wandsworth Heathrow Call
Wandsworth Council has urged the government not to put off it's decision on airport capacity until 2015.
The authority believes taking the Heathrow expansion out of the debate will allow the decision making process to be quicker.
A third runway at the airport was blocked by a High Court ruling in 2010.
And the council says nothing has changed that would make the environmental impact any less damaging.
The council wants other locations near the capital to be considered when they review airport capacity.
Conman Thwarted In Wallington
Police were called to a bank in Wallington after an elderly customer tried to withdraw cash for a man waiting in a taxi outside.
The man had tricked his way into the woman's home after saying she had a leak from her roof and it would cost 450 pounds to fix.
Staff alerted the police after they became suspicious as to why the woman wanted the money.
The suspect who fled the cab before the police arrived is described as white and in his 40's with facial stubble.
New School For Kingston
People living in North Kingston are being invited to a meeting about a new school in the area.
If plans are approved there could be a new secondary school for September 2014.
The meeting takes place on Wednesday night from 7, at the North Kingston Centre on Richmond road. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 10:51 am
Housing the homeless
Sutton Council is planning to tackle the growing problem of homelessness in the borough by converting an empty building into accommodation for 45 families.
Sutton saw a 12 per cent rise in homelessness in 2011/12 - well below the London average of 25 per cent - but the figures are expected to carry on rising as the impact of the Welfare Reform Act starts to bite.
It is growing increasingly costly for the borough to find emergency housing - which is often also very unsuitable for families forced to move long distances from schools, work and familiar neighbourhoods – so councillors will discuss converting the former Oakleigh building near Sutton town centre on 15 October.
Homelessness started to rise in April 2011 when changes to private rented sector housing benefit brought in caps according to property. This forced many people to leave central London for outer boroughs such as Sutton, increasing competition for available property and causing rents to rise.
The situation was made worse when it was decided to lower the top figure renters can receive in benefit, causing even greater competition for flats at the cheaper end of the property market.
The cap on total benefit - £500 for lone parents and couples with or without children and £350 for single people - which will be introduced in April next year is expected to cause even greater amounts of homelessness.
Sutton leads the way in providing help and advice to help people at risk, managing to increase the number of homeless preventions by 33 per cent last year against a London average of a 12 per cent drop.
But overall figures are still expected to rise and the need for expensive and unsuitable emergency bed and breakfast accommodation – often out of borough – is expected to continue to grow.
Converting the former Oakleigh building would greatly reduce the need to use emergency B&B accommodation and, on current estimates, save the borough between £114,000 and £127,000 per year.
Local architect brings style back to school gates
Young people and teachers of Grey Court School’s Support Centre for Special Needs in Newham House are to receive newly designed solid steel gates to replace the current old chain-linked fencing at the Grade II listed house, thanks to Grey Court Parents Associations (GCPA).
The new gates, designed by local architect Maurice Broughton, have been made possible through fundraising by the GCPA and an additional £5,000 grant from the Council’s Civic Pride Fund.
If you would like to make a donation towards the outstanding needs of this site please contact the Grey Court Parents Association: www.greycourt.richmond.sch.uk/parentspa
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 10:28 am
Richmond Jobs Event
An event aimed at getting people back to work is coming to Richmond again today (Wednesday) for the second consecutive year.
The One Event is a free event to try and increase the amount of people finding jobs during the current harsh economic climate.
It is being run by Richmond Housing Partnership.
It's taking place at York House in Twickenham until 5 o’clock this afternoon.
Council wins third court case for breach of planning regulation
A six year case to remove a building, built without a planning permission, has been won by the council following a third successful prosecution against a man who continually flouted planning laws.
Sutton Council made its case against Mr Neil Woodward of Hawthorn Road, Wallington, after originally issuing an enforcement notice to demolish a building erected within his garden during the summer of 2006.
However, after six years and numerous court appearances, the building remained in place.
Mr Woodward faced a single count on an Indictment at Croydon Crown Court for the failure to comply with the terms of an enforcement notice, issued by the council following the erection of the building in the garden area of the property known as 16A, B and C Hawthorn Road.
Mr Woodward was convicted of the same offence in April 2009, and July 2010 but failed to take the appropriate action to demolish his development.
After pleading guilty to the offence of failing to comply with the enforcement notice, Mr Woodward was fined £8,000 and ordered to make a £12,000 contribution to the prosecution costs. He was also ordered again to adhere to the notice and ensure the building is removed immediately. The council is currently considering whether or not to take direct action in this case should Mr Woodward continue to breach the outstanding enforcement notice.
The judge, HHJ Baucher made it clear that as a result of his defiance of planning law, Mr Woodward caused the council to spend funds which could have been used elsewhere to the detriment of Sutton’s Council Tax Payers.
Cllr Jayne McCoy, Chair of the Housing, Economy and Business Committee, said: “We take a dim view of developers who flout planning laws and seek to circumvent the proper process causing misery to their long suffering neighbours in the meantime - in this case for six years. For their sake we have felt that it is important to see this case through to the end, and we are considering taking direct action which would involve the council removing the structure and recouping its costs through placing a charge on the land concerned.”
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 10:16 am
Voting opens for new Sutton Youth MP
Eight candidates are battling it out to become the Sutton Member for the UK Youth Parliament and represent the borough at high-profile events locally and across the country.
Each prospective Youth MP has written a manifesto and students in secondary schools in the borough have until October 19th to cast their vote in the official Sutton Electoral Ballot boxes.
The First Past The Post system is used to determine the winner – so the candidate who receives the most votes will be the new MP and his or her deputy will be whoever receives the second highest number of votes.
Once elected, the new MP will attend UK Youth Parliament London meetings and events including the UK Youth Parliament Annual House Sitting and House of Commons debate to represent Sutton. They will also lead on the UK Youth Parliament national campaigns in Sutton and on local campaigns.
The candidates are:
Jonathan Austen, 17, Cheam High School
Kanyi Gabiro, 16, St Philomena’s Catholic High School for Girls
Madeleine Haskins, 16, St Philomena’s Catholic High School for Girls
Johnoi Josephs, 17, Carshalton Boys Sports College
Sohini Khan, 15, Wallington High School for Girls
Sophie Maguire, 16, St Philomena’s Catholic High School for Girls
Jason Obiri-Yeboah, 14, Wallington County Grammar School for Boys
Hannah-Louise Pearce, 13, St Philomena’s Catholic High School for Girls posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 10:14 am
Chiswick Incident School Boy Critical
A school boy is in a critical condition after being hit by the wing mirror of a truck in Chiswick.
The 15 year old was standing at a bus stop on the A316 near Staveley Road when he was hit by what is thought to be a DAF lorry.
The driver didn’t stop and Traffic officers are urgently appealing for information on the vehicle.
Coroner calls for building checks after Battersea death
An inquest jury decided yesterday that the death of a man killed by a falling concrete block outside a restaurant in Battersea was an accident.
27-year-old chartered surveyor Peter Westropp was struck as he drank with friends at Le Bouchon Bordelais in Battersea Rise in August last year.
Westminster Deputy Coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe said she will be contacting the authorities to encourage “more preventative measures” to identify potentially dangerous buildings. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 4:12 am
Brentford progress in Johnstone's Paint Trophy
In the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last night Brentford beat Crawley 1-nil at Griffin Park.
Meanwhile Bees striker Farid El Alagui faces a lengthy spell out after picking up a knee injury during Saturday’s league match against Crawley. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 3:16 am
Boy critical after fail to stop collision in Chiswick
A 16-year-old boy is in a critical condition in hospital this morning after a driver failed to stop after a collision in Chiswick yesterday evening.
The boy was standing on the pavement at a bus stop when he was struck by a nearside mirror of a vehicle believed to be a 7.5 tonne or larger lorry just before 4:15 pm.
The accident happened on the A316 northbound, south of the junction with Staveley Road.
He was taken to hospital by London’s Air Ambulance suffering head injuries.
Witness Appeal In Putney
Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward to help them investigate a fatal crash in Putney.
On Friday September the 28th at about twenty to four in the afternoon a pedestrian was involved in an incident with a lorry on Putney High Street.
Seventy seven year old Victor Kavaliero from Charlwood Terrace died at the scene.
If you saw what happened contact Hampton Collision Investigation Unit on 020 8941 9011. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 8:51 am
Monday, 8 October 2012
One Event comes back to Richmond
A popular event aimed at getting people back to work is coming to Richmond again this Wednesday for the second consecutive year.
The One Event is a free event to try and increase the amount of people finding jobs during the current harsh economic climate.
It is being run by Richmond Housing Partnership.
Head of Communications at the RHP, Eddie Kelly, says confidence can be a big barrier to getting a job.
For more details, click here posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:40 pm
Man hit by train at Hammersmith underground station
British Transport Police are continuing their investigation after a man was hit by a Piccadilly Line underground train yesterday evening.
The incident took place at about 7:30pm at the Hammersmith Underground station.
The man was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital.
Officers say they’re not treating the incident as suspicious. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 5:04 am
Hounslow's high street set for revamp
Hounslow’s high street is set for a revamp.
The council has appointed an award-winning architect company to draw up plans to regenerate the town’s high street.
David Kohn Architects has been selected to put together plans to improve the high street, with new paving, public spaces, trees and street furniture.
Funding for the project will come from the second round of the Mayor of London’s Outer London Fund, which aims to increase the vitality of high streets in the capital.
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