St Helier & Epsom Hospital

“After 20+ years of campaigning, it was announced in today’s Telegraph that our local NHS is in line to receive millions of pounds of investment!

This funding will help refurbish the older parts of St Helier and Epsom Hospitals, recruit more staff and build a brand new acute health facility for the sickest patients. This is what local residents, Lib Dem Councillors and I have so tirelessly fought for!

It appears the Government have finally listened to our demands, but the fight is far from over. This wouldn’t be the first time that a Tory Government has promised major funding for St Helier and then ended up breaking their promise.

I will be seeking cast-iron guarantees and holding them to their word – but I need your help to do that.

Help keep the pressure up, hold the Government to their promise and continue the fight for our hospital! Add your name and join our campaign: https://bit.ly/2VyAAyl“

Tom Brake, 29 September 2019

Conservatives ignore St Helier in spending spree

As Prime Minister Boris Johnson excludes St Helier Hospital from his £1.8 billion NHS announcement this week, Sutton Liberal Democrats say the Conservatives are abandoning Sutton’s NHS.

The list of 20 hospitals around England includes only two allocations for London: in north-east London and for Croydon University Hospital. Not a penny has been announced for St Helier Hospital.

The Epsom & St Helier NHS Trust is seeking government funds to build a new hospital for acute services. This would include A&E, emergency surgery, hospital births, amongst other vital services.

During the 2010-15 coalition government, Liberal Democrats had ensured £219 million was earmarked for investment in St Helier – funds the Conservatives withdrew after the 2015 general election.

Tom Brake MP and Sutton Liberal Democrats are leading the campaign for the new hospital to be built by St Helier and in the borough. Tom Brake’s petition has already been signed by 3,000 local residents.

Commenting, Tom Brake said:

“Boris Johnson has been prime minister for two weeks and already he’s abandoned Sutton’s NHS. The Conservatives cannot be trusted with the future of St Helier Hospital, which desperately needs further investment. As Boris excludes St Helier from getting new funds, it is clear that only Liberal Democrats will stand up for Sutton’s vital NHS services.”

Manifesto promise delivered: E-bikes come to Sutton

Sutton Liberal Democrats’ ambition to make Sutton one of London’s greenest boroughs took a big step forward this week with the launch of an electric bike rental scheme for residents and visitors.  

The fifty new electric bikes will help Sutton become a zero-carbon emissions borough in line with plans agreed by councillors this week. They will also help the Council improve local air quality by encouraging more people to use a bike and make cycling easier locally.

Proposals revealed to bring theatre complex back into use

Final decision to be announced In October

A longlist of five formal bids has been selected to bring the Charles Cryer Theatre complex in Carshalton back into use.

More than ten bids were submitted and the longlist is drawn from bidders who are offering to lease all the buildings on the site and meet Sutton Council’s rent expectations.

Bids will be assessed by council officers and a shortlist decided by the end of August based on the viability and sustainability of the proposals.

Feedback on the bids will also be given by representatives of Arts Network Sutton, an independent charity, as well as community representatives on the Carshalton and Clockhouse local committee. A stakeholder panel of citizens and young commissioners will also be asked to give feedback on the bids. They  will assess how closely the bids meet the brief to benefit the wider community and maintain a venue for cultural activity in the borough.

A recommendation will be made by officers to the council’s Strategy and Resources committee with a final decision to be announced on 29 October.

The longlisted bidders and details of their proposals, in alphabetical order, are as follows:

Caliburn Fitness and Strengthening
A start up company which is supported by a long-established company. Intending to use the premises as a Crossfit Gym, creche cafe that will health focused and accessible to non-members, physiotherapy clinic, exercise studio and social space to host workshops and seminars related to health, exercise and nutrition..

Carshalton Baptist Church
Christian organisation seeking to become a visible, accessible and supportive resource in the community. Intending to use the property for Church, community cafe, provision of training and development to residents and offer space for use by community groups, and as rehearsal and performance space for local theatre groups, artists and musicians. To also run activities and services extended to the community that includes, youth club, parents and toddlers, counselling and support groups for the elderly and for carers.

Cryer Arts Limited
A start up company formed for this bid by founders with experience of running successful leisure, construction and entertainment businesses. Intending to use the premises for mixed events including music, film, theatre, comedy, food and drink tasting and TED type talks with a new bar and eating space in the existing restaurant..

Nickel Support Community Interest Company
A partnership bid by three organisations – Nickel Support, Tom Franck Productions and Spilt Milk Kids Cafe. Intending to use the premises for theatre productions and workshops, annual arts festival, child-focused and multi sensory cafe and as a centre for developing enterprises managed and run by trainees with learning disabilities. Will also open a shop for selling upcycled furniture made by trainees and will deliver training and workshops from the premises.

Victory Bible Church International Limited
Christian organisation intending to use the property for Church, social and community activities including assisting those in hospitals, prison and the homeless by giving practical support. Intend to undertake diversity projects through activities including funfair, music concerts and sporting activities