Sutton Council employees can now add saving lives to their list of skills after the council officially gained accreditation from the London Ambulance Service (LAS) for the use of defibrillators.

The accreditation event held on Friday 10^th October by Mayor Arthur Hookway in the Mayor’s Parlour is part of the London Ambulance Service’s Shockingly Easy campaign to urge local businesses to get a defibrillator, a machine that can shock the heart to restart it when it’s in cardiac arrest.

The London Ambulance Service’s Shockingly Easy campaign aims to get at least 1,000 extra defibrillators (costing just £950) in shops, businesses, gyms and high footfall areas across London.

Sutton Council now has two defibrillators onsite, one in the reception area of the Civic Offices and the other on the Denmark Road site. The two newly installed machines have a shelf-life of 7-8 years with a battery life of 4-5 years and cannot be misused.

Martin Bullock, Community Defibrillator Officer from the London Ambulance Service explains:

“The machines gives very clear instructions on being turned on and will not deliver a shock unless it clearly recognises a heart rhythm consistent with cardiac arrest.

“When you have a cardiac arrest your heart stops, blood is no longer being pumped around the body and you are clinically dead.

“It’s crucial that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR – chest compressions and rescue breaths) and defibrillation is given to the patient in the first three to four minutes.

“Around 28 per cent of people survive an out of hospital cardiac arrest but, where there is a defibrillator present the chance of survival can increase to 80 per cent.”

Council Leader Ruth Dombey said:

“Of course I sincerely hope that these defibrillators are never called upon, but I know that if help is needed then this vital resuscitation equipment could help save a life. Having a defibrillator close to hand when someone has a cardiac arrest can mean the difference between life and death.

“I would urge every shop, gym, hotel and office in Sutton to get behind the Shockingly Easy campaign today to get a defibrillator installed.”

For more information on how to get a defibrillator for your organisation and training on how to use it call the Shockingly Easy campaign on 020 7783 2366 or visitwww.londonambulance.nhs.uk/shockinglyeasy

Reading for pleasure brings children many rewards, but young readers at one lucky  library in Carshalton, Sutton are in for a real treat, after winning a UK-wide competition celebrating the first-ever Chatterbooks Week (11-18 October),via national charity The Reading Agency’s ever-growing network of Chatterbooks reading groups for children.

The competition asked Chatterbooks groups to write 250 words about why they would love to have an event with Jacqueline Wilson, author of many bestselling books including The Story of Tracy Beaker, Hetty Feather and Lily Alone, and official Chatterbooks patron.  Her 100th novel for children – Opal Plumstead – was published on 9 October.

The judges chose the Westcroft Book Buddies Chatterbooks group in Carshalton as first prize winners of a visit from Dame Jacqueline Wilson herself.

Lynne Taylor, Chatterbooks programme manager for The Reading Agency explains:

“The group’s enthusiasm was an inspiration: they had devised and taken part in special activities based on Jacqueline Wilson’s books, and written reviews and recommendations which they shared on the library’s Facebook page. They truly encapsulated the Chatterbooks ethos of sharing ideas and enjoying reading. I am delighted that Westcroft Book Buddies are the lucky winners of this fantastic competition,”

Councillor Jill Whitehead, Chair of the Environment and Neighbourhood Committee at Sutton Council said:

“I want to pass on my congratulations to the Westcroft Book Buddies. The group has done tremendously well to win a national competition. What a fantastic thrill it will be for them to have Jacqueline Wilson coming to visit. It will be so beneficial for these youngsters to hear about how she gets ideas and inspiration for her stories and hear all about her new book too.”

Carshalton Central has elected local Liberal Democrat councillors in varying numbers since 1986 (although the first one was originally elected as Lib/SDP Alliance). “FOCUS” is our regular newsletter to all residents for the last 29 years delivered by dedicated volunteers and councillors FREE to all households about every 2-3 months ever since 1985. As Liberal Democrats we believe that the work of politicians should ALWAYS be accountable, open and transparent. We work for YOU!

By detailing some of the work we are engaged with we can be accountable to the residents of Carshalton Central ward who voted us to be their representatives on Sutton Council. Carshalton Central ward which we represent consists of parts of both the Carshalton SM5 and Sutton SM1 postal districts. Carshalton Central ward is bounded by Brookfield Avenue, West Street down to the Colston Avenue roundabout and the railway line (that runs between Carshalton and Hackbridge Stations) to the north, The Grove Park, Rotherfield Road, and Woodstock Road to the east, Ashcombe Road, Blakehall Road and Harrow Road to the south, and King’s Lane, Sutton Grove, Harold Road and Florian Avenue to the west.

You can contact any of your three Lib Dem Councillors for Carshalton Central ward at the phone numbers or email addresses below: –

Councillor Jill Whitehead: jill.whitehead@sutton.gov.uk// 020-8642 9766 Home address: 32 Milton Avenue, Sutton SM1 3QB Jill Whitehead has lived on the Poets’ Estate in Carshalton Central Ward for the last 17 years, and first moved to Sutton at age 11 years attending Wallington High School for Girls. She is married with two adult sons, one of whom attended Sutton Grammar School. She first joined the Liberal Party in 1973, and then the Liberal Democrats. Jill retired two years ago and has considerable work experience specialising in the environmental, economic and community development, leisure and cultural fields. Jill is currently Chair of the Council’s important Environment and Neighbourhoods Committee. Her portfolio covers green issues, recycling, One Planet Sutton, highways, public transport, street cleaning and lighting, parks and trees, air and water quality, registration, leisure, arts, heritage, libraries and culture. In this capacity Jill Chairs the Council’s Public Transport Liaison Group of transport stakeholders She is also a member of the Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee which is chaired by the Leader of the Council, Cllr. Ruth Dombey. Jill also sits on the Carshalton and Clockhouse Local Committee and she served for a number of years as Vice-Chair of both Carshalton & Clockhouse Local Committee and the Council’s Scrutiny Overview Committee. Jill also Chairs the Carshalton Forum of Carshalton Friends Groups. Jill is also an active member of several local groups, being a former Chair of Friends of the Grove, the former Chair of the Erskine Village and Benhill Community Association and a former school governor at All Saints primary School. She is currently a committee member of the Friends of the Grove and Friends of Carshalton Park, a member of The Friends of Honeywood Museum, and a member of the Carshalton Central Police Safer Neighbourhood Team. Jill’s interests include the environment, education, community engagement and community safety.

Councillor Hamish Pollock: hamish.pollock@sutton.gov.uk// 020-8647 8202 Home address: 117 Sandy Lane South, near Woodcote Green, Wallington SM6 9NW. Councillor Hamish Pollock has represented Carshalton Central ward on the Council for over 16 years, from 1990-4 and continuously since May 2002 being re-elected for a 5th term on 22nd May 2014. He was born in Sutton, and got married at All Saints’ Church, Carshalton, and has lived in and around the Carshalton area for over 25 years, including the Westmead Road area and Carshalton Village, although five years ago he moved to Wallington to be closer to and to help care for his disabled parents. He grew up in Cheam and Sutton Cricket Club, Cheam Road where his parents played sports for many years. He has family connections with many parts of the borough and his two grown-up children have both attended local primary and secondary schools. Hamish joined the SDP in 1981, joining the merged SDP/Liberal Alliance party in 1987 after university. Hamish was the Deputy Mayor of the borough for the Council Year 2011-2. A former founder-member and later chairman of Carshalton Forum, he is a member of the council’s Planning Committee (now over 16 years’ service) and more recently the Carshalton & Clockhouse Local Committee, of which he was elected Chair in May 2010 and again in May 2014, and a member of the local Police’s Safer Neighbourhood Team. Hamish is interested in the local parks, being a long-serving committee member and founder-member of the Friends of Carshalton Park created in 2003, and in April 2012 he was elected Chair of the Friends of the Grove Park of which he has been a member for many years. He is a former governor of two Carshalton secondary schools. His interests include looking after the historic conservation areas of Carshalton, Sutton, Wallington and Cheam. His other interests are local history and architecture, the environment and improving local public transport, particularly our local bus services. Hamish designed as a chartered architect the new World War Two memorial for Carshalton, completed in May 2014.

Autumn brings an array of colours to our streets. The days get shorter, the nights get longer and leaves fall from trees.

The Liberal Democrat manifesto will include plans for five new laws to protect the environment, it has been announced recently.

The manifesto plans include include legal targets for clean air and water, an end to dirty coal power stations and an ambitious decarbonisation target for the electricity sector.

Liberal Democrats in government have worked hard to keep the environment at the top of the agenda. The party wants to go further and build on their achievements in Government in areas including Britain’s rise in renewable energy, the Green Investment Bank and record investment in our railways.

The plans include new rights to access green space, new marine and coastal reserves, the roll out of an electric vehicle charging point network, ambitious waste reduction plans and new regulations to boost energy efficiency and renewable heat to cut energy bills.

The five green laws are:

1. A Nature Bill: key measures include legal targets for biodiversity, clean air, clean water and access to green space, extending the Right to Roam and establishing new marine and coastal reserves.
2. A Heating and Energy Efficiency Bill: key measures include building on the Green Deal with a national programme to raise the energy efficiency standards for all Britain’s households. We will legislate to boost renewable and district heating programmes and heat saving standards.
3. A Zero Waste Britain Bill: key measures include establishing a “Stern Report” on resource use, with binding targets and a clear action plan to reduce waste and end biodegradable landfill.
4. A Zero Carbon Britain Bill: key measures include introducing a decarbonisation target for electricity generation, expanding the powers of the Green Investment Bank and banning electricity generated from unabated coal.
5. A Green Transport Bill: key measures include establishing a full network of charging points for electric cars, only allowing low emission vehicles on the roads from 2040 and reforming planning law to ensure new developments are designed around walking, cycling and public transport.

On Sunday, September 28^th, The Diamond Centre will be holding its Autumn Fair, which will be opened by The Mayor of Sutton. When Cllr. Hamish Pollock was Deputy Mayor of Sutton, he opened this fair three years ago. The Autumn Fair is The Diamond Centre’s largest and most popular fundraising event and promises to be great day out for all the family – and their dogs ! As usual, the event will feature a Novelty Dog Show, Dog Scurry and Fun Agility competitions, which always attract lots of competitors and spectators. There will be plenty of other four-legged attractions too.

The location:

The Diamond Centre for Disabled Riders
Woodmansterne Road, Carshalton
Surrey SM5 4DT

Telephone : 020 8643 7764
Email: diamondcentre@tiscali.co.uk

This year they have a very special attraction; Tanya Larrigan presents The Mini Marvels with their interpretation of Riverdance. The former Olympic Team member and para equestrian trainer will be bringing her famous long reining display team of miniature horses, The Mini Marvels, to Diamond’s Autumn Fair. This is your chance to watch the only miniature horse team in the world perform their interpretation of Riverdance.

The little superstars have appeared on TV and in magazines, but their greatest honour was to perform in front of Her Majesty the Queen at the special “All The Queen’s Horses” Silver Jubilee event.

Visitors can also enjoy Steam Train Rides and a Punch & Judy Show. For the more energetic, The Gary Mason Charity Drummers will be holding workshops where you can try your hand at drumming and there’ll be plenty of games including “Beat the Goalie” and a Coconut Shy.The excellent Firestone Rock Band will also be on hand to provide the music. In addition you might find just what you are looking for on one of the many stalls selling a really wide variety of items. Refreshments will be available and there will also be a Barbecue and Pimm’s Bar. Doors will open at 11 am on September 28^th. Admission charges are £4 for Adults and £1 for Children.

If you, or anyone you know, might be interested in having a stall for the day, the cost for a stall space is £30. Any bookings made after July 31st will be charged £40. If you wish to book a stall please contact Geoff Markham on geoff.markham@btinternet.com

Sutton Council has successfully bid for extra funds from the Coalition Government’s £168million Pothole Repair Fund to maintain standards on Sutton’s roads – winning an extra £300,000 for this work. Between April 2013 and March 2014, Sutton Council repaired over 1,950 potholes compared  to just over 700 potholes in the previous year.

Cllr. Alan Salter says: “Money from this successful bid will help us significantly improve our roads and pavements. We are hopeful of meeting our aim of fixing every single pothole reported to the Council this year, something we proudly achieved in 2013. We’d like to encourage residents to be our eyes on the ground by reporting any potholes that they see. Please contact us with your details and location details of the potholes that need attention. We will then contact Sutton Council on your behalf and have them repair them.”

Sutton Council is calling on residents and businesses across the borough to encourage others to be more resourceful during Waste Less, Live More Week which takes place from 22-28 September 2014.

From all across the borough, organisations, businesses and charities will be encouraged to stop and think about how a tiny contribution could make a huge impact. The week-long challenge promotes people to try borrowing rather than buying, fixing rather than replacing and to try turning their hand to making from scratch rather than buying ready-made.

Sutton Council wants to hear from residents who have found creative and inventive ways to reuse, recycle or up-cycle items that are not accepted in our household recycling bins. Have your made a handbag from some old curtains? Up-cycled an old wardrobe into a shabby chic dresser or turned a broken bike into a go-kart?

If you have found inventive ways to turn your unwanted textiles, shoes, broken items and furniture into something new then please post your pictures and ideas to our Facebook page or tweet us @Sutton Council with your hints and tips.

Cllr. Jill Whitehead

Cllr Whitehead, Chair of the Environment and Neighbourhood Committee said:

“Sutton Council is proud to support the Waste Less, Live More Week. Wasting less can help reduce our environmental impact and improve our lifestyles and health, we must all commit to rethinking what actions we could take to reduce waste and ensure our borough remains attractive and healthy.”

If you want to get involved please visit the Waste Less, Live More websitefor more information about the week

Charles Cryer Theatre

The books have been opened for potential bidders interested in taking over Sutton’s theatres.

Cllr. Hamish Pollock says:

“The final result of the Scottish Referendum was announced on the TV and Radio at 8.35am this morning with the ballots for the last district being declared”.

The “No” vote was 55.3% and “Yes” vote was 44.7%. Over 2 million votes were for the “No” side very roughly 400,000 more votes than the “Yes”.  The turnout was over 84% of eligible voters.