5th February 2012

Dear Editor,

I’m afraid an opportunity has been missed. At a recent council meeting it was disappointing to witness the voting through of a waste plan that will now result in an incinerator in Beddington Lane.

If only Croydon Council had the vision and foresight, we could now be making plans for a greener, cleaner, more sustainable borough. Instead, the council appears unconcerned with the impact a waste-burning incinerator will have on the lives of Beddington residents – lives already blighted by existing waste sites and the pollution, noise and heavy lorries they bring.

While waste reduction, re-use, recycling, composting and anaerobic digestion facilities remain the better options for waste disposal, it is regrettable that the council chooses to burn our waste at the expense of the environment and the health and well being of local residents.

Yours sincerely,

Ross Hemingway

Upper Norwood, Croydon Green Party

It made me angry actually, the blatant hypocrisy. Saying one thing, then doing another. I guess some people will argue that it happens all the time in politics, but it shouldn’t, and its plain wrong.

At a recent council meeting the South London Waste Plan was adopted with a vote of 35-33. This essentially gives the go ahead to a waste-burning incinerator in Beddington Lane, on the borders of Croydon and Sutton.

For all intents and purposes Councillors Harris, Hiley and Hoar had the casting vote on whether this incinerator would be built, but by voting with their party they blew any chance of keeping the promise they made prior to the 2010 local elections.

Has any explanation or reason been given for breaking this pre-election promise? Not as yet. Do the three councillors know something the rest of us don’t? If they do, they should tell us!

Politicians don’t usually forgo the opportunity to be praised for standing firm, defying the party line in the name of their constituents or more importantly keeping the promises they make. I suggest this is rather a straightforward case of saying one thing, in the hope of garnering votes pre election and doing another once safely elected. I know I know, it happens all the time, but it is still plain wrong.

Sadly, entrusted with ‘opposing any incinerator’ Councillors Harris, Hiley and Hoar have failed. The people of Waddon deserve better.

1st January 2012

Dear Editor,

In response to John Pilger’s ‘Will an Indian spring be next?’ I’m writing to highlight the Jan Satyagraha (March for Justice) 2012 – a movement of Indian people demanding their land rights.

Mr Pilger is correct, land is so important to rural communities – it provides people with food and source of income.  Without land, farmers and fisherfolk are simply forced into a labour market that only ever exploits.

In Ratnagiri, an area in the south west of Maharashtra state, the Indian government has sold off huge swathes of land to the French multinational Areva.  The company’s proposed nuclear plant now threatens a local fishing village with eviction, will cost 2000 jobs, and destroy a community that has sustained itself for decades.

What’s happening across India is an Enclosures Act for the 21st century – a simple case of theft under the guise of ‘progress’. However, this is not progress, and for the 400 million Indians living in poverty it will only worsen their plight.

It’s so important then that we show solidarity and stand tall with the many thousands who, in October this year, will be marching across India for their land rights. Please support Jan Satyagraha 2012.

Yours sincerely,

Ross Hemingway (Green Party of England & Wales member)

7th December 2011

Dear Editor,

A question for Louisa Woodley. Does she also consider her fellow Labour councillors, in neighbouring Merton, to be escaping their responsibility? Labour in Merton supports the South London Waste Plan or more plainly, an incinerator in Beddington Lane.

A party that puts politics before principles represents no one. Maybe the campaign Ms Woodley should be ‘leading’ is one that first persuades her Labour colleagues across the border to ditch these costly and health damaging plans.

Yours sincerely,

Ross Hemingway,

Upper Norwood, Croydon Green Party

9th November 2011

Dear Editor,

It was disappointing to learn that not one of Croydon’s three MPs voted in favour of an EU referendum.

The European Union in its current form is deeply undemocratic. A referendum would allow the space to debate the future of the union and the vital role it has to play in promoting democracy, championing human rights and creating jobs based on strong, sustainable economies.

Radical reform of the EU project is long overdue, so while Messars Barwell, Ottaway and Wicks settle for the status quo, a Europe run by unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats can continue its fascination with free trade and competition at the expense of the environment and will of the people.

Yours sincerely,

Ross Hemingway

Upper Norwood, Croydon Green Party

Croydon Guardian ‘Your say’ 09.11.11

5th August 2011

Dear Editor,

As a fellow Upper Norwood resident, I applaud Mr Miller for his efforts to ‘reclaim the streets’.

Play Streets are an exciting and innovative idea – not only giving children the opportunity to play safely in the street, right outside their front door but also helping build strong communities and foster a neighbourly spirit. It shouldn’t need another Royal Wedding for this to happen.

Hopefully, Mr Miller’s campaign will gain further support from the residents of South Vale, once the finer details are understood and the wards three Labour councillors show their commitment to this excellent idea.

Yours sincerely,

Ross Hemingway,

Upper Norwood, Croydon Green Party

Croydon Guardian ‘Your say’ 10.08.11

6th July 2011

Dear Editor

Re: ‘Squat on’ Letter from Steve O’Connell, Croydon Guardian, July 6, 2011

It’s disappointing to read of Mr O’Connell’s support for these plans, as in no way do they address the root cause of squatting – homelessness.  Does he also support the Prime Minister’s proposed ban on soup runs and rough sleeping?

To make criminals of those seeking somewhere to shelter and something to eat is wrong.  We need more affordable council homes not criminals.

Yours faithfully,

Ross Hemingway,

Upper Norwood, Croydon Green Party

Croydon Guardian ‘Your say’ 13.07.11

4th July 2011

Sir,

I’m rather puzzled by Christopher Caldwell’s assertion that a decision to strike, like going to war, rests on how much ‘power’ you have.

Faced with a government intent on undermining comprehensive education and seemingly unable to recognise the invaluable contribution teachers make to our society, the courage and dignity displayed by the strikers, in defence of their hard won yet modest pensions, was completely justified.

While Mr Caldwell may have preferred teachers to remain spectators of their fate, the simple act of fighting for what you believe in, power or no power, is the single most important lesson that could ever be taught in the classroom.

Yours faithfully,

Ross Hemingway,

29th June 2011

Dear Editor,

As residents express their feelings about a 54 storey skyscraper, it’s unfortunate that Croydon Council fails to display the imagination and resourcefulness needed to tackle the existing problem of vacant and under used retail and office space.

At a recent Question Time in Thornton Heath, resident’s concerns about the state of St George’s Walk were met with Councillor Pollard’s misguided commitment to the ‘markets know best’ mantra. Unfortunately, local property markets like global financial markets do not always benefit the communities they serve.

The Council must take action now and stop depriving the community of what could and should be a bustling area of local shops and businesses.

Yours faithfully,

Ross Hemingway,

Upper Norwood,  Croydon Green Party

14th June 2011

Dear Editor,

I’m deeply concerned by Johnette Barrett’s plans for a new free school in the borough. I’m afraid the natural concerns of parents to ensure a good education for their children will not be addressed by the Paxton Academy.

Competing schools outside of local authority control not only take much needed funding away from neighbouring schools but scandalously leave the education system at the mercy of private companies intent on making a profit.

As with the health service, children’s education must not be a market free for all.  The very nature of competition creates winners and losers and to expose a child’s learning to the vagaries of market forces is unforgivable.

While the Government talks of localism and empowering communities, the simple fact remains, the Paxton Academy will be free from council control and so unaccountable to the local community.  With admissions criteria likely to be geared towards attracting only the ‘brightest’ children, this will simply serve to widen the inequality of achievement in Croydon.

Free schools are not the answer.  The answer lies in encouraging schools to work together, share their experiences and skills and with the full and active support of the local authority ensure the needs of all children are met.

Yours faithfully,

Ross Hemingway,

Upper Norwood, Croydon Green Party