From the Local Government Information Unit website:

Andrew Brown’s blog  is a very councillorish blog, covering local issues rather than the author’s observations on the world at large. It’s good local information but a look at the comments seems to show that it isn’t attracting much feedback (yet) and what there is looks as if it comes mostly from other bloggers – although there’s nothing wrong with that and there are some healthy debates on the site. If I lived in the area I think I’d check this out from time to time.

Why wait until Thursday when you can get out and vote for your local councillors and Mayor this weekend!

You can vote early on:

• Saturday 29 April, 8am to 8pm
  
• Sunday 30 April, 10am to 6pm

Polling stations will be located at:

Sainsbury’s Car Park
263 New Cross Gate SE14 5UL
click here for map

Lewisham Market Focal Area
Lewisham High Street SE13 6AT
click here for map

Savacentre Car Park
Southend Lane SE26 4PU
click here for map

I've had the following message from Groundwork South East London, where I'm a Director, that I wanted to pass on:

I am delighted to confirm that Groundwork won GMTV's recent People's Millions vote and as a result will deliver 25 projects across the country.

On behalf of everyone at Groundwork, I would like to say a big thank you to all who supported us and voted on the day.

The team here is now preparing to deliver a project in Downham and Bellingham with its share of the grant.

We couldn't have done it without you.

I entirely endorse those sentiments and look forward to seeing the results of the work.

I won't comment on the performance of the candidates, other than to say that I thought that Gavin and Alex did us proud*, and to note that none of the Lewisham Blackheath Green Party candidates made it (but they did send a ringer, someone from Lee Green).  

However, I thought you might be interested in the questions that were put by members of the audience at last night's hustings:

* The rules laid down by our hosts said that only one candidate from each party in the two wards could speak, so I was there as an interested spectator rather than an active participant.

The Labour Party has a manifesto for these Council elections, which we will work to implement over the next four years. 

As local candidates, Rachael, Gavin and I have also made pledges for Blackheath:

Every Home a Decent Home

Every Council home in the ward will be brought up to the national Decent Homes Standard.

Work is already under way on the Baizdon Road estate, and we have won a commitment to demolish the Heathside and Lethbridge estates, replacing them with modern family homes.

We believe the Decent Homes standard should be applied to every Council house and estate in the ward, and will campaign to make this a reality.

A Green Flag for Blackheath

The Green Flag is the prestigious award given to parks and green spaces that meet the highest standards for the environment.

We’ve already met this standard for Lewisham parks such as Manor House Gardens and Telegraph Hill. Now it’s Blackheath’s turn.

As the borough’s most important green space the heath should have a Green Flag. The heath is a unique asset for local people, whether you are sporty, a “Blackheath pedestrian” or just need time to relax.

We plan improvements to the heath to match the recent investment in the Prince of Wales Pond, and will work with our Greenwich neighbours to ensure that day to day management of the heath is of the very highest standard.

Safe Travel

Building on the improvements to Blackheath village itself, we will ensure that all areas of safety concern in the ward are assessed and action taken to reduce accidents.

Pedestrians, cyclists and motorists deserve to be able to travel safely and smoothly.

This means improvements to safety, but also continuing the innovative programme of investment in road and footpath resurfacing, and new street lighting, that saw Lewisham win first place in the London Transport awards last year.

The Blackheath and Greenwich Branch of the United Nations Association is organizing a hustings meeting on Wednesday 26th April, in the run up to the local Council elections on  Thursday May 4th.  The meeting will start at 8.00 pm, and end at around 9.30 pm.  

Neville Grant, who is organising the meeting, says:

It is a  tradition for our branch to organize these hustings meetings, as we are keen to  support the democratic process. In the past the meetings  have been well-advertised, very successful, well-attended, and good-humored.  The venue will be Age Exchange's Old Bakehouse Theatre in Blackheath Village, Bennett Park (opposite Blackheath Station).