THOMAS SLAMS LABOUR'S CASH GRAB FOR CAMBERWELL (Southwark Liberal Democrats)

Southwark Liberal Democrats <info@southwark-libdems.org.uk>

THOMAS SLAMS LABOUR'S CASH GRAB FOR CAMBERWELL

April 25, 2007 12:00 AM

Cllr Richard Thomas, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Regeneration on Southwark Council, has slammed plans by the Southwark Labour councillors to illegally siphon money into their areas from the north of the Borough.

In an interview for a local newspaper, Labour Leader Peter John is reported to have said he believes the planning gain cash from developments in the north of the Borough should be re-allocated to areas that see less big development, such as Camberwell and Peckham.

"Labour's plans to siphon cash from local projects in Bankside, Bermondsey, Walworth and Rotherhithe into Camberwell and Peckham are outrageous and illegal," said Cllr Richard Thomas. "Labour Leader Peter John has shown his utter disdain for the north of the Borough."

"So-called 'planning gain' is the money given to the Council by developers to lessen the impact of new developments. It is mostly spent on small projects in the areas in which the work is undertaken. To demand that project money given in respect of a development in Bankside, Bermondsey, Walworth or Rotherhithe be spent instead in Camberwell or Peckham would be totally illegal."

So-called 'planning gain' is the money given to the Council by developers to lessen the impact of new developments. We can and do seek contributions for council wide services like education from developers. But it is absolutely right that planning gain should be focused on small local projects providing the infrastructure required to support our growing communities and relieving pressure where that pressure exists. To demand that project money given in respect of a development in Bankside, Bermondsey, Walworth or Rotherhithe be spent instead on unrelated projects in Camberwell or Peckham would be both unfair and illegal."

"As an alternative, Cllr John says that the popular Gleaner, Greener, Safer funding in the north should be cut. The Council allocates this money on the basis of population and social need. To upset this delicate balance in order to fund pet projects in his own marginal ward would be massively unfair."