COUNCILLORS voted through a budget at a full meeting of the council last night which will see council tax frozen again.

It’s the fifth consecutive year that council tax has been frozen in the borough.

In presenting the budget, the Leader of the Council, Cllr Chris Roberts, said there remained “ticking time-bombs” and warned that government policies on housing benefit caps would see many families moving to Greenwich from other boroughs, adding pressure to local services.

He lashed out at cuts by the government, describing the Conservatives as “vicious, nasty and spiteful.” Their Lib Dem coalition partners were “spineless,” he added.

The Leader of the Opposition, Cllr Spencer Drury, said Cllr Roberts was too focussed on Westminster politics and had “taken his eye off the ball” in Greenwich.

Cllr Drury called on the council to drop parking charges on the borough’s high streets and reduce what it spent on full time union employees.

The full council meeting at Woolwich Town Hall was the first since the borough was bestowed with royal status.

Light at the end of the foot tunnel

It was revealed at the meeting that the lifts in Greenwich Foot Tunnel should be operational by the end of March. The council has replaced the main contractor on the refurbishment “following severe delays to the programme.”

Cllr Denise Hyland, in charge of regeneration, said the cleaning of the tunnel’s interior walls would be the last thing to be done and she expected it to look “splendid” upon completion.

A SET of Olympic rings were towed down the Thames this afternoon to mark 150 days until the start of the games.

The structure, 11m tall and 25m wide, was towed down river, stopping for photo opportunities at the Old Royal Naval College, the O2 and the Thames Barrier before turning around and heading back.

The rings, which are reported to have cost more than £930,000, sailed through the lifted Tower Bridge at lunch time and reached Greenwich shortly before 3pm.

They were launched on their journey by London mayor, Boris Johnson, who used the occasion to announce a series of free cultural events in London this summer.

He said:

“From museums to theatre, and music to design, we have a reputation that is second to none and London’s finest artists and organisations are producing an exceptional range of brand new cultural events that will add to the excitement of hosting the Games.

“We’re creating the biggest festival of outdoor arts ever to be seen in the capital, as well as fantastic new work that will throw new light on some of our city’s lesser known landmarks and hidden gems. Wherever you are you will feel a part of the 2012 celebrations and experience a summer like no other in one of the most exciting cities on earth.'”

More photos from the Olympic rings on the Thames:

The rings passing the Thames Barrier

The rings stop in front of the the Old Royal Naval College

Two members of the King’s Troop were at the Old Royal Naval College as the rings arrived

THE COUNCIL’S vision for how Greenwich Peninsula might look in the future has been unveiled.

A “masterplan” has been put out for consultation, and would help guide developments on the western side of Greenwich Peninsula for years to come.

The document looks at ways the potential for undeveloped land on the western side of the peninsula can be unlocked.

A standout feature of the plans, first revealed by 853, is a new multi-use entertainment complex with a capacity of 40,000.

The complex could also include an integrated university faculty and the document also suggests a dedicated sporting facility, such as a new permanent home for the Soccerdome and possibly one of the large structures that has been built for the shooting events on Woolwich Common.

The document says: “The huge potential of the site lies in its riverside location with spectacular views over Canary Wharf to the north east and Greenwich, the World Heritage site, to the south.”

You can see the masterplan in full here – a consultation on the plans will remain open until March 9th.

The plans, along with a consultation, can be seen in person at presentations this afternoon and on Saturday morning at the Forum.

Masterplans have also been published for Eltham Town Centre, Charlton Riverside and Woolwich Town Centre.

AN AGREEMENT has finally been reached over the opening of a gate which will give local residents more convenient access to Maze Hill railway station.

The locked gate in the Seren Park development has frustrated local residents who have had to take a long detour on foot to reach the station.

Providing access to Maze Hill railway station was one of the conditions placed upon the developers when planning permission was granted by the council.

A Network Rail spokesperson told Greenwich.co.uk: “We are pleased to confirm that an agreement has been reached between Network Rail and the developer for the gate at the station to be brought into use for Seren Park residents. We are in the process of setting out the main agreed terms between the two parties and will then instruct our solicitors to formalise a full agreement for the path to be used.

“At the same time, we will instruct Southeastern to install Oyster card readers and ticket gates at the new entrance. Once all these steps have been completed, the path can be opened.”

Local MP, Nick Raynsford, welcomed the move:

“After years of personally lobbying Network Rail and the developers of Seren Park Gardens, I am pleased that Network Rail’s Chief Executive, David Higgins, has now responded with confirmation that the path to Maze Hill Station will open. Residents can now look forward to using a more direct and safer route to the station, once the installation of Oyster card readers at the barriers is complete”.

Greenwich.co.uk understands that Network Rail is working with the developer of Seren Park and Southeastern to deliver the access “as quickly as possible.”

A BIKE race around the world started in Greenwich Park this morning.

The brave cyclists lined up at the start, next to the Royal Observatory, and set off on their journeys at 9am.

The riders are each taking individual routes, with some some heading east and some heading west as they exited the park through Blackheath Gate.

The current Guinness World Record for cycling around the world stands at 96 days, although there are claims that this was recorded in error and should actually be 106 days.

The progress of the cyclists, who are each raising money for charity, can be followed on the World Cycle Racing website.

One of the competitors, Sean Conway, was recently interviewed by Robert Gray:

BUILDING work got under way last week on Greenwich Park’s Blackheath Gate.

Work was required on the gate to allow large vehicles through for the staging of London 2012, and park bosses say they are using this as an opportunity to carry out “improvements” that have been “needed for some time”.

The new configuration of the gate will be set back within the park by almost four metres, which Royal Parks say will make it easier for lorries to turn at the roundabout in front of the entrance and also make it safer for cyclists exiting the park.

Brick piers that formed part of the gate have been demolished but Royal Parks say only one of them retained its original bricks – dating back to 1885 – and they will be kept for use on future repairs to St Mary’s Gate. Royal Parks also say that all of the original Portland stone cornice and plinths are being salvaged, repaired and reused.

Graham Dear, The Royal Parks manager of Greenwich Park, commented:

“The work we are undertaking will make improvements to the layout of the junction and have been needed for some time, and although some disruption will be caused the end result will mean improvements for all users of the park. The current gates date from a time when the only traffic was pedestrian, cyclists and horse. They do not meet the needs for today’s vehicular traffic. The gates are not wide enough and they are regularly damaged. There have been many accidents involving cyclists. The new design will make the junction safer.

“The new design approved by English Heritage and Greenwich Borough Council is sympathetic to the feel of the park and the wonderful vista through the park that they help frame. An archaeologist is present throughout the demolition and ground-works for the project and we will also be trying to reuse as much of the current materials used in the gates as part of the construction.”

While the works continue, expected to be until early April, vehicles can only access the park via the Blackheath entrance and have to exit via St Mary’s Gate.

Planning permission to re-position the gate, which requires the felling of a horse chestnut tree, was granted by Greenwich Council’s Planning Board last month.

Image of how new gate is expected to look.

GREENWICH Council’s Cabinet will decide next week whether to hand over the running of its libraries to an outside company.

Councillors are being asked to approve the transfer of control of libraries to Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL).

It is proposed that the running of libraries be added into an existing contract for the borough’s leisure centres that will last for 15 years.

A report by council officers says that GLL will maintain current opening hours as a minimum, update the computers, bring forward the roll out of wifi and increase activities for children by 50%.

The plan to give GLL control of the libraries has caused an angry response from Unison’s local branch secretary, Onay Kasab.

A meeting for library users to learn more abou the plans will be held at West Greenwich Library on Friday night between 7pm – 8pm.

GLL was formed as a not-for-profit organisation in the early 1990s to run the borough’s leisure centres and since then has taken over the running of leisure centres across the capital. Diana Edmonds, who used to be run libraries at Haringey council, was appointed by GLL last year to run their new libraries division.

TRANSPORT for London has launched a consultation on plans on plans to create new ways to cross the Thames.

A tunnel from North Greenwich to Silvertown would create new road capacity in the area and also allow tall vehicles to cross the river.

TFL is also proposing a new vehicle ferry is also proposed between Thamesmead and Becton.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said last month that he would like to see the new Silvertown crossing built within ten years.

Nick Raynsford commented:

“While the Silvertown link is very welcome and will help to relieve the acute congestion which frequently affects the Blackwall Tunnel, the Mayor’s proposals for a ferry at Gallions Reach is an unsatisfactory alternative for the Thames Gateway Bridge.

The closing date for responses to the consultation is March 5th.

With the borough of Greenwich today celebrating the bestowing of Royal status, Greenwich.co.uk contacted leading figures in public life to get their congratulatory messages for Greenwich.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson told Greenwich.co.uk:

“Greenwich is a London borough of global significance; the home of time, a Unesco World Heritage Site, not to mention its close links to the Royal Family since the Middle Ages. This royal honour is surely the icing on the cake of a fantastic year for Greenwich as it prepares for a role at the heart of the London Games.”

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles MP, said:

“I am delighted to send my congratulations to Greenwich on becoming a Royal Borough in this, Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee year. The Borough is rightly proud of its Royal connections, which go back over many centuries and continue to this day.

I am sure that the new status will strengthen the feeling of civic pride which is so important in binding people together, and will give a focus around which you can all unite in celebration during this eventful year. When the eyes of the world are on London for the Olympics, I am sure the new Royal Borough of Greenwich will do a great job in showing off the best that Britain has to offer.”

The Shadow Secretary of State for Local Government, Hilary Benn MP, said:

“Many congratulations to the Royal Borough of Greenwich on your new and richly-deserved status. I wish you all the best for the future.”

Seb Coe, Chair of the London Olympic Organising Committee (LOCOG) said:

“Congratulations to Greenwich on receiving its new royal status. This is well deserved given the borough’s unique history. Receiving this status in the Olympic year is very exciting and fitting. The borough has three fantastic Games venues in the borough – Greenwich Park, the Royal Artillery Barracks, and the North Greenwich Arena. The Olympic Torch will also pass through the borough as well as lots of other events taking place. The London Organising Committee is working very hard to deliver spectacular events which everyone in the borough can enjoy in the summer.”

Greenwich and Woolwich MP Nick Raynsford told Greenwich.co.uk:

“I am delighted that Her Majesty the Queen has bestowed on Greenwich the honour of being designated a Royal Borough. This is a recognition of the close links which have existed between the Monarch and our Borough over many centuries. The designation could not come at a better time as we are preparing to welcome visitors from all over the world to celebrate the 2012 Olympics and the Queen’s Jubilee”.

Former London Mayor and Labour’s mayoral candidate, Ken Livingstone, said:

“Congratulations to Greenwich on receiving this new royal status. Recognition of Greenwich, an iconic and world famous corner of our capital is richly deserved.”

London Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate Brian Paddick said:

“Today is a great day for Greenwich, and I hope residents across the Borough enjoy the celebrations and festivities.

“It marks the beginning of an exciting year for Greenwich with the Olympics this summer, and I look forward to visiting the Royal Borough during the Mayoral campaign.”

Neighbouring boroughs were keen to add their messages of support, too. The Mayor of the London Borough of Bexley, Cllr Ray Sams, said he was honoured to pass on congratulations to the new Royal Borough. He commented:

“On behalf of the residents and businesses of the London Borough of Bexley, may I pass our best wishes and warmest congratulations to the new Royal Borough of Greenwich.

“Quite literally, the place where our time begins, your proud history and heritage has been at the centre of London’s life for hundreds of years. Our kings and queens have lived there, our navy was created and sailed from there and UNESCO considers you worthy of the title of ‘World Heritage Site’. May you enjoy the most wonderful Diamond Jubilee Year as the Royal Borough of Greenwich.”

Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham, said:

“Congratulations to Greenwich on its new status. This is a fitting tribute to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee that gives due recognition to Greenwich’s historical royal links. Receiving the new status this Olympic year must make it even more special”.

Royal Greenwich joins an exclusive group of three other boroughs with royal status: Royal Borough of Kingston, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the Royal Borough of Windsor. The Mayor of Kingston upon Thames, Councillor Patrick Codd said:

“I am delighted that the Queen has honoured the borough of Greenwich by bestowing it with royal status.

In recognition of this very special honour, the three other Royal Boroughs are delighted to be hosting a special celebration for the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich in March.”

Updated

Greenwich and Lewisham London Assembly Member, and former leader of Greenwich Council, Len Duvall said:

“The rare honour of being bestowed ‘Royal’ status to mark the Jubilee is yet another milestone in the rich and varied history and heritage of our Borough. 2012 is a very important year for Greenwich and I, for one, am extremely excited about what this means for us all.”

Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Cllr Julie Mills, said:

“Kensington and Chelsea has had close links with the Monarchy for many centuries, but it was just over 100 years ago that we became a Royal Borough. The title was granted by Edward VII in recognition of the fact that his mother, Queen Victoria, had been born at Kensington Palace and lived there until becoming Queen. We are today every bit as conscious of the honour that the title bestows. We were the third Royal Borough to be created and in this Diamond Jubilee year it is fitting that the links between the Crown and Greenwich should be marked by their becoming the fourth.

Warmest congratulations and our very best wishes to the Royal Borough of Greenwich!”