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Council leader “can’t seem to work with other people” – Spencer Drury Interview Pt2

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This is part two of Adam Bienkov’s interview with Spencer Drury – Conservative candidate for the Greenwich & Woolwich parliamentary seat and leader of the Conservatives on Greenwich Council. Click here to read part one of the interview.

I meet Spencer Drury the day after the monthly full meeting of Greenwich Council. As usual the Conservative group raised a motion which was voted down by Labour, with Council leader Chris Roberts dismissing the debate as a “complete irrelevance.” Only a handful of voters were there to hear it.

And yet every week a newspaper promoting the Council’s agenda and featuring exclusively Labour politicians is distributed to the entire borough. Many thousands of voters will go on to read it.

So how can an opposition party ever hope to counter this imbalance?

“There is a real problem in Greenwich. Labour have been in power for 40 years and as an opposition the changing system has made it hard to make any contribution at all. We’re marginalised on scrutiny panels which are 100% chaired by Labour members and we can bring motions to Council which obviously get voted down. So the council side of it is very hard to contribute to at all. And it is hard to break through what is essentially a taxpayer funded infrastructure in place to support the Labour Party.”

So would the Conservatives close down Greenwich Time?

“Yes. Well I think that you would need some kind of communication, so I would look at the Bexley model where you have a quarterly magazine and it is a case of just what’s on in the borough. But this council spends a fortune on advertising itself and Greenwich Time has to go. It is wrong. It is morally wrong to be pumping out propaganda at the expense of the taxpayer”

But is it really just a political vehicle?

“I mean it went weekly the week after Boris was elected. Tell me that wasn’t a political decision. It was fortnightly before then and it went weekly genuinely the week afer he was elected.”

He tells me about the council’s campaign to bring the Oyster card to the Thames Clippers. For Drury this was little more than a show, with the aims of the campaign won long before the council even became involved:

“I asked for the background papers and the Council didn’t actually do anything. They just ran their campaign in Greenwich. They didn’t tell the Mayor they were running this campaign. The Mayor had already made the decision anyway and they delivered their petition to him I believe a week before the decision was announced publically.  So all the decisions had been made and their influence was absolutely zero.”

So why bother to do it?

“They just wanted to stand around and pose with printed blue cards run in their own council paper saying how fabulous they are.  And it’s just rotten. It’s just wasting time and money when they should be doing things that improve the lives of people in this borough.”

So what can the opposition do in these circumstances. Where can they be effective?

“Well what you can do is be a good ward member and make sure that your residents are represented. And I enjoy that and it is worth doing.”

But do the Council listen to those representations?

“To be honest we’re pretty much excluded. Chris Robert’s political approach is to make sure that the Labour party does what he wants them to and he’s got no interest in paying attention to any other views even those within the Labour party, let alone the opposition. And he will let us contribute occasionally on minor things so I’m hoping that he will be letting us contribute on the coat of arms for the Royal Borough for instance. But this is not something that is going to make much difference to many residents.”

What do you make of him personally?

“Well I think he is very divisive. With Chris you are either with him or against him. And that applies to opposition politicians but that also applies to people within the Labour party. You see very often the Labour group split over the hard line that he has taken over certain issues. And his relations with the Mayor of London are dreadful now and they were dreadful when there was a Labour Mayor of London.  He just can’t seem to work with other people.”

I ask him about reports that Roberts is moving wards at the election. Is he running away from defeat?

“Well he had one of the lowest votes I believe of anyone on the council and he was comfortably lower than the other two Labour councillors in the peninsula. So there is certainly a negative attittude towards Chris and he is certainly the only person who I have spoken to people about on the doorstep and they have said “well I’m not a Conservative voter but I’m definitely not voting for Roberts”. So he definitely isn’t a popular figure”


In part three of the inteview, to be published tomorrow, Spencer Drury is asked about the 2012 Olympics, schooling in Greenwich and the forthcoming General Election campaign.

Call for clarity over East Greenwich Library

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Dave Sharman, a Green Party candidate for the Peninsula ward, has written to Greenwich Council asking for assurances that East Greenwich Library will not be closed.

The library, donated to the community by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, is also home to Greenwich Community College’s Meridian Music Centre.

Greenwich Community College is currently undertaking a consultation process on the courses it can afford to offer after it had a 10% cut imposed on its “Adult Learner Responsive” budget this year.

The review involves all aspects of the college, including the Meridian Music Centre, although local Greens claim that staff have already been told the music centre will close at the end of this academic year.

Dave Sharman commented: “I hope the music college’s planned closure is not part of a wider project to do away with the library by stealth – the people of East Greenwich will not stand for that”

Cllr John Fahy, Greenwich Cabinet Member for Culture and Olympics, commented that “the Scheme [to refurbish the library] and Estimate is being costed and work will commence shortly“.

He added that he would continue to work with the Friends of East Greenwich Library and Ward Councillors “to maximise a long term future for the building“.

Blackwall Tunnel U-turn a “huge disappointment” – Spencer Drury Interview Pt1

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The Conservative’s parliamentary candidate for Greenwich and Woolwich has spoken of his “huge disappointment” after the Mayor broke his promise to reinstate tidal flow in the Blackwall Tunnel.

Speaking during a wide-ranging interview with Greenwich.co.uk, the current leader of the Conservatives on the council Spencer Drury said:

“I think it is a huge disappointment because it does create congestion unnecessarily. For years it worked perfectly well and I can’t see why it suddenly had to change.”

In the run up to the Mayoral elections, Boris Johnson promised to reverse the controversial decision to end tidal flow “at the earliest opportunity.”

The pledge gathered widespread support in the area and formed a major part of his transport manifesto. However, last month he admitted to LBC presenter Nick Ferrari that he would not fulfill his promise:

“If I were to impose my will and say restore that contraflow and if there was then to be some huge conflagration in that tunnel and there were fatalities I’m afraid then under the present law of corporate manslaughter brought in by this Labour government then the tragedy is that I would be liable.”

Asked about the legal implications comments, Spencer Drury replied:

“I’m not aware of the legal position so I will have to take [Boris’s] word for that, but yes it is a disappointment.”

The importance of relieving congestion at Blackwall was highlighted after a recent fire in the tunnel caused widespread traffic chaos in the area. It also comes after reports that Olympic lanes will be installed in the tunnels.

However, on this issue Spencer Drury insists that the Mayor has listened:

“We’ve spoken with the Mayor’s office and they have said that this is not the case, so I don’t believe that the plan that we have seen in the public domain is the plan that we are going to end up with. I think the Mayor is listening to us on this.”

He also hit out at Greenwich Council for failing to deal with congestion in the area:

“I have always said that one of the things that you could have as a legacy from the Olympics is sorting out congestion in Greenwich, that we could get outside organisations involved and say that we want this as a legacy and I think that many more residents would be on board about the Olympics if it meant we could sort out the town centre.”

However, he suggested that the council’s plans to pedestrianise the town centre were little more than an election gimmick:

“If you were cynical about it you might suggest that it is just because there is an election coming up because there doesn’t appear to have been a proper plan behind this. The problem is that they haven’t done a study on the surrounding areas. This is a huge hub within SE London and the impact the plans would have on Lewisham and on Deptford and on the A2 is even bigger. And because the Council have not looked at it on a global scale we might have a situation where it would work for one part of Greenwich but then has a negative effect elsewhere.”

He believes that the council should instead secure funding to widen certain roads in the borough and even to build a road tunnel under Blackheath:

“Well one of my colleagues was very keen on taking one the road across the heath down into a tunnel because you could dig down very easily there and make it wider. I think that would be a lovely idea although I don’t know whether we would ever be able to afford it. But quite clearly if we want to look after our town centre we have to look at something that would be a genuine leagacy from the Olympics”

In part two of our interview Spencer Drury speaks out against plans to build a temporary stadium in Greenwich Park, says that the continued publication of Greenwich Time is “morally wrong” and claims that Chris Roberts is a “divisive” and unpopular leader of the council.

Royal George pub to be converted to flats

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Spitfire Delivery at the Royal George

The Royal George pub in Blissett Street is set to be turned into flats after planning permission was granted by Greenwich Council.

The pub closed its doors recently and the owners, Shepherd Neame, put in an application to have the building converted into two flats.

To illustrate the loss of trade the pub had suffered, Shepherd Neame described in its application how annual beer barrel volume averaged at 120 barrels between 2000 – 2009, whereas it has been as high as 310 barrels between 1977 – 1986.

They also highlighted the affect of the smoking ban, business rates, utility bills and the minimum wage as factors which they say made the pub no longer economically viable.

Six responses from the public were made which all opposed the closure, but permission was granted at last week’s meeting of the Greenwich area planning board.

Jacob Zuma visits Sainsbury’s in Greenwich

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The President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, paid a visit to the Sainsbury’s supermarket in Greenwich today.

Zuma, known for his polygamist weddings, is on his first State Visit to the UK after becoming president last year.

It’s reported that Zuma requested the visit himself because of the trading links between Sainsbury’s and his country. He was greeted at the supermarket by Sainsbury’s CEO, Justin King, and shown some of the products that Sainbury’s imports from South Africa, such as wine, apples, grapes and flowers.

Justin King said, “We have strong links with South Africa, so we’re delighted to welcome President and Mrs Zuma to our store in Greenwich.

“We’re proud of what we have achieved at this store. It has acted as a blueprint for many of our subsequent environmental stores, so it is apt that the first state visit to a British supermarket should happen here.”

For an eye witness account and photos of the presidential visit, check out Darryl’s post on 853.

Cutty Sark pub expansion blocked by Council

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Cutty Sark Tavern

A plan to build a three-storey extension to the Cutty Sark pub has been refused by the Planning Board of Greenwich Council.

The proposal by the owners – Morden College – was that a current one-storey extension to the Grade-II listed public house in Ballast Quay be demolished and replaced with a three-storey extension

The council received 12 responses to the planning application – all against the move.  Criticisms included that the proposal would substantially change the nature of the business from a pub to that of a restaurant and that the changes were not in keeping with the character of the building or of the street.

Council officials had recommended that permission be granted but Councillors turned down the application at their meeting on Tuesday night.

Greenwich Council Meeting: 24th February 2010

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Council-owned housing rent

Greenwich Councillors voted through a 1.6% rise in rents on Council homes in the borough at a full meeting of the Council last night.

The move – which will see average rents go up by £1.30 a week – was opposed by Conservative and Lib Dem councillors.

Cllr Graeme Coombes (Con, Kidbrooke with Hornfair) described the proposed increase as “unwarranted and unnecessary”.

Cllr Eileen Glover (Con, Eltham South) said “we should be good landlords. These are stringent times. We should not be putting up council rents at this time”.

Cllr Brian Woodcraft (Lib Dem, Middle Park and Sutcliffe) called the rise “totally unjustified”.

In defending the move, Council leader Chris Roberts (Lab, Peninsula) told councillors that there would be a “loss of subsidy to the council if rents don’t increase” because of the complex funding arrangements for Council owned housing stock.

Recycling

Conservative councillors put forward a motion asking for a commitment to the weekly black topped bin collection and opposing any introduction of “bin taxes”.

Cllr Spencer Dury (Con, Eltham North) told the meeting that whilst the recycling system had been “something of a success”, there was still “substantial concerns about incineration”.

Cllr Graeme Coombes (Con, Kidbrooke with Hornfair) said that collecting the bins was “one of the fundamental tasks in local government” and that any introduction of bin taxes would result in an increase in illegal fly tipping.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Chris Roberts, said the meeting had spent “45 minutes on a Tory motion that’s completely irrelevant” and that because of the council tax package previously voted for by councillors, “all bins will be collected on a weekly basis whether they are blue, black or green”.

Greenwich Foot Tunnel

The council’s formal response to a recent petition opposing the closure of Greenwich and Woolwich foot tunnels whilst renovation is undertaken contained details of the closure programme that is being proposed.

The works are likely to run from February 2010 to March 2011 and will see Greenwich Foot Tunnel closed weekday nights from 9.00pm to 6.00am.

Woolwich Foot Tunnel will have daytime closures from Monday to Friday. Consideration is being given to starting closures at 10.00am, and only on days when the Woolwich ferry is in operation.

Cutty Sark

Cllr Chris Roberts used a written answer to a question from Cllr Paul Webbewood (Lib Dem, Middle Park and Sutcliffe) to reject recent criticisms of the plan to suspend the famous tea clipper 11-feet off the ground as part of its restoration. He commented:

“The difference between the iconic scheme the council has supported and simply putting the Ship back together as was could not be greater. It will create an attraction which people will want to return to… it will host a range of uses as well as create a stunning visual backdrop to those wishing to visit Greenwich”.

Webcasting Council Meetings

Council leader Chris Roberts was asked by Cllr Nigel Fletcher (Con, Eltham North) about the possibility of webcasting Greenwich Council meetings – an idea which was last month approved by Lewisham Council after local Greens proposed it.

Roberts told the meeting he was fairly open minded but it perhaps reflected “an inflated sense of self importance in the chamber” if they thought people would switch off the football to watch council meetings.

Peninsula Chinese restaurant gets food hygiene fine

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The Peninsula restaurant in Bugsby’s Way has been handed a fine of £13,500 by Woolwich Magistrates.

The hefty fine was issued last Monday after a number of food hygiene breaches were found in an unannounced inspection by Environmental Health officers at Greenwich Council.

During the inspection, officers found:

  • Dirty equipment, walls, floor and ventilation ducting in the kitchen
  • Food storage containers in a poor state of repair
  • Failure to protect food from contamination in the refrigerator
  • Inadequate procedures were put into place to control pests
  • Mouse droppings were found in the storage areas
  • General cleanliness of the premises was below standard

Peninsula restaurant, which is in the same building as the Express by Holiday Inn hotel, pleaded guilty to the offences and were charged £13,500 and ordered to pay the council’s costs of £6,800.

Councillor Maureen O’Mara, Greenwich Council’s Cabinet Member for neighbourhood services, said: “The Council will continue to carry out unannounced visits to food businesses and will take necessary action to safeguard customers’ health. It is essential that food businesses take all the appropriate steps to ensure general food hygiene standards are met”.


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Greenwich Hospital confirms Market appeal

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Greenwich Hospital has confirmed that it will be appealing against the Council’s decision to reject its market regeneration plans.

The decision – first reported on this site yesterday by Andrew Gilligan – was relayed to traders at a meeting last night and confirmed by Greenwich Hospital in a press release this morning.

Greenwich Hospital will be asking the Planning Inspectorate to consider the same proposal that was unanimously rejected by Greenwich Council’s Planning Board last August.

Martin Sands, Director of Greenwich Hospital, said:

“The Hospital’s criteria for the regeneration of Greenwich Market has always been that any improvements to the Hospital’s properties in Greenwich town centre would need to:

  • Retain the diversity of shops and stalls.
  • Be architecturally, physically and financially viable.
  • Be capable of standing the test of time.
  • Be mindful of Greenwich’s status as a World Heritage Site and as a
  • Maritime Heritage Site.
  • Complement Greenwich’s unique position as a tourist and retail
  • destination.

Greenwich Hospital continues to believe that the market regeneration scheme which was not approved by Greenwich Council in August 2009 meets the above criteria.

Greenwich Hospital says that if permission is granted, work will not begin until 2013.

In an interview with Greenwich.co.uk last December, Nick Raynsford MP said “I think that if they appeal they have a very good chance of success“.

Update: A spokesperson for Greenwich Council has told Greenwich.co.uk:

The council will defend the unanimous decision of its Planning Board and would urge all residents who opposed the scheme to make representations to the planning inspectorate.

Council approves O2 as Olympic venue

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The Planning Board of Greenwich Council gave permission last night for the O2 to be used as a venue at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.

The dome, which will be known as the North Greenwich Arena at the time of the games, will play host to Artistic Gymnastics, Trampoline Gymnastics and the Basketball finals during the Olympic Games, followed by Wheelchair Basketball during the Paralympic Games.

The proposal got the unanimous backing of the Planning Board at last night’s meeting.

Sebastian Coe, Chairman of LOCOG said: “This is very good news and a vital step forward in our preparations for the Games. These venues are an important part of the cluster of sports being staged in Greenwich. North Greenwich Arena is without doubt an outstanding venue and will be a spectacular sporting stage in 2012.”

The Planning Board also unanimously supported the proposal to use Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich for shooting events at the 2012 Games.