Chris Best

As a local resident my aspiration is to make Sydenham the best place in London to live, work and learn. I have been working on this by involving Sydenham citizens, traders and local groups in the quarterly Sydenham Assembly meeting - building on the success of the Sydenham Community Regeneration Partnership (SCRP) meetings.

My aim is to provide you with what you want:

• an attractive environment - quality parks with a state of the art water feature and cafe at Wells Park; free tennis courts and play areas at Mayow Park; adventure playground at Home Park; roads resurfaced; improved street lighting; graffiti cleaned up and abandoned cars removed
• a greener neighbourhood - continuous improvements in recycling with the weekly recycling collection including plastics; green waste collection; free/subsidised garden composters; planting of trees and maintenance of conservation areas; provision of allotments; cycle lanes and bike racks
• Sydenham Safer Neighbourhoods Team - lower than the Lewisham average crime levels; CCTV and reduction in the fear of crime
• vibrant high street - partnership between the Town Centre Manager, Sydenham Traders and local businesses including the provision of shop front improvement grants; consistent signage for the free car parking spaces and Girton Road car park
• continuous learning - raising of the standards at local schools; and a review of the local offer for Community Education and libraries through the Mayor's Commission on Libraries and Learning
• investment in housing - the investment and management of council housing through Lewisham Homes; more homes through local housing associations; grants and loans to improve private sector housing; support for self build
• well being of residents - healthy walks programme at Wells Park; work of the Sydenham Garden project; Supporting People; home helps and meals on wheels
• accessible public transport - arrival of the East London Line by 2010; integrated bus transport to ease the use of the Freedom Pass and the benefits of the Oyster Card
• funding for community groups - Sydenham Music and the provision of local community centres; free advice from Sydenham CAB
• quality public services - free internet access and wi fi at Sydenham Library; new Sports Centre and improvements to Forest Hill school; extended childcare places; sports facilities at the Bridge.

I am working towards an inclusive Sydenham where everyone can get involved - including our pupils who can vote for a Young Mayor! There are a number of residents groups, park user groups, street leaders as well as the Ward Panel with the Sydenham Safer Neighbourhoods Team. I am also developing volunteering and the local Timebank in my role as Cabinet Member for Community Services.

Lewisham council is delivering quality services, value for money and effective action against anti-social behaviour for our community. It is important that we can carry on this good work and with your support we will continue to make Sydenham a better place to live, work and learn. With my co-councillors Marion Nisbet and Seamus McDermott we are active in a number of local groups and would encourage you to become involved in the life of the Sydenham community.

I try to talk to as many people as possible to find out what is important to you and what your priorities are. The Sydenham Assembly has also given residents the chance to highlight your priorities and below is a brief summary of our successes thus far, achieved with the support of your Labour Mayor, Steve Bullock and your local MP, Jim Dowd:

More activities for children and young people • Won £3.5 million for a world class youth centre on Wells Park Road • Improved play facilities in Wells Park, Hazel Grove and Home Park • Promoted the Sydenham and Forest Hill Youth Forum to give young people a say

Improving community safety and tackling anti-social behaviour • Working with our Police Safer Neighbourhood Team to tackle crime • Partnership working with the Police and the Council to manage street drinking

Vibrant high street • 1st Sydenham Arts Festival supporting local artists and businesses • Refuse collections and street sweeping seven days a week • Working with the Sydenham Traders Association to sustain local businesses

Environmental improvements to provide a cleaner greener Sydenham • Working with Envirowork in Mayow Park and continued Green Flags in Wells Park • Free recycling schemes for Christmas trees, batteries and mattresses • Increased recycling including green waste collection at Girton Road car park

Transport improvements for Sydenham • Bid of £3.6 million to Transport for London on improvements to the high street • Campaigned with local groups to ensure Pay As You Go Oyster Cards for all train users • Delivery of the East London Line

Thank you for your continued support in my endeavours to make Sydenham a better place to live, work and learn.