Keep the Track Running

As promised, here is an update on last night’s Full Council Meeting at Wandsworth Town Hall.

I mentioned in my last email that #keepthetrackrunning campaigners Councillors Leonie Cooper, Candida Jones and Fleur Anderson had succeeded on getting the future of the track onto the full council agenda, and last night ALL councillors met to vote on the future of the track.

I am pleased to say that Leonie, Candida and Fleur all made emotive speeches on the campaign’s behalf; outlining the importance of protecting the future of the track, making sure the services remain affordable to local people, and stressing the need to consult local people before the running of the track is handed over to an outside organisation.

Whilst it is frustrating that the council failed to consult the local community on their decision, I am delighted to report that last night Wandsworth Council did commit to keeping the services at the track affordable! There is no doubt about it, our campaign not only secured assurances that the track will remain open, but it put the issue of affordability on the agenda, and prevented Wandsworth Council from either selling off the track or quietly handing over the running of it without a thought to its future users.

This is a great success, and I would like to thank every one of you for signing the petition, encouraging your friends and family to do the same, and standing up for our track. Thanks also to those of you who came to the public gallery last night to see the debate. It just goes to show that if we really are stronger when we work together, and we can have an impact on the decisions that affect everyone in our community.

Going forward I will be monitoring Wandsworth Council’s tendering process very carefully to make sure the council honour their commitment, and that the track really does keep running.

I will be sure to be in touch in the New Year, to keep you updated.

In the meantime, Merry Christmas.

Best wishes,

Sadiq Khan

(@SadiqKhan)

http://www.sadiqkhan.org.uk/