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 as well local events.

My aim is to work with you to deliver on your priorties:

• keeping police numbers in the Sydenham Safer Neighbourhoods Team - ensure there is lower than the Lewisham average crime levels; use of CCTV and high visibility to reduce the fear of crime
• working with our young people to ensure continuous learning - raising of the standards at local schools; providing training opportunitie; development space in youth centres
• vibrant high street - partnership between the Sydenham Traders and local businesses and the Council to ensure a shop local approach including two hour free car parking spaces on the high street and Girton Road car park
• an attractive environment - quality parks with a state of the art water feature at Wells Park; free tennis courts and different play areas at Mayow Park; adventure playground and outdoor gym at Home Park; roads resurfaced; improved street lighting; graffiti cleaned up and flytipping 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
• 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 - completion of the London Overground orbital network: integrated bus transport to ease the use of the Freedom Pass and the benefits of the Oyster Card
• funding for community groups - Sydenham Arts Festival and the provision of local community centres; free advice from Sydenham CAB
• quality public services - free internet access and wi fi at Sydenham Community Library; rebuilding of Forest Hill pools and improved sports facilities at the Bridge as part of the Fusion contract.

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 Health, Wellbeing and Older People.

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 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 local priorities and below is a brief summary of our successes thus far:

Bringing our community together • Buidling a £3.5 million world class youth centre on Wells Park Road • Improved play facilities in Wells Park, Mayow Park, Hazel Grove and Home Park • Promoted the Sydenham and Forest Hill Youth Forum to give young people a say

Health, well-being and community safety • 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

Transport improvements for Sydenham • £3.6 million from Transport for London on improvements to the high street and Lewisham paying for Station Approach • Campaigned to keep the Freedom Pass and promoted use of Oyster Cards for all train users • Working on the East London Line and connection to the London Overground orbital network - started work on the Bakerloo Line route to Lower Sydenham

Cleaner and greener Sydenham • Working with Glendales for continued Green Flags in Wells Park and this year a Green Flag for Mayow Park • Free recycling schemes for Christmas trees, batteries and mattresses • Free green waste collection at Girton Road car park on Saturday and Sunday mornings

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