33 years of Liberal Democracy in Sutton

September 2019

33 years of Liberal Democracy in Sutton Preface

But winning has always been only the means to the end, not the end in itself. Yes, of course, to keep winning we must run a ‘good council’ – nobody wants to vote for a ‘bad council’! But any political party can, and sometimes does, run a ‘good council’! We want to win, not just because we’re better than the other lot, but because we’re Liberal Democrats and we want to show people what a good Liberal Democrat government looks like in action, not just in words. Lord Graham Tope CBE Our ‘end’ is a truly Liberal society; our Sutton Liberal/Liberal Democrat Group means is a good Liberal Democrat Leader 1974-99 council. Sutton has made a good start It’s fair to say that the Liberal over the last 33 years. We look forward Democrats in the Borough of now to the next 33 years! Sutton know something about winning elections! In the last three decades we’ve won all nine ‘all out’ council elections – five of them with over 80 per cent of the council seats.

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Contents

A record of action. A promise of more ...... 4

A council that represents Sutton...... 6

Local committees: giving power back to the communities we serve...... 8

Delivering on the green agenda, not just talking about it ...... 10

“It is said that, it’s not how old you are, it’s how you are old” ...... 12

We are Sutton Central Ward, ...... 15

Transport campaigning ...... 17

Sutton – the new home for Cancer Centre of Excellence...... 19

Admiral Nurses helping to tackle dementia ...... 22

Acknowledgements...... 23

3 33 years of Liberal Democracy in Sutton

A record of action. A promise of more

Where to begin? We have been running the party to increase the number of the Council in Sutton since 1986. councillors and become the main That’s 33 years putting Liberal and opposition to the Conservatives by Liberal Democrat values into practice 1964, who was elected in 1973 as and showing our residents what one of the two Liberals on the Greater government based on our values can London Council until 1977 and then look like. That’s quite special. elected to Sutton Council in 1986 where she remained until her retirement in Some of our councillors (like Jake Short 2002. She was made an honorary who helped put this booklet together – alderman of the borough and, now thanks Jake!) were born in the borough in her nineties, continues to take an after 1986. They’ve only ever lived in interest in local politics. Liberal Democrat Sutton. They were born here, went to school here and It’s great to win elections – it’s now want to give back to their own exhilarating. We fight every election communities and make a difference. campaign as if it’s our first and we fight hard. We don’t go out to defend, we go There are so many people to thank out to win. and so much I could talk about – far too much for this short booklet. The But it’s the hard work that comes acknowledgements at the end try and afterwards that counts. As Liberal do justice to the scale of the number of Democrats, we don’t have a core people involved. People who worked so group of voters who have grown up in hard and with such determination to put households where everyone has always us in a position where we could start voted in a certain way and it’s taken for winning elections and then kept going granted. We have to show people what so we could carry on winning. Liberal Democrat values look like in practice and we have to keep showing People like another Ruth – Ruth Shaw them, year in and year out. We don’t do – who helped to form the Sutton things to people or in spite of people and Young Liberals in 1950, – we take people with us, encourage who was the first Liberal elected to them to get involved, listen to their the Sutton and Cheam Metropolitan concerns and work with them to shape Borough Council in 1961, who led our policies and our decisions.

4 Because this is our borough, the place It is our responsibility to face up to where we have chosen to live and those challenges, to help provide work and bring up a family. We are all answers and to work with our residents invested in this place and we want to create a fairer, more inclusive and everyone to have the opportunity to more Liberal world. A world where thrive and lead happy, healthy lives. the power to effect change lies, not in our institutions and our established Our history is important – but we look hierarchies, but in the hands of the to the future and continually challenge people who live in our communities. each other. We are never complacent and we never take our residents for granted. We learn from our mistakes, we have the courage to change our minds and we continue to come up with new ideas and new solutions to the many challenges we face. The articles in this booklet give you a taste of who we are and what we want to achieve. What drives us and Councillor Ruth Dombey OBE the values we hold most dear. We are Leader of Sutton Council proud of what we have done – and determined to do so much more. We are proud to have the lowest level of , proud to have some of the best schools in the country, proud of our green credentials. But we also recognise the scale of present and future challenges – climate change, the mental health of our young people, the new skills needed for the jobs of the future.

5 33 years of Liberal Democracy in Sutton

A council that represents Sutton

In 2019 we have 33 Liberal Democrat When I became a councillor, some councillors, of whom 13 are women, years ago, having just turned 40, I was two have disabilities, nine are under one of the ‘youngsters’ in a group with the age of 35 and our ethnicity ranges an average age of 65. That was a great from Persian to Polish, Asian to Latin antidote to the gravitas of reaching American, British and Irish. that milestone at the time. I was also a complete novice in respect of politics I am particularly proud that of those 13 and local government. But still my input women, nine hold positions of special was taken seriously; my professional responsibility and include the Leader, background and life experience seen as Deputy Leader and Lead Member an asset, and I was quickly encouraged for Resources. Six of our youngest to take on key roles and responsibilities. councillors are either chairs or vice- chairs of council committees. I see that same approach with all our members and ensure I adopt it myself. Both our members with disabilities In fact so keen are we to harness the have been either Mayor or Deputy fresh ideas of our younger members Mayor. that we can sometimes overburden We did not achieve this diversity by them, when they are trying to balance design, but neither was it entirely by full time employment or starting a chance. It has been achieved through family. ensuring an open and welcoming Our committee system (as opposed culture within our group. Opinions and to a traditional cabinet/scrutiny model) input are truly valued whether coming allows greater participation from all from new members or long-standing members into policy-making and key ones; from the Leader or our youngest decisions. It is also a less politically member. There is a delight in the range confrontational model, which I think of experience of our council group, assists our appeal to women. and it contributes towards making our decisions more robust and relevant to our residents.

6 When I became a councillor the council group had a good representation of women, with plenty in senior positions, but the high point came in 2010 when we achieved a 50:50 male/female balance in our council group. We are lucky to have had a regular refresh of councillors after elections, with new minds bringing ideas Councillor Jayne McCoy and energy and helping us avoid Deputy Leader of Sutton Council complacency. The culture at the Council and in our group ensures an environment that celebrates diversity and seeks to develop talent. But the key is still about being proactive and asking people to get involved. Identifying and asking activists and key members of the community to think about becoming a councillor; suggesting to colleagues roles that they might shine in and encouraging them to step up. I took on roles I might not have considered had I not been asked and fell in love with them. Now I am keen to share my enthusiasm with colleagues so they can take up the baton.

7 33 years of Liberal Democracy in Sutton

Local committees: giving power back to the communities we serve

Sutton Council’s system of Local Area A major priority for two of our local Committees plays a very important committees following the 2018 role, transferring local decision-making election was to secure funding for back to the areas that we as councillors the restoration of a Victorian drinking represent. The borough’s wards are fountain in ward. The divided into six Local Area Committees fountain is a fine example of the civic based around the villages and districts philanthropy of the time and is one of that make up our borough. These are: the most prominent heritage structures North Cheam and ; in the ward, but had been sadly Sutton South, Cheam and Belmont; neglected. Sutton Local; St Helier, The Wrythe As the fountain stands on the boundary and Wandle Valley; and between The Wrythe and Carshalton Clockhouse; and and Central wards, their respective local Wallington. committees agreed to fund the project One key element of our local jointly. This ensured the successful committees is the important role that and cost-effective restoration of recognised community representatives an important local landmark. Local play. These representatives can be community groups were also heavily residents’ associations, local tenants’ involved in the process, providing associations, traders, heritage groups, historical information, suggesting ideas local friends’ groups or charities. They to further improve the project and get a formal seat at the table to take giving feedback on the restoration work. part in discussions about their area. The result was even better than had While decisions are ultimately made been expected: the stonework was by councillors, community groups cleaned, replica taps were installed and value the inclusivity that Sutton’s local the bowls were sealed to prevent them committees bring. from filling up with rainwater.

8 Signs were put up to tell residents This is a small but important example about the story of the fountain and its of how councillors can make a real place in local history, helping to foster a difference in their wards, even at a time greater understanding of, and sense of of limited resources. It also highlights pride in, the area and what it used the work that local committees excel to be like. at – localised projects that elevate and improve the communities we serve.

Councillor Jake Short

Before the project

Councillor Sam Weatherlake

After the project

9 33 years of Liberal Democracy in Sutton

Delivering on the green agenda, not just talking about it

Sutton is one of the leafiest boroughs In 2011, and after extensive restoration in London but away from the physical works in close collaboration with the amenities of the borough, the action Wandle Trust, the Environment Agency taken by successive Liberal Democrat and local community groups, the 11 councillors in Sutton over the last three miles long , which passes decades have given us a well-earned through to join the reputation for our green credentials. Thames, was included in a list of the ten most-improved rivers in In the early 2000s, we helped pioneer and released by the Environment the award-winning Beddington Zero Agency. This was an impressive Energy Development (BedZed) as the achievement considering that the river first construction project where a local was heavily industrialised in the 17th authority sold land at below market and 18th century and even officially value to make sustainable development declared a sewer in the 1960s. economically viable. Despite the savage cuts to local Designed to create zero carbon government and the dire financial emissions, the iconic BedZed village outlook, our ambition to be London’s was the first large-scale community most sustainable borough has not to do so and today continues to wavered and was still front and centre be an inspiration for zero-carbon in our 2018 local election manifesto. homes worldwide. And out of the 82 properties, one-third are being rented out to tenants nominated by the council!

10 Since our successful election, we’ve The new facility is located right next passed a council motion and started to an existing landfill site, which will the process of removing all single-use now close. As the landfill cells are filled plastics from council operations and they will subsequently be capped and contracts. We’ve also planted over 2,000 restored into high-quality habitats for trees across the borough since last year wildlife. Once the site is fully restored and, for the first time ever, achieved a and the habitats established, the recycling rate of over 50 per cent, two landfill site will be incorporated into years ahead of schedule. This massive the , one of the increase of 13.5 per cent in recycling in largest continuous green spaces in one year now ranks us in the top three south London. best recycling boroughs in London and We have ambitious plans for Sutton in the top quartile in the UK. and are ready to tackle some of the Our challenge moving forward is to immediate challenges we face. We increase our recycling rates but more want cleaner air for our residents, importantly to reduce the overall healthier streets, to reduce our amount of waste that we produce. dependence on cars, to improve transport And after a decade of preparation, links and to get more people to walk and the South London Waste Partnership cycle. Sutton is already a wonderful place (SLWP) will this year start sending 95 to live. Our environmental sustainability per cent of their residual household plans will make it even better for waste to be treated in a cost-effective generations to come. and environmentally sustainable new state-of-the art Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) instead of being buried in the ground. The energy generated from the ERF will also produce 26MW of electricity each year – enough to power the facility itself plus 30,000 homes.

Councillor Manuel Abellan Chair, Environment and Neighbourhood Committee

11 33 years of Liberal Democracy in Sutton

Artist’s impression, Passivhaus school, Belmont

12 “It is said that it’s not how old you are, it’s how you are old”

Helping to overcome loneliness We want to develop and promote and isolation in our community. community-led activities that support and enable as many people as possible As Liberal Democrats, we believe in to stay healthy and actively involved in enabling people and their communities their communities for longer so that: to play a bigger role in the decisions that affect them so that they can • their wellbeing is improved support themselves and each other. As • they have better access to the borough champion for older people, information and advice I play an active role in groups like the Wallington Wellbeing Group which • they have more social connections offers a wide range of opportunities to and better support networks meet people, socialise or volunteer. • the community as a whole is You can try your hand at art, rediscover strengthened and people are better your love of knitting or simply drop able to support each other in for a cup of tea and a chat at one • to help combat loneliness and of many coffee or social clubs near isolation. you. Older people and adults with a learning disability need access to Twice a year we organise a wellbeing information and advice about how to day where more than 40 groups stay healthy, active and safe, as well and organisations exhibit and share as where local clubs and groups meet information about their activities and so they can socialise, widen their circle encourage people to take part. More of friends and avoid isolation. Our aim than 400 elderly people attend these is to provide information about group events, connect with their communities and leisure activities for adults living in and enjoy themselves. Sutton.

13 33 years of Liberal Democracy in Sutton

Councillor Nali Patel Sutton Old People Champion

14 We are Sutton Central Ward, London Borough of Sutton

We are proud custodians of the liberal Our ambition? For the local community vision in a ward that has benefitted to help shape and design our urban from 45 years of uninterrupted landscape for future generations and ‘’. Despite the occasional to create homes and communities for boundary change, we succeed and tomorrow. protect the values and hard work of This has come in the form of resident our predecessors and guard their associations, steering groups and local visions and endeavour with pride committees. and reverence. Nevertheless, we are ambitious and forward thinking. We work tirelessly to engage with our residents and give them the tools and We represent a ward with many support to make independent decisions social and technical challenges, about their lives. including: regeneration, transport links, commercial town centre pressures, Unlike some parties, we are not afraid heritage and the protection of to engage and to be challenged. As a established communities. consequence, residents appreciate our facilitation, our personal commitment We are strong believers of community and our candid approach. engagement and participation. We have one in the largest estates out of the 18 Whatever their personal political views, wards in our borough, alongside other when good councillors turn up and sizeable estates. knock on their door, residents respond favourably and enthusiastically and Our mission? To facilitate, protect and recognise our hard work and dedication encourage residents to contribute to to our community. the vision of our town centre, their community and our ward.

15 33 years of Liberal Democracy in Sutton

Councillors David Bartolucci, Ali Mirhashem and Richard Clare

16 Transport campaigning

In 2011 the rail company and ), sustainable threatened to stop cross-London train transport became the keynote strategy services on the Thameslink loop line for the time I was Environment and via Blackfriars station. This would have Neighbourhood Committee Chair. We ended our ability to take a direct train worked tirelessly with stakeholders and from Sutton to one of our fellow Liberal community groups to work out our key Democrat boroughs, such as St Albans demands to take to government, the or Bedford. It would have impacted on rail companies, the a range of south , so and Transport for London. Sutton is Sutton led a cross-borough, cross-party unique in that it does not have the campaign across south London. This , Overground culminated in a day of action on 18 July nor , and only the far northern 2012 followed by a public meeting on corner is scheduled to benefit from 19 July in Sutton involving all the would- Crossrail 2. Our bus services are poor be franchisees for the Thameslink line, in comparison to the rest of London which was then up for renegotiation. outside the main district centres, and we were keen that not only should we The day of action truly set off a chain be better served now, but that any new reaction and was an excellent example economic or housing development of cooperation in practice. We arranged should be accompanied by new or for campaigners from right along the improved public transport. route to travel on the line with the aim of meeting up at Blackfriars at the The Council regularly holds meetings same time for a public demonstration. I of its Public Transport Liaison Group gave interviews on BBC Radio London, involving councillors, TfL officials, and postcards were given out at each transport providers and local stakeholder station boarded and on the trains. The groups. The views of this group helped day of action received wide publicity, inform our thinking in the development and with the support of local MPs and of the Sustainable Transport Strategy GLA members, including at the public (STS) and it continues to inform our meeting, we ultimately succeeded in views on transport matters as they our aim of continuing cross-London arise. We have received regular updates services on the loop line. on progress with bringing the tram to Sutton and we are confident that it will Because of this success, and because not be long before the first tram comes this coincided with our desire to bring into service in a few years time. Tramlink to Sutton (extending it from

17 33 years of Liberal Democracy in Sutton

The STS is now incorporated in both Finally, we are running a bus campaign – our planning policy and environmental Better Buses for Sutton – as the borough policy. It has led to a range of other is so dependent on its bus services. One related policies such as our Cycling of our key requests will be to greatly Strategy and our Electric Vehicles improve bus services at school start (ULEV) Charging Policy which are and finish times, as Sutton officially has aimed at keeping Sutton green. More some of the best secondary schools in recently we succeeded in bidding to the country. We are keen to encourage TfL for a demand responsive bus trial – more people to walk, cycle, take public GoSutton. We are the first borough in transport, or share cars, and starting London to try this service and because with school parents will help reduce the it has proved so popular the trial area number of cars on our roads. has been extended. This has enabled our poorly-served residents to have on-demand access to the innovative service. This will help reduce car use and will be complementary to existing bus services. We also hold the private rail companies to account, for their failed services and continue to demand TfL’s take control of local Councillor Jill Whitehead rail services. Former Chair, Environment and Neighbourhood Committee

18 Sutton – the new home for Cancer Centre of Excellence

When I became Leader of Sutton more buildings on the existing estate, Council, I knew that we were fortunate Sutton Council has helped the ICR and to have The Royal Marsden Hospital the Marsden develop a fundamental in our borough. What I didn’t fully re-think of the whole site. The aim is appreciate that right next door, on the to deliver a world-class environment same site, was the Institute of Cancer for cancer research, diagnosis and Research (ICR), one of the world’s most treatment and to create the world’s important cancer research centres with leading life-science district – a vibrant an outstanding record of drug discovery. community of scientists, doctors and innovative companies – which will Scientists at the ICR were the first to deliver real benefits for cancer patients show that DNA damage is the basic and drive economic growth. cause of cancer and discovered many of the early chemotherapies. Today The project is expected to create more they discover more new cancer drugs than 13,000 new jobs and contribute than any other academic organisation £1.1 billion each year to the UK in the world and are a world leader in economy. The ICR anticipates that the identifying cancer genes and developing new environment will allow scientists precision radiotherapy. to deliver at least two extra cancer drugs every five years while the Royal So together with the Royal Marsden, Marsden will be able to translate these one of the world’s leading cancer ground-breaking discoveries through to hospitals, you could argue that the patients in their clinics. London Cancer Hub already exists and is thriving. But in conversation with Sutton Council is leading on the master both organisations, it soon became planning work for the London Cancer apparent that the site itself was proving Hub. We recognise the massive a barrier with state-of-the-art modern opportunities this will bring to Sutton buildings next to portacabins being in terms of employment, economic used for drug discovery and no logical growth and better transport links. or efficient layout of the estate. The ICR works closely with private companies in the discovery and That’s where the Council came into development of new drugs and medical its own. Rather than cramming in technologies and we want to create the

19 33 years of Liberal Democracy in Sutton

Artist’s impression of the London Cancer Hub space for these companies to move secondary school on the site with close on to the site or for companies to be links to the ICR. Sutton Council had the spun out of the ICR’s research so that foresight to buy the land needed for the ideas and knowledge can be transferred school from the NHS and then invested quickly and effectively. another £30 million to buy more land to ensure the whole site is safeguarded The 20-year project will be developed in for this important project and developed phases so as to minimise disruption to more efficiently. existing research and patient care. The first phase is already nearly complete This is true partnership working. with a new drug discovery research Each of the partners recognises that centre for the ICR, a new Maggie’s it can achieve its ambitions more Centre for the Royal Marsden to successfully if it works alongside the provide practical, emotional and social others, developing joint plans and joint support to people with cancer and their ambitions while still focussing on its families, and the completion of a new own particular area of expertise.

20 The ICR and the Royal Marsden will It will encourage our residents to be able to enhance and expand their develop their skills in the thriving life facilities, develop ground-breaking science sector and enable them to cancer research and treatment, secure well-paid jobs into the future. and develop a vibrant workforce of Liberal Democrats in Sutton are scientists and clinicians with a wide ambitious for our borough and for our range of career opportunities. residents. The London Cancer Hub The London Cancer Hub will create embodies that ambition. jobs, generate revenue and bring about Councillor Ruth Dombey OBE broader changes that will benefit all of Leader of Sutton Council the residents living in our borough. It will put Sutton on the map as a centre for cancer research and treatment with a truly global reputation.

Artist’s impression of the London Cancer Hub

21 33 years of Liberal Democracy in Sutton

Admiral Nurses – helping to tackle dementia

Admiral Nurses are specialist-trained “It is so encouraging for us that we dementia nurses. Sutton is the only have Admiral Nurses working in the London borough to employ four community with their unique way of specialist Admiral Nurses. The Sutton- providing support to sufferers and wide service was launched in 2014 carers, sustainably and successfully.” and is highly successful. The service “Admiral Nurses are increasingly supports people living with dementia showing the way forward to address and their families and carers. dementia’s impacts and improve the Admiral Nurses enable carers to quality of life.” understand what is happening in their These Admiral Nurses provide a crucial lives and how to react positively to the service in not only making patients’ lives impact of dementia in a loved one or more comfortable and allowing them to family member . live in a familiar environment, but they Admiral Nurses seek to enable also help carers and their families going dementia sufferers, wherever possible, through a difficult time to understand to carry on living in their own home, why these changes are happening and maximising independence. This how they can learn to cope. provides a familiar environment and encourages calmness and a re-assuring continuity. In Sutton, in just five years, Admiral Nurses have made a huge impact on many hundreds of lives. Sutton has become a role model to other councils. Here are some comments from residents who have used this valuable service: “Admiral Nurses give hope and a Councillor Annie Moral future to many who experience the life Deputy Mayor changing impact of dementia.”

22 Acknowledgements

It would be impossible to list the names But as every elected politician knows, of all the thousands of people who it is the army of people working for have contributed to the success of the the party that makes success possible Liberal Democrats in Sutton. – the ward organisers, ward activists, deliverers, canvassers, bundlers, blue Since 1986 we have elected well letter envelope writers, local party over 300 councillors with four council organisers, data analysts, party chairs, leaders (Graham Tope 1986-99, Mike treasurers, secretaries, fundraising and Cooper 1999-2002, Sean Brennan 2002- membership secretaries, campaign 2012, Ruth Dombey 2012-present). managers and agents, donors and In 1997 we elected MPs to both the people who put up posters and constituencies in the borough (Tom stakeboards. People who make jam, Brake in Carshalton & Wallington and sell books, organise social events and in Sutton & Cheam). Both raffles – always the raffles! Tom and Paul were councillors in the A special thank you goes to all those borough and Tom is still one of our MPs. people who have never held elected We lost Sutton & Cheam in 2015 but office, never earned a penny in have every intention of getting it back. allowances or expenses, never had We campaign jointly with our MPs and a moment in the limelight but work PPCs and our integrated campaigning is tirelessly behind the scenes because one of the reasons for our success. they believe in our values. They know Graham Tope was the MP for Sutton & that we need to win elections to be Cheam 1972-74. He is an active peer able to put those values into practice. in the House of Lords and was also And to the Local Government a member on the Association Liberal Democrat Team 2000-08 while still a Sutton councillor. for encouraging us to tell our story He represented the same ward for 40 years until his retirement from the We owe everyone who has worked so council in 2014. hard to build our success so much and we are truly grateful. Thank you

23 Published by the Liberal Democrat Group at: Local Government Association 18 Smith Square London SW1P 3HZ www.local.gov.uk/lga-lib-dem-group

September 2019

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