November-14 Talking Tooting

We have a sporting theme to this month’s local update, with much focus currently being given to the facilities available to encourage runners and athletes in Tooting. I also report on my night shift with the Rapid Response unit in Tooting and reflections on the recent Remembrance Day services, so please read on…

Athletics on Track in Tooting

I suspect you have already heard the rumours – propagated by the the local MP – that the Athletics Tracks on Tooting Common is under immediate threat of closure. I’m a runner myself and like most residents I would be bitterly disappointed if this was to happen, and I would oppose any plans to do so.

However, as the reality is somewhat different, I want to reassure the many people who have been unduly panicked on this topic that we are a long way from that happening, with even the largest group using the Track – the Herne Hill Harriers – describing the threat as ‘very speculative’.

In reality, the Council is evaluating whether alternative operators could run the Track more effectively than it does, while making savings for local taxpayers. The front-runner – if you’ll excuse the pun - is the Staff Mutual being formed by current Council employees, but there are other groups expressing interest. I also have reassurances from Conservative councillors that any future service contract will consider the entrance prices charged, as is the case with other Council leisure facilities currently run by third parties.

Rather than allow this to become another politically-motivated campaign, I would like to work constructively with councillors of all parties to ensure that we do find an operator of the track who will meet the aspirations of local residents, improving the range of services on offer while keeping it affordable. Should all other avenues ultimately be exhausted, I would be happy to use my business experience to coordinate a community bid to take the Track on, so one way or another I'm very confident that the Track will remain open and affordable.

Tooting Common ParkRun

On a related topic, I have been talking to the organisers of ParkRun, a not-for-profit organisation that is keen to hold a weekly run on Tooting Common, as it does on many other local parks. I am supportive of holding these runs due to their considerable public health benefit, but residents will rightly want to ensure that no damage is done to the Common and any disruption is minimised.

While meeting Herne Hill Harriers to discuss the Athletics Track, I was able to get their perspective on the ParkRun idea and it’s encouraging that they feel positive about providing volunteers to administer the weekly race, which will help ensure that a Tooting ParkRun is a success.

Discussions are ongoing with the Council and I’ll keep you posted on them.

Police's Rapid Response

The most visible police presence in Wandsworth is provided by the Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT) and the Rapid Response units. As chair of the Bedford ward SNT panel, I'm well aware of the work they do and the challenges faced. However, I had less visibility of the work of the Rapid Response teams so was delighted to have the chance to go out in a car last Friday night to see their work first hand.

The Rapid Response team is based in Earlsfield, where incoming calls are allocated to the officers who are swiftly dispatched to incident scenes. And as I found out, it is swift! Racing through the streets of Tooting at 50mph is pretty exhilarating and I was impressed by the driving skills of both the police and local residents! Through the evening we dealt with cases of missing persons, drugs offences and fighting in the street, and it provided a real insight into the Rapid Response workload and the policy changes which would help them going forward.

Back to community policing and I know a number of wards in our area are looking for additional residents to join the SNT panels, so if you would be interested in volunteering your time, please do let me know and I'll make the introduction.

Lest we forget...

After an extremely costly war, I was pleased to see British troops finally leave Afghanistan last month. This was just a few days before the 2014 Remembrance Day services which this year honoured those who died in the Great War, 100 years on. But whether it is conflicts past or present, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to military service personnel who have fought so bravely all over the world and often paid the highest price.

To pay my respects I visited the Tower of London Remembers display, which really was incredible, and then on Remembrance Day itself I attended a very moving service at St Mary's Church in Summerstown - one of many held across Tooting. So before I sign off, I'd like to use this opportunity to thank everyone across the UK who helped run the many thousands of Remembrance events held this year.

As ever, please follow me on Facebook or Twitter for more updates on local news and my campaigns.

With best wishes, 

Dan Watkins
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Tooting