Caroline joined John Tyne and the local Chadwell Lib Dem Focus Team in Redbridge to support his candidacy in the Chadwell Ward by-election on 8th July.
John was previously the Councillor for twelve years, and was narrowly beaten in May.
“It was great to meet local residents and discuss their concerns. We also looked at issues with the subway, which I’ll be tabling questions to the Mayor about soon” commented Caroline Pidgeon AM.
On Friday 25th June, Caroline joined other members of the Metropolitan Police Authority on a visit to their specialist firearms training centre in Gravesend.
The Centre includes two mocked up towns with housing, shops and businesses, as well as a train carriage, to allow police officers to be trained in all aspects of incidents which may involve the use of firearms. There are also several ranges for testing skills and for mocked up incidents, as well as a high tech interactive system.
“The level of intensive training that Met Police Officers receive in order to become firearm officers is incredibly high. The day at the centre really showed me how quickly officers have to assess situations and make decisions on how best to act” commented Caroline Pidgeon.
Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the London Assembly, writes in a letter to the Evening Standard:
Anyone reading your story on the trial of countdown indicators at pedestrian crossings might think that crossings routinely allow more time than necessary for pedestrians to cross. The reality is often very different ...
The Evening Standard has a report on the £13,500 spent by the Greater London Authority to furnish a "business lounge" inside City Hall.
Caroline Pidgeon told the Standard:
This expenditure clearly reveals some very poor policies being adopted at City Hall under Boris Johnson.
Given that every Londoner is being asked to tighten their belt, how can the GLA even dream of spending taxpayers' money on bar stools costing £220 each or chairs at almost £900?
I question whether ridiculously expensive furniture and a ghastly new carpet are necessary to encourage people to work flexibly. This is simply a waste of public money.
Caroline joined Terry Curtis on Saturday out and about in Tulse Hill meeting local people and hearing their issues and concerns. Terry Curtis has been selected to stand in the Council By-Election on 1st July. Terry has lived in Tulse Hill for over 50 years, chairs the local police Safer Neighbourhood Panel and represents local tenants and leaseholders as Chair of the St Martin's Estate Board, where he lives.
“It was super to meet local people with Terry Curtis, who is so well known in the area. We received a really warm welcome on the doorstep and were able to discuss issues such as traffic calming and local policing” commented Caroline.