Central London Labour Leaders condemn government's cuts to local councils

The three Labour leaders of Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark Councils have issued a joint statement laying out their opposition to the huge cuts for local councils announced today by the Coalition Government. As part of the settlement for local government the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, has cut funding to the three councils by millions of pounds.

Between them the three council leaders represent nearly a million people including some of the most deprived communities in the country. Today’s settlement is not the first government decision that will disproportionately affect people living in inner-city areas, but comes on the back of changes to welfare, higher education and social housing.

Cllr Steve Reed, Leader of Lambeth Council, Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham and Cllr Peter John’s statement:

“Between us we represent some of the most deprived inner-city areas in the UK and almost 1 million people. The Tory/Lib Dem government’s announcement today to cut council funding by millions of pounds is a hammer-blow to our boroughs and hit s our people hard. This was not an inevitability but a short-sighted political choice; it was not an unavoidable outcome but a calculated decision to put dogma ahead of decency.

“We will each work with local residents to try and minimise the pain of these cuts but we are united in our opposition to them. Today's decision will force all Councils to cut highly valued services. We share local people's anger about this, and will stand alongside our communities through the challenging months and years ahead”.

Labour challenges Tories and Lib Dems to back anti-trafficking laws.

Lambeth Council leader Steve Reed has called on local Lib Dems and Tories to support proposed rules to tackle human trafficking across Europe. The coalition government has dismayed campaigners by refusing to sign up to the new rules, but Labour hopes a cross-party campaign can persuade them to change their minds.

The new guidelines would work to ensure that EU countries work together to prevent trafficking, ensure successful prosecution and make sure victims of trafficking are properly looked after. Researchers estimate there are an average of 100 trafficked women and children facing regular abuse, including physical and sexual abuse, in every London Borough including Lambeth.

Astonishingly the coalition government have said they will opt out of the new rules that are supported by many well respected campaign groups including Anti–Slavery International and ECPAT UK which campaigns against child sexual abuse. The government’s failure to support the new rules seriously undermines European–wide efforts to tackle the misery caused by this crime, abandoning victims in Lambeth and elsewhere to their abusers.

Lambeth is home to the Poppy Project, part of Eaves Women’s Housing, which offers support to women and children who are freed from their abusers. They have also backed the campaign for the government to sign up to the new rules.

Cllr Steve Reed said:

“It is unbelievable the Government is refusing to sign up to new rules that could help protect some of the most vulnerable people in our country. Hundreds of women and children are trafficked to the UK every year and suffer untold abuse at the hands of their captors. I’m calling on Lambeth’s Tories and Lib Dems to join Labour in demanding a change of heart from their colleagues in government. We must do everything in our power to stop this vile abuse of women and children.”

Brixton Pound Invites you to celebrate its first year

On 16th September the Brixton Pound will be one year old and where better to celebrate than the place where it all began – Brixton Market.

Brixton Hill Councillors provided early support for the project and are proud to see it celebrating it's first birthday.

The Brixton Pound will be taking over one of Brixton Village’s now legendary late-night Thursdays and throwing a big party for our friends and supporters.

Entry is free and there will be entertainment for all ages including music, theatre performances, an interactive workshop and a treasure hunt for kids.

The party will be in full swing from 6.30 – 10pm with a special birthday toast at 8pm (guest speakers tba). As usual, shops and restaurants in Brixton Village will be open until 10pm.

The party will be followed by a late-night DJ set in the White Horse pub, Brixton Hill.

Hope to see you there

http://brixtonpound.org/2010/happybirthday/

Urban green fair

We Love Brixton Hill is happy to see the return of the Urban Green Fair, one of the largest and most vibrant sustainable community events in the country.

The Urban Green Fair
Sunday 5th September 2010
Brockwell Park
An independent green fair for London
powered by solar and wind energy

The Urban Green Fair is a Community Interest Company (CIC), providing a simple step to a sustainable future. Our aims are principally to organise an outdoor ‘festival’, through which we:

• Empower, educate and enthuse people regarding current environmental issues, by effective and positive communication.
• Present environmentally-focussed products, businesses, practises and information.
  
• Engage with diverse local communities, before, during and after the event.
  
• Provide a uniquely family-friendly learning environment, not diluted by alcohol or loud music.
  

The Urban Green Fair: “Skill up for power down

Come along to Brixton Hill Safer Neighbourhood Panel - Thursday 19th August 2010

Come alone and discuss local crime and policing issues with the Brixton Hill Safer Neighbourhood Police Team and other local residents.

By joining in you can help raise any concerns you have and set the priorities for policing in our neighbourhood.

The meeting is on Thursday 19th August, 19:00-21:00, Clapham Park Offices, 1-4 Brixton Hill Place (map below)

All residents living or working in the Brixton Hill ward (see Map http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/47C3A8BB-4DE0-4AF7-975B-433E6B10E472/0/BrixtonHillWardMap.pdf) are very welcome.

Lambeth Labour Councillors call on Government to commit to Decent Homes for Tenants

Labour Cabinet Member for Housing, Lib Peck today called on the Government to commit to funding Decent Homes in Lambeth. Lambeth Leaders wrote to Housing Minister Grant Shapps in June urging him to commit to funding for decent homes but he has yet to respond.

Lambeth Council is campaigning for continued investment in the Decent Homes scheme, which was started by the Labour Government, to bring all of the borough’s social housing up to a decent standard.

The Decent Homes scheme is under threat after the Tory-Lib Dem Government made no commitment to complete the programme in their manifestos or the Coalition Agreement.

Cllr Lib Peck said:

“We’re calling on the Conservative/Liberal Democrat government to fund the decent homes programme in Lambeth. In total this amounts to £233 million for Lambeth Living; and “25 million for United Residents Housing. This money is desperately needed so that our homes can be made safe, warm and secure. It will pay for new roofs, new boilers, new windows, new kitchens and new bathrooms that are desperately needed by our residents. The last government promised this money – we don’t want the new government to break this agreement and let down Lambeth residents.”

Rt Hon John Healey MP, Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning, said:

“I want to see the new Government back tenants’ desire to live in a decent home. They deserve the improvements that others have already had.

“If ministers fail to give a clear commitment to finish Labour’s big refurbishment programme, tenants will be left in limbo and we’ll see the widespread unfairness of two-tiered council estates in our communities.”

Please help support Labour in Lambeth’s call on the government to commit to Decent Homes for Tenants by clicking on the following link http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/moderngov/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=183&RPID=10738965

Brixton Splash 2010 United Colours of Brixton.

1 August 2010 12 noon to 7pm. Brixton Splash is an exhilarating festival of music, with sound systems and two stages, promoting cultural diversity through arts, crafts, workshops, food and music for the local community and visitors alike. There is a something for all the family to enjoy whilst celebrating the diverse culture and history of Brixton.

This is FREE event from 12 noon to 7pm. All the family are welcome whether you want to enjoy diverse music and performances, sample local crafts, support local artists or simply entertain the family.

Coldharbour Lane, Atlantic Road, Electric Avenue, Windrush Square & Peace Gardens Brixton. London SW9 8HE

Sun 1 August

Website www.brixtonsplash.co.uk

Councillors slam Tory/Lib Dem school building cuts in Lambeth and a new school planned for Brixton Hill ward

Labour councillors Steve Reed, Florence Nosegbe and Alex Holland have slammed the recent admission by Tory Education secretary Michael Gove that he is cutting more than £200 million in Lambeth schools funding, just days before contracts were due to be agreed and building work was to begin.

Local schools in Lambeth including Landsdowne and the Fenstanton Project had been promised rebuilt or refurbished school buildings under the Building Schools for the Future project, but the Tory/Lib Dem coalition government has now dashed their hopes. Michael Gove has now cancelled Lambeth’s entire program, affecting thousands of pupils at eleven secondary schools. The cancelled investment in schools was desperately needed, both to renew or rebuild tired buildings, and also to provide much needed extra places in the borough, including a new school for Brixton. The creation of hundreds of local construction jobs will also be dashed.

Labour councillor Steve Reed said: “Teachers and pupils across Lambeth’s schools had been promised millions in funding to bring their school up to modern standards. Now the Tory/Lib Dem government have destroyed their dream of modern buildings by cancelling Building Schools for the Future in Lambeth outright, affecting the life chances of hundreds of local children in Lambeth.

“Lambeth is still desperately short of places for secondary school age children, despite Labour building three new schools from scratch in the last few years. Labour’s plans for school rebuilding would have created the extra places our borough need – but the Tories and Lib Dems will leave our children having to travel miles out of the borough to get to school.

“What’s more, Lambeth has already spent more than £6 million on preparing planning permissions and producing designs for the eleven new schools – local taxpayers will be outraged that the coalition government’s decision will see that money go to waste.”

Lambeth Labour are now leading a ‘Save Our Schools’ campaign, to shame the Tory/Lib Dem government into reversing their short-sighted decision. They are urging local parents and children to write to Education secretary Michael Gove telling him how their decision will affect their education, and urging him to restore the funding Lambeth needs. He can be contacted at:

The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP

Secretary of State for Education

Sanctuary Buildings

Great Smith Street

London SW1P 3BT

Or email: ministers@education.gsi.gov.uk

WINDMILL FESTIVAL: Sunday 11 July 2010

The annual Windmill Festival will be held on Sunday 11 July 2010 from 2pm to 5.30pm.

The day will include world music puppet and theatre shows. flamenco and Morris dancing, face painting and a whole range of other activities.

The Friends of Windmill Gardens (FOWG) are keen to hear from people who may be able to help set up before the event, to clear up afterwards and to act as stewards during the festival. If you are interested in helping out please email info@brixtonwindmill.org.uk

ENDYMION ROAD STREET PARTY!

Street party on Saturday the 10th July and everyone’s invited!

The street party will run from 2pm to 7pm

2pm to 3pm – Setting Up
3pm to 4pm – Food
4pm to 7pm – Music & entertainment
(Music will be off by 10pm at the latest)

Food:

Many of us are bringing tables and chairs into the street and preparing some food to share- please come and join us! (Please provide your own drink).

Music:

Jackie & Kat will be hosting a small soundsystem for everyone

Kids Activities:

From 2 pm ‘til 3pm we’ll be blowing balloons and hanging streamers
– come and join the fun!

From 4pm, there will be face painting and children’s games
– any ideas and suggestions welcome.

Do you own a car?

If so, we kindly need you to not park between numbers 15 and 80 & find some alternative parking so that this part of our road is safe from vehicles as we all take to the street and enjoy a shared space

When do I need to move my car?

Please move your car by 1pm on Saturday 10th July

Where can I park my car?

The street will only need to be clear between numbers 15 and 80. The rest of Endymion Rd is fine to park in. There should also be parking spaces on other streets in our area


It’s not too late to help out! If you have any ideas, or suggestions, then please do let us know. Pop round to no. 43, email phillymoore@yahoo.co.uk or give Phil a call on 07931 840 771

Lambeth council has agreed to closing off the street to traffic making it a safer place for children & to give us more space

Ruth Ling wins it for Labour in the Tulse Hill By election

Labour candidate Ruth Ling claimed victory in the Tulse Hill by election which was held yesterday on the 1st July 2010. After a hard and well fought campaign by Ruth Ling and the Lambeth Labour Party which included guest appearances from Blur drummer Dave Rowntree and former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, Ruth won with a 490 majority on a 21.4% turnout.

The result helps strengthen Labour in Lambeth’s fight against ConDem cuts and plans to work more closely with communities and customers of council services as a co-operative council to improve service quality for everyone.

Cllr Ruth Ling said:
“I’m delighted to be back on the Council and I would like to thank all the residents in Tulse Hill who have been so friendly and supportive to me over the last few weeks. I look forward to working hard on their behalf.”

Council Leader Steve Reed said:
“The by-election result was a powerful endorsement of Ruth Ling and Lambeth’s Labour Council. The result, with Labour’s share of the vote even higher than in May, sends a clear signal to the Tory-Lib Dem Government that people in Lambeth will not take their unfair cuts lying down. For the Tories, as the country’s governing party, to win barely 4% of the vote just a few miles from Parliament is a humiliation. Ruth has many years of experience and will be a hard-working champion for the people of Tulse Hill”.

Full Results:

Labour – 1235
Liberal Democrats – 745
Green Party – 256
Conservatives – 94
UKIP – 36

Labour to work cross-border to protect services Lewisham, Southwark and Lambeth

Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham are building on plans announced before the election to work together to cut costs and protect frontline services.

Partnership working between the three boroughs has taken on a new urgency in light of the unprecedented cuts from the Tory/Lib Dem Government that local councils will face over the coming years.

Sir Steve Bullock, elected Mayor of Lewisham, Cllr Steve Reed, Leader of Lambeth and Cllr Peter John, Leader of Southwark, have today written to their respective Chief Executives to commission them to begin joint discussions to consider where potential exists for efficient and effective joint working. They have been asked to work together to present a range of options by the autumn.

Cllr Steve Reed said: “Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark councils all provide many services that are identical, but do we really need to pay twice for separate sets of senior management and back-office support? We need to proactively look at making savings at a time when the Tory/Lib Dem government is making cuts to council funding in order to protect frontline services”

Cllr Peter John said: “Local councils are facing unprecedented cuts from the Tory/Lib Dem Government. We know that we’re going to have to change the way we work to rise to the challenge those cuts present and carry on making the improvements to local services that our residents need. Pulling together with our neighbouring boroughs, which face many of the same challenges we do, promises to deliver some of that change.”

Mayor Sir Steve Bullock said: “We have to seek dramatic improvements in efficiency by working in partnership with our neighbouring Councils, other public services and the private sector. Every pound we can save through efficiency is a pound we can spend on frontline services. I hope this innovative approach can be used as a model across Local Government, rather than a return to slash and burn cuts”

Brixton Hill Safer Neighbourhood Panel

Come along to Brixton Hill Safer Neighbourhood Panel - Thursday 24th June 2010

Come alone and discuss local crime and policing issues with the Brixton Hill Safer Neighbourhood Police Team, your Councillors and local residents.
By joining in you can help raise any concerns you have and set the priorities for policing in our neighbourhood.

The meeting is on Thursday 24th June, 19:00-21:00, Clapham Park Offices, 1-4 Brixton Hill Place (map below)

All residents living or working in the Brixton Hill ward (see Map http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/47C3A8BB-4DE0-4AF7-975B-433E6B10E472/0/BrixtonHillWardMap.pdf) are very welcome.

Lambeth's Cooperative Council Challenges Camerons Big Society

Lambeth Council is launching detailed proposals that will see the South London authority become Britain’s first-ever cooperative council.

Lambeth’s cooperative council model – first trailed in the national media in February 2010, months before David Cameron announced his Big Society proposals – will see residents take on a bigger role in running and shaping local services. The model contrasts with the Tory ‘EasyCouncil’ model in the London Borough of Barnet that aims to create two-tier services with substandard services for the majority and better options available only to those wealthy enough to pay for them. While there are some similarities with the coalition Government’s Big Society proposals, Labour’s model in Lambeth takes a more thorough-going approach applying the cooperative values of fairness, accountability and responsibility across a broad range of services. It is built on four years experience trialling the approach in specific services in Lambeth.

Lambeth’s Labour leader, Cllr Steve Reed, will publish detailed proposals on Wednesday 26 May at the same time as the council sets up a Citizens’ Commission to consult local people on the proposals. The Commission will identify new services where the cooperative model can be piloted and will explore how the approach can be rolled out across further service areas later this year. The Commission will also explore how an ‘active citizens dividend’ could be paid to reward people who get involved in running local services, possibly in the form of a council-tax discount.

Lambeth has led the country in exploring the cooperative approach to service delivery in recent years. The council has more tenant-managed housing estates than any other borough and is transferring more assets to community control than any other council. Notable examples include Raleigh Hall in Brixton which is set to become the country’s first National Black Heritage Centre; the Weir Link children’s centre in Balham which is a service run by residents in a building built by the community; and the Old Lilian Baylis community sports hub operating out of a disused secondary school in Vauxhall that has won praise from leading politicians of all parties as well as international sports heroes like Usain Bolt and Michael Jordan.

Other community-led services already succeeding in Lambeth include 2XL, a peer mentoring programme that has dramatically cut youth reoffending levels on tough inner-city estates, the country’s first parent-promoted secondary school in West Norwood, and Community Freshview, an environmental programme that sees local people given tools and support to transform derelict or overgrown wasteland into community gardens or public spaces.

Lambeth’s Council leader, Cllr Steve Reed, said: “Lambeth has spent the past four years exploring how the community can get more involved in running local services. In widely different service areas like schools, housing and tackling crime we’ve learnt this approach delivers better services that cost less. Now we will take the model further and become the first council in the country to apply cooperative values right across the board. Our model differs from the Tories’ Big Society because while they want to roll back state, we want to change the role of the state, creating a new settlement between the citizen and public services with more power and control handed to local people. Our model empowers people to get on and make the changes they want to see in their local area, building better services and a stronger civic society at the same time.”

Labour appoints a new leadership team

With the election finished and the people of Lambeth giving a resounding thumbs up to Labour in Lambeth you voted in 44 Labour Group Councillors including 13 new faces to the council in the Borough elections on May 6th 2010.

The Labour Group would like thank those who voted to keep Labour in control of Lambeth and give us a mandate to carry on the work of improving Lambeth and carrying out our Manifesto commitments to you.

Councillor Steve Reed and Councillor Jackie Meldrum will continue as Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council but there are some new faces. Cllr Florence Nosegbe and Cllr Pete Robbins have both been appointed to the Cabinet for the first time.

The Cabinet is also the most diverse that at any other point in the council’s history. There are 6 women and Cllr Nosegbe and Cllr Campbell as representatives of our diverse communities.

Cllr Steve Reed leader of the Labour Group and the Council says “Thank you to all of those who voted for Labour to continue running the Council, it’s a testament to the Labour Group that we have been getting things right and most importantly listening to what you want in Lambeth. The Labour Group is really looking forward to getting on with the job in hand and making Lambeth a better fairer place for all”

Labour in Lambeth can exclusively reveal the new Cabinet is as follows;

Leader of the Council – Steve Reed

Deputy Leader – Jackie Meldrum.

Cabinet Member for Communities and Community Safety – Cllr Rachel Heywood

Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and the 2012 Games – Cllr Florence Nosegbe

Cabinet Member for Housing – Cllr Lib Peck

Cabinet Member for Environment – Cllr Lorna Campbell

Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Employment – Cllr Sally Prentice

Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing – Cllr Jim Dickson

Cabinet Member for Finance – Cllr Paul McGlone

Cabinet Member for Children’s & Young People Services – Cllr Pete Robbins

Labour in Lambeth proves it is serious about council finances

Keen to back up claims that Lambeth Council has stabilised the finances after Lib Dems and Tories lost millions in fraud and left the council on the brink of bankruptcy in 2006, Labour’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr Jim Dickson, today released figures that show that the Labour administration has paid back £126 million of long term debt in the past four years.

Cllr Dickson said ‘Labour has been paying back historic debt left by previous administrations, putting the council on the strongest possible financial footing for the future; something the Lib Dems jeopardised by leaving the council bankrupt after 4 years in power.’

And added that ‘because we have paid down this debt, we have saved in the order of £3million a year on servicing loans, so more money is available to spend on high-quality services that local people need including school places and youth services’.

Cllr Dickson released the figures ahead of the local elections on May 6th where Labour has, as one of its key promises, vowed to keep council tax as low as possible and to protect frontline services from ‘savage’ Lib Dem cuts.

Lambeth Lib Dems threaten 30% council tax hike

The Lib Dems have published a manifesto for Lambeth that is a tax-hikers charter and yet, bizarrely, offers almost nothing new for local people.

Lib Dem spending plans would require a massive 30% leap in council tax – costing the average household an extra £1500 in Lib Dem taxes. That level of increase is entirely in line with the 40% increase the Lib Dems imposed last time they ran Lambeth between 2002-6. They drove that tax rise through despite an election pledge not to impose any increases without a referendum – a promise they simply ignored. The tax-addicted councillor who oversaw the tax-hike policy is now the Lib Dem leader, Cllr Ashley Lumsden and he appears determined to continue where he left off, after voters threw his party out of power.

Apart from the tax hiking plans, the Lib Dem manifesto is bizarrely empty of new ideas. It has nothing to say about a long list of key concerns for local people. The Lib Dems say nothing about how they would pay for road resurfacing or repair potholes, nothing on how they would tackle anti-social behaviour, and nothing on key proposals for new leisure centres in Clapham, Streatham, West Norwood, Kennington and Waterloo. Labour has detailed what we would do and how we would pay for it in all these areas.

Labour’s leader Cllr Steve Reed said: “The Lib Dem manifesto is an empty box with a huge price tag attached. Local people will be walloped with a massive 30% Lib Dem council tax rise straight after the election, but will have almost nothing to show for the extra £1500 that will cost the average household. That represents a big step backward from Labour’s two year council tax freeze at the same time as delivering better services. The Lib Dem manifesto must surely be the most bizarre set of proposals ever put before Lambeth’s voters and I have little doubt it will be rejected out of hand.”

Lambeth streets are the cleanest they've ever been

Environment secretary Hilary Benn and best-selling author Bill Bryson, who is also president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, met street cleaners on the South Bank on Tuesday morning ahead of a summit to tackle the blight of litter. They were joined by Labour Leader of the Council, Steve Reed and Cllr Sally Prentice.

Lambeth was chosen as the place to launch the Minister’s summit because of our vastly improved record in this area. Figures published last year show that Lambeth’s streets are cleaner than at any time since current records began 6 years ago.

Later today, major brands from the fast food, fizzy drinks and chewing gum industries are coming together for the first time with Keep Britain Tidy, government representatives, local authorities, land managers and campaign groups.

McDonalds, Coca-Cola and Wrigleys are among firms forming the partnership with authorities to stamp out litter.

http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/4438

Investment for the Black Cultural Archives

We are delighted that our long standing support to create a permanent home for the Black Cultural Archives (BCA) is to become a reality as we have now agreed a partnership investment programme to create a major centre for black history and culture in Brixton in the heart of iconic Windrush Square.

Housed in the now derelict Raleigh Hall, the centre will hold the BCA collection of historical material relating to black Britain and the African diaspora, as well as providing a much needed educational resource for schools, students and the general public.

The investment programme is the latest stage in Lambeth Council’s alliance with the BCA to ensure that the long held dream of a permanent home for the archives becomes a reality.

Cabinet Member for Culture and Communities said, ”Brixton is viewed by many as the African Caribbean capital of Britain and this proud history makes it fitting that the BCA should be based here. We are delighted to support and honour the legacy and contribution of the Windrush generation, their predecessors and their descendants.”

Labour unveils plan for a better, safer Lambeth in 2010

With just six weeks to go to local elections on May 6th, Labour Councillors in Lambeth have unveiled their manifesto for 2010 onwards. The manifesto, which was written alongside party members and local residents, sets out Labour’s commitments to local people and describes what Labour councillors will do as the people’s champions at the Town Hall.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Steve Reed said ‘Labour’s worked hard to put Lambeth Council back on the side of residents and today Lambeth is officially the fastest improving council in the country with no council tax increase for two years and crime significantly reduced. I want people to keep our new manifesto and hold us to what we pledge today. We asked residents to do this when they supported us four years ago and our record shows that we have kept our promises – that’s why they can trust us to do it again’.

The manifesto includes commitments on value for money where Labour has pledged to keep Council tax as low as possible; on crime where the plan is to have a anti-social behaviour hit squad; on investment on subs-standard roads and pavements; on youth services where the promise is to have things for young people to do within a mile of every home and a major expansion of sport and leisure facilities with four new pools and free swimming for everyone.

Here are five ways Labour has made Lambeth better since Lambeth residents chose Labour to replace a failed Tory-Lib Dem coalition in May 2006:

• Frozen council tax for two years – after the Tory-Lib Dem coalition forced through a 40% hike.


• Opened two new brand new schools and refurbished many others with 3 more on the way – when the Tory-Lib Dem coalition left 500 children without a school place.


• Doubled spending on youth services – after the Tory-Lib Dem coalition left Lambeth with the worst funded services in London


• Cut out £30million of waste and stabilised the finances – after Tory-Lib Dem coalition lost millions in fraud.

Cut crime by boosting neighbourhood police teams and getting tough on drug dealers – when the Tory-Lib Dem coalition did not issue a single ASBO in three years and tried to legalise kerb crawling.