In my last report I advised you that, subject to any intervention on behalf of the Council, we would proceed to file a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman. It was clear to us that there was no intention by this Council to even recognise let alone honour what we consider to be clear obligations to the residents of this Ward.

We finally lodged our complaint in the latter part of February. It was very quickly acknowledged and it seems that, whatever the outcome, it is a process that will probably take two to three months.

The whole document forming the complaint is substantial, comprising approximately fifty pages. The actual complaint itself covers seven pages and the rest is made up of the appendix containing the supporting documents. It is not possible to publish the entire complaint here but what follows is the short summary and the Complaint. You will be able to read the main document on the website www.wimbledonpark.com where you will find a link from the home page.

I would like to express our thanks to David Watkins, a local resident and Architect, who undertook the not inconsiderable task of sifting through all the myriad papers covering the period from 2003 to date and compiling what is, in our view, is an excellent, comprehensive and concise document. I would also like to thank Tony Brown, one of our committee members, for his valuable contribution.

Whatever the outcome of this complaint it is evident to us that the performance of several Council departments has been totally abysmal throughout. Management and leadership are severely lacking. It is also clear from our experience of trying to engage in discussion with this administration that some major changes are required at senior level.

Wandle Valley Regional Park Project

The Wandle Valley includes the Wandle Trail, a 20km (14 mile) trail which follows the route of the River Wandle from Croydon to the Thames at Wandsworth. It allows you to enjoy the heritage, flora and fauna of this typical chalk stream in the heart of some of south London’s most industrialised landscape.

There are both walking and cycling routes, which coincide for much of the way but differ in places. Part of the trail is National Cycle Network Route 22.

The Wandle Trail runs though Wimbledon Park yet access to the river is blocked.  The WPRA are exploring the possibility of opening up access to the stretch of the Wandle that runs through Wimbledon Park.

More details of the Wandle Valley Regional Park Project can be found at www.wandlevalleypark.org.uk