ELECTION 2010: Lib Dem Manisfesto Promises to give the Islington Sobell Leisure club back to the residents

Published: 30 April, 2010

THE future of the Sobell leisure centre will be placed back in the hands of residents, according to the Lib Dem manifesto, launched this week.
The Lib Dems had originally hoped to redevelop the whole site of the Holloway centre – in the face of protests from campaigners wishing to keep the building – but the plan stalled in 2008 due to financial constraints.
Now, Lib Dem leader Terry Stacy has pledged to re-consult over the centre, and has not ruled out keeping the building.
The manifesto, entitled A Safer, Fairer and Greener Islington, is accompanied by a smaller document, listing the Lib Dem council’s achievements – both published on the party’s website.
Mr Stacy said: “I’ve reminded people what we promised in 2006 and produced a rundown of how we’ve delivered every single one of those seven promises.
“Our manifesto is substantially longer than Labour’s and it’s more costed. We believe this is deliverable. It’s not just pie-in-the-sky promises.”
Among the pledges are promises to hold a referendum on making recycling compulsory, to consult residents on the future of Homes for Islington, to appoint an independent champion for leaseholders and to regenerate Bemerton and Tremlet Grove estates.
Mr Stacy wants to wrest control of service commissioning from Islington Primary Care Trust and keep council tax among the 10 lowest in London.
He has promised to clamp down on the number of agency staff used for council services, and make the council leader, chief executive and council directors more accessible to residents. He said: “I’m going to have directors knocking on doors.”