• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 15 July 2004

These are all good ideas. I think there needs to be more work on the speed camera issue because there is a load of information about them only being effective depending on their siting. However, I am more interested in the smart technology aspect. I think piloting is the way forward and I share your keenness to move forward on road pricing through smart technology. Could we look at piloting in conjunction with the boroughs as soon as the technology is up to it? We polled the boroughs about congestion as opposed to just speed. If this system can deal...

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 15 July 2004

My understanding is that the package always was there and the evidence was given to your officers this week, so take that at face value. I also accept that you will do what you can to move the problem with TfL. Obviously no-one is calling for the South London bus network to come to a halt on account of this, but some flexibility from TfL to allow the swimming pool to remain open while the new one is built would clearly help the Streatham residents.

• Question by: Peter Hulme Cross
• Meeting date: 15 July 2004

I am sure you are aware of the time element because if this project does not go ahead before December the rink will close and be irretrievably lost.

• Question by: Peter Hulme Cross
• Meeting date: 15 July 2004

So you are absolutely on side as far as the ice-rink and the swimming pool are concerned, and the rest of the project?

• Question by: Peter Hulme Cross
• Meeting date: 15 July 2004

So the main reason for the delay is because the finance was not in place, and if you get that assurance you will look favourably on this project?

• Question by: Peter Hulme Cross
• Meeting date: 15 July 2004

You hold the key to whether this project goes ahead or not. If the finance is secured and in place and if the provision of the ice-rink and the swimming pool is also secured, is there any reason why you should not give it the go-ahead?

• Question by: Valerie Shawcross
• Meeting date: 15 July 2004

This has been a very hot issue for a very long time. Next week I am due to submit a petition on behalf of the ice-skaters. There is great anxiety about the decision-making timetable because the current ice-rink is in a very fragile state. Basically, it has been run down for a number of years so there is concern to see the whole process moving quickly. I have a letter from the skaters, which they have asked me to pass on. They say `We expect the current negotiation to be concluded this summer and are genuinely hopeful that the scheme...

• Question by: Valerie Shawcross
• Meeting date: 15 July 2004

We are all travelling hopefully on this issue, and everybody supports the ice-rink proposal, but if the project does not go ahead, their concern, as I have raised previously, is that there is no fallback provision. There has been no negotiation by Lambeth Council about what safety net is in place to save the ice-rink and the swimming facilities should this project fall through. Do you have any thoughts about whether or not there should be a safety net proposal and how that might proceed?

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 15 July 2004

I welcome the change in tone both from the Mayor and indeed Val Shawcross because up until now they have been dragging their feet on this. It is most welcome. I understand there was nothing new in the financial package that was under discussion this week; it was always going to be in place. It is helpful that the details are now clearer, and anyway it would all have been in the Section 106 agreement so I think the Mayor's fears were over-stated. Can I ask you particularly about TfL's role in this? One issue of concern is the fact...

• Question by: Peter Hulme Cross
• Meeting date: 15 July 2004

So you are saying that we are effectively spending money on what is a lobbying body, with no meaningful influence, power or access. What specific items have they lobbied upon in the last six months? What reports have they made back about London and legislation which affects London?