Camden Liberal Democrats want to hear your views on how the borough should build back better in future...

Camden Council is considering a proposal in South End Green to set up a dining area on the slip-road between Pond Street and South End Road. This is similar to the "Streatery" already established in neighbouring Belsize Village.

Earlier in July, residents of Fortune Green came out onto the streets to “#ClapforFlick”, thanking her for her help in getting the community through the coronavirus lockdown.

In early June, two murals appeared on the Thameslink bridge at West Hampstead, commissioned by Network Rail. One, by Alketa Xhafa Mripa, depicts faces during lockdown, including that of John Henderson and his dog Sugar, who used to have a book stall outside the Thameslink station. One, by Ben Eine, has the words “Through Arts We Rise” in large coloured letters.

Camden Lib Dems have welcomed the Council’s establishment of a new commission to look at how to bring about a fair and inclusive ‘post-Covid’ economic recovery in the borough.

Cllr Luisa Porritt, a member of Camden Council’s Covid-19 Oversight Panel, has urged the Leader of the Council to ensure the work is cross-party and involves residents throughout.

Essential Living, the developer of the 100 Avenue Road site, has ‘paused’ works on the project before starting to construct the building.

Local Lib Dem councillors Tom Simon and Luisa Porritt now fear the site may be sold on or that the developer could renege on its commitments to deliver affordable housing and a new home for charity The Winch.

Camden Council has released its early findings into the disproportionate impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Black, Asian and other minority ethnic communities.

Among other findings, the report confirms that in North Central London there has been higher percentage of COVID-19 deaths among people born in Africa or Asia, compared to those born in Europe.

The Council has released its Climate Action Plan, setting out its five-year strategy for working towards a target of making Camden a zero carbon borough by 2030.

Having supported a cross-party motion declaring a climate and ecological emergency in October 2019, the Liberal Democrat Council Group are now asking questions about what the current level of emissions is in Camden, to better understand how the Council plans to achieve its zero-carbon objective.

A new ‘Streatery’ has opened in Belsize Village, under a temporary licence granted until 18 July.

Ten restaurants and cafes in the Village can now place tables and chairs in the pedestrianised area of Belsize Terrace and serve their customers outdoors.

Following consultation with local residents and other businesses in the area, Lib Dem councillors Luisa and Tom supported the Streatery’s creation and helped the Belsize Village Business Association to launch it on a trial basis when lockdown measures were relaxed on 4 July.

Outstanding-rated Belsize primary school Abacus, which educates 210 children from the local area, has launched its appeal to move into the former Hampstead police station on Rosslyn Hill.

Cllrs Luisa Porritt and Tom Simon have already written in support of the appeal, and are urging other supporters from the local area to do the same (details at the end).