Local Elections: Candidates in Harold Wood, Cranham, Upminster and Rainham answer your questions

In the run-up to the local elections, the Recorder wants to keep you informed about your voting options.

This week we asked residents of Harold Wood, Cranham, Upminster and Rainham.

Questions for Harold Wood, Cranham and Upminster:

1. Do you intend to do anything about the Sanders’ Draper name change?

2. How will you ensure Upminster’s landmarks such as the barn and the windmill are conserved?

Answers:

Residents’ Association:

1. The most important thing is quality of education. Would suggest a perpetual Raimund Sanders Draper scholarship award in his memory.

2. Ensure ‘friends groups’ are fully supported, funding streams established and visits promoted via Council, schools & community groups.

Ukip:

1. This is just another example of dumbing down of our history. Ukip will work with the school governors to ensure that the wishes of parents and pupils past and present are met.

2. Upminster has a proud heritage and we will work to help secure funding to maintain that heritage.

Labour:

1. As far as the council can influence the decision we will use that influence to oppose the name change.

2. Use existing resources & planning powers to protect such landmarks & work with support groups to attract grant funding.

Lib Dems:

1. Regrettable, insensitive and lacking respect. Poor info on council and school web site means it is hard to see who has the authority to change the name.

2. Use of planning controls and local plan. Consider listing status. Use council to support friends groups and help them to access grants.

Conservative:

1. Changes of schools are not in the control of the council anymore it is the responsibility of the governors.

2. The landmarks are in the control of English national heritage trusts. We actively encourage the conservation of our landmarks.

Questions for Rainham:

1. With all the new dwellings going up, what about the additional medical needs. Medical centres and dentists?

2. Havering has a high proportion of people suffering from Alzheimer’s and that live on their own. What do you intend to do about it?

Answers:

Ukip:

1. Havering has the fastest growing population in London which has impacted on healthcare. We will work with the Commissioning Groups to ensure everybody’s healthcare needs are met.

2. Patients have a network of care provided from agencies. A change in law next year will mean adults in need of social care will have a greater say in how their care is managed.

Independent Residents’ Group:

1. The council, in order to meet the mayor’s unrealistic housing targets, are agreeing to plans that have no adequate infrastructure and create future ‘ghettos’. It is over-development.

2. Local housing needs should be met by realising empty properties. We will continue to push for more amenities and in-house council services rather than expensive privatisation schemes.

Labour:

1. Where the population increases public services should expand to meet the additional demand. We will work with partners to meet the demand.

2. We will work with the NHS and voluntary sector partners to improve services to those affected from all forms of dementia.

Lib Dems:

1. Use of Section 106 agreements to ensure suitable premises can be provided. Council to liaise with health providers.

2. We back Norman Lamb in supporting the Dementia Friends initiative – see his articles in the Observer (May 11) and on Liberal Democrat Voice.

Conservative:

1. We are aware of the need for medical and dental facilities in this part of the borough and will work with the health trust to ensure needs are being met for all the residents.

2. Adult social services work closely with careers and sufferers to provide a suitable care package. We would like to help residents that suffer from Alzheimer’s.