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Health
The opening of Kingston Hospital's new Accident and Emergency Unit was the year's highlight. The building is impressive, but people can still suffer long waits. We need more staff and more beds - in the rest of the hospital and in local care homes. The extra NHS cash in the budget was welcome and will help - it's something I've long argued for. Locally, we must ensure we get our fair share and that it's well spent. Moreover, we've still many challenges - whether it's improving hospital cleanliness and parking or developing new GP services and provision of devices like digital hearing aids.
Edward Davey with Princess Alexandra at the opening of Kingston Hospital's new A&E unit
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Transport
The chaos on Britain's railways hit local passengers hard. I pressed for an early resolution to the uncertainty about our local rail franchise and for the Strategic Rail Authority to improve investment plans for local commuter routes. However, the lack of certainty about overall railway policy is a major stumbling block to progress.
Edward surveyed commuters for their views on local rail services
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Edward, with the Bishop of Southwark, opened the new classrooms at St Matthew's School, Surbiton
Education
Kingston's top education issue increasingly is recruitment and retention of experienced staff. All my visits to local schools reinforce my view that London weightings for teachers remain inadequate. This is closely linked with the need for more affordable housing locally. In Parliament, I argued for more imaginative planning across London, to assist schools and all local employers.
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Crime
A modest victory for the campaign for extra police was achieved last year. During the Metropolitan Police Authority's review of resources across London, I lobbied hard and argued in detail. We got a net rise of between 8 and 14 officers - depending on how you do the figures! I'm still unhappy, as the new formula means we won't get a fair share of future growth: so I'm still pressing our case for more police. The good news is recorded crime, in almost all categories, fell in Kingston last year, but we still have a way to go.
Local Appeals
This year 3 major fundraising projects stood out:
* Kingston Hospital's Cancer Unit
* Kingston's new theatre, due to open in 2004
* Repairs for All Saints' Parish Church - Kingston's only Grade One Listed building
This challenging combination is nevertheless an exciting one. Campaigning to win them extra support will remain a priority over the next 12 months.
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