August is a good times to catch up with various matters in the in-tray which have been pending for while. As well as fitting in a family holiday and catching up with outstanding issues with individual constituents I have also been busy with a number of issues locally.

Old hospital close in Nightingale ward is an excellent estate. Unfortunately, the quality of life of some of the residents has been blighted by anti-social behaviour from a number of young people. I visited the estate on an inspection with a representative from the housing associations involved with the estate and the local safer neighbourhood team officers. We spoke to a number of residents and have agreed an action plan to improve conditions on the estate. You can see a photograph of my visit by clicking HERE.

I also received numerous complaints from local residents about rats appearing in the playground in Tooting Common and took immediate action to make the Council live up to their responsibility of keeping the children’s playground clean and safe. This is not the first time the Council have received reports of a rat infestation, which is a perennial problem for the playground. Overgrown shrubbery and uncollected litter provide an ideal breeding ground for vermin and the Council are not doing enough to prevent this. I have been lobbying for more bins, more regular rubbish collections and for the shrubbery to be cut back so that rats no longer prove a health risk to children in the playground.

Tooting is blessed with many excellent community groups, amenity groups and art groups. One excellent group in Tooting is Tara Arts who recently celebrated their 30th anniversary. I attended "Juggernaut - Tara in the sky" by Tara Arts at Trafalgar square as part of the India Now Festival – a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the independence of India and Pakistan. Tara’s contribution was part of the Trafalgar Square Festival, staged to show London’s creative connections with India through performances from London based Indian arts companies. The event was a great showcase of local talent and a fantastic opportunity for young people from our community to perform in front of hundreds of people from across London. To see a photo of me with the cast of “Juggernaut – Tara in the Sky” click HERE. You can find out more about Tara arts by visiting there website at www.tara-arts.com

The big issue in recent months has been the issue of gangs, knives and guns. Too many young people have been involved in gang violence leading to tragic consequences. The Yahweh Christian fellowship has been doing some excellent work discouraging local youngsters from going down this slippery path. I am really pleased they have become permanent residents at the Fairlight Christian centre and was pleased to take part with the new Borough Commander at a special service to launch the march for hope, an event where the community came together to show its solidarity in combating gang culture and the crime associated with it.

I've also attended a meeting at Sivayogam Temple and separately visited the Lahore Karahi restaurant on Tooting High Road to present them with their medal for winning the Tooting nomination for the Tiffin cup (a competition to find the country’s best South Asian restaurant). You can see a photograph of the presentation by clicking HERE.

I also met with representatives involved with the running St Georges Staff Social Club to discuss their concerns about the future of the club as well as meeting with the chief executive and chair of St Georges NHS trust. I was approached by the Committee of the Staff Social Club to make representations on their behalf to St George’s Trust, following a decision by the Trust to use the club room to house the Occupational Health Unit, which has until now been at a temporary site. I was able to set up a first meeting between the club committee and the Trust and open the communication channels, but the club have also be gathering support from hospital staff and collected a large petition which I presented on their behalf to the Chair and Chief Executive of St George’s Trust. You can see a photograph of me receiving the petition from the social club by clicking HERE.

I've also met with representative of the Wandsworth Fairtrade Group who are trying to help Wandsworth join the many other local authorities and towns who have been declared "fair trade zones". Unfortunately, the Tory council do not appear to believe in fair trade or the ability of consumers to affect the behaviour of consumers. I have raised this issue in the House of Commons. You can see my contribution by clicking HERE. I took part in a documentary on fair trade which was filmed in my Tooting office. You can see a photograph of the interview by clicking HERE.

I also met with the chair of the Professional Executive Committee of Wandsworth Primary Care Trust to discuss the impact of government reform and investment in the NHS.

The other campaigns I have been involved with in the last few weeks have been to do with public transport improvements and trying to get cleaner streets in Tooting. I'll be updating my website with these issues shortly.