Democracy and the future of the outdoor pool! Future of the pool! The pool is outdated and needs investment. The lining is cutting children's feet and may fail at any time, resulting in a hefty bill or the closure of the pool. Democracy! We voted for the pool to be refurbished and it is not being refurbished. The decision has been made by a councillor from Wantage, so we can't even vote her out! Three explanations have been given by the Vale. 1) It is too expensive: but the Vale have not got any estimates from pool contractors, or assessed what could be done with the 307,500 which would be half of the available capital budget. 2) Non-voters have to be considered: the Vale have also said that although 81% of people who voted chose Option A, this was only 3206 people in Abingdon (about 10%), and so the vote can be ignored. This is not democratic... and very concerning. Only the views of those that participate in democracy can contribute to democratic process. In fact, this had the highest participation of any consultation ever held in Abingdon, reflecting the importance of this issue. If everyone in Abingdon had voted, perhaps the majority would have been even higher! We just left the EU on a 4% difference with 28% non-participation, but apparently democracy only applies to the 'big' decisions 3) That we 'misunderstood' the consultation and that refurbishment meant 'repair' and not capital investment: I made a formal complaint to the Vale on this matter, the response to the complaint concluded that we did not in fact misunderstand anything and that 'the current planned works are not consistent with the description of scenario A in the consultation... anyone 'voting' for scenario A and contributing to the 81% overwhelming preference for scenario A would be disappointed with the council's planned works'

The UK is one of the science power-houses in the world. We attract and produce some of the best scientists and contribute greatly to increasingly important scientific areas including cancer, bacterial resistance, renewable energy and food research as well as a whole host of research areas that span all areas of science, technology and engineering. Leaving the EU has the worrying potential to restrict the amount of funding these research areas get, causing the UK to fall behind in world leading research but also slowing scientific progress. The UK is part of EU funded projects such as Horizon 2020. As a PhD student in cancer research I have seen first hand in the labs the reaction to the UK leaving the EU. Everyone is worried about what this means for science here and whether we'll be able to maintain our excellent work. This petition is to raise awareness in the hope that we can get a deal whereby scientists and funding can move between countries as easily as possible in order for research to progress as it always has done.

There is clear evidence that pesticides (such as the herbicide glyphosate) used for pest and weed control across Lewes District are causing declines in biodiversity and are harmful to human health, especially children. Our children need to be able to play safely in the parks of Lewes face down on the ground without fear of exposure to glyphosate and other potentially harmful chemicals. But it is not just children. Everybody who lives, works, plays, visits, or walks their dog anywhere in this beautiful district should have the right to enjoy the area without the fear of coming into contact with unnecessary, toxic chemicals. Glyphosate alone is linked to cancers, infertility, birth defects, and neurological disease. The World Health Organisation has publicly stated that glyphosate ‘probably’ causes cancer. However there are 40 different types of pesticide that can be and are used in and around towns and cities in the UK. Progressive cities such as Paris, Toronto - and recently Brighton - have already voted to end the use of toxic chemicals in all public spaces. If they can do it, so can Lewes District! Effective alternatives for weed control already exist which are not harmful to people, pets, or the environment. Furthermore, the use of non-toxic alternatives will encourage greater local biodiversity - and give us all the pleasure of seeing more bees buzzing, butterflies fluttering, and birds singing! The increase in pesticide use since the 1970s has seen farmland bird populations decline by over 50% and catastrophic declines for insects such as several butterfly and bumblebee species (of up to 70% for some species). The loss of bumblebees and other pollinators has knock-on effects for growing food, as 75% of crops are pollinated by wild insects. So why risk the health of our children, ourselves, and the environment when there is another way? Let us employ non harmful ways of dealing with – or living with- those things that toxic chemicals are used to kill. These products are already available. We can start this process in our local district, and in Lewes. PS - Get informed! Read up on this issue by visiting the Pesticide-Free Towns campaign page on the Pesticide Action Network website.

Whichever way you voted in the EU referendum, I hope you will agree that we live in a small country with a high population density and ever increasing pressure for development of our green areas, which both support our wildlife and give people space to exercise, relax and play. We have lost so much natural habitat already it would be a tragic if one of the results of this referendum is the erosion of our remaining wild places and their associated wildlife. Due to our high land use, it is also important that stringent regulations on pollution of air, water and land are kept in place. This will ensure that our small island remains 'a green and pleasant land'.

Barnet Council leased out the pavilion building in Cherry Tree Wood several years ago. Since then there has been very little progress on the renovation work undertaken by the leaseholder. Furthermore, the building was left in an extremely unsafe condition, with totally inadequate fencing around the site. It has become an urgent health and safety issue. In addition the dilapidated building has been attracting anti-social behaviour, followed by a serious crime in the wood in 2016. Previously the area was extremely safe. Cherry Tree Wood has a high number of visitors on a daily basis, (including use of the recreational facilities, school trips and school sports day events). Barnet Council urgently need to liaise with the leaseholder to make the site safe. It has totally changed the feel of the wood and the feel of surrounding area.

Unsustainable fish farms located in or by the sea can wreak havoc on the environment, threatening the future of our fisheries. My initiative Ask the Q (www.asktheq.org) campaigns for greater transparency in supply chains and I believe it is highly misleading to label seafood 'responsible' when the Marine Conservation Society recommends eating this 3-rated seafood 'only occasionally' as it 'should probably not be considered entirely sustainable at this time'.

EVERY SINGLE PRODUCT SOLD IN THE UK COULD BE PACKAGED WITH 100% RECYCLABLE MATERIALS As the largest UK supermarket chain, Tesco should be the market leader in sustainable packaging. Packaging is important to protect their products, and recycling is important to protect our environment. If ALL products were offered in recyclable packaging, we would dramatically cut the unnecessary filling of further landfill sites each year. WE WANT TO RECYCLE! Households across the UK want to recycle. Year-on-year, recycling figures are increasing. Consumers are increasingly engaged and increasing the levels at which they recycle. It is the responsibility of retailers to ensure they offer their products in recyclable packaging. WHY CAN'T I RECYCLE BLACK PLASTIC?! Black plastic packaging is one of the easiest packaging items that could be swapped for a recyclable alternative. Almost every local council offers a household collection service that recycles clear plastics, a simple alternative to non-recyclable black plastic. Black plastic can't easily be recycled, as there is no efficient way to sort it at a recycling facility. The solution is simple: don't use it in packaging! BE THE LEADER As the market leader, Tesco has an opportunity to set the precedent on sustainable packaging. Starting with black plastic, many other non-recyclable items such as expanded polystyrene should be phased out. In their place, recyclable and/or bio-degradable alternatives should be utilised as standard.

The use of glyphosates has already been banned or restricted in 8 countries and the EU has recently stepped back from renewing its approval. It is not acceptable that ourselves, our children and the animals we share our community with are being routinely exposed to these chemicals whether we like it or not. This is a matter of great importance for those of us who care about each other's health and the health of our children, our cats, our dogs and all the flora and fauna of this city, of course including bees and other insects essential to pollination. Further information here: http://wembleymatters.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/should-brent-follow-hammersmith-fulham.html If you don't live in this area, click here to start a campaign for your city: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/start-a-pesticide-campaign

Priestnall Hey is a well used community area and part of the local nature reserve. It is within the Mauldeth Road conservation area which aims to "encourage retention of the high quality features of buildings in the Conservation Area and to enhance the environment of which they are part". The erection of a new, modern school is unlikely to achieve this aim. In addition, Priestnall Hey is in close proximity to Priestnall High School and Leisure Centre, both of which are busy, well attended facilities. The addition of a further school in such a congested area is likely to reduce safety of pedestrians and road users and restrict the right to peaceful enjoyment of residents.

We need far more spaces for bees to breed and forage - instead of destroying their habi­tats, how about some serious Millbrook bee care! Many in our community take joy in the grasses, wild flowers and wildlife that are increasing here by the year. Red clover, self heal, violets, kidney vetch, cow parsley, silverweed, forget-me-nots, buttercups, daisys, dandelions and even cuckoo flower (lady’s smock) love the dampish grasses along the fence line! Leaving it un-cut does not cause obstruction with sight-line to traffic, dogs must be on leads here, so no dog mess and I've never seen it with any rubbish! What I do see is a fantastic educational resource for our children, a place of bees, butterflies and sloe worms - and a big buzzard that lives in the trees above! DON'T DESTROY THEIR HABITAT!

The use of glyphosates has already been banned or restricted in 8 countries. It is not acceptable that ourselves, our children and the animals we share our community with are being routinely exposed to these chemicals whether we like it or not. This is a matter of great importance for those of us who care about each other's health and the health of our children, our cats, our dogs and all the flora and fauna of this city, of course including our beloved bees. If you don't live in this area, click here to start a campaign for your city: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/start-a-pesticide-campaign

The use of glyphosates has already been banned or restricted in 8 countries. It is not acceptable that ourselves, our children and the animals we share our community with are being routinely exposed to these chemicals whether we like it or not. This is a matter of great importance for those of us who care about each other's health and the health of our children, our cats, our dogs and all the flora and fauna of this city, of course including our beloved bees. If you don't live in this area, click here to start a campaign for your city: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/start-a-pesticide-campaign