News from elsewhere

Merton is launching its very first Low Carbon Zone this week with the first in a series of low carbon advice surgeries for residents.

See Celebrating Age Brochure 2009 for information about this event that takes place in the month of September every year - brochures are available from June in the libraries, voluntary/community groups and various other places in Merton. If you want to run an event in next year's festival then the people at Celebrating Age Festival would like to speak to you. Please contact Sue Tickner: celebratingage@yahoo.co.uk or 8648 5792.

Reading and listening mornings Raynes Park Library - We will be holding meetings once a month on Friday mornings between 10.00 am and 12.00 noon. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available at the cost of 30p. The meetings will give people a chance to read and listen to short stories and to make full use of the library.If you have a particular short story or poem that you would like to read or have read to you please bring it along. We would be delighted if you would come along and join us. For more information phone Penny Bettell on 020 8540 5446. Merton Vision, The Guardian Centre, 67 Clarendon Road, Colliers Wood, London SW19 2DX - Registered Charity No: 1075388.

With only a few weeks remaining until the renewal deadline, Merton's older and disabled Freedom Pass holders are being urged to ensure they renew their pass by the end of this month so they can continue to enjoy free travel across the capital.

Four bidders have been invited to submit detailed proposals for treatment facilities to deal with 200,000 tonnes of household waste that is currently sent to landfill every year.

Donald Hope Library opened the doors to a brighter future this week following refurbishments and the installation of self-service technology.

Merton Council is warning residents against a bogus bin man operating in the borough.

Merton Council, working in partnership with Film London, is calling on the borough's residents to record 90-second films for a competition called 'Film Merton in 90 Seconds'. Those who enter could win the chance of screening their short film at the Best of Boroughs (BoBs) film making competition at a prestigious central London venue.

Merton Council is joining hundreds of others to raise awareness of the musculoskeletal disorder Fibromyalgia - which causes intense pain throughout the body's connective tissues such as muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Merton Council's cabinet has agreed a reduction in the borough's council tax for the first time in 16 years. The proposal will now be presented to full council for approval on Wednesday 3 March 2010.

Ten years on from the tragic case of Victoria Climbie - a child in a private fostering arrangement who was brutally murdered in London - Merton Council is urging residents to consider the importance of keeping children's living arrangement records up to date.

Merton Council is asking local residents to voice their opinion on how the borough's public transport can be improved at a consultation meeting with councillors and public transport providers at 7.15pm on Tuesday 16 March at The Hub (Tooting and Mitcham FC), Imperial Fields, Bishopsford Road, Morden SM4 6BF.

Merton Council has been hitting the borough's streets on the look out for cars for sale.

Merton Council is inviting residents from across the borough to voice their views at regular community forums held throughout the year.

Merton Council is continuing to push for additional funding for school places despite the Government grant not providing the much-needed financial support.

Sign up to any of Merton's libraries for a chance to win a year's free gym membership, a laptop, theatre tickets, a ten week adult education course, a digital camera and much more. From Monday 15 February and throughout March, every new member will receive a free gift as well as an entry into the prize draw, while existing members can also enter the prize draw when they recommend a friend to join.

Merton Council is showing the way to get around town easily with the launch of its new wayfinding signs.