News
Thornton crime continues to fall
Aug 26th
Reported crime in Thornton has continued to fall thanks to the efforts of the local community and police.
The ward’s local policing Safer Neighbourhood Team revealed at the quarterly panel meeting that oversees their work that crime was down 15.9% on the same three-month period last year.
There was only a 3% rise on the previous three months despite the fact that summer weather usually means a lot more criminal activity as people go on holiday, leave windows open and congregate in the street and parks.
The panel, made up of local residents, council and social housing officials, decided to stick with the policing priorities of tackling burglary, motor vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Ed Davie praised the efforts of the police and of initiatives to give young people constructive, supervised activities to keep them out of trouble during the summer months.
Ed said: ‘Councillor Morris and I recently visited a Clapham Park Project scheme for young people next to Angus House. There were some teenagers I recognised as having caused a nuisance in the past helping their younger neighbours to play rounders and take part in a sack race.
‘It proves that with a little guidance these young people can do something positive and we will be working to ensure that projects like this continue despite central government cuts.
‘By preventing crime and getting some of these young people into jobs this sort of scheme saves money in the long run and improves the lives of local people.’
Lambeth schools celebrate record GCSE results
Aug 25th
Lambeth schools again celebrated record GCSE results and Thornton’s secondary school La Retraite got the second best results in the whole borough.
Provisional results showed for the 12th year running, the number of pupils achieving five or more A* to C grades increased, going up from 72.5 per cent in 2009 to 73.7 per cent in 2010.
Councillor Pete Robbins, Lambeth Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “The provisional results show an improvement that reflects the hard work and dedication of pupils and teachers and the continued support of parents.”
La Retraite percentage of pupils getting five or more A – C grade GCSEa rose from 94% this year to 97% in 2010.
Thornton councillor Ed Davie said: ‘Congratulations to La Retraite and all Thornton GCSE students. If you haven’t done as well as you had hoped it is not the end of the world and you should think about retaking the exams, signing up to a vocational course or starting an apprenticeship.’
Residents invited to Safer Neighbourhood Panel meeting
Aug 20th
Residents are invited to discuss Thornton’s policing issues at the regular Safer Neighbourhood Team meeting.
The next gathering is 7pm Wednesday 25 August at the Headlam Road Community Centre.
At the meetings members of the local policing team, councillors, officials from social housing providers and local people get together to assess security issues in the area and decide on priorities.
Any one living or working in the ward is welcome to come along and give their views.
Councillor Ed Davie who sits on the panel said: ‘We are fortunate in Thornton to have an excellent policing team and engaged residents who care about their community – it is no coincidence that the ward has the lowest crime rate in Lambeth.
‘The panel are always interested to hear the views of anyone in the ward with concerns about crime or anti-social behaviour so we can all tackle any problems together.’
Building Schools for the Future is given the green light in three of Lambeth’s schools
Aug 7th
Yesterday afternoon the Department for Education have released details of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) projects that have been given a ‘green light’.
In shock announcements made last month from the ConDem government the Schools Secretary Michael Gove MP told councils across the country that the BSF programme was being put on hold or cancelled and he has since come under significant pressure from Labour councillors throughout the country to allow the scheme to go ahead. Many councils including Lambeth have been lobbying the government on behalf of teachers, parents and pupils to reinstate the cuts and give Lambeth’s children access to the education they deserve.
Three of Lambeth’s schools that were earmarked for refurbishment and expansion Dunraven, Norwood Schools and Lilian Baylis have now all been given the funding and work can now go ahead as planned.
Sadly, things are not so clear about the 4th new school on the Fenstanton site, which is needed to ensure we have enough places for future generations of children in Lambeth and, as things stand, the other schools that were not ‘samples’ still have no funding allocated to them. Labour in Lambeth will continue to lobby and fight the government for more funds to ensure all our schools are modern and well equipped so that we can provide the best futures possible for Lambeth’s young people.
Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, Cllr Pete Robbins said:
‘After several days of expecting news from the DFE, we have finally heard that three of our BSF projects have been given the green light and that’s fantastic news. I think we got the go ahead from Michael Gove because alongside the teachers and pupils of Dunraven, Norwood School and Lilian Baylis, the Council has added to the considerable pressure that he has come under to rethink his position on BSF. Importantly, we were at pains to point out that the schools in question are in need of the money to accommodate extra pupils and to repair some of the old buildings that are in use, these were not vanity projects but desperately needed school refurbishments and expansions.’
I remain hopeful that funding for Fenstanton can be found and I am ever mindful that originally we had twelve schools hoping to receive cash from BSF, so the ConDem government have by no means covered themselves with glory with this announcement.’
Councillors call on Government to commit to Decent Homes for Tenants
Jul 29th
Thornton Ward Councillor, and Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Lib Peck today called on the Government to commit to funding Decent Homes in Lambeth. Lambeth Leaders wrote to Housing Minister Grant Shapps in June urging him to commit to funding for decent homes but he has yet to respond.
Lambeth Council is campaigning for continued investment in the Decent Homes scheme, which was started by the Labour Government, to bring all of the borough’s social housing up to a decent standard.
The Decent Homes scheme is under threat after the Tory-Lib Dem Government made no commitment to complete the programme in their manifestos or the Coalition Agreement.
Cllr Lib Peck said: “We’re calling on the Conservative/Liberal Democrat government to fund the decent homes programme in Lambeth. In total this amounts to £233 million for Lambeth Living; and “25 million for United Residents Housing. This money is desperately needed so that our homes can be made safe, warm and secure. It will pay for new roofs, new boilers, new windows, new kitchens and new bathrooms that are desperately needed by our residents. The last government promised this money – we don’t want the new government to break this agreement and let down Lambeth residents.”
Rt Hon John Healey MP, Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning, said:
“I want to see the new Government back tenants’ desire to live in a decent home. They deserve the improvements that others have already had.
“If ministers fail to give a clear commitment to finish Labour’s big refurbishment programme, tenants will be left in limbo and we’ll see the widespread unfairness of two-tiered council estates in our communities.”
Please help support Labour in Lambeth’s call on the government to commit to Decent Homes for Tenants by clicking here.
Chuka launches campaign to save Streatham’s school building projects
Jul 18th
Last week, the Liberal Democrat – Conservative government’s Education Secretary Michael Gove announced cuts to the previous government’s ambitious school building programme, Building Schools for the Future (BSF).
School building projects at three local secondary schools are affected, with major rebuilding projects axed at La Retraite and Bishop Thomas Grant schools and Dunraven School’s project placed in doubt.
To put pressure on the government, Chuka is campaigning alongside students, parents and teachers for the projects to go ahead and for the cuts to funding for new school buildings to be reversed.
He has set up a petition to save Streatham’s school building projects and demand answers from the government – please sign it here.
Chuka has also tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament on the issue, condemning the government’s cancellation of school building projects and calling for answers on projects subject to review such as Dunraven’s.
The full text of the EDM and a list of MPs who have signed it can be read here.
Trustees wanted for successful, local Community and Children’s Centre
Jul 16th
The Weir Link is a vibrant and highly successful Community and Children’s Centre. Established in 2008, the Centre has already been recognised as a centre of excellence and has recently been awarded a significant grant to expand its provision in the area of community health.
In addition to increasing the number of Trustees to match planned growth in the Centre’s activities, we are planning for the future succession of the Chair of Trustees.
In particular, we are seeking up to 4 individuals with the following experience, knowledge and/or professional skills:
- Community involvement and leadership
- Strategic leadership in the charity or not for profit sector
- Financial planning and stewardship
- Supporting the well-being of Children and Young people
- Community health-care provision
- Service Level Agreements and Contracts
- Business Development and Fund-raising
Previous Trustee experience is not essential – full training and support will be provided. It is important to us that the Trustee body fully represents the diversity, cultures, experience, and skills from across the borough of Lambeth. We are therefore seeking applications from local residents, parents/carers and community groups, as well those with relevant professional or voluntary experience and skills.
To find out more, or to receive an application pack please contact:
Rachel Bellini at Abbeville Associates tel 020 7720 1830 e-mail: admin@abbevilleassociates.co.uk
The closing date for applications is 25th August 2010. Interviews will take place during September 2010.
Do you want to set up a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme?
Jul 12th
Lambeth Borough Police have appointed a new neighbourhood watch coordinator, whose job it is to encourage and support new and existing neighbouhood watch schemes..
Existing residents’ associations can form themselves into Neighbourhood Watches.
Benefits include signs and stickers which help deter crime, reductions on home insurance, and free public liability insurance for burglary.
If you are interested in setting up a Neighbourhood Watch group, or for further information, please contact Karen Hunn via email khunn@lambeth.gov.uk
New AM Radio Station Coming Soon to Thornton
Jul 6th
Local radio is coming to Lambeth as internet based radio station Generation Radio secures a full-time 5 year AM license from radio and TV regulator Ofcom.
Generation Radio has been broadcasting 24/7 for four years on the internet for the residents and workers across Clapham Park and the surrounding area.
The station has 17 volunteers who present shows and supports the station, and has built up an average monthly listenership of 9,000. Generation Radio is now looking forward to bringing great music and community news to even more listeners.
With music from the 1960’s to today, specialist shows including classical, hip hop, debates and discussions on local issues, community Interviews and promoting new music, there is something for everyone at Generation Radio.
Generation Radio Project Manager Andrew Sayers said: “All the hard work undertaken by the team over the last four years has now paid off and we are proud and excited to be bringing real local radio to Lambeth”.
Donna C Henry Chair of the Clapham Park Project which started and continues to support Generation Radio said: “This is a great achievement for Generation Radio and will really help the station to achieve real sustainability, bringing greater employment, training and volunteering opportunities to the people of Lambeth.”
Listen to Generation Radio online right now at www.generationradio.co.uk as we prepare for the launch of the AM station in 2011.
If anyone would like to get involved or support Generation Radio, contact Andrew Sayers on 020 8623 9421 or email: info@generationradio.co.uk
Weir Estate holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate Repossession after Major Works
Jul 5th
Resident’s from Weir Estate celebrated taking their estate back this weekend with a ribbon cutting and repossession ceremony, following a year of essential major works to replace run down and rusted windows and doors.
Nearly all one hundred and twenty five properties on the Lambeth Living estate have undergone a huge transformation to replace the old metal windows and wooden doors to new warmer, safer and secure by design double glazed windows and triple locking doors. The work which was carried out by Breyer Group plc on behalf of Lambeth’s ALMO, Lambeth Living have taken just over one year.
This weekend at an event attended by Thornton Councillors, Cllr Lib Peck, Cllr Diana Morris, and Cllr Ed Davie, the newly elected Member of Parliament, Chuka Umunna MP, spoke to residents, and cut the ribbon to celebrate residents claiming back control of their estate. The ceremony was organised by its pro-active residents association, WERA (Weir Estate Residents Association).
Works to the estate began at the end of 2009 and are on track to finish by the end of this month.
During the cutting of the ribbon ceremony, MP Chuka Umunna paid tribute to the work of WERA and the leadership of the association Chair, Dave McEvoy; who worked closely with local councillors to bring about the transformation, which also saw a coat of paint being applied to all ten blocks.
Residents have also benefited from reduced heating costs which had rocketed during the 60 years that the old windows had been in place.
Mr Umunna went on to declare the estate ‘unleashed’ back into the control of those who live on Weir Estate.
Dave McEvoy, Chair of WERA spoke of his delight at residents getting their estate back “This event was to mark the end of a difficult year for residents who have put up with a lot of disruption but has brought much needed change to the estate as a whole as well as many benefits to those living on Weir Estate. We are delighted with the work that has taken place after so many years and now residents can look forward to warmer, safer and a better quality of living standards.”
The event was also attended by Lambeth Living Major Works Officers, Joseph Ajala, Senior Programme Manager and Keith Hardy, Major Works Manager, who have overseen the works to Weir Estate as well as Bryer Group’s Divisional Manager Carol Bailey, Resident Liaison Manager, Clinton Samuels as well as the site staff who have worked on the estate delivering the works. Lambeth Living’s Board Member Alan Bevan also attended to see the outcome of the works.
Local residents celebrated with a glass of champagne and are now able to enjoy a new look Weir Estate.
