Councillor Advice Surgeries
Jun 15th
Your local councilors hold regular advice surgeries, and these arrangements have just been reviewed.
The latest surgery details can be found here.
Lambeth’s Co-operative council public consultation
May 26th
Lambeth Council today published detailed proposals that will see the authority become Britain’s first-ever co-operative council.
Lambeth’s Co-operative Council model – first trailed in the national media in February 2010 – will see residents take on a bigger role in running and shaping local services. The model applies the co-operative model of fairness, accountability and responsibility across a broad range of services. It is built on four years experience trialling the approach in specific services in Lambeth.
Lambeth’s leader, Councillor Steve Reed, has today published a white paper that identifies in detail these plans.
Click Here to view The Co-operative Council white paper
A Citizens’ Commission is being set up to consult local people on the proposals and met today for the first time. Their aim is to identify new services where the cooperative model can be piloted, and explore how the approach can be rolled out across further service areas later this year. The Commission will also explore how an ‘active citizens dividend’ could be paid to reward people who get involved in running local services, possibly in the form of a council-tax discount.
At the same time the council has started a major public debate on the plans. The white paper is intended to form the starting point of a debate on the future of public services in Lambeth and over the coming months it is inviting as many members of the public, staff, partners and interested partners as possible to take part in shaping the plans.
The council has begun an on-line collaboration using a new Lambeth Co-operative Council ‘wiki’ – a special web site that allows visitors to comment on and edit the content, just like Wikipedia.
People can also join in the conversation on Twitter by using the hash tag #lambethcoop, and a Facebook group has been set up for people discuss the ideas.
Residents can also email their thoughts to cooperativecouncil@lambeth.gov.uk.
Lambeth has led the country in exploring the cooperative approach to service delivery in recent years. The council has more tenant-managed housing estates than any other borough, and is transferring more assets to community control than any other council. Notable examples include Raleigh Hall in Brixton which is set to become the country’s first National Black Heritage Centre; the Weir Link children’s centre in Balham which is a service run by residents in a building built by the community; and the Old Lilian Baylis community sports hub operating out of a disused secondary school in Vauxhall that has won praise from leading politicians of all parties as well as international sports heroes like Usain Bolt and Michael Jordan.
Other community-led services already succeeding in Lambeth include 2XL, a peer mentoring programme that has dramatically cut youth reoffending levels on tough inner-city estates, the country’s first parent-promoted secondary school in West Norwood, and Community Freshview, an environmental programme that sees local people given tools and support to transform derelict or overgrown wasteland into community gardens or public spaces.
Lambeth’s Council leader, Cllr Steve Reed, said: “Lambeth has spent the past four years exploring how the community can get more involved in running local services. In widely different service areas like schools, housing and tackling crime we’ve learnt it can deliver better services that cost less. Now we will take the model further and become the first council in the country to apply cooperative values right across the board. Our model empowers people to get on and make the changes they want to see in their local area, building better services and a stronger civic society at the same time.”
Cllr Ed Davie said “From the Clapham Park Project to the Weir Link; Thornton already has great examples of co-operative working improving the area. We want even more local people to get involved in community activities and delivering services for everybody’s benefit. It could be a youth club or a service for the elderly - if you’ve got an idea please join in the consultation or contact us and we will try and make it happen.”
Free Bike Checks with Dr Bike
May 25th
Lambeth Council have unveiled their summer programme of Dr Bike sessions.
The sessions will take place every Tuesday throughout May, June and July with Winter Wheelin’ themed events during September between 5.30 and 7.30pm. Bring your bike to get a free bike check – brakes, gears and tyres.
The sustainable transport team will also be on hand to provide advice on cycling in and around Lambeth.
- The first Tuesday – Waterloo (King’s College (Opposite Imax Cinema), SE1 8WA)
- The second Tuesday – Clapham Common (Cedars Road, SW4 0PN)
- The third Tuesday – Brockwell Park (Lido, Dulwich Road, SE24 0PA)
- The fourth Tuesday – Streatham Common south side (SW16 3BT)
- Any fifth Tuesday – Norwood (Norwood Road, SE27 9DQ) This only occurs in June
Most of the events will feature a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) awareness element. An HGV will be on site for cyclists to experience the view from the cab and be advised on where to be positioned on the road for ultimate safety when sharing the road. At many sessions members of the Safer Neighbourhood Teams of the Met Police will be adding people’s unique bike numbers onto www.immobilise.com and advising on avoiding bike theft.
Please also look out for Dr Bike breakfasts and sessions taking place along the new Cycle Superhighway after its launch on 19 July.
Would you like to become a foster carer?
May 24th
Lambeth is celebrating Foster Care Fortnight from 17th to 30th May 2010, which is part of a national campaign to recruit morefoster carers to provide homes for children of all ages.
Do you have a space in your heart, a place in your home – How would you like to make a difference to a child’s life?
Whatever type of foster carer you become the satisfaction is second to none and you will part of an excellent team in supporting vulnerable children in Lambeth.
Ade Adetosoye, Divisional Director, Children’s Social Care at Lambeth said: “The important things we are looking for in potential foster carers are a real commitment and willingness to learn about and understand the needs of children and young people, the stability and energy to provide high quality care, flexibility and ‘stickability’. Fostering can be complex, challenging and demanding but the Lambeth fostering team, along with social workers and other professionals will support you. They will be working with you, the child or young person and their families where possible, towards a plan to provide a stable environment.”
In the last inspection of the fostering service, Ofsted stated: “Lambeth’s fostering service is a learning and changing organisation, with strong leadership, excellent partnerships and a clear focus on improving outcomes for children… where foster carers support children’s education and health well”.
It can be extremely rewarding to see children or young people in your care thrive and move on in a positive way and we would wish for you to give thought to offering space in your heart and a place in your home by contacting the fostering recruitment team on 020 7926 8710 or go to our website for further information and an application form
If you would like to meet the fostering recruitment team’s social workers you can come to Lambeth Town Hall on Tuesday 25 May between 4.30 and 6pm to hear more about the fostering process and complete an application.
Securing Thornton
May 23rd
Though reported crime has continued to fall thanks to the efforts of local people, police and council Thornton’s representatives want to make the area even safer.
The three Labour councillors intend to press property owners in Hydefarm to give permission for alleyways at the back of houses to be closed making it harder for opportunistic thieves to gain access.
They also intend to ensure that all social housing providers maintain secure front doors to communal area and quickly eliminate evidence of graffiti and vandalism.
Even more efforts will also be made to ensure that all young people in the ward have access to supervised activities.
Safer and greener transport
May 22nd
Having consulted with residents Thornton’s councillors want to press ahead with a 20mph zone in the ward.
Centred around the Hydefarm area the zone would reduce the risk of accidents and lower carbon emissions as slower cars produce less exhaust.
In addition the Labour representatives want to explore the option of putting a pedestrian crossing on Weir Road which would help calm traffic and obviously improve safety.
Havin
g secured the agreement of Transport for London to route a new Streatham/Balham bus through the ward the councillors intend to ensure this is delivered as soon as possible.
Again this should reduce the need for car journeys making our roads safer and environment less polluted.
Streatham’s new MP Chuka Umunna also intends to pursue an extension of the Tube to Streatham which would be useful for Thornton residents at that end of the ward.
Focus on Clapham Park Estate
May 22nd
Clapham Park Estate will be a focus of Thornton’s councillors’ efforts with poor living conditions remaining despite massive government investment over Labour’s last decade in power.
In the short term the councillors want to see Clapham Park Homes replace broken communal front doors on blocks of flats to make residents more secure and prevent misuse of communal areas.
They also want to see an improvement in the cleaning and repairs systems and better communication to residents about the renovation programme.
A focus on play and youth schemes is needed to ensure that young people have the facilities and opportunities they need.
Councillor Ed Davie will take a place on the board of Clapham Park Homes with the intention of giving the residents a greater voice among those making the decisions affecting their community.
All three councillors will increase efforts to give the residents more of an influence in the running of the estate.
Councillor Diana Morris will continue on the board of the Clapham Park Project aiming to help the organisation to manage the transition from being fully government funded to a charity.
Councillor Lib Peck has been appointed cabinet member for housing elect and will use her position to improve all social housing across the borough. Lib and the council leader elect Steve Reed has already held discussions with representatives of Metropolitan, which owns Clapham Park Homes, about improving the estate.
The councillors intend to hold outdoor high visibility surgeries on the estate over the summer, as well as their regular one 7-8pm on the first Thursday of the month at the Headlam Road Community Centre, to continue their dialogue with the residents.
New Leadership Team for Lambeth Council
May 21st
With the election finished and the people of Lambeth giving a resounding thumbs up to Labour in Lambeth, voting in 44 Labour Group Councillors – including 13 new faces – to council on May 6th 2010.
Cllr Lib Peck, Cllr Diana Morris and Cllr Edward Davie would like to thank the residents of Thornton Ward who voted us back in.
The new Council Cabinet has now been announced, with Thornton’s Cllr Lib Peck being selected as the Cabinet Member for Housing.
Cllr Steve Reed, leader of the Labour Group and the Council says: “Thank you to all of those who voted for Labour to continue running the Council, it’s a testament to the Labour Group that we have been getting things right and most importantly listening to what you want in Lambeth. The Labour Group is really looking forward to getting on with the job in hand and making Lambeth a better fairer place for all.”
The new Cabinet is as follows:
Leader of the Council – Steve Reed
Deputy Leader – Jackie Meldrum
Cabinet Member for Housing – Cllr Lib Peck
Cabinet Member for Communities and Community Safety – Cllr Rachel Heywood
Cabinet Member for Environment – Cllr Lorna Campbell
Cabinet Member for Children & Young People – Cllr Pete Robbins
Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Employment – Cllr Sally Prentice
Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing – Cllr Jim Dickson
Cabinet Member for Finance – Cllr Paul McGlone
Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and the Olympics – Cllr Florence Nosegbe
The Mayor of Lambeth will be Cllr Dr Neeraj Patil, and the Deputy Mayor is Cllr Tina Valcarel, both Larkhall Councillors.
Councillors draw up Thornton Priorities
May 20th
Thornton’s councillors have held detailed discussions on their key priorities for the ward over the next four years.
Elected on May 6 with the one of the highest turn outs in Lambeth and with the biggest mandate ever in the ward councillors Ed Davie, Diana Morris and Lib Peck are determined to deliver for their community even in tougher economic times.
Having talked to thousands of residents during the previous term of office and election campaign the three have an excellent idea of what residents want to see improved in the area.
In broad terms the councillors want to continue with improvements in the social housing stock, ensure greater road safety, reduce crime and extend activities for children and young people.
Ed said: ‘One of the great things about campaigning is the sheer number of people you meet to ask about their concerns. We now intend to use what we have heard on the doorsteps to deliver what people have told us they want to see.
‘We will continue to campaign and listen to residents throughout the next four years and try our best to champion the community that has put their trust in us.’
The Youth Mayor’s Fund – Need money? Want change?
May 20th
Are you aged 13 – 19?
Do you live, work or study in Lambeth?
Do you have an idea for a project to benefit young people?
If you can answer ‘yes’ to all of these questions, then the Youth Mayor’s Fund is for you.
Lambeth’s Youth Mayor, Darren Tenkorang has been given a budget of £25,000 to fund projects run by young people, for young people, to make Lambeth a more exciting, rewarding place to be.
Whether you want to set up an arts project on your estate, a sports project in your local park, a media project from your local youth club, or organise visits or clubs for your school or college – Darren wants to know about it.
Last year the grant funded:
- A rowing club for young people hoping to compete in this year’s London Youth Games;
- A series of performing arts workshops for young people in Clapham;
- A project enabling young people to write, shoot, perform in and edit their own music video; and
- Sports, stage and multi-media equipment for a youth group based in Brixton
Applications can be for any amount up to £6000, and must be received by Wednesday 30 June 2010.
For further information, and to obtain an application form, please click here
