Agenda and minutes
PDF 88 KBVenue: Walworth Methodist Church, 54 Camberwell Road, London SE5 0EW
Contact: Gerald Gohler, Constitutional Officer
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Welcome and introductions
Minutes: The chair welcomed councillors, members of the public and officers to the meeting. |
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Apologies
Minutes: There were apologies for absence from Councillors Dan Garfield and Rebecca Lury; and apologies for lateness from Councillors Maisie Anderson, Neil Coyle and Paul Fleming. |
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Disclosure of members' interests and dispensations
Minutes: There were none. |
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Items of business that the Chair deems urgent
Minutes: There were none. |
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Minutes
The minutes of the meetings held on 15 July 2015 to be agreed as a correct record of the meeting.
Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2015 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the chair. |
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7.05pm |
Young people's slot
· Borough, Bankside and Walworth Youth Community Council · East Walworth Football Warriors Minutes: Representatives from East Walworth Wanderers young people’s football club thanked the community council for the funding they had received. This had enabled them to open new facilities and to attract more young people – over 80 a week. The club also offered young adults football sessions, taught life skills, sent some members on coaching courses, and was currently waiting for its affiliation to the Football Association. The club aimed to get as many young people participating as possible, and wanted to expand into offering, for example walking football and mums’ and toddlers’ sessions.
The chair thanked the representatives for attending. |
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8.25pm |
Community announcements (part 1)
· Inspector Martin Nicholson, Metropolitan Police · Launch of the Elephant & Castle to Crystal Palace - Cycle Quietway (QW7) Minutes:
Safer Neighbourhoods Team Update Inspector Nicholson informed the meeting that the metropolitan police had been forced to make cuts of £500m over the last two to three years while maintaining standards. Over the next four years, however, £800m of further cuts would need to be made, which could result in Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) being cut. The good news was that burglaries, robberies, car crime and criminal damage in the sector had gone down. Responding to a question from the floor, Inspector Nicholson said he hoped that this fall was not due to non-reporting. A 16-strong tasking team had been created to deal with problems on particular estates. Unfortunately, crimes of violence had increased by about 26% in the cluster, but also in Southwark and in London as a whole. As a consequence the police would focus on the licenced premises in the area and on knife crime, especially among young people.
Inspector Nicholson said he was very sorry to inform the meeting of a fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old young man in Canterbury Place. He appealed to those present who had any information to contact Crimestoppers or the incident room on 020 8721 4805. He also appealed for information on any illegally held knives to prevent future attacks. Newington ward now had the highest incidence of knife crime, and the police were doing weapons sweeps there. He encouraged people to report all crime on 101 or on 999, if it was an emergency. The police had put in place a reassurance plan and their preliminary enquiries had shown that the incident was not gang-related. They therefore did not expect any reprisals.
At 19:30, Councillor Maisie Anderson joined the meeting.
The chair thanked the police for attending and for the service they provided in the community. The meeting then observed a minute’s silence for the victim of the stabbing.
Councillor Neil Coyle joined the meeting at 19:40.
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7.15pm |
Address by Neil Coyle MP
Minutes: Neil Coyle, MP said that the recent stabbing had been an absolute tragedy and that there was a fear of reprisals. Some young people were carrying knives because they were scared of crime. All the local councillors would be speaking to residents and would be encouraging them to speak to the police, or anonymously to Crimestoppers. Councillors and the police wanted to help.
The meeting heard that more facilities for young people were needed, as well as education for parents to spot the signs of their children getting involved with knives.
Neil Coyle, MP went on to say that Southwark was facing huge challenges, such as the changes to housing associations and to policing put in place by central government. Southwark now sadly had the highest number of murders and commercial burglaries. This was directly related to the cuts in funding for the police service. Mental health was also a big issue in Southwark. He thanked residents for electing him to Parliament, and Simon Hughes, who had represented the constituency before him. He said he would continue to serve the community, as he had previously done as vice-chair of the community council and deputy mayor.
He invited constituents to get in touch with his office, if there were any issues he could help with:
Neil.Coyle.MP@parliament.uk, Tel: 020 7219 8733.
He went on to thank Val Shawcross AM, for her service as the London Assembly member for the area over the last 10 years.
In answer to a question from the floor, he explained that he had voted against the government’s welfare reform and work bill in the first reading, and that he and the rest of the Labour MPs had abstained in the second reading, as a consequence of which he was now on the welfare committee and would therefore be able to better hold the government to account and table amendments.
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7.25pm |
Local transport and spaces
· Val Shawcross, AM · Mat Jarman / Melissa Creber, TfL · Kim Humphreys, Carvil Ventures Limited/Delancey · Ed Mayes/Iain Smith, Lendlease Supporting documents: Minutes: Introduction Val Shawcross, AM addressed the meeting saying that there were many changes happening in terms of transport in the north of Southwark. The most important of these for this community council area were:
· The Elephant and Castle redevelopment · Tube improvements · Cycling
The Elephant and Castle redevelopment was aiming to improve the junctions, which had once been listed among the worst in London. The redesign, which was currently underway, would bring many future improvements, but would also cause short-term disruptions such as delays to buses and traffic tailing back.
The Northern Line extension connecting Kennington and Battersea also affected the area and would provide transport improvements after initial disruptions. The introduction of the night tube, although delayed for the time being, would lead to a reduction in the frequency of some night bus services, as Transport for London (TfL) did not want to double up services.
Cycling Quietways were moving ahead. These were routes through the quieter back streets, designed to encourage those people to cycle who were put off by traffic. A consultation for the Quietway from Blackfriars via Tower Bridge to Canada Water was currently underway, and there was scope for changes to the proposed scheme.
The meeting heard that there were issues around pedestrian crossings at Abbey Street and Tower Bridge Road, as well as at Blackfriars Road and Stamford Street.
Val Shawcross agreed with a comment from the floor that the southern roundabout would look a bit old-fashioned, but said she hoped there would be further changes to it in the future. She asked people to email in the junctions that were problematic in terms of pedestrian crossing times. There was a national issue around statutory crossing times. Pedestrians’ rights needed to be factored into all traffic schemes. Walking was important as part of overall good health. She went on to say that she would be happy to come back to a future meeting.
Elephant and Castle works Mat Jarman, senior communications manager at Transport for London, introduced this item about the road modernisation plan, specifically about the works at Elephant and Castle. London was experiencing a growth in population, which would lead to more journeys and so improvements to the road network, including safer junctions and more cycling, were needed.
In his presentation (see appendix to these minutes) he set out the changes to the northern Elephant and Castle roundabout and the key dates for the completion of the different stages, as well as other projects, which were taking place in the wider area. He advised people to check for delays on the TfL website and to avoid travelling in the morning peak hours. Mat confirmed the Elephant and Castle project was on schedule.
Responding to questions from the floor, Mat explained that on the cycle superhighways there would be raised tables, which would require cyclists to slow down and allow pedestrians to cross. Delays, including those which were cause by TfL’s traffic management system, were shown on the TfL website. Buses ... view the full minutes text for item 8. |
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Community announcements (part 2)
Minutes: Walworth Garden A representative from Walworth Garden invited all those interested to the “Gardening for all and harvest festival” at 206 Braganza Street on Saturday 26 September 2015 from 10:30am onwards. The festival would also include a meeting for community gardening groups to discuss practical steps to make gardening accessible to local people including those with additional needs.
Cycling Quietway Councillor Darren Merrill, cabinet member for environment and the public realm, informed the meeting that the consultation about the cycling Quietway from Elephant & Castle to Crystal Palace was underway. There was consultation material on the council’s website. Or people could email Councillor Darren Merrill, Darren.Merrill@southwark.gov.uk or Clement Agyei-Frempong, Senior Project Engineer, Clement.Agyei-Frempong@southwark.gov.uk.
Grow Elephant Paul McGann, from Grow Elephant, told the meeting about this new community garden and shared space on New Kent Road, which was free to join for local residents. They would be provided with free gardening materials. All that was required was volunteering for a few hours a month in the running and management of the space. Other groups were also welcome. For more information: mobilegardeners.org/growelephant
Congreve Street garden farm also had food growing groups and organic gardening, and invited everyone to join. There was training on composting, food growing and seed preservation.
Bankside Open Spaces Annual Flower and Vegetable Show was happening on Friday 18 September 2015 from 3pm-6pm in Red Cross Gardens, SE1. |
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8.30pm |
Cleaner Greener Safer change of scope for two existing projects; and Cleaner Greener Safer launch 2015/16
NOTE: This is an executive function.
Councillors to consider the information contained in the report. Supporting documents: Minutes:
Note: This is an executive function.
Councillors noted the information contained the report.
RESOLVED:
1. That the change of scope for the Betsham House play area and garden project (reference 106643), set out in paragraph 4 of the report, be approved.
2. That the partial change of scope for the Greener Draper 2015 grant project (reference 106628), set out in paragraph 5 of the report, be approved. |
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8.40pm |
Community Council Highways Capital Investment 2014/15
NOTE: This is an executive function.
Councillors to consider the information contained in the report.
Supporting documents: Minutes:
Note: This is an executive function.
Councillors discussed the information contained in the report.
ReSOLVED:
1. That the following schemes for the Borough, Bankside and Walworth Community Council set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved:
· Gladstone Street (Cathedrals ward)
· John Ruskin Street (Newington ward)
2. That the decision on the Chaucer ward project(s) be deferred to the next meeting, to allow for further member consultation.
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8.45pm |
Petitions and Deputations
The chair to advise on any deputations or petitions received. Minutes: There were none. |
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8.50pm |
Public Question Time
This is an opportunity for public questions to be addressed to the chair.
Residents or persons working in the borough may ask questions on any matter in relation to which the council has powers or duties.
Responses may be supplied in writing following the meeting.
Supporting documents: Minutes: The chair asked residents to submit their public questions in writing.
The meeting discussed that responses to public questions should be made available on papers at the meetings.
The following public questions were received in writing:
1. “John Ruskin Street has always been a rat run with drivers speeding up between the speeds humps, taking little regard that they are driving on a residential road that includes a primary school and, where many families with young children live. In addition to this, over the last year residents have been subjected to a daily convoy of HGV skips lorries, which starts at dawn and continues throughout the day, servicing the huge developments at Nine Elms. This continuous flow of HGV skip lorries creates a thunderous noise, unabated and exaggerated by the speed humps. Apart from the safety aspect of HGV lorries hurtling down a residential road, the noise pollution has become untenable, impacting quality of life, and causing stress for local residents. This is a residential road and urgently needs a ban on HGV’s and a 20mph speed limit. What can the community council do about resolving this issue?”
2. “Now that the building work is finished at 148-150 Old Kent Road, London SE1, who is responsible for the repair of the pavement that the builder used to run his plant and machinery up and down the turning? This was due to the hoarding placed around the site narrowing the turning [at] Stanford Place, SE17.”
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9.00pm |
Community Council Question to Council Assembly
Each community council may submit one question to a council assembly meeting that has previously been considered and noted by the community council.
Any question to be submitted from a community council to council assembly should first be the subject of discussion at a community council meeting. The subject matter and question should be clearly noted in the community council’s minutes and thereafter the agreed question can be referred to the constitutional team.
The community council is invited to consider if it wishes to submit a question to the ordinary meeting of council assembly on 25 November 2015. Minutes: Councillors considered the question they should forward to Council Assembly.
RESOLVED:
That the following question be forwarded to Council Assembly as the community council’s official question:
“The community council notes the likely reduction in policing in Southwark and requests confirmation of what the council will do to mitigate the impact that the reduction in police numbers, particularly Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), will have on this community council area.”
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9.10pm |
Local traffic and parking amendments
NOTE: This is an executive function.
Councillors to consider the information contained in the report. Supporting documents: Minutes: Note: This is an executive function.
The meeting heard from residents and a business concerned about item 1.6, the bus stand in Waterloo Road and a lack of consultation about this, and from a resident in Westminster Bridge Road, in front of whose home the bus stand had been previously located. Officers from TfL explained that the bus stand had been moved from Westminster Bridge Road because of overlooking into residents properties and explained the scope of the consultation. Buses at the stand were not allowed to leave their engines running while waiting, if this was happening residents should report this to TfL. The meeting heard that TfL had not responded to questions by councillors regarding alternative locations.
Councillors discussed this and the other proposals.
RESOLVED:
1. That the following non-strategic traffic and parking arrangements, detailed in the relevant appendices to the report, be approved for implementation subject to any necessary statutory procedures:
1.1 Stones End Street – convert existing single yellow lines to double yellow lines to prevent obstructive parking (see Appendix 1 to the report).
1.2 America Street – convert existing single yellow lines to double yellow lines to prevent obstructive parking (see Appendix 2 to the report).
1.3 Ewer Street – convert existing single yellow lines to double yellow lines to prevent obstructive parking, install a cycle contra-flow and raised entry table (see Appendix 3 to the report).
1.4 Great Suffolk Street – install a loading ban to prevent obstructive loading (see Appendix 4 to the report).
1.5 Searles Road – convert existing single yellow lines to double yellow lines to prevent obstructive parking (see Appendix 5 to the report).
1.7 Royal Road
– install two car club bays as set out in S106 as part of
development on Royal Road (see Appendix 7 to the report). 1.8 Pilgrimage Street – amend hours of operation of existing loading only bay to at any time and amend the max stay period to 40 minutes (see Appendix 8 to the report).
2. That the following non-strategic traffic and parking arrangement, detailed in Appendix 6 of the report, be approved for a trial period of three months, after which it will be reconsidered by the community council:
1.6 Waterloo Road – relocate bus stand from Westminster Bridge Road to Waterloo Road to accommodate change of drivers.
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9.20pm |
Westmoreland Road Improvement Scheme
NOTE: This is an executive function.
Councillors to consider the information contained in the report. Supporting documents: Minutes: Note: This is an executive function.
Councillors considered the information contained in the report.
RESOLVED:
1. That the Westmoreland Road improvement scheme be approved to proceed to detailed design and implementation, subject to the outcome of any statutory consultation.
2. That the following minor local traffic and parking amendments in Westmoreland Road, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved for implementation, subject to the outcome of any necessary statutory consultations and procedures:
2.1 Reduction of existing double yellow lines (west of junction with Red Lion Row) to allow for the installation of resident and paid for parking bays.
2.2 Extension of existing double yellow lines east of junction with Red Lion Row to improve sightlines resulting in the loss of one shared use parking bay.
2.3 Convert single yellow lines to double yellow lines at the junction with Red Lion Row to allow for installation of a raised table.
2.4 Extension of existing double yellow lines around the junction of Westmoreland Road and Horsley Street junction to improve visibility and enable vehicle turning movements.
2.5 Removal of two shared used parking bays outside No. 11 Westmoreland Road to enable the provision of a loading bay. |