Agenda and minutes
PDF 92 KBVenue: Amigo Hall, St George’s Cathedral, Lambeth Road, London SE1 7HY (intersection with St George’s Road)
Contact: Gerald Gohler, Constitutional Officer
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1:30pm |
Preliminary business
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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 Vijay Luthra. Councillors Eleanor Kerslake and Maria Linforth-Hall gave their apologies for having to leave the meeting early.
The chair announced that Inspector Nicholson from the Metropolitan Police has also sent his apologies, as he was on night duty that weekend, in light of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris. |
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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: The chair announced that there were stalls related to cycle quietways, Pembroke House pocket garden, Grow Elephant, Bankside Open Spaces Trust, Walworth Road Conservation Area, Mint Street Music Festival, Congreve Tenants and Residents Association and Bankside Bees. Representatives from the groups informed the meeting about upcoming events and activities.
The chair announced that following on from comments made at earlier meetings, more time had been allocated to public questions on this agenda, and that the responses to the public questions had been put up on the walls, as well as posters listing the agenda items.
There would also be a short, additional item under the “green spaces” theme called “my favourite green space,” in which residents were asked to share things they loved about their favourite green space, and things that could be improved. |
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Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2015 to be agreed as correct record of the meeting, and signed by the chair. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2015 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the chair. |
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1.40pm |
Community engagement items
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Community Announcements
Announcements about:
· Pembroke House · Neighbourhoods Fund 2016/17 · Grow Elephant · Metropolitan Police · New Southwark Plan Minutes: Tom Weaver planning policy officer, informed the meeting that the consultation for the new Southwark Plan would run until 12 February 2016, and invited people to give their feedback or to invite planning officers to their groups’ meeting. Further information at:
http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/856/planning_policy/3315/the_new_southwark_plan
The chair made the
following announcements: Neighbourhoods Fund 2016/17 Applications were invited until 12noon on Wednesday 6 January 2016. A total of £630,000 were available across the different community council areas to support activities run by local groups for local people. Awards would generally be between £500 and £5,000. To apply visit http://www.southwark.gov.uk/neighbourhoodsfund or contact Pauline Bonner, community council development officer, on 020 7525 1019 or at pauline.bonner@southwark.gov.uk.
School Food Matters School Food Matters were inviting people to a free gardening training for Southwark residents. For further information about events contact lizzie@schoolfoodmatters.com and dela@schoolfoodmatters.com.
Metropolitan Police The police had sent their apologies and would be given 20 minutes at the next meeting. |
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Petitions and Deputations
The chair to advise on any deputations or petitions received. Minutes: There were none. |
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Report back from budget consultation
Officers to feed back on the pre-meeting budget consultation session. Supporting documents: Minutes: The vice-chair summarised the discussions at the pre-meeting budget consultation workshop. There had been strong backing for the council continuing to support frontline services and the most vulnerable residents; and for the council maximising its income, for example by selling services to other councils or by increasing waste charges. There had been a majority in favour of not increasing council tax.
Gill Kelly, community councils development officer, presented the findings in more detail. (see attached presentation). The meeting heard that around 11 residents had participated in the workshop. |
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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: This This item was taken after item 3.
The following public questions were raised:
1. When are the pavements on Walworth Road being cleaned with water jets? None of the residents has ever seen this happen.
The following public questions were received in writing:
2. “Please would the Council's Head of Highways outline what contact he has had with the City of London and with TfL with regard to the [proposed closure of Tower Bridge for around two months in October and November 2016, with special regard to mitigation of the traffic chaos and polluting traffic back-ups that are likely to have a seriously adverse effect on the community council area, on the north of the borough generally, and on neighbouring boroughs, prolonging the misery and cost to the local economy currently being caused by TfL works in the Elephant and Castle area and elsewhere.”
3. “Are there plans for income generating parking spaces at Burgess Park greater than the existing ones?”
4. “Are there any plans for parking areas in the elephant and castle project?”
5. “Will there be permits needed for barbecues in Burgess Park?”
6. “Toilets in Burgess Park are needed. Who will clean them?”
7. “In 2016, Southwark Council will consult on the Burgess Park section of the Elephant & Castle to Crystal Palace Quietway (QW7). In the consultation documents for the two adjoining sections of QW7 (Falmouth Road to Albany Road and New Church Road/Edmund Street junction to Peckham Road) it is stated that the cabinet member for environment and the public realm will be making a formal decision on these two sections before the end of 2015. How can a consultation on the Burgess Park section of QW7 be in line with Table 7 of Southwark Council's Adopted Statement of Community Involvement and allow for a fair consultation with communities when a decision on the two sections either side will already have been made? If these two sections are indeed approved then how can the consultation possibly address where QW7 enters the park?”
8. “It was mentioned at the Community Council meeting that there are plans to put two cycleways through Burgess Park — Quietway 7 and the Southwark Spine - and, as was pointed out by the Southwark Cyclists’ representative at the meeting, these will attract many commuter cyclists to the park. However –
1. A petition against the Southwark Spine running straight through the park was presented to Southwark Council, and had over 500 signatures.
2. There is already an acknowledged problem with speeding cyclists in the park. The quiet route running along the Surrey Canal Walk, for instance, has been taken over by commuter cyclists.
3. There are already roads through the park - Wells Way in particular - which could be improved to make the commuter links North and South without spoiling the peace, quiet and relaxation of other park users who wish to enjoy the vastly improved park environment.
4. Many if not most cyclists will expect that on a ... view the full minutes text for item 2.4 |
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2.10pm |
Theme - Green spaces
Councillor Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for public health, parks and leisure, to introduce this item. Minutes: This item was taken after item 2.3
Councillor Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for public health, parks and leisure, introduced this item by thanking all those who worked hard to make Southwark’s parks and green spaces great. There were many parks in the community council area, which residents had helped protect and improve: Nursery Row Park, Salisbury Row Park, Surrey Square Park, Victory Park and Burgess Park. Many improvements had been made possible because of the regeneration projects in the area, such as the Aylesbury redevelopment and the Elephant and Castle regeneration. Local residents were helping to shape these. Southwark had the third highest number of green flags in the country (8 in 2010; 17 in 2014) and was committed to increasing their number further – the target was 27 and included Victory Park and Patterson Park.
In answer to questions from the floor, Councillor Hargrove responded that:
1. There was a capital budget commitment to improving Dickens Square Park, as part of the £90m commitment across the borough. There was a shortage of staff to deliver the improvements, so there had been a delay.
2. He echoed residents’ concerns about development pressures on green spaces and encouraged residents to be alert and ready defend their green spaces.
3. He was happy to support a heritage lottery fund bid for Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, which also might be the site of a new Holocaust memorial.
4. The council was involved in a lot of urban drainage schemes and anti-flooding measures.
5. While some trees had been removed because of regeneration in Elephant and Castle, these had been replaced at other sites. There were budget constraints due to government cuts, but the council had a comprehensive tree strategy in place. Residents should let the council know if there were things that could be improved.
The meeting also heard that:
1. Cathedrals ward had two new and interesting green spaces - Crossbones Gardens and Lamlash Street.
2. There was also a 6-month consultation happening about the masterplan for Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park.
3. Pocket parks were important in order to help prevent flooding.
A questions was raised about how Redman Green could be protected as a green space, which the chair said would be answered as a written question.
The chair thanked Councillor Hargrove for attending and said he would invite him again soon.
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Young people's slot
Minutes: There were no young people who wished to speak in this slot. |
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Burgess Park
Louise Wilcox, Burgess Park Director and Nina Chantry, Contracts and Service Manager. Supporting documents: Minutes: Louise Wilcox, director of burgess park, gave a presentation (see attached), about the park, which was Southwark’s biggest, touching on the works that had been delivered between 2012-13, as well as on the review of the master plan which was currently underway. The park had been successful in winning the green flag award for 3 years running and also had a new logo. Officers were working closely with residents on improving it.
At this point Councillor Maria Linforth-Hall left the meeting.
In answer to questions from the floor, Louise responded that:
1. The presentation would be available online, as was the master plan consultation which could accessed at: http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/200480/burgess_park/3653/shape_the_future_of_burgess_park
2. There was a large number of tenants’ and residents’ associations (TRAs) and other groups on the mailing list which were being consulted regularly. If any groups were not on this stakeholder list, she invited them to contact her to be added.
3. Wardens and officers intervened to ensure that by-laws and rules - like not having amplified sound – were not being broken in the barbecue areas. They also monitored social media to check that there were no gatherings that may be in breach of the by-laws.
4. There would be a Christmas tree in front of the café. The lights would be switched on on 5 December 2015.
5. All staff were recognisable: park wardens and ambassadors had high-visibility vest, uniforms and Southwark ID badges. Park attendants and grounds maintenance officers were also in uniforms. Park ambassadors and wardens were doing outreach work to schools to promote responsible park usage.
6. There was lighting on some footpaths and at the entrances to the park. The new cycle routes through the park would probably also have some lighting to them.
7. Officers tried to guarantee fair access to the sport pitches for which there were a lot of competing demands.
8. Burgess Park only had a small car park at present, compared with the past. This worked well, and the parking was policed by parking attendants. There was no desire to enlarge this to the detriment of green spaces.
The chair thanked officers and residents for all the work they had done in transforming the park.
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Timed refuse collections from businesses
Michael McNicholas, Waste & Transport Manager Supporting documents: Minutes: Councillor Darren Merrill, cabinet member for environment and public realm, introduced the item saying that he had received a lot of complaints about commercial waste accumulating on the pavement in Walworth Road. This was why a pilot had been carried out to see whether a better system could be put in place.
Michael McNicholas, head of waste and cleaning, informed the meeting that the council was going to introduce two-hour slots for residential and business collections along Walworth Road, and gave a presentation on the matter (see attached). Parts of Camberwell Road (around Burgess Park), as well as small parts of Westmoreland Road, John Ruskin Street, Gateway and Arnside Street, would also be included, as these had similar problems.
In answer to questions from the floor, Michael responded that the notices would be hung on lamp posts at regular intervals, facing the pavements – including in the side-turning. Officers would look into including Sutherland Walk, if appropriate; and were also conducting outreach to businesses to inform them of their obligations in law. He would remind Veolia that their operatives had to close the gates after taking out bins. Enforcement was a priority for Southwark, so a lot for services involved in this had been brought together under the same management.
The meeting heard that collection times should take into account the opening and servicing time laid down in planning permissions and licenses.
At this point Councillor Kerslake left the meeting.
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3.10pm |
Official council business
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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 20 January 2016. 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:
“What action will the council take to prevent loss of Section 106 under government plans affecting contributions to local green spaces from future developments?” |
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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 considered the information contained in the report, and discussed the process of rolling over the unallocated funding to the next meeting, and what the money could be spent on. The meeting also heard that a pedestrian crossing in Rodney Place was already being looked at, and was to be funded from a different pot of money.
Councillors enquired whether there was be a highways budget for 2015/2016.
RESOLVED:
1. That the following scheme for the Borough, Bankside and Walworth Community Council set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved:
• Bowling Green Place (Footway) – Estimated cost: £29,452.
2. That projects for Newington and East Walworth wards are to be agreed at the next meeting of the community council; alternatively the remaining funds shall be allocated to other projects in the community council area.
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Local 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.
Councillors considered the information contained in the report.
RESOLVED:
That the following non-strategic traffic and parking amendments on Great Suffolk Street, detailed in the appendices to the report, be approved for implementation subject to any necessary statutory procedures:
1. Convert existing single yellow lines to double yellow lines to prevent obstructive parking and facilitate widening of the footway.
2. Install two new loading bays to improve servicing access for local businesses. |
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Central London Cycling Grid: Quietway 14 - Results of public consultation
Supporting documents: Minutes: Items 4.4 and 4.5 were heard together.
Leah Coburn, group manager - network development, and Ian Richardson, from AECOM, gave a presentation about the two Quietway items (see attached).
Councillors considered and discussed the information in the report.
RESOLVED:
That the following comments be fed back to the cabinet member for environment and public realm:
1. The outcome of the consultation, including sessions with councillors from across the three wards, was not adequately reflected in the report. The response rate to the consultation was quite low.
2. Concerns had been raised by Guy’s Hospital about the plans around Newcomen Street, which also was not reflected in the report.
3. Particular concerns had been raised about Great Suffolk Street, and about the junction of Great Guildford Street and Copperfield Street regarding the safety of cyclists. An alternative route should be found.
4. The Newcomen Street proposals only had 50% support. It would be helpful to know how any further modelling would be received.
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Cycle Quietway - Elephant & Castle to Crystal Palace
Supporting documents: Minutes: Councillors considered the information in the report.
In answer to questions, Ian Richardson, said that this was the first stage of the design process, and so the finer points about junctions would be ironed out in later designs. Officers were looking to have low traffic volume on the route. Leah Coburn explained that there would be further consultation with stakeholders, for example about Great Suffolk Street. Leafletters were being tracked by GPS on their watches. It would not be possible for the council to police Quietways in terms of speed, but cyclist who wanted to get somewhere quickly would be most likely to use the cycle superhighways, rather than Quietways.
RESOLVED:
That the following comments be fed back to the cabinet member for environment and public realm:
1. There are concerns about the low response rate. A re-consultation should be considered.
2. Further concerns have been raised about cyclists going through Burgess Park, and about the speed of cyclists using the Quietways.
3. There would be an effect on residents’ parking and their needs needed to be taken into account.
Councillor Darren Merrill, cabinet member for environment and public realm, said the decisions would be made in January 2016, and invited residents to contact him directly about items 4.4 and 4.5, if they had any further comments.
The chair thanked everyone for attending.
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