Agenda and minutes

Borough, Bankside and Walworth Community Council - Wednesday 23 November 2016 7.00 pm

Venue: Thurlow Lodge Community Hall, 1 Thurlow St, London SE17 2US

Contact: Gerald Gohler, Constitutional Officer 

Items
Note No. Item

1.

Preliminary business

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1.1

Welcome and introductions

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    Minutes:

    The chair welcomed councillors, members of the public and officers to the meeting.

1.2

Performance by Peoples Company and Imagine That

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    Minutes:

    Shelagh Farren, John Whelan and Peta Steele addressed the meeting and spoke about the projects in which their respective groups were involved. 120 children had taken part in one project which had produced the papier-mâché bear on display at the meeting.

     

    This was followed by a performance of a monologue written from the perspective of a fallen local WWI soldier. 

1.3

Apologies

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    Minutes:

    There were apologies for absence from Councillors Maisie Anderson, Helen Dennis and Vijay Luthra.

1.4

Disclosure of members' interests and dispensations

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    Minutes:

    There were none.

1.5

Items of business that the Chair deems urgent

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    Minutes:

     

    The chair informed the meeting that there were information stalls from: South Bank and Walworth Neighbourhood Plan (SOWN), Su Mano Amiga, Friends of Pasley Park, Bankside Residents’ Forum, London Mutual Credit Union, Neighbourhoods Fund, Southwark Construction Skills and Theatre Delicatessen.

     

     

1.6

Minutes

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    The minutes of the meeting held on 5 October 2016 to be agreed as a correct record of the meeting, and signed by the chair.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    Members noted the minutes and discussed two points of accuracy.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 October 2016 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the chair, including the following amendments:

     

    1.  That the wording of the question to council assembly be amended to read: “What measures does the council propose to instigate to change the situation where large HGV vehicles are using residential streets including John Ruskin Street, Webber Street and Harper Road to avoid Elephant and Castle, and will the council now state that Harper Road is recognised as a simple residential street and shall be deregulated from its B and traffic sensitive status, and further that it will pressure TfL to accept responsibility for elevated traffic levels in Harper Road?”

     

    2.  That the reference to “Rodney Road” in the last paragraph of item “2.3 Petitions and Deputations” be changed to “Harper Road”.

     

    The meeting heard that the delegation of school children from Robert Browning School who had attended the last meeting to complain about the short pedestrian crossing times at Elephant and Castle had succeeded in getting Transport for London to change the times to 15 and then to 25 seconds.

7.15pm

2.

Official council business

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2.1

Community Council Highways Capital Investment for 2015-16 and 2016-17

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    NOTE: This is an executive function for decision.

     

    Councillors to allocate funding to projects.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

     

    Note: This is an executive function for decision by the community council.

     

    Councillors considered the information contained in the report.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the following schemes outlined in Appendix 1 of the report be agreed:

     

    Newington ward

     

    Cooks Road – Footway  £27,845

     

    Alberta Street – Footway (one side)

    Junction with Ambergate St to Penton Place   £18,984

     

    Penton Place 

    Footway (one side) 

    From properties no. 84 to no. 72  £7,556

     

     

    Faraday ward

     

    Merrow Street

    Footway – Villa St to Portland St both sides  £50,923

     

     

    2.  That the following additional scheme be agreed:

     

    East Walworth ward

     

    Wansey Street footway refurbishment 

    southern side, subject to further feasibility 

    study by officers  £50,000

     

2.2

Local traffic and parking amendments: Great Guilford Street - introduction of loading bay, relocation of pay and display bays

2.3

Secure cycle parking (bike hangars) in Faraday Ward

2.4

Heygate Street area traffic and parking amendments

2.5

Local traffic and parking amendments (Borough wide junction protection project)

7.35pm

3.

Community Engagement Items

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3.1

South Bank and Waterloo Neighbourhood (SOWN) Plan

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    John Langley (Chair of SOWN)

    Minutes:

    John Langley and Ben Stephenson from SOWN, informed the meeting that this neighbourhood plan, which was mostly in Lambeth, but also covered a small part of Southwark, had been in preparation since 2013.

     

    The themes they had focused on were: retail and work, housing, green infrastructure, open space and air quality, social infrastructure and culture, development management and streetscape and transport.

     

    The current proposal included items like requiring green roofs for new buildings and an emphasis on street trees. The proposal also sought to protect buildings, green spaces and their uses, as well as proposing traffic and transport measures that will decrease air pollution.

     

    In-depth information about it was available on the group’s website www.sowneighbours.org/.

     

    The plan was in the pre-submission consultation phase until 20 January 2017, and would then go to the council and to independent examiner. This would be followed by local referendum of 12,000 residents and one representative from each business in the area. If adopted, it would set certain parameters for local planning policy for the next 15 years. Neighbourhood plans were designed to support borough and London-wide policies, and as such could not contradict them.

     

    Residents and councillors were asked to submit their feedback on the proposals.

3.2

Community Announcements

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    ·  Neighbourhoods Fund announcement

     

    ·  Update on the Walworth Road post office

     

    ·  UK Power Networks

     

    Minutes:

    Su Mano Amiga

    Tony Linforth-Hall from the group informed the meeting that the launch event for this charity would be taking place on Saturday 26 November 2016 from 17:00 - 22:45 at Queensborough Hall Community Centre, 11 Scovell Road, London SE1 1QQ. He went on to say that the charity was dedicated to support people experiencing domestic violence specifically in the Latin communities, and that they were keen to work with other organisations.  

     

    London Youth Support Trust

    The meeting heard that the organisation provided affordable office and workspace for young entrepreneurs, along with business support and access to funding and grants, and were based in Wendover Block, Thurlow Street, SE17 2UU in the old Aylesbury Learning Centre. For further information contact: adenike@lyst.biz.

     

    Neighbourhoods Fund announcement 2017-18

    The Neighbourhoods Fund 2017-18 was now open, with the deadline for applications being noon on Monday 19 December 2016. For further information contact Pauline Bonner, pauline.bonner@southwark.gov.uk, Tel: 020 7525 1019.

     

    UK Power Networks 

    The meeting heard that UK Power Networks now provided a “priority services register” for people who might need extra help in the unlikely even of a power cut. This service was open to older people, families with very young children, and people with specific medical conditions. For more details and to register, visit:

    www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/prioritysupport or call 0800 169 9970.

     

    Southwark Wellbeing and Mental Health Strategy

    It was reported that Southwark Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Southwark Council were developing a local Wellbeing and Mental Health Strategy to improve the support for children and adults to maintain positive wellbeing and prevent mental ill health. Drop-in meetings were being held on 15 November 2016 and 30 November 2016. The results would be discussed at the health scrutiny meeting in January 2017.

     

    Mint Street Adventure Playground

    Officers were asking people to attend a meeting about the latest information and initial ideas for an exciting new adventure playground and public play space on Friday 2 December 2016 from 3:30-6:30pm (drop-in) at Mint Street Adventure Playground, Southwark Bridge Road, Lant Street, SE1 1QP. Southwark Council staff and the landscape design team would be available to talk about the designs and answer any questions. To share your thoughts outside of this session please call 020 7525 5352.

     

    Update on the Walworth Road post office

    The chair informed the meeting that she and Councillor Johnson Situ, cabinet member for business, employment and culture, had met with representatives from the managing director of crown post office and their PR person, but that the meeting had not been encouraging, as the company seemed committed to franchising, despite views expressed by the local community. The company was now in the process of considering submissions from franchisees. There would be a six-week consultation, but only on the choice of franchisee, not on the principle of franchising. The changes would be coming in early next year. Councillors would continue to raise their concerns and would be meeting with the unions next week. At the meeting councillors had also suggested making the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.2

3.3

Petitions and Deputations

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    The chair to advise on any deputations or petitions received.

    Minutes:

    None were received.

     

3.4

Public Question Time

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    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 invited questions from the floor, or for questions to be submitted in writing.

     

    In answer to a question from the floor, the chair said that the post offices in Peckham and Blackfriars Road were also being franchised (or had already been franchised) by the Post Office. Walworth Road and Blackfriars Road were lossmaking. Councillors had cited the example of the Kennington post office which had remained a crown office after modernisation. 

     

    In response to a question from the floor, councillors explained that there was currently an adventure playground in Mint Square and that the building that came with it, was dilapidated and needed refurbishment. The new design would be accessible, but residents were invited to put forward their ideas.

     

    In response to a question about blue badge letters which had not arrived, the chair asked the resident to speak to their ward councillors.

     

    The meeting heard that there were halls for groups to meet available at Michael Faraday School and St Peter’s Church, as well as the tenants halls on the Elizabeth and Nelson estates and in the refurbished Aylesbury hall which would open as part of the redevelopment.

    Further public questions were submitted in writing:

     

    1.  How can the council reduce “rat running” on Manor Place, Braganza Street and Penton Place (since the revisions of the Elephant and Castle southern roundabout)?

     

    2.  The London Mayor is proposing a North Circular – South Circular congestion charge, or pollution charge from vehicles. Will this help traders in East Street Market? What will be the level required?

     

    3.  St George’s Square conservation area. The row of terraces on London Road, protected by English Heritage and developed by South Bank University, make one of the most pleasant shopping rows in Southwark. The coffee shop has put one, two and now three advertising boards in the middle of the public footpath. Having had half a dozen conversations, nobody on the site wants to take responsibility for them. So I am now referring the matter to the enforcement section of the community council. 

     

    4.  Why have the railings next to the zebra crossing outside Friars Primary foundation school been taken away and we have been left with a long muddy ditch that is now overgrown with long tall weeds, that people are using as a rubbish ground, and  [that is] attracting mice? The cars don’t see when children run out of school as the weeds block their view. A health and safety concern for school and local residents. Also the bin has been taken away, as well, so people are using the ditch with weeds as a dumping ground. Please can we have the railings and the bin back?

     

    5.  Why do they not paint the cyclists’ part of the road which covers Blackfriars Road (beginning of St George’s circus) and Webber Street, so cars can see clearly where they can drive down, as very confusing for drivers and pedestrians? 

     

    6.  Why is there no crossing for pedestrians on the first bus stop  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.4

4.

THEME: Brilliant business - helping our local business thrive

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    Introduction by Councillor Johnson Situ, cabinet members for business, employment and culture.

    Minutes:

    Councillor Johnson Situ, cabinet member for business, employment and culture, introduced this item by saying that the council was focusing on improving the local economy. The council’s Economic Wellbeing Strategy was focused on employment, at starting up and running businesses, High Streets and financial inclusion.

     

    In the last five years, the council had helped businesses grow, and created SEEDS (Southwark employment and enterprise development scheme) which had supported 3,300 residents into new roles both in the voluntary and private sectors since 2014. 908 jobs have been created through partnerships with developers and enterprises. The council’s apprenticeships scheme had created 608 apprentices who had all been paid the London Living wage, plus training and borough. These apprenticeships were not just for young people, with one of the oldest participants being 56 years old.

     

    Apprenticeships were a career opportunity, and the council could support small businesses to take on an apprentice. SEEDS would support this with the council co-investing 50% of the cost of the apprentice’s London living wage. The council’s business portal provided online advice, training and help for businesses and those who wish to start a business, while the High Street challenge had dispersed £209,000 in Borough, Bankside and Walworth to make the borough’s High Streets more attractive and so encourage people to shop locally since 2012.

     

    Councillor Situ went on to say that the first Saturday in December 2016 was going to be Small Business Saturday, and encouraged residents to visit their local High Streets where parking fees would be lifted for the day. The free parking would apply to all local High Streets in the borough.

     

    Responding to questions from the floor, he said that Southwark was supporting residents who needed some extra support to get on the job-ladder, for example, with Pathway To Work in partnership with the local job centres. The Southwark Works programme, based in the Elephant and Castle shopping centre, helped residents not to be excluded from the job market. The council also had a commitment to commissioning services only from companies which paid the London Living Wage and had no zero-hour contracts.

     

    Responding to further questions, Councillor Situ said that the rate of employment of Southwark residents had gone up from 66% to 78% (16 to 64-year-olds) in the last six years. Apprenticeships lasted a year and apprentices were paid a fair wage. The council would also help apprentices on the programme with the next step into employment, for example with a six-monthly check-in. Pay after the apprenticeship year would depend on the employer and the apprentice, and Councillor Johnson said he would come back to the community council with information about what hourly rate would be paid after the year of apprenticeship.

4.1

Focus on local businesses

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    ·  Update on the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre (Delancey)

     

    ·  East Street Market Update 

     

    ·  Walworth Road Business Network Group

    Minutes:

    Walworth Road Network Group

    William Mubiru, Section Manager at the Walworth Road Marks and Spencer, appealed to local businesses to come together in a retail forum to come up with ideas how to benefit from the development at Elephant Park.

     

    In answer to questions from the floor, the chair said that the council was aware of the problem of there being a lot of betting shops and payday lenders in Walworth Road, and had worked with community groups, as well as many businesses of the same type (like nail bars), however, the council’s hands were often tied by the planning legislation.

     

    Responding to questions from councillors, William said that the local M&S was not under threat of closure for the time being, and that he hoped the development at Elephant Park would be good for the businesses on Walworth Road, which is why it was important to have a business forum for Walworth Road.

     

    East Street Market Update

    Nicky Costin, from the council’s environment department, introduced the changes to East Street which would be rolled out, including the branding, the 60-70 new gazebos which would help get rid of the clutter and shops overstretching. These had been funded by roughly £500,000 from the GLA. There would be a new street food area near Nursery Row Park which it was hoped would bring shoppers into market. The Walworth Road entrance to the market would also be changed. The new brand would be launched at Easter.

     

    In response to questions from the floor, Nicky said that the gazebos would be made available to traders free of charge and owned by the council. The costs would be covered by the rent and it was hoped that the gazebos would encourage new traders to come. There were no plans to increase the rents in the near future. The arch currently located at the Walworth Road entrance to the market would be relocated to the new street food area, and replaced by a lighted sign. The markets management team had put embargoes on some types of stall, of which there were already many present in the market. The quality of the goods sold could not be controlled by the council, but the customers would be voting with their feet. Nicky further explained that the consultation about these changes had been carried out by a company called “We made this” on behalf of the GLA, as part of the money being awarded. Shop-front licences would be discontinued. The council was also prosecuting shop-owners and fly-tippers. In addition to this, the rubbish compactor in East Street would be removed, and a drift lorry would be coming through five times a day instead. 

     

    Update on the Elephant and Castle shopping centre 

    Kim Humphreys informed the meeting that a public consultative exhibition had taken place in the summer with 750 people participating. A planning application had been submitted, and would be shortly going out to consultation. He highlighted some of the main features of the proposals: a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.1

4.2

Workshops - Business Support

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    “What next for small businesses?”

    Minutes:

    The meeting then split into workshops discussing for questions:

     

    ·  Best things about Southwark (or the local area) for small businesses

     

    ·  Threats to the success of small businesses in Southwark

     

    ·  Changes that small businesses would like to see locally

     

    ·  Things the council could be doing to support small businesses better.

     

    The chair said that the responses would be collated and feedback given at a future meeting. 

5.

Community Council Question to Council Assembly

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    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 22 March 2017.

     

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the decision on which question would be sent to the Council Assembly meeting on 22 March 2017 be deferred to next community council meeting.

     

     

    The chair informed attendees that the next community council meeting would take place on Saturday 4 February 2017, and would feature the Cleaner Green Safer 2017-18 funding decisions.