Agenda and minutes
PDF 89 KBVenue: Harris Academy Peckham, 112 Peckham Road, London SE15 5DZ
Contact: Beverley Olamijulo, telephone 020 7525 7234 email beverley.olamijulo@southwark.gov.uk
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Introduction and welcome
Minutes:
As the chair was not present, the vice chair Councillor Althea Smith chaired the meeting.
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 Barrie Hargrove, Richard Livingstone and Cleo Soanes. An apology for lateness was received on behalf of Councillor Victoria Mills. |
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Disclosure of members' interests and dispensations
Members to declare any interests and dispensation in respect of any item of business to be considered at this meeting. Minutes: There were none. |
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Items of business that the Chair deems urgent
The chair to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda. Minutes: The chair agreed to accept as late and urgent the following items:
Item 6 – Deputation request
Item 15 – Highways Capital Investment 2013 -14
In addition to the above there were responses from public questions raised at the last meeting. |
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Minutes from the previous meeting
To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 17 April 2013 as a correct record of the meeting. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 April 2013 be agreed as a correct record of that meeting and signed by the chair. |
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7.10 pm |
Deputation presentation
The chair to advise on any other deputations or petitions received. Minutes:
RESOLVED:
That the deputation request from residents of Pelican Estate be heard.
The chair explained that the spokesperson for the deputation would be given five minutes to speak followed by questions for five minutes.
Margaret Russell, spokesperson for the deputation addressed the meeting and outlined that she wished to raise the issue about money owed to council tenants when their housing or council tax accounts are in credit. Margaret expressed concern about this affecting residents like the elderly and disadvantaged people that were vulnerable.
Margaret explained when a tenant’s rent /council tax account had overpayments on it they would be used up on their accounts and not refunded back to the tenant. She added that if you fell behind in payments the council would send reminders about it. Margaret asked if the council could do an audit detailing how many people were currently in credit of their rent or council tax and whether they were entitled to receive a refund. Also if the council should set up systems for residents that has overpayments on their rent or council tax accounts.
Following questions, the spokesperson mentioned that she had not been in contact with her local ward councillors about this matter. Councillor Colley said she would speak to the relevant cabinet member, Councillor Richard Livingstone about this issue.
It was noted that those services would now be run by the council whereas before it was outsourced to a private company who managed the housing rent accounts and council tax accounts.
The chair thanked Margaret Russell for her deputation. |
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7.20 pm |
Community announcements and presentations
· To note announcements or presentations from community groups
· Community safety issues and police updates for Peckham and Nunhead
· Information to community councils - complaints policy consultation (papers available at the meeting)
· Topics to be discussed at community council for 2013 – 2014 (there will be an opportunity to discuss and vote during the break) Minutes: The following announcements were made:
Southwark Star Awards
The chair congratulated local people and organisations that were nominated for awards at the recent Southwark Stars event. The awards went to those that were considered truly exceptional members of the community. The Peckham and Nunhead area featured in the list of exceptional people that had made a difference in other people’s lives and whose volunteering had made an outstanding contribution to their community in Southwark over the last year.
The following people from the Peckham and Nunhead area received awards:
The following organisations and community groups based in the Peckham and Nunhead also received awards:
Future themes
At a previous Peckham and Nunhead community council meeting people were given the opportunity to prioritise items and themes for future meetings. The top three priorities chosen by attendees were:
· Older people, held on 2 March 2013 at Peckham Methodist Church · Environmental issues held on 21 November 2012 at St Mary Magdalene Church · Children Young People, to be scheduled in September or November 2013
In addition people identified crime as a priority, because of this regular community safety updates would be considered at each meeting. Also a safer neighbourhoods’ team stall at each meeting.
Other topics identified as a priority was housing and more information about job / training opportunities for local people.
People were asked to suggest topics that they would like to discuss as themes for the following year by completing the feedback forms that were handed out at the meeting.
Presentation on community safety issues
The meeting received an update on community safety issues in the local area.
Sergeant Jenkinson from Livesey safer neighbourhood team gave a brief overview of what has happened since the last meeting:
· The Lane neighbourhood team executed drug warrants after a large quantity of cannabis was seized and taken away to a forensics science lab. The team were awaiting evidence to substantiate whether the person involved was supplying the drugs.
· Joint operation with the CID with regard to stolen mobile phones in the Rye Lane area. The team want to establish whether some shops in Rye Lane were handling stolen goods as it was reported that some stolen phones were from street robberies. The team are focussing on those shops in conjunction with trading standards on a problem solving basis. Sgt Jenkinson mentioned the SNT would monitor the situation with assistance from trading standards to check whether their stock was legitimate.
· Community safety officers had been involved in personal safety talks with elderly residents on their ward focussed on deception type burglary. This involved individuals that claimed to be from various building ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |
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7.25 pm |
Nunhead regeneration programme and improvements (Nunhead Green)
Officer presentation. Supporting documents: Minutes: Jillian Houghton from the planning projects team within the planning department presented this item.
The officer explained she was leading on a programme of regeneration within the Nunhead area and currently coordinated a number of projects which looked at public realm improvements, working with local businesses, shop front improvements, community engagement and building on the really good festivals that Nunhead already had.
The regeneration projects are supported by the Mayor’s office, through the Outer London Fund (OLF) and other types of funding like the Pocket Park fund. The officer outlined that there were strong elements in the Nunhead area which are being built on like the Nunhead cemetery, local independent businesses, good traffic links, and the library as well. So it was evident there are good community services there. Jillian also mentioned there was a good established community in Nunhead and there had been an influx of people that had moved into the area which had changed the demographic of Nunhead.
Jillian reported on the number of projects that had been achieved in the programme and what the planning projects team were working on and would continue to work on over the coming year, which is the duration of the regeneration programme. One of the first things officers worked on with community members was the development of a Nunhead website which had a list of local businesses in the local area that acted as a business directory. The services they provide included a list of community facilities, information about community groups and regeneration projects. People took note of the website address: www.lovenunhead.co.uk
Jillian urged people to look at the website to check out updated information on local events and festivals in Nunhead. Another project was “bags for life” which was an incentive scheme to encourage people to use these bags instead of plastic bags and to shop locally.
The team were putting final touches to this year’s festival programme and were supporting the free film festival which had taken place in Nunhead and Peckham over the last few years, and was well attended. Jillian spoke about the development of an arts trail, which encourages people to visit an artist’s home in order to view their work as well working with local businesses on arts and music. Jillian said they had created Nunhead buntings that would be used specially for the festival. Information dates on local festivals were available on the website.
Jillian spoke about Nunhead’s new businesses and improvements to shop fronts. The team took on the responsibility of a shop unit which was in state of disrepair where work had to be done both internally and externally. The shop was used as a drop in centre every Tuesday and was now a pop up shop. Another regeneration project was Nunhead Green; the team received a lot of community input on what should eventually happen to the space. Also there were other public realm projects which involved improvements to lighting and resurfacing pavements making it safer to walk in the ... view the full minutes text for item 8. |
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7.35 pm |
Welfare Reform changes - further update and fact sheet
There will be an officer presentation.
Note: Please come along to a welfare reform roadshow scheduled to take place on Thursday, 18 July 2013 (time to be confirmed) at the Buchan tenants & residents Hall, Buchan Road, Nunhead, London SE15 3HQ.
There will be various representatives from the Citizens Advice Bureau, the jobcentre, employment support agency, and representatives from the council’s housing, council tax sections and benefits maximisation service and others. Supporting documents: Minutes: Jay Daisi from revenue and benefits presented this item. He referred to the update and fact sheet on pages 20 to 22 of the agenda. He spoke about the changes that had already taken place with regard to the government’s welfare reform.
He said the majority of people in the local area would be affected one way or another by these changes and those that had not yet been implemented. Jay explained that residents would be asked to pay at least 15% of their tax. Many residents in the Peckham and Nunhead area would be affected with the introduction of the bedroom tax, if two or more rooms are unoccupied, tax would be paid on this. .
Jay also referred to the income related benefits and the impact this would have on people. The disability allowance would be replaced with a personal independence payment that was newly introduced in June 2013. The universal credit would roll out in October 2013 and have a significant impact on residents. Jay said he could not address all of the issues; however people needed to be aware of the changes.
People were encouraged to attend the welfare road show that would take place on 18 July 2013 at the Buchan tenants and residents Hall, Nunhead SE15 3HQ. |
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8.00 pm |
Public question time
A public question form is included on page 23.
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.
Responses to public questions received at previous meetings are included on pages 24 to 25. Supporting documents: Minutes: The following public questions were submitted at the meeting:
Q1 Southwark encourages people to use their website; some residents especially the elderly do not have access to a computer. The free phone number usually has a waiting period of 30 minutes or more which then would cost the caller. Does the council have a free phone number or free computers available?
A1 The chair explained the council does not provide free computers. A resident from the audience mentioned the Southwark Group of Tenants Organisation (SGTO) were selling reconditioned computers at a cost of £24 for each computer and reconditioned laptops at £75 each.
Q2 A resident said he bought a car recently and went along to his local post office to obtain the necessary documentation. During this period whilst waiting for his documents to arrive, he had his car clamped, ticketed and vandalised because he did not have a car tax disc and had to park elsewhere after he continuously paid for parking fines?
A2 The resident was asked to refer this matter to the council’s parking services.
Q3 A resident spoke about the Pennant area in East Peckham which previously suffered bouts of anti social behaviour and a high level of crime during the day. These problems have started to resurface?
A3 Ask the Police to monitor the situation.
Q4 When are young people going to be heard particularly where their views are concerned especially with regard to police organisations?
A4 The chair said the young people would be contacted in future.
Q5 A resident asked about the council’s customer call centre: I tried to contact the events team over a period of two months finally got through via the complaints team. How are the council going to prevent this from happening again?
A5 Response from Councillor Colley: Accepted that the council’s call centre could have been better than what it was before. The council has ended its contract with previous contractors. The council’s call centre is now in-house are based at Queen’s Road, Peckham and it was hoped that there would be significant improvement.
Q6 What plans are there for the travellers’ site?
A6 The Travellers officer confirmed that currently all Southwark traveller sites are the responsibility of the council’s planning department. In regards to the previous public question regarding the old electrical intake, the officer stated that the council were trying to ascertain ownership to disconnect the supply as the intake is owned by electricity company, EDF. |
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8.10 pm |
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 Wednesday 10 July 2013. Minutes: The following community council question to council assembly was submitted and agreed at the meeting:
“What is the council doing about general improvements in the Peckham Town centre area including Rye Lane and Peckham High Street, in particular shop fronts, and what steps are being taken to attract different retailers in this area, due to the number of empty retail shops? Please confirm whether there is a lottery grant available to carry out these improvements?"
The chair announced that a response to this would be provided at the next community council meeting. |
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8.20 pm |
Gordon Road and Harders Road - second stage controlled parking zone consultation
Note: This item is an executive function
Members to consider the recommendations contained in the report. Supporting documents: Minutes: Note: This item is an executive function
Members considered the information in the report.
RESOLVED:
That the position and type of parking bays and restrictions for Gordon Road, Harders Road and Nazareth Gardens (as an extension of Peckham B parking zone), as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report be approved subject to the outcome of any necessary statutory procedures. |
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8.30 pm |
Local parking amendments
Note: This item is an executive function
Members to consider the local parking schemes contained within the report. Supporting documents: Minutes: Note: This item is an executive function
Members considered the information in the report.
RESOLVED:
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8.40 pm |
Cleaner Greener Safer (CGS) capital funding programme (reallocation)
Note: This item is an executive function
Members to consider the recommendations contained in the report. Supporting documents: Minutes: Note: This item is an executive function.
Members considered the information in the report.
RESOLVED:
That the financial savings and deficits for relevant projects be noted and the reallocation of a total of £24,000 to a new project from the 2013 /14 applications as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved.
Project to be cancelled
New Project
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Community Council Highways Capital Investment
Supporting documents: Minutes: Note: This item is an executive function.
The report had not been circulated 5 clear working days in advance of the meeting as the item was not finalised until after the agenda despatch date.
Members considered the information in the report.
RESOLVED:
That the item be deferred to the next Peckham and Nunhead Community Council meeting on 30 September 2013, so that consultation can take place on the highways proposed schemes in the Peckham and Nunhead community council area, that were considered for funding. |
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