Minutes:
Southwark Clinical Commissioning Group (SCCG)
A local GP informed the meeting that the SCCG, which comprised all the GP surgeries in the area, commissioned, planned and monitored health services for Southwark residents. He encouraged residents to get involved, either through the local participation group at their GP surgery or through the area group. He also encouraged people to attend an event about accessing services on 26 November. Further information at: http://www.southwarkccg.nhs.uk/pages/home.aspx .
Camberwell After School Project
Carmen Lindsey from the organisation informed the meeting that the group provided childcare and out-of-school educational services for pupils whose parents were working or studying. This included a breakfast service for 20 children and a holiday play scheme, which ran during the school holidays for up to 70 children, as well as a Saturday school which provided extra tuition. These services were aimed at, and succeeded in, measurably improving attainment. 100 parents were supported in this way, and were, therefore, able to go out to work or study. However, the group had recently lost funding and was now expected to pay commercial rates for one of their premises, which they might be forced to shut. Carmen asked the council for support with the rent for the first site, and for assistance with the repairs at their second site, which was a council building. She also called on the community and on schools to support the organisation. Responding to questions, Carmen explained that the organisation had been liaising with the council’s property department and a local councillor. The chair said he would meet with Carmen in between meetings and would report back.
Safer Neighbourhoods Teams
Inspector Richard Barton from the Metropolitan Police Service informed the meeting that there had been a focus on robberies and burglaries in the Borough. Furthermore, operation Neptune, whose aim was to tackle mobile phone thefts on and around East Street, was continuing. The police was also working with local shops to prevent them reselling stolen phones. In East Walworth, the team had focussed on knife searches, to deter knife violence. In Faraday, the teams had focused on squatters on the Aylesbury Estate, while in Cathedrals ward there was a focus on non-residential burglaries. He advised attendees to lock away computers and other electronics they had in residential or business premises. On the riverfront, organised gangs targeted iPhones and iPods. He advised people to use the “find my iPad” app. The teams were also focusing on robberies in Westmoreland Road. A man had recently been arrested in Newington Park with 400 wraps of class A drugs on him. There was also some good news, as burglaries had gone down. The dates of the next ward panels were as follows:
Faraday – 20 November 2013 6.30pm; Inspire in Liverpool Grove
Newington – 26 November 2013; Paisley Park Community Centre
Cathedrals – 16 January 2014 2.00pm; Queensborough Community
Centre
Chaucer – 25 November 2013 7.00pm; Southwark Police Station
East Walworth - 26 November 2013 – venue tbc
Green Bridge Consultation
The meeting heard that Transport for London (TfL) were consulting about the possible construction of a “green” pedestrian bridge across the River Thames, between Waterloo and Blackfriars Bridge. If approved, the project could be completed by 2017. More information at: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/rivercrossings/garden-bridge
Miscellaneous announcements
The chair informed the meeting that from the 22 November 2013 to 29 January 2014 there would be urgent works taking place to the war memorial on Borough High Street, which would cause disruption to traffic. There would also be new trees planted in Victory Park on 29 November 2013 between 2pm and 3pm – all volunteers were welcome.