Minutes:
Youth project at Hankey Hall
The meeting heard that there was a council-run youth project at Hankey Hall every Wednesday from 6pm onwards. More information was available from local councillors.
Better pedestrian crossings for Borough High Street
The meeting heard that there had been a campaign for better pedestrian crossings on Borough High Street: one at Trinity Street, and one further north at John Harvard library. Funding for the crossings had now been secured from the council. The crossings were to be put in over the next 12 months, but pressure had to be brought to bear on Transport for London (TfL), because even though the council had allocated the funding, TfL’s agreement was required.
Regeneration and housing related news
The chair informed the meeting that the council had appointed Notting Hill Housing Trust as its partner for the redevelopment of the Aylesbury estate. The redevelopment would provide a minimum of 50 per cent affordable homes, 75 per cent of which would be for social rent, and 25 per cent shared ownership or shared equity. The meeting also heard that that the council had agreed a 30-year housing strategy, which included the construction of 11,000 new council homes, as well as ensuring all council homes were fit for purpose and improving private sector. Council rents would not increase by more than the rate of inflation in the coming financial year. The council had also agreed the Blackfriars Road, Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).
Health and wellbeing strategy consultation '1,000 lives'
Adam Boey, senior strategy officer (Children’s and Adult Services), informed the meeting that the Health and Wellbeing Board was conducting a story-telling exercise, as part of its engagement programme. Patients and residents in general were encouraged to share their stories of using health and social care services, as well as their visions, with the board. The board which was composed of Southwark council, the clinical commissioning group, the public health part of the council, Health Watch, Safer Southwark partnership and representatives of carers’ groups. The exercise would be used to inform and revise the strategy to reflect the stories, experiences and needs of residents. As part of this, there would be events on 12 February from 11am to 5pm at the Employment Academy, 29 Peckham Road SE5 8UA, and on 25 February 11am to 5pm at InSpire, The Crypt at St Peter’s, Liverpool Grove SE17 2HH.
Elephant and Castle - northern roundabout consultation
Emma Crittenden, from TfL’s consultation team, informed the meeting that from the end of February, TfL would be consulting on a new road layout for what was presently the northern roundabout at Elephant and Castle. She explained that the roundabout was currently one of the worst performing junctions in London, which saw a lot of collisions and had very limited cycling provision. The plans, which were being consulted on, included removing the roundabout and the subways, shifting the road north, adding cycling facilities and creating a large public space. The consultation would run for six weeks from 24 February. Leaflets would be widely distributed to all households and businesses in the Elephant and Castle opportunity area, at the interchange itself, and emails with consultation material sent to registered oyster card users in the area. There would also be consultation events on 6 and 8 March at the London College of Communication. Once that consultation had finished, TfL would consult with people about the nature of the public square, and in 2015 about the tube station upgrade.
In answer to questions from the floor and from councillors, Emma responded that the locations for the pedestrian crossings had been identified, including one from Borough High Street to Elephant and Castle, which would make things easier for wheelchair users. The plans for these would be presented as part of the consultation. The works to the tube station would be influenced by developments with the shopping centre. She went on to say that she would raise the issue of the murals with officers in the council, and that consultation material would be distributed to 10,000 addresses in the Elephant and Castle area. Emma said she would be happy to attend the Elephant Forum, and emphasised that while changes to the proposed lay-out could be made to take account of the outcomes of the consultation, the process was not a referendum. The plans only included the Northern Line, but not the Bakerloo line, ticket hall. There were no plans to change the contra flow lane for buses up London Road.
The meeting heard that there should be an option to save at least some of the subways, but that these needed to be upgraded. A show hands from the audience, indicated that an equal number of attendees supported keeping the subways as preferred filling them in. Views were expressed that the ring road should not be made longer. The meeting heard that it was important that TfL listened to the knowledge of local residents.
The chair reminded the meeting that Emma could not answer technical questions about the scheme. Those wishing to raise technical questions should attend the consultation meeting.
Note: At this point Councillor Tim McNally left the meeting.
Revised draft Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charging schedule and draft Section 106 planning obligations/CIL Supplementary planning document (SPD)
Juliet Seymour, planning policy manager, informed the meeting about a current consultation on the above schedule and document, which determined how the council spent money raised by new developments. More information was available on the council’s webpage. The consultation would be continuing until 15 February 2014, and could be found on the council’s website.
(http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/200308/current/2639/planning_policy_documents/1)
In answer to questions, Juliet explained that the unlike Section 106 contributions, CILwas not negotiable, and that the rates for CIL contributions were different in the different parts of the borough. The levy was calculated to reflect the land values in the area. The provision of affordable housing would always be given priority. Other levies, such as the crossrail levy, were also factored in. This approach was set out in the documents which were being consulted on.