Councillor Stephanie Cryan to introduce the item
Sally Causer, Southwark Citizens Advice Bureaux
Cycling Strategy - Simon Phillips, Acting Manager, Transport Policy
Southwark Cyclists
Time and Talents
Please note stalls at the venue from 12.00pm:
Age UK Lewisham and Southwark Council
Cafe Gallery projects
Churches Against Poverty – City Hope Church Drummond Street
Galleywall nature reserve
London Mutual Credit Union
Seven Islands leisure centre – Fusion
Southwark Citizen’s Advice Bureaux
Southwark Council community sports team
Southwark cyclists
Surrey Docks Farm
Time and Talents men’s shed projects
Minutes:
Southwark’s economic and wellbeing strategy
Councillor Stephanie Cryan, deputy cabinet member for financial inclusion, explained that Southwark’s economic and wellbeing strategy had four core priorities:
- Supporting people into work
- Helping businesses grow and prosper
- Creating thriving town centres
- Promoting financial wellbeing.
The cabinet had agreed a number of civic promises. Among these were:
- A guarantee of education, employment or training for every school leaver
- Supporting 5,000 more local people into jobs
- Creating 2,000 new apprenticeships
- Doubling Southwark scholarships
- Establishing a new childcare commission
- Swimming and gym use free for residents
- Stop the spread of betting shops and payday lenders
- London living wage paid to all staff and an end to zero hour contracts.
Sally Causer, Southwark Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB)
Sally explained that Southwark’s CAB was one of the first to open in the UK and 2014 was its 75th anniversary. The team had 29 paid staff and about 130 volunteers. Sally summarised some of the recent work:
- In 2013/14 Southwark CAB helped 12,591 local residents (8% more than 2012/13)
- Impact of legal aid cuts were impacting on CAB ability to assist clients
- Southwark CAB helped local residents to increase their income by almost £4million in the last year, mainly from grants, benefits and compensation claims
- Top 3 enquiries are Benefits (31%), Debt (22%), Housing (16%).
Money Savvy Southwark
Sally explained it was a 5-year funded financial education project aimed at social housing tenants. Southwark CAB provided group and one to one sessions on the cost of credit and prioritising housing costs. The CAB also trained community champions to ensure they could effectively direct people to the right service. The CAB was looking for money champions in the community to provide advice. To find out more contact:
sallycauser@southwarkcabservice.org.uk
Southwark Cyclists
Bruce Lyn of Southwark Cyclists, explained that every Saturday there was an organised bike ride for those who were not confident cyclists. Some of these were from Canada Water. Cycling was an enjoyable exercise that was good for physical and mental wellbeing. It was also cheaper than travelling by public transport or car.
Southwark’s Draft Cycling Strategy
Simon Phillips, Transport Policy Manager, explained that consultation on the cycling strategy would run until 1 February 2015. The cycling strategy would be linked to the New Southwark Plan. New developments in the area would be aware of the cycling strategy and many would contribute to the schemes involved.
The Southwark spine would run the length of the borough, linking to the North-South Cycle Super Highway and running all the way to Dulwich. It would provide excellent facilities to encourage cycling for all. It would run on main roads in part, through green spaces and on quieter streets. The council had allocated £2 million for this route. The alignment was not yet fixed – residents were asked for their views.
Unlocking the cycle network:
- Identifying the missing links: the council needed to identify how to link up areas where conditions were good for cycling and to overcome barriers that separated them from other areas
- Improve the streets for walking: many of the improvements for cycling would also benefit walkers
- Visit www.southwark.gov.uk/cyclingstrategy to download the draft cycling strategy, complete the online survey or log specific issues using the Interactive map tool
- Email transport@southwark.gov.uk or phone 020 7525 4530 with specific questions or ideas, or if you would like to get involved.
Age UK
Simone Morrison, Healthy Living Centre Manager Age UK Lewisham and Southwark, explained that Age UK was dedicated to making later life wonderful in whichever way possible. Age UK was currently promoting the warm and well programme. Many older people had to choose between heating and eating. Age UK was circulating information to help. The healthy living centre promoted health and wellbeing to the older person. It tried to reach people in difficulty before they fall or go to hospital. Exercise, healthy eating and socialising were encouraged. It was important that all neighbours looked out for older people in the community. Age UK had all sorts of useful information about available resources and advice.
Contact phone: 020 7237 0860 or email: simone.morrison@ageuklands.org.uk
Galleywall Nature Reserve
Jane Stokes, Friends of Galleywall Nature Reserve (GNR), explained that GNR had been going for about 10 years. With support from volunteers, the council, big lottery and various groups the GNR had continued. There were sessions with schools to identify what lives in the wild. There had been sessions on window boxes, beekeeping and signage. There was a nature trail, a composting toilet, rainwater harvesting and a bug hotel. More volunteers were welcomed and needed.
Surrey Docks Farm
Gary Jones, from Surrey Docks Farm, said there were constant improvements being made to the farm. The farm was for all to enjoy with a range of activities going on.
Generally, the farm worked with local communities and the people of Southwark to provide many unique opportunities for people to learn about farming and food production, and to be actively involved in the ongoing work of the farm.
Animals reared on the farm included a herd of goats, sheep, cattle, pigs, ducks, geese, chickens, turkeys, bees and donkeys. The herds, flocks and swarms were farmed with specific attention to animal welfare.
In response to questions on the cycling strategy presentation, the following points were made:
- The council was supporting the Brunel bridge project for the area
- The traffic monitoring had indicated that levels were stable but there was still congestion in the area. In 2015, officers hoped to return with plans for the Lower Road gyratory scheme
- Walking was the most important mode of transport and a walking strategy would be considered in the future. Cycling improvements should not be at the expense of pedestrian safety
- The council was working with the London cycling campaign on a bicycle loan scheme. There was also free cycle training / lessons programme.
- Residents were encouraged to have their bicycles security marked to protect them and to help the police track them down.