Issue - meetings

A public question form is included on page 9.

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.

Public questions submitted will be announced by the chair.

Any questions submitted in advance will receive responses at the meeting or a future meeting.

A question was asked about the statute of St George in Livesey – whether this could  form part of the Peckham Townscape heritage initiative (THI)?

A response to be given at the next meeting.

A public question form is included on page .....

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.

Public questions submitted will be announced by the chair.

Any questions submitted in advance will receive responses at the meeting or a future meeting.

PQ1: 
A resident asked a question about Highshore School which they said was moving towards catering more for disabled children.  In order to achieve this, the building might be completely demolished and a new school built in its place.  This would be very expensive, were there any other alternatives that the council could consider?

A1:
Councillor Mills, cabinet member for children and schools might attend the next community council meeting to address this issue.  Councillor Colley said the school has to expand in order to meet the requirement for disabled children.  At this present time, the council were unable to find a suitable location.

The community council agreed to put a question on the subject matter to the next council assembly meeting (for March 2015).

PQ2
A resident explained that she attended an SE15 event which was held last year. What was the council doing to make the event more successful and effective? How would you get more people involved?

A2:
Councillor Hargrove said he attended the event and he confirmed that it had been successful.  He states that this was not a council funded event – it was funded by SGTO (Southwark group of tenants’ organisation). Website: http//www.sgto.org.uk

PQ3:
A resident submitted a question prior to the meeting which was summarised by the chair about whether the consultation could be extended on the Peckham Co-Design / remodelling of Peckham Square so the council would take into account the views of residents? 

A3:
The chair said he had discussed this issue with the cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transport who had agreed to attend the next community council meeting to address the issues of the regeneration that was taking in place in Peckham.  Councillor Hargrove confirmed that no formal decision had been made on Peckham Square.

PQ4:
A resident referred to the cost of a notice board which was £2,000 and asked why did it cost that much?

A4: An officer response would be provided at the next meeting.

A public question form is included on page 19.

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.

Public questions submitted in advance of the meeting will be announced by the chair.

The attached questions were submitted in advance of the meeting and responses will be provided at a future meeting.

The public questions that were submitted in advance were tabled at the meeting.  An officer response to the public questions that referred to the one o’ clock club in Peckham Rye are attached to the minutes.

A pubic question form is included on page 16.

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.

The following questions were highlighted at the meeting:

Q1 Dulwich Hamlet Football club: What was the council doing to develop and to ensure the football club is kept at its current location in light of the proposed plans to regenerate the Greendale site?

A1 Residents were asked to submit their views to the consultation for the Greendale site and outline what they would want out of the consultation.

Q2 Cleaner greener safer funding (CGS) for bicycle hangars; what happened when the funding was transferred to the sustainable team in 2007?

A2 To follow this up with officers in the CGS team to find out why this particular project was not delivered.

Q3 Affordable housing: What percentage would the council charge for rent because  residents were more likely to be worse off when the new rent for these homes are set?

A3 Councillor Livingstone said 85% of affordable housing would be kept at a reasonable level. He referred to the community conversation that was held on 11,000 council homes pledge.

A public question form is included on page 8.

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.

Q1  Abdul raised a question concerning the lack of community space for young people to use.  He asked that the council address this issue so young people do not form the view that they were being charged an exorbitant amount when using these facilities?

A1  Councillor Colley, cabinet member for finance, strategy and performance responded to the question and outlined that she understood their concerns about this issue. Councillor Colley spoke about the opening of a new community centre in Nunhead in 2015 which would be run by “Nunhead boys”.  Also, there were other community spaces that had been on the sites of the former housing office on Sumner Estate, the old Town Hall, and Theatre Peckham.  The theatre would have a studio and many other facilities for young people. Councillor Colley said the council and members would explore these issues in detail to see how best to utilise more affordable community space in the area.

Councillor Dolezal referred to Peckham BMX and thanked them for the work they had done over the years and as part of that recognition the council built a new BMX track in Burgess Park.

Q2  A local resident referred to the London Youth Games that were held recently – stating that a number of the young champions were from Peckham.  The council and the community as a whole should recognise this achievement. 

A2  Councillor Hargrove, cabinet member for public health, parks and leisure explained that he attended the event and was pleased for the residents that represented their borough.  Councillor Hargrove said he would encourage Southwark young residents to participate in these events especially after Southwark won gold in the 4x100 metres relay.  He also stressed the importance of people taking part in physical activity whether it was walking or cycling.  The council would be faced with further cuts from central government and he hoped services like this would be maintained.

Q3  Heather, a street pastor, asked a question about litter bins in the area - what had happened to them.  The few that were in the area were usually full to capacity.

A3  Councillor Hargrove responded by saying that people should bring such issues to the attention of their local ward councillor.

Q4  A local resident referred to the burning of rubbish by local businesses which was affecting the air quality and the area around the market?

A4 Councillor Hargrove urged people to report such incidences to the council.  He said a lot of work had been done over the years to work with shop owners in conjunction with council departments who are doing their best to address the issue of cleaning along Rye Lane.  Councillor Mohammed said the same issues were brought to his attention by a number of residents.

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.

There were none.

A public question form is included on page 10.

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.

Q1

A local raised a question about a recent government consultation document which suggested capping leaseholder charges in London.  Are there any plans to implement this in the borough?

A1

Councillor Livingstone responded: This issue had not been taken formally at cabinet because it was still being looked at by the council.  The council wanted to ensure that the fees were affordable and at a reasonable rate.  The council’s charges were quite high but there was a need to distinguish between those living in their property and those subletting their property.

A public question form is included on page 43.

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.

Q1

A local resident from Asprey Road residents association asked about some of the shops that had closed down around Queens’ Road train station and Pomeroy Street. This included the recent closure of a dry cleaners shop which seemed profitable and busy; she wondered whether that was due to the proposed regeneration in Queens Road.  She said local residents had been concerned about the closure of shops and wondered why this was happening?

A1

Councillor Colley responded by saying she could not comment as to why some  shops closed.  It might be that the shops were not making money which was usually the reason for shops closing. Councillor Colley reported there had been some improvements to shop fronts in the area but would find out about the timelines for the proposed programme of works from officers and understood further investment needed to be made in the area.

Councillor Mills added that through the community restoration fund around £440,000 would be used towards improvements to the five town centres in the borough. The council also brought a “town centre growth initiative” which had been a pot of money (£600k) that would be open in the new year. Business led organisations could come forward with proposals to help their local town centre or high street to thrive and be more successful.  Councillor Mills said as Queens’ Road missed out in the last round, there would be an opportunity for local residents and businesses to put in a bid for the next round.

Q2

A market trader from Rye Lane said why had there been only three Christmas lights up on Rye Lane.

A2

Councillor Hargrove said he was surprised by this, because that had not happened like that in previous years.  He agreed to look into the matter and report back to the meeting.

Q3

A resident from Rye Lane said Pocket Places Peckham had been an interesting concept throughout the year.  It involved developing ideas and engaging with the community.  He said he hoped some of the projects would be successful and valuable to the community especially as there was funding available for this year and the next.  What would the council do to ensure these projects remained sustainable in the long term and not go into disrepair?

A3

Councillor Hargrove responded by saying that Pocket Places was a joint funded project between the council and Sustrans.  He felt that it was important for the community to show support because there might not be another opportunity to make a change to the area of Peckham so he urged people to have confidence to ensure its success.

Q4

Local resident asked about the Peckham area action plan?

A4

Councillor Colley explained that the Peckham area action plan was produced in 2005 and was now in it’s the final stages.  The planning inspector had held an examination of the council’s proposals and people were given an opportunity to express their views in its final stages.  The planning inspector had indicated to the council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11

A public question form is included on page 31.

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.

Q1

A local resident of Nunhead Grove: My question relates to pubs that are located in residential areas, because where I live there has been constant noise and the use of drugs outside my home which the licensing and noise teams were aware of.  Many residents are worried as well and would want to complain to the council but are afraid of reprisals?  The resident requested that the doors and windows are kept closed at all times.

A1

Councillor Chopra stated that he’s aware there were complaints about this licensed premises and council officers had visited the premises numerous times.  He said the licence could be reviewed by the council if there was clear evidence that there were breaches.  The council also has powers to revoke, suspend or have restrictions imposed on their licence if they had breached their conditions.  He agreed to speak to officers about this.

Q2

A local resident of Rye Lane: My question relates to reported incidences to the council and the food standards agency concerning some traders along Rye Lane who have not complied with food regulations?  The council should strongly enforce the regulations and conditions particularly where traders were in breach of trading standard regulations and those not considered to be a fit and proper person.

A2

Councillor Livingstone stated that these issues needed to be addressed particularly with traders’ “food standards score” and requested through the chair that the topic be addressed at a future community council meeting.

Q3

Local resident referred to licensed premises in the area and report any high levels of noise could create some tension between the licensee and complainant?

A3

The licensing team and noise team monitor and investigate any high levels of music or noise with people entering and exiting licensed premises.

Q4

A local resident raised the issue of saturation zones in the borough and how those applications were determined when applying for a liquor licence.

A4

Applications within the saturation zones are dealt with at the licensing sub-committee when there are objections to the licence.  If no objections were lodged, decisions were then considered through delegated authority.

Q5

A local resident of Cossall Estate referred to concerns about the district heating systems on the Cossall Estate, where there had been unnecessary heat loss during warmer months of the year resulting in a waste of energy and not being able to control the levels of heating?  Another Cossall Estate resident referred to the poor condition of the galvanised water tank on the estate.

A5

The chair suggested this matter should be brought forward as a community council question at the next council assembly meeting.

Q6

Speeding vehicles in Underhill Road and the danger this would be to local residents and children. There are two signs in the whole of Underhill Road to indicate that this is a 20mph zone?

A6

Response from the Sustainable Transport & Road Safety team:

Traffic calming and signage in Underhill Road was implemented in accordance to the Department of Transport  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11

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.

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. 

A public question form is included on page 32.

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 in the agenda.

None were received at the last meeting.

The following public questions were submitted at the meeting:

Q1 from residents of Underhill Road

Residents of Underhill Road are concerned about speeding vehicles in Underhill Road and the danger these pose to us particularly local children. There are only two signs in the whole of Underhill Road to indicate that this is a 20mph zone.  Please could the community council support our campaign for more signs on Underhill Road?

Action: Question referred to the environment and leisure department and proposed walk about with local ward councillors, Councillors Hamvas, Edwards and Mills.

Q2 from Rye Village Residents Association

In light of the reported flaws relating to the design, budget and management of the Solomon’s Passage Project part financed by CGS, can the Chair of the Community Council please state the reasons why the Community Council took the decision with the Public Realm Manager to implement the Solomon’s Passage Project rather than simply noting "it needs to be implemented"?

Action: Question referred to the environment and leisure department.

Q3 from Rye Village Residents Association

Will the Chair of this Community Council and Chief Officer responsible for Environment & Leisure Services please let the Community Council know whether you agreed the current joint CGS/S106 Solomon’s Passage Project public realm variations and it's new budget from 2010 to the present date; if so please state how you reached this decision and state your reasons why, whom did you consult with over it, and on what date did you make this decision so it can be publicly scrutinised?

Action: Question referred to the environment and leisure department.

Q4 from Southwark Travellers Action Group

On Brideale Close, residents are unhappy that an old electrical outtake unit has not been removed. The unit poses health and safety risks and encroaches on one resident's home- blocking out natural light. Residents have also made complaints about broken letterboxes and badly done sleeping policemen?

Action: Question referred to the Southwark travellers’ officer, housing and community services department.

Q5 from Mick Barnard

On the 20 December 2012, I met with the Chief Executive, the Strategic Director of Finance & Corporate Services and Councillor Livingstone about a number of issues which date back to 3 years ago.  I was promised a response in relation to those issues could you please let me know when would I receive that response?

Action: Councillor Livingstone apologised to the questioner for the delay and explained a response on those issues would be sent to him soon.

Q6 from local residents

Is there any progress concerning cleaner greener safer funding that was awarded to the Wickway Court in regard to the flooding?

Action: Officers in environment and leisure to report back on all cleaner greener safer projects that had not yet been implemented in order to know what the issues are.

Q7 from local resident

Coaches free parking along Vauxhall Bridge Road – Councillor Hargrove agreed to speak to the questioner after the meeting to discuss the best way forward on this.

Q8 from local resident  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13

A public question form is included on page 133.

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 in the agenda. 

None were received at the last meeting.

The following public questions were tabled at the meeting:

The community council noted the public questions submitted by Rye Village residents association concerning the one o' clock club play area Strakers Road Peckham Rye Common London SE15 3UA.  Full details are contained in the supplemental agenda no. 1 which included an officer response to both questions.

A summary of the questions are set out below:

Question 1: 

Please will you let this community council know what progress has been made on the development of the one o'clock club play area or whether the scheme has delivered what the community wanted and if not how this can be achieved?

Question 2: 

Will this community council act collectively to agree that the architect, contractor, project manager and planning officer responsible for overseeing this £500,000 project largely financed out of the cleaner, greener, safer funds. Act now, to carry out consultations with users of this centre and Peckham Rye park in order to make good the following reported faults and thereby keep the pledges that were made at the last local elections?

It was noted that no representatives from Rye Village residents association were present at the meeting.  In response to the questions, Councillor Hamvas and Councillor Mills stated they were happy to go along to their regular residents association meetings if invited.  Also, Councillor Mills explained there were a few factual inaccuracies with the public questions, concerning the one o’clock club, in that Peckham Rye ward councillors are confident the promise made to local residents to have it re-done was on schedule and would be delivered.  The ward councillors also confirmed the one o’clock club was operational and up and running.

Question 3:

'Health and safety issue regarding works along pathway near St James the Great School, the new lighting installed was not completed as it should have been extended to the other end of the pathway which is dark so much so dealings are still happening there.  Please could you let me know why the work was not completed?'

A follow up response would be given at the next meeting.

A public question form is included on page 12.

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 13 to 15.

There were no public questions.

A public question form is included at page 34.

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.

Feedback on previous public questions and questions raised during agenda items are contained after the public question form.

Update on public questions from previous the meetings

The chair referred to a public question that was first raised in April 2012 which required a response from the GLA office.  It referred to the funding of the Olympic Games.  The chair explained it was difficult to formally respond at the time due to the GLA elections.  A response to this question was circulated at the meeting and is attached to the agenda pack.

The meeting were asked to note that TfL sent a response on the issue of the guard railings along Peckham Hill Street and junction of Peckham High Street set out in the agenda.

Public questions

Question 1:

Could the Peckham Town Centre Manager be invited to attend a community council meeting to address the concern expressed by some residents about many of the shops located in the area and explain why they are not from a wider community? 

Would the Peckham Town Manager confirm what shops should be there and not what he thinks should be there?

Response: The community council would look into this and ask the Town Centre Manager to attend a future meeting.

Question 2:

Investment in street lighting in the North Nunhead area and around Nunhead Station was done successfully.  However Evelina Road had the worst lighting in that area, would this road be considered under devolved budget for highways and lighting?

Response: Follow up response to be given at a future community council meeting.

Question  3:

Peckhamplex Cinema although was not a thriving business, the owners decided to keep the place going as part of local culture in the area.  Could we ask the council to support us in whatever they can?

Response:

Councillor Livingstone explained that there were no immediate plans for the building at the moment but discussions concerning its development are still ongoing with the property team.

Councillor Livingstone agreed to follow this up with officers on the long term investment of the building and a response given at a future community council meeting.

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.

The following public questions were submitted:

Question 1: Peckham Rye resident: Around 32 garages in Brenchley Gardens had their electricity disconnected when new fillings were installed.  EDF / Southwark would not pay for reconnection this appears to be a complete waste after £44,000 was spent doing the works.

Response: Councillors Mills and Hamvas agreed to take the matter up and come back to the community council with a response.

Question 2: Resident: Could the community council clarify whose idea it was to remove the railings along Peckham Hill Street? 

Response: The chair explained that the council was not responsible for this.  The policy regarding the removal of railings was pursued by the Mayor of London for at least two years, thinking it would make it safe for cyclists.

People highlighted the danger element of railings, citing the recent fatality of a cyclist who was involved in an accident with a larger vehicle.  The chair suggested it could be helpful if a representative from Transport for London (TfL) could attend a community council meeting to give an explanation regarding the issue of the railings.  Some residents present felt that a meeting with TfL would not solve the problem.

Councillor Hargrove explained that he was fully aware of the safety concerns related to the railings and that any requested information from TfL needed to be clearly outlined beforehand.

The community council agreed the following:

1. That representatives of TfL be invited to attend a community council meeting to explain what their policy was with regard to the removal of the railings highlighting the concerns, expressed at the meeting.

2. Request that TfL provide a written explanation outlining the reasons for the removal of the railings along the Peckham High Street and the junction of Peckham Hill Street.  Any action should be halted until the completion of the consultation process.

3. That TfL provide statistical information/ evidence to support the fact the railings were unsafe.

Question 3: Ron King referred to a previous question that was raised at Peckham community council on 24 March 2012 during an item on the Olympics.  He stated that the former London Assembly Mayor sent out information to residents which indicated that Londoners would pay as part of their council tax payment, 38 pence per week from 2006/7 until 2016/2017. 

He asked why council tax payers were charged this amount up 2017 (after the Olympics had taken place) and why couldn’t TfL cover the cost for infrastructure and road maintenance and were these extra payments necessary?

He asked for further clarification on the following:

1. What did the previous London Mayor say about the 38 pence charge to council tax payers?

2. What is the actual time frame for these payments?

3. What exactly would the money be used for?

Response:  To request a follow up response at the next meeting.

This is an opportunity for public questions 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.

Response may be supplied in writing following the meeting.