Agenda and minutes
PDF 94 KBVenue: Silverlock Community Hall, Warndon Street, Rotherhithe SE16 2SB
Contact: Tim Murtagh, Constitutional Officer
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Introduction and welcome
Minutes: The chair welcomed residents, councillors and officers to the meeting. |
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Apologies
Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Lucas Green; and for lateness from Councillor Anood Al-Samerai. |
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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: There were none.
The appendices of items 16 and 18 had been circulated as part of Supplementary Agenda No. 1. |
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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: Item 16.3 Local Traffic and Parking Amendments.
Councillor Catherine Dale, non-pecuniary, as she worked at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital. The proposed traffic scheme was linked to the Guy's Hospital development. |
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Minutes
To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 21 July 2014. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 July be agreed as a correct record of that meeting. |
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Deputations / Petitions (if any)
Minutes: There were none. |
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7.05pm |
Community Slot
- Youth Community Council - United St. Saviour’s Charity at the Bede fun day - Bermondsey in Bloom update - 2015/16 budget process - Cllr Michael Situ: a petition for more police officers in the borough - Charter of Principles (new council homes) consultation - Any Community Announcements? Minutes: New co-ordinator / community councils online forum Marian Farrugia, community council co-ordinator, introduced herself to the meeting. Marian had recently swapped community council areas with Gill Kelly and had previously worked in the Bermondsey and Rotherhithe area. She encouraged residents to fill out the monitoring and evaluation forms that had been placed on seats. Contact marian.farrugia@southwark.gov.uk or Tel. 020 7525 1780.
A new online forum had been launched that enabled residents to discuss items from community council meetings and begin new conversations and debates. See https://forums.southwark.gov.uk/
The chair thanked three local young people - Abu, Sam and Nellie for all their help in arranging the publicity for tonight’s meeting.
Youth community council The chair announced that he and the vice-chair, Councillor Evelyn Akoto, would be meeting soon with FarhanGhafoor, and others involved in the local youth community council. This was to raise their involvement in future community council meetings.
United St. Saviour’s charity Matthew Allgood, United St. Saviour’s charity, explained that the charity did two main things. They gave grants to community organisations and ran alms houses for older Southwark pensioners. Any community group in North Southwark and Bermondsey with an idea or plan aimed at improving the lives of local residents and bringing the community together could contact the charity for assistance with the plan. Tel. 020 7089 9014, email: Matthew.Allgood@ustsc.org.uk
Bermondsey in bloom Councillor Eliza Mann, explained that she had previously been in charge of the Bermondsey in bloom project and it was now being managed by the Salmon Youth Centre (SYC). Young people had put up 50 posters in the area advertising the Bermondsey in bloom competition and a panel had decided the winners. Representatives of the SYC explained that the project was about recognising gardens of various types including estates gardens, window boxes and public houses. Certificates were awarded to the category prize winners.
2015/16 budget process The chair outlined the forthcoming budget process. Southwark Council was having to make savings in its budget. Over the last 4 years about £90 million of funding had been lost. In the short-term about £20 million of cuts were required, with further cuts expected after that. As in previous years, there would be consultation with residents at a series of events including community councils. Residents would have the opportunity to tell the council where they thought the savings should be made in the budget.
A petition for more police officers in Southwark Councillor Michael Situ, cabinet member for community safety, explained there was a campaign in Southwark to lobby the Mayor of London to increase police officer numbers in the borough. The replacement of the safer neighbourhoods’ teams with local police teams had reduced the amount of officers dedicated to specific wards. For further details of the petition see: www.southwark.gov.uk/policenumbers
Charter of principles for new council homes Jessica Leech, community participation team, explained that Southwark was currently conducting a consultation exercise. It was about a charter of principles on making decisions ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |
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7.20pm |
Community Safety Update
Local Police Team Minutes: Sergeant Steven Brown, from the South Bermondsey local policing team, highlighted some recent local activities:
· Following a drugs seizure of crystal meths last year, two defendants were recently found guilty and sentenced to several years’ imprisonment. · A police led football initiative had taken place at Millwall FC which had received a lot of positive feedback from the community.
PC Carina Tunks, Surrey Docks police team, highlighted some recent local activities:
· There was currently a stalker / flasher carrying out offences in the Russia Dock Woodland area. Any witnesses or anyone with information were invited to come forward. · A bike marking event would be taking place in November. · A car driver, with a large knife in the vehicle, was recently charged with possession. · Burglaries had recently been on the rise in Surrey Docks ward and officers were targeting that situation.
Sgt Brown summarised crime statistics in the area. Year to year figures for the north east cluster area were:
- burglary up 0.8% - robbery down 34% - criminal damage up 2% - theft from person down 54% - violence with injury up 15% - theft of motor vehicle up 16% - theft from motor vehicle up 5%
Overall there were 543 fewer offences than the year before, a reduction of 13%.
Residents were encouraged to always report crime as that helped the police to target issues and hotspots. Getting involved in local ward panels was another way that residents could help tackle crime in their area.
Councillor David Hubber and others paid tribute to PC Joe Panton who was moving on after more than 5 years excellent service in the area. His efforts were applauded by the community council. |
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7.30pm |
Cleaner, Greener, Safer Capital Programme 2015/16
Presentation including information about this year’s application process and deadlines. Minutes: Michelle Normanly, project manager in public realm, outlined the Cleaner Greener Safer (CGS) capital programme for 2015/16. CGS was a programme of funding available to local residents and community groups to propose ideas to improve their environment. People had to live in the area of the scheme and the capital programme was for permanent physical features for example: play areas, community gardens and outdoor gyms. The project ideas must make Southwark cleaner, greener or safer. In Bermondsey and Rotherhithe, 356 CGS projects had been delivered since 2003 and 50 other projects were still live. This year in the Bermondsey and Rotherhithe Community Council area, there was £492,381 available to allocate on CGS projects. The closing date for applications was 7 November 2014. Contact: michelle.normanly@southwark.gov.uk or Tel. 020 7525 0862. |
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7.35pm |
Community conversation on domestic abuse and community conversation on women's safety charter
Eva Gomez, Safer Communities Team Manager, to present. Minutes: Nikki Morris, community safety officer, explained that there were two community conversations being launched. One was around the women’s safety charter and women’s safety generally in the borough. This was the first step in a four-year programme to make the borough safer for women. The second was a community conversation around domestic abuse. Women experienced on average about 35 incidents of domestic abuse before reporting it to the police. One incident of domestic abuse was reported to the police every minute in the UK. On average about two women per week were killed by a current or former male partner. At least 750,000 children per year witnessed domestic abuse. Domestic abuse could also be suffered by males, siblings and parents by children, although the majority was inflicted on women and girls by their partners or ex-partners. In Southwark, as part of the programme, there would be outreach events and also online discussions. There would be community briefings at community councils and to local groups. The consultation would also involve focus groups. Everyone was encouraged to take part in the consultation. It was about understanding people’s life experiences so that the services provided could be shaped over the next four years. Contact: nicola.morris@southwark.gov.uk or Tel. 020 7525 3552
In response to questions, Nikki made the following points:
· Focus groups would involve victims / survivors of domestic abuse. · Outreach sessions would be run in supermarkets, libraries and colleges. |
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7.45pm |
Small Businesses and Regeneration - Theme item
Local Economy Team - Nick Wolff, Principal Strategy Officer
Tower Bridge Road Allliance, Suhel Ahmed
Business Improvement District, Russell Dryden
Albion Street Steering Group, Pauline Adenwalla Minutes: Local Economy Team Nick Wolff, principal strategy officer, explained that Southwark’s economic wellbeing strategy had four priorities:
· Employment – narrowing the gap with the London employment rate · Southwark – the place of choice to start and grow a business · Thriving town centres and high streets · Promoting financial well-being and independence.
The recession had led to a significant reduction in business start-ups. By 2012, start ups had recovered, but the need for business support remained significant. A £1 million business support fund was available for activities to support growing businesses facing specific barriers. Business support services were at aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.
Connectivity – Small and medium enterprises could receive up to £3,000 to fund high speed broadband connection.
Business Engagement – Southwark Business Forum planned to improve links between the council and business in the borough. Strong partnerships with employers were essential for the delivery of employment ambitions of 5,000 jobs and 2,000 apprenticeships by 2018.
The High Street challenge – That was open to community and business groups and individuals with great ideas to improve town centres and high streets in Southwark.
Southwark now had four Business Improvement Districts, the most recent being in Bermondsey. Contact: nick.wolff@southwark.gov.uk
In response residents made the following points:
- Signage was needed to highlight that shoppers could park in Surrey Quays shopping centre and use the shops on Lower Road. - Better promotion of what was going on in the local area was needed, such as magazines and newsletters, not just things on the website.
The chair asked for Nick to follow up on the resident’s points in particular the need for parking signage, and to produce a written response prior to the next meeting.
Tower Bridge Alliance Suhel Ahmed, from the Tower Bridge Road Alliance, explained that the alliance was formed in 2012 with help from the community restoration fund. Since that time the alliance had worked on several projects in the area, including the shop-fronts scheme, network events and a Christmas fair. The alliance worked with the council to secure parking for local shoppers and also on the high street challenge. Currently the alliance was working with local artists to enhance the appearance of local buildings and thereby draw more people to the area.
Business Improvement District Russell Dryden, from the Blue Business Association, explained that the business improvement district (BID) was about creating a group to have a voice for the area, whilst working with the council and the community. 89% of local businesses had voted in favour of becoming a BID. As part of the BID local businesses made contributions to a central fund according to their size. This fund would raise about £115,000 per year. A five-year plan would be developed by the businesses for the improvement of the area. One idea involved a community kitchen that would train eight young people for qualifications in the catering trade.
In response to a question about the former biscuit factory being opened up to create a route ... view the full minutes text for item 11. |
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8.40pm |
Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Projects
Zayd Al-Jawad, Section 106 & CIL manager, to present. Supporting documents: Minutes: Zayd Al-Jawad, Section 106 & CIL manager, explained that section 106 were legal agreements between the council and developers to secure mitigation from a particular type of development. Last year, following consultation with residents, a community infrastructure project list was produced. The report in the agenda listed 51 projects that were identified for future section 106 or CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) funding. So far, 12 of the 51 had been fully funded and 8 new projects were proposed. The project list was open throughout the year for new projects or ideas to be added or considered for future funding.
In response to questions, Zayd said that any community facility open to all, with identified physical improvements needed, could be added to the list. |
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8.50pm |
Housing Licensing Scheme
Consultation aimed at raising the standards of homes in Southwark. Minutes: John Daley, private sector housing licensing manager, explained that there was an intention to get private sector landlords to register and obtain licences for their property. In order to obtain the licenses there were conditions for the state, condition and management of property. The objective was to improve standards and impose licence conditions that helped landlords achieve compliance. The council would assist landlords to deal with anti-social behaviour, waste and give advice on the maintenance of the properties to an acceptable standard. About one quarter of Southwark residents lived in privately rented property. Across the market there were problems with the state of properties and overcrowding. There were also some landlords and agents who behaved reprehensibly. The council was undertaking a consultation exercise and was keen to hear from as many residents as possible.
In response to questions, John made the following point:
- The existing mandatory licensing scheme covered large HMOs (housing in multiple occupation) of which there were less than 2,000 such properties in Southwark. The more general HMOs covering smaller properties, of which there were about 8,000 properties in Southwark would be covered in future by the planned housing license. |
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9.00pm |
Surrey Quays Shopping Centre project
Update from British Land Minutes: Eleanor Wright, from British Land, explained that British Land was working with Southwark Council (the freeholder) of Surrey Quays shopping centre and the SE16 print works / Harmsworth Quays to bring forward a master plan for those sites. The report from stage 1a of consultation was now available online. Those on the mailing list would receive an email with a link in the next couple of days. Further views or comments were welcomed. Around 23,000 addresses would receive the newsletter to keep residents informed.
In response to questions, Eleanor confirmed that stage one of the consultation had clearly shown a desire from residents for a more ambitious solution to Surrey Quays shopping centre. A redevelopment of the whole site would be looked at. |
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9.05pm |
Public question time
A public question form will be included in the agenda. Supporting documents: Minutes: The following public questions were asked at the meeting:
1. Several councillors and Simon Hughes MP voiced broad political support for the idea of the Bakerloo line extension opening nearer to 2020 on both suggested routes. One of the routes would cover the Old Kent Road and New Kent Road locations and the other would cover Camberwell.
2. A resident said that recently two government ministers had announced plans for the Thames Tunnel project. Their decision ignored the planning inspector’s report recommendation not to use the Chambers Wharf site. The inspector’s decision followed six months of investigations and was based on the residents’ views, but those views were being set aside.
Councillors said there was widespread disgust at this decision by ministers and a judicial review / legal challenge was being considered by the council.
3. A resident asked about the possibility of putting Bermondsey station into the zone 1 / zone 2 border.
Simon Hughes MP said there had been efforts to change the zoning of Bermondsey into zone 1. The Mayor had recently refused that request. However, Kennington in the south of the borough had recently been moved from zone 2 to zone 1 and 2 which was useful for many in that area.
Further to question 2 above and the discussion that ensued, the following motion was moved, seconded and agreed by members:
RESOLVED:
That Bermondsey and Rotherhithe Community Council is appalled and outraged by the decision made by Eric Pickles and Liz Truss [in connection with the Thames tunnel project] to completely ignore the local community. |
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9.15pm |
Local Traffic and Parking Amendments
Note: This is an executive function
Councillors to consider the recommendations set out in the report. |
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Coopers Road
Supporting documents: Minutes: Note: This is an executive function.
Members considered the information contained in the report.
RESOLVED:
That the following non-strategic traffic and parking arrangements, detailed in the appendices to the report, be approved for implementation, subject to the outcome of any necessary statutory procedures:
· Coopers Road – Introduction of ‘No waiting at anytime’ (double yellow lines) between Old Kent Road and Mawbey Place. |
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Llewellyn Street
Supporting documents: Minutes: Note: This is an executive function.
Members considered the information contained in the report.
RESOLVED:
That the following non-strategic traffic and parking arrangements, detailed in the appendices to the report, be approved for implementation, subject to the outcome of any necessary statutory procedures:
· Llewellyn Street - prohibition of driving except for access - provide a raised table.
· Chambers Street - provide two car club only parking bays - reduce length of existing single yellow lines. |
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Snowsfields
Supporting documents: Minutes: Note: This is an executive function.
Members considered the information contained in the report.
RESOLVED:
That the following non-strategic traffic and parking arrangements, detailed in the appendices to the report, be approved for implementation, subject to the outcome of any necessary statutory procedures:
· Snowsfields – between Great Maze Pond and Kipling Street introduce a one-way system, traffic flow to be eastbound with contra flow lane. Reinstatement of zebra crossing that was temporarily moved to facilitate development work.
· Crosby Row – retain temporary zebra crossing as a permanent facility and return to two-way working. |
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Vauban Street
Supporting documents: Minutes: Note: This is an executive function.
Members considered the information contained in the report.
RESOLVED:
That the following non-strategic traffic and parking arrangements, detailed in the appendices to the report, be approved for implementation, subject to the outcome of any necessary statutory procedures:
· Vauban Street – provide loading only bay – provide car club only bay – provide a raised table. |
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Local Parking Amendments
Note: This is an executive function.
Councillors to consider the recommendations set out in the report. Supporting documents: Minutes: Note: This is an executive function.
Members considered the information contained in the report.
RESOLVED:
That the following local traffic and parking amendments, detailed in the appendices to the report, be approved for implementation, subject to the outcome of any necessary statutory procedures:
· Alexis Street – install a destination blue badge disabled parking bay outside Cherry Garden School. |
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Quiet Way Cycle Route Proposals
Reports for comment. Supporting documents: Minutes: Chris Mascord, principal consultant, explained that the council had recently consulted residents and stakeholders on their sections of the quiet way route for cycling. The overall idea was to shift modes of transport from cars to bicycles. A proposed route would run from Greenwich to Waterloo. Southwark would be the first London borough to introduce the measures which should be implemented in 2015. The seven sites under discussion were existing sites and the plan was to remove barriers, make junctions safer and also improve the streetscape for residents via trees and lighting. The formal decision on the proposals would be taken by the cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transport in November 2014.
Site A: Rossetti Road and Stevenson Crescent Site B: Stevenson Crescent and Abercorn Way Site C: Abercorn Way and Oxley Close Site D: Oxley Close and Chaucer Drive Site E: Dunton Road / Lynton Road / Chaucer Drive Junction Site F: Pages Walk / Willow Walk Junction & Harold Estate Site G: Webb Street and Swan Mead
Councillors noted the proposed cycle routes A, B, C, D, E, F and G. The following comments were made:
- In Grange ward, where the route meets Webb Street and goes through the Harold Estate, there was a proposal to remove the chicane. Residents had said that prior to the introduction of the chicane, motorised scooters and fast cyclists had used the route, so there were safety concerns about its removal. A possible solution to that would be a Dutch style reverse hump fixture.
- Some residents had complained that they were not consulted on the proposals and it would have been better if more of those affected by the proposals had been included.
Chris added that CCTV could be used to see how parts of the route were working in practice as a safety measure. The cycling commissioner had said that they were prepared to fund an enforcement regime.
Councillor Anood Al-Samerai asked for the introduction of segregated cycle lanes, as those were best for cyclists’ safety. |
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9.20pm |
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 in November 2014. Minutes: Following discussions during the public question time item, about the recent decision about Chambers Wharf and the Thames tunnel project, the community council considered whether to submit a question to the Council Assembly meeting on 26 November 2014.
This question would replace the question submitted during the 21 July 2014 community council meeting. The July question had concerned speedy cyclists in Southwark Park. Councillor Stephanie Cryan said that some signage had gone up in Southwark Park which may have partially addressed the speedy cyclists issue. The chair said he would look into that.
RESOLVED:
That the following question be submitted:
“What is the council going to do in response to the Thames Tunnel decision [by Government ministers Eric Pickles and Liz Truss] in Chambers Wharf.” |