· Launch of the Cleaner Greener Safer capital funding programme 2015 – 2016.
· Nunhead Festival – feedback.
· 2015 – 2016: Budget process
· Southwark Faith open day
· Petition for more police officers – announcement.
· Police updates on community safety matters.
Minutes:
The following announcements were made at the meeting:
Cleaner greener safer funding programme 2015 – 2016
Michelle Normanly CGS Project Manager introduced the launch and explained that the cleaner greener safer funding programme had been running since 2003. Michelle said at least 85% of schemes were completed in the community council area. The officer referred to schemes that were currently ongoing in the community council area. People were encouraged to submit their application online and forms were available at the meeting. The closing date for applications was 27 November 2014.
Michelle explained the process and outlined that all eligible ideas would be looked at by councillors. A feasibility study would be undertaken by officers that included the costings. It was noted that a final decision would be made in the January /February 2015 cycle of meetings and the awards would be given in April 2015.
The chair encouraged groups to submit their applications.
For information contact Michelle Normanly on 020 7525 0682 or email michelle.normanly@southwark.gov.uk
2015 – 2016 budget process
The chair read out a statement about the budget process for 2015 -2016
Like many households, Southwark Council must balance its budget each year. With hundreds of vital services to provide for over 300,000 people, spending money wisely is at the core of what the council does.
Over the past four years the council has had the equivalent of around £90m in funding cuts – which is about a quarter of its total budget. Like many other boroughs the massive reduction had a major impact on local services in the borough.
The council is likely to lose a further £70m of funding over the next three years as the cuts continue. The community council need to decide how best to spend the funding that would be available. In the past the council asked for local people’s views on the council’s budget.
In the coming months, residents would be consulted and hear their views. The council would be carrying out a consultation exercise at each of the community councils in the November and December cycle of meetings.
Southwark Faith open day
Councillor Jamille Mohammed spoke about Southwark Faith open week that would take on 15 November to 22 November 2014 at Tooley Street and would be hosted by the Mayor of Southwark. The open day formed part of the interfaith week which promoted better understanding and awareness of different faith groups. The event would involve visiting and entering into dialogue with many faith places in Southwark – e.g. Christian churches, mosques and Sikh centres. In response to a question Councillor Mohammed said they were looking into which interfaith groups they would visit, which would be finalised at a later date.
Petition for more police officers
Councillor Richard Livingstone explained that Councillor Michael Situ, cabinet member for environment, recycling, community safety and volunteering had sent his apologies as he was at a Borough, Bankside and Walworth meeting to highlight the issue of more police officers. Councillor Livingstone explained that the borough had their fair share of crime and that around 1000 police officers were needed in the borough, but due to cuts from the Mayor of London there were fewer officers. Previously each ward had approximately six officers including a PCSO and other wards had an even higher number than that and they were able to cut crime in Peckham. People were encouraged to sign the paper petition at the meeting or submit their signature online on the met police website.
For further details of the petition view: www.southwark.gov.uk/policenumbers
Community councils online forum
A new online forum had been launched that enabled residents to discuss items from community council meetings or begin new conversations and debates. See https://forums.southwark.gov.uk/
Police updates on community safety matters
Inspector Lloyd was at the meeting to give an update on policing matters. He said there had been a reduction in crime where there had been a reduction in robbery and theft. The priorities were anti-social behaviour patrols, addressing low level violence and improving the response time for emergency calls. It meant that emergency calls were responded to within 15 minutes of a call.
Inspector Lloyd said community engagement needed to be addressed further in order to target diverse groups, faith groups, young people and older people.
Black History Month – October 2014
Residents were encouraged to take part in a variety of events taking place throughout the borough in October to celebrate and raise awareness of black cultural heritage, history and experiences. www.southwark.gov.uk/blackhistorymonth
The chair thanked the speakers for their presentations.