To receive information on local community events in the Dulwich Community Council area.
· Licensing Policy Consultation – information stall at the meeting.
· The Neighbourhood Fund 2015 – 2016
Launch date: 5 January 2015 and the closing date: 16 February 2015.
The neighbourhood fund is the combined cleaner greener safer revenue fund and community council fund.
· Welfare Reform update (Sally Causer).
· Southwark Carers – to let people know about their service provision in the Dulwich area (William Hervey).
· Announcement – Southwark Quietway Cycling Route proposals.
· Police updates.
Minutes:
The following announcements were noted at the meeting:
Neighbourhood Funding 2015
The chair announced the launch of the neighbourhood funding at the meeting. The neighbourhood fund was for projects that would help the local community. There would be £542,000 to spend on a wide range of projects that support local action by communities to bring people together and make neighbourhoods come to live. Information leaflets were available at the meeting. The deadline for submitted applications was on the 16 February 2015.
Southwark quietway routes
It was announced that the council wanted to hear people’s views on the Southwark Quietway routes, and what the council could do to improve safety conditions for all road users along this route.
The views and comments from the local community would determine the design of the proposals along the route. The council would like to work with residents, cyclists, pedestrians and motorists who use this route to develop proposals that would benefit all road users.
Southwark Carers
William Hervey from Southwark carers spoke about the role of the charity that is based in the Camberwell area but offers a service to the whole borough. It provides support and advice services for carers that looked after disabled relatives. William explained that Dulwich introduced a project that offers support to carers, so they could be seen by a G.P. particularly those who have not had access to these services. He said in terms of support Southwark carers refer people to a range of support groups and agencies like Age UK.
Draft Southwark statement of licensing policy
Richard Kalu, licensing enforcement officer spoke about the public consultation on the latest revision of the draft Southwark statement of licensing policy 2015 – 2020. The council were seeking views from the local community on the policy statement that was responsible for dealing with entertainment licensing on late night alcohol, regulated entertainment and late night refreshments.
Richard outlined that the council wanted to obtain the views of local residents and businesses:
· To find out if the policy was clear and easy to understand
· Was it fair and balanced
· Did the policy adequately deal with the licensing objectives of crime and disorder, public safety, public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.
· The council’s approach on the borough’s saturation areas.
Consultation forms were available at the meeting, and on the council’s website.
Welfare Reform update
Sally Causer from the citizens’ advice bureau (CAB) spoke about the two main offices the organisation had in Bermondsey and Peckham. In the Dulwich area, the advice centre provided an outreach session on the Kingswood Estate on a weekly basis. The CAB is also part of a network of advice agencies in the borough. They work with agencies like the Blackfriars advice centre and Southwark law centre.
In response to the changes to the benefits system the centre works with the most disadvantaged residents in the borough and also work along side the local job centre and Southwark works to help unemployed young people.
Sally also informed people about a five year project called “money savvy” which helped social housing tenants and young people to manage their money. Sally said if anyone was interested in becoming a money champion, they should speak to her during the break.
Charity Trustees
The council were looking for volunteers to become charity trustees on various charities that operate in the borough to assist Southwark residents that might be in financial need. Forms and further information was available at the meeting.
Fair trade fortnight
The chair announced fair trade fortnight which was held on 23 February to 8 March 2015. Southwark was a fair trade borough and was committed to bringing people together to promote the use and sale of fair trade products. There were a number of activities and events that took place in the borough.
Jonathan Mitchell spoke briefly about the event as a representative and circulated information at the meeting which was a list of twelve well known shops in the Dulwich area that sold fair trade products. An event called the “big breakfast” was organised by Christ Church (Bread of Life) which helped to promote fair trade fortnight.
Further information could be found on the council’s website: www.southwark.gov.uk/fairtrade
Police update
Inspector Richard Barton reported that he had taken over as the local cluster inspector for Dulwich and Camberwell since the 5 January 2015.
He said the three sergeants that covered the Dulwich area were, Sgt Tau Benbow (East Dulwich), Sgt Ian Bartley (Village), and Sgt Warren Gregory (College).
Policing issues
Inspector Barton reported that there was a huge problem with burglaries in the area, especially along main bus routes going through Dulwich. One of those routes was Lordship Lane.
Most of the burglaries took place during the day. He urged residents to invest in light timers and an alarm for their homes. The senior management team at Southwark police station discussed the issue of burglaries matter at a recent task meeting.
Inspector Barton announced he was the first point of contact for the local neighbourhood watch in the area which he said meet once a month. He urged people to get involved and take part in the scheme to help neighbourhood stay safe.
The other issues that were highlighted were:
In response to questions, concerning a mugging that occurred in College ward, where it took police three weeks to respond to the elderly resident. Inspector Barton acknowledged that there was a delay, with this particular call because it did not go through the local policing team. The issue has now been addressed. He said further updates would be given at the next meeting.