New blog for Grantham Road Residents Association

Residents in the three tower blocks that make up the Grantham Road estate - Beckett House, Arden House and Pinter House - might want to have a regular look at this new blog from Bill and Jayne Sainsbury: http://jaynebillshshblog.blogspot.com

Bill is the new Chair of the Residents Association, and Jayne is his wonderful wife. They both work incredibly hard to hold the landlord Hyde Southbank Homes to account, and make sure both tenants and leaseholders get value for money (I should declare an interest here, as I myself live in Beckett House).

Good luck to them both - and do try to check their blog if you live on Grantham Road estate!

Santa in Lambeth

Here is a lovely video of Santa's visit to Lambeth on 4th December, starting with an exclusive interview with the man himself...

Lambeth Christmas Parade 2009

Santa Claus will once again be heading to his favourite London borough, as he tours Lambeth in an open top bus on Friday 4th December as part of Lambeth's Christmas celebrations.

This magical procession will be stopping off in town centres to switch on the Christmas lights in style. Father Christmas on top of his big red bus will be assisted in each location by a band of helpers including hip hop pixies, musicians and carol singers. There'll be face-painting fun, cookie-decorating, roasted chestnuts and snow-making fun for all the family.

The festive convoy, including a magical Christmas float accompanied by police outriders, will be stopping off at various locations in Lambeth, with the nearest stops for Larkhall residents being:

5.30 to 6.30pm Brixton - Tunstall Road next to Morleys

6 to 7pm - Clapham - The Pavement

6.30 to 7.30pm - St Mark's Church, Oval

Gifts of Christmas hampers will be given out to a chosen charity at each local event, and local school children will be leading the festive fun at each location with carol singing, goodie bags and much more.

Justice Seen, Justice Done - latest news from Larkhall ward police team

The Larkhall Safer Neighbourhoods Team has recently issued an update for local residents:

Burglar Arrested

After a series of burglaries in and around the area of Killyon Road SW8, officers from Lambeth Police and Larkhall Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) increased their activity in this locality. On Tuesday 16th November 2009 a man was arrested whilst in the commission of a burglary at a premises in Killyon Road.

Residents are reminded to have a good five-lever mortice deadlock fitted to their external doors. The importance of having a simple sash stop fitted to sash windows cannot be stressed enough. Both of these security measures can help to deter and prevent your home being a target for a burglar.

Stockwell Gardens Estate

The Larkhall SNT would like to hear from anyone who has experienced anti-social behaviour by groups of youths on the Stockwell Gardens Estate.

In partnership with Hyde Southbank Homes and Lambeth Community Safety unit, the Larkhall SNT is in the process of applying for a dispersal zone on the estate. We need your help and support in providing examples where you have been affected by anti-social behaviour.

After a spate of graffiti on the estate the Larkhall SNT have arrested two youths for criminal damage who were caught on the Hyde Southbank Home’s CCTV system. They are currently on bail and are due to be charged with this offence on their return.

Larkhall Safer Neighbourhoods Team
Clapham Police Station
51 Union Grove
Clapham
SW8 2QU

0208 649 2512

Larkhall.snt@met.police.uk

Recycling boosted again - now Lambeth collects textiles and electricals

A new recycling service has been launched in Lambeth to make it easy for you to recycle items you may have normally thrown away. Textiles and WEEE (Waste electrical and electronic equipment) will now be collected from homes and businesses.

Clothes, shoes and electricals can now be collected from the doorstep of kerbside properties (after booking by phone or email through the Lambeth Service Centre), rather than residents needing to make a trip to a local reuse and recycling centre. It is hoped that textile and WEEE recycling banks will be introduced on housing estates next year.

The scheme is being introduced on the back of concerns over doorstep collections from unlicensed traders that sell instead of recycle items that residents leave out in response to leaflets pushed through letterboxes. While the council is encouraging residents to continue to support their local or favourite charity collections, where they are unsure about other companies they can call Lambeth Service Centre to arrange a collection. It is hoped that the expansion of the recycling service will help residents to recycle items they may have normally thrown away, such as kettles, hair straighteners, electric toothbrushes, sheets and towels.

How does the service work?

Put your unwanted textiles or WEEE in any carrier bag or bin liner. WEEE items must be bagged separately from clothes and textiles. Put a textile/WEEE sticker on at least one of your bags, or attach a note if you do not have any stickers. If an item cannot fit into a carrier bag or bin liner, simply attach a sticker or note to it. Notes should be marked ‘For collection by Lambeth Council’.

When you are ready for a collection call us on 020 7926 9000 to arrange a collection date. Please do not use the orange recycling bags for textile or WEEE items.

For more information on the new textile and WEEE recycling service visit www.lambeth.gov.uk/recycling or book on 020 7926 9000.

Councillors vote to bring in street drinking ban

New rules have been agreed that will help put an end to antisocial drinking on Lambeth’s streets.

The whole of Lambeth will now be covered by a Controlled Drinking Zone (CDZ) order that gives the police increased powers to deal with people drinking in public places. Lambeth Labour councillors voted to bring in the new powers, aimed at tackling anti-social drinkers, and they will come into force on 1 December.

Larkhall councillors have been pushing for this to happen for more than a year, after listening to residents concerns over nuisance drinkers - particularly in Stockwell Green Court, outside Stockwell tube station, and Larkhall Park. The new powers will not make it illegal for people to drink in public, and there have been assurances that people will still be able to enjoy a drink in the borough’s parks and public areas – if they act responsibly.

Councillor Pete Robbins said: “People should be able to walk along the street without the fear of being intimidated by rowdy and aggressive street drinkers. Local residents have told me how terrible it is to have to struggle past groups of drinkers just to get into their own homes, and it has been a real problem in some parts of the ward. We've campaigned for a street drinking ban for some time. These powers will help the police and council tackle antisocial behaviour head-on, and we're delighted that our pressure has paid off.”

A number of smaller CDZ have been introduced in parts of the borough already and have proved popular with people living and working close to those areas. The zone allows the police to confiscate alcohol and move people on if they are behaving in an antisocial way. Police will monitor how frequently and where the powers are being used and officers will be able to issue a £50 fixed penalty if they believe someone is acting in an anti-social manner due to alcohol. People could also be handed a fine of up to £500 if they do not comply with an officer’s request to surrender alcohol when Lambeth becomes a CDZ.

Lambeth Community Police Consultative Group - meet Lambeth's borough commander on 1st December

The Lambeth Community Police Consultative Group (CPCG) is a community led forum for Lambeth residents and businesses to engage with the police and other agencies working together to make Lambeth a safer and fairer place. It gives ordinary people a place to make their voices heard. Anyone who lives, works or studies in Lambeth can join.

The next meeting is on Tuesday 1 December 2009 at 6.30 p.m at Stockwell Community Resource Centre.

At this month’s meeting the Group will receive a Police Update from new Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent Nick Ephgrave and an update from Operation Trident.

Lambeth Mediation Service AGM - 15th December 2009

You are cordially invited to attend the AGM of the Lambeth Mediation Service.

15th December 2009 at 6.30pm

Guest Speaker: Jo Berry “Making Peace with the Enemy”

6.30pm Light snacks & refreshments
6.45pm Welcome and Introduction
6.50pm Business of AGM
7.50pm Jo Berry – Guest speaker

followed by Buffet Meal

Room 8, Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton Hill, London SW2 1RJ

Jo’s father Sir Anthony Berry MP, was killed by the IRA in the bombing of the 1984 Tory Party conference in Brighton, and her talk is about the emotional journey that she has gone through in order to reconcile and make friends with the bomber Patrick Magee. It should be a fascinating evening and we hope that you can join us.

Larkhall Safer Neighbourhoods Panel meeting - Monday 7th December 2009

The next meeting of the Larkhall Ward Safer Neighbourhoods Panel will take place on Monday 7th December at 7pm in St Johns Church, Clapham Road SW4.

The Safer Neighbourhoods Panel, which consists of local Larkhall resident representatives, meets every three months to discuss local policing issues and to decide what priorities the local Safer Neighbourhoods Police Team are to follow for the next quarter of the year.The Chair of the Panel, Toby Riley-Smith, is very keen to involve as many local people as possible, and is encouraging new residents to attend.

The Larkhall Safer Neighbourhoods Police Team are all based at the Clapham Police Station in Union Grove and spend all of their time tackling issues in Larkhall ward. The officer in charge of the Team is Sergeant Graham Williamson.

The Team is a permanent fixture in Larkhall, not a 'quick fix' brought in to respond to local changes in crime and disorder. They have been working in Larkhall ward since 2006. The Team’s priorities are decided by the ward’s Safer Neighbourhoods Panel, who put forward their three top local priorities for local officers to tackle.

New monthly street market in Clapham

A new monthly street market has recently been launched in Clapham, offering a fantastic range of artisan produce and providing an alternative to shopping at supermarkets.

The new market in Venn Street is a result of a partnership between Lambeth Council and market operator Sourced Market and should provide a major boost local businesses. Traders have been sourced from all over London and include local butcher Moen's and fishmonger Moxon's. Additionally there are a number of Borough Market favourites, such as: Neal’s Yard Dairy, Flour Power City Bakery and Secrett's Farm. Please see http://www.sourcedmarket.com/ for a full traders list.

The market will run on the last weekend of every month from the New Year. The market will take place over three days. Friday and Saturday will be all about produce, with Sunday being a flower market. Hot food will be available all weekend.

There will also be a special Christmas market from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th December.

Long term market plans linked to the possible pedestrianisation of Venn Street are also being considered by the council as part of the wider public consultation process for the Clapham Gateway project. If you'd like to see this happen, please let your local councillors know you would support it!

Lambeth prepared for winter gritting

An extra 250 tonnes of salt has been brought in by Lambeth Council to ensure the borough's roads remain clear in the event of snow this winter.

Last year saw some of the worst snow in London for around 20 years, and although Lambeth never ran out of salt, stocks across London ran low. Several residents asked local councillors to improve access to salt bins, and as a result the council is also installing an extra 40 salt bins across the borough, bringing the total to more than 540.

Councillor Pete Robbins said: "Last year's weather brought the issue of gritting to the forefront of people's minds. Although Lambeth responded well, and didn't run out of salt, some ocal poeple were unhappy at how long it took for their own pavement to be cleared. Should we get a repeat of last year I'm sure we'll be able to keep Lambeth moving throughout the winter."

Local cannabis factory raided by police after resident tip-off

A cannabis factory in Larkhall ward has been closed down following a police raid. Officers from Lambeth CID and the borough’s Territorial Support Group (based on Union Road) raided the property on Andalus Road and discovered 30 cannabis plants growing in one of the rooms. A 44-year-old man was arrested and bailed to appear at Kennington Police Station in December.

As well as the 30 plants there was also evidence of a previous crop having been harvested
and other suspected drugs paraphernalia. The raid, which involved 20 officers, came after a tip off from local residents worried about the possibility of living near a drugs factory.

Detective Inspector Will Reynolds, from Lambeth CID, said: “This is an excellent example of partnership policing with local communities working closely with the police. Information was forwarded by the community regarding concerns around an address in their neighbourhood. The information was tested and acted upon and by taking this action, hopefully the quality of life for local residents will have been improved, the community made safer and a clear message sent out that any drug activity will not be tolerated.”

If you have suspicions about illegal activity in your area please contact the Larkhall Safer Neighbourhoods Team, or if you wish to report it anonymously then speak to Cllr Pete Robbins who would be happy to report it for you.

Public meeting to discuss anti-social behaviour on the Stockwell gardens estate - Tuesday 10th November 2009

The Larkhall Safer Neighbourhood Team have organised a public consultation meeting on the issues of anti-social behaviour on the Stockwell Gardens Estate. The police will be highlighting the possible use of a dispersal zone, and measuring the community response.

The meeting is on Tuesday 10th November 2009 at 18.30hrs, and will be held in the Old Laundry building, in the middle of the estate (click here for MAP).

Police officers and local Labour councillors will be in attendance, along with representatives of Hyde Southbank Housing (the landlord).

Please try to come along if you live on the estate and have been affected by anti-social behaviour.

White Ribbon Campaign - International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

On November 25 2009, the Lambeth Domestic Violence Forum will be undertaking a series of activities to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the White Ribbon Campaign.

The United Nations has designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and has invited Governments, international organisations and non-governmental organizations to organise on that day activities to raise public awareness on the problem. For more information on the International day for the elimination of Violence against women please go to: http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/violence/

The White Ribbon Campaign also begins on the November 25, urging people to wear a white ribbon. The Campaign is the largest effort in the world of men working to end men's violence against women. Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls. For more information on the white ribbon campaign go to http://www.whiteribboncampaign.co.uk/.

How common is domestic violence in the UK?

- It is estimated that Domestic Violence accounts for approximately 15% of violent crime nationally, and accounts for 31% of all violence against women and 5% of all violence against men. - On average, 2 women a week are killed by a current or former male partner.
- 1 in 4 women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime and women experience a greater risk of repeat victimisation and serious injury.
- 1 in 6 men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.

How common is domestic violence in Lambeth?

- Nearly 5000 domestic violence incidents were reported to Lambeth Police between April 2008 and March 2009.
- About 20% of people who have reported a domestic violence offence to the police in Lambeth will experience domestic violence on more than one occasion.

This is the link to Women’s Aid and which provides further information about Domestic Violence, including frequently asked questions and statistics http://www.womensaid.org.uk/domestic_violence_topic.asp?section=0001000100220041&sectionTitle=Domestic+violence+%28general%29

Lambeth also has a Domestic Violence Training Programme, should you wish to book any of the free training by contacting alall@lambeth.gov.uk.

You might be interested in our latest DV Forum e-newsletter by downloading a PDF version from: http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/Services/AdviceBenefits/DomesticViolence/

If you would like to receive further information about Domestic Violence, interested in joining the Lambeth Domestic Violence Forum, or would like to receive further domestic violence publicity please do not hesitate to contact me on jholvey@lambeth.gov.uk or 0207 926 4877.

Friends of Larkhall Park - next meeting 7th December 2009

Please note that the next Friends of Larkhall Park Group management meeting will be held on Monday 7th December 2009 at 7.00pm at Courland Grove Baptist Church Hall (MAP).

Should you wish to join the Friends, you can contact them by emailing info@larkhallparkfriends.org.uk

In addition, a tree planting ceremony in memory of Hilary Weir will be held on Saturday 14th November 2009 at 12.00 noon, near the toddlers’ playground adjacent to the One O’Clock club in Larkhall Park. Hilary was a founding member of the Friends and acted as the treasurer for many years. She died after a short illness in November 2008 and is sorely missed.

All are welcome to attend. Following the ceremony, we invite you to join us for refreshments upstairs at the Priory Arms.

Free cat and dog microchipping - 12th November 2009

Lambeth Living working in conjunction with the RSPCA London South East Branch has arranged a Free Microchipping Day for owners of cats and dogs

4 pm to 7 pm, Thursday 12 November 2009

North Lambeth Area Office 91 Kennington Lane London SE11 4HQ

Micro-chipping will be done free of charge (all donations gratefully received by RSPCA)

No appointment required

Please contact 07952 680 522 if you have any queries about micro-chipping

http://www.rspca-london-se.org.uk/

Consultation on two local conservation areas - Larkhall CA and Clapham Road CA

Lambeth Council has launched a consulation on several draft conservation area statements next week. The local conservation areas covered are:

Clapham Road Conservation Area

Larkhall Conservation Area

The consultation will run from Monday 16 October 2009 to Monday 23 November 2009. The Council is seeking views from local people on the content of the draft documents. This link takes you to the draft documents ( warning - they are large documents: 5MB+). All comments received will be considered and where appropriate amendments will be made.

The introduction of each draft Conservation Area statement set’s out the draft consultation process which includes a public meetings, the details of which are below:

The Clapham Road Conservation Area was designated in September 1981 and encompasses housing dating from the late Georgian period on Clapham Road and Edwardian properties of Atherfold Road. The conservation area boundary has remained unchanged since designation. The Conservation Area is immediate north of central Clapham and takes a linear form along Clapham Road which is a main road linking Clapham to northern Lambeth. The Sibella Road Conservation Area (CA 58) lies immediately to the west.

Clapham Road Conservation Area Consultation Event:

Date - Tuesday 3rd November
Venue - Fenwick Hall, 128 Willington Road, SW9
3.30 - 6.15pm Conservation Officers available to discuss the draft document.
6.30 - 7.15pm Public Meeting - Conservation Officer will talk through the document.

The Larkhall Conservation Area was designated in June 1981 and subsequently extended in July 1983. In 2001 the Angell Arms Public House, Binfield Road was added to the Conservation Area and in 2002 properties fronting Wandsworth Rd were transferred into the newly designated Wandsworth Road Conservation Area (CA59). Today the conservation area is an L shaped designation following Lansdowne Way and Larkhall Lane. It is characterised by a historic road pattern and 19th Century buildings / urban grain that has survived relatively unscathed in comparison to the wider area which contains much mid-late 20th Century redevelopment. Its slow, evolutionary development has resulted in a pleasant, informal townscape and is worthy of every effort to preserve its special character and appearance.

Conservation Area Consultation Event:

Date - Tuesday 17th November
Venue - Stockwell Community Resource Centre, 1 Studley Road, SW4 6RA
3.30 - 6.15pm Conservation Officers available to discuss the draft document.
6.30 - 7.15pm Public Meeting - Conservation Officer will talk through the document.

Police warn Larkhall residents to be vigilant following spate of muggings

Although Larkhall ward continues to have lower levels of crime than the London average, I have been made aware of at least two recent incidents of muggings in broad daylight in Larkhall ward.

Police have confirmed that there have been a series of similar robberies in the area, and are warning residents to be extra vigilant, particularly if using mobile phones/iPods etc.

Should you be a victim of crime please do not hesitate to call 999 - police response times are very good in the area, and it will assist the police in catching those responsible.

Should local residents decide that street crime should be a priority for the local police, we would urge you to attend the quarterly meetings of the Larkhall Safer Neighbourhoods Panel. The Panel, which consists of local Larkhall resident representatives, meets every three months to discuss local policing issues and to decide what priorities the local Safer Neighbourhoods Police Team are to follow for the next quarter of the year. The next meeting will be in December 2009.

Lambeth Living board meeting - 2nd December 2009

The next public meeting of the board of Lambeth Living is on: Wednesday 2nd December at 7pm.

Lambeth Living is Lambeth’s housing ALMO, which was set up by Lambeth Council to run Lambeth's council housing.

Lambeth Living is responsible for the housing management and maintenance services to tenants and leaseholders, and is run by a Board comprising 16 elected board members: 6 tenant members; 2 leasehold members; 4 independents and 4 council nominees including Councillors Jackie Meldrum and Kirsty McHugh. The Board is now chaired by former housing minister Keith Hill, retiring MP for Streatham.

Lambeth tenants and leaseholders are all welcome to attend.

Lambeth Leaseholders Council - 7pm, 12th November 2009

Leaseholders' Council November meeting is on Thursday 12th November 2009 at 7pm, held in the Council Chamber at Lambeth Town Hall.