Larkhall Councillors Launch Fenwick Estate Crime Survey

Larkhall Labour councillors Tina Valcarcel and Pete Robbins distributed a crime survey to all residents living on the Fenwick Estate on Saturday 6th September. They managed to speak to more than 50 residents while delivering the survey, which can be returned by freepost, and were joined by Ron Laidley, Chair of the Fenwick Estate Tenants and Residents Association.

The picture above shows Cllr Tina Valcarcel filling in the survey with a local resident. Although the vast majority of residents said they felt very safe on the estate, some particular issues were raised, including graffiti and improvements to estate lighting. They were also some problems with anti-social behaviour and security on the roofs of some blocks, and other housing casework.

Larkhall councillors will be looking into all the problems raised, and will write back to residents when action has been taken.

Local London Crime Maps Released: Larkhall crime rate falling

The Metropolitan Police have today published the first crime maps of London, showing the number of robbery, burglaries and car crimes committed in each area.

Larkhall residents can see how much crime is being committed in their part of the ward by typing in their postcode. Overall Larkhall ward, which includes parts of Stockwell and Clapham, has an average rate of crime in comparison to the rest of London.

The map for crimes reported in Larkhall in July 2008 shows that the lower part of Clapham Road, including Mayflower Road, Tregothnan Road, and Atherfold Road was our only crime hotspot.

Overall, the figures show that crime in Larkhall, and across Lambeth, is falling since 2006:

Stockwell Festival 2008 - Saturday 20th September, Larkhall Park

The Stockwell Festival is returning to Larkhall Park for 2008.

The event will be held on Saturday 20th September 2008, between 1pm and 8pm.

This is the 8th annual Stockwell Festival, organised by the Stockwell Partnership. This year sees the return of the famous Pineapple Carnival Parade celebrating Stockwell’s botanical history. Come and join in the parade as it weaves through Stockwell to Larkhall Park led by Lady Pineapple and her young pineapples (some in the pineapple car!). With musical groups and parade participants from local schools, the procession route is designed for everyone to join in and strut, swagger and stride to Larkhall Park! Further information on how to participate in the parade and the parade route can be found on the Stockwell Partnership website.

As ever, the festival will continue to showcase musical talent from the Stockwell and Lambeth communities, and local amateur bands from the borough will perform alongside professional groups. Local favourites Mukka return to give the event some eastern European flavour, Johnny 2 Bad will be performing reggae classics to get everyone dancing, Siyaya will bring 'bursting at the seams with energy' song, dance and drumming from Zimbabwe, and Colores de Mi Tierra will grace us with rhythms, dances and melodies from the caribbean coast of Colombia.AND, there are many more musical and dance performances as yet to be announced!Activities for the children are endless!

The exciting ‘Digger Ride' has it’s first outing in Stockwell. Take part in the Tour de France Cycle Race, learn circus skills, enjoy a magic show, watch out for remote-controlled wheely bins, be amazed at a crazy Irish tea lady on stilts- and much, much more… For instance, The Bureau Of Silly Ideas street theatre show ‘The Hole Job’ (a 30 minute slapstick show based around road works and digging a hole) will be presented in the middle of Larkhall Park. The Stockwell Festival is definitely a fabulous day of entertainment for everyone to enoy!

First Lambeth Living board meeting: 10th September 2008

Lambeth Living is Lambeth’s new 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 chaired by Asuman Ozkan who is a tenant from Brixton.

The first public board meeting is on: Wednesday 10th September at 7pm. It will be held in: Room 5, 3rd floor International House, Canterbury Crescent, Brixton SW9 7QE (MAP).

Lambeth tenants and leaseholders are all welcome to attend.

Larkhall Safer Neighbourhoods Team - Wednesday 10th September 2008

The next meeting of the Larkhall Ward Safer Neighbourhoods Panel will take place on Wednesday 10th September at 7pm in St Johns Church, Clapham Road SW4.

The Safer Neighbourhoods Panel, which consists of a dozen or so 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 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. This Panel decides what local issues the local officers will tackle.

Have you got an idea to improve Larkhall?

Dear Larkhall residents,

Lambeth Council are introducing a new pilot scheme called a 'ward purse'. It will mean that each team of three ward councillors will be given £12,000 to spend on local projects in their area. Between one and three projects can be chosen, but their total combined cost cannot be higher than £12,000.

Your local Larkhall councillors already have some thoughts about how the money could be used, but we want to look at as many ideas as possible - which is where you come in!

We want to hear your ideas: how we could improve our local environment, help a new or established residents group, or maybe fund on a local event. Maybe you think we should plant some more trees, or provide some extra play equipment in a local park? We want to put together a shortlist of your ideas and then let local Larkhall residents decide which ones should be funded using the ward purse.

Whatever your idea is - we want to hear about it! Tell your friends and neighbours too. Please email probbins@lambeth.gov.uk with your idea or plan, leave a comment below, or leave a message on 0207 207 4372.

If you want to look at the Council guidelines about what the money can be used for you can read them here.

We hope you can all come up with some good ideas!

Pete, Tina and Raj
Labour Councillors for Larkhall ward