WE LOVE LARKHALL - local news for Stockwell and North Clapham

Lambeth bids to be UK's first cooperative council

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Wed, 26 May 2010 09:30:00 +0000

Lambeth Council has today published detailed proposals that will see the South London authority become Britain’s first-ever cooperative council.

Lambeth Labour’s cooperative council model – first trailed in the national media in February 2010 – will see residents take on a bigger role in running and shaping local services. The model applies the traditional cooperative model of fairness, accountability and responsibility across a broad range of services, and is built on four years experience trialling the approach in specific services in Lambeth.

Lambeth’s leader, Cllr Steve Reed, has today published a white paper that identifies in detail these plans. This is available on the council’s website at:

www.lambeth.gov.uk/Services/CouncilDemocracy/MakingADifference/TheCo-operativeCouncilWhitePaper.htm

A Citizens’ Commission is being set up to consult local people on the proposals and is meeting for the first time today. The Commission will identify new services where the cooperative model can be piloted, and will explore how the approach can be rolled out across further service areas later this year. The Commission will also explore how an ‘active citizens dividend’ could be paid to reward people who get involved in running local services, possibly in the form of a council-tax discount.

At the same time the council has started a major public debate on the plans. The white paper is intended to form the starting point of a debate on the future of public services in Lambeth and over the coming months it is inviting as many members of the public, staff, partners and interested partners as possible to take part in shaping the plans.

Larkhall ward Cllr Pete Robbins asked the council to include an on-line collaboration using a new Lambeth Cooperative Council 'wiki' - a special web site that allows visitors to comment on and edit the content, just like Wikipedia. Anyone can take part at: http://lambethcooperativecouncil.wikispaces.com/

People can also join in the conversation on Twitter by using the hash tag #lambethcoop, and a Facebook group has been set up for people discuss the ideas.

Residents can also email their thoughts to cooperativecouncil@lambeth.gov.uk.

Lambeth has led the country in exploring the cooperative approach to service delivery in recent years. The council has more tenant-managed housing estates than any other borough, and is transferring more assets to community control than any other council. Notable examples include Raleigh Hall in Brixton which is set to become the country’s first National Black Heritage Centre; the Weir Link children’s centre in Balham which is a service run by residents in a building built by the community; and the Old Lilian Baylis community sports hub operating out of a disused secondary school in Vauxhall that has won praise from leading politicians of all parties as well as international sports heroes like Usain Bolt and Michael Jordan.

Other community-led services already succeeding in Lambeth include 2XL, a peer mentoring programme that has dramatically cut youth reoffending levels on tough inner-city estates, the country’s first parent-promoted secondary school in West Norwood, and Community Freshview, an environmental programme that sees local people given tools and support to transform derelict or overgrown wasteland into community gardens or public spaces.

Lambeth’s Council leader, Cllr Steve Reed, said: “Lambeth has spent the past four years exploring how the community can get more involved in running local services. In widely different service areas like schools, housing and tackling crime we’ve learnt it can deliver better services that cost less. Now we will take the model further and become the first council in the country to apply cooperative values right across the board. Our model empowers people to get on and make the changes they want to see in their local area, building better services and a stronger civic society at the same time.”

Timetable for the Citizen’s Commission:

First meeting of the Commissioners will be on 24 May
June/July: Citizen’s Commission Consultation Launch and plenary event
July – August: Citizen’s Commission Focus Groups and engagement with Community Groups

Lambeth Youth Mayor's Fund: Need money? Want change?

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Thu, 20 May 2010 14:59:00 +0000

Are you aged 13 to 19? Do you live, work or study in Lambeth? Do you have an idea for a project to benefit young people?

If you can answer 'yes' to all of these questions, then the Youth Mayor's Fund is for you.

Lambeth's Youth Mayor, Darren Tenkorang has been given a budget of £25,000 to fund projects run by young people, for young people, to make Lambeth a more exciting, rewarding place to be. Whether you want to set up an arts project on your estate, a sports project in your local park, a media project from your local youth club, or organise visits or clubs for your school or college – Darren wants to know about it.

Last year the grant funded:

A rowing club for young people hoping to compete in this year's London Youth Games

A series of performing arts workshops for young people in Clapham

A project enabling young people to write, shoot, perform in and edit their own music video

Sports, stage and multi-media equipment for a youth group based in Brixton

Applications can be for any amount up to £6000, and must be received by Wednesday 30 June 2010. To download an application form, or for more information about the Fund, visit www.younglambeth.org/youthmayor or call 020 7926 2192

Crackdown on anti-social behaviour on Stockwell Gardens estate

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Mon, 17 May 2010 17:45:00 +0000

A 'Dispersal Zone' has recently been introduced in Stockwell, after several years of campaigning by Labour councillors and local residents from Stockwell Gardens estate. The campaign included a public meeting in November 2009, and pressure from Larkhall and Stockwell Labour councillors.

The local police and council successfully applied to the courts to have the ‘dispersal zone’ put in place, which gives the police extra powers to force gangs of people who are loitering in the area to leave, and the police will take their details. It is a powerful new tool in helping to combat the gangs who have made some residents of Stockwell gardens a misery.

The Order is granted under the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003. Within designated areas the Police and PCSO’s have the power to:

- Disperse groups (of 2 or more people) where the relevant officer has reasonable grounds for believing their presence or behaviour has resulted, or is likely to result, in a member of the public being harassed, intimidated or distressed. Individuals can be directed to leave the locality and may be excluded for up to 24hrs.
- Return home a young person under the age of 16yrs after 9pm.
- A refusal to follow the officer's directions is a summary offence. The penalty on conviction for this offence is a fine or a maximum of 3 months imprisonment for adults.

The principal aims of the Order are:

- To improve the area and make it safer for people who live work and visit the Stockwell Gardens area.
- Support MPS to disrupt the activity of the group
- Identify individuals and collect evidence for further enforcement including ASBO’s.
- Identify young people and offer diversionary activities for example through Young & Safe or other universal services.
- Reassure the community and residents that action is being taken

It will not affect people who are just carrying on with their normal routine, and it isn’t a blanket curfew. If you see anyone loitering in the area or causing anti-social behaviour, please call the Larkhall ward local police team on 07920 233836 or the council's anti-social behaviour team on 020 7926 4000 (weekdays, 9am to 6pm). If you witness a crime or criminal behaviour call 999.

Lambeth labour appoints a new leadership team

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Mon, 17 May 2010 17:31:00 +0000

With the election finished and the people of Lambeth giving a resounding thumbs up to Labour in Lambeth, voting in 44 Labour Group Councillors - including 13 new faces - to council on May 6th 2010.

Larkhall Labour councillors Pete Robbins, Tina Valcarcel and Neeraj Patil would like thank those Larkhall residents who voted us back in for a second term, helping Labour keep control of Lambeth and giving us a mandate to carry on the work of improving the borough.

Councillor Steve Reed and Councillor Jackie Meldrum will continue as Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council but there are some new faces in the Cabinet, including Larkhall Councillor Pete Robbins. The Cabinet is also the most diverse that at any other point in the council’s history. There are now six women, and Cllr Nosegbe and Cllr Campbell as representatives of our diverse communities.

Cllr Steve Reed, leader of the Labour Group and the Council says: “Thank you to all of those who voted for Labour to continue running the Council, it’s a testament to the Labour Group that we have been getting things right and most importantly listening to what you want in Lambeth. The Labour Group is really looking forward to getting on with the job in hand and making Lambeth a better fairer place for all."

The new Cabinet is as follows:

Leader of the Council – Steve Reed

Deputy Leader – Jackie Meldrum

Cabinet Member for Housing – Cllr Lib Peck

Cabinet Member for Communities and Community Safety – Cllr Rachel Heywood

Cabinet Member for Environment – Cllr Lorna Campbell

Cabinet Member for Children’s & Young People Services – Cllr Pete Robbins

Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Employment – Cllr Sally Prentice

Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing – Cllr Jim Dickson

Cabinet Member for Finance – Cllr Paul McGlone

Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and the 2012 Games – Cllr Florence Nosegbe

Congratulations to the new team!

Free cheerleading lessons for local kids

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Mon, 17 May 2010 17:21:00 +0000

Free cheerleading lessons for 8 to 14 year olds have started at Larkhall Primary school - every Tuesday from 5 to 6pm.

No need to book, just turn up - or call Lisa Cole at Sports Action on 07533 985 912.

Give me an L! Give me an A! Give me an 'R'! Give me a 'K'! Give me an 'H'! Give me... oh you get the idea...

Venn Street market goes from strength to strength

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Mon, 17 May 2010 17:14:00 +0000

Venn Street Market, a monthly street market introduced in 2009, takes place over two days - Saturdays and Sundays on the last weekend of every month. Saturdays are FOOD market days and Sundays are FLOWER market days with FOOD.

The next Market takes place on 29th and 30th May (May Bank Holiday weekend). The FOOD traders have been selected from all over London and include the award winning local butcher Moen and Son's and London's first organic bakers The Old Post Office (pictured above, and based here in Larkhall ward - so it must be good).

Additionally there are a number of Borough Market favourites such as Neal’s Yard Dairy, Artisan Foods, Mini Magoo and Ash Green Organics. There is a chance to try an array of delicious hot food from a number of traders including Arancini, Cumbrian Sausage, Portena and Rapscallion.

The Sunday market's FLOWER market delivers a diverse mix of mainly British and locally sourced garden plants and cut flowers. Specialist growers and nurseries from England’s South East have been selected for their expertise in horticulture so we can deliver a dedicated flower market for South London residents and beyond. Specialist contributors include Jacques Amand, Little Coppice Nursery, Ockley Court Nursery, Phoenix Perennials, Priorswood Clematis, Southview Nursery, Swines Meadow Nursery, Usual & Unusual Plants and W & S Lockyer, to name a few.

The aims of the FLOWER market are to offer London wide customers the same quality of plants available at specialised shows and fairs such as Chelsea and Hampton Court and rare and unusual plant fairs that take place outside London - all of which charge visitors an entrance fee. There is no other free and specialised plant and flower market in London bringing all the experts together where the same plants are available without visitors paying for a ticket.

Dates for 2010:

Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 May (May Bank Holiday)
Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 June
Saturday 24 – Sunday 25 July
Saturday 28 – Sunday 29 August (August Bank Holiday)
Saturday 25 – Sunday 26 September
Saturday 30 – Sunday 31 October
Saturday 27 – Sunday 28 November
Christmas Market (to be confirmed)

Labour wins again in Lambeth

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Sun, 16 May 2010 14:55:00 +0000

Lambeth council elections were held on 6th May 2010, with Labour increasing their share of the vote and increasing their majority on the council, going from 37 seats to 44. Labour won seats from all of the opposition parties: the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives and the Greens.

This was the first time in 20 years that the residents of Lambeth have re-elected an administration, giving Labour councillors a second term in office to deliver real change for our community.

In Larkhall ward, Labour retained all three seats, with councillors Pete Robbins, Neeraj Patil and Tina Valcarcel all elected for a second four year term.

The final results in Larkhall were as follows:

Peter Robbins Labour 2674 Elected
Neeraj Patil Labour 2464 Elected
Tina Valcarcel Labour 2344 Elected
Jessica David Lib Dem 1538
Alistair Mills Lib Dem 1330
Robert Harris Tory 1294
Sebastian Lowe Tory 1292
Alison Trelawny Tory 1206
Clive Parry Lib Dem 1158
Jeffrey Dalton Green 674
William Webb Green 673
Sam Trice Green 409
Oliver Bond Socialist 48
Stanley Parker Socialist 46
Adam Buick Socialist 45

After a long election campaign, the hard work really begins. We would like your ideas and input into what you want to see from a Labour council - delivering change for residents. We will begin work on delivering our manifesto promises (which you can see here) but no doubt you have your ideas on what needs improving in our area. Please do get in touch.

Not sure which polling station to vote at?

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Wed, 05 May 2010 22:58:00 +0000

If you are not sure which polling station you are meant to vote at, you can use this handy link to find out:

http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/Lambeth.WebApps.PollingStation/

Just type in your postcode and it will tell you exactly where to go. You do not need your polling card to vote - just give your name and address.

New works for Larkhall Park

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:58:00 +0000

Lambeth Council are investing an extra £50,000 in works to improve the much loved Larkhall Park. New boundary posts, railings, and paths improvements are part of the works - with paths already completed, and work to start on the other aspects of the scheme soon.

If you use the park and would like to help to contribute to it's success, then you may want to join the Friends of Larkhall Park: www.larkhallparkfriends.org.uk

The Friends of Larkhall Park Group AGM will be held on Monday 10th May 2010 at 7.00pm at the Courland Grove Baptist Chapel Hall

Prime Minister visits Larkhall ward to launch National Care Service

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:41:00 +0000

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Health Secretary Andy Burnham visited Larkhall ward today to talk about Labour's plans for care for the elderly. They were joined by Larkhall ward Cllr Pete Robbins and Lambeth Labour leader Cllr Steve Reed, as they met and chatted with residents of Lingham Court supported housing scheme, on Lingham Street.

The housing, run by Metropolitan Support Trust, offers extra care housing for 30 elderly people. The sheltered scheme, run by MHP's support provider StepForward, has become a focal point for older people in the local community by offering use of its facilities to Stockwell's retired population. The Portuguese older people's community group, a club for gay, lesbian & bisexual older people (organised by Age Concern) and an exercise class have all made Lingham Court their base.

The Prime Minister said: ""We're changing the social care system stage by stage, so we get to a universal comprehensive system. The real aim is to ease the fears in people, people's worries about their savings, worries about their homes. Worries about what might happen in retirement. This new system in social care, a national social care system, ends the postcode lottery."

Gordon and Andy both took time out to chat with residents of the scheme, and were each presented with a copy of Lambeth Labour's manifesto.

Lambeth Council Tax Frozen for second year running

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:42:00 +0000

Lambeth Labour have agreed to FREEZE Lambeth council tax for 2010/11 - the second year running that there has been no increase - whilst increasing spending for front line services. Labour has continued to crack down on crime and antisocial behaviour by increasing council spending on services such as noise nuisance teams, community support officers, and the council antisocial behaviour team.

Labour was elected in Lambeth in 2006 promising that we would be “on your side”, with council tax increases kept below the level of wage inflation. During the previous four years, the Lib Dem and Tory coalition forced council tax up by a whopping 40% – the biggest increase in Lambeth’s history – that cost the average household an extra £1000 in council tax payments. Labour's announcement of a council tax freeze for a second year means that bills have increased by less than 2% a year since 2006.

Larkhall Labour Councillor Pete Robbins said: 'Labour has saved more than £33 million by making the council more efficient, and now residents are seeing the benefit with a second year of a council tax freeze and investment in vital services at the same time. Local residents tell us that they want to see crime and antisocial behaviour reduced even further - and Labour’s new investment includes extra cash for youth services, and new measures targeting drug dealers, dangerous dogs and people responsible for anti social behaviour.'

Lambeth fundraiser for victims of the Madeira floods - Sunday 7th March 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:24:00 +0000

Please come and support our Portuguese communities at this fundraising event for victims of the Madeira floods this Sunday 7th March 7pm at Brixton Recreation Centre.

Following the tragedy in Madeira in which over 40 people died and many more lost their homes Lambeth Council have been working with the Portuguese Ambassador, Antonio Santana Carlos and the Portuguese Community Councillors in the UK, to stage an event to raise money for those affected. Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) have kindly donated use of the sports hall at Brixton Rec plus staff for the evening to the cause. This will go directly to Madeira, but here in Stockwell we have a lot of residents whose families, friends and communities on the island have been seriously affected.

We are holding an evening fundraiser with entertainment and dinner – all for a donation of just £10 (or more if you wish). Every penny raised will go the Madeiran relief fund. The Ambassador will be attending, and Lambeth Labour leader Steve Reed will also be coming along.

All are welcome - please do feel free to invite anyone you wish.

Women and Girls Network event: Saturday 20th March

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:18:00 +0000

Women and Girls Network is a charitable organisation that provides counselling, information and advice, helpline and body therapies to women and girls above 16 who have experienced historic or recent violence. They support women and girls in their journey to achieve a total sustainable recovery.

They want to join with other organisations in Lambeth who are also supporting women and girls who are at risk of or who have experienced gendered violence to showcase the services available and build a community of support.

They are holding an event for all women and girls and boys up to the age of 10, to coincide with International Women’s Day Celebrations, to promote our services within the borough (full details in picture above): 10am - 4pm, Saturday 20th March, Karibu Education Centre, 7 Gresham Road.

Late night refreshment licence application: Charlie's Fish Bar, 20-26 Bedford Rd, SW4 7HJ

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:13:00 +0000

A new application for a Premises Licence under the Licensing Act 2003 in respect of Charlie's Fish Bar, 20 - 26 Bedford Road, London, SW4 7HJ was received by the licensing authority on 1st March 2010.

Applicants Name:

Mr Erkan Ercaliskan

Activities/times requested:

Late Night Refreshment

Sunday - Wednesday: 23:00 - 02:00
Thursday - Saturday: 23:00 - 05:00

Prior to determining this application, the licensing authority may accept written representations from Responsible Authorities and Interested Parties on the likely effect of the grant of this application in relation to the licensing objectives, which are:

· Preventing crime and disorder;
· Public safety;
· Preventing public nuisance; and
· Protecting children from harm.

Representations will be disregarded if they are deemed to be vexatious, frivolous, or irrelevant, or if they are received later than the 29th March 2010

If a valid representation (or more than one) is received and is not withdrawn, this application will be referred to a hearing of the Licensing Sub-Committee for determination. If no representations are received, the application will ordinarily be determined by the relevant Licensing Officer.

Applications for new Premises licences, and variations and reviews of existing ones, will be placed on the Councils website for inspection; the address at which these may be accessed is www.lambeth.gov.uk/Services/Business/LicencesStreetTrading/AlcoholEntertainmentLateNightRefreshment/CurrentApplications.htm

If you live near these premises and wish to object to the Licence application please contact Cllr Pete Robbins - we are happy to give advice on how to object, and can represent you at Lambeth Licensing Committee meetings if you wish.

Alcohol licence application: Drewballs International, 89 Landor Road, SW9 9RT

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:07:00 +0000

A new application for a Premises Licence under the Licensing Act 2003 in respect of Drewballs International - 89 Landor Road, London, SW9 9RT was received by Lambeth Council on 23rd February 2010.

Applicants Name:

Miss Marsha Ebony Prawl

Activities/times requested:

Supply of Alcohol

Monday - Saturday: 09:00 - 23:00
Sunday: 10:00 - 23:00

Prior to determining this application, the licensing authority may accept written representations from Responsible Authorities and Interested Parties on the likely effect of the grant of this application in relation to the licensing objectives, which are:

· Preventing crime and disorder;
· Public safety;
· Preventing public nuisance; and
· Protecting children from harm.

Representations will be disregarded if they are deemed to be vexatious, frivolous, or irrelevant, or if they are received later than the 23/03/2010

If a valid representation (or more than one) is received and is not withdrawn, this application will be referred to a hearing of the Licensing Sub-Committee for determination. If no representations are received, the application will ordinarily be determined by the relevant Licensing Officer.

Applications for new Premises licences, and variations and reviews of existing ones, will be placed on the Councils website for inspection; the address at which these may be accessed is www.lambeth.gov.uk/Services/Business/LicencesStreetTrading/AlcoholEntertainmentLateNightRefreshment/CurrentApplications.htm

If you live near these premises and wish to object to the Licence application please contact Cllr Pete Robbins - we are happy to give advice on how to object, and can represent you at Lambeth Licensing Committee meetings if you wish.

Larkhall Safer Neighbourhoods Panel - next meeting Monday 8th March 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:59:00 +0000

The next meeting of the Larkhall Ward Safer Neighbourhoods Panel will take place on Monday 8th March 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. All local residents are invitied to attend and have their say on local policing priorities.

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.

The three current priorities for the Team - set at the December meeting of the Panel - are 1) youth engagement, 2) reducing burglaries, and 3) anti-social behaviour on the Stockwell Gardens estate.

Work underway to fill potholes caused by big freeze

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:10:00 +0000

Residents of Clapham and Stockwell will probably have seen the effects of the recent freezing weather on our roads - with new potholes cropping up in several places.

Your Labour councillors have seen and reported several in Larkhall ward already - but please do report any on your street to us. Since January 1st more than 450 potholes have been reported to Lambeth.

Lambeth Council is undertaking repair work as quickly as possible, to avoid damage to local residents cars and bicycles, using two differnet methods. One material they are using is an instant patch repair product that is poured into the pothole and punned in, leaving it proud of the surface. Vehicle over-run then compacts the material further, making it more stable. The other material is hot rolled asphalt (to use this the hole has to be cleaned out, the edges cut square and the material laid and rolled with a vibrating roller).

Lambeth are unable to timetable these processes together on each road - so if you notice operatives instant patch repairing roads and there are still potholes marked up after they leave, they are not ignoring them, but waiting on the hot rolled asphalt gangs to come later. All defects deeper than 25 mm are being repaired.

Below: Larkhall Councillor Tina Valcarcel pointing out potholes

Labour planning to make Lambeth first 'John Lewis' council

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:52:00 +0000

Labour councillors in Lambeth have announced plans, detailed on the front page of the Guardian to create the first ever co-operatively run local council in Britain.

The news comes in stark contrast to Tory plans to create a so called ‘Easycouncil’ in Barnet which would slash the amount of services provided to local residents along the lines of a low-cost airline.

The idea of a ‘cooperative council’ draws on the values of fairness, accountability and responsibility that are at the heart of the modern Labour party. The model will be key to shaping a new settlement between the citizen and public services that will be necessary to protect frontline provision.

With the potential for widespread cuts to local government budgets of up to 20% expected over the next few years, Labour is taking action to protect services that matter to residents such as in health and education.

Labour's Leader in Lambeth, Cllr Steve Reed said "We can do that by empowering citizens and communities to take more responsibility for running some services themselves, freeing up resources to guarantee services for the most vulnerable."

Larkhall ward councillor Pete Robbins, who is the secretary of the Lambeth Cooperative Party, welcomed the move: "Cooperatives and mutuals are a fantastic way of involving people in the servcies that are important to them - whether housing, community centres, or education. With widespread fear of heavy cuts from central government, I think it is right that we are looking at innovative ways to protect frontline services that matter to local people."

Lambeth has already made a start toward becoming a cooperative council through a number of projects:

In Larkhall ward, a new food cooperative is launching in February, based at Springfield Community & Health Centre
We are a national leader in transferring assets to the community, including: Raleigh Hall, Weir Link, Old Lilian Baylis School, Beaufoy Institute, the proposed Brixton Green Community Land Trust, Portuguese Community Centre
We are developing new community-led environmental projects, including Community Freshview, and Community Green Champions
We are a national leader on personalising care budgets – this allocates the care budget to the user to spend as they see fit with appropriate guidance and advice
Key services are delivered by not-for-profit social enterprises, such as Greenwich Leisure who run Lambeth’s leisure services
We have the highest number of tenant-managed estates of any council – this is a co-operative form of management
We are already home to Coin Street Community Builders – one of the country’s most high profile and successful co-ops
We recently opened the country’s only parent promoted secondary school, a community-led alternative to the academy model

What other ideas could the cooperative council model include? We will explore a range of ideas and ways of taking things forward. These are not set in stone but may include:

An ‘active citizens’ dividend’ that could reward residents who are involved with organisations that help deliver community-based services with a council tax rebate
Neighbourhood cooperatives – allowing residents in a given ward or neighbourhood to run local community facilities
Citizen-led services – allowing service users or local residents to hold a ballot on turning certain local services into local cooperatives, such as children’s centres or youth centres
Supporting more housing cooperatives under residents’ control and ownership
How we break down the barriers with partner organisations to deliver more jointly commissioned services offering better value for money

What happens next? We are working on a consultation document that will go out to the council’s partners in March. We will also set up a Citizens Commission to involve residents and service users in discussions about this new way of delivering public services. The Commission will report back in April.

New trees for local streets!

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:34:00 +0000

Your local Labour councillors Pete Robbins, Tina Valcarcel and Raj Patil have been campaigning with local residents for more trees to green up our streets - and we are delighted that these are being planted now!

We nominated Tasman Road, Andalus Road, and Lingham Street - after speaking to residents on our regular street walkabouts - and the good news is that they are all getting new trees. But, thanks to Labour's extra investment in making Lambeth a greener borough, Larkhall ward will also be receiving new trees in Larkhall Lane, Rhodesia Road, Hubert Grove and Stockwell Road!

If you live in Larkhall and think your street would benefit from some beautiful new trees then please drop us a line and we will lobby officers for planting next year.

Free microchipping for dogs and cats: this Thursday 25th February

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:30:00 +0000

Lambeth Living working in conjunction with the RSPCA London South East Branch has arranged a Free Microchipping Day (CATS AND DOGS ONLY) at:

North Lambeth Area Housing Office
91 Kennington Lane
London

SE11 4HQ

4 pm to 6 pm, Thursday 25 February 2010

Micro-chipping is 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

How can we make Lambeth safer? Fill out this survey and have your say

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:25:00 +0000

Community safety is about crime, policing and keeping safe - a topic which is top of the list of concerns in Lambeth.

This survey is about what we can do about it - how community groups, voluntary organisations and their members can have their say about reducing crime, improving policing and increasing safety.

The Safer Lambeth Partnership (Lambeth Police, Lambeth Council and others) has asked the Lambeth Community Police Consultative Group to look at how people would like to have their say and to be involved in improving community safety in Lambeth.

Please answer the questions in this quick survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VR5S2XF by Friday 5th March.

If you would like a link to the same survey, but for individuals, please contact Catriona Robertson crobertson@lambeth.gov.uk

Thank you for taking part - add your email address at the end of the survey if you'd like to be kept in touch with the project.

Larkhall Food Co-op launch: Friday 26th February, Springfield Community & Health Centre

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:16:00 +0000

We are delighted to announce the launch of the Larkhall food coop next Friday 26th February between 11am - 1pm

The food co-op is run by local residents and volunteers and will be selling fresh, affordable fruit and vegetables...

Please come along and show your support!

WHERE:
In the foyer
Springfield Community & Health Centre
110 Union Road
Stockwell
London

SW8 2SH

WHEN: Next Friday 26th February between 11am-1pm (and then every Friday)

In partnership with Well London, Aardvark Recycling and a number of local resident volunteers we are launching a community food coop project. Every week we will provide a fresh selection of fruit and vegetables for you to purchase. Come along for our launch next Friday 26th to see what it’s all about.

Please remember to bring your own reusable bags!

WOULD YOU LIKE TO VOLUNTEER?

We are looking for volunteers to get involved in this very exciting local project; if you have some free time and would like to gain some experience helping to run a local project, please email foodcoop@aardvarkrecycling.org.uk

Recycle your Christmas tree in Lambeth

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Local residents will be able to recycle their Christmas trees again this year, as Lambeth Council launches its free tree recycling service from 11 January 2009.

The service has been set up as part of the council’s to make recycling easier than ever.Residents who have a real Christmas tree and live in a kerbside property can leave it next to their refuse bin in the week beginning 11th January, and the council will take it away and recycle it for free.

The tree should be left at the front of the property before 6.00am on the day of collection, and all decorations should be removed.

People who live in a Lambeth Living property can simply leave their tree next to their estate recycling bank (also in the week beginning 11th January).

Alternatively, you can still recycle your Christmas tree by taking them to any of the following drop sites:

Clapham Common, Windmill Drive, SW4

Kennington Park, Kennington Park Road, SE11

Streatham Common, Streatham High Road, SW16

Lambeth Reuse and Recycling Centre, Vale Street, West Norwood, SE27

Real Christmas trees are being accepted at these sites from 11 – 15 January 2010.

New blog for Grantham Road Residents Association

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:21:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Cllr Pete Robbins) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:12:00 +0000

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