GLA member Val Shawcross with local councillor Mike Smith on the campaign trail.
Remember to vote for your local GLA member on the 3rd of May.
West Norwood’s existing member, Val Shawcross is standing again and she is also Ken Livingston’s deputy for Mayor.
For more information on the candidates and the election including how to vote check the information booklet that should have been delivered to every household or download it from here: http://www.londonelects.org.uk/im-voter/information-booklet
West Norwood Library & Nettlefold Halls remain closed since June 2011 as a consequence of damage from vandalism and theft. When repairs started, asbestos was found and this caused a long delay. The asbestos has now been removed but the building is still in a very poor condition and will take a lot of money to fix. A condition survey is being undertaken to identify what further work is needed. The survey should be completed during January 2012 and it is not possible to estimate an re-opening date for the West Norwood Library and Nettlefold Halls until this survey is done. In the meantime the building is secured to reduce the risk of further vandalism.
Cllr Nosegbe, chair of the Lambeth Libraries Commission, says “There will be a fully functioning library in West Norwood. Our libraries are essential, they are open to all and benefit everyone and we are working with the community to make sure a full library service is back serving our residents as soon as possible. The temporary library service currently available at the Lambeth Resource Centre is unsatisfactory. We want to deliver more for Norwood and we are looking at alternative sites, like the Old Library, for a better library service in the meantime. “
At a meeting in November with local residents there were lots of constructive ideas on what people wanted in their future local library in West Norwood. A consultation process about the future of the building is underway and the council is seeking the views of the community, residents, library users and members of the Friends groups.
To get involved in the future of all of Lambeth’s libraries contact the council by emailing LibrariesHaveYourSay@lambeth.gov.uk , text 07772 103 628 or phone 0800 013 1497 or 020 7926 6397.
The Friends of West Norwood Library welcome new members – email FWNL@hotmail.co.uk or see them on facebook.
Sunday 7th August is open day at The West Norwood Tennis Club. Come along between 12noon and 3pm to find out more about the club. The bar will be open!
This is a chance for people to meet club members, see the facilities and hear about the current set-up and future plans. You can also find out about the offer for non-members to use play tennis on the club courts for £5 per person on days the club is open. Usual opening days and times are Wednesday and Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday from 11.30am – 3pm.
The club is at 128 Knights Hill SE27 0SR (by Cheviot Road)
Residents frequently ask local councillors about playing tennis at the club. Cllr Mike Smith met with the club members recently and the club decided to hold this open day. All welcome to drop by on Sunday 7th August.
Many residents in the area are concerned about Fly-tipping, particularly the illegal dumping of commercial waste on local housing estates. This issue is frequently raised at resident meetings and despite efforts to identify those responsible, it is a persistent problem.
Last week local councillors arranged for Cllr Lorna Campbell, Cabinet Member responsible for environmental issues, to visit various fly-tipping ‘hot spots’ around the West Norwood. The council is trying to sort out this problem and to identify those responsible.
Local people also have a vital role to play in efforts to tackle illegal dumping of rubbish by reporting environmental crime. If you witness fly-tipping or other environmental crime, please report it to the council either online or by phone. Details of how to report are available here – http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/Services/Environment/EnvironmentalCrime/Fly-tipping.htm
Cllr Mike Smith with Knights Hill Safer Neighbourhood Team
The police service is facing a 20% cut in funding as part of the massive cuts in public spending by the Tory Lib –Dem coalition government. The London Metropolitan Police have already stopped recruiting new police officers this year. They will also have to look at possible changes to neighbourhood policing but first want to hear what residents think about their current local Safer Neighbourhood Police teams .
Assistant Commissioner McPherson, Metropolitan Police, said: “Safer Neighbourhoods Teams have made a significant difference to safety and confidence across London. We remain committed to delivering effective neighbourhood policing that focuses on the safety of local people and ensures a visible local policing presence in all our communities. We are committed to maintaining named officers in every neighbourhood in London who are responsible for identifying and tackling local crime and anti-social behaviour.”
A fun day was had by all at the Community Action Day event on 30th October held on Holderness Way. Residents, supported by local Labour councillors and Lambeth Living, organised the Action Day. It was a chance for neighbours to get to know each other and to get people involved in tacking local issues. With the rain holding off (for most of the day) families enjoyed activities ranging from tug-o-war and five aside football to face painting, bulb planting, a bouncy castle and computer activity bus. A live DJ entertained people while free food was available for all those who came along. Local MP Tessa Jowell and the London Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark, Val Shawcross, attended the Action Day and chatted with residents and those organising the event.
Following the success of the community day, a meeting will be held to set-up a Tenants and Residents Association (TRA) on the estate. The TRA will give residents a greater ‘voice’ on issues affecting the lives of people on the estate and the area as a whole. If you would like to be involved in the Residents Association please contact Knights Hill Councillor, Mike Smith, at msmith10@lambeth.gov.uk.
Green-fingered work has begun on the new Tivoli Community Garden with a raspberry bush planted in the fertile West Norwood soil! The site, previously a waste ground, is being transformed by local residents into a productive garden. The area was cleared, with the help of Lambeth Council, after a show of public support for plans to turn the derelict, overgrown site into an area where people can grow flowers, fruit and veg. The gardening group hope that the produce from the garden will be available for
the wider community, as well as those growing the food. With autumn upon
us the focus will be to plant cold weather vegetables, rotating to summer fruits and veg in the spring.
The Tivoli Community Gardening Group is free to join and open to all – with no previous experience of gardening necessary. For information about getting involved, please contact Cllr Mike Smith at msmith10@lambeth.gov.uk or on 07805945158. You can also join the group’s virtual site at http://www.projectdirt.com/group/tivoligardenscommunitygroup.
Following a murder at Pondfield House late in the evening of Saturday 11th September local ward councillors
Councillors Mike Smith & Jane Pickard
visited Woodvale estate on Sunday meeting relatives, residents shocked by this tragic event. The police are investigating the shooting of a young man, Ricardo Cunha, who was a well known and respected resident on the Woodvale Estate.
If anyone has any information please contact the police murder team at 020 8721 4805. Or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
Tescos want to open a Tesco Express in December 2010 on the site of the Rose & Crown pub at 4 Crown Lane . The pub closed over a year ago.
Local residents and businesses are opposed to having another Tesco’s in the neighbourhood. There are 9 local shops in the immediate area of Crown Point that are likely to be badly affected by a new Tesco. Do let local councillor Jane Pickard know what you think about another Tesco. Jane’s email is JPickard@lambeth.gov.uk
This proposal is similar to the Tescos on the former Jack Stamps pub at 551 Norwood Road . Planning laws do allow pub premises ( use A4) to change into a shop (use A1) without the need for a planning decision.
Tescos have applied for planning permission ( ref 10/ 01604) to alter the existing ground floor rear extension – raising the flat roof, remove the external staircase and balustrade, blocking up of an existing door and window at first floor level. See Lambeth council web site for details.
It is not too late to send in comments to Lambeth Planning. Write to Andrew Byrne at Phoenix House SW8 2LL or email planning@lambeth.gov.uk quoting the planning ref 10/ 01604. Your local councillors have asked for the decision on the planning application to be taken in public where there will be another opportunity for residents and local businesses to put their views forward.
Knights Hill councillors welcomed to Norwood Road fire station
The fire station at 445 Norwood Road opened in 1914 an age when fireman lived with their families in flats above the engines. The site is fully operational but is now too small for most up to date fire engines . There is no space for engines to turn around so they have to reverse in from the main road. The offices and spaces for cleaning equipment and rest rooms are too small and inadequate for a 21st century fire service. In 2006 the building was listed by English Heritage so the options for adapting the building into a modern fire station are extremely limited
Fire chiefs invited local councillors, Jackie Meldrum, Jane Pickard and Mike Smith to discuss the plans to upgrade West Norwood’s fire service. The Fire Brigade want to build new 2-storey premises halfway up Knights Hill on the site of a derelict care home.
Residents in the local neighbourhood have been invited to see the plans. On Saturday 19th June the plans will be displayed at West Norwood Library, 1 Norwood High Street SE27 9JX. Fire Brigade staff will be present to answer questions. A planning application should be submitted in a few weeks time.
Cllr Pickard said: “On the whole, this looks like good news for residents. West Norwood gets a modern fire station . 210 Knights Hill will not be turned into high-rise housing and the local drainage problems will finally get sorted. But first we must make sure any concerns among residents are fully addressed.”
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