Agenda and draft minutes
PDF 353 KBVenue: New Cross Learning, 283 - 285 New Cross Road, SE14 6A
Contact: Rachel Bond
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Welcome from the Chair and introducing new Ward Councillors - Cllr Paul Maslin, Cllr Brenda Dacres and Cllr Joe Dromey Minutes: Cllr Paul Maslin, welcomed everyone to the New Cross Assembly and also welcomed the new Ward councillors, Cllr Brenda Dacres and Cllr Joe Dromey.
Cllr Brenda Dacres and Cllr Joe Dromey, expressed how pleased they are to be representing the New Cross Ward. The monthly surgeries are: 2nd Saturday of the month 10.00am - 11.00am, Deptford Lounge, Giffin Street, Deptford SE8 4RJ. 4th Saturday of the month 10.00am - 11.00am, All Saints Community Centre, Monson Road, SE14 5DJ.
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Spoken Word Poetry - Local resident and performing artist JJ Minutes: Spoken Word Performance Local resident and creative artist ‘JJ’ performed two fantastic pieces of spoken word. JJ is also one of the young artists/apprentices at the Albany in Deptford. JJ runs the Albany’s ‘Uncover Young Creatives’ group which received funding from the New Cross Local Assembly Fund.
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Welcome and introduction to New Cross Learning - Gill Hart and Kathy Dunbar, Co-chairs Minutes: Gill Hart and Kathy Dunbar, welcomed everybody to New Cross Learning and explained some of the recent history; including threat of closure which they overcame through campaigning and negotiating. After much hard work, New Cross Learning is now open with a two year lease. Fundraising has enabled new IT equipment to be purchased and the ceiling is also due to be repaired. The summer programme includes:
Everything is free of charge including the Party in the Park festival. More volunteers are needed and Kathy and Gill urge anybody who is interested, to drop in or email in order to find out more information. All support and donations are greatly appreciated. Email contact is: newcrosspeopleslibrary@gmail.com.
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The 999 Club - Peter Wood, Chief Executive and Paul Hughes, Operations Manager Minutes: Peter Wood, provided an introduction to the services provided by the 999 Club. Their main site is on Deptford Broadway and a smaller centre operates in Downham. These day centres are for the homeless / rough sleepers / vulnerable people within the community. The winter night shelter also helps people to explore their ‘move-on’ options. Large numbers use the main centre’s drop-in and they are able to access a range of support services, some of which include:
They also run a nursery for 2 – 4 year olds. 10 children can attend the morning session and 10 in the afternoon. Staff provide family support for the children and their parents/carers. Many of the children have special / additional needs; staff aim to get the children (and their parents) ready for school.
They have been concerned about anti-social behaviour / street drinking that has been happening outside the centre; this could prevent people from accessing the drop-in services. However, Peter explained how the local neighbourhood police are tackling this problem and it has really made a difference.
Peter made a request for volunteer support. If anybody would like to offer some of their time to help in the centre please call in for a chat about how they can help. The address is: 21 Deptford Broadway, SE8 4PA.
Q) Are there any opportunities for learning English at the 999 Club? A) 999 sign posts to Crisis Skylight and is also in discussion with Goldsmiths
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Safer Neighbourhood Team Update - Dedicated Ward Officers Minutes: PC Leigh Hammond and PCSO Michelle Narciso introduced themselves and explained that a part of their role is all about community engagement. The more local people they can be in contact with the better. In order to receive regular local updates and to give feedback, people can access their twitter account: TWITTER:@MPSNewCrossSgt
Non urgent telephone enquiries: 0300 123 1212 Safer Neighbourhoods Tel: 020 8284 8587
Feedback can be given by accessing: www.met.police.uk/contacts/yourvoice.htm
The New Cross Ward Panel meets every 3 months and aims to address local issues. People can also email Michelle for local updates: Michelle.Narciso@met.pnn.police.uk
One of their Ward priorities is tackling drugs and after a number of complaints with regard to dealing, class A drugs were recently seized worth in the region of £40,000. This is an example of how they can ‘clean up the area’ by acting upon information given to them by the public, and demonstrates the zero tolerance approach which is being taken by the local neighbourhood police.
Q) Are you up to capacity or still short of officers? A) We are fortunate and currently operating up to strength with a full team of officers; plus a Sergeant, Inspector and 2 Community Officers.
Q) How did Lewisham People’s Day go this year? A) Generally good spirited in the day; well covered and did not hear of any serious incidents from this year’s event.
Q) Any plans for Forum type events? A) Contact sessions are held at Deptford Lounge Wednesday and Thursday 7pm – 8pm and Saturday 2pm – 3pm. People can chat about local issues, report a crime and get advice on crime prevention. Monthly events are also held at Sainsbury’s. For full surgery information please see the website: http://content.met.police.uk/Team/Lewisham/NewCross
Q) Is your Safer Neighbourhood Panel open to all? A) It is an invite only meeting as need to keep it focussed
Action: PC Leigh Hammond and PCSO Michelle Narciso, to feedback suggestions with regard to development of more open forums; with attendance from Inspector / senior level.
Q) There appear to be more drug users / rough sleepers on New Cross Road; are the police working with other agencies in order to tackle this issue? A) Yes, working closely with the 999 Club and other organisations specialising in particular areas. Please get ion contact with us when you notice issues such as this.
PCSO Michelle, provided an update on section 27s that were recently conducted in the area, in order to tackle anti-social behaviour. Section 27 gives the police the power to remove an individual from an area for up to 48 hours.
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Lewisham Cyclists Space for Cycling Campaign - Brian Turpin Minutes: Brian Turpin, introduced this London-wide campaign where each Ward is surveyed. The cyclists involved are passionate about having ‘protected space’. In New Cross Ward, this is the area (the crossing) between Nettleton Road and Harts Lane on North side and Troutbeck Road on South side. The campaign is asking all agencies if something can be done about this due to the safety issue. Brian stressed how this is not just a campaign about cycling but also the wider impact and benefits of safer space, to pedestrians. As well as encouraging walking, cycling and healthier lifestyles. Monthly meetings are held as well as regular cycle rides, workshops and encouragement for new cyclists to get involved. For information including meeting dates and times please visit: www.lewishamcyclists.co.uk
Brian expressed delight that the Mayor of Lewisham has signed up to the 20mph limit across the borough.
Q) When is the next meeting? A) 16th July 2014, 6.30pm at the Catford Constitutional Club.
Q) Where can I report a problematic roundabout on Church Street, North end of the roundabout? A) Please email us at Lewisham Cyclists: lewishamcyclists@gmail.com
Cllr Joe Dromey, added that people can also get in touch with the New Cross Ward councillors, as they are very keen to work with Lewisham Cyclists on the campaign.
KejiKazzim (Community Health Improvement) welcomed people to visit their information stall in order to find out more about NHS Health Checks. Keji also invited people to express their interest in joining the New Cross Coordinating Group, by completing the form at their information stall.
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Emerging New Cross Neighbourhood Forum - John Bingham-Hall Minutes: John Bingham-Hall introduced ‘Our New Cross’. John provided some background with regard to the Localism Act 2011, and how it gives new rights to allow local communities to shape new developments in their area. The Neighbourhood Forum has already held meetings as well as establishing 7 working groups on various aspects of the Neighbourhood Plan. Producing a Neighbourhood Plan can be a way to guide investment towards a community-led vision of New Cross. Anyone living, working, volunteering, studying, shopping or travelling in New Cross, or who simply cares about the area, is welcome to join the Forum meetings and get involved in the Working Groups: It is not necessary to live within the boundary to get involved in this way. However, only those living within the approved boundary will be able to vote in the Referendum on the Neighbourhood Plan. For further information on the boundaries please visit: thenewcross.tumblr.com/neighbourhoodplan
Q) How many people responded to the survey? A) 90 responses so far
Q) Why have you excluded Deptford? A) Deptford is a community within its own right and seems to have a strong identity. There is a need to be careful as Deptford may wish to set up its own plan in the future.
Q) Is the Forum a charity? Voluntary organisation? Recognised by the council? A) An application with outline has been submitted to the council. The council then consults on this. The Forum is in the process of writing its constitution.
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Convoy Wharf written update - Planning, Lewisham Council Minutes: A Lewisham council the briefing note, was made available to all attendees.
Malcolm, a local resident and member of the Convoy’s Community Group spoke to people about their aims. They wish to see real benefit to local people in Deptford with regard to housing, employment and social infrastructure. For more information and/or to get involved please make contact by Twitter@@pepys21 or email: malcolmpepysforum@gmail.com
A discussion between attendees took place during the meeting and many felt strongly about retaining local heritage and identity, as well as securing opportunities for local residents.
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Community Connections in New Cross - Henry Hobson, Community Development Worker Minutes: Henry Hobson delivered a presentation on the programme in New Cross. Community Support Facilitators provide aperson-centred approach that supports service users to engage with and access services that meet their needs. At the end of service, cases are reviewed to examine whether there has been an improvement in their wellbeing. If required people are signposted to other appropriate services within Lewisham.Community Development Workers Support, develop and create networks of service providers. They also work on: Community mapping, encouraging partnerships, uncovering unmet need and supporting development of new service initiatives.
To find out more please contact by email: communityconnections@ageuklands.org.uk Twitter: @cc_lewisham Tel: : 020 8314 3244
Q) RSA mapping project which looked at connections between people – have you come across this? A) Not as yet, but I would like to know more
Action: Cllr Joe Dromey to send Henry information on the RSA mapping.
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Community Updates Minutes:
Anna Nguyen and colleague, Trikhon Theatre, are planning a performance plus outreach with the Vietnamese and Chinese community. The aim is to encourage more first generationVietnamese and Chinese to engage with the arts. This theatre company wants to use the Arts as a way of bridging the generational gap, so parents and children can develop better relationships in the house hold. This will mainly be achieved through witnessing the story of one Vietnamese family and their domestic difficulties in the play. The play will be a multi-sensorial piece.
Crucially, they are searching for a suitable performance venue. Please can people show their support for this exciting project and make contact if they know of any venues / performance spaces, in the New Cross / Deptford area: anna@trikhontheatre.com
There is also a forthcoming fundraising event – please contact Anna (using the above email) for further information.
New Cross Assembly meeting schedule:
· 13th September 2014 - joining Party in the Park at Fordham Park, an opportunity to raise assembly profile and consult with people. New Cross Assembly has expressed their interest in joining and making a contribution to this event, now waiting for confirmation…
· 2nd December 2014 - public meeting, funding focussed, venue TBC.
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