Agenda and minutes

Cllr Brenda Dacres, welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced Councillors Paul Maslin, and Joe Dromey .

Cllr Dacres explained the context for the Lewisham Big Budget Challenge Lewisham Council needs to find savings worth £85m over the next three years to balance its budget in the face of Government cuts to its funding. Lewisham’s Mayor and councillors will be making decision over the coming months and are keen to know where communities would continue spending money and where money could possibly be saved.

Adrian Wardle, Head of the Council’s Communications Unit delivered a presentation and Q&A session entitled ‘The Big Budget Challenge’ which addresses how the Council currently spends its money, where the money comes from, what services the Council provides for the community, how the Council’s income is being cut, how and when decisions will be made and how to get involved in helping the Mayor and councillors make the necessary, tough decisions.

The Lewisham Big Budget Challenge is your chance to have a go at

balancing the Council’s books and to choose your own way to trim the

budget using the online budget simulator. For more information visit

www.lewisham.gov.uk/bigbudgetchallenge

The meeting were informed that  the online Budget simulation  was one of a range of consultation methods available to local people to have their say on the big budget challenge. The results of all of the consultations will be collated by the council and used to help reach an informed decision around future budget allocations.

Questions were invited from the floor.

Q)Are the level of cuts likely to change if there is a change in government?

A)Yes. There will still be budgetary challenges but possibly less far reaching.

Q) Are suggestions made on the Online Budget Simulator anonymously? If so why?

A) Yes, submissions can be anonymous though a post code  will be required to ensure geographical eligibility. The option for anonymity has been offered  to help reduce barriers to engagement, and encourage use of the simulator in confidence. 

Q) Can you make more than one submission?

A) Yes it is possible to make more than one submission.

Q) How will the potential for multiple submissions be weighed up when
     collating consultation results? 

A) The Online Budget Simulator provide a snap shot of views, opinions, and priorities  through an immediate and interactive process and is used alongside more robust traditional consultation methods.
The potential for multiple submissions will be considered when compiling results.  Post codes will be required to ensure geographical eligibility

Concerns were raised  that on line consultation methods disproportionately affect the poorest and those without access to technology.

A) A range of consultation methods to include attending meetings in the community, completing questionnaires, and feeding views to ward Councillors are  also available to help reduce potential barriers to engagement that may result from lack of access to  technology

Q) How much power will local people have to affect the consultation?

A)  All responses will be collated by LBL Communications team.

Findings and responses will be presented  and discussed at the  Mayor and Cabinet  and the full council meetings  in November 2014. Meetings  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

New Cross Assembly Fund  Cllr Brenda Dacres gave an update on the New Cross Assembly Fund which is now open for applications addressing one of more of the following New Cross Assembly Ward priorities.

1. Child poverty and young people

2. Unemployment

3. Community Cohesion and Engagement

The deadline for submissions is  9 am Monday 3 November.
Application forms can be downloaded from the New Cross Ward Assembly pages of the Lewisham Council Web site at http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/getinvolved/localassemblies/new-cross/Pages/default.aspx

Voting on projects will take place at the New Cross Assembly meeting at Deptford Lounge on 2 December  2014

For further information about the fund please contact
Margaret Agana at Lewisham Council. Margaret.agana@lewisham.gov.uk

Spoken Word Presentation  -  Local resident and creative artist Tyrone shared two of his  poems with the audience which were very well received.

Deptford Cinema  - is a new community cinema run by volunteers offering access to affordable entertainment. The project  hold open meetings every Sunday from   4 – 6 pm  and  working groups meetings on building, funding, publicity and events at their base in  39 Deptford Broadway. The group are seeking volunteers. If you would like to get involved or if you have any ideas for the space please contact  Gela or Sam 020 8691 0907

Seymour  Williams artist in residence at New Cross Learning.
Seymour will be available daily at the library form 11am – 4pm  to speak about his work. There  be an exhibition  event for the exhibition on 30^th October 2014 at New Cross Learning  -  all welcome.

The Quay Point  is a local Community News Website keeping people informed about what’s on in their local area. The website features news form Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Deptford and New Cross - areas linked by their common maritime history. Quay Point aim offer a printed edition once circulation levels improve. The editor writes most articles but will also accept written submissions. To get involved as a volunteer or to submit your news  contact http://thequaypoint.co.uk/about-the-quay-point/

Action: New Cross and Evelyn Ward Councillors to write bi-monthly updates for inclusion.

New Cross Learning is a volunteer lead community library based on New Cross Road. Their regular activates  include an after school children’s  pop up Cinema every Wednesday and a Knitting Club. They will be hosting the following events 

Monday 20th October 6.45pm. Free John Kirk  Story Telling event: THE WAR GAME by Terry Deary

Sunday 16th Nov 2-5pm  NXL Big Book Sale

Further details available at http://newxlearning.org/?s=fundraising

Friday 28th November at 7pm. Annual Fundraising  Auction at The Hill Station, Telegraph Hill Centre, Kitto Road, London SE14 5TY

Further details are available on the  New Cross Learning website http://newxlearning.org

CllR Updates
Save the Lewisham Hospital Campaign Fundraiser Fri 25 October Rivoli Ballroom for more information visit  http://www.savelewishamhospital.com/

Transport for London Consultation on Bakerloo line extension  - 
Petition to support the Bakerloo line  through Lewisham 
 www.bakerlooextension.com

Quietways  Quiet Cycle route – 3k rout of quiet cycling

Through New Cross and Deptford for more information

http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/regeneration/deptford/north-lewisham-links/Pages/Cycling-Quietway.aspx

Deptford green cultural  festival – 23 Oct 5 – 8pm Deptford Green School

New Cross Gate Trust –  will be holding a Halloween Event for Families  at Besson Street Gardens on 31 October 2014.
They have also  introduce new  ESOL (English as a Second or Other Language) Classes. Details are available on their website at http://www.nxgtrust.org.uk/whats-on/esol/

Old Tidemmill Wildlife Garden  basedin the heart of Deptford behind Old Tidemill School  has been brought back to life by Assembly SE8

Current activities include  Wildlife Gym  on  Tuesdays 10am  – 2pm  where older people are invited to cook , garden and have lunch together.

The project also hold a drop in on Sat – 12  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.