Agenda and draft minutes

1.0       Welcome from Cllr Susan Wise, Chair of the Perry Vale Assembly

Cllr Wise welcomed everyone to the assembly meeting and introduced Cllr Alan Till and explained that Cllr John Paschoud would join the meeting later, as he was attending another meeting.

2.0             Community Safety Update

PC Richard Bailey, Safer Neighbourhoods Team

PC Bailey gave details of a current fraud scam which is accruing in the area and asked attendees to alert other, particularly elderly residents.

People are receiving telephone calls from someone pretending to be either from their bank or from the police. They are told that there is a reported irregularity with their bank card and in order to check this they need your PIN number.

They say that they are going to give you a number to ring for security purposes but do not cut the phone off co they are still on the line whilst you are dialling the number. You are then tell you that they will be sending a courier to collect your faulty card.

PC Bailey reminded the assembly that the bank or the police will never ask for bank details and said that there were leaflets covering this and other common scams, available at the back of the room, together with other crime prevention information and property marking kits.

PC Bailey added that Lewisham Homes provide a free security improvement advice service.

Questions were invited (NOTE: The Q & As throughout this document are not a verbatim record)

Q. Is there anything that we can do if this happens?

A. (PC Bailey) Either ring the bank or go into the branch to report it.

Q. Do people ever get caught?

A. (PC Bailey) Yes, we work with the fraud squad on this. Details are logged on their system which is linked across Europe and beyond.This information helps with investigations.

Q. How can someone who is deaf ring 999?

A. (PC Bailey) There is online report or you can also text both the 999 emergency number and the 101 non emergency numbers.

Q. A resident raised that foliage was obscuring street lighting and that there had been an assault in as a result of poor lighting. He had contacted both LB Lewisham and Skanska but neither were taking responsibility for cutting the trees back despite having sent people to survey the job.

A. (Cllr Wise) asked that the resident contact her and she will take this forward to ensure that the area is made safe.

Q. There is an accident hot spot outside the Perry Hill Pubas there are usually several cars parked outside where the road bends. This obscures the view for both pedestrians and car coming out of Clarens Street. In addition there are people who leave the pub by car, having been drinking. Can this be addressed?

A. (PC Bailey) Yes, we are planning to do a speed survey in this area and can also patrol the area to address drink driving offences.

Q. Can you tell us about the general crime figures in the ward?

A. (PC Bailey) There has been a spike in vehicle theft lately, particularly number plate being stolen. Burglaries were up 10% a while ago but this has reduced again recently.

Q. (Cllr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.0             Big Budget Challenge Update

Cllr Susan Wise

Cllr Wise explained that Robyn Fairman had attended the assembly in September last year to outline the Big Budget Challenge and attendees were involved in the consultation process.

In total we engaged 3,968 people in Lewisham’s Big Budget Challenge. This is the biggest conversation that the Council has ever engaged in with its public and breaks down as follows:

Online budget simulator completions 395

Participation in assembly discussions 1083

Quick survey responses online 2490

Residents told us that their priorities are Policing & Public Safety,  Environmental Services (refuse and street cleaning, recycling and dealing with graffiti/fly tipping) and Children and Family Services such as the children’s centre and support for vulnerable families.

45% savings have been achieved through efficiencies such as LEAN service delivery, sharing services with other boroughs and up-dating the assets register to make better use of existing resources.

There was a budget meeting last month where the Councillors across the borough agreed the new budgets. They did not feel comfortable with this, however if they had not ratified the budget, the government would have sent in people with the power to make the required spending cuts and they would not necessarily take the consultation into account.

More cuts will follow so there will be continued consultation with residents both through the local assembly and other means.

Visit http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/getinvolved/influence/Pages/The-Lewisham-Big-Budget-Challenge.aspx for more information.

3.0             Changes to Electoral Registration Process                

Joe Dunton, Principal Policy & Projects Officer, LB Lewisham

Joe informed the assembly that the way that voter’s are registered has changed and, as a result there are currently only about 90% of people who would normally be on the register.

Currently all households are being sent a letter with the detail of who is on the register for their address.

Please encourage people to register if they have not done so. The easiest way is to go on-line https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote You will need your address and national insurance number to complete your registration.

Not being registered affects your credit rating and will also have an impact on ward boundaries when they are reviewed.

The last day for registration is 20^th April.

Q. Is it the same date if you want a postal or proxy vote?

A. (Joe) Yes, it is. You will need to complete a form and return it to the council offices.

Contact

Electoral Services Lewisham Town Hall
Catford Road Se6 4ru

Tel:     020 8314 6086
Fax:    020 8314 3131
Email: electoral.services@lewisham.gov.uk  

Q. You said that you need a national insurance number to register, is that always the case?

A. (Joe) Yes, this is to prevent fraud. For those who do not have a national insurance number, we require three form of ID.

Q. Will we still be contacted every October?

A. (Joe) Yes, but this will be by letter rather than in person. We will probably do some targeted visits to addresses where no one is registered.

Q. Is it true that you can register when you are 16?

A. (Joe) Yes, you can register but you will only be sent a polling card if you are 18 before or on the day of the election.

Q. (Cllr Wise) Do young people automatically get a national insurance number?

A. (Sarah Lang) Yes, these are sent out automatically to those registered for child benefit. They are sent just before a person’s 16^th birthday.

5.0       The Young Citizen’s Programme Update                               

Sasha Leacock, Forest Hill School

5.1       240 young people in year 9 (ages 13-14yrs) have taken part in the project working with Councillors and ambassadors. The project was launched in November. There was a youth assembly which Cllr Paschoud attended.

The young people worked in tutor groups and were supported to come up with ideas linked to the ward priorities. These included saving crystal Palace, environmental initiatives, activities and festivals. These were then pitched to a panel of judges which include Cllr Upex, the Young Mayor and a representative from London & Quadrant Housing who have provided £1,200 of match funding for the project.

The winner was an inter-generational festival with a music and dance theme which will take place on 11^th July. Ideas and contacts for venues, stall holders, workshop leaders and any volunteers will be most welcome.

5.2       PartnershipWorking Young Lewisham Project & Bromley and Lewisham Mind

Sasha was joined by two young people who volunteer at Young Lewisham Project. They told us about the work that they are doing with 6 boys from year 9 who visit older people using Bromley and Lewisham Mind services.

The boys visit once a month and work with people with Alzheimer’s. Activities range from encouraging them to share their memories of the war and their families to teaching the boys games that they used to play and painting.

The young people have enjoyed interacting with older people who are not their relatives and they feel that it has broken down their stereotypes too.

Cllr Wise thanked Sasha and the volunteers from Young Lewisham Project for their updates.

6.0       Chips & Chat Feedback                                                              

Sarah Lang, Development Officer, LB Lewisham

Sarah outlined that the Chips & Chat event was designed to go out to meet people who may not know about assemblies, raising their awareness and find out what they would like to improve in the local area.

During the event staff spoke to 78 people, 84% of whom had never been to an assembly. Ages ranged from 4yrs-80+yrs and about 1/3 were young people.

Young people on work experience came along and registered people to vote. Almost 1 in 5 people that we spoke to were not registered.

Many people wanted more activities in the area and we were able to inform them of local opportunities and tell them about assembly funded projects. We asked what would make people want to attend a meeting and were able to tell them that what went on at an assembly. People were also asked to identify one thing that they would like to improve in the area and this feedback will go into the action plan review.

A copy of the presentation is attached to the minutes.

Attendees were asked to complete their evaluation forms to feedback on the meeting.

7.0       Community Updates

IlseTowler informed the assembly that there is now a Literary Piazza that has been built at the front of Home Park. This was funded by the Mayor’s Pocket Park Fund. This provides a paved space for story telling and readings with plants and a story chair as well as other literary themed art works from local artists.

There is a story afternoon from 2.00-5.00pm on Saturday 14^th March.

Penelope Jarrett announced that this year the Forest Hill Society’s  Edible High Road will feature herb plants. There will be a potting weekend on 25^th April  launch will take place on Saturday 16^th May. Details will be on the website http://www.foresthillsociety.com/

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.55pm with no declarations of interest.