Agenda and draft minutes

Cllr Paschoud informed the Assembly that Cllr Till had been taken suddenly ill and had had to send his apologies.  A card wishing him a speedy recovered was circulated for those who wished to sign it.  Apologies were also received from Sasha Leacock, Isabelle Freh, Barbara Britton.

Sam reported on the outcomes from the Waste consultation held from August to October 2015.  This was completed by almost 6000 respondents. Key priorities expressed by people responding were:

•           Making it easier for residents to recycle

•           Reducing our impact on the environment

•           Introducing a garden waste collection

•           Support for a weekly food waste collection with fortnightly residual waste collection

Following the consultation, the council has introduced a new garden waste collection service. The optional service starts from 6th June and costs £45 for the first 9 months from June 2016 – March 2017. Residents signing up for the service will get a brown garden waste wheely bin which will be collected weekly. See full details and sign up for the service on the LB Lewisham website here:

Garden waste collection service

Full details of the consultation report are available on the LB Lewisham website here:

Waste Consultation

Contact Environmental Services on 020 8314 7171.

Nigel Tyrell introduced the Fix my Street app which is one of several you can use to report fly tipping in your area.  The Fix my street app integrates into systems in use to facilitate a more effective response to reported fly tipping and other problems such as graffiti.

Visit Fix my Street and download the app here:

Fix my Street

Questions & Answers:

Q: Can the council provide more street bins

A: This is not found to be workable.  Potentially creates worse litter problems.  Expensive to keep emptied.

Q: Not everyone has or can use a mobile phone

A: The council Environmental Services number is still available to report problems: 020 8314 7171Monday to Friday 9am–5pm.  You can also visit the council environmental services pages and report flytipping using an online form at:

http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/environment/street-cleaning/Pages/flytipping.aspx

Q: What are response times?

A: Timescales are published on the service websites.  We ask people to be patient as the service is under pressure due to reduced staffing.

Q: Are all the apps mentioned in operation currently?

A: Yes.  (Visit the link above to see links to Fix My Street, Love Clean Streets and Keep Britain Tidy, all of which link to LB Lewisham Environment Services).  Fix My Street is the one recommended. 

Q: Do the apps give an acknowledgement of the report?

A: Yes – Fix My Street does and is more sophisticated in it’s follow up.

Q: Will the system help to identify flytipping hotspots.

A: Limited usefulness as flytipping “hotspots” are very widespread.  An inspection regime is being developed, aimed at picking up flytipping earlier

Q: I’ve reported flytipping and it’s not been dealt with yet.

A: Please contact the flytipping service (details above) to follow up.  Don’t wait for your next Assembly!

Q: We have witnessed flytipping taking place.

A: When you report it, please give us any information you are able to, such as number plates.

Peter (surname) and Alex (surname) were introduced by the Chair.  They explained that, as residents, they had found themselves frustrated by continuous fly-tipping on private land adjoining their homes.  The council were informed but as it was on private land, the council was unable to collect the rubbish.

Peter and Alex proposed installation of a full height iron gate across the entrance to the land, to deter further fly-tipping.  They consulted with their neighbours, who responded very positively. An agreement was reached to cooperate on raising the necessary funds to pay for installation.  They worked closely with their local Councillor (Cllr. Paschoud) and LB Lewisham Environmental Services, and were also assisted by small grants from two local housing associations.  The total cost of the gate and installation was around £2,000. 

Photos were shared showing the scale of the flytipping problem, and Alex & Peter were able to report that the gate had been successful to date in deterring further flytipping on the private land.

Cllr. Paschoud summarised by saying it was an encouraging example of what can be achieved by local residents working together to solve local problems.

Alex mentioned the need for a second recycling centre in the south of the borough.  It was felt the need to travel to New Cross for recycling encouraged fly-tipping in other parts of the borough.

Cllr. Wise congratulated the residents on their effort.  There is a problem with finding a suitable site in the south of the borough, and unfortunately the cost is prohibitive.

Tim Lund spoke about the Dacres Wood Nature Reserve, which is a small local nature reserve alongside the railway line.  It contains a pond and provides an important wildlife sanctuary in our urban space.  It’s an interesting and beautiful place to visit.  The Friends of Dacres Wood Nature Reserve try to inform local people about it and help open it up for visits.  It’s used by local groups such as the German Church kindergarten. 

In order to make it more accessible, Perry Vale Assembly Fund made a small grant to enable the construction of a walkway across the pond.  Residents are warmly encouraged to come along and make use of this resource.  For more details visit the website: http://dacreswood.org.uk/site/ where you’ll find details of how to get to the nature reserve, a year round blog, and forthcoming activities to get involved in.

Kevin Hern gave an update on behalf of the Safer Neighbourhood Team.  A summary is given below.  The full report is attached as Appendix B

·         Burglary and robbery figures continue to decline

·         Motor crime also slightly declined

·         Continued problems with illegal parking outside schools will be addressed by council parking enforcement patrols

·         Cash point thefts an issue in Sydenham High St.

Ward Promises:

·         Fly tipping in Woolstone Road – significant reduction following installation of signage

·         Vehicle crime retained as a ward promise

·         Night time economy – Lewisham Council are leading on this, will work in partnership with SNT to address this

·         Crime prevention advice – remember to lock doors and windows when leaving the house especially in warm weather over the summer.

Q: What is being done to prevent car theft in the card?

A: Patrols and the use of decoy vehicles are being tried.  Residents aware of car crime in their area were asked to contact the Safer Neighbourhood Team with details as the information could be used to target prevention strategies.

Sunderland Road resident Katie O’Donovanexplained that there is a piece of unused land in adjoining Sunderland Road in Perry Vale Ward, near the former Christchurch.  The vacant plot is unsightly and encouraging the spread of invasive weeds and fly-tipping in the immediate area. 

Katie proposed that the site could be adopted by local residents and turned into a community garden.  This would provide a local green space, opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors and gardening, a resource for schools  etc.

Bernard Simmons spoke about the improvements that had been brought about by local residents at the Stanstead Strip.  This was previously a small patch of land on Stanstead Road which had attracted anti social behaviour and littering, and had been very unsightly for local people using the area.

A group of local residents joined together in creating the Stanstead Strip community garden, with financial support from Travis Perkins and the Perry Vale Assembly.  It had been possible to greatly improve the local environment by clearing the litter and weeds, and replacing them with attractive planting, watered and maintained by local volunteers.  Whilst not entirely disappearing, litter in the area had greatly reduced.

Cllr. Paschoud mentioned that both the Head and Deputy Head of Perrymount School, and Lewisham Homes have expressed support for the idea of a community garden in Sunderland Road.

Community Engagement:

Laura Luckhurst invited those present to share their thoughts on the proposal, using post it notes and “Roots and Shoots” posters to show what people would like to happen, and the resources people are aware of in the local community to help achieve it.

The ideas collected are attached as Appendix A.

Attendees were invited to come forward and volunteer to work with Katie on the proposal.  If you are interested in being involved, please contact Laura Luckhurst at laura.luckhurst@lewisham.gov.uk or call 020 8314 3830.

Laura Luckhurst gave a brief update on plans for the Lark in the Park community festival on 18^th June, which were progressing well.  She encouraged all present to come along and enjoy the fun, and spread the word.

The Assembly Fund would be launched at Lark in the Park.   Local organisations were encouraged to apply.

There were no further questions.

Horniman Museum has an annual art exhibition on 4 & 5 June in the museum conservatory.  Local artist’s work is available on sale.

A number of events are taking place at Dacres Wood over the summer including a Teddy Bears Picnic on 28^th May.  Visit the website at http://dacreswood.org.uk/ for details of upcoming events and open days.

The “Guess the picture” winning answer was drawn – the picture showed Forest Hill Methodist Church and Centre.  The prize was awarded.  Laura Luckhurst reminded attendees to complete their feedback forms.

The meeting closed at 9.10 pm

Appendix A

Agenda Item 7
Sunderland Road Community Garden Discussion

A discussion about setting up a new community garden in Sunderland Road was introduced by Katie O’Donovan, a local resident.  Katie explained her ideas for developing the garden as a local resource.  Bernard Simmons of Stanstead Strip also contributed experiences of developing community garden on Stanstead Road: he spoke of the difference it had made to the local environment and community spirit, including reduction in littering and flytipping in the local area.

Those present gave the following responses to the discussion, which were posted on large “Roots and Shoots” posters around the hall.  The Shoots represent the Assembly’s vision for the garden.  The Roots represent the resources in terms of people, skills etc. that can be drawn on in order to make our vision happen.

“Shoots”

1 “The benefits of a community garden will be……”

·         Community spirit

·         Nutritious food grown

·         Education on healthy eating and food growing

·         Maintenance of an unused space

·         “I see no point in this”

·         Will draw community together

·         Community cohesion

·         Provide space for activity

·         Communication amongst locals

·         Somewhere to go and sit

·         Productive and/or beneficial use of unused space

·         For the community

·         Tranquility

2 “The people who could benefit most are….”

·         Children

·         Elderly

·         Mums with kids

·         Elderly

·         Nurseries

·         The young

·         Childminders

·         Everyone in the community regardless of age

·         Residents

·         Schoolchildren

·         School and young people

·         People who like gardening

·         Elderly

·         People who live in flats

·         Retired keen gardeners

·         School

·         Voluntary groups

·         Elderly

·         Unemployed

·         Families

·         Adults with learning disabilities/mental health

3 “In the community garden, I would like to see…..”

·         a seating area

·         bench (see the view of London)

·         scented plants and some evergreen

·         A Forest School

·         Community farm growing vegetables

·         Vegetables and flowers

·         Hut for shelter

·         Flowers for all seasons

·         Seating to sit and enjoy the garden

·         Roses of all colours andhighly scented

·         Vegetable patches

·         Plants, flowers, (?), bench

·         Allotments

·         Grow vegetables

·         Trees

·         Plants especially sensory – scent, touch

·         Quiet space – not just for families/children

·         Water feature

·         Herb garden

·         Edible produce

·         Allotment

·         Mini-allotments

·         Sensory feature for people with disabilities

·         Inclusivity

“Roots”

4 “We have these resources in our community to help make this happen: …..”

·         Families

·         Voluntary groups

·         Schools

·         Councillors

·         Local businesses

·         Benefactors

·         People who like gardening

·         “I am sure many people would love to get involved”

·         Green fingers!

5 “The community garden project would link in with….”

·         Local schools

·         Dacres Nature Reserve

·         other gardens near de Frene and Queenswood Roads

·         after school clubs, clubs in general

·         schools

·         community groups

·         holiday clubs

6 “I can do …?… to help the garden happen”

·         outreach

·         marketing

·         social media (twitter, Instagram etc.)

·         I can do planting, weeding and watering to help the garden happen

·         Support and encouragement

Appendix B

PERRY VALE ASSEMBLY MEETING

12th May 2016

Crime Update

I am pleased to announce that both burglary and robbery crime figures during the past three months for Perry Vale Ward are still on the decline.

Motor Vehicle crime i.e. Theft of motor vehicle and Theft from motor vehicle has also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.