Agenda and draft minutes

Cllr Paschoud welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies were received from Iris Borgers, Grow Mayow, and from Young Lewisham due to a clash with their Trustees meeting.

Councillor Louise Krupski gave a presentation outlining the problem and causes of toxic air pollution and Lewisham’s strategies for combatting this including Anti Idling actions at schools, planting of green screens and launching our Clean Air App which can help people avoid the most polluted areas. People were asked to sign up to the Clean Air Pledge.  The presentation is available from laura.luckhurst@lewisham.gov.uk.  More information on the council website at: www.lewisham.gov.uk/airquality

Bloom Bakery – Amy Kimbangi
Amy reported on the bakery and cookery courses that had been provided for unemployed people with funding from Perry Vale Assembly.  Often the people on the courses have a range of other challenges such as being homeless. They run both introductory courses, which give people confidence to move on, and accredited courses leading to qualifications, which enable people to move into employment.  Bloom bakery were able to leverage additional funds on the basis of having the Assembly funding, including through a crowdfunder.  She thanked the Assembly for their support.

Perry Vale Girls Football Project
Kilmorie School and Perrymount School were awarded some funding from the Perry Vale Assembly to work with a local football club. Each week a group of girls in Years 3 - 6 were given some lunchtime training in football. The girls were allowed to join whenever they liked – no one was turned away! Each week two groups of girls were trained for half an hour each (depending on their year group) in football skills and were given match practise.

Danny, who led the training was friendly and made all the girls welcome. They made fantastic progress throughout the weeks and now more girls in the schools are getting involved in sport on a regular basis.

The joint venture culminated in a match between the two teams. All girls put in so much effort and really enjoyed the match. The progress they had made was evident! Perrymount were victorious this time, but all concerned are looking for an exciting rematch to see if Kilmorie can walk away with the Perry Vale girls’ football trophy!

Seniors – Make a Scene at Seniors, drama project. Cathy Ashley
The project was attended by 12 older people who wrote a drama piece based on the “Nippy’s” who worked at Lyon’s Tea Houses.  Three performances were given including one at Catford Fringe and one at Perry Vale Assembly.  An intergenerational project also took place, with Rockbourne Youth club involving lots of learning on both sides.  The Drama group continues to run on Thursdays 10.30 – 12.30 and seniors is open to all ages.

Young Lewisham Security Shutters

Young Lewisham sent apologies but they had updated us previously as part of our Lark in the Park newsletter and provided photos.  They are still working out how to provide security

Carers Lewisham – IT project for Carers – Ulalee
The project worked in partnership with Damien Griffiths (who runs the Techy Teas and other similar activities), to run IT classes.  Six sessions were provided and a second six were funded from elsewhere.  Participants are now able to complete online forms for claiming much-needed benefits independently and fit this around their caring responsibilities.  Ulalee thanked Perry Vale Assembly for the funding, and Damien for his patience with the participants.

Wendy Nicholas gave a presentation, outlining the council’s recycling services and the consultation which runs to 8^th April.  The floor was opened up to questions.

Q What is the council doing about the problem of open bins overflowing on a Lewisham Homes estate?

A Cllr Wise offered to set up a walkabout with the head of Lewisham Homes to assess the problem and look at solutions.

Q Problems with dumping of mattresses and general flytipping

A There is a free mattress collection service and a new leaflet explains how it works

Various problems were mentioned about food bins disappearing and wheelie bins obstructing the pavements after waste collections. It was also pointed out that the Recycling centre at New Cross is a long car journey, adding to pollution.  It will also be more expensive to visit once the ULEZ is in place.  The council were asked to consider a periodic collection of recycling from a local point such as Bell Green, or an arrangement with the site in Bromley. Wendy encouraged residents to report any incidents directly to her, giving the day and time and the street and/or  house /flat numbers, or via Fix My Street app, when they will be addressed.  Wendy can be contacted at: Wendy.nicholas@lewisham.gov.uk

There was praise for the street sweepers who service Houston Road.  These were said to be very efficient and thorough.

Residents were urged to take part in the consultation and feed in these comments.  The consultation is at: https://consultation.lewisham.gov.uk/environment/barriers-to-accessing-waste-collection-services/

Natalie Wright had given apologies due to a sick child.  It is hoped to revisit this topic at a future Assembly.

Kevin Hern, Chair of SNT Panel gave an update. 

(awaiting electronic copy).

No further updates.  Meeting closed at 9.00 pm.