Agenda and draft minutes

Cllr Onikosi welcomed all present and opened the meeting by explaining the process for voting on the Assembly Fund.  The Assembly had £12,500 available to distribute and there were a total of twelve projects bidding. All projects that were giving presentations were being put forward for funding by the Co-ordinating group who had carefully scrutinised them.  There was sufficient funding for all projects to be approved. 

Attendees were encouraged to vote for all the projects they wished to see funded, using the voting forms handed out at registration.  All projects voted for by at least 50% of those voting would be funded.

Cllr Onikosi reminded the Assembly of the Sydenham priorities for 2016/17 which are:

1 Clean and Green – helping to keep streets clean and appealing

2 Crime and Anti-social Behaviour

3 Health and Wellbeing

4 Vibrant High Street

5 Bringing the Community Together – Intergenerational and Intercultural

Sydenham Garden: Tom Gallagher outlined the work of Sydenham Garden which supports people recovering from mental illness and also runs a project with people with dementia.  Annually they receive around 400 referrals, about 20% of which are from Sydenham Ward.  They also offer “twilight” volunteering sessions for people not referred by a GP. The project is to design and build a new garden area.

Q: How long has Sydenham Garden been operational?

A: 15 years

Q: How much are you requesting?

A: £1,300

Q: how many people has the project worked with so far?

A: we work with over 300 people per week and have 80 regular volunteers.  Over the course of a year we would involve approx. 1500 different people in community activities.

Single Homeless Project: Tara Carty presented on the services SHP offers to young homeless people in their hostel in Kirkdale.  SHP was started in 1974 by three single men, in a bid to make hostels more appealing.  Tara is the Learning and Activities Coordinator. SHP are a relatively small charity who cover 22 local authorities in London. 

The project for which they are seeking funding is to convert their basement at Farnborough House into a social and inclusive area.  They have received help from 200 FCA volunteers and many donations in kind.  They are requesting £1,200 to help complete the project.

Q: What type of training to you offer the service users?

A: We offer regular activities such as fitness, cooking, IT, help looking for work. All residents are aged 16-24.

Q: How many service users do you have?

A: The Sydenham-based facility - Farnborough House – has eleven beds, and we continue supporting service users after they leave, via Floating Support – helping them with, for example, budgeting.

Q: Where do referrals come from?

A: GPs, social services, etc.

Q: Do you have any links with TNG?

A: We have to be careful due to the risks of gang involvement, however we have set up a link with Deniz at TNG, who is helping us get the music studio operational.

Tara noted that she is based in Kings Cross, so is only involved in Sydenham for part of the week.

Sydenham Arts: Ron Warshow from Sydenham Arts introduced James Hodge who is working with them on the Sydenham Lens project.  Pop up portraiture started today (3rd December) as part of their “preview” events.  The main events of the project will take place in February and March 2017.   The aim is to inspire people to celebrate Sydenham – its people and places.  Photography has been chosen as one of the most accessible art forms, since today very many people have access to a camera on their phone.  Those who don’t can access a camera through taking part in one of our workshops.  The project will enable people to create memories and pieces of art.  We will work in schools and with older people, breaking down the barriers to participating in art.

Q: How will it be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

Cllr Damian Egan spoke to a presentation which outlined the challenges faced by LB Lewisham on providing sufficient housing.  This is part of a London-wide problem, and exacerbated by fewer homes being built in neighbouring boroughs.  Due to housing shortages local people are unable to afford to buy and there has been an increase in rogue landlords.  Lewisham has 9,000 families on the waiting list for social housing, and there are significant increases in homelessness.  New developments are providing very little “affordable” housing and varying definitions of “affordable” mean that many such homes are not in fact affordable to the majority of people.  By one definition affordable means 80% of market rent.  Cllr Egan showed a film clip illustrating the experiences of working people unable to find housing.

Lewisham’s strategy to address the housing problem included innovative schemes such as the Pop up housing in Ladywell and supporting local housing charities.  The presentation and film clip can be seen here: http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/getinvolved/localassemblies/sydenham

Q: There is planning permission already in place for a lot of homes – how can we actually ensure these get built?

A: Cllr Egan agreed – developers delay because the land increases in value.

Q: A local development seems to have stalled – could a pop up housing scheme be developed there instead?

A: Private developers have shown interest in the pop up schemes.  Using council land gives more flexibility.

Q: Some boroughs appear not to want to build social housing

A: There is much scope for developers to appeal against social housing targets, and in recent times the Mayor of London has agreed a number of schemes like this.  The new Mayor has committed to only approving schemes with a minimum of 35% London Living Rent.

Cllr Curran spoke on the planning proposals for the schools.  The initial proposals were met with some concerns about parking.  The revised proposals include a dedicated entrance, well lit with good access from the park side.  It is felt that creating a school entrance on this side will help reduce some of the Anti-Social Behaviour seen in the area.  These proposals are due to come before Planning Committee shortly.

Q: Will there be any planning gain to help refurbish the younger children’s playground?

A: Councillors would support this.  The existing equipment was funded by Bellingham Assembly, some S106 if it became available could potentially be used for this purpose.

Q: What is the timescale to completion of the work?

A: This is not clear at the moment, work could start in March 2017, it will probably take a minimum of one year to complete.

Q: Can we have support to promote walking to school rather than dropping off by car?

A: The School has already adopted that policy, and the new entrance design should facilitate that.  However we recognise that this can be a challenge to working parents.

Shaun Rodway PC - SNT  gave the presentation.  Burglary is reducing, however this is a peak time and people are advised to be vigilant.  Handouts are available giving advice on securing your home, and the message has been tweeted and emailed to contacts. 

Criminal damage levels have not changed from 2015.  Drug crime has reduced since 2015.  Robbery has increased, it is important to be aware especially of opportunistic crimes – do not have valuables, gadgets etc. on view when out.

Lock garages and sheds.  We are trialling Smartwater locally, which security marks your valuables with a code.

Changes in SNT – John Berry is the new Sergeant, he will also be covering Bellingham ward.  The other team members are Shaun and Jonathan Peters.  Please contact the police with any concerns.

Q: is Grace leaving?

A: Yes, there will be one police officer patrolling alone.

Q: Why are these cuts taking place?

A: Local teams are not in a position to provide the information.

Q: How can people get involved?

A: We have a web page, all our contact details are there.

Q: Can you explain the boundaries between police and council on transport issues, e.g. dangerous road use, HGV’s on the high street?

A: Parking is regulated by the council.  If there are problems with motorbikes, let us have the registration number and we will follow up.

Q: Who should we report flytipping to?

A: The council (don’t forget to use Fix My Street app)

The votes cast were as follows:

The Chair confirmed that all the above projects are therefore funded.

Planning proposals - Our Lady and St. Philip Neri Schools

Cllr Curran spoke on the planning proposals for the schools.  The initial proposals were met with some concerns about parking.  The revised proposals include a dedicated entrance, well lit with good access from the park side.  It is felt that creating a school entrance on this side will help reduce some of the Anti-Social Behaviour seen in the area.  These proposals are due to come before Planning Committee shortly.

Q: Will there be any planning gain to help refurbish the younger children’s playground?

A: Councillors would support this.  The existing equipment was funded by Bellingham Assembly, some S106 if it became available could potentially be used for this purpose.

Q: What is the timescale to completion of the work?

A: This is not clear at the moment, work could start in March 2017, it will probably take a minimum of one year to complete.

Q: Can we have support to promote walking to school rather than dropping off by car?

A: The School has already adopted that policy, and the new entrance design should facilitate that.  However we recognise that this can be a challenge to working parents.

Gas holders at Bell Green (additional item admitted by Chair)

Annabel McLaren, Chair of Sydenham Society, informed the Assembly of a drop-in consultation sessions on Wednesday 7th and Saturday 10th December, on the future of the Bell Green Gas Holders.  These iconic landmarks are at risk of being demolished by developers.  In other areas they have been used as part of developments.  There is also concern that the plan to build an additional large Aldi store will greatly increase traffic in this area.  Annabel urged attendees to take part in the consultation.

Q: Would the new Aldi replace the one at Elmers End?

A: No, this one is additional.

Sydenham Centre S106 funds

Cllr Best reminded the Assembly of the refurbishment and remodelling project that is near completion at the Sydenham Centre, making this a fantastic space for community and arts events, performances etc.  The centre includes a new sprung floor on the ground floor for exercise classes and an expanded stage area on the first floor.  In order to support professional standard performances, the venue now requires a suitable audio-visual and lighting system. 

Previous awards of S106 monies were from the St. Clements Heights development - £6,226 for curtains, carpet tiles, tables and chairs at the previous meeting in October

Previously S106 funds were £8,163 from Rotary Centre Addington Grove and  £5,526 from 255-269 Sydenham Road – a total of £14,389 that was agreed at the meeting in September 2015 as £5,335 for the new boiler and rood repair at Sydenham Community Library and £8,354 for the AV and lighting system at The Sydenham Centre. However, having taken qualified technical advice and reviewed the specifications, council officers now advice that this will fall short of what is required. 

Cllr Best proposed that the new S106 funding arising from development at 22  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.