Agenda and minutes

Cllr Liam Curran welcomed everyone to the meeting. He also reminded attendees that the meeting would be followed by the Christmas tree switch-on and music from Our Lady and St Philip Neri Primary School brass band. He also reminded attendees that the meet 1sth October 2022        

Attendees were informed that copies of the minutes of the last meeting were available in printed form and could also be viewed on the Council website.

The minutes were accepted as a true record. 

Cllr Curran introduced the discussion on Winter Welcome by stating that a number of new developments were taking place in response to the cost-of-living crisis and particularly around the significant increase in energy costs. A number of projects were developing initiatives in the ward, including Sydenham Arts.

James Hodgson, CEO of Sydenham Arts, outlined their work to support local residents. They plan to have arts-based activities and a drop-in facility at the Sydenham Centre every Monday afternoon.

Following James’s presentation, Cllr Best provided further information on Winter Welcome in Sydenham and also drew attendees’ attention to the work of Lewisham Local in publicising warm spaces across the borough. She drew attendees’ attention to a location map that had been developed, showing a number of activities with several taking place in Sydenham. Cllr Best also informed attendees that the printed Community Update included information on Sydenham-based activities which were being added to on a weekly basis.

Nick O’Shea of Ignition Brewery, who had been instrumental in setting up a community network for warm spaces development in the borough, outlined progress and details of activities in Sydenham. He explained that he was particularly keen on identifying activities to take place on Sundays as there is currently a gap. He asked that any organisation that was able to help to contact him.

Cllr Best also pointed out that Lewisham Local were running a small grants programme for community organisations, providing access to warm spaces. Other important developments included local libraries, including community libraries which are in receipt of grants to help them maintain warm spaces.

Cllr Curran introduced the team of SNT Officers attending the meeting. PC Lumley from the team introduced his other colleagues and outlined the work that the team was focusing on.

He highlighted the work being undertaken in drug enforcement, stating that a number of warrants had been issued, leading to arrests and community restriction orders.

A number of attendees highlighted continued concerns about drug dealing, particularly in the area around Silverdale. PC Lumley responded by stating that the team’s patrol route was based on resident feedback and that they focused on particular roads that are of concern. He encouraged residents to log their concerns and send information to the team.

It was noted that the next Ward Panel was due to take place on 12 January 2023. Further information can be obtained from the Chair, James Mitchell, or by e-mailing Sydenham.snt@met.police.uk

Cllr Curran thanked the team for attending the meeting.

Sydenham Arts - Street Smart

James Hodgson provided an update on the Street Smart project, supporting women’s safety. He informed the meeting that a survey is currently being undertaken to obtain the views of women in the ward, followed by a consultation exercise early in the New Year. He drew attendees’ attention to a leaflet which was being made available at the meeting for further information.

JRHYS

Nina, a volunteer with James Ross Hunter Youth Support, provided an update on the youth support project being funded by NCIL. She stated that the project had been operating since the summer and had made contact with nearly 4,000 young people, delivering a range of workshops. Feedback from schools and youth workers has been very positive.

SEE3

Alexander Bourden and Cllr Best provided an update on the SEE3 project. Important developments include:

·       Keeping the website updated and providing information on What’s On in Sydenham

·       Providing information on Christmas activities

·       Organising Halloween event, which attracted over 100 participants

·       Working with the Grove Centre to develop Winter Welcome activities

·       Promoting Local Assembly meetings and producing a newsletter

Sydenham Library

Else Towler provided an update on the two NCIL projects funded at the library. Both the children’s project, Rhyme Times, and the adults’ craft project had been well-supported, with many participants visiting the library for the first time and using other library facilities.

Both groups have been attended by up to 18 people – well above the planned 12 spaces per group.

Legendary

Cllr Curran read a short report from the Legendary Community Project. The project is a food project for young people and provides hot meals for young people attending the TNG Youth Centre.

Air Monitors

Julia Webb provided an update on the air monitoring project in Bell Green. She stated that there had been a six month delay in the project starting due to a worldwide shortage of monitors. These are now due to be installed in January. A request was made about whether additional monitors could be installed by extending monitors down Sydenham High Street due to increased traffic volumes. Cllr Curran agreed to explore the possibility of this. 

Community Updates

Cllr Curran drew the meeting’s attention to the printed Community Updates which had been circulated at the start of the meeting.

The following additional points were raised regarding the Community Updates:

Modal Filters

Q. Had Active Travel England been involved in designing the proposed consultation?

A. Cllr Curran stated that Council officers had consulted widely in developing the consultation.

Girton Road Car Park

It was noted that parking vouchers can be obtained from a number of local shops, as listed on the Community Update document.

A view was shared that, although signs to the car park were now in place, it was felt that they could still be more prominent.

Blocked Drains – traffic

It was noted that Sydenham councillors had raised this matter at the full Council meeting and Cllr Curran explained that officers were looking at additional  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The date for the next Assembly meeting was confirmed as being 11^th March 2023.

There was no other business and the meeting closed at 4.00pm with a performance from the barber shop quartet.

Followed by OLSPN brass band, carols and lighting of Christmas tree at 5.pm