Agenda and minutes

Cllr Jack Lavery welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Printed copies of the 11^{th of} March meeting minutes and of the June community updates were made available. Minutes could also be viewed on the Council website.

No matters arising.

Seamus Adams, Head of Commercial Operations and Development and Cllr Louise Krupski, Cabinet Member for the Environment & Climate Action provided an update on the pilot scheme & consultation with local residents.

Seamus Adams (Head of Commercial Operations & Development) and supported by Cllr Louise Krupski (Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate) gave an overview of the scheme, consultation, next steps and discussed areas of concern.

An active travel scheme introduced in Sydenham to increase walking and cycling, reduce car journeys and improve road safety is set to be made permanent following consultation with local residents. Modal filters in Bishopthorpe Road and Silverdale will be retained and converted into camera-enforced restrictions, with access for emergency service vehicles.

Modal filters prevent through-traffic on certain streets in order to reduce the number of car journeys made in the area and encourage walking and cycling. This helps to reduce air pollution, lower carbon emissions and improve road safety, supporting Lewisham Council’s work to improve people’s health and wellbeing, tackle the Climate Emergency and make Lewisham a net-zero borough by 2030.

As part of a review of the trial scheme in Sydenham, local residents were asked to share their views on the modal filters. The results of the consultation survey showed that:

§  Respondents tended to agree that modal filters had a positive impact on walking and cycling (48% agree vs 42% disagree), improved road safety (48% agree vs 37% disagree) and helped reduce unnecessary car journeys (45% agree vs 44% disagree).

§  43% of respondents said they thought modal filters helped to reduce traffic and congestion, compared to 45% who disagreed.

§  Respondents tended to agree that retaining the modal filters with camera-enforcement would have a positive impact on road safety (46% agree vs 37% disagree), reduce noise pollution (44% agree vs 38% disagree) and improve air quality (44% agree vs 38% agree).

§  43% of respondents agreed that retaining the modal filters with camera enforcement would help encourage people to walk and cycle and reduce unnecessary car journeys in the area, compared to 43% who disagreed.

§  43% of respondents indicated that they thought retaining the modal filters with camera enforcement would help reduce traffic and congestion, compared to 44% who disagreed.

It was acknowledged that the outcome of the consultation was only marginally in favour of the installation of the new measures. Main concerns were: traffic diverting onto other nearby roads, inadvertently entering the restricted areas, increased main route traffic, increased pollution and signage.

Key points raised included:

-      There were concerns that the new traffic flow system would cause higher congestion – the new traffic measures will continue to be monitored to look at the impact on surrounding areas.

Questions & Answers

-      The lack of signage was raised as an issue as it was important that drivers were aware of the changes to routes – It was agreed to install further signage to ensure that changes were easily visible to drivers.

-      The changes have affected surrounding roads with increased traffic,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

This item was presented by Paula Walker-Litchmore providing an overview of the organisation and services and projects delivered.

Rehoboth Community Outreach club [1-18 Alwood Close] started reaching out to vulnerable families in 2013, offering befriending, parenting & life skills training. Over time the services evolved expanding to offer mentoring to young people, employment skills training, foodbank and a community lunch club. The Community Outreach Club now provides over 400 meals weekly across 5 homeless local hostels, vulnerable elderlies and families that are struggling. It is facilitated by a team of 25 volunteers The aim is to contribute to the generational cycle of poverty and deprivation within families, inspire hope & healing in the heart and soul of vulnerable individuals and communities and encourage peace, unity and respect across generations. economic mobility for everyone.  They are also part of the Lewisham Foodbank Network.

2 events are being held over the summer on Hazel Grove estate – a fun day in June and ‘A Back to School’ event in August to provide a full uniform for 200 children.

Opening hours – Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 2pm-4pm. More information is included in the community updates.  Donations can be made during these hours and via the website.

For further information please contact https://rehobothcommunityoutreachclub.org/

Community & NCIL Updates: Written updates were circulated prior to the meeting and are also available in hard copy.

-       Several organisations funded by NCIL attended to provide an update – James Ross Hunter Youth Support [JRHYS], Friends of Sydenham Library and SEE3. All projects are doing well and thanked the Council for the funding.

-       Community Updates were provided in person by the following organisations: Bell Green Neighbourhood Forum, Helping Hands Food Project and Spontaneous Productions

James Ross Hunter Youth Support

Funded by NCIL to develop projects for young people and families in local communities, the ‘Sip & Talk’ project. The aim is to encourage positive social values in youths and our community, challenging isolation implementing wellness and growth within the community. This project offers the opportunity for parents / guardians and young people to talk and get support about their wellbeing and any issues they are currently facing in the family.

Collet is also working in partnership with the local police station and took a group of young people to talk to police officers and trainees about talk about stop & search and do some role playing which involved;  going though the process of being arrested,  being held in a cell for 1 hour and followed by a discussion about relationships with the police and how they could be more approachable when dealing with young people so they feel less threatened. The visit went very well, and the young people enjoyed the experience, and it was useful for them to see how a police station operates.

Some of the young people have made a video which has been uploaded onto You Tube and a youth forum is in the developmental stages. It’s also a platform for young people to share their experiences, wellbeing and to adopt positive attitudes when dealing with their everyday lives and issues that they encounter. Additionally, it helps to look at strategies to reduce negative and / or criminal behaviour.

Work has also started with schools and year 6 pupils to help them develop new patterns and be able to be more confident and adopt a positive identity.

Attendees were provided with a leaflet and invited to visit the project to meet participants and see the activities taking places and to take part in the Sip & Talk sessions.

Friends of Sydenham Community Library

For further information see the community update

NCIL funding has supported the library in being able to bring in more people for more activities, have set up a children’s Rhyme Time group, 20-24 adults and their children attending– parents have set up a WhatsApp group to stay in touch with each other.

Also, an adult’s craft group for 12-15 people, 3 programmes are run across the year focussing on a different craft, they are good for interacting with other people and for health and wellbeing.

Children’s Art project has recently started and is well attended. The library is more than a library and is a community hub.

SEE3 update

Working very closely  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The meeting’s attention was drawn to the previously circulated community updates document. The following specific points on the update were made:

Spontaneous Productions

Holding a Windrush Production – Yard Away Home – 24 June 2023

Spontaneous Productions in their update announced that the company may have to close in the next few weeks due to poor ticket sales, moving their outdoor production from Mayow Park to Home Park has also had an impact – Councillors advised they will have a further discussion with the owner to look at possible solutions, SP is also considering becoming a CIC or social enterprise to open up further funding opportunities. Genevie George to put in contact with LEAN re: charity status advice.

Bell Green Neighbourhood Forum

Gas Holders & Livesey sites – the update has been overtaken by events and the decision will now be provided in August due to the number of comments and feedback received and the plans are being reviewed.

Bell Green is aiming to become an ‘Amenity Society’ as an interim measure whilst working towards Neighbourhood Forum status.

Contact Julia for membership forms.

Safer Neighbourhood Team Police Report

Representatives from the police sent apologies as this is a rest day – for report see community updates P4. Cllrs have been informed by residents that they are not always receiving a response when contacting the SNT. To be put on as an item on the next meeting.

The Ward panel is good and meets regularly – the police attend with residents to discuss local priorities, James the Chair will raise with local police. Speeding as anti-social driving behaviour will be raised. Local policing is seen very positively by the Met and the London Mayor. See James for membership.

Next meeting – 25 July 2023.

Cllr Best shared that whilst door knocking, they have been informed that there is drug selling in Lower Sydenham near the GP surgery and to contact SNT if you are aware of any anti-social behaviour.

Community updates for Sydenham Assembly 17 June 2023 

Join the Sydenham Assembly coordinating group 

The assembly coordinating group are keen to involve more people in the planning of the assembly meetings. This group meets four times a year approximately 5 weeks before each meeting to plan the agenda. If you would like to participate, please email Cllr Jack Lavery (the current Sydenham Assembly chair) at jack.lavery@lewisham.gov.uk. 

If you’d like to include anything in our next Sydenham Assembly newsletter and/or this community updates document, please contact sydenhamassemblyLA@lewisham.gov.uk. Please note, these updates are from a variety of sources and don’t necessarily represent the views of the Council or local councillors. 

Transport Issues? 

Silverdale/Bishopsthorpe Road Modal Filters 

An active travel scheme introduced in Sydenham to increase walking and cycling, reduce car journeys and improve road safety is set to be made permanent following consultation with local residents. 

Modal filters in Bishopsthorpe Road and Silverdale will be retained and converted into camera-enforced restrictions, with access for emergency service vehicles. 

Modal filters prevent through-traffic on certain streets in order to reduce the number of car journeys made in the area and encourage walking and cycling. This helps to reduce air pollution, lower carbon emissions and improve road safety, supporting Lewisham Council’s work to improve people’s health and wellbeing, tackle the Climate Emergency and make Lewisham a net-zero borough by 2030. 

The Bishopsthorpe Road and Silverdale modal filter schemes were introduced in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures originally aimed to help people make more journeys on foot and by bike while public transport capacity was reduced due to social distancing, as well as supporting wider plans to reduce unnecessary car journeys, lower carbon emissions and improve air quality. 

As part of a review of the trial scheme in Sydenham, local residents were asked to share their views on the modal filters. The results of the consultation survey showed that: 

·       Respondents tended to agree that modal filters had a positive impact on walking and cycling (48% agree vs 42% disagree), improved road safety (48% agree vs 37% disagree) and helped reduce unnecessary car journeys (45% agree vs 44% disagree). 

·       43% of respondents said they thought modal filters helped to reduce traffic and congestion, compared to 45% who disagreed. 

·       Respondents tended to agree that retaining the modal filters with camera-enforcement would have a positive impact on road safety (46% agree vs 37% disagree), reduce noise pollution (44% agree vs 38% disagree) and improve air quality (44% agree vs 38% agree). 

·       43% of respondents agreed that retaining the modal filters with camera enforcement would help encourage people to walk and cycle and reduce unnecessary car journeys in the area, compared to 43% who disagreed. 

·       43% of respondents indicated that they thought retaining the modal filters with camera enforcement would help reduce traffic and congestion, compared to 44% who disagreed. 

Taking into account the consultation survey responses and the Council’s broader strategic aims to reduce the number of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Other Topics Raised:

Planning Enforcement

-       The Newlands Park/ Sydenham Rd development: residents raised concerns that what was the St. Christopher’s charity shop the build may be too high. The Sydenham Society worked closely with the residents in the grade 2 cottages, it was thought that development agreed was respectful of the 2 cottages. Now it appears the build may higher than approved –, Cllr Best has already reported to the conservation officer, Cllrs will continue to follow up with planning enforcement.

-       The Sydenham Society has objected to a 30 feet tall communications pole on the corner of Mayow Road/Sydenham Road – have suggested that it be installed in Girton Road car park.

-       Development of garages 55 Laurel Grove Rd - Cllr

-       Japanese knot bush issues – email with the locations

There is a Plant sale at Wells Park, 11am-2pm, the funding will go towards bin and fox bins

Cllr Best requested that a link to the Sydenham newsletter is included in the notes and on the website.