Community coffee morning announced

The Prince's Labour Action Team are delighted to announce a community coffee morning, open to all residents, which will take place on Saturday 17 January, from 11am to 12:30pm.

It will be a chance for residents to meet their neighbours and local councillors, and to discuss issues affecting the area.

It will be held at St Anselm's Church Hall, at Kennington Cross. St Anselm's is at the junction of Kennington Road and Kennington Lane, and the Church Hall is on the left hand side of the Church.

We hope to see many residents there.

Calendars delivered across the ward

Over the next week every home in Prince's ward will be receiving a 2009 calendar from Labour activists.

As well as a calendar for the coming year, it contains useful numbers for local services, and contact details for local Labour politicians.

It's a great opportunity to let people know that the Labour team are available to help with problems and issues all year round, and to remind everyone of our contact details.

If you haven't received a calendar and would like one please get in touch.

Swimming pool for old Lilian Baylis site!

Lilian Baylis (Old School) will host an indoor temporary swimming pool from 6 January to 15 February 2009, the first of it’s kind in London. This pool will be 12 metres by 10 metres and 0.9 metres in depth (similar to a leisure centre teaching pool) and will be available for local schools to access FREE of charge. It is anticipated that 1000 local school children will benefit from being able to access swimming locally for many of whom it will be their first visit to a pool.

Bookings will be made through the Sports Action Zone (SAZ). If you require more information contact Jo Melchior (London Swimming) on Tel 07795690656 – Email jo.melchior@swimming.org or Sonia Oscar (SAZ) on Tel 020 7820 3444 – Email sonia.oscar@thesportsactionzone.org

DETAILS OF FREE LESSONS FOR CHILDREN:

LEARN TO SWIM LESSONS IN

the Pool in The School

FREE

Children’s Learn to Swim Lessons

(Ideally suited to 5 -12 yrs)

How Long: 30 minute classes

What Days: Mon – Fri afternoon, Sat – mornings

What Times: Weekdays 4.00pm – 6.00pm, Saturdays 9.00am – 12.00pm

Course Type: 6 lessons – one per week, 5 lessons in one week

TO BOOK A FREE SWIMMING COURSE COME TOENROLMENT DAYS

at SAZ office

Lilian Baylis Old School, Lollard Street, London, SE11 6PY

Tuesday 23rd December 10am – 2pm

Monday 5th January 10am – 4pm

Christmas at Vauxhall City Farm

Vauxhall City Farm - the much-loved community farm that gives local people a chance to meet ponies, pigs, cows and sheep - is holding a special Christmas open day on Saturday 20 December.

Between 11:30am and 4:30pm the farm will host Christmas activities, stalls, refreshments and Santa's grotto. Come along to the farm's entrance on Tyers Street, next to Spring Gardens, to enjoy the fun!

Christmas comes to Lambeth- but Lib Dems try to ban it again!

It seems the Lib Dems haven't learned their lesson from 2005 - back when they made Lambeth an international laughing stock by attempting to rename Christmas lights as 'Winter lights'.

This year Labour have insisted on proper Christmas celebrations for residents across the borough. A German Christmas market has been set up on the South Bank, and on 3 December Father Christmas travelled from Waterloo to Streatham on a motorised Christmas sleigh, turning on Christmas lights in each town centre.

The events have been a huge success - but that hasn't stopped Lib Dem councillors kicking up a fuss. One councillor has been campaigning to shut down the market, whilst others tried to ban the Christmas sleigh! It seems the Lib Dems just refuse to enter into the festive spirit!

Help your local park win £400k!

Vauxhall Spring Gardens (pictured) and Kennington Park are two local parks in the running to receive £400 000 from the London Assembly.

However 45 other parks are in the running and only 10 parks will be successful. The winning parks will be improved in a variety of ways, ranging from better footpaths and more lighting for safety, to providing new playgrounds and facilities for children. Others will open new cafes, refurbish derelict public toilets and improve cycle routes. Many will see traditional flower gardens restored, new wildlife habitats created, and plots provided for communities to grow fruit and vegetables.

There are three ways in which votes can be registered:
Online – go to www.london.gov.uk/parksvote
Post – You can request a postal vote form by calling City Hall’s Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.
Text – Text 'parks' and your full London post code to 62967. This will automatically vote for the nearest park on our shortlist to that post code in the same borough.

Lambeth Walk market area is finally cleared up

After months of wrangling, Lambeth Council have finally admitted that they are responsible for maintaining the paved area by Lambeth Walk, next to Pory Hall.

The area had been unmaintained for months, with rubbish dumped alongside the shop fronts, and the newly-planted trees left to be drowned out by weeds.

Ethelred TMO and Councillor Steve Morgan repeatedly told the Council that the area was their responsibility, but it took months for them to acknowledge this.

Finally, the area has been cleared up, and officers have told Councillor Morgan that the area has been added to their cleaning rotas.

Roots & Shoots Christmas market

Make sure of a special Christmas tree this year, get yours from Lambeth charity Roots and Shoots. Gorgeous trees and all kinds of interesting and unusual presents will be on sale at this year’s Christmas Fair on Sunday 7 December.

Mulled apple juice, roasted chestnuts, mince pies and sizzling sausages will add to the festive spirit and among the gifts on offer will be elegant silver jewellery, floral printed fine fleece scarves, out of the ordinary crafts, outdoor plants to bring colour to a winter garden and the latest in Roots and Shoots’ successful Wild Garden card collection. As well as Christmas cakes and puddings, organic fruit and veg, jams and chutneys and traditional bread, this autumn’s pressing of Roots and Shoots’ famous own label apple juice will be available, plus exotic honeys and honey products.

And while the grown-ups shop, the children will be entertained with candle making and Children’s Christmas cinema. Carol singing, twinkling lights (powered, of course, by Roots and Shoots own photovoltaic panels) and the friendly welcoming atmosphere for which the charity’s open days are well-known, will add up to a really Christmassy day out.

ADMISSION: £1 for adults; free for children. Refreshments will be available. Roots and Shoots is accessible from Walnut Tree Walk or Fitzalan Street. Lambeth North is the nearest tube station.

It’s best to pre-order Christmas trees for collection at the Christmas Fair. To order please call 0207 587 1311 or email admin@rootsandshoots.org.uk.

For more information visit http://www.rootsandshoots.org.uk/

How should Lambeth spend its money?

Lambeth Council are consulting residents on their priorities for the 2009/10 budget.

If you would like to let them know your views you can either fill out the online questionnaire for residents or if you are responding on behalf of a business you can fill out the business questionnaire. To receive a paper copy of either questionnaire you can contact Lambeth by emailing mylambeth@opm.co.uk or calling 020 7926 0866. The closing date for this online consultation is Friday 28 November 2008.

Future for Vauxhall

Lambeth Council are consulting about what planning policies should guide the future development of Vauxhall.

The area around Vauxhall Cross, up to the Albert Embankment, and down to the Wyvil Estate, has been identified as needing a 'supplementary planning document', which will provide specific guidance for planners about how the area should be developed.

One key issue is how much development should be permitted, another is whether tall buildings should be permitted, and where.

You can fill in an online survey to give the Council your views.


There will also be public exhibitions during the consultation period with Planning Officers available to answer questions at the following times:

Vauxhall Bus Station, Wednesday 12 November from 12noon to 4pm and Thursday 13 November from 10am to 2pm

Redfearn Centre, 329 Kennington Lane, Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 November from 5pm to 8pm

Vauxhall Gardens Community Centre, 100 Vauxhall Walk, Thursday 4 December from 2pm to 6pm and Saturday 13 December from 12 noon to 4 pm

In addition there will be an unstaffed exhibition available to view:

Reception - Phoenix House, 10 Wandsworth Road, Monday 27 October to Friday 14 November (weekdays) 9.30 am to 4.30 pm

Durning Library, 167 Kennington Lane, Wednesday 19 November, to Saturday 29 November, Library Opening Hours.

Vauxhall Gardens Community Centre, the Spring, 100 Vauxhall Walk, Monday 1 December to Friday 12 December, 11 am to 3 pm

The deadline for submitting completed questionnaires or comments on the SPD is 5.00pm on Monday 15 December 2008.

(picture: Fin Fahey, Wikimedia)

Labour Assembly member acts on dangerous dogs

Lambeth's Labour representative on the London Assembly, Val Shawcross, has pressed the London Mayor to act on the problem of aggressive dogs.

Val acted after hearing about serious problems with aggressive dogs in Kennington, raised at the KOV Forum meeting by local resident Alison Packer. In recent months both dogs and people have been attacked by aggressive dogs in parks in Kennington.

Val put forward a motion calling on the Mayor to work with the Metropolitan Police and London's borough councils to tackle the use of animals as weapons.

The Mayor agreed that action was needed. He revealed that the number of dogs seized by police this year has risen to 800, from only 180 in the year 2006/7. You can read more on the story in yesterday's Evening Standard.

Val has promised to keep up the pressure on the Mayor, the police, and the Council to deal with this growing problem, which is of concern to residents across Lambeth.

Mayor axes Cross River Tram

Tory London Mayor Boris Johnson has threatened to axe the proposed Cross River Tram, which would connect Kennington with Holborn, Kings Cross, Camden, and Brixton.

Johnson claims there's no point even asking the Government for funding for the much-needed schemes, which would reduce overcrowding on the Northern, Victoria, and Bakerloo lines.

'It's disgraceful that the Mayor can't even be bothered to lobby the Government to improve public transport in Lambeth. People here clearly aren't high on his list of priorities' said local Action Team Member Mark Harrison.

You can show your support for the Cross River Tram by signing this petition

Have your say on housing: Lambeth Living conference

Lambeth Living, the new organisation set up by Lambeth to run council housing in the borough, is holding the annual residents conference on Saturday 15 November at Lambeth Town Hall, between 9am and 4.30pm.

Residents are invited to attend this annual event which has been specially designed for Lambeth Living residents under the theme 'Communities in control: Real people, real power'. This is an opportunity to come together to share ideas and experiences relating to the management of your home.

Speakers include:
Asuman Ozkan - Chair of Lambeth Living
Pete Redman - Chief Executive, Lambeth Living (Interim)
Cllr Steve Reed - Leader Lambeth Council

Keynote speaker:
Phil Morgan - Chief Executive, Tenant Participation Advisory Service

In addition to 8 workshops running through the day there will be exhibitions and a prize draw. Lunch will be provided and there will be a crèche available for 4-12 year olds. There is full disabled access at this venue.

HOW TO ATTEND: Phone: 020 7926 3402/1661 to reserve your place, or email mgayle1@lambethliving.org.uk for a booking form.

What's Labour done for me in Lambeth?

Alex Bigham from Stockwell's Labour Action Team has written an interesting blog about Labour's record in Lambeth that I thought was worth putting up here:

What has Labour done since getting elected and ousting the Lib Dems in 2006? Let's look at Labour's manifesto commitments in Lambeth, and see if they have met them, and what Labour inherited from the Lib Dem administration.

1. Your Council Tax kept down

Under Labour
In the 2 years since Labour came to power, council tax in Lambeth has only gone up in line with inflation. In the next 2 years, it will be lower or frozen if possible.

Under the Lib Dems
The Lib Dems raised council tax by 40% when they were in power – adding around £1,000 to your council tax bill.

2. Your safety improved

Under Labour
Labour has introduced safer neighbourhood teams into each ward in Lambeth, including Prince's, as promised. We cracked down on drug dealers in Brixton and in the last 12 months, violent crime in Lambeth has gone down by 50%. We're tackling the long term causes of crime by trebling the funding for youth services.

Under the Lib Dems
The Lib Dems were soft on crime, opposing measures to tackle criminals, and being on soft on drugs. They even let a fraudster walk off with £3 million of council money – and even tried to hush up allegations when one of their own councillors was caught stealing public money.

3. Your street bright and clean

Under Labour Labour is doubling the investment to repair roads and pavements. The number of street sweepers in Lambeth is going up and there are new street lights across the borough.

Under the Lib Dems
Pavements were left cracked and dangerous, and potholes were not repaired. They wasted millions on buying luxury office blocks and paying off staff, instead of repairing pavements and keeping the borough safe and clean.

4. Your child given the best start in life

Under Labour
3 new schools have been built in Lambeth, and major repairs and refurbishments are happening . Labour introduced the first ever Youth Mayor for Lambeth, elected and with a budget to spend on the services that young people want.

Under the Lib Dems
500 children were not allocated a school at all, a problem Labour sorted. The Lib Dems had the worst funded youth service in London.

5. Your environment greener

Under Labour
Labour expanded recycling in Lambeth, so you can now recycle more waste, like household food packaging. Lambeth now has the toughest carbon reduction targets in London.

Under the Lib Dems
The Lib Dems tried to limit your recycling options until Labour forced them to offer both orange sacks and green boxes. They slipped 60% behind the best councils and didn't let us recycle items that residents in other boroughs could and cut the regular garden waste recycling service.

Labour also had a separate housing manifesto - to make all homes in Lambeth safe, warm and dry. Under the Lib Dems, 10,000 homes didn't meet the decent homes standard. Labour has introduced a new management team - the ALMO called Lambeth Living to bring in £240 million of extra funding to make sure this happens.

We aren't complacent about life in Lambeth, but it's clear that things are better under Labour, and would be much worse under the Lib Dems.

Get involved

If you're a Labour supporter there is lots you can do to help out...

1) Check you are registered to vote
If you're unsure if you are on the electoral register contact the Council by calling 020 7926 2144 or email them at: electoralservices@lambeth.gov.uk.
If you need to register to vote you can download and print off a form here. Post the form back to the address on the form.
The Labour party can deliver you a form if you let us know you would like one.
Make sure that your Labour-supporting family, friends and neighbours are all registered to vote.

2) Register for a postal vote if you need to
If you will be on holiday, away from home, busy at work, or are house-bound then make sure you register for a postal vote. You can download and print off the form here.
The Labour party can deliver you a form if you let us know you would like one.
Find out if any of your Labour-supporting family, friends and neighbours require a postal vote.

3) Put up a poster
At election time it's great to see Labour posters in windows across the area. Let us know you would like one by emailing us or requesting one from Labour canvassers who call at your door.

4) Deliver some leaflets
We have lots of leaflets to deliver, every day of the campaign. You can volunteer to deliver your block of flats, your street, or a larger round in your area. To volunteer please get in touch

5) Help us campaign
We spend lots of time knocking at people's doors, listening to what local residents think, and asking them to support Labour. If you haven't done this before - don't worry! We can send you out with an experienced campaigner so you can see whether you enjoy it. To find out more, please get in touch

6) Donate to Labour
Campaigning for a fairer Lambeth costs money!
Please consider making a donation to our campaigning. We can send you a form - just get in touch.
Please follow the link below to donate to the national Labour party:


7) Join the Labour party
Have you thought about joining Labour? Our members are what make the party, and membership allows you to play a part in selecting Labour candidates, devising policies, and planning campaigns.

Vauxhall Five balconies and windows

Kate Hoey MP and Action Team Member Mark Harrison attended a special meeting of the Vauxhall Five TRA this evening.

The Vauxhall Five are five 1930s blocks on the corner of Kennington Lane and Vauxhall Street. Residents have been horrified this year as large chunks of concrete have begun to fall from their balconies and walkways. Some balconies have literally collapsed onto the ground below. Since June The Council has stuck up plywood boards and banned residents from using their balconies as they are unsafe. This evening residents were finally informed that the Council will carry out proper repairs, as soon as possible, in the next few weeks.

Residents are also fed up with the state of their windows. The original 1930s crittal windows are still in place, and are in a terrible state. Many can't be closed properly, and some have fallen out of their frames. The Council has promised that windows would be replaced many time over the years, but the estate seems to have been overlooked again and again. The Council have finally recognised that the windows need replacing, but can't guarantee they will be done in the next year, or even the year after that!

Vauxhall Labour campaigners will be supporting residents in their demands for new windows now, and will be keeping a close eye to ensure the balconies are repaired speedily and properly.

Action Team update Ethelred residents on security system service charge problem

Kate Hoey MP joined Councillor Steve Morgan and Ethelred Estate resident Mark Harrison to deliver a letter updating residents on the ongoing dispute over how much residents should be charged for Ethelred TMO's new security system.

Kate, Steve and Mark braved the appalling weather to speak to residents in Gibson Road, Pory House, and Tomkyns House. You can read the text of the letter they delivered below.

Once the campaigning was over the three warmed up with a cup of tea at the Kennington Association's fundraising bazaar, at St Anselm's Church Hall.

Pictured: CCTV outside Fortune House, currently unmonitored because of council officers' incompetence.

Dear Neighbour

I wanted to write to update you on the long-running problems the Ethelred Estate has been facing in funding the CCTV and concierge system. Along with Ethelred TMO and your other councillors, I’ve been working hard over the past year to push Lambeth Housing to sort this situation out.

As you might know, the situation arose several years ago when the previous Lib Dem councillors got a government grant to pay for the installation of the new cameras and security doors, but lacked the forethought to work out who would fund the day-to-day running and maintenance of the scheme! Since then Lambeth Housing and the TMO have been in dispute about how to pay for the system.

I know many of you were alarmed to receive a letter from Lambeth Housing earlier this year informing you that your service charge was to rise massively to pay for the costs of running the system. I immediately objected to this proposal, and asked for a full break down of the costs. I think we all accept that there will need to be some rise in the service charge to pay for the cameras and concierge, but it must be at a level that residents can afford. Your Labour councillors will not sit back and allow your bills to spiral at a time when many residents are facing financial difficulties.

I’m sorry that I can’t provide you with a more comprehensive update, but the situation is still unresolved. Please rest assured that your Labour councillors are doing everything in our power to sort this situation out. Your Labour Action Team member, Mark Harrison, lives on the estate and shares the concerns of neighbours and residents. We continue to take the fight to Lambeth Housing to get this resolved.

Please do get in touch if you have any questions or comments about this issue, or any other that might concern you.

Yours sincerely

Steve Morgan

Councillor for Prince's Ward

£12000 purse to spend!

'The Ward Purse' in a new scheme Lambeth Council has introduced for 2008, which will allow councillors to allocate funds to projects in their local area. Up to £12000 is available to spend in each ward, on up to three projects. It is up to the ward councillors which projects are allocated the money, but they are required to consult their local community before doing so.

Councillors Lorna Campbell, Steve Morgan and Sam Townend have until 12 December to consult and decide which projects in Prince's ward will benefit from the 'Ward Purse'. They want to hear from community groups and individuals who have ideas as to how the money should be spent.

Initial ideas that were suggested at a recent meeting of local Labour party members include:

-protecting newly planted trees from vandalism / planting new trees

-a collaborative project with a local group like the Kennington Association or Roots & Shoots

-improvement work to Kennington Cross, such as installing bike racks

-refurbishment of community facilities - such as the Vauxhall Five's hall

-community action days to clear up certain areas

What do you think?

Please let your councillors know:

lcampbell@lambeth.gov.uk

srmorgan@lambeth.gov.uk

Protect your home from fire

The London Fire Brigade are carrying out free home fire safety visits in Lambeth. This involves a visit by your local fire crew, which is booked in at your convenience, who will visit your home and be able to advise you on many aspects of fire safety, from minimising the risk of a fire taking place to what to do if a fire breaks out and you are trapped in your home. They will also, where necessary, provide you with a free smoke alarm.

If you would like to take advantage of this free service, email your name, address, telephone number and quote reference “LAMBETH 1” (although please bear in mind this service is not just for Lambeth residents) to smokealarms@london-fire.gov.uk

Find out more on the London Fire Brigade's website

New lighting needed?

You might have noticed that new lamp posts have sprung up over the area over the past few years, as Lambeth Council has had a Street Lighting PFI contract.

In order to ensure that the entire Borough benefits from the lighting renewal programme, Council officers are in the process of compiling a list of streets where there is unmistakeable need for lighting upgrade, for example, where the lives of road users are endangered as a result of inadequate lighting levels. As resources are limited, they may be unable to incorporate every street submitted for consideration.

The final decision will be on the basis that the following benefits will be achieved:

- reduction in crime

- reduction in road accidents

If you have a suggestion please let Councillor Steve Morgan know ASAP

(The picture shows a lamppost outside the Beaufoy Institute in Black Prince Road)

Events at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain

You might not know that the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain's headquarters are tucked away at the corner of Lambeth Road and Lambeth High Street. The Society has a permanent museum, but has several special events this month:

Behind the scenes: Making medicines 18 September, 6-7pm
A wonderful opportunity for you to find out how medicines were made in the past and turn your hand to pill making - Victorian style! Book a place now

Doing the Lambeth (pharmacy) walk 20 September, 10am and 12 noon
A free guided tour around the local area exploring its connections with pharmacy, health and medicine. Length approx 90 mins. No need to book.

Open House 20 September, 2.30-5.30pm
Free tours of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society headquarters with a focus on our wonderful pharmacy history collection. Tours every half hour, first one starts at 2.30pm and last one at 4.30pm. Max 25 at one time. No need to book.

Find out more at the Society's website

Petition for the Cross River Tram

People across London are being urged to sign a petition asking the Mayor, Boris Johnson, to commit himself to building the Cross River Tram.

People in Lambeth were consulted about plans for the Cross River Tram last year. It would run from Camden and King's Cross to Brixton and Peckham, via Waterloo. The Brixton branch would pass through Kennington, possibly down Kennington Road. The tram would dramatically increase public transport capacity, and reduce demand for overcrowded tubes and buses. You can find out more about the plans here

Labour former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone was a strong supporter of the scheme, but new Tory Mayor Boris Johnson has been lukewarm about supporting the proposals. The petition seeks to show how strongly residents of south London feel about needing the tram - please sign it! The petition is here

Ethelred Fun Day

Ethelred TMO's annual fun day was as successful as ever, with hundreds of people enjoying stalls, a merry-go-round, bouncy castle, inflatable slide, and children's races. The weather was beautiful - one of the best days on the summer.

Vauxhall Labour held a stall, where residents signed a petition calling for Mayor of London Boris Johnson to support plans for a Cross River Tram, which would run from Brixton to Camden, through Kennington, relieving pressure on buses and tubes.

New playground for Kennington Park

Children in Kennington are delighted that their exciting new playground is now open in the heart of Kennington Park. There's a new sandpit, water pump, roundabout, swings, seesaw and springers. The red play bus is a hit too. It celebrates London’s first motorised bus journey - from Victoria to Kennington in 1899, and the last public service of the 159 red London routemaster bus through Kennington in December 2005. Older children enjoy the pod swing, climber, spinning disc and swings in their own area of the playground. And parents have been relaxing on the lawns, with ample seating and picnic tables. It also features an educational Children’s Wildlife area where they can encounter special plants that encourage wildlife and learn about bugs, birds and other insects.

The Friends of Kennington Park initiated the project to improve play facilities and raised funds totalling £241,000 from Big Lottery Fund, Biffaward, London Marathon Trust, Lambeth Council and other donor. The next stage of the Friends’ “Play in the Park” project, being delivered in partnership with Lambeth, is the launch of a Nature Trail in 2009 with community events and school workshops to highlight nature in the park and improve local children’s environmental awareness.So, with a new playground, Kennington Park now makes an ideal day out in the summer holidays. And if the children have any energy left, the park has lots of sports facilities to have a go at tennis, netball, football, basketball, and cricket. Or just relax, and bring a picnic, or try out the popular park café.

For further information contact: friends@kenningtonpark.org

Names for new housing blocks

An application has been received to assign five of the following names to the five new blocks on the site of Kerrin Point, Hotspur Street, SE11:

Prichard House

Marson Court

Hammond Court

William King House

Crecy Court

Oakley House

Aragon Court

The following names have been proposed as a result of research undertaken by the Lambeth Archives:

Trade directories from 1861 to 1920 list William Prichard, Henry Marson and Walter Oakley among the names of people who traded in the immediate vicinity.

In 1871 the publican of the Black Prince Public House was James Hammond.

The site was occupied from 1881 to 1920 by William King, cab proprietor.

The Black Prince, with whom the area is associated, fought at the battle of Crecy.

The name Aragon was proposed by the applicant on the basis that Catherine of Aragon was a regular resident of the former Kennington Palace in nearby Sancroft Street prior to its demolition by Henry VIII in 1531.

Please let Councillor Steve Morgan know if you have any objections to these names: srmorgan@lambeth.gov.uk

No 2 bus route up for review

Transport for London is reviewing the contract for the No 2 bus, which passes through Vauxhall Cross.

They are asking about:

• enhancing social inclusion
• corridors or areas that might benefit from new or enhanced Sunday or night services.
• areas or corridors on which you feel increased frequency or larger vehicles are needed to cater for demand
• identifying routes which you feel are unreliable
• ideas which improve integration with other transport modes or interchange with other bus routes or improve access to major developments

If you have any opinions on these issues please send them to Councillor Steve Morgan before the end of August: srmorgan@lambeth.gov.uk

Vauxhall community fair

Saturday 12 July saw the All Nations Church at Vauxhall stage their annual summer fair, in the playground of Vauxhall Primary School.

Vauxhall Labour party held a stall, and spoke to many residents about their concerns and priorities for the area.

Despite the windy weather, the fair was a great success, and the All Nations Church can be congratulated for putting on an excellent event.

The next community event that Labour in SE11 are planning to attend will be the Ethelred community fun day, on Lambeth Walk Doorstep Green, on Saturday 30 July, between 1pm and 5pm. See you there!

Safer Neighbourhoods Team meeting

Thursday 10 July saw the summer's Prince's Ward Safer Neighbourhoods Team meeting taking place at the Riverbank Plaza Hotel on the Albert Embankment.

Sergeant Bob Lockyear updated a packed room about the previous month's policing. The meeting agreed that the local police's priorities should continue to be dangerous dogs, thefts from vehicles, and drug users on estates. There was particular concern about dangerous dogs. Bob reassured people that if dog owners were using their dogs in a threatening or aggresive way then people shouldn't be timid about calling 999 to report them.

If you want to contact the Prince's Safer Neighbourhoods Team then call 020 7321 7570 / 07920 233835 or email princes.snt@met.police.uk

Big expansion to car clubs

Lambeth Council has received funding from Transport for London to expand the number of car club bays in the borough from the current 33 bays, to over 70 bays. This will make car clubs even more accessible to many more residents and businesses .

Car clubs operate pay-as-you-go cars which you can hire by the hour. But unlike hire cars, they are parked locally. Once you are a member, you just book a car, access it with your membership card and drive it away for approximately £5 per hour.

Apart from the cost and time benefits of not having to worry about parking permits, insurance,
maintenance and petrol, car club users who give up their cars also benefit their local community by helping to reduce parking stress, helping to ease traffic congestion and improving local air quality.

New car club bays are proposed in:
Black Prince Road
Cleaver Square
Kennington Green
Radcot Street
Walcot Street
Wincott Street
Juxon Street


If you have any comments, please write to: Lambeth car club consultation, Project Centre, Saffron Court, 14b St Cross Street, London EC1N 8XA before 18 July 2008.

If you would like to know more please call Mike Eames at The Project Centre (working on behalf of Lambeth) on 020 7430 6912.

For more information about car clubs please visit http://www.carclubs.org.uk/.

Labour members visit Sports Action Zone at old Lilian Baylis school

20 members of the local Labour party were treated to a tour of the Sports Action Zone facilities at the old Lilian Baylis school site on the Ethelred estate. Director Brian Dickens told the group about how his team had started providing a programme of activities in summer 2005, soon after the school moved away, leaving the site empty. Since then the Sports Action Zone activities have expanded massively, attracting the attention of celebrities like Michael Jordan, Linford Christie and Kelly Rowlands.

Brian showed the group classrooms used for homework and arts projects, halls used for football, basketball and dance, the boxing gym, and the plush new basketball court, funded by Michael Jordan himself. The site was full of activity, and members were impressed with how much was going on, and what a difference it was clearly making.

The success of the project is a testament to the hard work of all the staff and supporters involved. It did not come about over night. Norman Turner, Chair of StreetGames, has said 'Lambeth Council and Kate Hoey MP are applauded for their vision and commitment to the project. They backed the London Sport Action Zone to take over the derelict school buildings when it would have been easier to walk away and sell off the land.'

You can read more about the project here and on the SAZ website.

Pictured: Cllr Steve Morgan, Kate Hoey MP, Mark Harrison and Cllr Lorna Campbell at the SAZ.

Clean up the Old Paradise Street railway bridge!

Local campaigner Mark Harrison has begun a campaign to sort out the Old Paradise Street railway bridge. Pigeons nesting in the rafters under the bridge continue to foul the pavement and make it dirty, smelly, and slippery for pedestrians. Water also filters down through the railway tracks above and drips unpleasantly on to unsuspecting walkers for around a day after every rain shower.

Mark has already collected dozens of signatures for a petition, and has lobbied Sally Prentice, the councillor responsible for the environment in Lambeth.

Mark said 'it's high time Network Rail and the Council get their act together and tidy up this bridge to make it pleasant for pedestrians to walk under'.

Pigeons nesting in the rafters

under the bridge continue

to make a mess of the path

below:

Vauxhall Gardens community meeting

Labour Action Team members Mark Harrison and Cllr Lorna Campbell attended a special community meeting at Vauxhall Primary School on Thursday 29 May. It was held to update the community on developments since the murder of Carmelita Tulloch two years' ago.

Sergeant Bob Lockyear updated the community on the work done in the past two years, since neighbourhood policing was set up. There are now six dedicated officers who work exclusively in Prince's ward. The Safer Neighbourhoods Team are focusing on thefts from motor vehicles, dangerous dogs, and crime associated with drug misuse.

Door entry systems on the Vauxhall Gardens estate have made a difference, and have reduced the problems with drug users using stairwells. Several crack houses in the area have been closed.

Residents complained that patrols were not frequent enough, and that they did not see officers patrolling all areas of the estate. Bob promised to look into this and instruct his officers to patrol all areas properly. There is a possibility that more PCSOs might be assigned to Prince's ward - Labour activists have promised to push the Council for this.

Council officers also updated the meeting on plans to replace windows and roofs on the estate, and the issue of the parking enforcement scheme. There is currently a ballot of residents to see if they want to continue to have parking enforcement on the estate.

Derrick Anderson, Chief Executive of Lambeth Council, was also at the meeting and promised to listen carefully and take away all the concerns of residents that he heard.

Action Team Member Mark Harrison said, 'it's clear to everyone that dangerous dogs are a concern for people on the Vauxhall Gardens estate, and across the area as a whole. I'm please the police are focusing on the issue, but clearly more needs to be done to tackle the problem'.

If you want to contact the Prince's Safer Neighbourhoods Team then call 020 7321 7570 / 07920 233835 or email princes.snt@met.police.uk

Lambeth Walk Post Office saved!

Vauxhall residents are celebrating after the Lambeth Walk Post Office on Vauxhall Street was saved from closure after a campaign by the local community. Kate Hoey MP said "This is wonderful news for the community and is down to the well organised and thoughtful campaign by us all to tell the Post Office that our Post Office is greatly needed and valued by everyone. Thanks to the whole community - just as we once saved Vauxhall primary school from closure we have now saved the Post Office."

Community meeting on gangs and guns

Labour has been working hard to involve the community in finding solutions to the problem of gangs and guns. Councillor Lorna Campbell has launched an action plan for Lambeth Council that will combat this problem, which is causing great concern across south London. Lorna talked about the action plan at a special community meeting on 5 March organised by Labour campaigners Mark Harrison and Richard Bridge at the Roots & Shoots Centre. Local Youth group SE1 United made a presentation about what young people in this area feel about the problem, which sparked a lively debate amongst residents who attended. Lorna said 'this problem has no easy solutions, but Labour is committed to listening to residents and taking action that will help young people and the community as a whole'.

Councillor Lorna responds to residents' concerns

Residents, Ethelred TMO, and Councillor Lorna Campbell responded quickly to address concerns about the new car park laid out by developers of the old Kerrin Point site. Residents were worried about the lack of bollards around parking areas outside Sambrook House and Gaysley House, as nothing was preventing vehicles driving onto the pavement. There were also concerns about narrow walkways and the low height of the ball court fence. After meeting with the developers, it has been agreed that an additional 11 bollards would be installed and that raising the height of fence would be investigated. Lorna has promised to keep a close eye on developments.

London Assembly Member promises support for young people

Val Shawcross met local Labour campaigner Mark Harrison at the old Lilian Baylis site on the Ethelred Estate. Mark told Val about the work Labour councillors in the area are doing to ensure the facilities that the community need are provided are on the site. 'Our estate really needs quality facilities for young people. The work that Streetgames have done on the site is fantastic, and needs to be continued and built upon', Mark explained. Val promised she would work to ensure that some of the £3.8 million that Ken Livingstone promised for youth facilities in Lambeth will help young people on the Ethelred Estate.

Useful contacts

A list of useful contacts for Prince's residents:

Click here for your councillors, MP and Labour Action Team

Lambeth Council - Main Switchboard - 020 7926 1000

Lambeth Housing - 020 7926 6000 (all calls for local housing offices go through the Lambeth Service Centre)

Housing repairs - 020 7926 6666

Leaseholders - 020 7926 6700

Vulnerable tenants - 020 7926 6270

North Lambeth area housing office: 91 Kennington Lane;

Ethelred TMO: 020 7926 8361 / ethelred@lambeth.gov.uk ;

Cottington Close Tenant Management Co-operative: 020 7926 8105


Lambeth Streetcare - 020 7926 9000

Lambeth Streetcare call centre deal with a large number of issues including: abandoned vehicles: graffiti removal; litter and dumped rubbish; bulky refuse collections; recycling; road and pavement repairs; street lighting; parking enquiries, parks.

Sex and Drug-Related Rubbish Pick-Up Service : 020 7926 0524

Noise Complaints

Monday to Friday daytimes: 9am – 5pm - 020 7926 6111

Monday to Thursday evenings: 5pm to 3am - 020 7926 5999

Friday evenings: 5pm to 5am - 020 7926 5999

Saturday: 2pm to 5am - 020 7926 5999

Sunday: 2pm to 3am - 020 7926 5999

Lambeth Automatic PCN payment line - 0870 241 3262 / 0845 331 331


Register to vote -020 7926 2144 / electoralservices@lambeth.gov.uk

Lambeth Children and Young People's Services - 020 7926 9896

Admissions - 020 7926 9503

Lambeth College - 020 7501 5000/5600

Career development and student loans - 020 7926 9474;

Lilian Baylis Technology College - 020 7091 9500;

Archbishop Sumner Primary School - 020 7735 2781;

Vauxhall Primary School - 020 7735 4535;

Walnut Tree Walk Primary School - 020 7735 1402

Childcare providers - 0845 601 5317

Durning Library - 020 7926 8682


Crime and anti-social behaviour
Emergencies - 999

Police non-emergencies - 101

Prince's Safer Neighbourhoods Team - 020 7161 8610/ 07920 233835 / princes.snt@met.police.uk

Lambeth Council anti-social behaviour reporting line - 020 7926 4000 (9am – 6pm Mon-Fri, messages can be left on a voice mail system outside of these hours)

Other services
Ambulance non-emergencies - 020 7887 6678

Fire non-emergencies - 020 8555 1200 ext 57973

Gas emergencies - 0800 111 9999

Thames Water - 0800 032 5202

Reporting a leak - 0845 9200 800

Advice

Benefits (including Housing and Council Tax) - 020 7649 9311

Citizens Advice Bureau - 0844 2438430 Lambeth Law Centre - 020 7737 9781

Waterloo Legal Advice Service at Waterloo Action Centre - drop in Thursday 6:30pm - 8pm

Benefits/ general advice service at Waterloo Action Centre - drop in Monday, Wednesdays, Fridays 10am – 1pm

Housing advice from Shelter

Travel

Transport for London - 020 7222 1234

Train information - 08457 484950

Lambeth NHS (Primary Care Trust)

Find a local GP - 0800 587 8078

Out of Hours GP - 020 8693 9066;

Hurley Clinic, Kennington Lane- 020 7735 7918;

Vauxhall Surgery, Jonathan Street - 020 7735 1971;

Lambeth Walk Group Practice: 020 7735 4412

Find a local Dentist - 0800 587 0878/020 7716 7085

Out of Hours Dental - 020 8299 5509

NHS Direct (non-emergencies) - 0845 46 47

Guy's & St Thomas' Hospitals - 020 7188 7188

Funding website

Community organisations

KOV Forum: info@kovforum.org.uk The Kennington, Oval and Vauxhall Forum is a non-political umbrella group bringing together local community organisations, businesses and residents, in the North Lambeth area between Lambeth Road, Kennington .Park Road, Camberwell New Road, Harleyford Road and the river Thames.

Kennington Association: 020 7793 0268 / kenningtonassn@aol.com The Kennington Association (KA) is a charitable organisation created to facilitate co-operation, communication, recreation and a conduit for lending a helping hand in the neighbourhood. All work is done by volunteers, and all money raised is spent for the benefit of Kennington, with a minimum reserved for assets and expenses. Anyone who lives or works in Kennington may join.

Friends of Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens: admin@thefriendsofvauxhallpleasuregardens.org.uk Vauxhall Spring Gardens is changing its name to its original eighteenth-century title. The Friends are overseeing a major refurbishment of the park, which is taking place in stages. Join the group to help out and contribute your ideas.

Friends of Lambeth High Street Recreation Ground : friends.lambethrec@googlemail.com Lambeth High Street Recreation Ground is a small park round the corner to Lambeth Palace, bordered by the Whitgift housing estate, which was once the graveyard for St Mary's Church, Lambeth. The Friends are overseeing a major refurbishment of the park.

Vauxhall City Farm: 165 Tyers Street, London, SE11 5HS / 020 7582 4204 Vauxhall City Farm started out in 1977 with local people working voluntarily to transform derelict land into an oasis of country life in the heart of London. The farm continues to rely on volunteers and the support of friends. Entrance is free to the farm, however donations are welcome! The farm attracts people from all around to visit animals that live so near to Big Ben and are at home in the hustle and bustle of inner London.

Roots & Shoots: Walnut Tree Walk, London, SE11 6DN / 020 7587 1131 Roots and Shoots provides vocational training for young people from the inner city, and aims to give them the skills and self-confidence that will equip them for work. Alongside this training they involve local schools and the wider community by establishing the site as an important green space for urban biodiversity.

Sports Action Zone: Old Lillian Baylis School, Lollard Street / 020 7202 6948 / mail@thesportactionzone.org The old building that housed Lillian Baylis School has been transformed by the Sports Action Zone, who have created thriving sports facilities that the community is benefiting from.

Riverside Community Development Trust: 020 7820 0555 A community organisation focusing on the area adjacent to the river Thames in Prince's ward. The group setup the community office at 20 Newburn Street.

Vauxhall Gardens Estate Residents' and Tenants' Association: vgerta.secretary@gmail.com Representing residents of the Vauxhall Gardens Estate (most of the Lambeth Council-run housing between Kennington Lane and Black Prince Road)

Whitgift Estate Tenants' & Residents' Association Representing residents of Whitgift House, Gabriel House, and Eustace House.

Alford House: Aveline Street, SE11 5DQ / 020 7735 1519 Alford House is a historic youth club with extensive facilities, located close to Kennington Lane on the Vauxhall Gardens Estate.

North Lambeth Parish The Anglican and Methodist churches in the area - St Anselm's Kennington, St Peter's Vauxhall, Lambeth Mission & St Mary's (Lambeth Road), and Vauxhall Mission (Worgan Street).

Cinema Museum: The Master's House, 2 Dugard Way, SE11 4TH / 020 7840 2200 / info@cinemamuseum.org.uk The Cinema Museum's collection ranges from items relating to film production to film exhibition and the experience of cinema going. It represents cinema's rich history from the earliest days to the present. It's currently housed in the Master's House of Lambeth Workhouse, where Charlie Chaplin once lived.

Beaconsfield: 22 Newport St, SE11 6AY / 020 7582 6465 Is a gallery space in the Lambeth Ragged School building.

Royal Pharmaceutical Society Museum The Museum houses a permanent collection of objects relating to the history of pharmaceuticals, as well have regular special events that residents are always welcome to attend.

Garden Museum Housed in the historic St Mary's Parish Church, next to Lambeth Palace, the museum is dedicated to the history of gardens, and contains a shop and vegetarian cafe.

Bonnington Cafe The cafe is a cooperative where a different cook creates affordable vegetarian meals every lunch and dinner time.

Advice surgeries

Your local councillors hold regular advice surgeries.

If you wish to speak to a particular councillor then contact them to discover which surgery they are attending next.

Regular surgeries

10am- 11am
1st Saturday of the month
Durning Library, Kennington Cross (pictured)
Map

10am- 11am
3rd Saturday of the month
Durning Library, Kennington Cross (pictured)
Map

Roving surgeries and coffee mornings

Councillors often hold additional surgeries on the Ethelred and Vauxhall Garden Estates, as well as occasional community coffee mornings

About your Labour Action Team

Your Lambeth councillors:

Councillor David Amos
damos@lambeth.gov.uk
07920 547832
@DavidAmosSE11

David is a Londoner and has lived, and loved living, in Prince’s Ward for 12 years. He has spent 20 years working in the NHS running hospitals and at the Department of Health responsible for increasing the numbers of staff providing healthcare services. He has been a long term community school governor, dedicated to improving comprehensive education standards and to giving opportunities for all pupils.   Recently David has met many local residents with Joanne and Chris, listened to their views and concerns, and worked with local councillors to sort out their problems. David's priorities are to get more affordable housing in the Ward, make sure we have a safe place in which to live, and to do whatever we can to get all our residents jobs.'


Councillor Vaila McClure
VMcClure@lambeth.gov.uk
07867 352 236
@vailamcclure 
Vaila was elected in 2015 in a byelection (which was caused by Councillor Chris Marsh having to step down due to ill health). Vaila was born in St Thomas' Hospital and has lived in Lambeth all of her life. She was a teacher and now works for a charity.

Councillor Joanne Simpson
jsimpson2@lambeth.gov.uk
07920 547988
@CllrJSimpson

Joanne has lived in the area for over four years. She has nearly seven years’ experience working as a Caseworker for Labour MPs and taking up the concerns of local people, including housing issues, school admissions, community safety concerns and planning matters. Joanne is passionate about  giving local people a say and is working to support residents’ associations and community groups to improve the area. Joanne’s main interests are housing and transport. She is committed to fighting for a fair deal from developers and ensuring the area gets the affordable housing it needs. Joanne is also a keen cyclist and pledges to work together with Council officers, TfL and the London Mayor to not only improve cycling routes, but to tackle problem spots such as the Vauxhall Gyratory to ensure that transport improvements are secured for pedestrians, bus users and motorists alike. She also pledges to look at where more pedestrian crossings are needed, work with residents on parking concerns, and to tackle potholes which are a hazard to all.


Councillors can help with problems you have encountered with Lambeth Council - such as social services, education, housing, libraries, planning applications and development, leisure, recreation and the arts, environmental health, highways, waste collection, and revenue collection.
Your councillors are also keen to hear about campaigning issues in your area, and may be able to help with you with more general matters.

You can write to councillors at: Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton Hill, London, SW2 1RW


Your MP for Vauxhall:

Kate Hoey MP

020 7219 5989
hoeyk@parliament.uk

Kate is Labour MP for Vauxhall, and represents Prince's residents at Westminster. You can contact her about any issue, particularly those of national importance. Kate can help you directly with immigration and asylum cases, problems with tax credits, and any other matter relating to central government.

You can write to Kate at: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA



Your London Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark:
Florence Eshalomi AM



Florence.Eshalomi@london.gov.uk
@FloEshalomi

Florence is Lambeth & Southwark's representative on the London Assembly - the body which scrutinises the Mayor of London. If you have problems with Transport for London, the Metropolitan Police, the Fire Service, or any London-wide issue she will be the best person to speak to.

You can write to Florence at: City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London, SE1 2AA




Your London MEPs

Members of the European Parliament are elected to represent London as whole. There are two Labour MEPs representing London. Follow the link above to find out more about them. The photo shows your London Labour MEPs Mary Honeyball and Claude Moraes, celebrating cuts in mobile phone roaming charges (from Mary Honeyball MEP's website).

Visit the Lambeth Labour party website (the Labour party in the London Borough of Lambeth, with a particular focus on what Labour councillors are doing across Lambeth)

Read about Labour's achievements in Lambeth since 2006


Visit the London Labour party website (the Labour party in Greater London)

Visit the national Labour party website