Steve & Mark call at the Water Tower development

This lunchtime councillors Mark Harrison and Steve Morgan called on residents in Goddard, Wilmot & Limelight Houses; at the new development at George Mathers Road on the edge of Kennington.

We discussed residents' experiences setting up residents' associations for the blocks, and some of the teething problems people have experienced with the management agents, housing association, and Council rubbish collection.

Councillors have supported Limelight House residents in getting their residents' association set up; and are looking forward to helping Wilmot and Goddard House with their group which is in the process of being set up.

Licensing application for 351 Kennington Lane

A New application for a Premises Licence under the Licensing Act 2003 in respect of the below-mentioned premises was received by the licensing authority on 23rd August 2011

Applicants Name: Alentajano Bar & Grill Ltd.

Premises Address: Alentajano Bar & Grill - 351 Kennington Lane, London, SE11 5QY (next door to the Eagle)

Activities/times requested:

Supply of Alcohol
Monday - Sunday 10:00 - 23:30

Recorded Music
Monday - Sunday 10:00 - 23:30

Late Night Refreshment
Monday - Sunday 23:00 - 23:30

Prior to determining this application, the licensing authority may accept written representations from Responsible Authorities and Interested Parties on the likely effect of the grant of this application in relation to the licensing objectives, which are:

· Preventing crime and disorder;
· Public safety;
· Preventing public nuisance; and
· Protecting children from harm.

Representations will be disregarded if they are deemed to be vexatious, frivolous, or irrelevant, or if they are received later than the 20 September 2011.

You can view the full application here.

Details of the licensing process and how to make a representation are here.

Swimming pool and student housing for South Lambeth Road

Our colleagues in Oval have already drawn attention to this exhibition, which will be of interest to many Prince's ward residents:

Plans are being brought forward for a mixed-use development to transform 30-60 South Lambeth Road, Vauxhall, currently waste ground adjacent to the railway lines. Property developer Downing is holding a Public Exhibition on the proposals at the Vauxhall Christian Centre, 105 Tyers Street, Vauxhall, SE11 5HS on:

Thursday 8 September, 4pm – 8pm
Saturday 10 September, 11am – 4pm

This is an important opportunity for you to give your views on our plans before a planning application is submitted to Lambeth Council this autumn, so please come along if you can.

Downing’s proposed Student Housing and Leisure Centre is being designed by award-winning architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and seeks to maximise the potential of this under-used site. Included in the proposals are a swimming pool and leisure centre, which local residents will be able to use. The swimming pool will be at lower ground-level and will be visible from South Lambeth Road, creating an animated street-scene. The student housing on the upper floors includes internal and external amenity space for the students and a TfL “Boris bike” stand will be provided.

For more information in the meantime, you can visit the scheme blog - http://www.downingvauxhall.blogspot.com/, email vauxhall@downing.com, call 0207 323 3544 or write to Downing, c/o 7 Bayley Street, London WC1B 3HB

Temporary road closures- Jonathan Street

LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES
JONATHAN STREET, TINWORTH STREET AND WORGAN STREET

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable Thames Water to carry out Victorian Mains replacement works, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth intend to make an Order the effect of which would be to temporarily ban vehicles from entering that length of:-
(a) Jonathan Street which lies between Vauxhall Walk and Tyers Street (alternative routes would be available for vehicles via (i) Vauxhall Walk, Glasshouse Walk and Tyers Street; and (ii) Tyers Street, Black Prince Road and Vauxhall Walk);
(b) Tinworth Street which lies between Vauxhall Walk and a point 22 metres north-west of Vauxhall Walk (alternative routes would be available for vehicles (i) Vauxhall Walk, Glasshouse Walk, Tyers Street, Black Prince Road and Albert Embankment; and (ii) Albert Embankment, Black Prince Road and Vauxhall Walk);
(c) Worgan Street which lies between Jonathan Street and a point 25 metres south-west of Jonathan Street.

2. The bans would only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing of the appropriate traffic signs.

3. The Order would come into force on 29th August 2011 and will continue for a maximum duration of 5 months or until the said works have been completed, whichever is the sooner.

Dated 12th August 2011
Abu Barkatoolah
Head of Transportation

Olympic traffic lanes consultation

Transport for London (TfL) is planning to make temporary changes– on behalf of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) - to roads in the London Borough of Lambeth as part of the London 2012 Games.

As part of London’s successful 2012 bid, a fast-track route, called the Olympic and Paralympic Route Network (ORN/PRN), will be created so that athletes, officials, the media and others working at the Games can get to events on time. Transport for London (TfL) is responsible for ensuring this Network operates effectively during the Games period with the minimum of disruption for those who live and work in the capital.

You can view all of the proposed routes at TfL's website: www.tfl.gov.uk/ORN. The public engagement period for this phase of engagement will close on Wednesday 14 September 2011.

Routes directly affecting our area include one over Vauxhall Bridge and one along Lambeth Palace Road.

Information drop in sessions will take place at:
Waterloo Suite, Novotel Waterloo, 113 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7LS
Tuesday 23 August, 16:30-19:30

City Management Suite at City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QP
Monday 5 September, 16:30–19:30

The Abbey Centre, 34 Great Smith Street Westminster London SW1P 3BU
Wednesday 7 September, 08:30-12:30

Overnight work to Lambeth Bridge - including changes to cycle lanes

Transport for London (TfL is planning essential night-time maintenance works on Lambeth Bridge from Tuesday 30 August to Wednesday 7 September 2011, subject to weather conditions.

TfL is firmly committed to minimising disruption to traffic, therefore the works will take place overnight, between 21:00 and 05:30hrs, when traffic levels are around 20 per cent lower. These essential works will not only give road users a smoother journey but they will also help reduce carriageway noise and the need for future maintenance closures, benefiting local residents, businesses and the travelling public.

As part of the maintenance works, TfL has taken the opportunity to review and improve conditions for cyclists on the bridge. In addition to resurfacing, the westbound cycle lane will be widened to 1.5m to provide a safer facility for cyclists. The eastbound cycle lane will be incorporated into a bus and cycle lane to allow for this change.

The works programme is the following:

30 August to 2 September 2011, Lambeth Bridge resurfacing
3 to 7 September 2011, Lambeth Bridge expansion joints replacement

Lambeth Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on the above dates between 21:00 and 05:30hrs.

Clearly signed diversion routes will be put in place whilst the bridge is closed. Buses which use Lambeth Bridge will be placed on diversion during the overnight closures, and diversion routes will be clearly signed at local bus stops.

Should you require further information or an update during the delivery of these works please contact TfL's Streets Customer Services department on 0845 305 1234 or via their website at www.tfl.gov.uk/contact.

Police call for review of licence for Area and Fire

The Police have called for a review of the licences for two of Vauxhall's biggest and most popular LGBT clubs.

In the case of Area (67-68 Albert Embankment) the 'Police have expressed concerns for the safety of persons attending this venue, following a number of covert operations during which officers observed the supply and usage of illegal drugs, and incidents of drink spiking within the venue. Police have stated that they believe the premises’ management to be 'either unwilling or unable to tackle the drugs problems which are endemic to this venue''.

In the case of Fire (39-44 Parry Street) the 'Police have expressed serious concerns for the safety of persons attending this venue, following a number of covert operations during which officers observed the supply and usage of illegal drugs, and test purchasing officers were supplied with illegal substances themselves. Police have stated that they believe the premises’ management to be 'either unwilling or unable to tackle the drugs problems which are endemic to this venue''.

The deadline for representations is 15 September. There are details of how to make representations here .

Now is the time to support our police service

Your local Labour councillors want to pay tribute to the bravery and hard work of our police officers this week, who have faced unprecendented disorder and violence in our city. Thankfully, our immediate area escaped the worst of the trouble, but the scarred shopfronts of Walworth Road, Brixton, Clapham Junction and Lower Marsh are grim reminders of the damage the disorder has done to our city.

We were opposed to Boris Johnson's cuts to the police before this week, but after the events of Sunday and Monday nights we think the situation has changed completely. There can't be any justification for cutting back on the police officers who we relied upon on this week.

Currently the Metropolitan Police Authority plans the following cuts to police staff:
Labour has launched a petition against these cuts, calling on the Conservative Mayor Boris Johnson to:

-Abandon his plans to force 600 London police sergeants to reapply for their own jobs. They should be focusing on making the streets safe for Londoners, not worrying about their own jobs.

-Drop his plan to cut 300 sergeants from London's 630 safer neighbourhood teams. In February 2011, Boris Johnson's Deputy Mayor for Policing, Kit Malthouse pushed through plans to cut 300 sergeants from local beat teams.

-Reverse his decision to cut 1800 police officers in London over the next three years. Metropolitan Police Authority figures revealed that the number of police officers in London is being cut by 1,800 between 2011 to 2013/14.

You can sign the petition here

Inspired by the clean up to help out in your community?

Volunteering speed dating in Lambeth

Following the recent public disorder, many residents called the Council to ask how they can help out. We have been amazed by the response and so Lambeth council is co-ordinating a Volunteering Speed Dating event next Wednesday to capture to obvious willingness to get involved in the community.

If you have been inspired by the recent community response to the Lambeth 'community clean up' or you have always just wanted to volunteer then come talk to like minded people.

Who is invited?
Anyone who wants to volunteer in the borough - no matter what level of commitment they want to give.

What will happen there?

You can have as much of a role as you want on the day. Come along to:

• meet people like you from across the borough



• talk to community organisations and groups needing further support



• get advice on how your skills can be used in Lambeth



• commit to volunteer or just talk to experts about the sort of thing you want to do



• get involved or be a wallflower, you can just listen to what's being discussed



• celebrate what we have here in Lambeth.
  

Local community groups, charities and organisations such as St John Ambulance and the police will all have stalls for you to visit.

The council will also have volunteering and community experts on hand for you to get advice and talk to.

To get involved contact cooperativecouncil@lambeth.gov.uk or @lambeth_council on Twitter.

Venue: Assembly Hall, Lambeth Town Hall, Town Hall, London SW2 1RW
Time: 6-8pm
Date: Wednesday 17 August 2011

Find out more by following @lambeth_council on Twitter and on the Lambeth Council Facebook page

(Picture: residents cleaning up Brixton after the riots, from the Brixton Blog )

Letter to residents from Prince's ward local police Sergeant

Dear resident,

I write you to as the Safer Neighbourhood Sergeant on the Prince's Ward, which is the local Policing team dedicated solely to policing your area.

As you will no doubt be aware London has suffered unprecedented occurrences of spontaneous crime and disorder over the past few days, which has unfortunately been caused by some people who live within the borough of Lambeth and may be residents of our ward.

You will be pleased to know that there have not been any such incidents within our community, but I am appealing for your help to bring the perpetrators to justice and to inform us of any criminal activity or disorder you feel may occur within the near future.

The people responsible have caused much pain and suffering to many people, businesses and business owners across London, and any assistance you can give in identifying anyone that you believe was involved will be greatly appreciated.

In particular if you saw or see any members of your community carrying or offering for sale any electrical or clothing items or any goods that did not look like they were procured in the usual manner, please let us know.

I encourage you to contact us directly or via Crimestoppers, which you can do so anonymously.

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously either online via http://www.crimestoppers.co.uk/ or by telephone on 0800 555 111.

As a reminder all emergencies or incidents of crime which are happening ‘now’ should be called through to Police on 999.

All other non-emergency incidents can be brought to the attention of us on the dedicated Prince's Safer Neighbourhood Team mobile on 07920 233835 or landline 020 8721 2627.

You can also call the dedicated Metropolitan Police non-emergency number on 101.

Please report anything suspicious to us and help look after your community.

Yours sincerely,

Sergeant Bob Lockyer 59LX

LX - Lambeth Borough
Prince's Safer Neighbourhood Team

Kennington Police Station,
49-51 Kennington Road,
London
SE1 7QA

Telephone: 020 8721 2627 or 07920 233835 or 101
Princes.snt@met.police.uk
www.met.police.uk

(Photo from Wikimedia Commons: Anthony Newman from Leiden, Netherlands)

Your local play and youth services – come and have your say!

Over the last year Lambeth Council has been reviewing the way we do things. The Co-operative Council means that we want to work with the community to develop new ways to run our Adventure Playgrounds, Youth Centres and Stay and Play One O’clock Clubs.

To find out what is in it for you, get involved and learn more please drop in to our open session

at: Lollard Adventure Playground, Lollard Street, SE11

on: 18 August 2011, between 6.45 – 8.00 pm (drop in anytime)


If you can’t get there but want to be involved please:

Email: cooperativecouncil@lambeth.gov.uk

or Write to:

Co-operative council
Freepost RLSK-SSJL-KXKK
Room 113A
Lambeth Town Hall
London
SW2 1RW

Vauxhall residents highlight Pleasure Gardens nightclub problems

Local residents from the Prince's Safer Neighbourhoods Team and the Friends of Vauxhall Spring Gardens are pushing for action to deal with problems associated with some of the nightclubs in the arches at Goding Street/ Albert Embankment.

There is confusion about who owns the land at Albert Embankment. The confusion has allowed businesses to erect structures on the pavement and grass which aren't licensed. Councillors have asked that the land ownership issue is sorted out so proper licensing of the outdoor activity can take place, to prevent problems like these screen blocking the pavement.

At the rear of the arches Goding Street is a real mess, no matter how many times the Council seems to clean the street.

On a Monday morning litter is strewn across Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens.

Some clubbers sit out in the park at all hours of the weekend - many of them leave considerable amounts of litter.

Now council officers and the police are getting involved to put pressure on the clubs whose patrons are causing the problems.

Councillor Mark Harrison said 'Vauxhall's nighttime economy is a fantastic benefit for the area, and we want to support it wherever we can. However, club owners have a responsibility to ensure they and their patrons aren't causing problems like littering in our area.'

Photos courtesy of Eamonn McMahon, Chair of the Prince's SNT.

Licensing application for Kennington Road Petrol Station

A New application for a Premises Licence under the Licensing Act 2003 in respect of the below-mentioned premises was received by the licensing authority on 1st August 2011

Applicants Name: Hornstar Limited

Premises Address: Kennington Service Station - Petrol Station 212 Kennington Road London


Activities/times requested:

New Grant Application

Late Night Refreshment
Monday - Sunday 23:00 - 05:00

Supply of Alcohol
Monday - Sunday 06:00 - 02:00


Prior to determining this application, the licensing authority may accept written representations from Responsible Authorities and Interested Parties on the likely effect of the grant of this application in relation to the licensing objectives, which are:

· Preventing crime and disorder;
· Public safety;
· Preventing public nuisance; and
· Protecting children from harm.

Representations will be disregarded if they are deemed to be vexatious, frivolous, or irrelevant, or if they are received later than 29 August 2011

If a valid representation (or more than one) is received and is not withdrawn, this application will be referred to a hearing of the Licensing Sub-Committee for determination. If no representations are received, the application will ordinarily be determined by the relevant Licensing Officer.

Applications for new Premises licences, and variations and reviews of existing ones, will be placed on the Councils website for inspection; the address at which these may be accessed is www.lambeth.gov.uk/Services/Business/LicencesStreetTrading/AlcoholEntertainmentLateNightRefreshment/CurrentApplications.htm

To make a representation email licensing@lambeth.gov.uk or write to 'Licensing, 5th floor, Blue Star House, 234-244 Stockwell Road, London, SW9 9SP

Consultation on 77 and 87 bus routes

Transport for London are consulting with stakeholders about the future of the 77 and 87 bus routes.

The 77 runs from Waterloo, along the Albert Embankment, through Vauxhall, and then along the Wandsworth Road towards Tooting.

The 87 runs from Aldwych, through Westminster, over Vauxhall Bridge, and then along the Wandsworth Road towards Wandsworth.

If you have any views about these bus routes and how they might be improved please let us know and we'll pass them on to TfL.

Planning applications for Courtenay Street and Lambeth Walk

There are a couple of planning applications which may be of interest to some residents.

There is a new application to convert the former Sea Cadet hall in Courtenay Street into residential accommodation, with three new houses built in the land at the rear. The houses in the new application have been reduced in height from the previous application, which was turned down. The application is here, and the deadline for comments is 9 August.

There are also applications to replace the windows at several homes at the pedestrianised part of Lambeth Walk. This is excellent news for Ethelred TMO tenants living here who will be able to look forward to warmer homes which are cheaper to heat.

Summer activites for young people

A quick reminder that Lambeth's programme of activities for young people is continuing throughout August.

The Young Lambeth Website is the place to visit for comprehensive information about what's on offer for children and young people during the summer holidays.

There are even still some places left on Summer University courses - visit the website and book as soon as possible so as not to miss out.