Old Bermondsey town hall affordable housing cash to be spent in Dulwich

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Bermondsey Municipal OficesAffordable housing cash provided by the developers of the old Bermondsey municipal offices in Spa Road is to be spent in Camberwell, Peckham and Dulwich following a decision of the planning committee on Tuesday night.

Around £500,000 from the Spa Road development of luxury flats (marketed as Bath House Lofts) and a smaller scheme off Bermondsey Street will be spent creating six homes in under-used space on existing estates.

Some of the money is being spent 3.5 miles from Bermondsey in the far south of the borough.

“One is perturbed that the money is not being spent closer to where the receipts are being generated in Bermondsey,” said  Nick Stanton, Lib Dem councillor for Riverside ward.

“It’s particularly ironic that the council is selling off Bermondsey town hall, didn’t get an on-site affordable housing contribution from the deal and is now spending the money away from Bermondsey.”

Planning committee chair Nick Dolezal (Labour) was unapologetic: “This is compliant with Labour group policy to provide homes using receipts in this particular way.”

The map below shows the old Bermondsey town hall and the four sites where the money will be spent.


View Bath House Lofts in a larger map

A lido in Southwark Park?

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park lido photo

Photo by victoriapeckham

Last week Southwark Liberal Democrats published their manifesto for the borough elections to be held in May this year.

From the policy paper published alongside the manifesto:

Southwark Liberal Democrats have long supported a refurbishment of Seven Islands Leisure Centre. A Liberal Democrat administration will make this happen, but go further than the current plans by providing a new outdoor lido pool in the heart of Southwark Park.

Young carers perform at Surrey Quays

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Thanks to funding from British Land, the arts charity Create has extended art:space, its creative arts programme for young carers, to Southwark.  Working for the first time with KIDS Siblings Project Southwark, the multi-art form project culminated last week in two performances  at Surrey Quays Shopping Centre.

During January and February, different groups of young carers have been involved: photography produced by the first group (taken at venues including Surrey Quays Shopping Centre and Surrey Docks Farm) was used as inspiration for music activities, which has in turn been used as the soundtrack for dance participants to create original choreography.  Last week’s performance  showcased the music, dance and photography to an audience of friends, family and the general public.

The Office for National Statistics estimates that nearly a quarter of a million children in England and Wales are caring for a relative, whilst 27% of young carers aged 11-15 miss school and 68% experience bullying and social isolation.  Many care for 50 plus hours a week – more than the average adult working week.  Create uses the creative arts to help young carers develop trust, social skills and supportive relationships with their peers, enhance their self-confidence and self-esteem, and most importantly have fun away from their caring responsibilities in a safe, non-threatening environment.

Create’s co-founder and chief executive, Nicky Goulder said:  “Thanks to continued funding from British Land, we are delighted to be working for the first time with youngcarers in Southwark. The project has given them an opportunity to get creative and have fun away from the responsibility of their caring duties.  It is our huge privilege to give them this opportunity.”

Ian Moore, manager of Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, said: “This is the first time Surrey Quays Shopping Centre has been involved in art:space and it’s been a joy to have the young carers visit and take photos of the centre.”

Rotherhithe New Road ‘crack house’ shut down

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A crack house in Bermondsey has been closed down by Southwark Council and the Metropolitan Police after residents raised concerns about drug use and antisocial behaviour.

The property, located in Tissington Court, was closed down under Section 2 of the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 after it was found to be used in connection with the unlawful use, production and supply of a Class A controlled drug. A catalogue of complaints from residents was lodged to the police and the council about drug use in children’s playing areas, noise, human waste and abandoned drug paraphernalia and vandalism in the quiet residential block .

After several warnings and offers of support from Southwark Council, a closure order was  obtained in November 2013.

Following this the council obtained a Possession Order from the County Court to permanently evict the tenant from his home, which will now be made available to a more deserving homeseeker.

Southwark Council, who has recently reshaped its services to improve the ways it deals with antisocial behaviour complaints, has issued almost 80 closure orders, in partnership with the police, in the last five years, five of which have been obtained this year alone.

Councillor Richard Livingstone, cabinet member for community safety, said: “The residents of Tissington Court were made to endure an awful campaign of criminality and disturbances at the hands of one resident and his associates.

“By taking out this closure order and subsequently evicting this tenant, we want a clear message to be sent that we will not stand for crime and anti social behaviour on our estates.

“I would like to thank the residents of Tissington Court for reporting the crimes. Without their full support this issue would have persisted and many more would have been made to feel vulnerable and intimated in their homes. To anyone else experiencing serious antisocial behaviour in their community, please do come forward for support in resolving the issue.”

Violent robbery in Jamaica Road: police appeal

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Police investigating the violent robbery of a money transfer bureau in SE16 have released a picture of a man they would like to trace in connection with the incident.
The man is one of three, all armed with knives, who robbed the Brazillian money bureau Cerro Catedral in Jamaica Road at around 6.45pm on Tuesday 7 January.

The suspects entered the store and forced open a door leading to the staff only area.

The member of staff on duty at the time was punched in the face and then kicked whilst on the floor by one of the suspects.

He was then threatened with a knife and marched to the store’s safe with a knife to his neck. The staff member opened the safe and the men placed more than £100,000 in a bag before fleeing the scene in the direction of Southwark Park Road.

Officers were called and an investigation has been launched by detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Flying Squad.

The suspects are described as:

1. A light-skinned black man with a shaved head, around 5ft 6ins tall, aged around 30ys. He was wearing a black hoody and spoke with an English accent.

2. Dark-skinned black male with a shaved head and big eyes, 5ft 8ins, wearing all black clothing.

3. Dark-skinned black male, muscular, wearing all black clothing. His face was covered during the incident.

Detective Sergeant David Barnfather, of the Flying Squad, said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who knows this man or has information about him and his whereabouts.

“This was a violent robbery that was deeply traumatic for the victim and I would urge anybody who can help this investigation to get in touch immediately.”

Officers can be contacted anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Canada Water Library: one million visits

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Canada Water Library has received its one millionth visit since opening its doors to the public on 28 November 2011.

Southwark Council is celebrating this special milestone with a day long programme of events and activities for everyone to enjoy on Saturday 15 March . Activities will include a family storytime session, live theatre in the library’s Culture Space and a children’s craft session.

As one of Southwark’s newest libraries, Canada Water has won numerous architectural accolades including a Civic Trust Special Award in September 2013, with the judges praising the building as “an iconic community asset”.

 

Cllr Peter John, leader of Southwark Council said: “This really is a massive milestone for us, Canada Water Library has become a central part of the local area since 2011, and such high visitor numbers are proof of what a worthy investment it was. While other councils have been closing libraries, Southwark has been investing in them, and I think reaching on

Canada Water Library
Photo: Tim Cocker

e million visits on top of this is a fantastic achievement.”

Cllr Veronica Ward, cabinet member for culture, leisure, libraries and sport said: “Canada Water Library has been such an important addition to Southwark’s libraries. Not only are we incredibly pleased at how successful it has become as a focus point for the local community, but in particular it is great to see such high numbers of young people using the facilities. The wonderful programme at the culture space especially has played a huge part in this, so a big thank you to all involved.”