Albion Street council housing development could include new GP surgery

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The following question was tabled for this week’s council assembly by Cllr Lisa Rajan (Lib Dem)

Does he believe it was appropriate for the consultation on the demolition of Albion Street Library and Civic Centre to take place over the Christmas period after official notice of the proposed work was given on 19 December 2013? What account has it taken of the 622 petition signatures already submitted to the council opposing the plans?

Council leader Peter John (Labour) replied:

The proposal to demolish Albion Street Library is a long standing one with considerable time for public engagement.

The property was declared surplus to requirements in April 2011. In December 2012 the cabinet approved a project mandate that seeks to bring forward a programme of strategically important projects along Albion Street. One of these is the redevelopment of the redundant council owned public library building. It is proposed to demolish the building and provide a housing development as part of the council’s commitment to deliver 11,000 new council homes in the next 25 years. To give effect to this, the site was included in the Direct Delivery Housing Phase 2 report which was agreed by cabinet on 22 October 2013. The council is also seeking to provide improved GP premises at the site which would replace the existing facility in Albion Street.

The proposals for the library site have been the subject of extensive consultation with local residents and the Albion Street Steering Group. The proposals from Sublime Arts Group were considered by cabinet in December [sic] as part of a deputation on the matter, however it was concluded that while they have some interesting ideas the organisation did not have a funded business plan which would justify omitting this site from the direct delivery programme which will deliver new affordable homes for rent to meet a well established local need. The security of the building continues to be a significant cost to the council and its early demolition is considered necessary to reduce these ongoing liabilities and risks. 

Rotherhithe’s slow internet problem remains on council agenda

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The long-running problem with slow broadband connections in the Rotherhithe area was raised once more at this week’s Southwark council assembly meeting.

Cllr David Hubber (Lib Dem) tabled a question to find out what recent contact the borough’s Labour administration had had with BT over the problem.

Cllr Peter John replied:

I want to see the most modern broadband technologies across the whole of the borough but know that broadband in Rotherhithe remains poor. I share the frustration of residents and businesses about the historic lack of investment in the broadband infrastructure.

The infrastructure is the responsibility of private sector communication companies including, but not exclusively, BT. Even so, we are trying to find solutions to this issue. In December Councillor Colley, cabinet member for regeneration and corporate strategy, attended a meeting with Lambeth and Southwark Assembly Member Val Shawcross, local stakeholders and a representative from the Greater London Authority (GLA) to discuss the broadband issue. The meeting identified key issues and a work programme, and it was agreed to establish an informal group, the Rotherhithe Broadband Project, to oversee the matter.

Councillor Colley made a commitment that the council will support the group and that officers from regeneration will undertake a number of specific tasks.

As part of this commitment the director of regeneration is in the process of setting up a meeting with BT.

I will also be meeting with BT tomorrow and will again raise this issue with them.

Cllr Hubber also asked a supplementary question – you can hear his exchange with the council leader here:

listen to ‘Cllr David Hubber & Cllr Peter John on Rotherhithe (lack of) broadband’ on Audioboo

Bringing Barclays Cycle Hire to SE16: council pledges cash to make it happen

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Audio from Wednesday’s council assembly meeting

listen to ‘Cllr Peter John says Southwark will put cash into expansion of cycle hire scheme’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Extending Barclays Cycle Hire in Southwark: Cllr Barrie Hargrove’ on Audioboo

Support Time & Talents charity when you shop at Asda

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Asda

Rotherhithe-based Time & Talents is one of the charities taking part in the ‘Chosen By You, Given By Us’ scheme at Asda’s Old Kent Road store during January and February.

If you are given a green token at the checkout, make sure you put it in one of the chutes near the store exit.

If Time & Talents receives the highest number of votes by the end of February, the charity will receive £200 from Asda.

Barry Duckett BEM

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Congratulations to Barry Duckett – chair of the Canada Estate TRA, chair of the Rotherhithe Area Housing Forum and organiser of the Rotherhithe Festival – who received the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the New Year’s Honours list.

Fire at Ann & Lac Chinese takeaway

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https://twitter.com/mundaylaura/status/413993545872465921

Fire at the Blue on Friday morning. From the London Fire Brigade:

Fire crews tackled a fire affecting a takeaway restaurant and the flat above it on Southwark Park Road in Bermondsey. Part of the restauarant was damaged and most of the flat above was damaged by the fire.

A man jumped out of the window of the flat and was taken to hospital to be treated for injuries to his legs. Another man escaped before crews arrived and was treated on the scene by London Ambulance Service for smoke inhalation and shock.

Four fire engines from Dockhead, Deptford, Peckham, and Old Kent Road fire stations were at the scene with 21 firefighters and officers. The Brigade was called at 1022 and the fire was out at 1139.