Friends For Ferndale

Over 500 contacts in our last Action Saturday!

2011-11-10T19:26:00.001Z

Ferndale had a really successful Action Saturday last weeked with 40 or so activitists from across London coming to the ward to help us talk to local residents. We managed to speak to over 500 residents in the course of the day, which is a fantastic achievement!

Of course, our canvassing efforts need to build on Saturday's results. We need local members out on the doorstep and/or leafletting more than ever in the run-up to next May's mayoral elections. We're not just campaiging for Ken. Val Shawcross is the Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark and she has been working tirelessly to ensure that people know about the elections and what a difference it will make to have Ken back in City Hall.

Even if you only have hal-an-hour to spare, get in touch and I can let you know when the next campaigns day in Ferndale will be running. Don't forget to also keep an eye out for your weekly email updates from your ward secretary.

Jail sentence for primary school worker

2011-10-21T21:05:00.000+01:00

From Press Association court copy:

A primary school worker has been jailed for taking part in lootingduring the August riots, court officials said.

Alexis Bailey, 31, from Battersea, south London, received a 12-month prison sentenceat Inner London Crown Court.

Bailey was arrested in Richer Sounds in Southend Road, Croydon, and has sincebeen sacked from his job as a learning mentor at Stockwell Primary School.

He pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal at Highbury CornerMagistrates' Court in August.

His employer Lambeth Council said last month that his behaviour was"incompatible" with the standards expected of those working inschools.

Campaigns update

2011-10-17T22:28:00.000+01:00

October was a successful month for campaigning in Ferndale. We made our target of 50 contacts on teh doorstep by going out canvassing on Saturday 1st and Sunday 16th, whilst this evening two-thirds of the ward recieved a Val Shawcross leaflet. We'll be be doing a Sunday blitz to cover the remaining parts of the ward in the near future.

As the GLA elections draw ever nearer, we are keen to have the involvement of more local residents. Whether you are interested in door-knocking or leafleting, there is always something for you to do. Get in touch to find out more!

Canvass for Ferndale and work on your suntan - the best way to start October

2011-09-30T13:52:00.000+01:00

With temperatures promising to stay highover the weekend, why not join councillors and members of Ferndale Labour to doa spot of canvassing whilst working on your suntan? We will be meeting onthe steps of the town hallat 11am before walking up Acre Lane to canvass residents near to the Genesisdevelopment. For more details, contact Vaila McClure, ward secretary, on07973 332 069 or friendsforferndale@hotmail.co.uk.

Don'tforget, this weekend is also Lambeth Open,an annual event which gives you the chance to discover the creative talentsliving and working around Lambeth. Artists and crafts people will beopening their doors free of charge to allow you to see what they do and howthey work. Lambeth Open: Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd October 2011, 10amto 6pm.

Community Conversation event: Youth Violence

2011-09-25T22:16:00.001+01:00

Wednesday 28th September, from 17:00-20:00

Join London Mayor Boris Johnson to find out what is being done about youth violence in Lambeth, and to share your ideas at Lilian Baylis Technology School, 323 Kenningtion Lane, SE11 5QY. To register your interest and submit questions in advance call 020 7983 4100 or visit www.london.gov.uk/ccp. Places are limited for this free event, so register early to avoid disappointment. If you have any special requirements please let us know in advance. Bookings will be confirmed via email.

Hope not Hate in Lambeth

2011-09-25T22:09:00.000+01:00

Hope not Hate Workshop, Wednesday 28th September from 19:30

With the London Assembly Elections less than a year away, Hope not Hate, in association with South London Anti-Fascists, are holding a workshop on how to get organised in the community in preparation for the challenge of knocking out London’s fascist GLA member, and ensuring no other Far-Right candidate gets elected. They will also be explaining the plans for Hope not Hate’s big new campaign for the year ahead. The workshop is being held at the Bread & Roses Pub, 68 Clapham Manor Street, London SW4 6DZ. Refreshments and food will be provided, everyone is welcome to attend.

The Little Big Peace Event

2011-09-20T20:03:00.000+01:00

Some months ago I joined a local community project which was calling for people to help organize an event to celebrate International Peace Day on 21st September. Founder Mel Larsen was inspired by the movement Peace One Day and the documentary film ‘The Day After Peace’ and having brought a team of willing local folk together, The Little Big Peace Event was born.

A big part of my decision to get involved was the desire to have more of a connection with my community; I’ve lived here for nearly eight years but I don’t know members of the community well, with the exception of close friends. I’ve been planning to write a blog about the festival for a few weeks and something else always comes up, but after the recent events I felt the time was right. Sitting at home on the evening of 8th August virtually mainlining twitter’s ‘#riotlondon’ news whilst the helicopters circled above Streatham, I felt both fearful of, and inspired by my community. The stories of devastation were peppered with amazing tales of bravery and acts of kindness.

I woke with a start the following morning to sounds of that menacing helicopter, but what brought me close to tears was seeing the way the local and wider community came together for the already legendary ‘#riotcleanup’. It was no surprise to see the way Londoners mobilised to help one another and start to piece this city back together - one of the enduring images will be operation Clean Up Clapham Junction, brooms held high in solidarity.

The handwritten message ‘peace+love’ that I saw taped to various surfaces in Brixton the day after the riots made me smile but it also got me thinking about our forthcoming celebration of peace with a renewed sense of responsibility. The Little Big Peace Event “sets out to explore the culture and concept of peace in a fun, friendly and open-minded atmosphere. The event aims to draw in the local community, both as participants and event-goers, and at its heart is the idea of inclusiveness and acceptance. This is peace in its widest sense - not just political but personal too."

Whilst the focus won’t shift away from its original aims, I’m mindful about what we can hope to bring to the community following the riots. How can we engage as wide an audience as possible? How can we create a space where, after recent events, those who may still feel angry, scared or isolated can find a little peace? I don’t have the answer yet but I do feel excited at the prospect of what we might be able to achieve. #Riotcleanup has been truly heart-warming and I hope we can bring that same spirit of peacemaking to Streatham in September.

The Little Big Peace Event is…
…a free mini-festival in Streatham celebrating the idea and culture of Peace, taking place from 19th–25th September 2011 London, SW16.
This festival is not affiliated to any one religion or politics and you don’t have to be a hippy to enjoy it. People of all faiths and cultures are welcome.

The Little Big Peace Event has been created by local volunteers and was originally inspired by the
organisation www.peaceoneday.org, who are working towards a day of global unity.

For more information including complete event listings please visit www.littlebigpeace.com

Zoe Robinson
Streatham 23/08/2011
First published on : http://eco-age.com

Planning & Licensing - where angels fear to tread…

2011-09-01T19:11:00.003+01:00

There are few areas where local councillors lack confidence inspeaking up for local residents. However, dealing with Planning and Licensingapplications are two such topics that can sometimes leave us and residents feelingpowerless. In the UK,both Planning and Licensing are surrounded by complex statutory and legalprocesses backed up by ‘local’ policy frameworks. In general termsthe legal framework is ‘permissive’, meaning they are intended tohelp good planning development and promote business activity in the interestsof the local economy and jobs. That’s fine so long as developers andbusinesses follow the legal and policy ‘rules’. But local residentsneed their interests and properties protected as well, and these can come intoconflict with what other property owners what to do. That is where localcouncillors come in.

As well as being elected to lead the council, we are alsoelected to represent and be advocates for our constituents and to help themnavigate their concerns through the highly complex and sometimes frustratingcouncil strategy decision making processes. In relation to Planning, thedemocratic interface is carried out through the Planning ApplicationsCommittee. For licensing, it’s through hearings of the LicensingSub-Committee (and I am a member of this committee). Both hear and decideapplications based on professional and legal advice of professional officers.Both are what are called ‘quasi-judicial’functions, meaning councillors cannot be ‘whipped’ to a politicalposition. Councillors must base their decisions on the evidence before them andby using their own judgement independently. Importantly, councillors can alsoattend Planning and Licensing Committee meetings on ‘the other side ofthe table’ to be advocates for resident objectors.

So far, so good. So what’s the difficulty you ask? Theproblem is that developers and businesses have the time and financial resourcesto hire experts and lawyers to help them through the complex decision makingprocesses, something local residents don’t have. So residents turn totheir councillors to help them, quite rightly. But councillors who sit onPlanning and Licensing Committees can’t turn applications down simplybecause some residents object, as we have to stand by locally agreed policies,if these become the issue.

I want now to illustrate one on-going ‘casestudy’ in Ferndale that illustrate the frustration that can result from competingpolicies, interests and in this case flawed residents engagement and consultation.

Planning case study – the old FulhamTimber Yard site (170-174 and 176-188 Acre Lane, SW2).

Back in 2008, with residents backing, the Leader of theCouncil (Councillor Steve Reed) andI wrote to Big Yellow Storage Company saying we would oppose their plans tobuild a second storage facility in Acre Lane on this site they had recently purchased.This campaign was successful, but they were then encouraged to go away and finda partner to develop a housing proposal for the site, as everyone recognisedthat it would be developed for something.

Fast forward to August 2010, and Lambeth Planning Committeegranted Genesis Housing Association and Yellow Box Company permission to build60 houses, 100% ‘affordable and social housing’, given the land wasprotected for employment uses and affordable housing was the only permittedalternative – a good outcome if it was a good quality development. However,local residents objected on many issues and both they and I as their wardcouncillor made representations to the Committee. The principal issues were theperceived high density of the proposal on the site and fear of a loss ofprivacy and security, because there has been an ancient tall brick wall up to18 foot tall in places surrounding the former Fulham Timber Yard site. Inrecognition of these concerns, the Committee required a number of importantPlanning Conditions, including the ‘Treatment of the BoundaryWall’, to be approved by the Planning Committee before Genesis couldstart the development.

Fast forward to early July 2011, and residents had to kickup a stink as Genesis had started the development prior to receiving approval ofthe Conditions. This was illegal, and Genesis had to be ordered to ‘standdown’ by Lambeth Planning (see the picture). This inflamed residentsopposition so the when the 26^th July meeting of the PlanningCommittee was called to consider the ‘discharge’ of the important‘Boundary Wall’ Condition, residents were gunning for Genesis.However, eleven residents and I endured 3½ hours of waiting to make our caseuntil 10.45pm at night, only to then have the application‘adjourned’ because of a lack of time! This left my group of 11residents very confused, frustrated and powerless.

The reconvened meeting of the Planning Committee on Tuesday,16^th August, a year to the day since the original Planningpermission in August 2010, resulted in a further deferral following nearly twohours of debate and discussion because of errors and problems with what Genesiswas proposing. However, this time residents and I felt vindicated. Thereconcerns had been heard, and the Committee told Genesis they needed to workmore constructively with affected residents to come to an agreement.

As a local councillor all I have sought to do over the 2½year history surrounding this proposal is to putexisting residents ‘interests’ on an equal footing withthe developers in the eyes of the Planning Committee. Residents expect theCouncil to look after their interests, given there are 50+ properties (and manymore residents) who surround all three sides of this site in Ashmere Grove, Plato Road and Linom Road. Buttheir interests are not always given due weight in the Planning process. As farand the developer is concerned, if Genesis had properly consulted and engagedresidents from the start back in August 2010 on the specific concern around theBoundary Wall Treatment options for protecting existing residents privacy andsecurity, its possible this saga would have been concluded by now. They alsoneed to be ‘held to account’ as a Housing Association who are inreceipt of public money to build social housing, but have to respect existingresidents rights as well.

As it is, the case continues and the development has to comebefore Planning Committee for the forthtime soon for a final decision. I shall update this blog when anoutcome is decided…

Cllr Paul McGlone

Ferndale Ward

Lambeth stands united

2011-08-25T21:03:00.001+01:00

Thankfully we have not seen any more of the violent disorder that we saw two weeks ago. However, the police and Lambeth Council remain on high alert. The emphasis has been on keeping services running and ensuring that everyone is as safe as possible. All sections of the community have said the same thing - that there is absolutely no justification for this vandalism and looting. What has been heart warming is the positive community spirit and willingness of people to help each other. Some of the positive initiatives that have come from the disturbing events have been:

· Cleaning up and getting back to normal – the job of Council staff is to get the borough back to normal as quickly as possible so people can get on with their lives, and they have risen to the challenge. The council will offer all the support it can to the police with their investigations, and to local residents and businesses that have been affected to get them back on their feet.

· Re-invigorated our ‘Community Freshview’ scheme - if you would like to take an active role in improving your neighbourhood, you could get involved with a Community Freshview. These activities are led by residents who want to make a difference in the local area. All ideas are considered, as long as the activity will help to renew a sense of pride in your neighbourhood. If you want more information or to find out about groups in your local area contact the Freshview team on 020 7926 0524 or email freshview@lambeth.gov.uk or talk to one of your ward councillors.

· Lambeth Champions - In order to show that Lambeth is about recognising success and the great work that people do the Council has launched a ‘Lambeth Champions scheme’. This is an opportunity to recognise individuals that have made a difference to their community or neighbourhood. If you know of anyone that you think deserves to be recognised then send their name and about a 150 word supporting statement to Lambethchampions@lambeth.gov.uk or send to me directly.

Stay safe

You may notice an increase in the number of police officers but this should not be cause for alarm. It is important that residents can keep safe and we are working with the police to bring people involved in violence and vandalism to justice. We have already provided a large amount of CCTV coverage and a number of those arrested have already been through the magistrates’ court. The best advice we can give residents is to

· Keep yourself safe and keep an eye out for neighbours and relatives – make sure you plan your journeys before setting off and avoid confronting people on the street

· Make sure that you know what your children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces are doing so that they are safe

· Support your local businesses when doing your shopping and make sure they are alright

· Contacting the police - In the event of an emergency, call 999, in a non emergency, call the police on 101

· If you are aware of the identities of anyone involved in the disturbances or looting and you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Councillor Paul McGlone

Ferndale ward

Letter to David Cameron from Lambeth leader Steve Reed

2011-08-16T18:48:00.000+01:00

Rt Hon David Cameron MP
Prime Minister’s office
10 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AA

12 August 2011

TACKLING YOUTH CRIME

Dear Prime Minister,

Following your statement to the House of Commons, I thought it was important and pertinent to write to you.

The recent outbreaks of vandalism and violence have been deeply upsetting to people here in Lambeth. However in Lambeth I have been heartened by the positive response of our local community and the speed with which the police brought in additional support. I would also add that their relations with the community have been improving over many years and we are absolutely committed to developing this going forward.

You stated your personal commitment to address the issue of gang culture and to find solutions to the underlying issues that see sections of our community disengaged from their neighbours and the wider community. Lambeth has a major challenge in relation to gang culture and we have implemented a range of innovative solutions. However we see this as the right time to create a closer working relationship and want to ask for your support and involvement in addressing these issues here in Lambeth.

The gang culture is clearly not the sole source of the troubles but it is held up by others as a symbol of disengagement and enhances a culture of disaffection. We have had a number of successes through our X-it programme, supporting community initiatives and the Young and Safe strategy. However creating longer term sustainable change is very challenging and we have seen a number of deaths this year in relation to gang related violence. You will recall the tragic incident of the 5 year old girl, Thusha Kamaleswaran, caught up in a recent shooting incident who survived but was left paralysed.

In response to this incident and others, I called a summit comprising of community leaders, the police, faith leaders, schools, youth workers and health teams. The summit made it clear that there are no simple answers to what makes less than 1% of our young people turn to violence. These troubled young people are very few in number but the impact of their life choices reverberates across the borough.

We are working to tackle violent youth crime by creating a new partnership between the community, the council, the police and other statutory agencies that will allow the community to take the lead in finding local solutions that keep young people and their communities safe. This is a radical departure from top-down imposed approaches that, experience shows, have only limited impact because they do not recognise the differences between communities and neighbourhoods and do not empower those most affected by the consequences of violent offending.

We will continue to take strong and decisive action and I would really welcome the opportunity to meet with you to talk through the challenges and explore how your personal commitment to tackle the issues involved can be realised here in Lambeth.

Yours sincerely,
Steve Reed
Leader of Lambeth Council
Telephone: 020 7926 1166
E-Mail: sreed@lambeth.gov.uk

A week can be a long time in politics...

2011-08-10T19:19:00.000+01:00

August is usually called the ‘silly season’ as politicians go on their summer holidays and the media turns to the weird and wonderful for their reports. It’s safe to say that August 2011 will be remembered for more somber events. Before I mention the riots, however, I have been out and about in Ferndale ward and would like to share with you some highlights of the past week…

Last Wednesday, I attended a political briefing led by my colleague Councillor Rachel Heywood, who leads on Community Safety, to discuss the Council's approach to violent crime, especially youth crime. This followed a meeting the week before of a newly established Lambeth 'Community Leaders Forum' made up of community and faith leaders who will work together to agree common actions.

On Thursday, I met with senior council officers from the Regeneration Team to discuss the idea of a new 'area plan' for the wider Acre Lane area. This is to help the local community shape planning policy and influence future local planning decisions.

On Friday morning, having requested a meeting with residents, council officers and representatives of Sainsbury's at their mini store on Clapham High Street, I demanded that Sainsbury’s stops storing its trolleys outside residential areas on Aristotle Road. Officers will need to reach a formal agreement with Sainsbury's, but I feel that these corporate entities can be very arrogant in believing they can do what they like and it is a shame that I had to get involved before Sainsbury’s would listen to local residents’ complaints.

I spent Saturday morning campaigning in Streatham on the issue of shortage of primary school places and the failure of the Coalition Government to give Lambeth sufficient capital funding to urgently expand our schools.

On Monday evening I attended a site visit at the old Fulham Timber Yard on Acre Lane with Genesis Housing Association and local residents. Genesis have had a year to consult the 50+ households who are directly affected and surround this site in Plato Road, Ashmere Grove and Linom Road. Genesis propose to developed 60 homes for social housing, but they have not treated existing residents interests who have a common 'boundary wall' with anything like the respect they deserve. The issue goes to Planning Committee on the 16th of August.

Riots

The biggest news story in recent days concerns the riots and disturbances which started in Tottenham on Saturday night and spread across London, including Brixton over the following two nights. Lambeth's emergency planning procedures are well rehearsed and were quickly put into action as rioting took hold in Brixton on Sunday night. On Monday, accompanied by much media attention, Lambeth Council Leader Steve Reed and the Chief Executive as well as many community leaders met in the Town Hall to discuss what had happened. The reaction of those present was a firm, united belief that community relations in Lambeth are strong and can withstand this attack on our local community.

Local residents showing it is 'business
as usual' in Brixton.

I have been on several walkabouts in central Brixton over the last few days and know that the local residents I meet on the street or communicate with via emails and phone calls are very concerned for their safety and are looking for assurances from the Council and police that they will be safe. However, they are also very clear that Brixton is a lovely place to live and that they want everyone to pull together to help Brixton recover quickly. Local businesses have mostly reacted with a desire to return to 'business as usual' as quickly as possible. As soon as the police removed the barriers from the cordoned off area in Brixton 5.30pm on Monday evening, Lambeth Street cleaning services quickly cleared away broken glass and rubbish and bus and traffic returned to normal.

The burned out 'Foot Locker' store
in Brixton

However, the images of the burned out 'Foot Locker' Store, smashed or broken shop windows and boarded up shops are a stark reminder of how easy it is to destroy what we take for granted as our local Brixton Town Centre.

Councillor Paul McGlone

Ferndale ward

Disorder and looting in Brixton - message to Ferndale community representatives and groups

2011-08-08T19:08:00.000+01:00

Brixton is a strong and united community that utterly condemns the scenes we saw last night. People were shocked and appalled by the vandalism and hooliganism we witnessed and this kind of criminal behaviour has absolutely no place in our community.

Let’s be very clear that this is simply opportunistic criminal activity that has no justification whatsoever - it’s criminal disorder not riots. Relations between the community and police today are strong, and this incident will not undermine the huge progress made over the past decades.

We are now determined that the borough gets back to normal as quickly as possible and will be offering all the support we can to the police and reassurance to local people and businesses.

Please also see a message from the Leader of the Council, Cllr Steve Reed.

http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/News/2011/080811AMessageFromCouncillorSteveReed.htm

Please feel free to contact any of us if you have any concerns or questions.

Regards,

Councillors Paul McGlone, Sally Prentice and Neil Sabharwal

Ferndale ward

Brixton riots: Joint statement from the three party leaders on Lambeth council

2011-08-08T18:32:00.002+01:00

8 August 2011

Joint statement from the Three Party Leaders on Lambeth Council

"Brixton is a strong and united community that over recent years has benefited from strong community relations and sensitive policing.

The vandalism and looting by a tiny minority in Brixton and Streatham last night has no place in our community and everyone we have spoken to has been united in their condemnation of this behavior.

Our job now is to get the borough back to normal as quickly as possible so people can get on with their lives. The community in Lambeth is strong and resilient and last night’s incidents will not damage that.

All three parties on the Council unequivocally condemn the mindless violence and looting we saw last night, and offer our support to the people and businesses that were affected."

Cllr Steve Reed Cllr Ashley Lumsden Cllr John Whelan

Leader of the Labour Group Leader of the Liberal Democrat Leader of the Conservative Group

What to do with the old Clapham Library building?

2011-07-05T22:20:00.002+01:00

When the new library opens in Clapham High Street, the historic Victorian building on Clapham Common North Side will be looking for a new purpose. The question is, should the old library be saved for local people to use?

OMNIBUS is working with Lambeth Council to ensure everyone in the community can continue to use the old library. They are a group of local arts enthusiasts who want to develop the old library building into a small but impressive arts centre for Clapham. To make a success of this project they need to know your views, so please click on the link below and tell them what you think.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SavingOldClaphamLibrary

Everyone who completes this survey will be put in a prize draw to win four free tickets to see 'An Evening with Miriam Margolyes, Charles Dickens and Others' at Clapham Library on Saturday 3rd September 2011.

Vauxhall Summer Barbecue Fundraiser!

2011-06-20T20:13:00.000+01:00

Make sure you check your emails from Vauxhall Labour as it is all about our upcoming summer barbecue fundraiser on Tuesday 12th July 2011. If you haven't recieved the email and would like to book tickets (£20 in advance, £25 on the door | £10 unwaged, OAPs, students) get in touch at friendsforferndale@hotmail.co.uk. Ferndale ward email coming soon...

Ferndale branch meeting tonight

2011-06-14T08:56:00.000+01:00

Don't forget, tonight is our monthly branch meeting! We will be joined by the NUT to talk about education reforms and threats to public sector pensions. Members from Clapham Town and Clapham Common will be coming along, and friends of members are also welcome. Meeting starts at 7:30pm at WIESA on Clapham Manor Street.

Can you help out on Clapham Common on Sunday?

2011-06-11T09:12:00.000+01:00

If you are able to spare some time on Sunday 12th June, please come and help Friends of Clapham Common protect the young saplings in Nursery Woods. Volunteers will be clearing bramble and elm-suckers from the base of young trees, and making the paths easier to navigate.

Park Rangers, along with Victor Chin-kit, will have plenty of tools and gardening gloves, but if you have secateurs, please bring them. Children are very welcome. Look out for the Friends of Clapham Common banner on the south side of the wood from 2pm - 4pm, weather permitting.

For more information, please get in touch with Melanie Oxley, Chair, at melanieoxleyfcc@gmail.com

Labour Investment in Lambeth’s Housing is paying off

2011-05-18T10:35:00.001+01:00

Lambeth Living with the aid of Labour investment are set to reach their target of only having 1% of homes empty by 31st May 2011. In a massive drive to improve housing in Lambeth, the Labour Group made fixing empty properties a key manifesto commitment and set out to make sure Lambeth Living hit this target.

Over the last year investment from the Lambeth Labour administration has enabled Lambeth Living to bring over 700 properties back into use. This Labour administration is now housing nearly 1000 more households compared with 4 years ago.

Bringing empty properties back into use is just one element though and thanks to sustained lobbying efforts Lambeth was awarded £100.5 million pounds over four years to help bring our homes up to decent standard and provide the necessary investment for new windows and doors.

Lambeth Cabinet member for Housing Cllr Lib Peck said:

Even though the government have slashed our housing Decent Home money from £258 million to just over £100 million I am extremely pleased that the Labour Administration and Lambeth Living have been able to restore so many properties for families that need them. We still have a long way to go but this is a definite step in the right direction.

Saturday's campaign day

2011-05-06T20:48:00.001+01:00

We will be meeting at 10.30am on the corner of Stansfield Road and Stockwell Road tomorrow morning to collect signatures for a petition on roads and pavement improvements and the NHS in the surrounding streets. We will then head off to help out Clapham Town around 1pm. Get in touch if you can make it!

Which way will you vote?

2011-05-05T06:36:00.002+01:00

It's a little early to go and cast your vote right now but don't forget to make it to the polling station today. They're open between 7am-10pm, so no excuses!

If you're still not sure which way to vote:
Yes Campaign: http://www.yestofairervotes.org/
No Campaign: http://www.no2av.org/

Can you help thirsty trees on Tuesday?

2011-04-22T14:59:00.001+01:00

With a hot, sunny bank holiday in store, there will no doubt be lots of visitors on Clapham Common. While you're out and about enjoying the good weather, spare a thought for the younger trees planted on the Common in recent years that are struggling for water in the higher temperatures. Whilst Lambeth Council is doing everything it can to keep the foliage alive, it would be great if volunteers (that means you!) could join Clapham Town's Cllr Helen O’Malley near the Boating pond at 5pm on Tuesday 26th April for a watering “hit squad”!

There was a fantastic turnout last week and it would be great if this effort could be kept up. For more information, please contact Cllr O’Malley directly by email.

Friends for Ferndale is now on Facebook

2011-04-20T16:03:00.001+01:00

First there was the website, then there was twitter (@ferndalelabour) and now there is Facebook. There are more ways than ever to find out what is happening in Ferndale so please get in touch to let us know your news, views and suggestions about life in Ferndale.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Alternative Vote - don't forget to vote!

2011-04-17T13:37:00.001+01:00

With less than three weeks until the Alternative Vote (AV) referendum, many of you may still be thinking about which way you will vote or even if you will vote at all. Although it may not seem to be the most important issue in this climate of cuts and economic glum, the result could have a massive impact on the future of politics in the UK.

There is still a lot of confusion about what AV is and how it will influence future elections, so Vauxhall Labour Party has organised a free public debate on Wednesday 20th April at Kennington Park Community Centre. The event will start at 7:30pm with a short debate between Jessica Asato, Director of the Labour Yes! campaign, and former MP Jane Kennedy, who is the national organiser for the Labour NO to AV campaign. The audience will then be invited to ask questions and make comments before the evening ends with a vote to see who has won the argument on the night. Will it predict the national outcome?

Please do come along if you can and invite your friends. You don't need to be a Labour supporter to take part. More information can also be found on Facebook.

Ferndale social

2011-04-09T10:14:00.000+01:00

On Thursday 7th April, Ferndale and Clapham Town held a social event for new members at The Bread and Roses pub on Clapham Manor Street. We were joined by Val Shawcross, Ken Livingston's running mate in the mayoral elections, and Kate Hoey, Vauxhall's MP. The event was very enjoyable and we look forward to holding another social event in the near future. If you have an idea for an event, please get in touch at friendsforferndale@hotmail.co.uk. We are always keen to hear your views and suggestions!

Campaign days update

2011-04-06T11:39:00.000+01:00

Ferndale's first campaign day of 2011 proved to be a great success, with many members from across the constituency lending a hand to leaflet and door-knock on a sunny spring morning.

We were fortunate enough to be joined by Val Shawcross, Ken's running mate in the London Mayoral elections and our assembly member. Val spoke to many people on the doorstep and later said "It was an excellent, productive session which was extremely well organised and I enjoyed the whole event. Ferndale is a strong Labour area but in the past we haven't done enough campaigning here - volunteers have been sent elsewhere to work. If we are to win London for Labour in the Mayoral elections next year, this is exactly the community we need to be in close touch with and encouraging to vote. The Sun shone on us on Saturday. Being superstitious, it was perhaps a good sign that we have started work in exactly the right place for 2012 ."

Thanks goes to everyone who turned out, it is very much appreciated. An extra special thanks goes to Alex Baker, Vauxhall Campaigns Officer, for organising everything and everyone, and then finding the time to take some photos (see the 'gallery' page).

Ferndale's next campaign day is on Saturday 9th April. We will be meeting at the corner of Bedford Road and Ferndale Road at 12pm. We will be doorknocking and leafletting until 2pm when we will head to The Bread and Roses for lunch.

Get in touch with Vaila McClure, Ward Secretary, at friendsforferndale@hotmail.co.uk, for more details.

Saturday's Campaign Day

2011-03-18T06:40:00.001Z

Our first campaign day of 2011 will be taking place tomorrow, Saturday 19th March from 10am-1pm. For more information, have a look at the 'Dates for your diary' page.

Whether you would like to get involved with doorknocking or leafletting, your help on the day will be greatly appreciated.

It won't be all work as we will be going for a well-earned lunch at around 1pm, which everyone is invited to.

For more information or to let us know you'll be coming along, please email friendsforferndale@hotmail.co.uk

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Keeping in touch with Ferndale

2011-03-15T21:33:00.000Z

Hello and welcome to the new look website for Labour members in Ferndale ward!

There are more members than ever in our ward and we want to make sure you feel involved in what is happening locally, from events, to keeping in touch with your councillors, to all the news that matters to you.

We would love to hear what you think, whether it is about the website, the news stories or the events we hold. You can email us at friendsforferndale@hotmail.co.uk or feel free to leave a comment on the website.

You can also keep up with news and events on Twitter by following @ferndalelabour.

Get involved and make sure your voice is heard. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Latest Tory cut ‘risks increase in violent youth crime’

2011-03-14T15:51:00.002Z

Lambeth Labour have issued a warning that the latest Tory cuts to Lambeth’s Youth Offending Service risks fuelling a surge in youth crime in the borough.

Lambeth was dealt a blow last week after the Government announced it would be making cuts of over 20% to its Youth Offending Team, despite having one of the highest levels of youth offending in the country. These draconian cuts will reduce the ability to identify and divert potential young offenders, exposing our communities to an increase risk of violent crime. The Youth Offending Team offers young people an alternative to a life of crime and in making this cut the Coalition is likely to blight the lives of Lambeth’s most vulnerable young people.

Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Cllr Pete Robbins, issued the warning as a Tory Youth Justice Minister, Crispin Blunt MP, visited Lambeth Council to see Lambeth’s Youth Offending Service. Cllr Robbins demanded a meeting with the minister, and set out how these short-sighted cuts will risk higher levels of youth disaffection and negative behaviour, leading to higher levels of offending. Experts confirm that the cost of repairing the damage caused by higher levels of youth crime far outweigh the savings made by short-sighted cuts like these.

Cllr Pete Robbins said: ‘Safety is the number one concern of Lambeth residents, and this latest Tory cut could cause huge damage to our recent progress in reducing crime and helping divert young people away from gangs. I don’t see how the Tories dare to claim they are interested in preventing youth crime at the same time as cutting the service. I am pleased the minister had the opportunity to see the fantastic work that Lambeth does, but unless he realises his Government is putting it all at risk then it will have been a wasted trip.’

He also added, ‘To add insult to injury, these latest cuts have been made with just one month’s notice - that’s no time at all to find ways to mitigate the worst impact.’

Cllr Robbins and Cllr Steve Reed, Leader of Lambeth Council, have today written a joint letter to Justice Secretary Ken Clarke, Education Secretary Michael Gove, and Home Secretary Theresa May demanding that they reverse the cut, and pointing out their decisions are likely to put their stated aim that fewer young people should be sent to prison in serious doubt.

Extra Police for Lambeth’s Streets

2011-02-25T10:30:00.002Z

Crime is residents’ number one concern and Police reorganisation strategy, known as Operation Hannah, will go live from Monday February 14th. Over 100 extra police officers will be assigned to six areas, covering the whole borough, that will increase visible policing, get more officers on the beat and provide an even greater focus on local issues such as anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Rachel Heywood Lambeth cabinet member for Communities and Community Safety said “Operation Hannah will go a long way to help the fight against anti social behaviour in Lambeth and significantly enhance local neighbourhood policing at a time when police number are being cut across the rest of the UK. Ensuring safer communities in Lambeth is a key priority for Labour administration and the additional police constables will provide a visible presence and safety net as well as helping reassure residents across the borough.’

Under operation Hannah all 21 wards in Lambeth will be partnered with others to make 6 clusters, called Local Policing Teams, with each cluster receiving at least an additional 14 police constables. The LPTs will also be working alongside, boosting the Safer Neighbourhood Teams, who will remain committed to tackling crime in their wards.

Residents in Lambeth will benefit from extra visible policing at a time when the Tory led coalition is cutting funding to services and the Lib Dems reneged on a deal to provide 3000 extra police.

News of Operation Hannah comes on the back of the announcement that Lambeth is going to continue funding its special police team to tackle crime hit neighbourhoods. The Anti-Social Behaviour Action Team, set up last year, is made up of 22 PCSOs and they can be rapidly deployed across the borough, another addition to Labour’s manifesto commitment to zero tolerance of anti-social behaviour.

Cuts will spark a teen crime whirlwind, says council chief | News

2011-01-07T13:31:00.000Z

The Tory led coalition have implemented the largest funding cuts to Local government since the second world war and as a result Lambeth is having to find £79 million worth of savings over the next 3 years.

Cllr Paul McGlone has written to the Communities Secretary Eric Pickles to warn of a “real decline” in the quality of services as the cuts start to bite.

Read below for the full article published in the Evening Standard on the 5^th January.

Cuts will spark a teen crime whirlwind, says council chief | News

Central London Labour Leaders condemn government's cuts to local councils

2010-12-14T10:18:00.000Z

The three Labour leaders of Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark Councils have issued a joint statement laying out their opposition to the huge cuts for local councils announced today by the Coalition Government. As part of the settlement for local government the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, has cut funding to the three councils by millions of pounds.

Between them the three council leaders represent nearly a million people including some of the most deprived communities in the country. Today’s settlement is not the first government decision that will disproportionately affect people living in inner-city areas, but comes on the back of changes to welfare, higher education and social housing.

Cllr Steve Reed, Leader of Lambeth Council, Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham and Cllr Peter John’s statement:

“Between us we represent some of the most deprived inner-city areas in the UK and almost 1 million people. The Tory/Lib Dem government’s announcement today to cut council funding by millions of pounds is a hammer-blow to our boroughs and hit s our people hard. This was not an inevitability but a short-sighted political choice; it was not an unavoidable outcome but a calculated decision to put dogma ahead of decency.

“We will each work with local residents to try and minimise the pain of these cuts but we are united in our opposition to them. Today's decision will force all Councils to cut highly valued services. We share local people's anger about this, and will stand alongside our communities through the challenging months and years ahead”.

London Councils calls on London MPs to fight for the capital

2010-12-12T23:30:00.002Z

Council leaders from the three main political parties have today written to all London MPs urging them to fight for the capital’s public services ahead of next month’s local government finance settlement.

The settlement could fix funding levels for London’s local authorities up to the next four years and estimates suggest that they will see a £1.5 billion reduction in funding over that period.

With the situation looking so bleak, London Councils has called on the capital’s MPs to persuade the government to ensure London’s local authorities get a fair deal from the funding settlement.

Please lobby our MP to support Lambeth’s public services! You can contact Vauxhall’s member of parliament, Kate Hoey MP as follows:

Kate Hoey MP

House of Commons
Westminster
London
SW1A 0AA

Phone: 020 7219 5989

Fax: 020 7219 5985

Email: hoeyk@parliament.uk

'Lambeth Labour Party' - conference to start the fight back against the ConDem Government's cuts.

2010-11-29T11:04:00.001Z

See Lambeth Labour Leader, Councillor Steve Reed, comment on a conference held Saturday, 20th November 2010.

http://cllrstevereed.wordpress.com/

Lambeth aims to become Britain's first co-operative council

2010-11-23T13:43:00.005Z

Message below from Cllr Paul McGlone, Labour Councillor, Ferndale ward, and Lambeth Council Cabinet Member for Finance:

"Our work to become Britain's first co-operative council has become the subject of a film.

Made by Local Government TV, an internet-based television channel, it describes our ground-breaking vision and describes how the co-operative approach has already been successful in Lambeth."

http://intranet.lambeth.gov.uk/videosintranet/CooperativeCouncilVideo.htm

Ferndale and Clapham Town Campaigning - Saturday, 27th Nov. 11.00am

2010-11-20T20:28:00.009Z

Save the South London Line!

Ferndale and Clapham Town are running a new campaign to stop the planned cuts to the South London Line which will deliver misery to commuters using Clapham High Street. Read more about the campaign on Clapham Town's website and sign up to the petition online (please pass the petition on to anyone who might be interested!):

http://www.claphamlabour.com/

http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/claphamlaboursll

Councillors and members will be out collecting signatures on Saturday, 27th November from 11am around Clapham Manor Street. If you can spare a hand for an hour or so then please contact Clapham Town's secretary Paul Gadsby (paulgadsby09@gmail.com) for more details. All support appreciated!

ps To find us on Saturday ring Paul on 07943 821 060

Paul
Secretary, Clapham Town Labour Party

'Big Lottery Big Local - £1 million for Brixton housing estates'

2010-11-08T15:26:00.006Z

In July, North Brixton was confirmed as a winner of at least £1m from a Council lead bid to the ‘Big Lottery Fund - Big Local Trust’ scheme. One of only 50 areas nationally to benefit, Stockwell Park Estate (in Ferndale Ward), and part of Loughborough estate (in Coldharbour Ward) will benefit from £1 million over the next 10 years to support community development type projects.

The programme will be managed by an independent trust appointed by the Big Lottery. The Trust working in Lambeth will be confirmed by the Big Lottery in early 2011 following the completion of a tender process which is currently underway. The trust will establish itself during 2011 and ‘open for business’ in 0ctober 2011, after which it will be in a position to start awarding funds to local projects. During the development stage and subsequently, the Big Local Trust will be required to work with local residents and stakeholders to agree priorities for the programme. The intention is for the programme to respond directly to local needs and priorities with genuine stakeholder participation.

On the 25^th October the first consultation meeting was held at the Stockwell Park Estate (SPE) Community Centre, organised by the Big Lottery to formally let community organisations know about the fund, the Trust and the above timetable. They flagged up the possibility of some development funding (£10k) to organise community events and raise awareness of the programme that is available now.

Local Councillor Paul McGlone commented, “Thanks to the excellent work of Lambeth officers in our Finance and Resources Department in putting this bid together with the local community, the £1 million fund will be used for local projects decided by local people in and around Stockwell Park and Loughborough Estates in the next few years. My fellow councillors Neil Sabharwal, Sally Prentice and I will stay involved with the Big Local Trust and unsure the money is spent wisely on what local residents want”.

Ferndale Community Sport Centre hard court and astro pitch refurbishment.

2010-11-08T15:12:00.005Z

Ferndale Community Sports Centre has received a major facelift during August and September 2010. An investment of £75,000 has upgraded all sporting pitches and courts which support 6000 active users each month. The improvement works carried out include:

· Resurfacing and relining two hard court surfaces, allowing Ferndale to host competitive netball in addition to tennis.

· Refurbishing all four football pitches with new underlay and the latest third generation astro turf. These pitch refurbishments will also include new goal line boards and fencing.

Lambeth Council and the operator (GLL) worked to ensure minimal disruption to user groups by erecting signs notifying users of the closure and emailing regular users.

Anyone can book hard courts and 3G astro pitches by calling the Ferndale Community Sports Centre bookings line on 0845 130 8998.

Labour challenges Tories and Lib Dems to back anti-trafficking laws.

2010-09-24T10:20:00.002+01:00

Lambeth Council leader Steve Reed has called on local Lib Dems and Tories to support proposed rules to tackle human trafficking across Europe. The coalition government has dismayed campaigners by refusing to sign up to the new rules, but Labour hopes a cross-party campaign can persuade them to change their minds.

The new guidelines would work to ensure that EU countries work together to prevent trafficking, ensure successful prosecution and make sure victims of trafficking are properly looked after. Researchers estimate there are an average of 100 trafficked women and children facing regular abuse, including physical and sexual abuse, in every London Borough including Lambeth.

Astonishingly the coalition government have said they will opt out of the new rules that are supported by many well respected campaign groups including Anti–Slavery International and ECPAT UK which campaigns against child sexual abuse. The government’s failure to support the new rules seriously undermines European–wide efforts to tackle the misery caused by this crime, abandoning victims in Lambeth and elsewhere to their abusers.

Lambeth is home to the Poppy Project, part of Eaves Women’s Housing, which offers support to women and children who are freed from their abusers. They have also backed the campaign for the government to sign up to the new rules.

Cllr Steve Reed said:

“It is unbelievable the Government is refusing to sign up to new rules that could help protect some of the most vulnerable people in our country. Hundreds of women and children are trafficked to the UK every year and suffer untold abuse at the hands of their captors. I’m calling on Lambeth’s Tories and Lib Dems to join Labour in demanding a change of heart from their colleagues in government. We must do everything in our power to stop this vile abuse of women and children.”

Clapham regeneration scheme woos judges in national award scheme

2010-09-07T11:16:00.001+01:00

Lambeth Council's redevelopment of Mary Seacole House on Clapham High Street, in partnership with Cathedral Group, has beaten off the competition to win a major national housing award.

The 'Clapham One' development - which is seeing a new library, healthcare centre, café and 136 homes built in the heart of Clapham - triumphed against 97 other entries in the prestigious Housing Design Awards 2010.

Judges praised the quality and innovation of the building's design and architecture, as well as its low energy use and sustainability.

In their appraisal, the judges said: "The proposals… take a corner site and let rip. Curved buildings of seven to 12 storeys spin off a vortex which houses the library, its book shelving edging a ramp that spirals upwards like the access ramps within the GLA or the Vatican."

The Clapham One scheme is part of Future Clapham, a major regeneration project being led by Lambeth Council that also involves the creation of a new leisure centre with 25 metre swimming pool and gym at the existing leisure centre and depot site.

The council has been working with its development partner, Cathedral Group, on the £80 million project, and local people have also been involved in steering the design process. The architect is Studio Egret West.

Councillor Sally Prentice, Lambeth Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning, Employment and Enterprise, said:

"To get this recognition is of course a bonus, but the real satisfaction will come when the new library, leisure centre and other facilities open to the public, at the end of next year.

"This major project has been in the pipeline since 2007 and despite the economic conditions it is now coming to fruition. This is a truly inspiring development that will provide much needed high quality homes as well as fantastic new community, sport and health facilities in the heart of Clapham."

Lambeth Labour Councillors call on Government to commit to Decent Homes for Tenants

2010-07-29T10:17:00.002+01:00

Labour Cabinet Member for Housing, Lib Peck today called on the Government to commit to funding Decent Homes in Lambeth. Lambeth Leaders wrote to Housing Minister Grant Shapps in June urging him to commit to funding for decent homes but he has yet to respond.

Lambeth Council is campaigning for continued investment in the Decent Homes scheme, which was started by the Labour Government, to bring all of the borough’s social housing up to a decent standard.

The Decent Homes scheme is under threat after the Tory-Lib Dem Government made no commitment to complete the programme in their manifestos or the Coalition Agreement.

Cllr Lib Peck said:

“We’re calling on the Conservative/Liberal Democrat government to fund the decent homes programme in Lambeth. In total this amounts to £233 million for Lambeth Living; and “25 million for United Residents Housing. This money is desperately needed so that our homes can be made safe, warm and secure. It will pay for new roofs, new boilers, new windows, new kitchens and new bathrooms that are desperately needed by our residents. The last government promised this money – we don’t want the new government to break this agreement and let down Lambeth residents.”

Rt Hon John Healey MP, Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning, said:

“I want to see the new Government back tenants’ desire to live in a decent home. They deserve the improvements that others have already had.

“If ministers fail to give a clear commitment to finish Labour’s big refurbishment programme, tenants will be left in limbo and we’ll see the widespread unfairness of two-tiered council estates in our communities.”

Please help support Labour in Lambeth’s call on the government to commit to Decent Homes for Tenants by clicking on the following link http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/moderngov/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=183&RPID=10738965

Councillors slam Tory/Lib Dem school building cuts in Lambeth

2010-07-14T11:40:00.003+01:00

Labour councillors have slammed the recent admission by Tory Education secretary Michael Gove that he is cutting more than £200 million in Lambeth schools funding, just days before contracts were due to be agreed and building work was to begin.

Local schools in Lambeth including Landsdowne and the Fenstanton Project had been promised rebuilt or refurbished school buildings under the Building Schools for the Future project, but the Tory/Lib Dem coalition government has now dashed their hopes. Michael Gove has now cancelled Lambeth’s entire program, affecting thousands of pupils at eleven secondary schools. The cancelled investment in schools was desperately needed, both to renew or rebuild tired buildings, and also to provide much needed extra places in the borough, including a new school for Brixton. The creation of hundreds of local construction jobs will also be dashed.

Labour Cabinet Member for Children and Young people Pete Robbins said: “Teachers and pupils across Lambeth’s schools had been promised millions in funding to bring their school up to modern standards. Now the Tory/Lib Dem government have destroyed their dream of modern buildings by cancelling Building Schools for the Future in Lambeth outright, affecting the life chances of hundreds of local children in Lambeth.

“Lambeth is still desperately short of places for secondary school age children, despite Labour building three new schools from scratch in the last few years. Labour’s plans for school rebuilding would have created the extra places our borough need – but the Tories and Lib Dems will leave our children having to travel miles out of the borough to get to school.

“What’s more, Lambeth has already spent more than £6 million on preparing planning permissions and producing designs for the eleven new schools – local taxpayers will be outraged that the coalition government’s decision will see that money go to waste.”

Lambeth Labour are now leading a ‘Save Our Schools’ campaign, to shame the Tory/Lib Dem government into reversing their short-sighted decision. They are urging local parents and children to write to Education secretary Michael Gove telling him how their decision will affect their education, and urging him to restore the funding Lambeth needs. He can be contacted at:

The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP
Secretary of State for Education
Sanctuary Buildings
Great Smith Street
London SW1P 3BT

Or email: ministers@education.gsi.gov.uk

Ruth Ling wins it for Labour in the Tulse Hill By election

2010-07-05T12:11:00.002+01:00

Labour candidate Ruth Ling claimed victory in the Tulse Hill by election which was held yesterday on the 1st July 2010. After a hard and well fought campaign by Ruth Ling and the Lambeth Labour Party which included guest appearances from Blur drummer Dave Rowntree and former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, Ruth won with a 490 majority on a 21.4% turnout.

The result helps strengthen Labour in Lambeth’s fight against ConDem cuts and plans to work more closely with communities and customers of council services as a co-operative council to improve service quality for everyone.

Cllr Ruth Ling said:
“I’m delighted to be back on the Council and I would like to thank all the residents in Tulse Hill who have been so friendly and supportive to me over the last few weeks. I look forward to working hard on their behalf.”

Council Leader Steve Reed said:
“The by-election result was a powerful endorsement of Ruth Ling and Lambeth’s Labour Council. The result, with Labour’s share of the vote even higher than in May, sends a clear signal to the Tory-Lib Dem Government that people in Lambeth will not take their unfair cuts lying down. For the Tories, as the country’s governing party, to win barely 4% of the vote just a few miles from Parliament is a humiliation. Ruth has many years of experience and will be a hard-working champion for the people of Tulse Hill”.

Full Results:

Labour – 1235
Liberal Democrats – 745
Green Party – 256
Conservatives – 94
UKIP – 36

Labour to work cross-border to protect services Lewisham, Southwark and Lambeth

2010-07-05T12:02:00.001+01:00

Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham are building on plans announced before the election to work together to cut costs and protect frontline services.

Partnership working between the three boroughs has taken on a new urgency in light of the unprecedented cuts from the Tory/Lib Dem Government that local councils will face over the coming years.

Sir Steve Bullock, elected Mayor of Lewisham, Cllr Steve Reed, Leader of Lambeth and Cllr Peter John, Leader of Southwark, have today written to their respective Chief Executives to commission them to begin joint discussions to consider where potential exists for efficient and effective joint working. They have been asked to work together to present a range of options by the autumn.

Cllr Steve Reed said: “Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark councils all provide many services that are identical, but do we really need to pay twice for separate sets of senior management and back-office support? We need to proactively look at making savings at a time when the Tory/Lib Dem government is making cuts to council funding in order to protect frontline services”

Cllr Peter John said: “Local councils are facing unprecedented cuts from the Tory/Lib Dem Government. We know that we’re going to have to change the way we work to rise to the challenge those cuts present and carry on making the improvements to local services that our residents need. Pulling together with our neighbouring boroughs, which face many of the same challenges we do, promises to deliver some of that change.”

Mayor Sir Steve Bullock said: “We have to seek dramatic improvements in efficiency by working in partnership with our neighbouring Councils, other public services and the private sector. Every pound we can save through efficiency is a pound we can spend on frontline services. I hope this innovative approach can be used as a model across Local Government, rather than a return to slash and burn cuts”

Lambeth's Cooperative Council Challenges Camerons Big Society

2010-06-03T14:21:00.002+01:00

Lambeth Council is launching detailed proposals that will see the South London authority become Britain’s first-ever cooperative council.

Lambeth’s cooperative council model – first trailed in the national media in February 2010, months before David Cameron announced his Big Society proposals – will see residents take on a bigger role in running and shaping local services. The model contrasts with the Tory ‘EasyCouncil’ model in the London Borough of Barnet that aims to create two-tier services with substandard services for the majority and better options available only to those wealthy enough to pay for them. While there are some similarities with the coalition Government’s Big Society proposals, Labour’s model in Lambeth takes a more thorough-going approach applying the cooperative values of fairness, accountability and responsibility across a broad range of services. It is built on four years experience trialling the approach in specific services in Lambeth.

Lambeth’s Labour leader, Cllr Steve Reed, will publish detailed proposals on Wednesday 26 May at the same time as the council sets up a Citizens’ Commission to consult local people on the proposals. The Commission will identify new services where the cooperative model can be piloted and will explore how the approach can be rolled out across further service areas later this year. The Commission will also explore how an ‘active citizens dividend’ could be paid to reward people who get involved in running local services, possibly in the form of a council-tax discount.

Lambeth has led the country in exploring the cooperative approach to service delivery in recent years. The council has more tenant-managed housing estates than any other borough and is transferring more assets to community control than any other council. Notable examples include Raleigh Hall in Brixton which is set to become the country’s first National Black Heritage Centre; the Weir Link children’s centre in Balham which is a service run by residents in a building built by the community; and the Old Lilian Baylis community sports hub operating out of a disused secondary school in Vauxhall that has won praise from leading politicians of all parties as well as international sports heroes like Usain Bolt and Michael Jordan.

Other community-led services already succeeding in Lambeth include 2XL, a peer mentoring programme that has dramatically cut youth reoffending levels on tough inner-city estates, the country’s first parent-promoted secondary school in West Norwood, and Community Freshview, an environmental programme that sees local people given tools and support to transform derelict or overgrown wasteland into community gardens or public spaces.

Lambeth’s Council leader, Cllr Steve Reed, said: “Lambeth has spent the past four years exploring how the community can get more involved in running local services. In widely different service areas like schools, housing and tackling crime we’ve learnt this approach delivers better services that cost less. Now we will take the model further and become the first council in the country to apply cooperative values right across the board. Our model differs from the Tories’ Big Society because while they want to roll back state, we want to change the role of the state, creating a new settlement between the citizen and public services with more power and control handed to local people. Our model empowers people to get on and make the changes they want to see in their local area, building better services and a stronger civic society at the same time.”

Labour appoints a new leadership team

2010-06-03T14:07:00.003+01:00

With the election finished and the people of Lambeth giving a resounding thumbs up to Labour in Lambeth you voted in 44 Labour Group Councillors including 13 new faces to the council in the Borough elections on May 6th 2010.

The Labour Group would like thank those who voted to keep Labour in control of Lambeth and give us a mandate to carry on the work of improving Lambeth and carrying out our Manifesto commitments to you.

Councillor Steve Reed and Councillor Jackie Meldrum will continue as Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council but there are some new faces. Cllr Florence Nosegbe and Cllr Pete Robbins have both been appointed to the Cabinet for the first time.

The Cabinet is also the most diverse that at any other point in the council’s history. There are 6 women and Cllr Nosegbe and Cllr Campbell as representatives of our diverse communities.

Cllr Steve Reed leader of the Labour Group and the Council says “Thank you to all of those who voted for Labour to continue running the Council, it’s a testament to the Labour Group that we have been getting things right and most importantly listening to what you want in Lambeth. The Labour Group is really looking forward to getting on with the job in hand and making Lambeth a better fairer place for all”

Labour in Lambeth can exclusively reveal the new Cabinet is as follows;

Leader of the Council – Steve Reed

Deputy Leader – Jackie Meldrum.

Cabinet Member for Communities and Community Safety – Cllr Rachel Heywood

Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and the 2012 Games – Cllr Florence Nosegbe

Cabinet Member for Housing – Cllr Lib Peck

Cabinet Member for Environment – Cllr Lorna Campbell

Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Employment – Cllr Sally Prentice

Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing – Cllr Jim Dickson

Cabinet Member for Finance – Cllr Paul McGlone

Cabinet Member for Children’s & Young People Services – Cllr Pete Robbins

Ferndale Labour Council Candidates Chosen for 2010 Lambeth Council Elections

2009-10-09T15:52:00.002+01:00

After a very well attend Ferndale Labour Party selection meeting on 1st October the following were chosen as Ferndales Labour candidates: Paul McGlone, Sally Prentice & Neil Sabharwal (pictured below).

The candidates are the existing Ferndale councillors and look forward to continuing their hard work campaigning and representing Ferndale residents and making Lambeth a better council. We're all looking forward to the 2010 elections!

Renewal of Iconic New Youth Facility : Stockwell Skatepark

2009-05-20T14:34:00.008+01:00

Stockwell Skatepark, corner of Stockwell Road and Stockwell Park Walk, SW9

Iconic Stockwell Skatepark reopens!

The much loved and iconic Stockwell Skatepark, which is attached to Stockwell Park Estate (Ferndale Ward), has been reopened following a year long project to completely rebuild it from scratch. Lambeth Housing have invested £300,000 from the Housing Capital Programme to renew this fantasic youth facility. Specialist contractors and expert advice from America were needed, and with the dedicated help of the Skatepark Users Group, Brixton Cycles and Lambeth Housing Regeneration have all ensure that the renewal works success. The skatepark should be safe and enjoyable for use for years to come.

Brixton Cycles Co-Op, situated next door at 145 Stockwell Road (www.brixtoncycles.co.uk) and the Stockwell Skatepark Users Group (http://www.stockwellskatepark.com) both work together to ensure there is a well run facility and that young and the young at heart all look out for each other.

Paul McGlone, one of the Ferndale Labour ward councillors and Cabinet Member for Children & Young People, said, “A lot of hard work and tears, as well as tenants money has gone into making sure this London icon of a youth facility is fit for purpose and can now be used. Stockwell Housing Trust will soon take over ownership and running of the facility and I look forward to it being a source of fun and enjoyment as the weather warms up.” There will be an official opening soon.

Ferndale Estate Watch- Waltham Estate

2009-03-26T19:30:00.014Z

Your local Ferndale Labour Councillors have been doing to campaign for better services and investment on your estate

As your Ferndale Councillors we regularly conduct "Estate Walkabouts" where we and council officers responisble for your estate and it's upkeep walk around your estate, spots issues which need to be fixed and then get them fixed!
Residents are welcomed to join us and point out issues when we "walkabout". We'll put up the dates we're visiting your estate on our website- so please join us!

For Waltham Estate (Tenant Management Organisation under URH) we been informed the TMO under URH have done the following:

Exterior- Made the car park for residents clean and accessible

BEFORE

AFTER

Exterior- Tidyied up the clutter and rubbish from the lawned areas.

BEFORE

AFTER

Prioritising Interior cleaning such as stairwells to reduce potential vandalism

Ferndale Councillors successfully loby for new playgrounds

2009-02-03T12:17:00.006Z

Your local councillors lobbied hard to get Lambeth Housing to fund the renovation of the Bowlands estate 'Kick About' area for young people, as well as the near by children's playground near Brittainia Close, SW4. These are now open.

Councillor Paul McGlone, pictured in the Kick About area on Saturday, says, "young people need places to play sport, and parents need open air play grounds to get kids playing in the fresh air. I hope Bowlands estate residents will help own these facilities as a community asset."

Lambeth Labour councillors freeze council tax for the next TWO years

2009-02-02T18:37:00.003Z

Lambeth Labour councillors have voted to freeze council tax for the next TWO years to help local households cope with the economic recession.

Labour was elected in Lambeth two years ago promising that we would be “on your side”, with council tax increases kept below the level of wage inflation. During the previous four years, a Lib Dem and Conservative coalition forced council tax up 40% - the biggest increase in Lambeth’s history - that cost the average household an extra £1000 in council tax payments.

Labour’s two-year tax freeze is intended to help residents who are struggling to cope with the effects of the global recession. With rising fuel prices and many facing job losses, Labour wants to help families and individuals keep more of their money. The freeze will be delivered without cuts in frontline services. This is possible only because of the careful way Labour has managed the council’s finances over the past two years, restoring them to stability after the Tories and Lib Dems left the council with no money in the bank and millions of pounds in debt.

Larkhall Labour Councillor Pete Robbins is Chair of the Finance Committee, and said: "The one thing the council does that affects just about every household in Lambeth is set the council tax. With Labour, our council tax is already one of the lowest in the country. But Lambeth Labour is determined to stay on the side of ordinary people, so we will be freezing council tax for the next two years with no increase in people’s bills. We know that’s the best way we can help people manage through the economic downturn. And it’s a clear difference from the record-breaking 40% hikes we got from the Lib Dems.”

Lib Dem plans to savage Lambeth’s housing

2009-02-02T18:30:00.001Z

Lambeth Labour has exposed secret Lib Dem plans to savage Lambeth’s housing service with £9 million of cuts. Their refusal to increase investment for the underfunded service means that, to balance the budget as the law demands, they would have to impose cuts on a scale never before seen in Lambeth.

The Lib Dem axe would sweep through housing, removing staff and frontline services and leaving it facing meltdown. The last time Lib Dems were running Lambeth’s housing service they were so incompetent they managed to cut services while making them cost more at the same time in a botched restructuring plan called ‘Reframing’. This time, they plan to make the same mistakes only on a far bigger scale.

When they were finally voted out of office in 2006, the Lib Dems left behind a toxic cocktail of a £7.78m annual overspend and no financial reserves in the bank. The council has already been forced to consider big rent rises to clear up the Lib Dem mess.

Labour’s leader Steve Reed commented: “Tenants in Lambeth would face a terrifying double whammy of cuts and rent rises if the Lib Dems were ever to grab back power. Alongside savage cuts to frontline services, tenants could see weekly bills rise to the level seen in other Lib Dem-run councils like Islington. The Lib Dems want to cover up the truth about their plans, but today Labour can expose exactly where the Lib Dem axe will fall.”

Here’s the nightmare that £9m Lib Dem cuts would mean:

Half of all housing staff sacked
Area offices closed down
Rent collection staff reduced and rents left uncollected
Pest control service scrapped
Safety patrols slashed
Call centre waiting times increased
No window cleaning
All concierges removed
CCTV switched off
External repairs and redecorations left undone
Household repairs scrapped
One in every three homes left without central heating or watertight doors, windows or roofs
Rents skyrocketing to the level seen in Lib Dem-run Islington

Friends For Ferndale

Over 500 contacts in our last Action Saturday!

Jail sentence for primary school worker

Campaigns update

Canvass for Ferndale and work on your suntan - the best way to start October

Community Conversation event: Youth Violence

Hope not Hate in Lambeth

The Little Big Peace Event

Planning & Licensing - where angels fear to tread…

Lambeth stands united

Letter to David Cameron from Lambeth leader Steve Reed

A week can be a long time in politics...

Disorder and looting in Brixton - message to Ferndale community representatives and groups

Brixton riots: Joint statement from the three party leaders on Lambeth council

What to do with the old Clapham Library building?

Vauxhall Summer Barbecue Fundraiser!

Ferndale branch meeting tonight

Can you help out on Clapham Common on Sunday?

Labour Investment in Lambeth’s Housing is paying off

Saturday's campaign day

Which way will you vote?

It's a little early to go and cast your vote right now but don't forget to make it to the polling station today. They're open between 7am-10pm, so no excuses!If you're still not sure which way to vote:Yes Campaign: http://www.yestofairervotes.org/No Campaign: http://www.no2av.org/

Can you help thirsty trees on Tuesday?

Friends for Ferndale is now on Facebook

Alternative Vote - don't forget to vote!

Ferndale social

Campaign days update

Saturday's Campaign Day

Keeping in touch with Ferndale

Latest Tory cut ‘risks increase in violent youth crime’

Extra Police for Lambeth’s Streets

Cuts will spark a teen crime whirlwind, says council chief | News

Central London Labour Leaders condemn government's cuts to local councils

London Councils calls on London MPs to fight for the capital

'Lambeth Labour Party' - conference to start the fight back against the ConDem Government's cuts.

Lambeth aims to become Britain's first co-operative council

Ferndale and Clapham Town Campaigning - Saturday, 27th Nov. 11.00am

'Big Lottery Big Local - £1 million for Brixton housing estates'

Ferndale Community Sport Centre hard court and astro pitch refurbishment.

Labour challenges Tories and Lib Dems to back anti-trafficking laws.

Clapham regeneration scheme woos judges in national award scheme

Lambeth Labour Councillors call on Government to commit to Decent Homes for Tenants

Councillors slam Tory/Lib Dem school building cuts in Lambeth

Ruth Ling wins it for Labour in the Tulse Hill By election

Labour to work cross-border to protect services Lewisham, Southwark and Lambeth

Lambeth's Cooperative Council Challenges Camerons Big Society

Labour appoints a new leadership team

Ferndale Labour Council Candidates Chosen for 2010 Lambeth Council Elections

Renewal of Iconic New Youth Facility : Stockwell Skatepark

Ferndale Estate Watch- Waltham Estate

Ferndale Councillors successfully loby for new playgrounds

Lambeth Labour councillors freeze council tax for the next TWO years

Lib Dem plans to savage Lambeth’s housing

It's a little early to go and cast your vote right now but don't forget to make it to the polling station today. They're open between 7am-10pm, so no excuses!

If you're still not sure which way to vote:
Yes Campaign: http://www.yestofairervotes.org/
No Campaign: http://www.no2av.org/