Laurie Eggleston

Hi all, I was also in the audience last night. It was a very detailed meeting, and I look forward to reading the committee?s summary. But I'll try and summarise what, for me, were the key points to take from the meeting. Parents felt that admissions team weren?t as helpful as they should have been. Letters were sent when a phone call to talk the issues through and answer questions would have been more effective. The admissions team are currently expanding and have taken on the feedback so that next year, they?ll be able to deal with parents much more constructively and compassionately. The biggest change the council officers acknowledge they need to make is how they market local schools. Schools in special measures are perceived to be no-go areas, but in reality due to the huge extra funds and clearout of staff and governors, they very quickly turn around (Goose Green is on course to come out of special measures next spring). Parents need to be made aware when an improvement is being made, not have to wait and hear it on the grapevine. Another key action point the officers need to do is to really stress to parents that they actually need to apply, and do so early. There were loads of extra late applications this year, which caused all sorts of problems. Many of which were from parents who claimed they simply didn?t know that they needed to apply (for example from parents with a child already in the attached nursery). The reasons why a new school is an unrealistic goal were also laid out in detail. They also explained why it wasn?t even the correct goal. The population figures point to the fact that reception pupil numbers will peak in 2015 and then drop down. Although, these figures are open to scrutiny and council officers will need to subject them to detailed analysis and a keep close eye on them. But due to the bulge in numbers it will better to ready several schools to potentially take an extra class and then pick one each year depending on demand (see James Barber?s earlier post). I think this is a great option, as it will take account of schools which improve and have increased demand over the next few years. Another big talking point was the admissions criteria and how, after the sibling rule is applied first, the ?nearest school? priority sometimes gives unwanted outcomes. I can see how frustrating it would be that a late applying sibling could push an early applicant down the queue, but those are the rules that councils have to follow. VikkiM asks if there?s scope to change this - but it?s not a council procedure that can be changed; as we were told last night, it?s a law set by the national Govt. It seems like the council officers acknowledged the problems they had this year, but that they are taking steps to do something about them. Preparations are being made so that in future years local schools can be more responsive to changing demand. The officers seemed very open to feedback and suggestions. All of the local schools are improving, and even this year there are still surplus places locally, so hopefully all local schools will soon be seen as an attractive issue. To the parents that were there last night ? what are your views on the meeting? How useful was it? Is there anything else you?d want answered by council officers? Thanks, Laurie Contact me here: www.laurieeggleston.org twitter.com/Laurie1984

R&A ? I?m responsible from getting the Tube map mocked up showing the South London Line. Quite aside from the issues around frequency, it really annoys me that TfL don?t show the direct connections which are available from Camberwell and Peckham into central London. Unfortunately I can?t upload the map on here, as the file is too big. Big if you look on my website you can save it from there www.laurieeggleston.org. Alternatively private message me and I?ll email it over to anyone who wants it. You?ll see on my version I?ve taken the liberty of running the South London Line through to Charing Cross ? which would be the ideal option for the line, and with Network Rail saying there isn?t room to terminate at London Bridge it may be the practical solution. Everyone who sees this map tells me that it would really make them use the South London Line service more, and therefore come to south London more! TfL don?t seem to appreciate the important part they play in regenerating inner-south London. People don?t care whether TfL run the service or not, they just want to look on a map and see what?s there. I?d love it if Boris showed some leadership and said that TfL will take over the running of the South London Line. The fact it?s completely contained in Zones 1 and 2 means it?s different from other train lines in central London. But regardless, there?s no reason it couldn?t be shown. Boris and TfL seem content to pass the blame over to Network Rail (see the smug performance from TfL representative at Wednesday?s meeting), but Boris is the one person who could step in and show real leadership and prove he?s not just a mayor for outer-London. That?s why it?s essential as many people as possible come to the People?s Question Time to make it clear to him our anger over these plans. Dogkennel ? the Lib Dems are an active part of the campaign, along with all the political parties locally. It?s great (and very refreshing) to see all of us working together on this, with no one is trying to score points. One of the things the Lib Dems would plan to do though is oppose any Network Rail planning application for London Bridge which doesn?t make full use of space for platforms (there is a planning application for the site due soon).

Everyman - the council aren't 'my lot'. I'm hoping the residents of Peckham Rye choose me to be one of 'their lot' to fight for their corner! So no, I'm not a Councillor. I therefore have no data to give you - but I agree with you on this. Let's ask the council officers to explain their system of forecasting numbers at the meeting on the 12th and see if it can be improved (which it obviously can!). And let's ask them to publish the GLA data. Thanks.

Hi all, Firstly, Toast - I know you were suggesting the Homestall football fields as a possible site for a new primary school and I?ve looked into the feasibility this, along with the cemetery playing field near Brenchley Gardens. Both are what's known Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), and so are as good as impossible to build on. If the Council even suggested them as a site, and put in plans, they'd fail. Any attempt to build on MOL would be subject to a judicial review ? which would fail, or at least spend years going through the courts. And even IF the Council could get a plan approved for a new school on MOL - no Govt would ever provide the money to build a new school there. The only time anyone can build on MOL is to enhance the open space. I know it may not seem like that it's the best use of the sites in Peckham Rye, considering the huge park next door, but open spaces in London are just too precious to people - once they're gone there's no getting them back. So I think we?re better off focusing our efforts on an alternative site for a new school which would have a chance of success. It would therefore seem that the Govt will have to provide the cash to purchase land for a school, as the council simply doesn?t own anywhere suitable in that area. Fiona - I hope the scrutiny committee will address this issue and investigate the options there are locally? As James notes on his thread in the main room, Govt rules mean that the council would also have to open it up to various groups (like Faith groups) to see if they want to step in and run the school, slowing the process further. The Scrutiny Committee should therefore investigate if these rules can be by-passed in this instance, due to the pressing need. But whatever the issues around a new school are, it will still take years to build and won't solve the issue now. Parents need a more practical and achievable solution which will sort this in the years ahead. What can be done is for the council to work with local schools and continue to expand them to meet demand; either through bulge classes, or permanently. So the Scrutiny Committee firstly needs to ensure that council officers evaluate what the extra demand in years to come will be (and also find out what the GLA are playing at with their incorrect figures which caused the issue). They then need to investigate which schools can expand to meet this demand. The council has already pledged that any extra places are met with extra funding, which will ensure standards continue to improve. I?d also like the Scrutiny Committee to ask council officers whether the proof of residency is as strict as it can be. With such competition for places, I?d hate to think some parents managed to cheat on their forms to get a place in a school at an honest person?s expense. I?m not saying this is necessarily happening, but parents need to have full confidence in the system we have in place and if it can be tightened up, it should be. Everyman - know it's not what you want to hear, but as has been noted elsewhere, this is happening all over the UK and especially all over London. According to the information provided to the council by the GLA - there shouldn't have been a need for a new school. So how could the Council previously have justified spending money on something which wasn't thought to be needed? I'm not trying to make excuses - I'm trying to represent local people here, not the council - but what could they have done differently? But alas, hopefully we can identify what the need will be, and expand to deal with it. Remember the vast majority of parents did get their first choice (the likelihood of which increases when getting the forms in on time) this year when everyone was caught by surprise. Hopefully with forward planning, we can ensure that everyone is happy next year. Phew, long post... I'm going to bed now! Cheers.

Hi, So I?ve been chasing the council for answers on this issue, and here?s what I?ve managed to find out. Regarding bulge classes ? these will be repeated next year. They won?t be at Goodrich or Heber again, until the current bulge has worked its way through. The council doesn?t know which local schools will have a bulge next year ? they will be negotiating with the schools over the coming months. It may be that some schools will welcome an extra form of entry; and the increase in funding and parental support that will bring. Alternatively, schools might not want to expand. The council can force schools to take extra classes, but this obviously isn?t ideal. Any bulge classes are fully funded. But with regards to the question about whether standards will slip ? this is something the schools and PTAs will have to work to ensure, and it?s why finding the schools which want to expand is important. The council obviously can?t interfere too heavily with the micro-management of schools as headteachers and parents rightly know what's best for their school. However, saying that I?m sure local councillors will help work to ensure standards are maintained (I would anyway!). Local schools in Southwark have been improving in recent years, and I see no reason why this won?t continue. The GLA population statistics still say we won?t need a new school for several years (?!), but the admissions department are aware and expecting that additional places will again be needed. An exact number can?t be determined though as by next year the recession may not be such a large factor and so more parents may choose private schools, as in previous years, or move out to the suburbs. On the search for a new school ? the council?s planning department are currently studying all of the available options in the area, ready to present a feasibility report for the council. The council exec has requested quite strongly that this is ready next week, but ultimately it?s up to the planning officers to come up with the goods. Once they have, I will try and ensure that the information is shared and that local people are consulted at the beginning of the process and involved in the planning of a new school. The Government requires that councils see if any groups want to step in and run the school (faith groups, for example). This process can take years, so to speed up getting a new school, we should lobby the Govt so that this stage is side-stepped (on the grounds of the urgent need). Does anyone have children who were at Heber in the years it turned itself around? Can they post advice and suggestions about what can be done to help schools like Goose Green get out of special measures, and also raise the profile of other local less-popular schools? (Perhaps set a new thread on here for this...?) On admissions, there are the simple things that can be done to ensure the admission department can?t give excuses. Using recorded delivery when returning the forms, or applying online, for example, so there?s no question about when they received your application. Applying early too, and making sure you use all available choices. After this year, I?m sure that councillors will be working with the admissions team next year to ensure things are handled well. To those suggesting I am only interested in this as an election?s coming up ? would you prefer it if we didn?t campaign on this issue? The election's a long way off still - I?m campaigning on this as it?s currently the most important issue in our area, the same as I?d campaign on it in any other year. If you?d rather I didn?t spend my spare time trying to do something about this please let me know! I?ll post again when there?s news about the options for a new school?s location. Let me know any other questions in the meantime, and I?ll try my best in getting an answer from the council.

Today! (Nothing to add, just shamelessly getting this thread to top again...)

Hi Just another quick plug for anyone who hasn't already seen this! Simon Hughes MP will be at Frank's Cafe tomorrow at 6. Hope you can make it! Thanks Laurie Eggleston

Peckwich - it's he, not she! But TJ's right - the emphasis is on bringing HOP and Peckham Rye/ E Dulwich closer together. Despite being so close they're not particularly easy to get between, due to the big hill in-between.

Nero - that's odd. That's definitely the email I've been using ([email protected]). You can also go on the TfL website though and there's an online form you can submit questions with.

Hi all, I'm a Lib Dem council candidate for Peckham Rye and I've also been following this thread and reading peoples' comments. I don't accept the claim that the Lib Dems aren't taking this issue seriously - it was precisely the reason we invited Lisa Rajan down to Peckham Rye last week. I feel this is one of the most important issues in Peckham Rye/East Dulwich, and certainly one of the issues which the council can definitely do something about. And for what it's worth - Lisa Rajan is a mother herself and so understands the anxiety over this issue. The council has data on demographics and it was expected that the local schools would reach capacity several years from now. They've filled earlier though as the trend of people moving out to the suburbs has ended. So yes, we understand the urgent need for a new school. But we also have to deal with the issues that brings; namely, the lack of suitable space. The council are currently looking at the feasability of several options, and should be ready to report in a few weeks. Once I hear the outcome I'll post it on here. Personally, I'd like to see it built on part of the current golf course in Peckham Rye, as a new school is obviously needed more than a golf hole. But there may be also be a space in an un-used corner of the cemetary. There are a few other possibilities but it may be that the Homestall fields may be the only option - but before any decision about using the Homestall fields is made there would have to be huge consultation with residents and stakeholders. An alternative may be to permenantly expand one of the current schools. Wherever is chosen as a site, there will be huge opposition from certain groups - which won't go away. Toast - you say you're willing to deliver leaflets to campaign for a school and when a site is found I'd be glad to join you. But you should be prepared for the opposition to any campaign! Any new school will also be dependant on govt funding, so I'd want to work with all the parties to present a united case for a new school - and not to try and use this issue as a politcal football. In terms of what can be done in the short term - there are the bulge classes this year and these will be repeated next year. I'd like to see what we can do to make the current less popular schools more popular. We also need to make sure lessons are learnt with the admissions process. I'm running to represent the residents of Peckham Rye to the council, not to represent the council to residents. There are so many young families in the area (I'm always amazed at the number of toddlers around the Rye's caf? or in the Herne Tavern!) and so sorting out the school places issue is crucial to making Peckham Rye and East Dulwich the ideal place to live. Parents shouldn't have the anxiety every year over getting into a local school.

Hi, Simon Hughes MP, the Liberal Democrat environment spokesman and MP for Bermondsey, will be speaking at Frank's Caf? and Campari Bar on top of Rye Lane's multi-story car park on Sunday 6th September at 6 in the evening. He'll be talking on the environment and the lib dems' green policies, the regeneration of Peckham and Southwark, and taking questions from people. If you haven't already been to Frank's Caf?, this is the ideal opportunity to check out this unique venue before it closes the following week until next year! The caf? and the Hannah Barry gallery's exhibition are a great example of the potential of Peckham, and of the young, vibrant and inventive crowd our area can attract. They have brought people to Peckham from all across London, many of which for the first time. Hope to see you there! Laurie Eggleston

If the bus carried on to Honor Oak Park station, it would turn around at Brockley Rise. It could then terminate here, or loop round and terminate where it currently does by the Forest Hill Tavern. Thanks for all the messages supporting this - it would really help if everyone who supports this emails TfL and requests the extension! They decided against it last time they looked at the proposal without even consulting residents. If they receive plenty of emails supporting the extension they'll have to think about it again (don't expect anything more than a standard response from them, but the more emails they get the better!). Email them at [email protected]. We're currently working on a dedicated resident's survey for the people living around the Honor Oak/Forest Hill part of Peckham Rye. Doe's anyone have any other issues they'd like us to look at?

Hi, Yes I've heard about the nursery closure today. The Lib Dem councillors in East Dulwich ward are attending the meeting about this tonight, and are trying to sort something out asap. I will chase them up tomorrow and post an update on here as soon as I hear something. Please though, if there's a shortage of nursery places, come along and tell Cllr Lisa Rajan on Tuesday. The more people who can add their voice, the more effective we'll be in changing things for the better.

Hi, The Liberal Democrats will be in Peckham Rye, around the Caf? and One O?clock Club next Tuesday (25/08) at 12, speaking with parents and discussing how to make Peckham Rye a better place to bring up children. We have Councillor Lisa Rajan, the executive member for children's services on Southwark Council, coming along too; so this is your chance to speak directly with the council member responsible about issues which are important to you. I know many parents have had issues with the admissions process for primary schools this year and so we'd really like to hear your experiences so we can work to ensure that any problems which can be sorted are done so for next year's applications. Ultimately, Peckham Rye needs more primary schools. Achieving this will take time and so we need to try to get things fixed in the meantime. Southwark Council has applied to the Government's Department for Children, Families and Schools for extra money which should help, if we're successful. We also really want to hear people's views on the play facilities in Peckham Rye Park and if there's anything we can do to make things better. Please come along and talk to us! If you can't make it please feel free to message me with any comments, or post them on here.

Just to let everyone know that there's an article about this campaign in the Dulwich and Herne Hill edition of this week's Southwark News. We're still waiting for a response from TfL regarding whether or not they took into account the soon to be finished Overground Line extension when they looked at extending the bus route before, and to look at their numbers again if not. Our next residents survey in that end of the ward will also ask residents their views about the campaign. Thanks again for all the comments. Can I also take the opportunity to remind anyone who has any issues with the rail network to check out the Southwark Rail Users Group site here: www.peckhamvision.org/brg/srug . This is a group supported by all the political parties in Southwark, and has all the details of the campaign to reverse the rail cuts. Also www.peckhamvision.org/wiki/Main_Page has loads of information about the development plans for Peckham's town centre.

Richfish - believe it or not we're currently fighting, along with all the parties, just to stop the number of trains into central London getting cut. See above for a link to the Save the South London Line campaign for details. But yes, improvements to transport links is a hugely important issue for South London and something we will campaign for constantly. There is a huge North/South divide in London transport. The single biggest thing that could be done to improve South London would be to increase the transport links and the frequency of services in and out of central London. One of the biggest problems for us is that whereas North London is all part of the Underground network, South London is mainly franchised out, making changes very awkward. The franchises are controlled by Department for Transport who seem to place a low priority on South London - we need to change this attitude. But this is why we need to make the small tweaks (such as extending the 63) to make what we have work better, whilst campaigning for the longer-term improvements that will really make the difference. Are people aware of the 'Future Peckham' plan? It's an Area Action Plan that talks about what people want the town centre to look like in 10-15 years time. One of the things we're pushing for is for the removal of the shops immediately in front of Peckham Rye station and replacing them with a new public square with cafes under the archways, and restoring the Victorian facade of the station, to create a welcoming, open entrance to Peckham (instead of the current hidden away entrance). As for Oyster PrePay - it's currently due to operate from 2010 (but don't be surprised if that gets put back again!)

And yes - this is perhaps aimed at people living along the roads off of Forest Hill Road (Dunstans, Brenchley Gardens, Honor Oak Rise, Mundania Road etc). I'm not saying there aren't alternatives, it's just daft how if you live along aforementioned streets that there's a bus that almost takes you to a station, but stops on the other side of a big hill. And as I said, I've not just dreamt this up one afternoon - this is something people have asked us to help change!

Hi everyone - thanks for the comments. To address some of them... It's a 15 walk - up a steep hill. Whilst it may not sound like much - if you're elderly or have kids in tow, or if it's pouring with rain, you'd appreciate a bus! The cost comes from there having to be 4 extra buses serving the route (TfL's estimate) in order to maintain service levels along the rest of the line. TfL have also said they'd have to convert the current P12 terminus at Brockley Rise for the bus to terminate. We say this is daft - the bus can loop round and terminate where it currently does. KoolBananas - you're right about TfL's website giving sometimes crazy directions - most common is directing people on to 2 or 3 buses when one would do (nice little earner for them!). But a councillor would get the same reply from TfL as a candidate - it's not about power, anyone can campaign for something. If enough people convince TfL it's a good idea and they want the change; they'll do it. This is something that people in East Dulwich have suggested to us (quite a few too) when we speak to them on their doorsteps. As council candidates we want to represent residents and respond to things they tell us about! If people tell us about any changes which can be made to improve the area, we'll try and do something to help. And KalamityKel is right to draw attention to the Save the South London Line campaign - it's a crucial campaign which all the parties support, as should any South-Londoner! But let's not get tribal about this, people can support more than one campaign. And I will ask TfL if Nigel can drive. No promises though.

The Herne Tavern is a must if it's a nice sunny afternoon, as is Peckham Rye or Dulwich Park. Or if the Herne Tavern's too busy try the Rye Hotel nearby. Crystal Palace park has dinosaurs too - and I don't care how old you are; dinosaurs are always cool.

I'm a Liberal Democrat council candidate for Peckham Rye (which covers a lot of East Dulwich) - and we're currently campaigning for TfL to extent the 63 bus route 3 more stops to Honor Oak Park station. It currently stops outside the Forest hill Tavern pub. If it carried on, it would give residents living in East Dulwich a quick bus link to Honor Oak Park station - a station that from 2010 will be running Overground line services to Bermondsey, The City and the East End. This would provide an alternative, quick route back to East Dulwich from the City. Currently, the only route to the City is to take the 63 bus the other direction to Elephant and Castle and then get another bus, or tube; or to get the train from Peckham Rye to London Bridge and then bus/walk the rest of the way. Either way, TfL's website reckons it currently takes over an hour (longer than the journey from London Bridge to Brighton...) TfL and the Mayor have told us that the extension would cost too much. However, we believe that they haven't accounted for the fact that from next year Honor Oak Park station will be an attractive route to the City. Even if they have, we still think TfL should fund transport links in South London - Boris Johnson promised to look at alternative transport improvements when he axed the tram to Peckham. So far he's come up with nothing. Please help us put pressure on TfL by supporting our campaign. There's a facebook group for it here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=134053991759#/group.php?gid=134053991759&ref=ts The more people that join will help us demonstrate there's a demand from this from local residents. South London doesn't have much of a transport network, so it is essential that what we do have links up and is interconnected. Thanks, Laurie Eggleston