Maurice

Associating me with Camberwell. Ouch.

Oh that hurts.

I'm technically Camberwell too but have chosen to become simply 'The Grove' and seek asylum here. Camberwell is just too much for one these days.

Here's their full assessment of 'Southwark'. 'Highest caseload' of any borough for benefits. Ha! Situated on the Southbank, Southwark claims the highest levels of cultural diversity in the country. The borough is made up of five very distinct London villages: urban and creative Bermondsey, historic Rotherhithe, relaxed and green Dulwich, cultural and contemporary Bankside & Borough and Peckham & Camberwell. Home to the Tate Modern and Shakespeare?s Globe Theatre, the borough boasts a wide variety of cultural activities and helps to make it the capital?s fastest growing tourist area. However, it?s not all good news, because as the eighth most deprived UK local authority with 15 of the twenty-one wards within the bottom 10% on the government?s poverty index, Southwark has the highest benefits caseload of any London Borough. Still, the area has seen the strongest growth rate in the last ten years, which owes much to its regeneration. Average house prices have increased by a massive 16.9% over the year to ?337,423, which is well above the national average.

Welcome RuthE. Perhaps RuthED would be more approriate?

My (limited) understanding was: a) BARA objected due to lack of consultation b) If approved, the pharmacy COULD introduce the programme down the line without further consultation, even if there is no plan to do so at present. Have I gotten this wrong amid so much flying about?

I thought it was great, though the two do not translate into live television well. What's not to like? It had sound research and got people talking. And we're heading for the Lounge, so I'll just add East Dulwich still keeping Southwark's stars strong on the ratings.

Phil and Kirstie's best and worst didn't choose Southwark (they did it by London Borough) but the chat boards are flooded with references to 'leafy' East Dulwich. I did love the worst list - video shots of run down estates, burnt out cars, overweight smokers...juxtaposed against (mostly) Surrey's pristine villages as the best. http://www.channel4bestandworst.com/borough.php?id=351

Islington ranked as one of the worst according to our Phil and Kirsty (who are awful Live, bless).

I am torn on that (somewhat) serious point. Part of me thinks 'we elect these people so get on with it'. But then they do something I disagree with and I welcome consultation to hopefully fight against it. We do over consult in this country. In France, when they want to build a new rail line or tube line/station/extension, they do consult but manage to turn it around and start construction (or not) within a short time. Here, we plan 20 years in advance. Then when consultations open, they last multiple years and at many layers. By the time construction gets underway, the needs have moved on and the project is no longer fit for purpose. And inevitably, the pressure groups start again. Take Cross Rail. How long? Now it seems to get a green light and new groups are stepping forward demanding it is wider, longer and we need a fresh consultation.

I'm not opposed to the salaries. We need to attract good talent in a competitive market.

Splendid we're all agreed. You'd be surprised at my community spirit and contribution. There was a time dear boys when Denmark Hill Station's beautiful period features were slated for demolition. I can't give myself a lot of credit individually but collective efforts prevailed. Oh my. I never wanted to be part of the 'in my day' generation.

I agree believe it or not. I, who consider many gay and lesbian people among my friends, think it is a unique group for cutting through all classes/races. And I think Vauxhall is an interesting case study in this discussion. It seems, save the recent, undeniable scurge of GHB, the community there (representing a lovely cross section) gathers to enjoy a night out and causes no trouble similar to what we were discussing earlier. It's just interesting to me in light of other conversations. I'll throw in the interesting story from The Times yesterday indicating the more wealthy postcodes have far more issues with alcoholism and alcohol related anti-social behvaviour. All germain to the topic, which did come off the rails. Oops, no reference to that other thread Frisco :)

You are an angry soul. Do try and let it go. Channel it toward Network Rail?

Possibly. I don't discount any tactic. But when Network Rail produces astounding statistics showing the very limited London Bridge tracks must be relieved, and that cutting a zone two connection with multiple bus services within easy reach stacks up better than curring suburban services with longer platforms and more carriages and no other option, then you might find it difficult if you don't craft your answer in advance. I've suggested the hospital argument is good. So is the environmental one. Still think St George is worth getting on board. Politics make for strange bedfellows.

Perhaps you are far more experience than I am in these matters. It just occurs to me that in gearing up for a fight, a solid argument that anticipates their strongest weapons would be more useful than shouting that they are stupid. Emotional arguments win the meeting but not the issue.

Two words: Southwark Life

Oh dear Frisco one is far too fragile.

It seems the boards are full of consultations. So I wondered, do we have too many consultations? We should study that. Consultation open

You'll be proud to know I just had a read of the Green Party's website. Very convincing, in a rose coloured sort of way. I was especially keen to find out what the party thinks about population growth. It seems to suggest the number of children one chooses is 'personal choice'. But then dances around the issue of 'too many people' and 'overcrowded, overstretched planet'. You've four children, which is your free choice wholeheartedly supported by your party. Is there a conversation to be had about how many is too many?

Chav hate to interupt the online job search but shouldn't you sort out the Green's on this terribly un-PC accomodation? Your party's carbon footprint is growing by the hour.

A note to our Alan Dale to show I am on side. I fear too many emotional arguments are being made and this has to be fought rationally. I think the hospital is a huge weapon. The other could be our well funded friends at St George. Will they sit idly by and watch a major draw for City/Canary Wharf buyers of their Mary Datchelor site be withdrawn? Get them on board.

spot on ted...I'm chuckling at my error too! I shall resist an edit - it's too good.

A good friend of mine who works with the Police Services once told me far from being homophobic, the services adore the gay and lesbian community. That's because they tend to 'party' inside, take drugs/drink that make them loved up instead of anti-social, and don't look for trouble. He added the new GBH phenomenon requiring ambulances is changing that, to be fair. It makes one wonder what the situation is in Vauxhall of a weekend evening. It has certainly 'come up' (no pun intended). Is there a similar clash to LL and Blackheath?

And due to 'lounge risk', Alan I shall acknowledge Chav's quest for employment here and apologise for any distress caused in an 'off topic' thread on the other board.