James Barber

Hi KalamityKel, I invstigated this several years ago. We'd need Southwark trading standard and the local Police to say that we have a problem with cold callers. We certainly have the cash in our East Dulwich Crime Prevention fund to make this happen. Are you aware of any local problem I could ask trading stanadard and the police and whether they felt it was now appropriate to have such a zone?

Hi Millhaven, You killjoy. East Dulwich with a cinema again. Heaven. My hunch is more people from East Dulwich will go to the cinema when we have a local one. Going over to Brixton is a pain and Peckham one doesn't have a great vibe at 11pm after a film. I also believe that the local eateries will benefit from making an evening of it. The other great benefit is local children going with parents feeling more relaxed than their offspring trekking over to Brixton or Peckham.

Hi TE44, The first meeting was at my house so couldn't make it a public meeting - so only this who had expressed an interest in being on steering group invited were invited to the inaugural steering group meeting. The meeting agreed we would approach Prendergast and Haberdashers federations and agree a criteria. All parents who have expressed support were sent an email today covering all this and some more details.

The RC St.Thomas Moore community centre is what they're referring to at 116A Lordship Lane. Great they're leafleting at last. This is around trying to ensure they get planning permission.

My understanding is three screens.

Yesterday afternoon the first steering group met - many thanks to the dozen people now involved. A useful meeting and we've agreed who to approach.

Hi ianr, Problem over election database now resolved. Hi Hawley, Both Goodrich Road from its junction with Barry Road to its junction with Friern Road AND eastern end of Pellatt Road will be resurfaced w/c/ 4 March. Letters to residents from council officer/contractor will be going out in the coming week.

The church is finalising contracts for a cinema is the latest I have.

Southwark Heritage Association - [email protected] - have just opened the annual Blue Palque campaign. Nomimations are open until 1 June. Email them with locals you think deserving of a Blue Plaque.

This is the explanation I've received from council officers: " From: To: Barber, James; Cc: Sent: Thu Feb 20 18:00:50 2014 Subject: RE: Urgent - possibility of unlawful publication Hi James A fuller response below: Southwark Council's electoral registration officer has asked me to get in touch to apologise to you for the confusion caused and clarify what has happened with the 'opting out' option on the electoral registration forms. We have been contacted by several residents about this issue, which has now been resolved. Due to a computer glitch, the residents who indicated that they wished to opt out of the edited register when they confirmed their elector details by telephone and by internet were sent a confirmation letter that indicated that they had not opted out, when they had in fact requested this. As soon as we were aware of this problem we contacted our software suppliers. They were able to rectify the problem, and now all the residents who had requested an opt out have had their records updated. They will be sent another confirmation letter, indicating that they do indeed have the opt out of the edited register correctly recorded. Some of the incorrect data had been passed to four credit reference agencies. We have now contacted them and they have deleted the incorrect data, which had not been used. We have replaced this information with the correct information. We would like to reassure residents that if they had opted out, their details are not held on record by any third parties as a result of this error. Kind regards, " Not yet clear who will be landed with the bill of resending all this informaiton to tens of thousands of people at 50p a shot.

Hi Hawley, It was meant to take place during January/February. Let me chase council officials and ask what the new revised dates are.

Hi TE44, I find it hard to bleieve you don't understand the process. Parents club together and either directly or via an existing provider apply to open a free school. If they meet the criteria applivcation is approved, a site is found a school opens. Consultations happen withoin that but if sufficient families back a proposed school essentially it will happen. but I would prefer any application to be supported by Southwark Council. They plan secondary school places on a borough wide basis. They're planning to open another secondary school on the Aylesbury estate and expect Dulwich children who don't obtain local places to travel to that school and others that have recently been offered in Catford, New Cross and Walworth. It's like primary school admissions. When my party ran the council we had a policy of aiming to offer primary school places within one mile to encourage walking to school, play dates etc. The legal maximum was 2 miles though. So I hope to persuade the council that providing secondary places any where in the borough while technically fulfilling their duties practically doesnt really. Parents have told us that where they live without another secondary school in our area they will have to move away from the area rather than bus their kids many miles to schools in areas they have no connection with. But as you say whether a free school happens or not isnt down to local councils many of whom philisophically oppose free schools preferring to maintian the status quo at the expense of local families.

Hi worldwiseer, I think they concentrated on the patch of road where the weight of buses stopping has broken up the roads foundations. But yes it now really highlights the other areas that need work and yrs it wouldnt have cost much to resurface those other patches at the same time.

Hi TE44, Which government are you referring to? The last Labour government who came up with academies being centrally funded from Whitehall or the current one who added the word 'free' to the academies being central funded from Whitehall? Hi ITATM, No the funder is ultimately the taxpayer. The provider is the body that organises the school happening but also the Educational Funding Agency who find a site and manage the construction. I don't know how the steering group will decide - they have yet to meet. If you have any suggestions I'll happily relay them when we meet along with other messages from supporters.

Hi worldwiser, Talking to the workmen this morning today they anticipated finishing half of the remaining works outside East Dulwich station at the bus stop and the remainder on monday. The temp traffic lights will be in place over the weekend. Does seem terribly poor planning and needless levels of disruption. Sadly our time has zero value to the council officers planning such works and the political direction they've been given.

I've used that route a number of times each week and never had any trouble. But thanks for alrting people to this. And well done for calling the Police immediately. they'll keep an eye on the location which helps in the future. The new Housing Associaiton blocks on the corner of Wanley with Greendale should hlep that aresa become more observed and secure when it opens in the summer.

I spoke with the work men this morning. They stated that today they will complete half of the remaining works. That they seocnd half will be completed on Monday. That the temporary lights will be in place over the weekend. It's clear Southwark Council don't incentivise speed. You and my time has zero value to the council and the contract it let accordingly. I will seek to change this.

Hi TE44, A number of parents have asked to form a steering committee. I would expect them to recommend a provider. Free school applications are decided by the Education Finance Agency an agent of the Government Dept for Education. But I would hope to persuade Southwark Council. Southwark Councils current position is that they plan secondary school places on a borough wide basis. That Dulwich families are already being offered places in Walworth, Catford and New Cross and that they would expect growth in numbers to be provided in such places and the new Aylesbury school when it opens. This policy clearly has little resonance with Dulwich families. A number tell me that they will continue the flight of families who have the choice to move out of London for decent secondary education.

Hi DenmotherAmith, Not true. Those parents offering to be part of a steering committee I will be emailing over the weekend to ask them to meet and discuss who we'd like to approach about being our provider. Hi TE44, The article is about schools viewed as failing and being taking over. Our new free school application would be viewed on it merits of who we wish to partner with.

Hi dds29, Apologies I thought I'd made it clear that I approached a number of school providers locally. The only one interested was Harris. Since then, it was two years ago, others are now interested in doing this sort of thing hence Belham. Hence why Harris came up trumps.

Hi Audrey, I have stated this as we already have two local outstanding Harris secondary schools - possibly lost in the thread. We've started a renewed push to raise numbers. Also new website to help things along www.newschool.org.uk for people to register support.

Hi dds29, Davey, I havent spotted your question - I cant patrol the forum! Harris Federation is a registered charity. If anyone has evidence of wrong doing please tell the Charity Commission. Posting things on anti academy websites if real evidence of wrong doing exists without going to the charity Commission is socially irresponsible.

Hi Zenoria, An application for a restaurant has been suggested again by the owners. This idea was rejected some years ago. They're trying to reframe it as saying really the site is part of Lordship Laneand would have zero impact on this residential street. Clearly cloud cuckoo land. Hi worldwiser, I agree and will find out.

I've been informally told the concrete will take a week to dry and then tarmac. Seems ridiculous to do this in term time during tub strikes. I've asked why the works cant be covered in steel sheets to allow the lane to be reopened. It will always be painful but the council seems to be magnifying this from choice.

Yes the disruption to local roads and buses is extreme. As local councillors we've had no notice. The works do seem very planned as resurfacing around a bus stop outside ED station. I'll try prodding to get some greater speed to this so it completed ASAP.