James Barber

A jury at Southwark coroners court passed their verdict on the tragic death of Latoya Smith a local 10 year old child. They stated they thought lost opportunities for better signage and diversion. Headphones were being worn. But importantly the coroner stated "I'm satisfied that there is a risk that continues to lives of members of the public in certain situations where pedestrian lights are switched out." He then said he'd be writing to the Department of Transport calling for better road work management. At the time I obtained agreement from Southwark officers that pedestrian phases would be integrated into future temporary signals. Hopefully rules will be amended to make a national difference to reduce the chance of this being repeated in another community. Very sad. If you'd like to encourage this then please do write to your MP: http://www.writetothem.com

Well we're agreed on something then P68 - speaking as an occassinaly customer of AJFarmer.

Hi P68, The proposed application includes a 1st floor dining terrace inches from bedroom windows. Surely you can agree that would be inappropriate and a recipe for problems? Planning policy was approved and officers provided the evidence otherwise it wouldnt hold water. Lots of evidence that mixed high street do well but that leaving it purely to the market to decide what is best for us can kill high streets.

Hi Coccinelle, Landcroft hasnt been completely resurfaces. Each of the last two financial year a different third of Landcroft Road has been resurfaced. Which bit of Barry Road are you thinking of. Cycling along it at the weekend I didnt spot anything as bad as Pellatt Road or Goodrich Road going east from Barry Road. Sure others can highlight other part of roads that are in desperate need of maintenance. Weirdly at the Dulwich Community Council meeting 25 June council officials told us no roads in East Dulwich ward need urgent maintenance. Jaw dropping. Please tell me exactly which bit of Barry Road and perhapds we could meet up there tonight or tomorrow night around 8pm?

Hi P68, that's a policy criteria we've had added to planning strategies for Southwark and specifically the East Dulwich area. Of course 50% doesnt guarantee anything but it helps and the council is not able to select tenants for freeholders to use a sharper instrument.

I've asked for this planning application to be called-in and decided by councillors if officers are minded under delegated powers to grant permission. Until recently such decisions would have been decided by local Dulwich and East Dulwich councillors but the councils constitution was changed to centralise such powers. To preserve Lordship Lane as a shopping high street we need to keep at least 50% as shop units. So losing this shop unit in my opinion should be fought. As well as this particular applications detail about the noise it will cause for neighbouring residents.

Hi cle, This is encouraging. The implication is that the more noise they get about this the more hope of improving this service or after the London Bridge works are finished getting the SLL service back. From your experience what's the best method of contacting them?

The Tabernacle planning application has been withdrawn by the applicant having been told by officers that it would be refused planning permission under delegated powers. So the call-in I requested hasnt needed to be invoked - if officers were planning to grant planning permission. A new scheme will now be prepared by the churches agents.

While walking along Green Dale I came across two of them trying to climb out of St.Olave's playing field to the north of the railway line and helped them out. Tall palisade fencing is no joy to climb over, with anti climb paint, and used parachutes.

This afternoon we had a meeting in East Dulwich to discuss the growing primary school admissions crisis. We were fortunate to have Education Minister MP David Laws, Harris Foundation Chief Executive Sir Dan Moynihan with his Director of Projects and parents attend. Useful discussions and I firmly believe the minister listened.

I know at best that's careless of the architects - especially as other older applications have used more modern maps.

Two different items of casework came ot surgery last night - personal money issue and 106 Lordship Lane planning app.

Hi Kathryn, We the police called?

Well done Alice. I only more people called the police rather than worry they'd be waiting police officer time.

IF ANYONE HAS ANY ISSUES EYD LIKE TO DISCUSS IN PERSON I'LL BE AT THE EAST DULWICH COMMUNITY CENTRE 7-8pm TONIGHT HOLDING A COUNCILLORS SURGERY Hi toddles, Yes they are.

That's clever Sue. Hi edhistory, I believe they are the same.

Hi fl0wer, Penguin68,ITMT, I rasied a query on officers about Camberwell Cemetery tree works 30 May. They have a maximum of 10 working daysto respond. on the 13 June they stated they needed another 10 working days to respond. On the 18 June they stated: "Southwark Council - Member enquiry Our Reference: 299218 Subject: Felling trees at Camberwell Cemetery ________________________________________ Dear Councillor Barber Thank you for your email of the 30th May regarding the removal of trees in the cemetery. The tree section are in the process of surveying all of our parks and cemetery trees to asses their current condition and for these trees to then be included in our cyclical programme going forward. Due to the enormity of the task we have procured a consultant to assist in this process. Two of the areas we identified for a survey were Camberwell New and Old cemeteries. The survey identified a large number of trees that needed removing due to the fact that they were decaying as a result of a fungus that alters the strength of the wood. Parks tree officer worked closely with the consultant to review his work and recommendations made. Unfortunately the risk presented by these trees requires that they are removed to protect the public. In some cases the work to the dangerous trees means that other trees in a reasonable condition are subjected to the effects of wind for which their root systems and stems have not been exposed to before. This can cause further failures of trees and a risk to the public. We have consulted with some of the friends of Honor Oak Park and I have been in contact with interested residents about the work. We have also put up enhanced felling notices for information. There are a number of works still continuing with further felling of trees. However I can advise that all of the work is being done to address health and safety issues. Following the felling we will be identifying areas for re planting which will be undertaken in the next planting season Winter of 13/14. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information. Yours sincerely, Gary Meadowcroft Tree Services Manager "

Hi Sue, The link ed_pete provided states clearly anyone can join. But most people wont bother using theier services unless they regulalrly visit the area so quite naturally limited offer. Also suspect aimed at the many employees who would find it tricky to prove their work address. They only ask for proof of home address. eBooks. I've asked about this a number of times and each time been told Southwark are waiting to see how things progress for libraries. I've pinged the head of libaries another request to know the very latest stance. Hi ed_pete, Many thanks.

I'm not sure many people from the Dulwich area would wish to send kids all the way to Camberwell or Peckham for secondary school. I wasnt suggesting local children go to Rotherhithe. I was highlighting that of the 10 Form Entry secondary school shortfall 4 are being relieved by a new school in Rotherhithe. I believe we need another secondary school in our area as well as 235 additional Primary school places by 2016. ED Harris Primary school will provide 60 places, Judith Kerr 50 places, but that still even with the odd school expansion leaves us a serious shortfall. A further ED Primary school.

Hi Mrs.Lotte, Yes we've seen the East Dulwich Harris Boys Academy open locally which provides 150 boys places per year. But the shortfall is that we need even more local places.

TONIGHT 7pm 11 June at ED Girls Harris Academy on Homestall Road is the public meeting about the new Harris East Dulwich Primary school.

Hi samstopit, I believe it's approved with parental support for the Rotherhithe area.

Hi GinaG3, They'd need convincing. But a number of support groups exist: http://www.home-education.biz/support/Organisations/ You might want ot check with the Judith Kerr Primary school if they have places: http://www.jkps.org.uk/contact-us/

Hi workingmum, The councils view is children going to seocndary school can travel much further. So they have predicted 10 forms of entry shortfall. A new 4 form entry secondary school has been approved. This appears to leave a 6 form entry of children needing more capacity. After creating sufficient primary school places we'll be tunring to seocndary school places.

Hi wtj, Are you talking about the residential wheelie bins or the big business Eurobins?