James Barber

Hi Toast, That's what I had also hoped. Goodrich is already a fine school with excellent scope and opportunity to improve and evenutally become and be recognised as outstanding. But its a long path for such a large school with such a mixed intake. Hi apples, Supporting a school unfairly taking VERY public brickbats is not playing politics. Its being responsible as a community leader ? which is one aspect of being a local councillor. Their are no votes in telling parents they're wrong but I feel its the right thing to do in these circumstances. The current head has successfully been a head at two previous schools. The independent report recently commissioned by the governors from an ex.HMI inspector was I understand glowing. The councils School Improvement Partner who is also an Ofsted inspector tells me with absolute clarity that the schools performance stats are fine ?a sea of green? ? in that the school is statistically adding real value at KS1 & KS2 to kids in those cohorts ? and getting better. On this basis the request from some for a new head is outrageous and not considering what is best for their kids or the school. If the head leaves it would be either wronglful dismissal if sacked or volunteers to leave claiming contributory dismissal with the school open to an unlimited damages claim at an industrial tribunal which based on the evidence I've seen she'd win. Parents have to chose whether to get behind and work with the school or work to destroy it with public acts of vandalism on this forum. Hi Havana, I have spoken to several parents and I?m sorry if anything I?ve said made anyone feel patronised. But frankly on this forum some parents have been at best naive. I've spoken to other heads who feel Dulwich isn't a nice place to be a head. Goodrich value added last KS2 results was 100.8. As per following Dept of Education website http://www.education.gov.uk/performancetables/primary_05/p3.shtml that places it in the top 25%-40% of schools. The range of value added for this is 100.6->101.0 so Goodrich being in the middle of this would be in the top 1/3 of schools in the country on KS2 results in terms of value added to the cohort of kids sitting the test. Goodrich achieved more value added to its kids than Dulwich Hamlet Junior school. http://jamesbarber.mycouncillor.org.uk/2010/12/15/east-dulwich-key-stage-2-results/ The schools internal assessments of this years progress to KS2 shared with the council and which I've been shown is on track to do even better this year in terms of KS2 results. I don't have the KS1 results to hand but will dig them out now you've raised concerns in peoples minds. BUT I think Goodrich is not making the parents feel good about the school by appearing really organised. I know that Dulwich Hamlet Junior School ? from talking to their parents ? does. I?ve made a list of parents concerns that I?ve received so far which I?m going to share with the head and asking how her team can address them. IF anyone has any issues I'd be delighted to hear from you by email.

Hi Dorothy, I was hoping all this information would be helpful! regards james.

Hi DJ, We'll make a Liberal of you yet...;-) If you have evidence of any licensed premise breaching its licence please do inform the licensing team: Tel: 020 7525 5748 [email protected] If that fails please do escalate to me so I can ask what is going on. Hi Karter, You need to live in the vicinity. vicinity is defined in various dictionarys as the neighbourhood or district. Hope this helps. Hi Sue0103, Thank you. Hi ratty, You think we should all let this application through with the expectation someone will invest heavily in their business and then once they've made that investment ensure it gets closed down if any breaches of its license - fights, attacks etc occur in our neighbourhood. That seems rather harsh suggestion.

Hi Amelie, Very occassionally residents experience unwanted light shining into their bedroom that their curtains can't block and shields can be fitted to block this. If anyone has this problem do email me as quite easy to fix. Blinkers. Has this been done anywhere else? Please do send details. Reducing light pollution sounds great. Apart from making it possible to see the night sky, wildlife would benefit from not having perpetual day time/dusk. I'll aks officers if they know of any examples. Could this be achieved quickly? For East Dulwich ward alone we have 968 lamp posts and 16,500 laqmp posts across the whole of Southwark. So the best that probably could be achieved is to trial your idea on a street to see the costs and impact.

If you email me your details I can ask the East Dulwich Police Safer Neighbourhood Team who we've funded to have motorbike wheel locks amongst many other cirme prevention goodies to visit to give crime prevention advice and leave said cirme prevention goodies.

If this new licence is granted 24/7 then other surrounding shops will feel the need to apply for such licences and drastically increase their opening hours. They'll then compete on price. Clear evidence to show price and availability are related to excessive drinking and anti social behaviour. The biggest cause of violence in our area - talking to the Police - is excessive home drinking alcohol fueled domestic disputes. So I have objected as a local councillor to this application. I hope others do as well. Equally if you think it's a great idea tell the sub committee members.

Hi DJ & the-e-dealer, I thought the Drawing Room was where we were meant to have wanderings. And I've never said all Labour councillors are crooked. As with all groups, some are very good. Last night as Overview and Scurtiny Committee the housing repairs stats report was presented by an impressive Labour councillor. The Labour Vice Chair was also very good at keeping me to the point - never a good time at 11pm to be taking decisions. But the thread isn't how good do you think Labour are.

Hi Havana, I had these same issues raised and had heard other rumblings. I've met the head of Goodrich School, then the head council officer in charge of improving schools and also the council Schools Improvement Partner for Goodrich (he is also an Ofsted inspector). I've then respoken with the Shirley Paterson the schools head again. The data for Goodrich School is convincingly positive. Key Stage 1 last results were markedly improved which bodes REALLY well for the future. The Key Stage 2 last results have also been good for the last four years. The November'10 reported to Southwark levels in kids reading, writing and maths are all looking really good for when they do their KS2 tests in May. In fact they look ahead of target to reach above 80% in Key Stage 2 in May. 80% places a school in the top quartile for the country. The contextual value added - how much kids have progressed despite any poor backgrounds, etc - these stats are a sea of green. Going back over time. The change in head to Shirley Paterson looks to have taken a just Satisfactory coasting school up a notch or two. The last Ofsted report called her inspirational. The school governors have also employed an ex.HMI inspector. This report was equally glowing. My hunch would be a few parents want a magic wand for this school to have an Outstanding Ofted report. I'm hopeful that this Autumn terms Ofsted visit will result in it being pronounced Good. Magic Ofsted Outstanding visits of schools don't happen. It takes a huge amonut of work by kids, parents, governors, teachers, support staff, council officers and most importantly the head and her senior management team. We all need to support this school to reach its full potential and the next 14 weeks is crucial to build on past years successes. If anyone has any problems with the school please feel free to email me to see if I can help. If anyone would like to go through the stats seperately let me know. NB. the school is planning shortly after half term to hold an evening to go throguh the schools statistics with a council officer who is also an Ofsted inspector. I'm hopeful this will help start to dispel some myths that seem to be circulating around.

Hi Gadget, Thank you for raising and highlighting these concerns about Goodrich School. I had heard rumblings but hadn't realised how much was being said. I've met the head of Goodrich School, head council officer in charge of improving schools and the council Schools Improvement Partner for Goodrich. I've then respoken with the Shirley Paterson the schools head again. The data for Goodrich School is convincingly positive. Key Stage 1 last results were markedly improved which bodes REALLY well for the future. The Key Stage 2 last results have also been good for the last four years. The November'10 levels in kids reading, writing and maths are all looking good for when they do their KS2 tests in May. In fact they look ahead of target to reach above 80% in Key Stage 2 in May. 80% places a school in the top quartile for the country. The contextual value added - how much kids have progressed despite any poor backgrounds, etc - these stats are a sea of green. Going back over time. The change in head to Shirley Paterson looks to have taken a just Satisfactory coasting school up a notch or two. The last Ofsted report called her inspirational. My hunch is a few parents want a magic wand for this school to have an Outstanding Ofted report. I'm hopeful that this Autumn terms Ofsted visit will result in it being pronounced Good. Magic Ofsted Outstaning visits of schools don't happen. It takes a huge amonut of work by kids, parents, governors, teachers, support staff, council officers and most importantly the head and her senior management team. We all need to support this school to reach its maximum potential and the next 14 weeks is crucial to build on past years successes. If anyone has any problems with the school please feel free to email me to see if I can help. If anyone would like to go through the stats seperately let me know. NB. the school is planning shortly after half term to hold an evening to go throguh the schools statistics with a council officer who is also an Ofsted inspector. I'm hopeful this will help start to dispel some myths that seem to be circulating around.

Hi Dulwich Chef, Placing car parking i.e. reducing parking controls can be an expensive legal process. I should be meeting the relevant officers in about 4-6 weeks time and will ask then. One small local tweak they are hoping to fold into other work already planned is to see if loading and unwaiting outside Bells bathrooms can occur - the shop owner has already told me they'd agree to signs being placed on their wall to reduce the costs of posts etc. Removing the horse box waiting area from behind East Dulwich Police station - horses stopped coming hear MANY years ago. Probably of more interest is allowing parking on Melbourne Grove near the Grove Vale end. Its no longer a no.37 bus route so doesn't need the parking restrictions that used to require. Regards james.

On Monday 14 February the Licensing Committee will decide on a new alcohol licence for 43 Grove Vale. This site is in South Camberwell ward across the road from East Dulwich ward so I've only just been emailed the committee papers: http://moderngov.southwarksites.com/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=3736&T=10 Did anyone spot the notice required by the applicant. If you think selling alcohol 24/7/365 at this location is a good or bad idea do let the committee know. The three councillors forming the Licensing Sub-Committee who will decide this are: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] To object you have to explain why this application doesn't support one or more of the licensing objectives: a. The prevention of crime and disorder; b. Public safety; c. The prevention of nuisance; and d. The protection of children from harm.

We made a promise in 2006 to ensure all ED ward streets had modern street lighting. So far 62 of East Dulwich?s 65 streets now have modernised street lighting. The final three will be modernised in the next 4-6 weeks with replacement lamp posts taking 8-12 weeks to complete. Friern Road - All 34 street lights will be upgraded to Cosmo bright white light and 1 structurally unsound lamp post will be replaced. Total cost ?21,222.88. Crystal Palace Road - Of the 44 lamp posts, 25 lamp posts will be upgraded to Cosmo bright white light, 7 SOX lighting heads which produce a dim yellow light will be upgraded to SON which produce a strong white light with yellow tinge and the other existing SON street lights will be left in place. Total cost ?18,802.39 Dunstans Road - 11 SOX producing dim yellow light will be upgraded to SON strong white light. Total cost ?3,374.12 Barry Road - 4 structurally unsound lamp posts will be replaced and their SON lighting heads reused. Total cost ?6,600.61. We?re really pleased we?ve nearly delivered this last remaining outstanding election pledge. We have delivered all our other 2006 election promises. One last note of thanks for all the officers who over the years have made this all possible.

Hi DJ, I've never said all Lib Dems were perfect. But the thread had taken a direction of talking about Southwark. The three examples you've given - 2 were candidates and changed in April 2010 (from outside London) once these allegations were known. The third was a councillor in Wembley and no longer with the Lib Dem from 2008. Hi the-e-dealer, You're right that different parties have different numbers of councillors: party no. cllrs of May'10 Conservative 3462 Labour 2976 Lib Dems 1730 Afraid I don't have info or time to calculate 'crook to member ration' - do you? Hi SeanMacGabhann, I'm sorry to offend but these are local councillors who voters might have chosen differently if they'd know about these other activities. The first has done the decent thing and resigned while the charge made against them is all sorted out. I hope it's all a horrible mistake and he can come back as all councillors have been shocked by this. NB. Yesterday a Lib Dem volunteer felt intiminated by 4 Labour volunteers - 1 a leading Southwark Labour cllr - it only stopped when the Lib Dem stated they were about to call the Police.

Hi Burbage, I must admit it was such a weird anon email to receive it never occurred to me to point them in the direction the Councillor Code of Conduct. The email address they used was false so I'm unable to respond to them. Hopefully they'll read your comment.

In 9 months Southwark Labour appear to have lost three councillors...so far: 1 resigned last week after Police allegations of grooming for under age sex. 1 convicted of benefit fraud but as not 3 months sentence but 200 hours community work doesn't automatically stop being a councillor. 1 asked by labour Southwark leader to resign for not telling them about a criminal conviction and 5 year sentence for shooting someone in California which appears to have ended within 5 years of being elected - if this offence had been in UK he would have automatically not been allowed to stand. What else is going to be discovered about the remaining 32 Labour councillors? Will the two remaining dodgy councillors actually resign or try toughing it out.

Hi SuzyC, A crossing outside Coop and across Lordship Lane junction with East Dulwich Grove is coming. It has taken years and an awful lot of wrangling but we're making progress and have been told we'll soon be seeing the proposed final design.

Yesterday I got to use the new shelter on Platform 1 of East Dulwich station. Useful. It was proposed, applied for and match funded from Cleaner, Greener, Safer funding by East Dulwich councillors. I had hoped the money would go a little further but it's a start to us helping improve the station with the train operator.

One of my Lib Dem councillor colleagues has come up with an interesting way of dealing with parcel deliveries. He places a sign in his window stating "Sorry, I am in. You'll just have to ring the bell and make the delivery". I've attached a pdf version of this sign.

Community Wardens report eco crimes and generally deal with the grotty things that make out lives annoying but the Police wont generally look into. BUT they always go around in pairs - even in East Dulwich - and if one is absent they become a threesome. When the Lib Dems led the council we tried to resolve this but made no progress. Shame the Labour led administration also don't feel they can get a more sensible working pattern ie not pairs and threesomes which would mean either the same community warden nmber would go further or cutting numbers would see the same number of patrols. And the market has all sort of personal GPS alarm systems a la Alarmguard to ensure personal safety is maintained even when working alone. If such systems are good enough for witness protection etc then good enough for lone Community warden working in non hot areas.

Very very occassionally you get the oddest contacts. Below is the latest. They really can't have noticed the 5,250 calendar cards distributed in the last 4 weeks. I get about 3-5 phone calls from residents and groups every day and 10-20 emails depending on what's gonig on as well as mobile surgeries knockibg on people's door. So I wont be bowing to this anonymous pressure but can't say it's pleasant to receive such anonymous contacts. IF anyone feels I've not given them or their groups sufficient attention please email or call me. I don't bite! ----- Original Message ----- From: Anon To: Barber, James Sent: Fri Feb 04 21:30:22 2011 Subject: Contact: Pandering to the middle class Name: Anon Phone: Mobile: Email: [email protected] Message: You appear to be pandering to the middle class a little too much on the EDF and to be honest shows that you'll do anything to get re elected while other groups within our community are being ignored. Stop it and start to help the less fortunate people of East Dulwich. I shall be raising your over use of The Eastdulwichforum with my MP. Regards Anon

I was told that the road works would end yesterday or today and still in place tonight. Bother. I'll chase up why thr inrodinaste delay and also crucially why the amount of road closed could'nt be reduced for the weekend - for example the Champion Park has two westbound lanes closed but only one has been dug up. I can see why both westbound closed when people working on it but not outside working hours.

Hi shell, Call 020 7525 2000 and ask for bulk rubbish collection. Explain you have a window frame that needs removal. Before they arrive you'll need to clear the broken glass up.If that doesn't work please email me.

Hi tfwsoll, I've just been told that works should end today or tomorrow. On this basis they wont be arranging a change to timings but will consider this for future such lights. That the policy about where and when to place temporary pedestrian phasing will be sent to me when they have one. Thanks for your kind comments. Having such a public open surgery has its good and bad points. But generally I'd encourage other councillors to join in where they have the equivalent of EDF. The key seems to be finding such forums and investing a lot of time and effort in getting problems solved and queries answered. Without helpful council and other officials I could'nt answer or solve half the queries that come to me.

Hi Gadget, Lets talk off line.

The most neutral countries on earth Switzerland and Sweden spend a similar proportion on defence forces. History seems to tell us that at irregular intervals we need them big time and while we pretend to be a world power sitting on the UN Security Council full time we need them to help face into other conflicts. The one aspect I suspect our defence forces aren't prepared for is another surprise total war where their capacity to expand hugely will be crucial. Hopefully this is never tested.