James Barber

Hi Amy, I've had a really useful council officer response saying that turfing and topsoiling was completed to required standards. That the turf grew well before opening to the public but its had far more use than expected and his has compacted the soil and been too much for the turf. In quiter areas the turf is doing fine but on reflection turf wont ever survive the busiest areas. Grass mat wont work on the mounds as it really needs flat areas. So a replacement for the turf is being considered and pricing obtained for artifical grass turf on the high wear areas. A small soakaway would be needed to drain the area in the middle of the mounds. To fund this I'm hopeful a CGS application and funding can be allocated by the local councillors or parks maintenance funding as the Phase 3 funding for this play area wont cover this without changing and reducing the spec of phase3 which isn't easy as from memory some of this comes from external sources. I've contacted the head of parks as asked whether she can fund via maintenance funding as if it gets to muddy she'll probably have to have parts of the playground closed which could get very cmplicated and weather dependant.

Hi first mate, I've never suggested hiving of any of the park or common. God, we have so little green space as it is and we're lucky down here compared to the north of Southwark. I've said its a shame people are dead against the Harris school ever using any of the existing sports pitches when other schools have or are using it to play sports. And previous posts from people have stated things like Harris boys using the park/common "is not an option".

Hi Amy, I'll find out. The revamped playground is great but the grass hasn't lasted long.

People had posted how they were dead against Harris Boys using Peckham Rye Park/Common as the parks aren't for schools. Someone usefully oberserved that they are already bookable by schools. I just found out which school as I wanted to confirm whether that was a fact or not. It is a fact. So those that are against Harris Boys using the park are you also against St.Apostle's use as well? As for should Harris replace St.Apostle or also join them in using the park bookable pitches. I honestly don't know whether the park pitches have the capacity or not. But without getting over people's angst about this and apparent hypocrisy then not much point enquiring in detail.

I'm saying that some are up in arms at the mere suggestion of harris boys using the park but another another school is already doing this and no problems are being reported and no one seems bothered by this. This makes me think the idea is objected to but clearly this has caused no reported problems. Whether that would mean St.Apostle taking harris slot somewhere else or not appears a detail as the school probably doesn't feel brave enough to weather the storm of locals ire at even the suggestion. So the madness continues.

The school currently using the pitches during weekdays is St.Thomas Apostle College from Peckham. They pay the costs of cleaning the changing room. The pitches in the Peckham Rye Park have been renovated and should be reopened after a little bit more reseeding in early November and once settled Peckham Rye Common will no longer have formal sports use. Seems ironic that local residents are against the use during week days by East Dulwich Harris Boys Academy from across the road. So another school from further away are busing in kids to use the pitches. I'm sure this status quo will remain but it is sad that two schools have to bus kids to access sports playing pitches rather than just one.

Hi first mate, I'm sorry you have that impression. I've never met any person from that school privately or hatched any such plans. At the planning committee I sat on I was honestly undecided about the planning application at the start of the meeting and after much consideration of all the evidence and views presented voted for it being granted planning permission. Evidence was given that no other site had been found and that clear demand for additional school places. The head was quite inspiring and explained how the site would work very well. This school now serves 300 local kids and is growing by 150 kids a year until its full. I've had zero casework of problems from this school and this year and last only one item of casework about about secondary school places. Something must be going right.

Hi mrsw, The previous national governments advice was to start such food waste collections and fortnghitly waste collection going into winter to reduce the risk that smells derail things. To be fair to the pilot the smelly items (excepting disposable nappies) ie food waste are planned to be collected weekly.

The school is happilly busing our kids to playing field for those lessons that require playing fields. I said I thought it a shame and sad that they couldn't use Peckham Rye Common opposite them IN EXCHANGE for allowing weekend access to its changing rooms. As for its sports academy status. The head was quite clear that this is about ensuring every child experiences the benefits of coaching and being coached. Hence the sports hall in the new building. Selling school play grounds and playing fields. No playgrounds or playing fields have been sold in Southwark while the Lib Dems were in charge from 2002-2010. In fact I'm rather proud that Dickens School playgrounds hugely expanded by closing a road and linking it to other land handed over to the school. This tripled the playground. I've done the maths several times on whether anything like that could be done in East Dulwich and have yet to find a suitable candidate.

Hi Fuschia, The school hasn't changed its mind as it would'nt wont the controversy or distraction. It has come up on this forum. that isn't the same as the school proposing it. Equally it doesn't mean its not a good idea.

Hi cate, Southwark News has done two pieces but has'nt investigated and formed their own opinion. According to the Labour Cabinet member no one in the pilot areas could possibly find the 'pilot' confusing or not know they were in it - somehow not thinking this 'pilot' has been perfectly executed or communicated means I'm somehow against recycling.

I'd really recommend arranging a visit to London Recumbents in Dulwich Park - see if you can arrange some advice from owner Nigel Frost. He and his wife have only ever cycled their kids from year dot. They specialise in family cycling and have every type you could imagine with a wealth of experiences. Our family have had great service from a Nihola (Danish bike) which can take baby seats. Once had 6 x 4 year olds in it. lots of fun. also kids in the front 'bucket' so easy to keep eye on them.

Hi charliecharlie, I've had mixed responses when I've enquired about the 'pilot'. When I asked will the 'pilot' stop I was told no. Told its a pilot and later on months 4-6 some analysis of how its going will take place. No public pre 'pilot' consultation and you've now highlighted no plans for resident feedback yet - I was told residents can feed into it while it's happening. You've been told they'll consider a questionairre maybe. I agree with you that it feels like a phased introduction. But when I asked when will it be rolled out to other areas officers told me no plans. But the newspapers then state council PR say plans for whole borough. it feels like an octupus with every arm not knowing what the others is doing, thinking or planning. It is staggering that I've now got casework already about already missed collections, caddies and brown bins not delivered and the council environment emails not being answered. And the 'pilot' is only 6 days old!

the structural surveyor i've had visit told us to not remove the dead tree stumps as leaving a void or loose soil near the fondations can cause problems. Told us to never get ride of the front garden with car parking as loosing that moisture near ot foundations a problem. Make sure that rainwater soaks away from the gutters into the gardens. clearly trees can suck up moisture but make sure you're not unnecessarily losing it already. Most streets in East Dulwich were tree lined when created. No front gardens were built over. No extensions increasing roof areas at the rears. In the last two decades the driest 10 years since records began. Our gardens and the context of our foundations are now much dryer and unsurprisingly subsiding for some.

Apologies for repeating myself but Peckham Rye Common football pitches biggest problem is lack of changing facilities and that the pitches are frequently waterlogged and unplayable. East Dulwich Harris Boys Academy has changing facilities for its sports hall etc but has to bus kids to playing fields. The Peckham Rye Common football pitches are used by teams some of which have contacted all councillors highlighting the terrible changing facilities and proudly proclaiming that its team members come from across London (and when enquired upon stating few players from Southwark. East Dulwich Harris Boys Academy near 100% Southwark/East Dulwich kids. We all want kids to be more active. Hating this school and insisting all sports are undertaken a bus journey away seems rather sad. It can't help the kids feel good about where they live or us grown ups.

Several people asking me about Fusion membership pricing. Please see below the prices for family membership (two adults and two children) - Prices are annual: Access Family Resident Access Family Non Resident Choice Family 2010 ?59.00 ?80.00 DD ?99.00/month or Annual Fee ?990.00 2009 ?57.00 ?77.50 N/A 2008 ?57.00 ?77.50 N/A 2007 ?57.00 ?77.50 N/A 2006 ?54.50 ?74.50 N/A Access Membership works on pay as you go basis and offers discounts for particular activities (e.g. swim, gym classes etc). The Choice Membership offers unlimited access to the facilities for a one off annual or monthly payment. It has just been launched this year and was not previously available. Prices usually change with the beginning of the financial year in April. I can't imagine the Choice membership having proved popular and my guess is not keenly priced for the Dulwich area. I'll do some more digging.

Goose Green School has two planning applications to remodel the ground floor and develop its annexe. Unusually as chair of the local planning committee i've emailed my support. As the chair of the local Dulwich Community Council Planning Committee i normally chair meetings that decide local Planning Applications. Goose Green School would be even better with these changes. they are a pre requisite for any bulge class tyhey might be able to provide next year. Holding a bulge class would potentially be the method of funding. The changes include a kitchen enabling great school lunches to be produced. Hopefully, the planning applications will be GRANTED. Obvsiouly I wont be able to chair or decide these applicatinos having stated a view on them.

Apologies. Two EDF contributors asked if they could replace their numerous blue boxes and bags with a blue wheelie bin. Great idea to make recycling easier. I asked officers whether this was possible for residents in the 'pilot' area and the one in the 'pilot' received a blue wheelie bin and the one outside did not. I wrongly thought the policy had been changed to effect this. I've now had a more senior council officer tell me the policy hasn't changed and the policy on blue wheelie bins has been explained as: Residents can have a blue wheelie bin IF the property has been divided into flats. If a property merely recycles a lot then no they can't have a blue wheelie bin. If the property has many residents but is not subdivided into flats then no they can't have a blue wheelie bin. you also have to live in an area with comingled recycling - this was meant ot be everywhere by now but sadly the timetable for this has gone by the wayside and I've been unable to obtain an update to that. All seems a bit bonkers to me - I've had a cold for three weeks now so pretty fed up and ratty!

HAVE/DID YOU TOLD THE POLICE? This is exactly the type of information and description they'd like to be told.

Hi first mate, No U turn. What i stated i also stated at the Planning Committee but the school was clear to avoid community disquiet it would bus it kids to playing fields out of the area.

Wednesday night I attended the Save the Herne Hill Velodrome meeting. It is amazing good fortune that we have a historic Velodrome on our doorsteps. So far over 3,500 people have joined the Facebook group. The Save the Veoldrome committee went through the maths. Predicted costs of ?120,000 a year with revenue of ?70,000. How to close that gap? Once a way of closing that gap is identified the capital costs of resurfacing the track of ?190,000 to ?240,000 can be found and then around ?2M to fully develope the Velodrome to last another 112 years. One idea would be to pay capital to obtainthe site on a minimal peppercorn rent. That could help bridge ?15,000 of the revenue gap. I've been really impressed with the committee, set up to save the Velodrome, and also the Dulwich Estate for its continued patience and not looking for a quick unsustainable fix. But also the huge ground swell of support. We just need to turn that ground swell into real visits now. Six years ago the veoldrome was in a similar position but the fix was short term. I'm sure this time round everyone involved will ensure we don't fall for a short term fix again.

Real dilemma. Harris East Dulwich Boys Academy is indeed opposite Peckham Rye Common. Peckham Rye Common needs drainage to ensure its pitches can be used throughout the winter - its often water logged and curreent users have to go elsewhere. Peckham Rye Common also has inadequate changing facilities but no one really wants a massive changing room sports complex built. Across the road Harris Boys has changing rooms a plenty. Harris Boys buses its kids to playing fields elsewhere. It seems blindingly obvious to me that IF the boys school opened its changing rooms up at the weekend and helped fund drainage it should be allowed to use the football pitches in the week.

Hi charliecharlie, No questionairre created by council officers. Officers have told me that later on they'll seek views but no plans to ever end the pilot. So the term pilot a bit disengenuous. Officers told me no plans for further phases or rollouts but the council press officers have said it will be rolled out borough wide - shame the recyclnig officers haven't been told.

Hi caro ed, I hate to crow but we've spent over ?100,000 with crime prevention measures - of which you've listed a few - in East Dulwich ward. If anyone has other ideas for crime prevention please let me know.

Hi gerritsmith & SteveT, I've been assured that the policy is clear 'no outdoor shoes on poolsides'. IF someone has a real reason they must do this then they must put blue plastic overshoe things on. In view of this issue being raised I've been assured all staff are reminded of this policy and that they are meant to be enforcing it. If this doesn't solve the problem please let me know.