James Barber

Hi buggie, your right that was OTT. Sorry.

Hi chantelle, The parents are reported to have a nanny. I believe they choose this start to the school day for their kids. They could equally have chosen to share school runs, employed a nanny with expectation of them taking kids to school.

I received letter from the new cabinet member on Friday and still states August.

Blimey Clare999, I see where you got your stats. London is one of the most collision free parts of the country. Northern Scotland one of the highest for KSI's. My stats come from the last published Southwark Road Safety Plan page 10: Southwark Road Safety Plan 2009 Seriously injured defined by Dept of Transport as staying in hospital more than 6 days. Many of these will make full recoveries. Page 13 shows where these collisions occured. Along the route these kids take those that occurred bar one are where the lollipop person helps kids cross the road. The other reported collision is junction they pass on the pavement. In fact where they cycle is about one of the most collision free parts/routes of Southwark. I stand corrected on vehicle occupants - apologies. 50% of Southwark road casualties pedestrians, 18% cyclists and presume remiander vehicle occupants.

ditto.

Hi Dulwichmum, I'm sorry my different views have incited a personal jibe. If the lollipop person said to cross at the wrong time then clearly the lollipop person would be at fault. If a car jumped red traffic lights when these kids are crossing on a green man phase then the car driver would be at fault. I'm sorry you think I'm trying to raise my profile. Unlike virtually every other person posting I do it in my own name. It's a really important issue in terms of encouraging people to walk and cycle to schools. Most of the anti people posting have suggested the roads are so dangerous kids should'nt be out alone. I suspect most of these drive their kids to school. Which is exactly what causes this perceived danger. My kids aren't yet ready to undertake school runs on their own - as much due to me as a parent not preparing them. But they have been asking and we've been creating smaller opportunities for them to stretch their confidence. I hope that all parents hearing of this case wont hold their kids even closer but reflect on how we can ensure we're not micromanaging every waking moment but find ways to give kids a bit more freedom and liberty to grow in confidence.

The Irish festival finished at 8pm last night. It was a condition of the licence and grant funding that site be cleared of litter by 1pm today. Not sure why it should take so long and why with light evening much could'nt have been achieved last night. I'll ask and this might inlfuence next years event. Previous years lots of noise complaints but no one mentioning litter. No noise complaints this year but litter. Litter better than noise as at least litter confined to the site.

At that age I supervised my younger sister going on errands to shops etc. Road collisions were absolutely higher but traffic was less. So it felt and looked safer but in fact was more dangerous than now. We were once accosted by a couple in town and it took ages to escape them and their calling to god. But we did. My kids aren't yet ready for this but if this family feel ready and looking at Telegraph route they take it looks sensible with lots of people about then I'm glad it has been working for them.

The new addition is as a result of a Cleaner, Greener, Safer bid from my previous ward colleague Richard Thomas that I submitted on his behalf. Original idea was this substation is dull and blank lets do something. A couple of primary colour themes were put together and had lots of feedback. Consultation event at the Palmerston and the old time pictures were the preferred option of those that attended. The first set of pictures were'nt ideal so I asked if another search could be made and council officers have come up trumps. Officially they'll be opened 7pm this Wednesday evening. Come along if your in the area. NB. London Museum has issued an iPhone app where it displays a historic picture at the location your standing at and tells you directino to look. So you can see now and then. Great concept. I've asked if they could spread this to Southwark and East Dulwich. I'll let you know how I get on.

Hi clare999, Where did you get your stats from? The last set of Southwark collision data I have to hand is for 2008, 8 kids seriously injured or killed. Nearly all of those seriously injured and the definition for this being very broad. Many of these were car occupants. I think its really important that we avoid hysteria and judging on incomplete information. I believe the kids concerned have been making this school run since the beginning of the school year in September 2009. The first rumblings I heard were around Christmas. Their school year ends this Thursday. For this to have blown up AFTER the school founders fete on Saturday with 4 school runs left before the end of the school year is excellent timing. Its not really a current issue - if this had been raised at Xmas or Easter it would be different with many more school journeys to be made. I suspect the parents with the glare of media interest will have made other arrangements for this week. NB I wish I'd been a better parent so my kids cycling skills were sufficient that this could even be an option.

Did anyone do and what did they think?

Hi DJKillaQueen, You've stated that Housining Benefit change "that will barely make a dent in the HB bill" yet you've suggested it will affect 2 million people. Does not compute. The country faces a massive budget deficit, one of the largest in Europe - ?1 in every ?4 that the Government spends has to be borrowed. Without action we would be rapidly approaching debt levels you'd expect from being in a full scale world war. That meant some incredibly tough decisions in the Budget. But if our Lib Dem MPs lacked the courage to deal with the crisis in public finances, we'd be letting people down. Not just the people who voted Liberal Democrat, but the whole country. The Budget also illustrates the opportunity we have. It includes important Liberal Democrat polices that wouldn't be there if it weren't for us. The Budget raises the tax-free allowance on income tax by ?1000, ending income tax altogether for 880,000 low earners - an important first step towards our election pledge of ?10,000 tax-free allowance. It raises Capital Gains Tax from 18% to 28% for higher rate taxpayers so that the wealthier pay their share. There is now a 'triple-lock' to protect pensioners. In future, state pensions will rise by the rate of increase in earning, or by inflation, or by 2.5% - whichever is higher. There will also be a levy on the banks, to ensure that they contribute to restoring the nation's finances. These are all Liberal Democrat policies put into action now - in the budget legislation. They just wouldn't have happened if the Conservatives were governing alone. Labour spin-doctors are taking every opportunity to attack us. But they won't have any credibility until they start talking about how they would deal with the problems they've left for Britain and why they let Britain get into this pickle despite Lib Dem warnings years in advance. Speaking to local Lib Dems and supporters they aren't falling for Labour's spin. They remember when Vince Cable was laughed at by Labour for warning the bubble must burst and Labour went on a massive spending spree. We all remember Gordon Brown stating he'd ended boom and bust. We are going to deliver on political reform, civil liberties, and the environment. We will continue to be a strong voice for a fairer Britain, throughout the life of this government. We will continue to be a thriving organisation that keeps campaigning, develops new ideas and policies and promotes Liberal Democrat values further.

Hi edanna, No current plans to pedestrianise Northcross Road on market days. Several residents have raised the issue of speeding vehicles being especially dangerous on market days. Plans a re afoot to put some power sockets into the ground for market stalls so fewer have minim generators. A few glancing thoughts about closing Northcross Road to through traffic on market days but impact on residents would be high so not taken further. Could you tell me perhaps as PM who thinks it might be closed.

For accuracy. The reports state that these kids cycle to school unescorted but are collected and taken home. That they cross one busy road which has a lollipop person supervising it. That they cycle on pavements - which in Dulwich Village are generally wide. Statistically kids driven around everywhere are less healthy and at more risk but its no knowhere near as emotive. Irony that if anything happened to them it's quite likely to be from a car on a school run whose driver may even have posted on this thread how irresponsible these other parents are.

I have similar aged kids. This has made me reflect that we're being overly cautious with them. NB. this story becoming national news can only make these kids less safe.

Hi Nero, I'll ask the parks service what can be done.

Hi Edanna, About 2 years ago East Dulwich councillors undertook a parking survey across East Dulwich ward. Every part of East Duwlich was against controlled parking except the area near East Dulwich station which was much more evenly split. So no plans for controlled parking near Lordship Lane. Hi intexasatthemoment, I understand applicants have to tell the site owners but frankly without the site owners cooperation no much point applying. Owning copyright to an appoved scheme would have some value but realy gamble witohut prior agreement of site owner. Hi thelittlebigvoice, I don't know and don't recall being warned about these works. I'll ask and report back.

We were shown on the night an OS map of the site with property outlines and overlapping right of way for the railway companies. This was shown to the front row of objectors. Equally any works close to a railway line will require Network Rail approvals to proceed + party wall agreements. The objections on this ground didn't ring true when it had clearly never been an issue before. Equally the site is overgrown and the access strip not cut back allowing access for Network Rail. NB. DCC is composed of 9 councillors. So as chair you can imagine my frustration that 6 cllrs for very good reasons could not stand on the committee. Not knowing who land belongs to is not a material consideration. We decision on the merits of a Planning Application not who owns land. Should we be more lenient to suppliers of social housing and harsher on big business? No. We are acting in a semi judicial non political capacity on planning committees and must act impartially. I read the report twice in detail. I sat on the first committee that decided to defer for a site visit (just before the election). I've privately visit the site. I take the role of councillor making such decisions very seriously. I don't think we're ever going to agree on this particular application. I'm hopeful the final scheme will be accepted by the local community.

Hi blackmamba, I'm sure that you'll recall at the meeting what councillors were told we were legally allowed to consider and legally not allowed to consider. Plot size. We were shown maps and officers confirmed the plot size. The access strip you refer to used to have houses on it and that wasn't a problem for the rail companies. So having amenity space/gardens shouldn't be either. It was clear on the evening that we had no legal grounds for refusal. Every objection was responded to by council officers. On that basis a refusal would result in an appeal and the council losing at appeal and incuring costs on behalf of the residents of Southwark. I'm sorry you're so angry that you think potential for collusion. The first time I knew Southwark was the land owner was when this issue was raised by objectors at that meeting. I can honestly say it had no bearing on my decision. It transpires it was a Tory executive cllr who agreed the sale some years ago. It's a Labour run council that would benefit from the capital receipts.

Report produced and posted on GLA website about Air Pollution: http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Health_Study_%20Report.pdf It calculated 6 premature deaths due to air pollution in East Dulwich ward. 136 across Southwark.

Hi DJKillaQueen, The 12 homes will take about 2 years to complete. The number of young children who will move in who will match the admissions criteria of being 4 years old before a September will be very low. Southwark officers suggestion maybe 1 or 2. They stated it was rare for parents to change schools when they moved in ther area. During this delay I would also expect, as Ofsted implies, that Langbourne School will move from being a Satisfactory school to a Good school. Reading the Osted report the disruption to the school when its new building works were completed in September 2009 just 3 months before the inspection wont influence the next inspection.

Hi blackmamba and The Commander, I'm sorry the Dulwich Community Council Planning Committee decision about the scheme for 12 family social housing homes at the northern end of Woodland Road near Gipsy Hill railway station has annoyed you. Southwark has 15,000 people on its social housing waiting list with overcrowding for many existing families renting a Southwark Council home. I'm sorry if this new development means that you don't get your kids into your preferred school - which seems to be your concern. On the night we had many objectors, around 30, a reduced committee down to 3 councillors making us just quorate. Usually 3mins are allowed for objectors and the applicant but I allowed much longer and good number of questions from the committee. We took legal advice on several points to see if we were allowed to take into account some of the main reasons for objecting. We were legally advised that even though the near opposite school is already over subscribed that as Southwark Education officers had explained clearly no shortage of school places within 1 mile let alone the 2miles for primary school places legally required. A local Lambeth Executive Headteacher seemed to be giving the view that Langbourne School was not a realistic alternative school anyone should send their kids to. I felt really uncomfortable with a head teacher literally 'slagging of' another school and in public. This view apparently couldn't be a legal consideration. I've since checked and Ofsted's last inspection in December stated "your plan to move the school from ?satisfactory? to ?good? is clear and realistic". So its not yet good or outstanding but Ofsted believe realistic plans to reach this. Langbourne School is 800m away from the site or about 1.1km walking distance. AS you point out it does sit in the middle of a social housing estate and that clearly causes you concern. We heard about potential parking pressures and Southwark officers explained not a problem. My own site visit minimal cars parked. Probably as its a part of a street with hoardings and not actively overlooked. It pained me to have to compare this social housing scheme to policies that still have level 3 acceptable for eco credentials including resource and energy use. Cycling parking looked good. We approved the scheme but our policies don?t feel that are progressing quickly enough to fight climate change. So, not an easy decision but based on the evidence presented and what we were legally allowed to consider it became clearer what the correct decision should be. If you'd like ot discuss this please feel to call me.

Starting on Monday 5 July and lasting 4 days (8am-4pm) the section of Melbourne Grove between Lordship Lane and East Dulwich Grove will be resurfaced. Please see attached letter. Any problems contact the supplier FM Conway Paul Padfield 07919 493 056 or one of your local councillors. It'll be great when this remaining part of Melbourne Grove is resurfaced.

I've been asked about parking enforcement and moving traffic contraventions and the rules around these. Attached are the categories and rules followed. Any problems or queries let me know.

What welcome news prdarling. I'm not aware of any other families with Primary School admissions problems. If you know of any in Southwark please do get in touch asap so we can get resolved before the summer holidays.