intexasatthe moment

" The second is 'shock' that consultation is not a vote. If you are 'shocked' by this there is no helping you." Hugeuenot - not everyone springs forth into the world with a fully formed intellect . Some of us learn things as we go along ,some realisations come as a shock . Why adopt the view that there's "no helping " such people ? ( I'm not quite sure who or what they're being helped by and with ,though I'm fairly sure you'll tell us )

I wonder if London LA's are more driven by the political wishes of central government ? There was a similar requirement that the LA could demonstrate that they had taken the outcome of the consultation into account but a legal challenge to the imposition of Academy status against such an overwhelming result was unsuccesful . It was only necessary for the LA to show that they'd considered the outcome . But I imagine the CPZ debate is different - not least because elected individuals have stated that they will be guided by the outcome of the consultation . ( whereas parents/stakeholders - at my sons school were clearly told throughout the process that a consultation wasn't "the same as a ballot ,you can't just vote for what you want " .)

Lots of points to be considered here but one thing that many people seem to be in ignorance of is that LA consultations are not the same thing as people/consultees voting for what they want . I was really shocked when I first discovered this ( son's school ,not in Southwark ,made an Academy despite 94% of stakeholders wishes that it should not ) and I think it's wrong and undemocratic ,but it's the case . BH: Er.. er.. I d.. don?t think that the process is er.. is a case of whether people you know, th.. the numbers and exact numbers.. it?s a bit more of a sophisticated process than that.. it?s basically, we?ve got CPZs right across our borough and we.. we give residents the opportunity to.. to respond to a consultation and then what we?ll do is.. is come up with er.. er.. s.. some outcomes out of that and give them the chance to have further say before we.. before we make a decision.

Yes Nat West in Peckham has coin machine ,free ,goes into your account and you get to be entertainment for the queue !

I can't help wondering about the cost effectiveness of using helicopters ,especially since it seems ( I might be wrong ) not infrequent around here . I wonder if there are records showing how often helicopter use results in catching the criminal ?

However I'm making the assumption that there was a planning application - because I'm thinking it's the 2 houses on the corner where applications were submitted . I know a couple of these were unsuccesful so maybe grander plans were abandoned and the work was just renovation and no application was needed or made . Hope I'm making sense....

You might be able to get the architect or agent's name from the planning application . I'm not sure where exactly you mean but you might be able to find the planning application if you have the full address . I've looked here http://maps.southwark.gov.uk/connect/southwark.jsp?mapcfg=Planning&banner=planning&tooltip=Plan_tips without success . Which is odd as it should be there ,but I find Southwark's site a little tricky sometimes .

Another vote here for depression/anxiety in the elderly as a subject matter - how can it be treated ?,medication so complicated in this age group ,recognition by person suffering so fraught ,travel issues for attending appointments so difficult .

well at least 5 ,plus an ambulance ,plus police tape just east of Camberwell Grove on Peckham Rd . anyone know why ?

but isn't ceramic smooth and non - grippy ??? ( must look on line ?

Dishandthespoon - I was a bit surprised myself ,especially since at the other extreme I have had a car towed away when perfectly legally parked and it took months ,me submitting photographs ,and finally the involvement of the police to get my money back .( and no apology for the wedding I missed because my car was gone or the damage caused to car when it was towed ) with the fallen of the windscreen ticket I sent them a photocopy of it ,so they knew I'd paid for parking at the time they were fining me for( legitimately I think as the regs say something about ticket being correctly displayed )

It is worth appealing - I've done so 3 times Lewisham - parking ticket fallen from window on to floor and therefore not on display Southwark - parking ticket displayed on road side of car rather than kerbside Southwark - fined when I was almost 100% sure I'd extended my telephone paid parking fee to cover the period in question but had deleted the texts by then and been sucessful ,no bureacracy ,no paying any fine first .

Delivered meals on wheels ready to eat aren't rare in Southwark . Although I understand that current Appetito staff are loosing their jobs because a different firm will be providing the service and bringing existing staff .

Have seen them in Asada . Not sure if still in stock . http://your.asda.com/2010/11/30/walking-on-ice-the-special-shoe-accessory-that-gives-you-extra-grip

Jeremy - that appetito menu must be for frozen meals for clients to heat up themseves . It's a great deal more varied than that delivered ready to eat .

Thanks for letting us know . My mother is in that area and had a similar bogus caller - it was 18 months ago but very similar description and story .

What kind of bins have you got now ?

Can I ask which end of Bellenden ? Worried about my elderly mum who lives in that area .

There's quite a lot of anxiety about smart meters ( see here http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/other_subjects/a1327330-Anyone-having-a-gas-leccy-meter-replaced-with-a-Smart-Meter-Something-you-need-to-know ). Whether that anxiety is justified or not I don't know .

Personally ,as an ex nursery worker ,I would suggest something other than chocolates or similar fattening food . Smellies ,flowers ( my favourite ) ,planted bulb ,pretty tree decoration .

This is silly I know ,but I miss my bike so badly . Talk about you dont know what you miss till it's gone which sure gives my age away . I tried to put my loss behind me and bought a massively expensive Trek hybrid from Balfe's ,tried to ignore how ugly the big fat tubes and cluttered handle bars were ....but could not ignore the leaden ride . Thought it was just me but now I'm engaged on the search for a second hand mixtie ( small frame ) 531 tubing I realise that what the frame is made of affects the ride . Oh ,how could I have been so stupid ,why didn't I keep my lovely Revell 1970's bike ( had from new for 40 years ) inside . I had no idea how special it was ,just loved to ride it . And will be a pig to replace as it was small . Keep your bikes indoors .

Poor you ,you must be exhausted . Semolina was always a fall back in our house .

and buying sugar for it in Poundland Peckham today ? If so you must be the kind person who helped my elderly mum who was looking for the Nationwide building society . I don't know if you read the EDF ,but in case you do - thank you ,it's such kindnesses that make life easier .

Annette :)-D womanofdulwich - thanks ,will try that ( have to google first ,have vague idea ) we can use thick Gordon Brown type pens .

Ok - dined out last year for the first time as elderly mother can't manage the stairs to my flat to " enjoy " our usual Xmas day . Was thrilled by reduction in shopping ,planning etc that dining out entailed . But ....felt the need for something to fill the silences ,jolly us along . So this year I'm thinking musical crackers ,boggle . The social mix is not ideal - 19 year old son ,me and partner ,91 year old mother ( visually impaired ,no social skills ,patronising and always sure she's right ). Any suggestions for table top party games to while away the time ,or ( we can always dream ) help us be festive ?