Charlie Smith

Dear Penquin68,you are correct and I should have said, we will be delivering a paper version of the survey to all addresses in the SE22 area. This will of course include parts of the Village and College Wards. Hope this has been useful. Yours Sincerely Councillor Charlie Smith Deputy Mayor of Southwark East Dulwich Ward Labour Member

Following on from last nights meeting, Helen Hayes has asked me to publicise the on line survey. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/royalmailclosures We are also delivering hard copies of the survey throughout the East Dulwich ward. As was said at the meeting, the Royal Mail will receive a quite substantial sum for selling the sorting office building and if they believe in good customer relations then an alternative venue for collecting mail and parcels should be established in East Dulwich. I would also recommend writing to the CEO of Royal Mail letting her know how unhappy we all are with this proposal. Yours Sincerely Councillor Charlie Smith Deputy Mayor of Southwark East Dulwich Labour Member

Please do come along to the meeting at the Darrell Road Community Centre on Tuesday the 4th of April at 7pm to discuss the proposed closure of the sorting office. Myself and Helen Hayes, our local MP will be there to discuss the issue and listen to local concerns. Everyone is welcome. Yours Sincerely Councillor Charlie Smith Deputy Mayor of Southwark East Dulwich Labour Councillor

Jim Boy, I am only going to say this for the last time. I have never advocated the introduction of a barrier. As I have told you, I met a group of Melbourne Grove residents some time ago. I gave them a list of possible solutions which included speed humps, extra signage, build outs and finally a barrier. The barrier idea was seized upon by the residents. So hopefully and finally you might get this into that head of yours. Southwark Council now propose to carry out an informal consultation of this project. The works will proceed if the majority are in favour. Yours Sincerely Councillor Charlie Smith Deputy Mayor of Southwark East Dulwich Ward Member

Being a neighbour, georgeepee came to my door last night to tell me about the attempted break in. I advised a call to 101. The police came quickly and have been marvellous. They returned later to say they may have apprehended the culprit. I have told georgeepee I will buy some anti climb paint and get up myself and apply it to the parapet wall. Hopefully this will deter anyone else who might try to get in. I attend the local police neighbourhood meetings. They say this kind of crime is often opportunistic. A thief will see a window or a door slightly open and can be in and out in a couple of minutes. Now the weather is turning warmer, there is the temptation to live a window or a door open for ventilation. It might be worthwhile fitting a chain to the front door and restrictors to all ground floor windows. It would also advise locks to side and rear doors be at least 5 lever security locks. Often insurance companies insist on strong security locks as part of policy conditions. The Dulwich Community Council have allocated funds to purchase "Smartwater" property marking kits. These when used, will imprint a unique mark on your property. Your property can be identified back to you if it is stolen and subsequently retrieved by the police. If any residents living in the East Dulwich Ward would like such a kit, please get in touch with me. And finally, if you see someone who you think is acting suspiciously, maybe 'casing a house' then call 101 with the location and a description. Yours Sincerely Councillor Charlie Smith Deputy Mayor of Southwark East Dulwich Ward Member

I was at the Dulwich Leisure Centre this morning. I asked a women to check the door to the female changing room. She told me it was closing automatically. I have been having regular meetings with staff and management of the Centre regarding maintenance and cleanliness issues. The cleaning has certainly improved, but this is the standard we should all expect anyway. As for a male member of staff entering the female changing room, this is completely unacceptable and should never happen. I will bring this up when I next meet with management. I also expect a full apology. Yours Sincerely Councillor Charlie Smith East Dulwich Ward member

Southwark Council is giving away free 5kg bags of salt in readiness of possible heavy snowfalls in the coming weeks. In East Dulwich they will be available on Saturday 3rd of December in Lordship Lane: loading bay between Matham Grove and East Dulwich Grove between 9am and 10.30am. On the same day between 11am and 12.30pm in Half Moon Lane: parking bay outside nos. 21-25 Tips for clearing your paths or roads when it's icy or snowy. Start early: It is much easier to remove fresh, loose snow. Make a path down the middle of the area you are clearing first, so you've got a clear surface to walk on. Then you can shovel the snow from the centre to the sides. Spread salt on the area you have cleared to help prevent ice forming. Table or dishwasher salt will work, but avoid plants or grass as it may damage them. A few grams(a tablespoon) for each square metre you clear should work. The salt found in salting bins should mainly be used to keep the roads clear. Pay particular attention to steps and steep areas; you might need additional salt here. Do not use hot water. It does melt snow, but can result in black ice, which is dangerous. When shovelling snow, make sure it does not block people's paths or drainage channels. If it is sunny, take off the top layer of snow: the sun will melt any ice beneath, but you will need to put salt down to stop it refreezing overnight. When snow and ice are forecast, Council gritters will make sure the busiest roads are treated to reduce accidents and keep traffic moving. If your road is not done, there are 185 grit bins around the Borough and of course you can use the free salt you have collected. You can visit www.southwark.gov.uk/gritting to see if your road is to be gritted. BE A GOOD NEIGHBOUR Snow and cold weather can make getting in and out hard for older or vulnerable residents. They may not be able to clear their own paths, so if you can, see if your neighbours need a hand when it's cold I do hope this information will be useful. Yours Sincerely Councillor Charlie Smith East Dulwich Ward Member

I attended the opening ceremony of the Charter School East Dulwich today on its temporary site in Southampton Way along with Helen Hayes MP, Leader of the Council Peter John and councillors Vicky Mills, Andy Simmons and Michael Mitchell. The pupils performed songs and played music. The new school proper will open in two years time in East Dulwich Grove.

I did another speed gun session on Monday evening until the heavens opened and we got soaked to the skin. What we did find in the hour and a quarter that we were there was that there are still drivers who exceed the speed limit. The road was relatively quiet on Monday evening. We clocked about two dozen drivers doing 26 mph and above.I did log a vehicle doing 49 mph which is way too fast. We will have to look at a number of options which could include illuminated signs. Yours Sincerely Councillor Charlie Smith East Dulwich Ward Labour Member

I have carried out three speed gun sessions with PCSO's present on Barry Road this year. We all wear high visibility jackets and do not jump out behind parked vehicles at the last moment. The last two hour session was on the 18th of August at the junction of Underhill Road at five pm. The speed limit for Barry Road is 20 mph. Any vehicle doing 26 mph or above is logged. During this two hour session 49 vehicles were recorded over 26 mph and one driver was logged at 49 mph. All of these drivers will be written to about their driving behaviour. If any of these drivers are caught speeding again in the future they will probably face a penalty. During this session some local people living in the road came over to say how dangerous this junction was and how they would like some remedy carried out. I know myself what this junction is like having seen a motorcyclist underneath a P13 bus one evening last winter. I have stood at the junction and have seen a number of near misses when vehicles try to edge out from Underhill Road in to Barry Road. I did persuade the owner of two mini busses to park a few metres further on to allow more visibility for drivers. Barry Road is in my opinion one of the fastest roads in East Dulwich. There is a now defunct illuminated sign near the junction with Goodrich Road. I am told that studies have shown that illuminated signs have little long term effect on drivers. I am not so sure about this. I would like to use some Cleaner, Green, Safer funds to carry out a survey of Barry Road and in particular the Underhill Road Junction. I know there a some people who think 20 mph does not work or is dangerous or is impossible to drive. I think I may have said this before, but a person struck by a vehicle travelling at 20 mph is less likely to be killed than a person struck by a vehicle travelling at 30 mph and above. If we can save at least one life, then I think we may have done a service to the community. The next speed gun/Roadwatch session will be on Barry Road at the Junction with Upland Road on Monday the 17th of October between 5 and 7 pm. You are welcome to come along and have a look how it's done. Yours Sincerely Councillor Charlie Smith East Dulwich Ward Member

84-90 Lordship Lane has been a long and drawn out saga. One of the original planning applications was for 8 office units. I don't think anyone believed this at the time. Low and behold the application changed to 8 flats. This was duly granted with a number of provisions such as deliveries etc. Then another floor appeared at the top of the building with an application for a walkway and 2 more flats. I queried this with officers as now there would be a total of 10 units on this development which would mean the developer had to supply a percentage of social housing or pay Section 106 monies towards some social project in the area. After I queried this I received an answer from officers. It seems that this year the Court of Appeal gave this judgement in the case of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government V Berkshire District Council and Reading Borough Council. The threshold has now been increased from 10 to 11 units on a development before a developer is required to provide any social housing or Section 106 monies. If in the unlikely event that the developer were to increase the number of units on this site, then a proportion of social housing would have to be included. I hope this has been helpful. Councillor Charlie Smith Labour Councillor For the East Dulwich Ward.

I think it is great that the BBC is bring back old (Vintage) sitcoms. I would like to suggest one or two programmes that could be resurrected. What about Some Mothers Do Have 'Em with Benedict Cumberbatch in the Frank Spencer role? And what about bring back 'Sykes' and have Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role. He would be hilarious. And then there's Steptoe and Son with Harold and Albert being played by Benedict Cumberbatch. But how can we leave out 'Hancock's Half Hour'. I am sure Benedict Cumberbatch would make a wonderful Tony Hancock from East Sheen. And there of course is 'What Ever Happened To The Likely Lads' For the parts of Bob and Terry I would like to recommend.... Regards Councillor Charlie Smith Labour Member For The East Dulwich Ward

Dear Edanna, I asked Council officers for an answer to this problem. Here is their reply. Enforcement of parking adjacent to dropped kerbs was decriminalised in 2003 in line with "London Local Authorities Act 2003" (section 14) (This was later added in the Traffic Management Act 2004) This has become the responsibility of local authorities within London to enforce the dropped kerb. Southwark Council has been enforcing dropped kerbs since 2006 within the Borough. However there are procedures in place to issue parking tickets (PCN) RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES Dropped kerbs leading to a single occupancy property is only enforced if the resident contacts the parking services to complain about a vehicle parked on the carriageway in front of the dropped kerb leading to the property. The telephone number residents need to call is 0207 708 8587 which is staffed between 6am to 8pm Monday to Saturday. A mobile Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO-traffic warden) will attend the location to issue the PCN. Southwark does not have a car pound anymore, however occasionally a truck is hired to re-position persistent offenders. BUSINESS PREMISES OR MULTI OCCUPANCY PROPERTIES Vehicles parked adjacent to dropped kerbs leading to a business property or multi occupancy properties (such as a block of flats) are ticketed without receipt of a phone call. I hope this has been useful. Yours Sincerely Councillor Charlie Smith East Dulwich Ward Labour Member

Herne Bay which is about ten miles short of Margate is good. Lots to do there. Reculver which is about two miles further on has a large sandy beach if you want peace and quiet. There is an Abbey ruin and a caravan site with a pub but not much else. Regards Councillor Charlie Smith Labour Member for the East Dulwich Ward

I met with Helen Hayes today at the House of Commons. Helen and I are putting together a survey asking local people if they support or oppose the cancellation of the train franchise. We are calling on the Department for Transport to take over the running of the franchise until Transport for London are in a position to run the service. When you receive the survey please complete and return as soon as you can. Many Thanks Councillor Charlie Smith Labour Member for the East Dulwich Ward

Brilliant White Regards Councillor Charlie Smith East Dulwich Ward Member

This year there are seven streets in the East Dulwich Ward this Sunday the 12th of June to celebrate the Queens 90th birthday and have a big lunch. they are:- Archdale Road 12pm-7pm Derwent Grove 10am-6pm Elsie Road 10am-8pm Landells Road 10am-8pm Pellatt Road 10am-8pm Thompson Road 10am-4pm Worlingham Road 11am-8pm I am looking forward to come to all of the streets this Sunday and hope to get to speak with as many of you as possible. Kind Regards Councillor Charlie Smith East Dulwich Ward Member

I don't know why or even if he did object to this licence application. It was due to be heard by the sub committee on the 10th of May. M&S originally wanted licensing hours to start at 6am. Before the committee met discussions were held with the police and M&S agreed the licensing start hour should be 8am. This is not unusual for applicants like this to apply for longer hours that they don't use. The Sainsbury's local in Lordship Lane has a licence start time of 6am but the store doesn't open until 7am. I suspect the M&S store will open at 8am for ordinary and alcohol shopping. I hope this is helpful. Regards Councillor Charlie Smith East Dulwich Ward Member

I think it is a shame she is going. I was in last weekend to see the Millwall game and Jen knew usual I wanted my usual pint of Guiness. That doesn't happen much these days. It is a pub where builders and workers can have a drink at the end of the day. There is a working class element and sometimes the language can get a little ripe, though now one seems to mind. There is quite a mix of ages and backgrounds. Jenny has tried various activities such as the poker nights and the live music. Often local funerals start and finish at the pub. She also got rid of a small element who appeared to have been dealing in the toilets. The pub could do with a bit of a smarten up but I would not want to see it become a place like the recently refurbished pub on Forest Hill Road with its so called 'craft ales' many that taste unpleasant and cost ?6 a pint. Regards Councillor Charlie Smith East Dulwich Ward Member

I have been sending out the report to local residents to pass on. I have also spoken to a couple of local residents this morning and have been listening to local knowledge. I am going to walk the street with Robin, probably next week with the report. I don't want to see trees felled and would probably support the build out idea. I agree that sight lines at the junctions will need to be improved. It is important that local Councillors get our heads together on this report. We should also keep local residents updated on which option will be chosen. Regards Councillor Charlie Smith East Dulwich Ward Member

The Sainsbury's Local store at 357 Lordship Lane is licensed to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises from 6.00 to 00.00 seven days a week. There are a number of other shops in Lordship Lane that have 24 hour alcohol licenses. They can all be revoked if there are serious breaches of the license conditions. I hope this is helpful. Regards Councillor Charlie Smith East Dulwich Ward Member

Marks and Spencer put in an application for a licence to sell alcohol from 6am to midnight. They have now amended their application so that the sale of alcohol is from 8am each day. The licence has been granted but with a number of conditions agreed between the applicant and the police. They are as follows:- That a CCTV system be installed at the premises and maintained in good working order and be continually recording at all times the premises are in use under licence. The CCTV system must be capable of capturing a clear facial image of every person who enters the premises. All CCTV images must be kept for a period of 31 days and made immediately available to officers and the police. All staff are to be trained in their responsibilities under the 2003 Licensing Act and training records are to be kept and updated every 12 months and shall be made available to officers and the police. No beers or ciders in single cans, bottles or multi packs with an ABV exceeding 7.5% will be displayed or sold from the premises, unless written authority is obtained from the Police Licensing Unit. Regards Councillor Charlie Smith East Dulwich Ward Member

I saw what appeared to be House Martins or Swifts above my garden this morning just for a couple of moments. Maybe summer really is on the way. Regards Councillor Charlie Smith East Dulwich Ward Member

There is a new alcohol licence application submitted by Marks & Spencer Simply Food 84-90 Lordship Lane. It is due to be considered by the Licensing sub Committee on the 10th of May. Councillor Charlie Smith East Dulwich Ward Member

Dear All, I have finally managed to get into the consultation. Please try southwark.gov.uk/regeneration/eastdulwich/hospitalsite I hope this works for you The consultation period has been extended till the 19th of April 2016. I attended a briefing recently regarding the hospital site. I have a number of concerns. The first is the entrance to the school which will be in Jarvis Road. As this end of Melbourne Grove is already extremely busy, having the drop off point there will only make the situation worse. I was told that parents will be encouraged to use public transport for their children because many of the students will only live a short distance away. I am not convinced this will happen. There is also the lack of car parking on site for the teachers and staff. This will only put more pressure on parking in surrounding streets even though I was told teachers would also be encouraged to use public transport. I think officers should come up with some traffic management solutions for the northern end of Melbourne Grove to lessen the impact of this increased traffic. As East Dulwich is predominately Victorian with brick built houses and sash windows, I asked the architects to design buildings that would blend in with the area. I am not against modern architecture and was pleased to see examples of the proposed buildings would be brick clad. The entrance to the medical centre will be from East Dulwich Grove. This road will lead onto a car park. Whether this car park will be large enough to take both patients and medical staff will have to be seen. This will probably put more pressure on local street parking. I asked if there will still be some communal space on the site. Currently, the Physic garden is maintained by a local residents group. I hope something along the same lines could be incorporated on the site.