VikkiM

James, I think posts like your last one are just dishonest. You know as well as I do that money needs to be put into council reserves to deal with the very real possibility of further cuts coming from your government. Southwark's existing reserves are in no way excessive. It's just as easy for me to post that that the One O?Clock Club is at risk because Nick Clegg and your party sold their political principles for the price of a ministerial car. The simple truth is that Southwark has had one of the biggest cuts in budget in London and we?re doing our very best to protect services. Peckham Rye?s Labour Councillors are 100% committed to having the best quality services for our children. That?s why we?ve fought so hard to secure the capital investment for the One O?Clock Club. Despite our run ins I am completely genuine when I say that Gavin, Renata and I would warmly welcome your help and support in protecting East Dulwich/Peckham Rye services that are used by East Dulwich ward residents as much as they are used by Peckham Rye ward residents. Your record on the council is much better than the silly post above. Cllr Victoria Mills Labour Councillor For Peckham Rye Ward [email protected] www.peckhamryelabour.blogspot.com

As Gavin and Renata have said we?ve been meeting with the Cabinet and council officers about the club. As I?m sure some people will be aware, the council has two budgets. A ?revenue? budget that covers the cost of running things and a ?capital? budget that covers the cost of building things (I?m simplifying but hope that broadly makes sense). There is money in the capital budget to rebuild the One O?Clock Club. However the details of any rebuild aren?t going to be finalised until it?s clearer how much of the council?s revenue can be spent on running the Club after next April. Obviously we?ve had huge cuts in our revenue budget as a result of Government cuts so we have to make savings across the board. Some of you may have picked up the decision earlier this week that the council will be keeping all its libraries open. This does involve a reduction in opening hours at four of our libraries and some volunteers will also be used. Combined with some other bits of re-jigging we?ve been able to find a way to make ?400K of savings without closing any libraries down. I hope that?s a good indication of how determined all councillors (and happy to be cross-party on this!) are to keep well-used and well-loved services open. We asked Cabinet Members to investigate a whole range of things when we met in August and as Gavin says above, we said that we would like to talk to parents and the community in October (now). One of us will hopefully post on here with an update asap. Cllr Victoria Mills Labour Councillor For Peckham Rye Ward [email protected] www.peckhamryelabour.blogspot.com

Apologies Trinity - the proposals weren't 'any day' but I do have an update. The big ?400K scheme for FHR has looked at the Colyton/FHR/Dunstans signals and it proposes retaining the signals but making some changes to the phasing to speed up the flow of traffic. The work suggests that this would improve the traffic flow and ensure traffic would move in one green light phase without queues building up. Removing the signals was looked at but the investigation suggests that this would disadvantage pedestrians and make it difficult for traffic to exit the side roads - particularly Colyton. The FHR scheme will be the subject of public consultation in September and October and so this consultation will include the proposal to retain the signals but make phasing changes. If residents object to the retention of the lights (even with changes) then I suspect then there is a strong possibility that they will be removed. The investigation work does support their retention but it doesn't consider their removal hugely problematic - if that makes sense. This FHR scheme is very likely to be discussed at a Community Council meeting - I'll post details of that and the consultation document when it's published. Vikki. Cllr Victoria Mills Labour Councillor For Peckham Rye Ward [email protected] www.peckhamryelabour.blogspot.com

Dear All The bollards and the sub-station have been paid for through CGS money - the idea being that this area got a bit of a revamp. The bollard painting has been put on hold (rather than cancelled) because Forest Hill Road is going to be the subject of ?400K improvements over 2011/12 and 2012/13 (TfL money) and this might make other improvements to the pavement area outside the shops. I'm meeting the with Public Realm Officer (in charge of the ?400K scheme) and the CGS Officer (in charge to the ?20K scheme) next week to see whether we can make an decision about the bollards going ahead asap, safe in the knowledge they won't be changed soon afterwards, or alternatively whether we can incorporate some/all of the bollards or some of the artist's designs in whatever improvements might be made by the bigger scheme. I'll update as soon as we've had the meeting. Vikki. Cllr Victoria Mills Labour Councillor For Peckham Rye Ward [email protected] www.peckhamryelabour.blogspot.com

Hi Trinity Thanks for the PM about this - thought I would reply here. Around the time that Nunhead and Peckham Rye Community Council were asked to make a decision about the removal/retention of these lights it became clear that the council was going to secure approx ?400K from TfL for improvements to Forest Hill Road. This money will be spent in 2011-12 but we asked officers to bring forward some of the spend to look at this junction in particular and also the impact on surrounding roads. This would have been looked at anyway but it seemed silly to potentially remove the lights only for the junction to be changed again in 2011-12. The officers have been in touch a couple of times in the last few weeks and I'm expecting some proposals any day. If the lights are removed Thames Water agreed to still honour the cost of their removal even though it has been delayed. Victoria Mills. Labour Member for Peckham Rye Ward [email protected] www.peckhamryelabour.blogspot.com

Very quickly (apologies as I'm on the way to bed...) The Zebra crossing at Harris Girls is waiting for EDF (I think) to connect up the electrics. I've been told it should happen very soon. Actually paid for by Harris in the end I think. I will ask about what else could be done at start/end of school day. Have read comments for and against on here and have also been sent a variety of comments sent through to council officers. Victoria Mills Labour Member for Peckham Rye Ward [email protected] www.peckhamryelabour.blogspot.com

Hi all Couple of posts about the One O'Clock Club from the General page: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,336529,528528#msg-528528 Getting a rebuild/refurbishment of the club is something that we are pressing for and if we get it, then I think it would make sense if the new building was used more. As James says, it will be difficult to make a case for additional spend (in terms of running costs) when we are faced with cuts to budgets but something run by parents might be an option. I'm hoping to have another meeting about the future of the club in the next few weeks and after the spending review (central government, 20 Oct) the council's budget for next year will become a little clearer. Myself, Gavin and Renata (other Peckham Rye cllrs) would be very happy to meet parents to chat about what might be possible. I don't want to create loads of expectation - there isn't much money so it's probably best to be honest and say that's the case. But on other hand, if we as councillors and community can think creatively I'm sure we can come up with something! If there is interest, I'll find out when the next meeting is likely to be and perhaps meeting some time after that would allow us to come prepared/knowing a little more? Cllr Victoria Mills Labour Member for Peckham Rye Ward T: 07535932318 E: [email protected] www.peckhamryelabour.blogspot.com www.twitter.com/victoria_mills

On the One O'Clock Club it does seem like a lot but I suspect that the maintenance costs are a large drain on the budget and I understand from officers that they are expected to increase, hardly surprising when the building was build to house PoWs 70 years ago! This is one of the reasons why the rebuild, although costly, is what we need. I've just spotted the post in the family room about this and it seems parents getting together to run sessions at the club is being discussed. Certainly, this, or other volunteers running morning sessions could be an option. Cllr Victoria Mills Labour Member for Peckham Rye Ward T: 07535932318 E: [email protected] www.peckhamryelabour.blogspot.com www.twitter.com/victoria_mills

Hi Marmora Man I'm the Chair of the Nunhead and Peckham Rye Community Council and I can assure you that no decision has been made. The next meeting is at Rye Oak Primary school. To date, the council officers have made a recommendation to all of the Community Council members (nine in total, not just me as) and together we need to agree whether we accept the recommendation or not. I've been in touch with Philip Murphy and other officers to raise various queries I have with their recommendation. I'll also now see whether I can get hold of the for and against views that you mention have been received. Unlike James, I've only received a couple of emails about this to date. It may be that it's less of a concern for residents in the immediate vicinity (Peckham Rye ward) and more of concern for those further away as it's dispersing traffic on to other (East Dulwich ward) streets. This isn't something covered in detail in the report but it sounds like it should have been. If there are further views out there I'm happy to hear them and to share them with the other community council members. Cllr Victoria Mills Labour Member for Peckham Rye Ward T: 07535932318 E: [email protected] www.peckhamryelabour.blogspot.com www.twitter.com/victoria_mills

Hi Fushia On the One O'Clock Club James makes a very reasonable point about future spending. Sadly! The One O'Clock Club needs rebuilding/refurbishing (some money set aside but more needed, probably around ?300K) and in addition it costs in the region of ?100K a year to run it on current opening hours. However, along with Gavin and Renata (other Peckham Rye councillors) I've just been at a meeting about the club and morning opening was one of the things discussed. We're hoping to have another meeting in the coming weeks and we've asked to see details of what-would-cost-what and how realistic additional opening might be. I don't think anything will change in the immediate future but just wanted to let you know that, despite the current financial constraints, we are trying to see what can be done. Cllr Victoria Mills Labour Member for Peckham Rye Ward T: 07535932318 E: [email protected] www.peckhamryelabour.blogspot.com www.twitter.com/victoria_mills

For goodness sake James what a silly response! If you click on the link to the 2007 postings it would seem that the Lib Dem council didn?t make a clear promise, rather the Lib Dem council ensured that there was an option that the lights could be retained. And at this stage it isn?t possible to disagree with the Labour councillors because this one certainly hasn?t made up her mind! As I say above, I am very keen to know what residents think so PM or email or post on here and happy to raise with Council officers before the decision is taken whilst also trying to ensure I don't get carried away with the 'abstract'... SteveT/Vickster - thanks for the info. Cllr Victoria Mills Labour Member for Peckham Rye Ward T: 07535932318 E: [email protected] www.peckhamryelabour.blogspot.com Peckham Rye News Facebook Group www.twitter.com/victoria_mills

Hello all, A decision will be taken on whether to retain the traffic signals and crossing facilities or to remove the traffic signals, and revert back to the former zebra crossing in October ? possibly September, I?m just trying to confirm. A independent safety report has been carried out on the junction and this recommends the retention of the facilities. Council officers are endorsing this position. I?ve read through the safety report and some of the keys things seem to be that: - Southwark?s road user hierarchy recognises the 'primary importance' of pedestrians. In this case, it seems that the retention of the current facilities would be better for them. - If the traffic signals were to be removed there would, at busy times, be significantly more delay to side road (Dunstans/Colyton) traffic - so it?s the Forest Hill Road traffic that will be the main benefactors of the removal of the signals. - These delays might increase possibility that drivers emerging from the side road would force their way out into the main road at inappropriate times, making accidents more likely. I?ve raised a few queries about the report, not least that it does not seem to bear in mind that the pattern of road and pedestrian use might change once Harris Boys opens. There are also some recommendations in the report about re-phasing the traffic lights, changing signage and ?street furniture? and possibly relocating the crossing on Forest Hill Road so I?ll also try to find out whether these improvements will go ahead if the lights are retained. I?d also like to know exactly what was said back in 2007. The impression that I?ve been given is that, whilst the lights were temporary it was agreed that there would be a review of how good/bad they were before a decision was made to remove them. From comments on here, it seems that this wasn?t what residents were told, or at least it wasn?t made very clear. On the bumps these have gone back and the 20mph signs have been retained ? I understand that notwithstanding a decision on the junction this was always the plan. Keen to know what you think so PM or email or post on here and I'm happy to raise with Council officers before the decision is taken. Cllr Victoria Mills Labour Member for Peckham Rye Ward T: 07535932318 E: [email protected] www.peckhamryelabour.blogspot.com Peckham Rye News Facebook Group www.twitter.com/victoria_mills

Trident and tuition fees were great election sound bites too... funny how quickly they were disposed of ;-) Many people will be aware that the Tories and Libs have already cut back free school meal provision to 500,000 children as part of the cuts package announced on 24 May. Proposals to cap provision at a certain number or to impose stricter means testing are now being discussed so it's very possible this service will be cut back further. The consequences of these cuts to some of the poorest children in our community are horrific. That a Labour council could step in and reverse some of this is money worth spending in my opinion. If we don't, I don't know how the coalition government will meet its child poverty commitments. On meals on wheels, Southwark has some of the most deprived communities in London and, as a result, has a history of low charges for those additional services such as meals on wheels that many vulnerable and older people rely on. In addition, the increases in prices made under the Libs didn't actually generate any extra revenue - people just opted out of the service. The whole point of the policy being pursued was presumably to marginalise the service to such an extent that it could just be got rid of under the guise that nobody really needed the service anymore. Victoria Mills Labour Councillor for Peckham Rye ward [email protected] www.peckhamryelabour.blogspot.com T: 07535932318

Hi SimonM This is in Peckham Rye ward. We raised a few queries about this junction recently so I'll also ask about dropped pavements. Victoria. Labour Councillor for Peckham Rye ward [email protected] T: 07535932318

There was a recent application to change it into a cafe/restaurant but this was turned down. I think the primary concern was pressure on parking but there were also concerns expressed by residents about noise and I think there was a ventilation duct that wasn't considered very sympathetic to the design of the building (this predates me as a councillor so apologies that I'm not 100% sure of the details...) I understand from council officers that a new application has been submitted. It should be on the planning section of the council website shortly. Victoria. Labour Councillor for Peckham Rye ward [email protected] T: 07535932318