VikkiM

I've contacted the councillors about this asking that they raise it with the council. Conways are the contractor on Ivydale Road where there was a string of problems before Christmas with communicating what was happening with residents. They also seemed to be moving cars with lorries on Fernholme and Rosenthorpe last week when they did resurfacing there - I don't know if letters went out to residents or not but the signs that went up are those that look that planning application notices so relatively easy to miss.

The Peckham Rye Development Plan Consultation Event is taking place TONIGHT 19th Jan, from 6:30 - 8:30pm in the Park Cafe. This will be a drop in event where you can come in any time (between those times) and talk to the architects and the council about the options for both the cafe area of the Common and Homestall Road.

Husband tells me that most buses from town (343s, 63s, 12s etc.) are stopping at Peckham Rye and people are walking on from there.

I'd give both a go - I use the 484 regularly and think it's okay. You should be able to walk through Ladywell Fields to the hospital so it shouldn't be too long a walk. If you're cycling there is always the foot/cycle bridge over the railway line at the bottom of Brockley Way/Brockley Mews and you could then cycle through Crofton Park and Ladywell on quietish roads.

Hi TJ I think that a joint residents/residents-association and cross-party campaign would genuinely be the best tool to actually get progress ? many, many more residents are likely to sign this and it will carry a great deal more weight with TfL. If what we want is to improve local transport rather than just electioneer working together would be the sensible route forward. The cross-party approach on the South London Line campaign has hugely benefited from this approach. But petitions aside, as I said above, my reason for posting was to correct the political point scoring and misrepresentation being done by the Lib Dems on the doorstep. Generally speaking I think it?s best that each party sticks to selling their own polices on the doorsteps rather than opting for this kind of tactic. Bus services regularly come up on the doorstep and we have always been in close contact with Val about improvements to services. Some residents will have spoken to Val directly when she came to Peckham Rye last year to conduct a survey of bus services in the area ? and the pros and cons of a 63 extension were discussed with many residents. Many residents will also know that Renata has a long history of campaigning on transport and traffic improvements in this area and is a member of the Community Council Transport group.

Laurie - we've been talking to residents about this for some time. Would be very happy to sign a cross-party petition that fully reflects the concerns I and other residents have set out on this thread. Your petition doesn't do this and is too simplistic.

Don Quixote I posted as I was keen to clear up the misrepresentation by Laurie and his team and I'm sure that he would support Val's involvement in improvements to local bus services. dbboy - I think many of the points you raise reflect the diversity of views on this issue that I tried to set out above. I'm really keen that both council officers and TfL planners see all sides of the arguments. Unlike the Lib Dem candidates, who don't live in the area, we use the 63 everyday and have close contact with parents at Cabrini school so inevitably we're interested in this as local residents.

I think the process should still be as hpsaucey says - you use the eAdmissions gateway for both but do one application for Lewisham and one for Southwark. The one form for all applications, for all boroughs, isn't being introduced until applications for 2011-2012 starters. The Southwark page has been linked to above and the Lewisham guidance is here: http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/Schools/SchoolAdmissions/PrimarySchoolAdmission/HowToApply.htm Victoria.

I don?t know what the latest is from the Lib Dems but Val Shawcross (local Labour London Assembly Member) has sent the suggestion to the Network Planners at TfL buses to think about when they look at reconfiguring bus services around the new train services ? this may allow for some local changes/improvements despite the response TJ has received above. I?ll post on here as I hear anything further. Also just to say that I?ve been emailed by a local resident today saying that they were told by a Lib Dem representative this weekend that Labour doesn?t support the extension. Misrepresentation like this does seem unhelpful as what we need is as much local support as possible for an integrated system, one that takes pressure off Peckham Rye/Rye Lane and one that leads to improvements that have the support of most people who live in our area. On the other side of the argument, and to repeat several of the comments above, I would have to say that we have had quite a lot of concern expressed by local residents about whether extending the service to Honor Oak Park might reduce its frequency. I?ve noted what?s been said above about the four additional buses, but I?ve asked that when raising the extension with TfL planners, Val asks for some reassurances about frequency. Like lots of others on here I rely heavily on the 63 and 363 to get to and from work because they are so regular ? it?s one of the better services in our area so I?m keen to protect this as much as possible. To also repeat comments made above, the other thing that many residents have expressed a great deal of concern is the problems of heavy traffic, parking, speeding and often dangerous driving on Forest Hill Road and especially the corner near Cabrini school. Alongside Cllr Aubyn Graham we?ve been pressing these concerns with the Community Council Transport sub-committee and council officers for some time. Many residents are worried that adding a 63 bus to these problems could increase the problems so it needs to be carefully thought through. As a bit of background, I understand that Cabrini does have a walk to school policy but many children simply live too far away from the school to walk and the parking issue has worsened in recent years as many families who used to take the P12 from Peckham and Nunhead now drive as this bus is so horrendously unreliable and too infrequent at peak times. There is a strong case for better traffic control at the junction with Brenchley Gardens, extending the lollipop lady?s hours (she doesn?t cover the nursery changeover at lunchtime or after school activities), and a pedestrian crossing at the top of the hill where it?s a real nightmare to cross with cars whizzing round the corner and where children from both Cabrini and Fairlawn cross. Apologies that this is lots of information but I think my point would be that the 63 extension is a good idea and it might encourage more parents to stop driving children to school, but we are doing various bits of campaigning to make sure that there is proper traffic management and good new crossing points in this part of Forest Hill Road as we think this is vital before we start sending 63 buses down to Brockley Rise. Victoria. Peckham Rye Labour [email protected]

In response to James whilst I prefer a local business to a big corporate I do think that the local community should be consulted on the future of community buildings. Southwark built and acquired these assets for community use. But the important point on this one, is that it took local residents, such as Eileen and Gavin, to point out to the Council that, as this building was on Common Land, there would be complications with both what it could be used for and also changing and developing the building. This should have been made clear by the council prior to them offering the contract to anyone commercially. The replies we?ve had from the council either in person or written have just been incomprehensible nonsense. Eileen - we always try to reference the efforts and activities of others in our blog and having looked at the blog posts I?d have to be honest and say that I disagree ? there are loads of references to other local people and residents joining with us, or us joining with them. Yes, we are Labour Party candidates but we are also three local people who share the many concerns local people have. We wholeheartedly believe that there are clear dividing lines between us and the Lib Dems on a whole host of issues. I'd heard that you are a Lib Dem party member or supporter? If that?s just scurrilous rumour then I?m absolutely sorry for mentioning it. However, if it?s true I?m very happy to acknowledge that you are different from the other Lib Dems I?ve met as you tend to share our despair at the Lib Dems running the council as much as we do ;-) Now, those toilets ...

Hi Eileen, I?m sure that Gavin meant ?we? as in not only himself but the Labour councillors from Nunhead and Peckham Rye Community Council and local residents (such as yourself obviously) who have raised this continuously. (Plus Peckham Rye Projects.) Whilst Gavin won?t be able to compete with you yet in terms of number of years campaigning for our area, as he?s lived in Peckham Rye for some time he?s clearly one part of the local community efforts. To suggest otherwise might seem to suggest you are trying to somehow subsume his efforts into your own party political campaigning ;-) But, like you, I rather not make this about one party of another. It's a really positive development, thanks to the efforts of many people, and I hope that everyone in our area can work together to make sure we get another great community asset for our area. Victoria.

I've sent a list of bad roads to the council as well. I don't think anyone could argue against the prioritisation that Southwark sets out above but the particular problems I came across were places with steep slopes - the top end of Goodrich and Rye Hill Park for example. Plus footpaths remaining icy and untreated compared to roads. Obviously many steep and narrow streets can't be reached by the gritting lorries but I haven't seen many salt bins in our area. Following the link above it says that Southwark has 45 salt bins. A quick google reveals that Lambeth has 540. James (and I'm absolutely not trying to score any political points) I'm wondering if you can shed light on this? The residents I spoke to at the weekend would find better access to salt bins useful but I don't know what people on here think or whether there has been problems with bins in the past? Victoria Peckham Rye Labour [email protected]

Dear all For those interested in this development/new facilities I've just blogged about it here (includes some initial layout drawings): http://peckhamryelabour.blogspot.com/2009/12/peckham-rye-central-area-options.html These plans were meant to be presented at a meeting but that hasn't happened yet. As soon as I know when a meeting might take place I'll pop the details on here. Victoria.

Hi James I didn?t intend to paint a wonderful picture as you well know. I was trying to paint a fairer picture than the one you painted above which intentionally suggested that the current mess is all down to decisions taken years ago by Labour rather than a much more recent Lib Dem failure to keep on top of what?s been happening. The fact remains that the figures have been getting worse over a number of years and that this trend predates the recession. Whilst there is obviously merit in Labour acknowledging what it did or did not do right many years ago, it?s equally or much more important that the Lib Dems acknowledge what?s happening now. The Liberata contract was extended by you in 2008 despite there being clear evidence of problems and Labour actively campaigning that you needed to sack them. Your recent u-turn in policy in very welcome but I do think you?re stretching the truth if you are trying to hail this as a Lib Dem victory after years of terrible Labour policy. Southwark is one of the most deprived boroughs but many other deprived boroughs have better collection rates. It?s also vital that we don?t simplify this in to just being about people not being able to pay ? it?s also about many people who could pay who are not and about many people who want to pay coming across administrative or other problems at Liberata. And if Southwark was better at collecting this money the very deprived people that you speak about might not have been put under increased financial pressure by the 50 per cent hike in meals on wheels or some of the other particularly nasty policies and cuts that you have made in recent years. Victoria Peckham Rye Labour [email protected] P.S. I realise that I've probably hikjacked what is a very useful thread for many - apologies. James as it's your thread you'll get the last say on this now ;-)

It?s worth stating that the 1998 decision was under the old committee system and that all the Lib Dem and Conservative members voted for the contract to go to CSL/Liberata and it was only the Labour members who were split (these decisions were unwhipped). However, we are where we are and I think the key thing is what James says about Liberata not improving. In fact the stats show that they have been getting progressively worse and worse since 2005. This year?s figures, for example, show that Southwark has the lowest rate of council tax collection in London and the third worst in the country. This equates to a huge loss of money each year that could be spent on vital services ? around ?5million if Southwark were at the average rate for England. Labour have been pushing for Liberata to be sacked since February 2008 (which would mean the service would be back in-house by early next year) but the Lib Dems decided to stick with them. Finally, largely as a result of the Labour campaigning, the contract has now been terminated. On the 10:10 initiative ? great news that the campaign is progressing and spreading. Perhaps we could have a topic (Lounge?) to share people?s 10:10 tips? Victoria Peckham Rye Labour [email protected]

@woodie Cllr Graham has raised speeding and traffic problems in this area with the council a couple of times in recent months but I'll pass this specific case on to both him and Renata (Peckham Rye Labour candidate) as they are both involved with the Community Council Transport sub-committee). The committee met on Weds I think so there might be an update. @ianr Canonbie, Netherby and Honor Oak Road are all Lewisham but Southwark wraps all the way round to Honor Oak Station but the only properties on the Southwark side of Honor Oak Park are the Oakhill Court flats round the corner behind the school (after the 'Welcome to Lewisham' sign...)

I think anyone putting themselves up for election should be have to pay the same tax as you and I. I think it?s outrageous that it?s one rule for some people and another for the rest of us. I don?t think that?s prejudice or stone throwing. I think that?s fair dos. If I lived in Richmond Park I?d vote Labour. Labour represents the values I believe in so that?s how I?m going to vote at the ballot box. You?re got to stand up for the values you believe in, that?s why I think is disingenuous for the Lib Dems to suggest their coalition with the Tories is for ?practical reasons?. Especially when the formal agreement they signed with the Tories stated that they would combine around a common policy agenda. Think after the election, party activists should carry on putting the hard work in on the doorsteps and campaigning for local issues. Issues and concerns don?t just emerge at election time, they happen all year round.

I think a decent contest sounds good. Politicians should have to work for every vote and voters should feel inspired to turn out on election day. Without wishing to suggest Harriet should take an election victory for granted ? as I wholeheartedly believe she shouldn?t ? I can?t see much evidence of the Labour vote not holding up in C&P. Look at any opinion poll and yes, Labour has lots of hard work to do, but many Labour MPs will still be returned to Westminster come general election day. In C&P the Labour vote held up in 2005, again at the locals in 2006, in the GLA and mayoral elections in 2008 and again at the Europeans earlier this year. And whilst some of the people posting above don?t seem huge fans of Harriet my experience on the doorsteps is that she receives a hugely positive response. I?ve not met Columba Blango so I think it best to reserve judgment. However, whilst events are often much more complicated than they seem when written down, I do think the comments he made earlier this month call into question his judgement. The BNP has always faced united opposition from the main political parties in Southwark. This should absolutely remain the case. There are some things that are far more important that party politics. As for the Tories, well the gob-smackingly outrageous news that multi-millionaire Zac Goldsmith is a non dom sums them up to me! Tell me Laurie, which of their policies was it that made you go into coalition with them at the Town Hall?

Yep. I had 'Forest Hill' as the announcement last night. Very long wait to get on at Elephant and then was very busy all the way home. But was 5.30pm-ish.

It's important to bother - so thank you paulino. I've probably insisted that the survey has a role to play but I haven't insisted that the survey isn't flawed. What you can fit on one side of A4 and on 10 questions on surveymonkey is limited. How much time people are willing to give to these things is often limited too. So that makes additional feedback like you've given really helpful. As I've said several times, posting here or PM'ing me or emailing us on [email protected], talking to us on the doorstep or at community meetings or at councillors' surgeries is very, very helpful. You clearly don't need to fill in the survey - we've got a good idea of some of your local priorities from the post above. And if you want to give fuller answers then please do send it through to us (PM, email or via the blog or on here).

Hi Peckham Rose It wasn't criticism, it was just a polite request. My experiences of finding builders or seamstresses on this forum were slightly different in tone ;-) And yes, the thread was about the survey but inevitably people raise other stuff. Iamyamyam used his post above to criticise the Labour councillors. On difference approaches, I've taken your point about the survey, I hope you take mine about the fact we're doing different stuff. On Crystal Palace Road last night for example, some people wanted to talk for 15 or 20 mins, others didn't want to talk at all. Lots of people have taken the survey as, even though there has been criticism here, it's a quick and easy way for people with less time to get their views heard.

Iamyamyam I do think we?re been over lots of this above? At the risk of repeating what both Gavin and I have said several times, it strikes me as pretty silly to use a survey for reasons other than to gauge people?s opinions so we can use these ideas to help shape Labour?s priorities. What on earth is the use of the survey is we don?t do that?! And, as we have both said above, it?s just one of the things we are doing, those that have filled it in, thank you, it?s genuinely useful, those that haven?t, I respect that view. On the 550 people that we?ve covered in the last month I wouldn?t want to claim that this had all been done by the three of us! Many of these contacts have been made by other local Labour campaigners including the current Peckham Rye councillors. The case work that was generated ? from housing problems to flytipping to problems with social care has all been done by the local Peckham Rye councillors. That is alongside the casework that reaches them from email or post or phone or at their surgeries. They don?t have a blog and they don?t post on here but then there are plenty of councillors and candidates that don?t. However just because you aren?t on online forums or blogs, doesn?t mean you?re not doing anything ? probably quite the opposite and you?re too busy actually doing stuff! If you read the blog you?ll notice, for example, the very recent questioning of the council executive on primary school places done by Robert Smeath ? an issue that has received a lot of prominence on this forum. And *Bob* the survey was never meant to be a test of IQ! One of the problems with council bureaucracy and local politics is that it tends to be inaccessible. Finally one tiny plea from me is really about the slightly aggressive tone with which every posts on here! I?m a local woman who loves her community and wants to try to do my bit to make Peckham Rye a great place to live. If we share different values I think that?s a shame, as I?ve always been proud of what I believe in. However, I?d never dream of speaking to people in the way that people comment on here! If you saw me pottering around East Dulwich I?m sure you?d think I was really quite normal and exactly the same as you?

We now have over 200 responses (electronic and paper). We?ve also had a great deal of info on the doorstep in the last month ? we?ve spoken to approx. 550 people ? who have fed back a whole range of issues and concerns. I think that?s been invaluable. Whilst I agree that a lot of frustrations are shared many are particular to some groups of people or some geographical areas. Together with other Labour campaigners and Southwark?s Labour councillors we?re just in the process of finalising our first set of policies that we would commit to deliver if Labour wins control of the council from the Lib-Dem and Tory coalition. Alternatively, these will form the basis of what we will be pressing the Lib Dems and Tories to do in the coming months and after the election, should they continue to run the council. On your other points, any money wasted is either our own or the local Labour Party?s. And as for Boris, does he really tell us what he?s going to do? I don?t remember him mentioning anything during the election about the vicious cuts he now plans to make to the bus subsidy?. As for the topic, if others go off topic, it?s difficult for us not to too! Am happy to be PM?d or emailed on [email protected] about non-survey related stuff or alternatively, get posting recycling queries and comments on the Peckham Rye blog.

The admissions page is here - http://www.southwark.gov.uk/YourServices/educationandlearning/Admissions/ And the primary and nursery admissions book is here - http://www.southwark.gov.uk/Uploads/FILE_43650.pdf Summary of this year's admissions (2009/2010 intake) is on page 24

Nunhead Mum - I missed that email but you're right. Meeting will be towards the end of November when some initial drawings will be presented. Probably for the best as it was a little bit difficult to grasp exactly what was up for grabs last week without any outline proposals of drawings presented. Moos - I will raise that but it seems at the moment that wouldn't be within the proposals that are being drawn up. Though I may be wrong. I'm not saying it doens't need doing though and it does make sense to make sure things like this are mentioned and discussed at the same time.