legalalien

Interesting read - the report of the Southwark Citizen?s jury on Climate Change. Lots of recommendations along the lines of the council?s existing policies, but despite being lectured by Prof Aldred, Jeremy Leach and consultancy Possible, the recommendation around LTNs is that ?f) Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) should only be implemented if extensive engagement with broader potentially impacted areas as well as the specific area is carried out thoroughly and shows support?. And this to say about parking: ?Parking policies can and should be used as a tool to reduce private car ownership and usage. Specific policies to achieve this are sensitive and need careful local engagement, including car owners and non-car owners proportionately.? Some of the questions asked were good questions and I wonder what the answers were. Not sure about the sculptures and the accompanying explanations though. https://moderngov.southwark.gov.uk/documents/s105769/Appendix%20A%20Southwark%20Citizens%20Jury%20Report.pdf

I see on Twitter that Cllr Burgess is not standing this time around, may explain the honesty. Have tonight?s overview and scrutiny committee meeting on in the background and Cllr Buck seems to be being quite critical of council in the discussion on the climate strategy. Just googled and it seems he is either standing down or not selected for his ward. (Although I guess he could still). be selected for another one I do wish councillors had more freedom / felt they had more freedom to say what they really think throughout their term and not just at the end. Worth watching these committee meetings with an election approaches, both sides seem much more vocal than usual. Councillor Kieron Williams on to be interviewed shortly I think.

For anyone interested, there?s a progress report on the project to insource leisure services on the agenda for next week?s cabinet meeting. In short, it?s a big and complex task. https://moderngov.southwark.gov.uk/documents/s105591/Report%20Progress%20on%20insourcing%20of%20leisure%20services.pdf

Good point. The application mentions that there?s a link to hi-vibe across the road and that the opening hours will coincide, so maybe the plan is to use facilities there? The wording?s a bit confusing but given the mention of protein shakes and responsible drinking it sounds like it might be aiming to be a sort of drinks / coffee stop for pre and post gym sessions.

Just flicking through the most recent forward plan and I now have some suspicions as to why my thoughts above received a bit of a hostile response and suggestions that I had some sort of agenda. There is actually a live licensing application for an alcohol license for one of the premises at the closed end of Melbourne Grove, I think for that small coffee place? Info here: https://moderngov.southwark.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?id=63526&LLL=0 Looks as though the applicants aren?t terribly au fait with licence applications and there has been some to and fro to clarify what they are asking in terms of the licence terms - see Appendix B. I can see that this would be less than ideal if you lived right next door (there are some objections), but with a restriction on numbers and times I think this is quite a sensible use of the area / empty shops, and as noted above consistent with stated policy objectives on the night time economy / promotion of small business. It also attempts to gain a benefit from the street closure.

Decision on Brunswick Park scheme and associated documentation (no EqIA as they seem to have mistakenly uploaded one of the other documents rather than the EqIA which has been done) https://moderngov.southwark.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?Id=7597&LLL=0 What struck me was the express recognition that displacement does in fact exist, it ?takes time? for schemes to have an impact on traffic levels. I believe this scheme is in part in Cllr Burgess? ward, guess it may have had some influence on the views she expressed on Monday.

Thanks, will look into it and try and work out if there is a venue suitable for middle aged ladies :)

Thanks for that - has been a difficult week for various reasons - good to reconnect with something you love. Are there any good jazz venues locally? (I know, should start a different thread. But just in case anyone knows).

To clarify- the night time market comment wasn?t specifically directed at you, it was a train of thought I was following, apologies if you are confused. ?Demand? I meant in the ?supply and demand? sense rather than a ?people are demanding it? sense, as you had indicated that you didn?t think people would be interested in a Friday night thing due to reduced commuters etc. There is always a slight element of ?build it and they will come? around this sort of thing. When I lived in Melbourne there was a street market near the tram stop on my way home and it was very popular with takeaway noodles, vegan stall etc so not beyond the realms of possibility. It feels a bit like you are trying to close down discussion to be honest, I hope that?s not the intention as I think it?s helpful for everyone to knock around ideas for the use of the space. I?m trying to be as clear as I can but I feel like every word is being jumped on - and I have English as a first language! Must try harder. On a lighter note I?d prioritise jazz over punk or the Stones.

Jen - I'm actually a bit confused by the way you are interpreting my posts. Does it help to explain/ clarify that the Southwark Plan is not a list of things that Southwark plans to do, it's more focused on outlining the approach that Southwark takes in considering applications by third parties to do things? So no, Southwark doesn't have a positive "lets put in some bars" plan (as I actually said further up), but when considering any proposal by anyone to start a bar they'll be doing the balancing exercise mentioned. The plan talks about maintaining a balance - but that doesn't have to be exactly the same balance as there is now. And what I'm suggesting is that against the background of the Labour mayoral policy to encourage more nighttime economy activity, particularly in unused premises, in my opinion the local council might well look favourably on applications of that type, subject to appropriate safeguards to protect the interests of local residents. I know you'll disagree. On the demand for a night-time market, what about the idea of something that operated on days that DHFC had home games, after the games? Something that occurred to me walking along that strip this afternoon. Seems to me that if the road is closed, there's an opportunity to take advantage of some outdoor, pedestrianised space, away from traffic (unlike places on LL), and that could make that area quite popular? Just trying to think of ideas. Jenijenjen Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > That?s fair enough, it is after all your opinion > but it?s not backed up by the Southwark Plan as > you implied.

We?ll have to agree to differ as I don?t interpret the balancing act that needs to be done as a restriction in expansion of night time economy stuff like bars. Things would need to be looked at in the round, and encouraging some night time economy uses at the potentially pedestrianised end of a street where there are vacant commercial premises, near a station, doesn?t seem to me like a crazy idea with sensible limits on noise and opening hours.

I?m not suggesting there?s some plan for it to happen but rather that it would be an idea worth consideration and consistent with the overarching policy framework. I put in the bit about the Southwark Plan precisely to give readers some comfort as you complained that I was scaremongering last time. Some people are never happy! Why wouldn?t eg a Friday evening market be a good thing? It would avoid the clash with NCR and would be good for commuters? I do agree with your point that policies that work in some areas don?t work in other areas because of local conditions; though.

I feel as though I need to know more about how these count tubes work. Are they pneumatic tubes or electrical/magnetic counters? If the former, if someone was parked, or stopped on the tube, would the machine stop counting other vehicles crossing the tube?

After being called out for being a scaremonger, I did go off to see what policy there is, and ended up reading a couple of interesting things on the London Assembly website. There's a December 2021 committee report on rebuilding the night time economy that includes "Recommendation 10: The Mayor should work with local authorities to investigate the feasibility of meanwhile use of vacant premises for night-time businesses and events." So my bar suggestion is actually not that wide of the mark of where the policy is. It's worth adding, though, that there is also this "Recommendation 9: The Mayor and London Councils should work with Central Government to review London?s licensing arrangements, to ensure that schemes work for both businesses and residents. This work should be undertaken this winter to allow plans to be put in place in time for summer 2022." The New Southwark Plan adopted this week includes in the East Dulwich section a planning consideration to "Seek to protect East Dulwich?s retail offer and maintain a balance between shops and night time economy uses which protects the amenity of local residents." So noisy nightclub, no, but could be something like some bars. One thing I thought looked interesting was the idea of a night market. Some links here, the second one has a section with lots of interesting case studies in it. https://www.london.gov.uk/about-us/london-assembly/london-assembly-publications/night-vision-rebuilding-londons-night-time-economy https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/arts-and-culture/24-hour-london/night-time-strategy-guidance (Mayor suggesting that boroughs should be producing Night Time Strategies. A quick google didn't bring up any recent Southwark documents.

Just spotted this item in my council email bulletin: We are introducing new property licensing schemes from 1 March 2022. These schemes will help to improve rented homes in the borough. If you apply between 1 March and 31 May 2022 you will automatically receive an early bird discount. Landlords and property managing agents can also sign-up to our mailing list for regular updates. The info about the early bird licence fee is at https://www.southwark.gov.uk/home-owners-services/private-home-owners-and-landlords/private-rented-property-licensing?chapter=5&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term= (and there are links to other info about the scheme). Just posting for awareness as I haven't seen loads of publicity about it.

Is there any data that gives an idea of whether there's increased idling/ queuing during the day at the Townley intersection? Traffic count data isn't going to tell you that, I don't think - you could have the same number of cars, but with an interrupted journey where they are held at the lights? I'm not sure if it has been looked at?

Out of interest has there been any discussion of phasing the Townley Road lights differently / does the phasing change during the day? Quite often during the day there?s traffic queued along EDG in one or other direction with zero traffic going through from green dale or townley.

and Waseley - yes, emotive language will sneak in when people feel strongly. On both sides - I mean "how many of her new found fangroup would be recoiling in horror at that" is a bit emotive, no? But as long as we understand that's a feature of people feeling passionate, we should be able to let that go, I should think - as long it doesn't turn into a personal attack. There was a really interesting column in the Times this morning by James Marriott about the effect that thinking you are morally right has on your behaviour. Food for thought for everyone.

I agree heartblock. I don't think there's been a lot of drama/ personal insults about local councillors supporting the schemes on this thread (and the old one, although obvs I haven't read it all) other than complaints about not being spoken/ listened to in various cases. I know there's a lot out there on twitter (not sure about other social media), although it seems that some of the councillors give as much as they get out there in the twitterverse. One of the reasons I don't have social media accounts. There's give and take here on EDF but it's on a slightly less confrontational level, and closed bubbles/ blocking etc doesn't happen, which I think is really important. We may get tetchy with each other for sure, but at least the lines of communication are open. That's what I think, anyway.

Maybe out some of those ?no stopping? yellow pavement markings at the junction end of court lane? The combination of the closed area and the construction works/ lorries turning is a bit unfortunate at the moment.

I have no problem with a CPZ as it happens, perhaps with resident permits only allowed for those without off street parking, to discourage multiple car households. I haven?t seen many arguments on here based on busy parents and young children tbh. I think your expectations of a deputy cabinet member might be a bit much, they are paid a lot less than cabinet members as I understand it. (In case people wonder about that, I think this is the current schedule https://www.southwark.gov.uk/assets/attach/23474/Members-Allowances-Scheme-October-2020.pdf. But whether or not Cllr Burgess is lazy, as you seem to be suggesting, it doesn?t mean she hasn?t made good points. No need to confuse the messenger and the message. I?ve emailed to see whether the mystery paper is going to be put on the website.

For info - report underlying yesterday?s reported decision by Greenwich Council to remove the West Greenwich LTN, noting resident concern about displaced traffic and an equalities analysis which notes disbenefits to older people, disabled, ethnic groups who may be more reliant on cars. Looks as though they are going back to the drawing board to do a redesign to try and get something that works, even recognising that the lack of an identified funding stream may result in delay. (I say reported because I?m not sure if it has been formally signed off yet). https://committees.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=c2N3RIT%2BIB3KtOrqD4mqgeyvIXLhcZdtjgEDx66Vg9i%2BwnYtYWWs4A%3D%3D&rUzwRPf%2BZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3D%3D=pwRE6AGJFLDNlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ/LUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3D%3D&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3D%3D=hFflUdN3100%3D&kCx1AnS9/pWZQ40DXFvdEw%3D%3D=hFflUdN3100%3D&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2BAJvYtyA%3D%3D=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&FgPlIEJYlotS%2BYGoBi5olA%3D%3D=NHdURQburHA%3D&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za60lavYmz=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&WGewmoAfeNQ16B2MHuCpMRKZMwaG1PaO=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&fbclid=IwAR2aEvGf22zZKyI4D4TTuZuOrhbY7rkkPWCuTSYZvzKYpwAo-GbLhYhNORc https://www.onlondon.co.uk/greenwich-council-to-scrap-low-traffic-neighbourhood/

Well, I still appreciated Cllr Burgess? contribution. Not least the bit where she suggested that the policy should not be to grant LTNs ?on request? by groups of residents, because of the real risk that would result in small groups of residents with more social capital getting benefits for themselves at the expense of those less engaged.

I didn't actually say that DKH, I think you might be the one introducing the idea of a conspiracy/ strategy here? I tend to think that council actions are much more ad hoc/ not joined up at all. Water off a duck's back.

I think most people can tell the difference between fact, and opinion, to be honest. I will endeavour to restrain the occasional slightly tongue in cheek comment if it bothers you. This one was an extrapolation from the number of times references have been made to nighttime economy in various Southwark documents - including in particular around the case for the Rye Lane closure to traffic. But I agree that I haven't seen any suggestion of a specific plan for this area. Having said that, I think a few tasteful bars in that location, near the station, could be quite successful. For the record I am flying solo and don't have any political or lobby group ties - just in case that's what is being implied.