former East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?

[RobMiller]

MM, James seems to have stated his view - not ducked the issue. I recall him taking a lot of flak in the past for commenting on issues in other wards so I don't think it's fair to criticise him for not taking this further, especially as it's raised strong feelings from both points of view.

[Administrator]

Rather than allow this thread to become focussed on memorials please discuss this issue further on the memorials thread so that we can allow this one to stay on topic.

Additionally on the Brake website there is Information for families wishing to erect roadside memorials which contains relevant information.

[ClareC]

Not sure if this is something you can help with but there seems to be an increasing amount of traffic driving in Dulwich Park. I realise there is a certain amount of necessary traffic (park wardens, police, deliveries and access for disabled drivers), however, there seems to an increasing number of vehicles driving around seemingly for pleasure and having no obvious need. I think vehicles should be kept to a bare minimum and limited as far as possible (is groups mentioned above), What is the policy for this?

[James Barber]

Hi ClareC,

Cars carrying people not able to walk around the park are allowed to drive into the park but at 5mph and bein ultra careful. I would imagine this to be a handful.

I'll check with the head of parks services that the gates are correctly working and restricting use to essential users only. Out of office just pinged back saying they'll be in tomorrow.

[ClareC]

Thanks James, will wait to hear further.

[northlondoner]

JB, any news re the bin bags left out overnight. They are consistently providing a fox's midnight buffet. Had stomach turning display of used nappies, takeaway mush and unidentifiabe trash strewn up and down Hindmans a couple of days ago. Vile.

[James Barber]

Hi northlondoner,

No, not yet.

My take is council officers get increasingly troubled with answering questions so close to polling day.

I've logged it. Whatever happens I'll get an answer before or after the elections.

[intexasatthe moment]

James - see this http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,448566,457118#msg-457118 re people who look official rifling through recyling waste paper in early hours of morning .

Can you discover if this is a Southwark council led iniative ?

[sophiesofa]

intexas I asked a similar question a couple of weeks ago and he gave this response:

Hi sophiesofa,

As you can imagine I have a lot of papers to shred. I take them into my daytime job where my colleagues think I'm a little odd and other times into the Town Hall for shredding.

Eitherway, shredding bank and utilities bills seems a sensible precaution. Older shredders just shred into strips. More modern ones shred into tiny squares. Even these can be reassembled so better to shred lots together making the jigsaw truly immense.

BUT what we're not hearing about is anyones identidy having actually been stolen. So suspect we're all in danger of getting carried away. Until actual identidy thefts occur not much for the Police to do.

[intexasatthe moment]

Hi sophie ,what I really meant ( unclear ,sorry ) was not what to do with shredded paper but whether Southwark had organised some kind of sleuthing into say housing benefit fraud by looking through peoples' documents that they've put out for recicling .

If that makes sense ,not sure it does now I've posted it !

[sophiesofa]

Intexas, I asked him if there had been reports etc. of recycling bag riffling/stealing and what was being done about it. Sorry it probably wasn't very clear because in my initial question to him I mention shredding so that's why he also discusses shredding. I should have cut out some of his response but I guess this is the relevant bit:

"BUT what we're not hearing about is anyones identidy having actually been stolen. So suspect we're all in danger of getting carried away. Until actual identidy thefts occur not much for the Police to do."

I know you're question is different because you're asking if it's a council initiative but I thought the response was relevant so added it in but I think I only confused things, sorry.

[James Barber]

Hi intexasatthe moment, sophiesofa

If you could email the road where this took place I'll ask.

Does seem odd though.

[olly]

James, I've sent you a note detailing the sighting of the men in reflective gear last week in Underhill Road.

[James Barber]

Hi olly,

I've left a message for relevant head of dept to tell me whether this has anything to do with council officers or contractors. I would absoultely amazed if it did. but let me confirm it doesn't and the generic policies.

I'll then post the generic policies and if anyone see's anything to the contrary they'll know they should call the Police.

[James Barber]

Dulwich Van Hire.

Environmental Enforcement officers have confirmed that they are powerless to stop vans being parked on the public highway while they are taxed, ensured and have MoT.

The matter is now with Planning Enforcement to fully examine where this business is being conducted from and does the premise have the correct designation.

[James Barber]

The last four years have been a great opportunity to help people and getting so much done.

The last nine months seeking casework and issues to help with via the forum has been challenging, very challenging at times, but worthwhile. Its magnified the role of councillor to some extent.

Thank you all.

I hope after the election to be in a position to continue on the forum as one of your East Dulwich councillors.

If that's what you'd like please do vote.

If you have any time during Thursday and would like to help please contact me.

[Mellors]

James Barber Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Dulwich Van Hire.

> Environmental Enforcement officers have confirmed

> that they are powerless to stop vans being parked

> on the public highway while they are taxed,

> ensured and have MoT.

>

> The matter is now with Planning Enforcement to

> fully examine where this business is being

> conducted from and does the premise have the

> correct designation.

I agree re the parking on public highway, the issue here is a planning one, and always has been. When they applied for chamge of use of their own site from business to residential, and started work on site they lost their previous use for van hire.

Barry's Off Licence where they have moved to is, presumably, A1 use only (retail shop). Dulwich Van Hire, as a car hire company, is sui generis. Barry's therfore have no planning permission (as far as I am aware they have not yet applied for a change of use to encompass the new van hire business?) to allow the van hire business to be run from their A1 premises.

The Planning Department should therefore enforce, or at least they shoud go through the correct procedure to apply for a change of use (of which neighbouring residents will be informed and able to object/appeal).

This was raised months ago, why are they only considering this now?

[James Barber]

Hi Mellors,

Both types of enforcement have been involved for some time. The circumstances have kept changing and promises made and broken.

But its now clearly with Planning Enforcement and Environmental Enforcement are clear that they have no powers in this situation.

[Administrator]

Can we keep the vans issue on the vans thread please as posts are just being duplicated.

Thank you.

[James Barber]

Rubbish on Cyrena road removed.

A household was visited this morning very early that has dumped such items before.

Fingers crossed they'll now start using the bulk rubbish collection when they need it and generally be more considered in how they dispose of their rubbish.

[Trump]

Are LibDems paying people to deliver leaflets?

[James Barber]

Hi trump,

To my knowledge not in East Dulwich.

Had one of our volunteer deliverers last night being questioned on Ashbourne Grove by someone who jumped out of a car with Labour poster in it. Started by asking him whether he worked for 'the agency' and was he 'also getting paid ?10 as hour'. Really not nice for our volunteers to have it suggested we paid others for delivering. Pretty underhand. To pick on only BME volunteers for this treatment also not very nice. We've also had a rash of Lib Dem stakeboard bashing.

Why do you ask?

[Loz]

James,

I think the answer to your question - and an indicator to the person who may just know who is responsible for the harassment - over here.

[Trump]

Next election leaflets can be delivered by 8000.000 illegal immigrants and their dependants. That?s of course, once you?ve gained them all income support and housing benefit.

[Administrator]

Stay on topic please