Archive for July, 2010
Bus Route Extension Plans Hit Delays due to TfL Cross Borough Talks
Jul 31st
Long anticipated plans to extend a single decker bus linking Streatham and Balham shopping districts have run into delays following concerns raised by Wandsworth Council and objections from residents on one road in the area.
Residents will now have to wait even longer while talks with both Lambeth and Wandsworth Council’s are ongoing with Transport for London (TfL) who carried out a consultation throughout both council districts with a large number in favour of the extension of the 255 bus which currently terminates at Streatham Hill Station.
The extension would run along Weir Road and terminate at Balham Station under the plans. Residents on a road in Wandsworth which would also form part of the new route submitted a petition to TFL against the proposals amid safety and loss of parking fears.
TfL are currently in talks with both London Councils to see the find a solution to having the bus route implemented though there is no indication as to when this is likely to be.
In a statement TfL said ‘We are still planning to introduce the service but the scheme has been delayed, however we are working closely with both local authorities to progress the scheme to implementation. Once we can release further information, we will do.’
The new route would run from its current terminus at Streatham along Hydethorpe Road, Radbourne Road, Weir Road and Old Devonshire Road, into Balham High Street and terminate at Balham Station.
WERA Asks…Keith Hardy
Jul 30th
Keith, Can you please tell our readers briefly what your job is?
I am the Major Works Manager for Lambeth Living.
How long have you been doing this job?
I have been doing this job for six years
What are the positives of the role you do?
Delivering Decent Homes improvement works for Lambeth’s tenants and leaseholders to ensure their homes are wind and weathertight, have reasonably modern facilities and are thermally efficient.
If you could choose any other department within Lambeth Living, what one would you choose and why?
Although not strictly Lambeth Living, with my construction and surveying background I feel that I could make a positive contribution to the Children and Young Peoples’ Services Department of Lambeth Council and the Building Schools for the Future Programme.
Three Way Funding Gets Weir Fencing Fixed
Jul 28th
Damaged and buckled railings on Weir Estate, are getting vital repairs and being replaced, following a three way funding agreement between Weir Estate Residents Association, Lambeth Living and the Breyer Group plc.
The works to the value of an estimated eighteen thousand pounds have got under way this week following works to resident’s homes and now the efforts to continue to improve Weir Estate have now focused on the communal area railings. Three sums of Six Thousand Pounds have been committed to the improvement works has been provided by Lambeth Living, the Arms Length Management Organisation responsible for housing in Lambeth, Breyer Group plc the contractor responsible for the major works which are now coming to an end, and Weir Estate Residents Association.
WERA Chair Dave McEvoy is delighted with the deal, saying the railings, which were put up in the mid 1970s, are in desperate need of changing following years of damage caused by careless motor vehicles crashing into them as well as rust caused by the weather “This work is about WERA and Lambeth Living’s commitment to improving the appearance of the estate so residents can take pride in the area in which they live. We have achieved this to residents homes and now we are delighted to be able to improve our communal areas too. We want Weir Estate to be the best looking estate in Lambeth, and for other resident associations to aspire to be like us. We are grateful to Lambeth Living and Breyer Group plc for supporting us in this”
The improvement work is being carried out by a sub contractor R&B overseen by Breyer Group plc. It’s expected to be complete by mid-August, by which time members of the Youth Offending Service will move onto the estate to paint the old railings as part of their community payback. This is expected to start throughout the summer holidays every Tuesday supervised by officers from the Lambeth team. For this, Breyer is also kindly donating the paint and painting materials in order for them to carry out the paint job.
Missing original metal works on the front of the estate will also be reinstated and then be painted.
Dave added “This is a real combined effort by us as the estates Association and our external partners to bring a new better look to our estate.”
Breyer’s Managing Director, Tim Breyer who has authorised the financial support of the works from Breyer has now been invited to visit Weir Estate in order to see the major improvements being made following the works carried out by his staff. Lambeth Living’s Director of Property Services has also backed the projects with their on going investment into improving the estate.
WERA Elects New Vice-Chair
Jul 18th
A new Vice Chair has been elected to the Weir Estate Residents Association’s Executive Committee. Life Long resident, Rohema Khanom was this week elected into the role by a unanimous vote of members at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) last week.
Rohema and her family have lived on Weir Estate for many years in which she has grown up in the area. This week Rohema joined the association to work with and support the current Chair as well bringing new ideas to the take the association forward.
The position of vice chair had been vacant for many years and this is one of the first times, WERA has had a full executive committee who are responsible for managing the association, its finances and decisions.
Current Chair, Dave McEvoy spoke highly of the new appointee to WERA team at the meeting and then recommended that members elected her which was overseen by new Housing Officer, Teodoro De Carvalho.
Rohema has already begun throwing herself into her new role by getting involved in key issues such as the Community Garden, Parking issues and other long term estate projects.
Ofcom Publish Masts Output Report Following Estate Audit
Jul 17th
Telecommunication regulator, Ofcom has published its report following an audit of the Mobile Phone masts on Weir Estate which has now been received by Executive Officers at Weir Estate Residents Association.
The report will form a fundamental part of a enquiry into the future of the masts and base stations situated on two estate blocks and the prospect of any future installations of telecommunications aerials on Weir Estate in the future.
The WERA enquiry is considering all the evidence and facts available in order to make an informed recommendation to residents on whether they should they remain and the level of impact or threat on residents long term health. The report carried out by independent regulator Ofcom, has indicated low levels of radiation output throughout the report will now have to be concluded by another external body, The Health Protection Agency responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the public such as mobile phone masts.
In the report, six areas where covered during the audit in areas identified as being significantly affected by the signal coming from the masts.
More >
WERA Asks…Allan Drew
Jul 16th
Please introduce yourself
My name Is Allan Drew and I have been involved with Customer Service for the past 30 years. I have spent the last 5 years in Lambeth, which was my first public sector role. Previously I have worked for BT and also run my own small business providing consultancy on customer service
Can you explain what your role is?
In Lambeth I run the parts of the council responsible for resident contact. So the call centre and the walk-in customer centres in Brixton and Streatham are part of my operation, where we handle about 2m contacts/year with Lambeth residents. I also have responsibility for facilities management which involves the smooth running of the council’s 15 major office buildings.
What do you find is the most challenging part of your job?
Working successfully across other departments in the council to produce the best result for the customer. Not because colleagues do not want to help, but rather that every part of the council has a significant improvement activity to be getting on with and ensuring it all fits together and everything gets done is quite a challenge
More >
Lambeth Country Show
Jul 13th
The ever popular and biggest outdoor festival the Lambeth Country Show will once again be held in Brockwell Park on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 July. This free event is not one to be missed!
Throughout the weekend Brockwell Park will be filled with a wide variety of music and entertainment. There will be arts and crafts available to buy and try, trade stalls and horticulture competitions. With hands-on activities for children and adults to enjoy with live animals from farmyard breeds to more exotic species, as well as brass bands, storytelling and a funfair, there’s something for everyone. See the Lambeth Country Show 2010 programme to find out more.
The festivities begin at 11am on Saturday 17 July when the array of vibrant stalls and marquees will be open for business. With an emphasis on home grown talent a variety of cherry-picked local artists will play on the main stage and village green filling the air with music throughout the weekend.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony sees Estate ‘Unleashed’ back to Weir Residents
Jul 4th
Resident’s from Weir Estate celebrated taking their estate back this weekend with a ribbon cutting and repossession ceremony, following a year of essential major works to replace run down and rusted windows and doors.
Nearly all one hundred and twenty five properties on the Lambeth Living estate have undergone a huge transformation to replace the old metal windows and wooden doors to new warmer, safer and secure by design double glazed windows and triple locking doors. The work which was carried out by Breyer Group plc on behalf of Lambeth’s ALMO, Lambeth Living have taken just over one year.
This weekend at an event attended by newly elected Streatham Constituency MP, Chuka Umunna residents claimed back control of their estate at a ceremony organised by its pro-active residents association, WERA (Weir Estate Residents Association). The association and local ward councillors who were also present to see the hand over back to residents, battled with Lambeth Living after years of neglected windows and as part of the LHC5 programme. Works to the estate began at the end of 2009 and are on track to finish by the end of this month.
During the cutting of the ribbon ceremony, MP Chuka Umunna paid tribute to the work of WERA and the leadership of the association Chair, Dave McEvoy; who worked closely with both Councillor Peck and Councillor Morris to bring about the transformation, which also saw a coat of paint being applied to all ten blocks. Residents have also benefited from reduced heating costs which had rocketed during the 60 years that the old windows had been in place.
Mr Umunna went on to declare the estate ‘unleashed’ back into the control of those who live on Weir Estate.
Dave McEvoy, Chair of WERA spoke of his delight at residents getting their estate back “This event was to mark the end of a difficult year for residents who have put up with a lot of disruption but has brought much needed change to the estate as a whole as well as many benefits to those living on Weir Estate. We are delighted with the work that has taken place after so many years and now residents can look forward to warmer, safer and a better quality of living standards.”
The event was also attended by Lambeth Living Major Works Officers, Joseph Ajala, Senior Programme Manager and Keith Hardy, Major Works Manager, who have overseen the works to Weir Estate as well as Bryer Group’s Divisional Manager Carol Bailey, Resident Liaison Manager, Clinton Samuels as well as the site staff who have worked on the estate delivering the works. Lambeth Living’s Board Member Alan Bevan also attended to see the outcome of the works.
Local residents celebrated with a glass of champagne and are now able to enjoy a new look Weir Estate.
WERA Asks…Cedric Boston
Jul 2nd
Can you please tell us who you are and what you do?
Cedric Boston, Director of Housing Management at Lambeth Living. Responsible for providing a housing service to 31,000 Lambeth Council tenants and leaseholders.
Can you give a brief description of what your role involves?
Managing staff, resources and performance to achieve the best result possible in the circumstances
How long have you been doing this role?
Nine months
How do you think Lambeth Living is changing, and do you think your role has had an impact on this?
We are improving performance in managing resources and most of the key business targets are being met. The organisation is continuing to improve and will focus more on the customer facing services in 2010/11.
What were you doing prior to joining Lambeth Living?
Working for Wandle Housing Association as Assistant Director of Housing Management and Leasehold Services
Who or what inspires you and why?
Achieving against the odds
What is the most challenging part of your job?
Remaining committed and motivated despite the palpable hostility of residents representatives to the ALMO
Do you think enough is being done with the turn-around of ‘voids’ in the borough?
At the present time yes. The only impediment at the moment is the lack of revenue as it costs money to repair a void property and the long it has been vacant the more it costs. The Council does not have the money it needs to repair its void properties hence many will remain empty for this reason.
Lambeth Living’s Tenancy Services Team operate from various Housing Offices, are there any plans for housing offices to be relocated?
The Council has imposed 20% cuts on Lambeth Living since inception and a further 10% cut is planned for 2010/11. In this situation it is impossible to give any promises about housing offices
Do you ever manage to visit estates, meet residents, and hear their concerns?
Yes. Often. Especially when invited
As a residents association, the main problem we hear of with Tenancy Services is communication – In what ways do you think communication could be improved?
The Customer Service Center is run by the Council. We should get another provider if the service does not improve
What role do you think residents have in shaping Lambeth as a Borough?
Residents can have a major role in helping us to plan the service for the future and monitoring performance and delivery of services in the current. However this is only possible if there is a constructive relationship between resident representatives and Lambeth Living
What was your first job?
Storeman in a Jewish supermarket when I was 15.
What does community mean to you?
Working together for the advantage of all
What role do Leaseholder Services play?
Leaseholders are 33% of our customers so their role is crucial
What would you most like to achieve from your role within 10 years? Top quartile performing housing service, 90% customer satisfaction, 95% decent homes, national recognition for the quality of the service we provide.
What are the key areas of your role, as Director of Housing Management?
Managing staff and resources. Raising motivation and skills. Achieving efficiencies and continuous improvement.
What aspect of your role do you most enjoy, and why?
Achieving performance targets because it shows we are moving in the right direction
Describe yourself in three words. Pragmatic and driven
How and when should residents contact you?
During normal working hours, preferably by email feedback@lambethliving.org.uk, made for the attention of Cedric Boston.
Lambeth’s Police Commander Praises ‘Excellent Relationship’ between WERA and SNT following Area Visit
Jul 1st
Lambeth’s most senior police officer, Chief Superintendent Nick Ephgrave (Lambeth Borough Commander) has given high praise of the working relationship between Weir Estate and the officers of Thornton Safer Neighbourhood Team, which has seen massive reductions in crime in Thornton Ward.
Top Lambeth Cop, Chief Superintendent Ephgrave was invited to visit the area by WERA’s Chair, Dave McEvoy, to see for himself the work that has taken place to tackle crime such as anti social behaviour and burglary. During the walkabout which was also attended by two of the team, PC Rob Wood and PCSO Karen Rose (Weir Estate Liaison Officer), it was explained how by working together and increasing communication, trust and respect between the community and the local police in the area residents have seen a huge reduction in crime, making Weir Estate and the surrounding area one of the safest in the borough.
One shop keeper told the Borough Commander how poor parking measures and the fear caused by gangs of people hanging around had majorly affected their business but following the work of the Safer Neighbourhood team and new parking enforcement has seen a over night drastic change to trade and the area feeling safer. The team worked closely with local businesses, community groups and Clapham Park Project to tackle the issues and this work has seen a ten per cent drop in crime compared to same time last year.
The Borough Commander further told of his delight at the changes that have been made to lives of local business owners in the parade “It was also great to talk to the local businesses and to hear about the improvements that they have noticed in recent times, particularly with respect to the new parking arrangements outside the Poynders Road shops.”
Chief Superintendent Ephgrave took up post just over one year ago, taking over from Sharon Rowe and has worked to transform the way policing occurs in Lambeth, he ordered that Safer Neighbourhood Team officers remain in the community for a minimum of two years to establish trust and stability in local policing after many community groups like WERA, complained that his officers were not kept long enough to build up trust with local people, he also restored the previously disbanded Lambeth Vice Unit which was scrapped under the previous Borough Commander.
The SNT have worked closely with WERA over the past couple of years by being a regular visible presence on the estate, attending association meetings and have been a regular at the annual fun days on Weir Estate. Officers from the Thornton Ward Team have helped to introduce the message in a bottle scheme where elderly and vulnerable residents keep a container with vital information on medications and medical conditions in the fridge which in the event of a fire can be used to assist treat residents who maybe hurt or in need of critical care. The team has also given assurances to get stuck into working on the community garden when it starts.
WERA’s Chair said following the visit “It is important that we highlight the hard work and commitment both the SNT and us as a community put in to making the area one of the safest in the borough. I am honoured and delighted that the Borough Commander came to see this for himself and I hope he can take ideas away from this visit and help other areas grow on the success we have had. We continue to look forward to working with the team here in Thornton Ward and am sure we will continue to see the great level of success.”
The Chief Superintendent replied “I certainly hope to be able to learn from what has been achieved here and promulgate best practice across the Borough.”
The SNT is based at Cavendish Road Police Station, and made up of a Sergeant, three Police Officers and four Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).
Safer Neighbourhood Teams are assigned, in most cases, according to the boundaries of each of London’s 624 electoral wards. The programme began its phased roll out in April 2004, and in April 2006 the remaining teams were put in place – two years ahead of the Government set target for national neighbourhood policing. All 624 neighbourhood wards across the capital now have their own dedicated Safer Neighbourhoods Team.
During the visit, Chief Superintendent Ephgrave revealed that a new approach to policing in Lambeth with Neighbourhood Support Teams set to target area’s which have high levels of anti social behaviour.
