LOCAL INFORMATION & NEWS

Extracts from previous RCDT Weekly ENews/Events Listings: February 2007

9 FEBRUARY

LOCAL NEWS

Circuit Training Re-starts at Archbishop Sumner. Back by popular demand; circuit training classes recommenced on Thursday 8 February at Archbishop Sumner School from 7-8pm. Trainer Day Styles writes: Classes will run weekly at the same time until further notice. Each class costs £4.50. Book 10 classes & get one free. Introduce a friend and if they attend 3 classes, you get one free.’ Archbishop Sumner School, Reedworth Street (off Kennington Road). Poster available at http://www.danstyles.co.uk/classes.htm. For more information email Dan on fitness@danstyles.co.uk

Dyeworks at the City Farm. Please see www.dyework.co.uk for information on Saturday workshops at Vauxhall City Farm. Free to farm members – of particular interest is children’s workshop on March 3 – ‘Plants With a Purpose’. This workshop will be cooking with herbs, plus information on medicinal plants and a display of dye plants and dyed textiles.

City Farm to Benefit from Kennington Association Bazaar, Saturday, 24 February 11am - 2pm. Monies raised at this Bazaar will go directly to Vauxhall City Farm’s Riding for the Disabled project. The Farm boasts to having 5 horses that are suited to providing riding for disabled adults and children at reduced cost. Following the funding crisis last year, the farm is now open again after raising over £60,000! Now a little under £10,000 is needed to balance the books and secure the longer-term future of the Farm. If you would like to donate items for the bazaar. Drop off any unwanted clothes. books, toys, household goods etc to St Anselm’s Church Hall on Friday 23 February 5.30-8pm or Saturday 24 February 9-10am

Prince’s Press Guide to Local Services. A Council newsletter for Prince’s Ward is now available and a door to door distribution is being undertaken. It has new stories on the Council investing in Prince’s Ward, Spring Gardens, Ethelred Towers face-life, Darley House, Operation Freshview, safer neighbourhood initiative and recycling, as well as a message from the local Councillors. The main purpose is to list the services in the area and this are grouped under Children & Families, Young People, Sport & Exercise, Adult Learning, Health, Community Groups and Halls for Hire. All entries have been cleared with the organisations and organisers. The newsletter has been funded by the North Lambeth Area Committee, and production overseen by Frances Forrest, the Town Centre Manager. The idea for such a publication came from the work of Octavia Findley, the Prince’s Ward Neighbourhood Renewal Co-ordinator (April 2005-March 2006).

Fire Safety Publication for Local Area. A Fire Safety publication for the local area is being prepared for publication. Ian Witham of the publisher writes: ‘The editorial content of “Fire Safety – The Guide” will cover the use of smoke alarms, means of escape from buildings, the application of using the right type of fire extinguisher in the right circumstance, through to first-aid advice on the treatment of burns and scalds. The distribution of “Fire Safety – The Guide” will cover the whole spectrum of the local community from major businesses, Council ‘one-stop shops’ and reception areas, hospital waiting rooms, schools, colleges, libraries, doctor and dental surgeries, leisure centres and citizen advice bureaux. The importance of this initiative cannot be stressed enough. In 2001 alone, fire caused 495 deaths and over 17,000 casualties. The Home Office reported over 114,000 fires in buildings in the U.K, which resulted in the loss of life and major disruption to business and home-owners. All of which can be significantly reduced by creating a greater public awareness of fire-safety in the home, the workplace and on the road.’ The publishers, Community Publications would appreciate support through advertising in the publication, so that copies can be distributed free of charge. To find out more please contact Ian Witham on 01707 655500; studio@groupenterprise.co.uk .
Morley College to close drama programme in July as a result of Government funding cuts. For details see: www.London-SE1.co.uk/news/view/2535

LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS & NEWS

List week: 28 January – 3 February:
90, 92 & 96 Aveline St. Loft Conversions involving the erection of a mansard roof extension at second floor level. Ref 07/00123/FUL; 07/00122/FUL; 07/00120/FUL.
151 Kennington Road. Replacement of front stair to lower ground floor and insertion of lower front door, opening of rear lower ground floor wall and insertion of full width folding sliding doors, excavation and landscaping to form patio on lower level. Replacement and repositioning of rear external staircase from roof terrace, replacement of side window in existing extension with double doors and rear door in existing extension with a window. Ref: 07/00134/FUL
365 Kennington Road. Conversion of the single family dwelling house (including incorporation of the rear garage as habitable floorspace) into one studio flat, one 2-bedroom maisonette and one 2-bedroom maisonette together with replacement of the existing garage doors with a window (REVISED PLANS AND DESCRIPTION). Ref: 06/03763/FUL
List Week: 4-10 February:
Nelson House, 7 Glasshouse Walk. Change of use of 282sq.m of the ground floor of the warehouse building located on the western part of the site (Use Class B8) to offices (Use Class B1) together with alterations to the windows on the side elevations at ground floor level. Ref: 07/00472/FUL
20 And 22-26 Stannary Street. Refurbishment and alterations to connect the two buildings for single use, including new entrance with disabled access, replacement of windows, installation of planted screen and handrails and creation of two access doors onto rear terrace, installation of solar shade and five condenser units at first floor levels, raising of parapet wall to front elevation, with associated internal and external works. Ref: 07/00419/FUL. Applicant: Mr S Hall - Health Professionals Council.
12 Vauxhall Grove. Conversion of existing work/live unit into two-2 bedroom self contained flats including the demolition of existing garage at rear, excavation of rear basement area, loft conversion involving raising the roof height to create a third floor and installation of two rear and two front rooflights, creation of first floor rear roof terrace, installation of railing and balustrading to rear ground floor doors and replacement of windows in the front and rear elevations. Ref: 7/00378/FUL
Thackery House, Gilbert Road. Change of use of the ground floor level and part of the first floor level from offices (Use Class B1) into two studio-flats, three 1-bedroom flats and one 2-bedroom flat together with alterations to the fenestration openings and retention of six car-parking spaces. (Modification to previous planning permission 05/01404/FUL granted 13.01.2006 involving the removal of two bay windows proposed at first and second floor levels and replacement with flat windows and removal of window proposed at ground floor level and replacement with brick work). Ref: 06/03566/FUL. Kennington Property Company Ltd.
http://planning.lambeth.gov.uk/publicaccess/dc/DcApplication/weeklylist_searchform.aspx
Council Planning Applications Committee. The next meeting is on 20 February. The agenda is not yet posted on the Council website. Check about a week before hand on www.lambeth.gov.uk/moderngov/ieListMeetings.asp?CId=101&Year=2007&J=14

COUNCIL NEWS

Patrolling the Streets Questionnaire. The Council’s Patrolling the Streets Commission, which has as a member Prince’s Ward Councillor and Chair of the North Lambeth Area Committee, Stephen Morgan, has put out a questionnaire. It is too long to add to this listing. The questionnaire is available by email from scrutiny@lambeth.gov.uk or online from the Scrutiny web-page at www.lambeth.gov.uk .The closing date for completed questionnaires is Friday 14 February.

Promoting gender equality. From April 2007, the Council will have a legal duty to eliminate unlawful sex discrimination and harassment, and to promote equality of opportunity between men and women. It has to publish a Gender Equality Scheme setting out how it will meet its gender equality objectives. To help it develop the scheme, it is running two round table discussions for residents – one for women and one for men. The aim is to identify issues of particular interest and concern to women and men respectively. The dates are as follows:

Women’s round table discussion: Monday 12 February. Light refreshments: 5.00 pm. Keynote speech and round table discussion: 5.30 – 7.30 pm. Keynote speaker: Writer, journalist and commentator Polly Toynbee.
Men’s round table discussion: Monday 19 February. Light refreshments: 6.15 pm. Keynote speech and round table discussion: 6.45 – 8.45 pm. Keynote speaker: Broadcaster and journalist Henry Bonsu
Both events will be at the Living Space, 1 Coral Street, Waterloo SE1 7BE. For further information contact Janet Manning, Equality and Diversity Unit, 020 7926 0087 or jmanning@lambeth.gov.uk .

Want to find out about Climate Change and you part in preventing it? Come along to the very first Lambeth Conference on Climate Change on Tuesday 27 February in the Assembly Hall, Brixton Town Hall. The day will start with a Business Breakfast, open to any small to medium size business based in Lambeth. The breakfast will provide information on how to access a number of free services to improve the environmental performance of your business. A Climate Change Conference will run from 11.30am to 1pm with a keynote speech from Allan Jones, Chair of the Climate Change Agency. Workshops will run throughout the afternoon providing the opportunity for small groups to receive information on how to take practical action at home, in the workplace, in the community and in travel and transport choices. From 12 noon there will be screenings of Al Gore’s inspirational film “An Inconvenient Truth”. A public fair will run from 11.15am until 6.30pm, packed with stalls offering information and giveaways, while outside in Tate Gardens there will be demonstrations of sustainable forms of transport. For more information, and to download a booking form, please visit: www.lambeth.gov.uk/climate  or call 020 7926 9400. 

Council Invites Tenders from Providers of Adult Learning Services 2007-2010. Lambeth Adult Learning Service delivers the borough’s adult learning provision which is funded by the Learning & Skills Council and is expected to be in the region of £2.2m in 2007/08. The Service acts as a commissioning body for courses and programmes and currently contracts with 16 providers including two colleges, voluntary and community providers and two Council departments. The service wishes to draw up a new list of preferred providers who will be prepared to deliver programmes in accordance with the council’s priorities and be able to deliver high quality learning experiences for adults. The approved list will operate from 01/08/2007 until 31/07/10. Currently the service offers provision in the following areas of learning: Health, Public Services & Care; Information & Communications Technology; Leisure, Travel & Tourism; Arts, Media & Publishing; History & Philosophy; Languages, Literature & Culture; Preparation for Life & Work; Family Learning. If you wish to be included on the list of preferred providers you should contact Mark White (see below). Lambeth Adult Learning will expect providers to demonstrate a track record of successful adult learning delivery to hard-to-reach groups and black and minority ethnic populations, the ability to meet the needs of older learners and those with learning disabilities and a clear commitment to community development. Please note that membership of the list is not a guarantee of work. The selected contractors will be required as a condition of contract to comply with the 'Code of Practice for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Promotion of Equality of Opportunity in Employment' issued by the (UK) Commission for Racial Equality. The Code is available from Central Books Ltd, 99 Wallis Road, London E9 5LN Tel: 0208 986 4854. Applicants who wish to be considered for inclusion on the list should apply for a pre-qualification business questionnaire, which must be completed and returned no later than 12 noon on 05/03/2007. The questionnaire is available from: Mark White, 2nd Floor, Hambrook House, Porden Road, London SW2 5RW. Phone: 020 7926 3387. Fax: 020 7926 2867. Email: mwhite@lambeth.gov.uk

Lambeth Summer Brochure – Advertising opportunity. Are you planning any arts activities in Lambeth for young people this summer? Would you like some free publicity? If you would like to advertise your activity through this year’s Education Business Partnership Summer Brochure
please send us the following information by Monday 5 March 2007: type of activity; the age range of your target group; times and dates of sessions; address of venue; chosen contact name and number in your organisation. Please email information to: artsweb@lambeth.gov.uk . If you have any questions about this please contact Lambeth Arts on 020 7926 0760.

GLA NEWS

Cross River Tram. The London Assembly Transport Committee has backed proposals to route the Brixton arm of the Cross River Tram via Baylis Road and Kennington Road rather than Elephant & Castle. See: www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/2550

LAMBETH VOLUNTARY SECTOR NEWS

Step Forward Good Practice and Partnership Working Conference – February 14. If you are a small organisation wanting to know more about partnership working and commissioning arrangements with a larger provider then you should attend this conference. Step Forward provide a range of services to individuals to support independent living, so primarily they are looking for smaller partners delivering niche services in these areas. But even if that’s not for you, there are workshops around many of the challenges VCS groups face in terms of gearing up to deliver contracts – such as partnership arrangements and quality assurance frameworks. This conference also features a key note address from Council Chief Executive Derrick Anderson. For full details on how to register please go to this page:
www.lambethvac.org.uk/s-StepForwardConference

26 FEBRUARY

110TH ANNIVERSARY OF LADY MARGARET HALL SETTLEMENT

Tomorrow, Tuesday 27 February, sees the 110th Anniversary of Lady Margaret Hall Settlement working in Lambeth, and particularly in the Kennington & Vauxhall area. Details of the launch of its Kennington Quarter initiative will be publicised over the next two weeks.

NEWS

Vauxhall City Farm Seeks New Director. The Farm is seeking a new full-time Director following the amazing rescue work undertaken by John Roberts as interim part-time Director. The Farm began as Jubilee City Farm in 1977 on two thirds of an acre of derelict land. The site was planned by local people and continues to rely on volunteers and donations to keep running. Entrance is free and the farm has become a thriving community project providing a green oasis for people of all ages and backgrounds living in the heart of inner city London. Vauxhall City Farm is the only city farm in central London that provides contact with animals for people who live in a highly urban environment. But are you what we are looking for? We don’t want a good director we want an exceptionally talented director who doesn’t mind mucking out (literally) when the going gets tough. We want someone who like us has vision to see beyond, not where we are now but where we want to be. We expect someone to have great interpersonal and leadership skills. Who can motivate and inspire others towards our shared vision for the future sustainability of the farm and all its projects. If this you? Then in return you will receive a salary of 31-33k plus 10% performance related pay. A dedicated management committee committed to supporting you and the staff team. Weekly support from the management committee and monthly supervision from the chair. A training budget and oodles of lunch time breaks listening to the sounds of animals and not traffic oh and air conditioned offices (that is actually real air). If so, for an information and application pack send an A4 SAE addressed to the directors post, Vauxhall City Farm, 165 Tyers Street, London SE11 5HS 0r e mail vcf@btconnect.com . With the “directors post” as the title or pop in anytime from 1030-4pm Wednesday to Sunday. Please note the closing date for applications is 24th March 2007. Interview date 31st March 2007

Morley students fight to save drama courses. Read more at: http://www.London-SE1.co.uk/news/view/2564

Draft Conservation Area statement consultation on Renfrew St. Lambeth Council has prepared draft statements for the following Conservation Areas: Lower Marsh, Mitre Road and Ufford Street, Renfrew Road, Roupell Street, South Bank, and Waterloo. It would like to hear your views on the draft Statements before they are finalised. The consultation period runs to 18 March 2007. You can comment by email to lambethplanning@lambeth.gov.uk or by writing to: Planning Division, Phoenix House, 10 Wandsworth Road, London SE1 2LL. The draft statements can be accessed on www.lambeth.gov.uk/Services/HousingPlanning/Planning/PlanningPolicy/DraftConservationAreaStatements.htm

Lambeth Adults’ and Community Services consultation on proposed changes to the way it decides on who is eligible for adult social care services and how it charges for these services. This consultation runs up until 16 April 2007.For further details see www.lambeth.gov.uk .

Petition Against Social Services Cuts. Lambeth Voluntary Sector's on-line petition against the Council’s proposed cuts to Services for vulnerable people in Lambeth in case you want to sign it: http://lambethsos.org.uk/Petition

Annie Whiles – Cuckoo. New Exhibition starts Friday 9 March at Danielle Arnaud contemporary art, 123 Kennington Road. Fridays to Sundays to 15 April, 6-9pm. 020 7735 8292. www.daniellearnaud.com.

Maths and English update for local people. Thursdays 15, 22 & 26 March. 9.15-10.15am at Archbishop Sumner School, Reedworth Street. Improve your skills and get a qualification. Everything is free – you pay nothing! Have a go at a quiz… Friendly and relaxed atmosphere…Practice on-line with tutor support…Flexible learning to fit in with a busy life! Fast track route to a qualification… To book call Babs Wright on 020 7735 2781 school times only.

Computer taster-course for local people. Tuesdays starting 24 April – free at Archbishop Sumner Primary School, Reedworth Street. Are you thinking about returning to work or study? Improve your confidence and get a qualification. Then sign up for a 5-week taster course at the school during the spring term! Friendly adult trainers will show you how to use a computer for the internet and word processing. The course is 2 hours every Tuesday. 9:15 – 11:15am for 5 weeks. You can then continue for FREE at King’s College! Places are limited, so please contact Babs Wright (Tel 020 7735 2781) at Archbishop Sumner School. Places are given on a first-come, first-served basis. Phone bookings recommended.

Spring Half Term Play scheme for primary children: 5-18 April (excluding bank holidays) at Archbishop Sumner School, Reedworth Street. Core day: 10am to 4pm ONLY £5. Extended day: 8 am -10am £2; 4pm – 6pm £2. (Only available when booking core day). Children must be resident in Lambeth or NHS employees of St. Thomas’ hospital. Book direct with Schoolfriend on 0870 442 2287 or show up on day for available places. Or for any queries/forms speak with Babs Wright on 0795 192 1655

LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS:18-24 February

10 Chester Way. Internal alterations including removal of partition between kitchen and reception, relocation of bathroom door opening, installation of new fireplace to reception room, removal of existing cupboards and shelves to reception, replacement of door and window fittings with brass fittings and installation of skirting boxing. Listed Building Consent. 07/00604/LB
5 Harleyford Road. Demolition of the existing rear extension and the erection of a part single and part three storey rear extension, together with the formation of additional window openings to front and side elevations, removal of existing advertisement hoarding and erection of a new boundary wall to north east elevation. 06/04064/FUL
Further details and for the ability to comment on applications go to: http://planning.lambeth.gov.uk/publicaccess/dc/DcApplication/weeklylist_searchform.aspx

LAMBETH CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2007

International Women’s Day is a universally celebrated day that connects women around the world. The day brings together women on all continents – often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences to come together both to celebrate and to look back to a tradition that represents at least nine decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development. International Women’s Day 2007 represents a real opportunity for us to celebrate women in Lambeth. This year, from 6th – 9th March 2007, there will be a series of events across the Borough. These include:

  • Anne Ward from Lambeth Archives gives a talk at Carnegie Library on Tuesday 6th March, from 7.30pm, titled 'Educating Ethel: education of girls in Lambeth'. Lambeth Archives will also have a web blog titled 'Celebrating the lives of Lambeth Women' that will commemorate the contribution Lambeth women have made to education, politics, World War II, sport and health. Free event.
  • ‘Food for thought’ hosted by Clapham Park Project and Lambeth Libraries at the Threshold Centre, Helby Road (off King’s Avenue) on Thursday 8th March from 5 – 7.30pm. Feel good, get pampered, with talks, poetry and music. For more information contact Stephanie on 020 8678 5900. Free event.
  • You are invited to The North Street Potters on Thursday 8th March at 6.00pm, have a glass of wine or a cup of tea and create a ceramic mural to celebrate International Women’s Day. All women welcome and no experience required! For more information call 020 7622 0681. Free event.
  • Women in Film event at the Ritzy Cinema on Thursday 8th March, from 10.30am to 3pm. This event questions the scarcity of film material focusing on and recognising the complexity of older women, their lives, concerns and aspirations. The day will include a discussion panel of industry professionals, including Tony Carr from Matcine, a presentation on the history of women in film and a screening of the film Bread & Tulips (2000), directed by Silvio Soldini and starring Licia Maglietta and Bruno Ganz. Tickets: £2.50 senior citizens / £5 everyone else. For tickets please visit the Ritzy booking office or telephone: 08707 550 062.
  • International Women's Day Night at the Dogstar on Thursday 8th March, from 8pm to 11pm. Pretty Petty Thieves will be hosting a celebratory evening of Live Music, Poetry, spoken word and Live DJs, so come along for some fun and informative discussions. Entry is £2.
  • A celebratory event at Brixton Library on the evening of Friday 9th March, from 7pm to 9pm, hosted by Councillor Lib Peck, with a women’s choir from Accapella, singer songwriter Bianca Rose, 'The Stylinquents' Bgirl group from Independance, Uzoamaka Okafor-Obi will be performing her poems and speaker Sonia Brown from the National Black Womens Network. Free event.

For information on all these events, please contact Lambeth Arts on 020 7926 0760, email: Artsweb@lambeth.gov.uk or visit: www.lambeth.gov.uk/arts . These events are supported by: Lambeth Libraries, Archives and Arts, the Brixton Town Centre, Norwood Town Centre, North Lambeth Town Centre, Clapham and Stockwell Town Centre and Streatham Town Centre Offices and the Lambeth Equalities and Diversities Unit.