Labour challenges Tories and Lib Dems to back anti-trafficking laws.

Lambeth Council leader Steve Reed has called on local Lib Dems and Tories to support proposed rules to tackle human trafficking across Europe. The coalition government has dismayed campaigners by refusing to sign up to the new rules, but Labour hopes a cross-party campaign can persuade them to change their minds.

The new guidelines would work to ensure that EU countries work together to prevent trafficking, ensure successful prosecution and make sure victims of trafficking are properly looked after. Researchers estimate there are an average of 100 trafficked women and children facing regular abuse, including physical and sexual abuse, in every London Borough including Lambeth.

Astonishingly the coalition government have said they will opt out of the new rules that are supported by many well respected campaign groups including Anti–Slavery International and ECPAT UK which campaigns against child sexual abuse. The government’s failure to support the new rules seriously undermines European–wide efforts to tackle the misery caused by this crime, abandoning victims in Lambeth and elsewhere to their abusers.

Lambeth is home to the Poppy Project, part of Eaves Women’s Housing, which offers support to women and children who are freed from their abusers. They have also backed the campaign for the government to sign up to the new rules.

Cllr Steve Reed said:

“It is unbelievable the Government is refusing to sign up to new rules that could help protect some of the most vulnerable people in our country. Hundreds of women and children are trafficked to the UK every year and suffer untold abuse at the hands of their captors. I’m calling on Lambeth’s Tories and Lib Dems to join Labour in demanding a change of heart from their colleagues in government. We must do everything in our power to stop this vile abuse of women and children.”

Clapham regeneration scheme woos judges in national award scheme

Lambeth Council's redevelopment of Mary Seacole House on Clapham High Street, in partnership with Cathedral Group, has beaten off the competition to win a major national housing award.

The 'Clapham One' development - which is seeing a new library, healthcare centre, café and 136 homes built in the heart of Clapham - triumphed against 97 other entries in the prestigious Housing Design Awards 2010.

Judges praised the quality and innovation of the building's design and architecture, as well as its low energy use and sustainability.

In their appraisal, the judges said: "The proposals… take a corner site and let rip. Curved buildings of seven to 12 storeys spin off a vortex which houses the library, its book shelving edging a ramp that spirals upwards like the access ramps within the GLA or the Vatican."

The Clapham One scheme is part of Future Clapham, a major regeneration project being led by Lambeth Council that also involves the creation of a new leisure centre with 25 metre swimming pool and gym at the existing leisure centre and depot site.

The council has been working with its development partner, Cathedral Group, on the £80 million project, and local people have also been involved in steering the design process. The architect is Studio Egret West.

Councillor Sally Prentice, Lambeth Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning, Employment and Enterprise, said:

"To get this recognition is of course a bonus, but the real satisfaction will come when the new library, leisure centre and other facilities open to the public, at the end of next year.

"This major project has been in the pipeline since 2007 and despite the economic conditions it is now coming to fruition. This is a truly inspiring development that will provide much needed high quality homes as well as fantastic new community, sport and health facilities in the heart of Clapham."