Labour in Lambeth freeze council tax for the next two years.

Labour in Lambeth will commit to freeze your local council tax for the next two years running at the Cabinet meeting on 12^th November.

With living costs rising and the price hikes recently announced by the energy companies, the Labour group of Councillors want to support residents. Labour has frozen your council tax levels since 2008 – which would mean a 6 year freeze.

Labour cabinet member for Finance and Resources, Councillor Paul McGlone said;

“The economic failure of the Coalition Government means the cost of living is increasing and many local people are now struggling to make ends meet.

“We are doing what we can to help residents and the council tax freeze is part of that. It is a historic decision that means council tax will have been at the same level for 6 years running.”

A message from your ward councillor Paul McGlone about the ‘Move Your Money’ campaign

Much interest is being generated by the ‘Move Your Money’ campaigning group (www.moveyourmoney.org.uk)

to influence individuals as well as public sector banking choices

 ‘Move Your Money UK’ launched in February 2012 in order to help transform widespread public anger with the big banks into active support for ethical and mutual banking sector in the UK. The Move Your Money campaign is now seeking to encourage institutions to move their money out of the four largest high street banks, with a focus on the role of local authorities. A local campaign and petition is active (http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/lambeth-council-move-your-money-moveyourmoney) and ‘MYM’ representatives have recently contributed to discussions held at Finance Scrutiny Sub Committee on the future of Lambeth Council’s banking services.   

New library opens in Ferndale ward!

The first new library in Lambeth for over forty years was official opened on Friday 20^th July 2012 in Ferndale ward.  The new Clapham Library is in the renamed Mary Seacole House, built on the site of the old Lambeth Council social services building, at 91 Clapham High Street, SW4 7DB. 

The library was opened by Councillor Steve Reed, Leader of Lambeth Council, local author and broadcaster John O’Farrell.

From left: Lambeth Council leader Steve Reed,
John O'Farrell and  Ferndale councillor Sally Prentice

Your local Ferndale ward councillors Paul McGlone, Sally Prentice and Neil Sabharwal celebrated this achievement along with a large gathering of local guests.

This event was an opportunity to celebrate Labour’s commitment to Lambeth’s library service, providing local residents with an innovative new library which is modern, light and airy, with over 20,000 books, café space, performance space, free wi-fi and internet access.  It features a distinctive spiral design that draws inspiration from Manhattan’s famous Guggenheim Museum.

Designed by world famous London based architects Studio Egret West, the library is part of an innovative public private partnership between the council, primary care trust(PCT), Cathedral Group and United House Group to rebuild Mary Seacole House, making it home to not only Clapham Library but a medical centre and 136 residential flats as well. 

Vauxhall councillors at the opening of the Clapham Library

Ferndale ward councillors outside the Clapham Library

Community Conversation event: Youth Violence

Wednesday 28th September, from 17:00-20:00

Join London Mayor Boris Johnson to find out what is being done about youth violence in Lambeth, and to share your ideas at Lilian Baylis Technology School, 323 Kenningtion Lane, SE11 5QY.  To register your interest and submit questions in advance call 020 7983 4100 or visit www.london.gov.uk/ccp.  Places are limited for this free event, so register early to avoid disappointment. If you have any special requirements please let us know in advance.  Bookings will be confirmed via email.

Planning & Licensing - where angels fear to tread…

There are few areas where local councillors lack confidence in speaking up for local residents. However, dealing with Planning and Licensing applications are two such topics that can sometimes leave us and residents feeling powerless. In the UK, both Planning and Licensing are surrounded by complex statutory and legal processes backed up by ‘local’ policy frameworks. In general terms the legal framework is ‘permissive’, meaning they are intended to help good planning development and promote business activity in the interests of the local economy and jobs. That’s fine so long as developers and businesses follow the legal and policy ‘rules’. But local residents need their interests and properties protected as well, and these can come into conflict with what other property owners what to do. That is where local councillors come in.

As well as being elected to lead the council, we are also elected to represent and be advocates for our constituents and to help them navigate their concerns through the highly complex and sometimes frustrating council strategy decision making processes. In relation to Planning, the democratic interface is carried out through the Planning Applications Committee. For licensing, it’s through hearings of the Licensing Sub-Committee (and I am a member of this committee). Both hear and decide applications based on professional and legal advice of professional officers. Both are what are called ‘quasi-judicial’ functions, meaning councillors cannot be ‘whipped’ to a political position. Councillors must base their decisions on the evidence before them and by using their own judgement independently. Importantly, councillors can also attend Planning and Licensing Committee meetings on ‘the other side of the table’ to be advocates for resident objectors.

So far, so good. So what’s the difficulty you ask? The problem is that developers and businesses have the time and financial resources to hire experts and lawyers to help them through the complex decision making processes, something local residents don’t have. So residents turn to their councillors to help them, quite rightly. But councillors who sit on Planning and Licensing Committees can’t turn applications down simply because some residents object, as we have to stand by locally agreed policies, if these become the issue.

I want now to illustrate one on-going ‘case study’ in Ferndale that illustrate the frustration that can result from competing policies, interests and in this case flawed residents engagement and consultation.  

Planning case study – the old Fulham Timber Yard site (170-174 and 176-188 Acre Lane, SW2).

Back in 2008, with residents backing, the Leader of the Council (Councillor Steve Reed) and I wrote to Big Yellow Storage Company saying we would oppose their plans to build a second storage facility in Acre Lane on this site they had recently purchased. This campaign was successful, but they were then encouraged to go away and find a partner to develop a housing proposal for the site, as everyone recognised that it would be developed for something. 

Fast forward to August 2010, and Lambeth Planning Committee granted Genesis Housing Association and Yellow Box Company permission to build 60 houses, 100% ‘affordable and social housing’, given the land was protected for employment uses and affordable housing was the only permitted alternative – a good outcome if it was a good quality development. However, local residents objected on many issues and both they and I as their ward councillor made representations to the Committee. The principal issues were the perceived high density of the proposal on the site and fear of a loss of privacy and security, because there has been an ancient tall brick wall up to 18 foot tall in places surrounding the former Fulham Timber Yard site. In recognition of these concerns, the Committee required a number of important Planning Conditions, including the ‘Treatment of the Boundary Wall’, to be approved by the Planning Committee before Genesis could start the development.

Fast forward to early July 2011, and residents had to kick up a stink as Genesis had started the development prior to receiving approval of the Conditions. This was illegal, and Genesis had to be ordered to ‘stand down’ by Lambeth Planning (see the picture). This inflamed residents opposition so the when the 26^th July meeting of the Planning Committee was called to consider the ‘discharge’ of the important ‘Boundary Wall’ Condition, residents were gunning for Genesis. However, eleven residents and I endured 3½ hours of waiting to make our case until 10.45pm at night, only to then have the application ‘adjourned’ because of a lack of time! This left my group of 11 residents very confused, frustrated and powerless.

The reconvened meeting of the Planning Committee on Tuesday, 16^th August, a year to the day since the original Planning permission in August 2010, resulted in a further deferral following nearly two hours of debate and discussion because of errors and problems with what Genesis was proposing. However, this time residents and I felt vindicated. There concerns had been heard, and the Committee told Genesis they needed to work more constructively with affected residents to come to an agreement.  

As a local councillor all I have sought to do over the 2½ year history surrounding this proposal is to put existing residents ‘interests’ on an equal footing with the developers in the eyes of the Planning Committee. Residents expect the Council to look after their interests, given there are 50+ properties (and many more residents) who surround all three sides of this site in Ashmere Grove, Plato Road and Linom Road. But their interests are not always given due weight in the Planning process. As far and the developer is concerned, if Genesis had properly consulted and engaged residents from the start back in August 2010 on the specific concern around the Boundary Wall Treatment options for protecting existing residents privacy and security, its possible this saga would have been concluded by now. They also need to be ‘held to account’ as a Housing Association who are in receipt of public money to build social housing, but have to respect existing residents rights as well.  

As it is, the case continues and the development has to come before Planning Committee for the forth time soon for a final decision. I shall update this blog when an outcome is decided…

Cllr Paul McGlone

Ferndale Ward

Lambeth stands united

Thankfully we have not seen any more of the violent disorder that we saw two weeks ago. However, the police and Lambeth Council remain on high alert. The emphasis has been on keeping services running and ensuring that everyone is as safe as possible. All sections of the community have said the same thing - that there is absolutely no justification for this vandalism and looting. What has been heart warming is the positive community spirit and willingness of people to help each other. Some of the positive initiatives that have come from the disturbing events have been:  

·  Cleaning up and getting back to normal – the job of Council staff is to get the borough back to normal as quickly as possible so people can get on with their lives, and they have risen to the challenge. The council will offer all the support it can to the police with their investigations, and to local residents and businesses that have been affected to get them back on their feet.

·  Re-invigorated our ‘Community Freshview’ scheme - if you would like to take an active role in improving your neighbourhood, you could get involved with a Community Freshview. These activities are led by residents who want to make a difference in the local area. All ideas are considered, as long as the activity will help to renew a sense of pride in your neighbourhood.  If you want more information or to find out about groups in your local area contact the Freshview team on 020 7926 0524 or email freshview@lambeth.gov.uk or talk to one of your ward councillors.

·  Lambeth Champions - In order to show that Lambeth is about recognising success and the great work that people do the Council has launched a ‘Lambeth Champions scheme’. This is an opportunity to recognise individuals that have made a difference to their community or neighbourhood. If you know of anyone that you think deserves to be recognised then send their name and about a 150 word supporting statement to Lambethchampions@lambeth.gov.uk or send to me directly.   

Stay safe

You may notice an increase in the number of police officers but this should not be cause for alarm. It is important that residents can keep safe and we are working with the police to bring people involved in violence and vandalism to justice. We have already provided a large amount of CCTV coverage and a number of those arrested have already been through the magistrates’ court. The best advice we can give residents is to

·  Keep yourself safe and keep an eye out for neighbours and relatives – make sure you plan your journeys before setting off and avoid confronting people on the street

·  Make sure that you know what your children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces are doing so that they are safe

·  Support your local businesses when doing your shopping and make sure they are alright

·  Contacting the police - In the event of an emergency, call 999, in a non emergency, call the police on 101

·  If you are aware of the identities of anyone involved in the disturbances or looting and you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Councillor Paul McGlone

Ferndale ward

Can you help thirsty trees on Tuesday?

With a hot, sunny bank holiday in store, there will no doubt be lots of visitors on Clapham Common.  While you're out and about enjoying the good weather, spare a thought for the younger trees planted on the Common in recent years that are struggling for water in the higher temperatures.  Whilst Lambeth Council is doing everything it can to keep the foliage alive, it would be great if volunteers (that means you!) could join Clapham Town's Cllr Helen O’Malley near the Boating pond at 5pm on Tuesday 26th April for a watering “hit squad”!

There was a fantastic turnout last week and it would be great if this effort could be kept up.  For more information, please contact Cllr O’Malley directly by email.

Lambeth aims to become Britain's first co-operative council

Message below from Cllr Paul McGlone, Labour Councillor, Ferndale ward, and Lambeth Council Cabinet Member for Finance:

"Our work to become Britain's first co-operative council has become the subject of a film.

Made by Local Government TV, an internet-based television channel, it describes our ground-breaking vision and describes how the co-operative approach has already been successful in Lambeth."

http://intranet.lambeth.gov.uk/videosintranet/CooperativeCouncilVideo.htm