Stockwell Park 'Fun Day' - Saturday, 14th July 2012

Community Trust Housing, landlords of Stockwell Park and Robsart Estates, held their annual residents 'Fun Day' in Slade Gardens, Robsart Street, SW9 on Saturday 14th July 2012. Despite the erratic weather and rain, a large number of residents enjoyed themselves with a variety of activities from football matches, circus rides and clowns, information stalls and lots of delicious food!  Community Trust Housing used the day to consult residents on their plans for the next phase of the regeneration of the estates, including demolishing and rebuilding a taller Wayland House. 

Local Ferndale Councillors Paul McGlone, Sally Prentice and Neil Sabharwal had a "Meet your local Labour Councillors" stall. We were joined by fellow Labour Councillor Adrian Garden, as Slade Gardens is just inside Vassell ward which he represents. This allowed us to meet and talk with local residents about the regeneration plans, carry out a survey on residents views on local leisure facilities provided in Brixton, and pick up individual problems that we will help them with.

The cake Sally made as a prize for filling in our leisure questionnaire was won by a local resident who donated it to the Community Trust Housing staff for their Monday morning tea break!

Councillor Paul McGlone commented, "The rain did not dampen the fun people had! These events are important to generate community cohesion and I know we councillors enjoyed the day immensely." 

 

Free nursery scheme boost for Lambeth’s disadvantaged children

Disadvantaged children in Lambeth are to benefit from an extra year of free early education under a new scheme launched in Brixton yesterday.

The council’s successful bid to be a pilot area for a new scheme that will see 2 year-olds who come from disadvantaged backgrounds given extra early education for free is a welcome initiative after some hard lobbying of government by the Lambeth Labour Group following the Tory Lib Dem savage cuts to early years Sure Start funding.


Lambeth have been given £400,000, which will provide free places for more than 100 two year olds from disadvantaged backgrounds which help give them the extra skills needed before reaching primary school.
The scheme which will go nationwide in September 2013 has been developed with evidence showing that Children who have access to high quality early education are more likely to start school ready and able to learn, with the skills they need to succeed.

Cllr Rachel Heywood, Cabinet Member for Children and Families at Lambeth Council, said:
“This is great news for children and families from some of the most deprived parts of Lambeth. Studies show that many children from poorer backgrounds start primary school at a disadvantage. This funding is vital because it will help close the attainment gap by making sure they start school with the skills that they need to do well, given these children the chance which they deserve.”

Recent violence in Lambeth

You may be aware that there has been a series of incidents of serious violence involving young people recently. These largely took place over the weekend of the 25^th and 26^th February, and then on Friday 3^rd March. They were concentrated in the south and centre of the borough, culminating in the fatal stabbing of a 17 year old in Coldharbour ward on Friday afternoon.

There have of course been a number of meetings with the police and other partners and we are making a strategic and joined up response to these issues, with the police taking a lead. The Borough Commander has asked me to let you know that there will be increased levels of policing over the next few days to provide reassurance and to act as a deterrent. He has also said that it is probable that the Section 60 notice which allows stop and search on the grounds of suspicion that a weapon might be being carried will be extended after the current order lapses this afternoon. Further work is being carried out with our schools. Please reassure your constituents that we have a robust response in place, but please also encourage them to pass on any information they have which might be relevant to the police, either by contacting their Safer Neighbourhood Team (details on www.met.police.uk) or by dialling 101.

The Leader of Lambeth Council Steve Reed has issued a statement which can be found by following the link below:

http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/home.htm

Over 500 contacts in our last Action Saturday!

Ferndale had a really successful Action Saturday last weeked with 40 or so activitists from across London coming to the ward to help us talk to local residents.  We managed to speak to over 500 residents in the course of the day, which is a fantastic achievement!

Of course, our canvassing efforts need to build on Saturday's results. We need local members out on the doorstep and/or leafletting more than ever in the run-up to next May's mayoral elections.  We're not just campaiging for Ken.  Val Shawcross is the Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark and she has been working tirelessly to ensure that people know about the elections and what a difference it will make to have Ken back in City Hall.



Even if you only have hal-an-hour to spare, get in touch and I can let you know when the next campaigns day in Ferndale will be running.  Don't forget to also keep an eye out for your weekly email updates from your ward secretary.