Cuppa with a Copper in December

If there is something you wish to discuss with a local police officer, you can meet them at one of December's Cuppa with a Copper sessions in Streatham. You can report a crime, raise an issue that is affecting you or where you live or just have a chat with your dedicated local officers on the following dates:

 

Date:            Monday 3 December

Time:            2.00 – 3.00 pm

Venue:          Brickwood,  292 Streatham High Road

Plans to 'green' Streatham Hill receive positive response from residents

Plans to calm traffic, improve pedestrian and cycle safety and add more greenery to residential streets in Streatham Hill have received a generally warm response from residents.

More than 500 people responded to a public consultation carried out between 21st Sept and 4 November - with a significant majority supporting the proposals. Members of Streatham Green Party team have contributed ideas for the plans, which include:

New data on train delays shows true nightmare of travelling from Streatham stations

The high level of train cancellations and delays at all three Streatham stations is revealed in its full horror in latest statistics supplied in response to a Freedom of Information request we have made on behalf of Streatham Action Transport.

Give your experience of travelling by train from Streatham in this survey.

The rail indsutry target is that less than 10% of trains should be more than 5 mins late and 2% cancelled or severely late. Instead Streatham stations suffered up to 40% of trains delayed and up to 35% cancelled following the introduction of new (reduced service) timetables on 27th May 2018.


According to data supplied by Network Rail, the levels of service at all three Streatham stations were clearly terrible between 22 June 2017 and 25 July 2018:

One collision every three days on the A23 in Streatham - and 14 serious injuries in one year

Cllr Nicole Griffiths takes part in Community Roadwatch

Provisional statistics from Transport for London show there was at least one collision every three days on the A23 in Streatham in 2017 - and, on average, every month one collision or more resulted in life-changing injuries.

In total, on Streatham Hill and Streatham High Road between the South Circular and the boundary with Croydon, there were 133 collisions in the 12 months to December 2017; 14 of these were seious - resulting in life-changing injuries. Thankfully, for the second year running, there were no fatalities.

Residents win apology from Thames Water over stingy compensation

Cllrs Jonathan Bartley and Scott Ainslie: emergency supplies

Thames Water have apologised to Streatham residents for short-changing them on compensation when they went without water for up to three days in March.

People affected by the loss of water supply  on 3rd March were entitled for compensation of £30 if they were affected for between 4 and 12 hours, rising to £150 for up to 72 hours.

All change for A23 in Streatham Hill

Straight-across crossings, not staggered

News from Transport for London that they are considering two options for changes to the A23 to improve safety between the south circular and Streatham Hill station:

OPTION 1
* one bus lane and one general traffic lane in each direction
* removal of central reservation
* 20mph speed limit
* segregated bi-directional cycle way on western side
* 6 straight-across crossings with countdown signals and raised tables
* floating bus stops for north-bound buses only
* Telford Ave/Arriva bus garage exit converted to signalised junction

Cuppa with a Copper - dates for Streatham

Police officers from Streatham Wells, Streatham South and St Leonard’s Wards are holding a number of "Cuppa with a Copper" sessions over the next few weeks. 

You can report a crime, raise an issue that is affecting you or just have a chat at these sessions:

Date:        Friday 21st September

Time:       9-10 am

Venue:    The Rookery Café, Streatham Common South, London SW16 3BZ

Streatham Peace Procession Saturday 22nd September

This year's Streatham Little Big Peace festival is turning its focus on the unnecessary tragedy of youth-on-youth-violence, with a procession down Streatham High Road at 9am on Saturday morning.

At the heart of this silent procession along the high road is a two-fold commitment: - to stand with families that have been affected by knife violence 
- to stand for our community and future generation of young leaders

Streatham Hill A23 plans - see work in progress

Transport for London are to share their latest ideas for improving the road lay-out of the A23 at Streatham Hill at an evening event in Streatham Library.

When: September 11th
Time: 7pm -9pm
Where: Streatham Library

Public meeting to raise questions over housing in Lambeth

There is an opportunity to question Lambeth Council decision makers over housing issues at a public meeting to be held on Thursday 20th September.

The council has invited contributions from residents at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to be held in room B6, Lambeth Town Hall at 7pm.

Issues expected to be covered include:
* Major works
* resident engagement
* private rented sector

More Love to tackle youth violence, 23rd September

Communities from across Lambeth will be coming together on 23rd September at a rally to tackle youth violence and its causes.

Families, young people, and youth groups are all invited to 'More Love' - with a rally starting at 10.30am in Kennington Park, followed by a 'carnival-style' walk to Rush Common between Brixton and Streatham.

The Lambeth Walk is a response a London-wide upsurge in violent crime which has seen more than 80 murder investigations so far this year.

The aim of the event is to emphasise the need to tackle the underlying causes of crime affecting young people.

Reprieve for historic Streatham Hill Theatre

Some great news from Friends of Streatham Hill Theatre - the Art Deco bingo hall on Streatham Hill that in its hay day helped give Streatham its reputation as the West End of South London. 

Lambeth Council has approved its nomination of the theatre as an Asset of Community Value. This means that the community has an opportunity to buy the premises should the owner wish to sell to anyone at all. The Friends group has a vision to return the building to its former glory as an arts centre and creative hub. 

Deep clean for leisure centre

Jonathan Bartley: new broom for Streatham

Newly elected councillor Jonathan Bartley has leapt into action, responding to residents’ concerns over cleanliness at Streatham Leisure Centre. 

A new dedicated programme of deep cleaning has been implemented and there will be new spot checks carried out by council officers.

Public meeting on violence and knife crime

Following a number of stabbings in Streatham in June, there is to be a public meeting on violence and knife crime  in our community this Wednesday 4th July. 

The meeting, organised by community forum Streatham Action will be at 7pm at the Hideaway, 2 Empire Mews, just off Stanthorpe Road, SW16 2BF.  

Local Green Party councillors Nicole Griffiths, who is a youth worker, and Scott Ainslie, will be attending. Also invited are Streatham MP Chuka Umunna, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Police Inspector Teresa Hubbard. 

All welcome.

Parents consider legal action over Lambeth air pollution

Does your child suffer from asthma episodes or attacks? Does she live in a smoke-free home? Has he been diagnosed with health issues, which in the opinion received from your GP or other medical expert, are exacerbated by exposure to air pollution, eg a compromised immune system or a pre-existing medical condition?

Campaign group Mums for Lungs are working with Hausfeld & Co, a law firm, to bring together a parents in Lambeth who feel their children may have become ill due to air pollution, to see whether there may be a basis for legal action. If you would like to register your interest, find out more here.

Thames Water short-changing residents on compensation

Jonathan Bartley and Scott Ainslie distributing water in March

People in Streatham whose water supply was cut off for four days in March are being sent compensation of just £30 - just a fraction of the £150 they are entitled to [1].

Newly-elected Green Party councillors for St Leonard's ward Scott Ainslie, Jonathan Bartley and Nicole Griffiths are challenging the company on this. Meanwhile, they are urging anyone affected to write to Thames Water using the following template:

Clean Campaign Update - check the facts for yourself

Scott Ainslie, Jonathan Bartley and Nicole Griffiths

At the start of the council election campaign Streatham's Green Party candidates made a "clean campaign pledge” and encouraged other parties to do the same. However, residents have told us untruths are being put out by another party and have asked us to set the record straight. Here is what you need to know, with links to third party sources so you can check the facts for yourself.

HOLDING LAMBETH COUNCIL TO ACCOUNT ON FINANCES

Lambeth Council has become notorious for its financial mismanagement. The Evening Standard recently reported a leading local trade union figure calling Lambeth “the worst Labour-run council in the country” [1]. The People’s Audit of Lambeth made national headlines as it found over-paying contractors and other mismanagement potentially costing millions of pounds [2], an issue which Labour MP Kate Hoey then raised in Westminster [3]. This has meant less money to spend on care for older people, to keep libraries open, or to keep our streets clean.

This year the Green Party voted against both the Labour and Conservative budget proposals for Lambeth Council; neither addressed the financial mismanagement, and both proposed damaging cuts. Instead we put forward an alternative budget which would have protected these things while ending inefficiency and waste. We will continue to do this. You can see our budget here [4] and see the voting here [5].

Councils dominated by one party have been proven to be more wasteful, whereas councils with stronger opposition are proven to deliver better value for money [6]. This is why we need to elect Green party candidates here to make sure there are more voices apart from Labour on the Council to keep it on track.

PUSHING FOR A CLEANER, GREENER LAMBETH

Lambeth Council has the worst record for prosecuting fly-tippers in south London [7]. Three from every four councils in England have axed weekly bin collections, many of them Labour-run – some Labour councils even collect waste just once every 3 weeks [8]. Due to Lambeth’s financial waste, many residents are worried that Labour may not keep their promise on weekly bin collections. 

We need to elect Green Party Councillors to hold Lambeth to account on maintaining weekly bin collections, but also on improving recycling, cleaning up our streets, and taking urgent action on our dangerously polluted air.

WORKING HARD TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY ON LAMBETH COUNCIL

In the last year Green Party councillor Scott Ainslie has attended more full council meetings, tabled more motions, submitted more enquiries, asked more questions in the council chamber, got more motions passed, and called in more council decisions for scrutiny than either of the Labour councillors in this ward, St Leonard's [9]. He has also spoken up repeatedly - with a 100% record - for residents on important planning and licensing issues.

The Green Party demands high standards from its councillors. Our candidates in Streatham were selected to stand for this election as well-known, committed and proven local people, who have the time and ability to serve our area as excellent councillors.

YOUR CHOICE AT THIS ELECTION

At the last council elections in 2014 Labour won with a massive majority. Streatham is one of a few areas that has a realistic chance of electing anything other than Labour. Last time just a few votes separated Labour and the Green Party in some wards, and it looks close again this time.

The sorry situation of Lambeth Council underlines the need to have alternative voices on Lambeth Council, holding it to account.

The choice at this election is more Lambeth Labour councillors, told how to vote, with little incentive to question the Council and who will only add to their big majority, or Green Party councillors who can provide balance and ensure accountability on issues like finances and waste. Three more Labour councillors won’t change anything, but electing Greens will.

 References

1. bit.do/WorstRun

2. bit.do/WastedMillions

3. bit.do/AuditQuestions

4. bit.do/GreenBudget2018 

5. bit.do/BudgetVoting

6. bit.do/OnePartyStates

7. bit.do/DirtyLambeth

8. bit.do/FortnightBins

9. bit.do/ScottsRecord

Clean campaign update: Scott's strong record representing people's concerns to the council

Clean Campaign update:  At the beginning of the council election campaign Streatham Green Party made a "clean campaign pledge”. We encouraged other parties to do the same.

However, residents have told us that they are upset about untruths being put out by another party on the record of Green Party councillor Scott Ainslie and have asked us to set the record straight. Here is what you need to know, with links to
third party sources so you can check the facts for yourself.

TfL shares two ideas for changes to the A23 in Streatham Hill

TfL shared their latest thinking on plans to change the road layout of the A23 in Streatham Hill at a meeting with local residents last week.

A formal consultation on plans will take place in Autumn/Winter 2018/19;  so this was an attempt to take some inital soundings from the community on two different approaches they are considering.

Option 1: wider bus lanes and footways

Option 2: segregated cycle lanes

Housing in Lambeth - The Facts

View this as a pdf

The lack of genuinely affordable housing is one of the top issues facing London. Lambeth Council's approach - to fund new housing by demolishing council estates and rebuilding with densely-packed flats and houses, much of it to be sold to investors in the private sector - is not the only option.

Read the Green Vision for Housing in Lambeth.

The Labour-led council's pursuit of this approach - without the consent of the existing residents of council estates - is wildly out of step with many people in Lambeth. 

In the run-up to the local election campaign on May 3rd, many claims will be made by all political parties. Here Lambeth Green Party lays out some of the key facts - and their sources - so voters can check them out for themselves.

A Green Vision for Housing in Lambeth

View this as a pdf

A safe home that we can afford to rent or buy is a basic human need upon which all our individual and community wellbeing depends. 

And yet tens of thousands of people in Lambeth are currently in acute housing need, living in temporary or overcrowded, insecure homes – or forced to give over unaffordable amounts of their income in rent to landlords.

Thousands more who thought they had a secure home on a council estate – either rented or bought – are currently suffering great stress and uncertainty with the threat of demolition hanging over them.

Scott wins action on HGVs entering residential roads

HGV getting stuck in the side roads

Streatham Green Party team has won agreement from Lambeth Council to take steps to prevent heavy goods vehicles from entering residential roads to thte West of Streatham High Road.

Residents raised concerns last year about large articulated lorries using smaller streets as a cut through. This has resulted in lorries getting stuck and residential streets becoming congested and unsafe.

Have your say on changes to Pathfield Road, Public meeting Tues 20 March

Cllr Scott Ainslie: addressing residents' concerns

Following calls from residents to address rat-running and parking congestion on Pathfield Road Green Party councillor Scott Ainslie has secured a public meeting with council officers to discuss changes to the road lay-out on Tuesday 20 March. 

Public meeting

6pm - 7.30pm 

Tuesday 20 March

Scout Hut, 39 Estreham Rd SW16 5PQ

Scott has been raising with council officers the huge problems since the closure of Estreham Road to northbound traffic as part of a Quietways cycle route and pushing for them to be addressed. 

Get involved in Streatham's new community garden

Lambeth streets cleaned only once every two months - and the council doesn't know how many bins it has!

Information obtained by the Green Party has revealed that Lambeth Council only sweeps our side streets once every two months - and it doesn't know how many litter and dog waste bins it has, or how often they are being emptied.

Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley - a candidate for St Leonard's ward in this May's local council elections - said: "Lambeth needs to get a grip on waste. These responses to questions from the Green Party cement once again the council's reputation as London's dirtiest borough."

New plans for Streatham Hill - as collisions rise again

Nicole Griffiths: Safer A23

Transport for London is to share its plans to improve safety on the A23 in Streatham Hill at an informal evening workshop on Tuesday 13th March.

The workshop comes as latest figures show collisions on the A23 through Streatham continue to increase. In 2016 there were 113 collisions between Streatham Hill, junction with the South Circular, and Streatham High Road's border with Croydon, including 10 crashes resulting in life-changing injuries. Thankfully, there were no fatalities.

The underlying trend, however, appears to be for increasing danger on the road. The five-year figure for collisions rose from 471 to 489, with serious injuries rising from 41 to 45 and deaths falling from eight to seven.

Have your say on proposed parking changes in Streatham

Have your say on Lambeth Council's proposals for controlled parking zones (CPZs)
throughout the south of the borough in St Leonard's, Streatham South and Streatham Wells.

The council has sent letters out this week to every house holder and business containing a unique code which gives access to the survey where you can give your views.

The Green Party believes that residents and business owners should have the final say on the introduction of CPZ's in their area.

Have your voice heard and respond to the Survey by the closing date of  March 12th 2018.

Latest on Streatham High Road works week commencing 12 Feb

Latest news from TfL - thanks to Streatham Action's transport group - about the road works currently causing major disruption on Streatham High Road at St Leonard's Junction:

"The upshot of the Monday morning site meeting between Thames Water and TfL determined that ...  the building of a raised table at the junction of Gleneldon Road and Streatham High Road, alongside part of the work to the triangulated central reservation immediately in front of that junction ... will be able to take place in tandem with the repair to the leaking water pipe by Thames Water on the corner of Gleneldon Road.

More details of planned roadworks for new safer St Leonard's Junction 12th Feb - 29 March

We have received more information about the work that is about to begin to make St Leonard’s Junction safe.

The improvements at the junction of Streatham High Road, Mitcham Lane, Tooting Bec Gardens and Gleneldon Road come after years of local campaigning to get safety concerns addressed.  It is a major ‘win’ for Streatham.  However there will be disruption while the work takes place and so your Green Party team will be working hard to ensure that this is minimised. 

More road closures next week as work starts 12 Feb on new, safer St Leonard's Junction

TfL have informed us of how they plan to handle traffic disruption during the works to improve the safety of St Leonard's Junction, which are due to begin on Monday 12th Feb and continue until the end of March.

Bus passengers and drivers face nearly another two months of road closures and  diversions - following the unexpected road works caused by a burst sewer under Streatham High Road in January.

The works to improve the junction of Streatham High Road, Mitcham Lane and Tooting Bec Gardens are the result of long campaigns to make the road safer for all its users. It has been the scene of numerous nasty accidents over recent years, including two fatalities.

Recycling rates down - incineration up as Lambeth pollutes London's air

Lambeth Council have responded to a members enquiry sent by Streatham councillor Scott Ainslie revealing that they recycled an even lower proportion of waste in 2016-17 than in the previous two years. This is despite Lambeth Labour boasting of "improved recycling" in their "greener, cleaner borough" motion at their council meeting on 24th January.

The full details for the last three years can be found below:
2014/5 Recycling 25,977 tonnes (30.32%) Incineration 59,700 tonnes (69.68%)

2015/6 Recycling 26,047 tonnes (30.44%) Incineration 59,520 tonnes (69.56%)

2016/7 Recycling 26,795 tonnes (29.83%) Incineration 63,029 tonnes (70.17%)

The news comes in the week Brixton Road breached annual air pollution limits in one month. 

Scott leads Lambeth to become London's first plastic-free borough

Streatham councillor Scott Ainslie's proposal for Lambeth  to be part of the 'plastic-free pledge' has been passed – making Lambeth the first London borough to commit to phasing out single-use-plastics such as bottles, cutlery and drinking straws.

The Green Party councillor for St Leonard's ward proposed that the council should become a 'single-use-plastic (SUP) free' authority by the end of April 2018. A last week's full council meeting, Labour councillors toned down the wording with amendments which instead asked the council to 'explore' the possibility 'by the end of 2018'.

New resources won to tackle plague of fly tipping

Nicole, Scott and Jonathan highlight the 'plague' of rubbish

Pressure from the public and Green Party campaigners has won extra resources to tackle the problem of fly tipping, which has been  plaguing Streatham.

Three new environmental enforcement officers have been employed to investigate and enforce illegal flytipping throughout Lambeth.

Since their appointment on 2 October, they have issued 133 Fixed Penalty Notices for fly tipping offences, including 11 in the Streatham area. of which 4 were in St Leonard’s ward.

Scott wins action on Pathfield Rd congestion

Calls from residents for changes to the lay-out of Pathfield Road to prevent rat-running and parking congestion have been heeded with a commitment from the council to consult on road improvements over the next few months.

Green Party councillor Scott Ainslie has been requesting council officers respond to the problems, which have worsened since the closure of Estreham Road to northbound traffic as part of a Quietways cycle route connecting south Lambeth with central London.