Peckham Rye 1 'O' clock club shutdown

[Mgdoble]

This may be common knowledge but we have been away for a while. Can anyone let me know what is happening to the Peckham Rye clubroom and the playground outside. They appear to be in the process of being redeveloped, what is going to be in their place, is it going to re-open, are there any temporary facilities available elsewhere? If not are there any similar one 'O' clock clubs in the area?

Cheers

Michael

[Renata Hamvas]

The playground is being redeveloped and was scheduled for completion around the end of May. I will check on this and post back.

Renata

[Fuschia]

Its not shut is it?

[Mgdoble]

I assumed this was the case, the playground is definitely out of action, I went past at the weekend and given the quantity of materials and barriers in front of the hut it looked like it should be closed, happy to hear if its open.

[Fuschia]

Nope it's not shut as MrF is there right this minute!

[Mgdoble]

Thats great, Thanks.

[Gussy]

oh its definitely open I go several times a week. Just have half of the outside space instead, still all the toys and inside is open as usual.

Finished by the end of May? Wow, it looks like its many months off being anywhere near to ready. I've never seen a single workman there in all the days I go, although I did speak to one of the ladies who works there and she says they are not allowed to work when its open. Doesn't leave much time then does it! Really hope it gets finished soon. Its a shame these things always happen during spring/summer rather than winter. Well, shouldn't moan I suppose, at least it is getting done up rather than shut down.

Looking forward to any updates coming through

[Renata Hamvas]

The playground will be reopened in the 1st or 2nd week of July, so it won't be open in time for half term, but should be open before the schools break up for summer

Renata

[Gussy]

I have just heard that a newsletter has come out announcing the CLOSURE of the PR 1 o clock club. I'm going down there today to get a copy of this newsletter, but if this is the case then I'm really angry and disappointed. Especially after so called 'reassurances' on this board that this would not be the case, at least without consultation first - unless this has already taken place without public knowledge?

Renata would you like to comment?

[chantelle]

interested to hear more on this closure - but why would they be renovating the outside space if they are just going to shut it? i have seen the workmen there several times - most recently on Friday they were doing something with a digger.

[Gussy]

I believe the new playground was paid/signed off with last years budget, while the budget for 2012 has been cut, meaning closure if no 'alternative' can be found. Again, not sure on details and would be very keen to hear more information.

[nikki73]

Yes me too. Has there been any consultation?

[Renata Hamvas]

Just to update on this:

Official reopening of the playground area 23rd July.

200k has recently been allocated in the Council's capital building programme to match a similar amount that was earmarked under Cleaner Greener Safer funding to rebuild the 1 o clock club. The government has cut funding for running of such schemes, so a different system will be used to run it, but I currently don't know the details. (it wouldn't make sense for it to shut as the money has just been earmarked to rebuild it!) Where has this newsletter come from Gussy? Is it a closing due to rebuilding one?? Once I know more, I'll post it on here.

Renata

[ratty]

Renata, any word on an updated completion date? Summer term ends in 3 weeks!

[edanna]

I heard that the new playground will be part of the public park, not the one o'clock club, which seems to leave the one o'clock club with a very limited outside space if this is true. Where is the public information on this? And where is the consultation?!

[nylonmeals]

I asked the ladies who run the club. They say that the new outdoor playground area (complete with water for kids to play in) will be open in October. It is nothing to do with the 1 o clock club. They did not mention anything about the actual 1 o clock club being closed down.

[curlykaren]

Information sheets available from club today said that govt funding will be reduced by a third next year and withdrawn completly the year after. Council is looking at other funding/operating options and suggested in the info that this could be either through volunteers/user groups, charities or the facilities co-opted into local children centre control. I have para-phrased wildly as only read the info once, sorry!

[edanna]

If the play area is separate from the one o clock club, thus reducing its lovely outside space massively, there should be a gate connecting the two areas so there can be a free flow when the club is open (if this isn't prevented by health and safety issues). Does anyone know where the plans are? Although the new play area will probably be lovely, it seems like the one o clock club is being squeezed physically as well as financially, when really Southwark should be trying their hardest to keep it open to all and at least as good as it is already.

[The Nappy Lady]

There seem to be a lit of different rumours circulating.

Renata, would be great to get a clear & definitive answer on this.

Also, I'm pretty appalled by the 7 week or so overrun on the playground works. I've never seen more than 2 workmen on sight, and they seem to be mostly doing very little when they are there. The Phrase 'rocket needed up their bum' springs to mind I'm afraid!

[Lou]

I spoke to one on friday (1st July) who said they had to get it finished for 23rd July as Boris was coming to open it...

[ratty]

Now there's an opportunity not to be missed! ;)

[Fuschia]

I thought the area would still be used by the one o'c club but open to thd public at other times

I hope that is still the plan

[Gussy]

Renata, thanks for your reply. The newsletter has been sitting in the 1 o clock club for some time it would seem - its dated May 2011. I think its only recently been put in a more prominent position for parents to pick up. I will try to scan a copy so that people can read it, but curlykaren got it right, it says -

"The 2010-11 budget is to be cut by approximately a third in 2011-12 and the remaining budget is to be removed from 2012-13."

also:

"...the council will no longer be the direct provider of the services you currently receive, we are actively seeking discussions with alternative providers who will be able to offer a similar service"

I understand that budgets have to be cut, but I am annoyed that nobody asked us - the users of the service - before approving the cuts.

They are also going ahead with seeking alternative providers. Again, this is something that would surely benefit from input from the users themselves.

Why is there no public consultation/involvement? For example, similar to the library consultations currently underway?

I for one would be interested to be involved and will seriously consider giving my time to help run the club. But I have no way of communicating this with anyone from the council. I can of course email them, but that's not the point. This is a vital service for many many families and carers and it deserves to be handled sensitively and openly with the many mums/dads that use it.

As for the playground, its seems a fair way off completion, but I don't really care, its lovely to see improvements but I can go to other parks for some water, I can't go anywhere within walking distance to another 1 o clock club.

How does it fit with the existing club? Nobody seems to know! There must be someone in the council who could come on here and enlighten us!!

As for a rebuild, it seems crazy to think about if the clubs future 'provider' doesn't even exist yet. What if no alternative is found?!

(rant over, sorry folks)

[Gussy]

Hi, me again, contact details at the bottom of the newsletter:

wendy.heller@southwark.gov.uk

I'll be getting in touch and urge you to do the same!

[nunheadmum]

There have been discussions on this topic on here before and many people offered to get involved in trying to find solutions. I'm sure the contact was directly to Southwark if I'm not mistaken - I've certainly contacted them directly before and got zilch as a response, even when responding once to a Southwark council central staff member dealing with the club who asked me to send her my details.

There's a lot of goodwill around and folk who want to try and help and have skills that may be of use, but Southwark don't seem to be interested in following it up. I suspect that process and procedure swallows up any capacity to do things!