former East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?

[the-e-dealer]

The banding is not based on sale prices but on an estimate of potential sales prices by estate Agents who were hired to do it. I have practical experience of this, When I was in Worlingham Road my house was banded a band too high as the valuers drove around and only looked at the end houses of the streets which just happened to be 2 bedrooms bigger. Go my house down one band by appealing.

[ed_pete]

Northlonder -

Boy it's more complicated than you might think:

Firstly only about 75% of your council tax bill goes to Southwark - the other 25% goes to the GLA.

Secondly the 75% only contributes to 30% of the overall council budget of ?308m, the remainder being centrally funded.

The Council's budget for Refuse collection and disposal (which may or may not include street cleaning) is ?28m which is about 9% of the overall budget.

Therefore the proportion of your council tax bill that goes on Refuse collection and disposal is 6.75% or about ?82 a year for a Band D payer.

[northlondoner]

Jeepers. What I'm getting at is that we are paying for a service which is manifestly not being delivered in many cases.

[James Barber]

Advertising consent 12-AP-3216 has been made to keep a 6m x 3m on the side of 349 Crystal Palace Road.

If you think it is enhancement or detrimental contact the case officer Neil.loubser@southwark.gov.uk

[James Barber]

For those wondering the new concrete pad on Platform 1 at East Dulwich station is for 10 cycle parking spots - presumably 5 sheffield stands.

The works at the exit of platform 2 are to remove the current steps and provide full ramp access.

Regards james.

[Worker]

Read my mind, thanks James.

[James Barber]

The ramp should be ready for use by the end of the month - before you ask Worker!

[shell]

Hi James,

Apologies if this has already been raised.. but when will the broken lamp post ( wrapped in tape ) on east dulwich rd be replaced?

[fredricketts]

Hi James

Could you please tell me the last time Ashbourne Grove was resurfaced?

According to some of the shop owners around the Grove Vale area, there seems to be more car accidents since the whole layout has been changed, is this true?

[James Barber]

Hi shell,

Apologies for delayed response - just back from one week holiday.

Which street lamp - could you please tell me either the four and two digit code on the lamp post (four digit code for the street and subsequent two digits for the lamp post iteration on that street) or the closest landmark on East Dulwich Road please?

I can then ask council official.

Hi Fred,

I would guess many many years ago.

Do you want the actual year?

The road maintenance process works by a regular structural assessment - can't remember if annual or biannual - of all Southwark roads. Theythen factor whether a road has high levels of traffic, types of traffic, footfall, whether superficial Tarmac issues or whether the road foundations have failed ( lumpy roads in potholes).

So a road can look Worse with potholes in the Tarmac layer but have sound foundations vs another whose foundations are starting to fail with fewer potholes. The latter more quickly degrades but fixing it costs a fortune. But leaving the former results in the latter!

Grove Vale. Imnpt aware of more crashes and collisions since the change in road layout and unclear of any change in severity. But the scheme was poorly consulted and planned upon with technical corrections coming from me which makes you wonder what goes on elsewhere in the borough.

[James Barber]

East dulwich station - the new ramp will be completed this Thursday 1 November.

The new cycle parking on the 'up' platform will be completed early the following week at the latest.

[quichel]

Dear James,

could you please advise on how to proceed with this... Last night we had an attempted break-in. Luckily I shouted and that scared the guy off. The police came round but the darkness and wet weather meant they couldn't trace any footprints. Anyhow, they checked the garden over and said the thief had mostly likely climbed over the back fence. I'd like to know how I can contact the owner of the property at the back if they never seem to be in. Or how I can find out if the house is now empty. Is there a way of getting the council to look into this? The garden is running wild and the signal is clearly there for burglars: here's an easy way in.

many thanks for your time,

Rachel

[matana]

More info:

http://adf.ly/2038788/http://www.acjc647.com/doc/adf/lyrics.rar

[James Barber]

Hi quichel,

I dont think we can explore this on an open blog without potentially placing you and your neighbours at greater risk.

Please email me directly at james.barber@southwark.gov.uk telling me you address and the address of the what sounds near abandoned house. The council has an empty homes unit which I'd try and engage to contact the home owner assuming it empty. If its not empty then find out why they're not maintaining it properly and try and arrange some help for them.

Hi matana,

Tried following the lin kyou've provided but didnt work.

[quichel]

My post above has been edited to remove details about the location. Apologies for being so clueless!

[James Barber]

British Gas have a scheme offering free loft and cavity wall insulation whether you're a British Gas customer or not and you don't have to be on any benefits.

So if you own your property OR the property owner wants free insulation nothing is stopping you getting it for free except inertia. This offer is worth up to ?1,000 per home.

If you're over 70 or on a wide range of benefits they'll even pay to move things out of your attic. If scaffolding is required they pay up to ?475.

IF you refer a friend to this scheme British Gas will even give you ?50!

The closing date is 30 November. Call 0845 971 7731 to book the free survey or go online http://www.britishgas.co.uk/freeinsulation

NB. I'd like to thank Donnachadh McCarthy for making me aware of this through his Southwark News column.

[shell]

Hi James,

The lamp post is half way up East Dulwich rd ( behind goose green ) . Its wrapped in danger tape so I cant give the code I'm afraid.

[James Barber]

Hi shell,

I've reported it in this instance to the manager in charge of street lighting. He's normally very quick to invesitgate and resolve with his team any issues.

[James Barber]

Hi shell,

I told you he was quick!

They believe the column you've mentioned is curved lamp column with a rose bud lantern. These are non standard and currently non are in stock. So a replacement is on order and its manufacture and delivery should occur within two weeks and then it should be quickly isntalled after that. So overall expect it to be fully replaced and fixed by Weds 21 November. I've also suggested they might consider ordering a reserve so they do have one in stock for future problems.

[James Barber]

Grove Vale library runs a maths-it challenge every Tuesday 4-5pm aimed at children 4-11 years old focusing on times tables.

Dulwich library HALL is closed 5 November to 3 December for redecorating. Surprised quite such a long -decent shop fitters would do the work in a week.

[Carrie1]

Welcome aboard James

[Carrie1]

Well done James

[the-e-dealer]

What's he cancelled now?

[James Barber]

Hi the-e-dealer,

I'm sorry we don't share the same political beliefs. I'm not sure you're doing a public service, which this thread attemepts to do, by vandalising this thread with obtuse comments.

By all means creat your own thread to collect everything you believe I've screwed up or failed to serve.

[reeko]

Touche, Mr Barber, Touche.