former East Dulwich councillor - how can I help?

[James Barber]

Hi fazer71,

Concrete house I understood to have been finally compulsorily purchased and then sold on to a sympathetic developer who has already lined up lanning permission and listed building consents and has a suitable track record for this type of work.

You may be corect about some contractor attutides. My personal experiences have usually been of people who do take a pride in the work they do.

[Luana]

Hi, I live in Glengarry Road and last night some people (I think I know who they are and where they live) have screamed and played very loud music till 2am. This is not the first time it happens during the week. I want to go to the police to report the complain. Is there any other advice you would give me in order to stop this happening again?

[James Barber]

Contact the Noise Team via 020 7525 2000 even after the fact to report the problem.

Also the Police via 101 no emergency number so they log the problem. Also worth contacting the Village ward Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Now that the Noise Team is no longer 24/7 it appears that building up a case over several or more instances is required and then they attempt to fix the underlying problem.

Hope this helps. If you find it doesn't please get in touch and I'll put you in touch with one of thE village ward councillors.

[citizenED]

Hi James - what is happening with the Early Years Centre site opposite Bessemer Grange School. No doubt when the EYFS abandoned that building to take up residence on the main Bessemer site, they left it in a usable state: now it has been vandalised and it seems such a pity that the school are not using the site.

[James Barber]

Hi citizenED,

i thought exactly the same when i walked past it last weekend.

I'll try and find out.

[fredricketts]

Hi James. What was the point of the petition on Icelands

When they have already decided that it's going to be a MS

With more flats, with no where to park their cars.

[James Barber]

Hi fredricketts,

No decision has been taken on the Planning Application to nearly double the size of the shop unit Iceland currently have the lease on.

If you and your neighbours have views on this scheme please do let the planning officer know [email protected]

[the-e-dealer]

The Point of the Petition if there is one is to send it to the Planning Committee to express views about the application.

[fredricketts]

According to the staff in Iceland?s, they have been given there notices to leave,

And been told that MS will go ahead no matter what Consultations go on, that?s what?s going to happen.

Like all the other applications that should not have gone through, the money will always talk.

That why "I ask what is the point of the petition" when we already know the outcome.

[James Barber]

Hi Fred,

From what you've indicated Iceland staff are saying M&S are intending to take over the site whether the Planning Application is successful or not.

I would encourage anyone with a view for or against the planning application to make their views known to the planning officer [email protected]

[James Barber]

The Olympics have sent me the attached.

Going through the website etc it seems clear the Zil lanes, mostly intended to benefit Olympic flunkies, will affect Southwark Roads - Tower Bridge Road, New Kent Road, E&C, Newington - Sunday 5 & 12 August and 9 September.

[the-e-dealer]

They dont need ANY permission to move in. Any store except maybe a sex shop could move in. However they do need permission to change the building and that is what the consultation and permission are about.

[AbDabs]

the-e-dealer Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> They dont need ANY permission to move in. Any

> store except maybe a sex shop could move in.

> However they do need permission to change the

> building and that is what the consultation and

> permission are about.

Good point; we've got plenty of supermarkets and other food shops so losing Iceland won't be the end of the world. But the one shop we don't have....... (Petition anyone?)

[fazer71]

Hi James

Do you know what the rules are re overhanging bushes over pavements?

A few houses have bushes which take up to ? of the pavement some even when trimmed back.

I looked at the Southwark web site and called but got nowhere.

[the-e-dealer]

The Council can force you to trim ! Some muppet had me cut my lovely plants back.

Then they made me wash behind my ears and put the loo seat down.

[Chillaxed]

I used to think that the Council were muppets for forcing people to cut back their hedges. Until I almost lost an eye to a rogue rose bush stem. Which I didn't see bacuse I was looking down in order to dodge some rogue dog shit. I stay indoors mostly now.

[the-e-dealer]

Call the Rose Bush Warden. Round them up and exterminate.

I would avoid Kew if I were you!

[James Barber]

Hi fazer71,

Yes, the council can make people relinquish the pavement back for people to walk along safely.

No council official wants to particualrly do this as most people are able to ensure their vegetation doesn't go outside of their gardens. If they leave it too long then when they do cut it back it can look really unsightly with just branches showing.

Equally keeping vegeation in check sends a strong message to burglars that a home is well looked after. Hedges and plants should apparently be kept lower than chest height according to crime prevention Police officers to ensure burglars can't work at breaking in unobserved.

So in the first instance email [email protected] with the details and address - even better with a photo. Council officials then visit. If they agree a problem is present they issue a letter giving the occupants two weeks to fix. They revisit after two weeks. If its not resovled the council engage contractors and charge the household. The contractors are not cheap.

If the occupants are phyiscally unable to do the work then the council will attempt to find an alternate long term solution.

IF you find this process and system doesn't work let me know with specifics so I can try and help everyone.

[the-e-dealer]

Why not knock on the alleged offender's door or pop a note through the door? Why cause council expense?

James Barber Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hi fazer71,

> Yes, the council can make people relinquish the

> pavement back for people to walk along safely.

>

> No council official wants to particualrly do this

> as most people are able to ensure their vegetation

> doesn't go outside of their gardens. If they leave

> it too long then when they do cut it back it can

> look really unsightly with just branches showing.

>

> Equally keeping vegeation in check sends a strong

> message to burglars that a home is well looked

> after. Hedges and plants should apparently be kept

> lower than chest height according to crime

> prevention Police officers to ensure burglars

> can't work at breaking in unobserved.

>

> So in the first instance email

> [email protected] with the details and

> address - even better with a photo. Council

> officials then visit. If they agree a problem is

> present they issue a letter giving the occupants

> two weeks to fix. They revisit after two weeks. If

> its not resovled the council engage contractors

> and charge the household. The contractors are not

> cheap.

>

> If the occupants are phyiscally unable to do the

> work then the council will attempt to find an

> alternate long term solution.

>

> IF you find this process and system doesn't work

> let me know with specifics so I can try and help

> everyone.

[fazer71]

the-e-dealer Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Why not knock on the alleged offender's door or

> pop a note through the door? Why cause council

> expense?

Tried that.

They were very rude told me to mind my own business they have no intention of cutting it back 2ft+ over the pavement and 3 ft into the neighbour?s garden works for them.

I wish I hadn't and I'd just reported it because now when the council do contact them they will guess ?correctly? it was me who reported.

[OliviaDee]

Mr Barber,

Why can the staff at Fusion not run the place? I see here many people's frustration at Fusion's inability to man their phones and reception desk, operate their AC, and organise the pool schedule. My problem is the amount of cancelled classes. This happens on a regular basis and is made doubly infuriating by Fusion for these reasons - they are so oversubscribed it's a result to actually get INTO a class in the first place: Fusion have contact numbers for people to inform them of cancelled classes but rarely avail of it, certainly they didn't this morning: Fusion staff never offer an apology when this happens - which would actually go a long way in the circumstances: non-members who have paid for the class get reimbursed - members do not !!!! but most annoying of all is the fact that they are at the helm of an incredibly beautiful facility with a huge member base and they just simply can't run it.

I stood in a queue this morning for ten minutes with at least six other people for a class (had the class been on we would all have been late for it while we waited for someone to sign us in even though we have all already booked and paid but that is just their clever way of doing things) before the receptionist made an announcement that didn't come with an apology or an explanation. She had known all that time and just let us stand there. The people already upstairs in the class were left there for another ten minutes before one of them came down to find out what was happening and was told again without apology or explanation. That person left the building and still no-one went upstairs to tell the class. I pointed this out to the manager and reception staff but still didn't see anyone go up. i don't know how many times i have been in their studios waiting for a teacher and figuring out for myself that the class is cancelled and have never been told by staff who are all in possession of the knowledge. The lack of care is astounding.

There was a period of time over the winter and spring when more than half the classes i tried to go to were cancelled in circumstances similar to this. I stopped going and have only just returned. This is my second class back and it would seem things have not improved. I want to go to Fusion. It is in my community and my price range. That is the point of it. But it needs to be properly run. They are taking my money and giving me nothing in return but a headache! I have always noticed the amount of people who leave cancelled classes and never say anything. I have gotten in the habit now of asking for the duty manager. That in and of itself is an interesting process. For a start I rarely see the same one. They largely all claim not to know what is going on at the level of their reception desk and whilst they are apologetic they are all rather keen to shirk responsibility. 'It's not their fault the AC or the heating isn't working, or that a teacher cancels or that their reception staff have no basic front of house skills etc...' but as far as i am concerned the common denominator in every one of those situations/excuses is an obvious managerial failure to properly run the place. And i don't know how this is allowed to happen. As a paid up member it seems i have two choices - leave - or continue to give them my money for this kind of service. Unless you have a further option for me?

I know there are many many people as frustrated as I am by the squandering of a potentially amazing local facility. I bring this to your attention in the hopes that something can be done to help.

Many thanks.

[the-e-dealer]

Gang Inactivity?

[James Barber]

Hi LoivaDee,

I'll get some asnwers to why the basic custoemr service you rightly expect hasnt been happening for you.

[citizenED]

Dear James, did you manage to find out anything about the former Early Years Centre at Bessemer Grange?

CitizenED

[James Barber]

Hi citizenED,

I've not heard back yet but have asked.

For Dulwich area it is a relatively large site.

Would be great to use to enlarge the schools playground but doubt this is the plan.