The ward’s local policing Safer Neighbourhood Team revealed at the quarterly panel meeting that oversees their work that crime was down 15.9% on the same three-month period last year.

There was only a 3% rise on the previous three months despite the fact that summer weather usually means a lot more criminal activity as people go on holiday, leave windows open and congregate in the street and parks.

The panel, made up of local residents, council and social housing officials, decided to stick with the policing priorities of tackling burglary, motor vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Ed Davie praised the efforts of the police and of initiatives to give young people constructive, supervised activities to keep them out of trouble during the summer months.

Ed said: ‘Councillor Morris and I recently visited a Clapham Park Project scheme for young people next to Angus House.  There were some teenagers I recognised as having caused a nuisance in the past helping their younger neighbours to play rounders and take part in a sack race.

‘It proves that with a little guidance these young people can do something positive and we will be working to ensure that projects like this continue despite central government cuts.

‘By preventing crime and getting some of these young people into jobs this sort of scheme saves money in the long run and improves the lives of local people.’

Provisional results showed for the 12th year running, the number of pupils achieving five or more A* to C grades increased, going up from 72.5 per cent in 2009 to 73.7 per cent in 2010.

Councillor Pete Robbins, Lambeth Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “The provisional results show an improvement that reflects the hard work and dedication of pupils and teachers and the continued support of parents.”

La Retraite percentage of pupils  getting five or more A – C grade GCSEa rose from 94% this year to 97% in 2010.

Thornton councillor Ed Davie said: ‘Congratulations to La Retraite and all Thornton GCSE students. If you haven’t done as well as you had hoped it is not the end of the world and you should think about retaking the exams, signing up to a vocational course or starting an apprenticeship.’

The project, set to deliver 120 new homes on the Clapham Park estate was put on ice last month, being included in a list of housing projects agreed under the previous government subject to review and possible cancellation.

Clapham Park was shortlisted to benefit from £9 million of funding for new homes under Labour as part of the Kickstart scheme and was visited by the then Housing Minister John Healey in January.

Following the new government’s announcement, Chuka wrote to Housing Minister Grant Shapps and tabled a series of Parliamentary Questions demanding answers from ministers on the funding.

Thankfully, this week the Homes and Communities Agency has announced that the project will now go ahead as originally planned.

The next gathering is 7pm Wednesday 25 August at the Headlam Road Community Centre.

At the meetings members of the local policing team, councillors, officials from social housing providers and local people get together to assess security issues in the area and  decide on priorities.

Any one living or working in the ward is welcome to come along and give their views.

Councillor Ed Davie who sits on the panel said: ‘We are fortunate in Thornton to have an excellent policing team and engaged residents who care about their community – it is no coincidence that the ward has the lowest crime rate in Lambeth.

‘The panel are always interested to hear the views of anyone in the ward with concerns about crime or anti-social behaviour so we can all tackle any problems together.’

Yesterday afternoon the Department for Education have released details of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) projects that have been given a ‘green light’.

In shock announcements made last month from the ConDem government the Schools Secretary Michael Gove MP told councils across the country that the BSF programme was being put on hold or cancelled and he has since come under significant pressure from Labour councillors throughout the country to allow the scheme to go ahead. Many councils including Lambeth have been lobbying the government on behalf of teachers, parents and pupils to reinstate the cuts and give Lambeth’s children access to the education they deserve.

Three of Lambeth’s schools that were earmarked for refurbishment and expansion Dunraven, Norwood Schools and Lilian Baylis have now all been given the funding and work can now go ahead as planned.

Sadly, things are not so clear about the 4th new school on the Fenstanton site, which is needed to ensure we have enough places for future generations of children in Lambeth and, as things stand, the other schools that were not ‘samples’ still have no funding allocated to them. Labour in Lambeth will continue to lobby and fight the government for more funds to ensure all our schools are modern and well equipped so that we can provide the best futures possible for Lambeth’s young people.

Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, Cllr Pete Robbins said:

‘After several days of expecting news from the DFE, we have finally heard that three of our BSF projects have been given the green light and that’s fantastic news.  I think we got the go ahead from Michael Gove because alongside the teachers and pupils of Dunraven, Norwood School and Lilian Baylis, the Council has added to the considerable pressure that he has come under to rethink his position on BSF. Importantly, we were at pains to point out that the schools in question are in need of the money to accommodate extra pupils and to repair some of the old buildings that are in use, these were not vanity projects but desperately needed school refurbishments and expansions.’

I remain hopeful that funding for Fenstanton can be found and I am ever mindful that originally we had twelve schools hoping to receive cash from BSF, so the ConDem government have by no means covered themselves with glory with this announcement.’

Personal Safety Tips

•         When you’re out and about look purposeful. Assertiveness in the way you behave reduces perceived vulnerability.
•         Avoid using your phone or iPod in public, especially immediately after leaving railway/bus stations.
•         Loud personal music affects your awareness of your surroundings.
•         Don’t draw attention to your valuables. Out of sight is safer.
•         It is easier for wallets and purses to be removed from back pockets.
•         Avoid short cuts down alley ways and across parks.  Move away from suspicious people. Trust your instincts.
•         Use a pre-booked minicab or licensed taxi.  Know what you are getting into.
•         Report non emergency incidents to the police on 0300 123 1212.
•         In an emergency always ring 999.

Summer Time Burglary Prevention Tips

•         When you leave your home please lock it up. This means all windows and doors. Several of the new windows allow for ventilation – Don’t just put the handle down in this position make sure you lock it as well.
•         When you are not in the room with a window/door that is open ensure it is secure – don’t think because you are in you will hear what’s going on.
•         Don’t leave expensive property in view of passer-by’s and don’t leave house keys or car keys on a table near the door or window.
•         Secure bicycles to a permanent fixture even if leaving in communal hallways or sheds.

Want to know more about Neighbourhood Watch or set one up then?
Contact Karen Hunn on 020 7926 2716 or Khunn@lambeth.gov.uk

Lambeth Council is campaigning for continued investment in the Decent Homes scheme, which was started by the Labour Government, to bring all of the borough’s social housing up to a decent standard.

The Decent Homes scheme is under threat after the Tory-Lib Dem Government made no commitment to complete the programme in their manifestos or the Coalition Agreement.

Cllr Lib Peck said: “We’re calling on the Conservative/Liberal Democrat government to fund the decent homes programme in Lambeth. In total this amounts to £233 million for Lambeth Living; and “25 million for United Residents Housing. This money is desperately needed so that our homes can be made safe, warm and secure. It will pay for new roofs, new boilers, new windows, new kitchens and new bathrooms that are desperately needed by our residents. The last government promised this money – we don’t want the new government to break this agreement and let down Lambeth residents.”

Rt Hon John Healey MP, Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning, said:

“I want to see the new Government back tenants’ desire to live in a decent home. They deserve the improvements that others have already had.

“If ministers fail to give a clear commitment to finish Labour’s big refurbishment programme, tenants will be left in limbo and we’ll see the widespread unfairness of two-tiered council estates in our communities.”

Please help support Labour in Lambeth’s call on the government to commit to Decent Homes for Tenants by clicking here.

School building projects at three local secondary schools are affected, with major rebuilding projects axed at La Retraite and Bishop Thomas Grant schools and Dunraven School’s project placed in doubt.

To put pressure on the government, Chuka is campaigning alongside students, parents and teachers for the projects to go ahead and for the cuts to funding for new school buildings to be reversed.

He has set up a petition to save Streatham’s school building projects and demand answers from the government – please sign it here.

Chuka has also tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament on the issue, condemning the government’s cancellation of school building projects and calling for answers on projects subject to review such as Dunraven’s.

The full text of the EDM and a list of MPs who have signed it can be read here.

The co-operative council White Paper, is available here.

If you would like to attend, or for further information on the co-operative council, please email cooperativecouncil@lambeth.gov.uk

In addition to increasing the number of Trustees to match planned growth in the Centre’s activities, we are planning for the future succession of the Chair of Trustees.

In particular, we are seeking up to 4 individuals with the following experience, knowledge and/or professional skills:

• Community involvement and leadership
• Strategic leadership in the charity or not for profit sector
• Financial planning and stewardship
• Supporting the well-being of Children and Young people
• Community health-care provision
• Service Level Agreements and Contracts
• Business Development and Fund-raising

Previous Trustee experience is not essential – full training and support will be provided. It is important to us that the Trustee body fully represents the diversity, cultures, experience, and skills from across the borough of Lambeth. We are therefore seeking applications from local residents, parents/carers and community groups, as well those with relevant professional or voluntary experience and skills.
To find out more, or to receive an application pack please contact:

Rachel Bellini at Abbeville Associates tel 020 7720 1830 e-mail: admin@abbevilleassociates.co.uk

The closing date for applications is 25^th August 2010. Interviews will take place during September 2010.