Dates for your diary, Local Issues, Events & more
Welcome to the May edition of our e-bulletin which we hope you find helpful and informative. Please feel free to forward this e-bulletin to friends and neighbours in the area who might be interested. Subject to the outcome of the local elections on 6 May we hope to be able to bring you a June edition of our e-bulletin!
Putney Hospital site
We know that many parents are concerned about school places in the area. Thamesfield has some of the best primary schools in London. As a result, pressure for places from young families has always been intense.
The Council has recently approved an extra 15 extra places in the reception class at Hotham (and start a bilingual Anglo-French stream there) and Brandlehow, however, other schools simply do not have the space to expand.
We are looking at the possibility of securing space at the Putney Hospital site to build a new primary school. This would be in the area previously proposed for health facilities which the local NHS have said will not now go ahead in this form . If this led to the Primary Care Trust declaring the site surplus, we want to be ready with a firm proposal. Under a Conservative government, it could become one of the new ‘free schools’ promised by David Cameron and shadow education minister Michael Gove.
These will be non-fee-paying schools set up by groups of parents, teachers or charities. The school would decide its own structures, which could include smaller class sizes or a longer school day. The first step is to resolve the future of the site, and we will report further on progress. In the meantime, if you would like to make your views known to us on this or other issues, please do not hesitate to get in touch elister@wandsworth.gov.uk, jmaddan@wandsworth.gov.uk, rtorrington@wandsworth.gov.uk
Rocket – Wetherspoon’s planning application for outdoor seating
Application No. 2010/0511
Wetherspoons opened a new restaurant at Rocket in Putney Wharf on 29 April. 70% of the floor space is dedicated to dining and 30% to internal bar service in connection with restaurant use. At a public meeting on 20 April Tom Ball, the area manager, confirmed that the premises would be open from 8am to 11pm with closing at 10.30pm on Sundays. The premises already have permission for outdoor seating beneath the glass canopy around the Tower. Mr Ball reported that their licensing application to extend the outside areas had been withdrawn and said that the outdoor seating will be for dining only and will close at 10pm and the tables and chairs taken inside each night. Their planning application above to extend the outdoor seating area beyond the glass canopy has also been withdrawn. Wetherspoons is continuing discussions with the planners to come up with an acceptable design for the glass screening around the existing outdoor area to contain customers seated outside. There will be a duty manager monitoring the external area and sweeping the premises and an area 20m beyond the licensed outdoor area on an hourly basis. There will be no music at all and 3 plasma screens with sub-titles. As councillors we have been making it clear to Wetherspoons that they need to take into account the residential nature of the site. For example, Wetherspoons have agreed to adopt a curfew on deliveries and collection of bottles and refuse between 9pm and 9am. The manager is proposing to hold monthly meetings with residents and can be contacted on 020 8780 8970.
Illumination of Putney Bridge
We have taken up concerns about the illumination of Putney Bridge on behalf of residents and can confirm that the relamping of the bridge floodlights has been given the go-ahead. Work was scheduled to start on 29 April but the Council is still waiting for the Port of London Authority to issue the formal “notice to mariners”. This process takes about a month to complete and then the specialist hoist contractor can come at short notice.
IMA Building and Wandsworth Park
At the April planning meeting plans were approved for the derelict office block, IMA House on the corner of Northfields and Point Pleasant which overlooks Wandsworth Park. The permission (2010/0271) is for the demolition of the office block and the construction of a new building to accommodate 29 flats (including 8 affordable) with commercial floorspace on the ground floor. Following lobbying by Cllr Torrington the developer has agreed to make a contribution of £45,000 towards Wandsworth Park. There will also be an investment of £80,000 towards public transport improvements, an on-site car club space and electric charging points.
The newly extended playground in Wandsworth Park which recently received investment of £35,000 is already being well used thanks to the warmer weather. It will be opened officially on 2 June at 4pm.
Wandsworth Arts Festival 1-23 May
The Arts festival takes place throughout the borough. The full programme can be downloaded via http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/waf. Of particular note in Thamesfield is The Shimmy on 23 May. This is the finale and a day of free spectacular outdoor arts in Wandsworth Park and Putney Wharf with music, sculptural installations, participatory projects and even a dog show.
On Friday 21st May The Feast! Takes place at St. Mary’s Church on the High Street from 12.30pm-4.30pm. This is an extravaganza for the over 60s of dance, art, music, drama, workshops, film shorts and a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Tickets are £3. For tickets & more information email info@thepurplehatcompany.com. An exhibition of art work celebrating older artists across the borough will run from 18-22 May at St Mary’s Church and cafe and is open to the public from 10am to 3pm. Free admission.
On successive Saturdays the Putney Society is organising walking tours. On 2 May there is a Putney Walkabout starting from Putney Library, on 9 May the walk departs from Putney Library via St Mary’s to Putney Bridge and on 16 May from Putney Library via Putney Bridge and the Embankment. The walks are all free. Audio guides suitable for the visually impaired and others are available in advance from Putney Library.
From 7-9 May the Wandsworth Artists’ Co-Operative hold their Annual Art Exhibition in Putney Exchange atrium showing original artworks at affordable prices direct from the artists. On Friday and Saturday they are there 9am to 6pm and on Sunday from 11am to 5pm. www.wandsworthartists.com
During the Wandsworth Heritage Festival which takes place from 30 May to 13 June the Council heritage officers will be at Putney Library on Wednesday, 2 June from 2-4pm to help you find your family history on the internet. Archive material such as local newspapers, maps, photographs etc can be viewed online on the archive catalogue at www.calmview.eu/wandsworth/calmview. Historic images of the borough can be seen at www.flickr.com/photos/wandsworthheritageservice.
Pothole repairs and road resurfacing
The highways gang will be blitzing potholes in Thamesfield on the week commencing 3 May. If you want to report any potholes this can be done by email to dtsonstreetservices@wandsworth.gov.uk, online at http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/info/100011/transport_and_streets/865/potholes or by telephone 8871 6708. Please include the nearest house number of commercial premises to identify the spot.
Closer examination of the road surface suggests that a majority of potholes are in an area where work has been done by one of the public utilities and the road surface has not been properly reinstated. It is very frustrating that the utilities can ‘declare an emergency’ and just turn up and start digging up the road without consulting, residents, the council or other agencies. A good example of this is the current situation in Deodar Road where Thames Water started work to replace sewage pipes with no consultation whatsoever, just a few weeks after the council had totally resurfaced the road.
Work is starting this month to resurface Merivale Road and Florian Road, and Brandlehow Road will be resurfaced later this financial year. In the coming financial year 2010/2011 a revenue budget of £1,035,000 has been approved for highway repairs such as pothole repairs and a capital budget of £2 million for highway resurfacing throughout the borough. The paper covering this can be found here.
Wandsworth in Bloom 2010
The annual competition is now open with categories as follows,
best front garden,
best window boxes, hanging baskets and tubs,
best pub, restaurant or hotel,
best public building,
best community area,
best school,
best garden in a seed tray and
best flower picture.
The competition is designed to encourage residents and businesses to improve their environment through imaginative use of flowers, trees, shrubs and landscaping. The closing date for applications is 18 June 2010. Register online at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/inbloom or call 8871 7530 or pick up an application form at the library in Disraeli Road.
Walk to school week 17-21 May
Hotham School and St Mary’s School both in Felsham Road and Lion House just outside the ward in Gwendolen Avenue are all taking part in Walk to school week this May. If your child attends one of these and would like to participate please contact the school to find out further details and obtain a pack. The theme of the classroom packs will be "Walk Your Way" focussing on how walking to school helps important orientating skills and encourages children get to know their local area. St Mary's School is also taking part in Poetry in Motion, a London-wide poetry competition for primary school pupils on the theme of walking to school. The winning entries from across London will be published in a special book commemorating Walk to School Week 2010.
Thames Tunnel exploration
Work has started on exploratory bore holes for the Thames Tunnel to a depth of 70 metres below the river bed in two locations. One is opposite Wandsworth Park and the other is just upstream from Putney Bridge, near Putney Pier.
Alleyway between the cinema and Putney Wharf
There have been a number of complaints about the vulnerability of pedestrians walking through the alley way that runs from Church Square to Putney Wharf and its use as a public convenience at busy times and late at night.
Councillors have started a conversation with the land owners, St George, Odeon Cinemas and the Metropolitan Police with a view to obtaining a gating order, which will close the alleyway as a through route. This will be followed by a full consultation with interested parties. Any scheme will take into account health and safety issues involving patrons of the cinema, residents of Putney Wharf and users of the adjacent buildings.
Railway communication system
Network Rail have said that they are proposing to install a 10m mast on the disused viaduct east of the Woodlands Way footbridge behind the houses in Fawe Park Road to maintain 100% radio coverage on this section of the railway. Further information can be obtained from Andrew Dempsey of Network Rail on 0203 356 9267.
Norroy Road – speed
A resident in Norroy Road has raised concerns about traffic speeding down Norroy Road which is a one-way street. When a recent traffic survey was undertaken it showed a top speed of 19mph. It would therefore make it difficult to show the need for a 20mph zone. We have asked for this issue to be looked at again and will report further.
Putney Embankment and Deodar Road Conservation Areas consultations.
A consultation is due on the character statements for two Thamesfield conservation areas this summer. These are the Deodar Road CA and the Putney Embankment CA. There are also proposals to change the boundary of Putney Embankment to include more of Putney Wharf. The report discussed by the Planning & Transport committee can be downloaded here.
We will report with further news and dates for the consultations.
A consultation took place last October on the character statement for Charlwood Road and Lifford Street conservation area. It has now been approved and can be viewed here.
Highways/Environmental matters – “Listening to you” survey
Over the past few months we have received several hundred responses to our “Listening to you” survey asking for local residents’ views on a wide range of issues. We appreciate the time and trouble taken by local people to respond to the survey and have been most interested by the comments made, many of which have already been taken up. We have extracted the main queries on highways matters and obtained replies to them.
Please could additional bike stands be introduced near to Putney Station. Are we able to increase the number of bike stands round the corner from the station on Upper Richmond Road?
Answer/response: As you are aware the area outside Putney Station is extremely busy and congested and in its current layout increasing cycle parking in this location is unlikely to be feasible. At this location the width of the footway is relatively narrow compared to the adjacent private station forecourt, and is already occupied by existing street furniture, lighting columns and a bus shelter. There are long-term plans to improve the footway layout outside Putney Station and the Council is in discussion with TfL regarding this scheme. We are also speaking to the transport operators regarding increasing the cycle parking provision within the station.
Recently a cycle parking provision survey was undertaken along Putney High Street on behalf of the Putney Society and was presented to the Leader. The sites identified in this survey are being investigated to determine if any are feasible for additional cycle parking measures to be implemented.
What steps does the Council take to ensure that BA complies with the rules that apply to night flights including the number of night flights taking off and landing? What can the Council do if BA is in breach of the law?
Answer/response: The council has campaigned for many years for a complete ban on night flights and has pursued the Department for Transport for Transport through the courts in a bid to achieve a reduction in movements. The current quota limits were actually ordered by a judge following earlier action. Wandsworth has coordinated a joint response from a group of local councils formally objecting to the airport’s current noise action plan which contains no measures for limiting flights. It is currently awaiting the outcome of a legal challenge to the Government’s support for a third runway which it believes will lead to increased pressure for additional flights in the early morning.
The current rules governing night flying are similar for the three major London Airports, (Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted). In each case the airport operator (BAA at Heathrow and Stansted) is responsible for making sure that the allowable quotas are not exceeded. The government sets separate quotas on seasonal basis for both numbers of flights and noise dose.
The current night noise regime permits an average of 15 or so flights per night between 23:30 and 06:00 hrs (The Night Quota Period). Currently all of the available slots have been allocated to services arriving into Heathrow and there are no scheduled departures from Heathrow in the Night Quota Period (NQP). There are no meaningful restrictions at all on numbers of flights into Heathrow between the hours of 11pm to 11:30 pm and 6am to 7am.
Although BA is the major user of the restricted slots in the NQP, (it has typically 8 of the 15 allowable flights) it is not able to issue itself with new night flight slots. The allocation of night flight “slots” at Heathrow is the responsibility of the airport operator (BAA) however in practice this role in undertaken “at arms length” by Airport Coordination Ltd , a company independent of BAA but owned by the UK’s 9 largest airlines. BA is therefore not able to grant itself more night flight slots when it wishes.
BAA makes regular reports to the airport consultative committee (HACC) on night flight usage. Cllr Jim Maddan is Wandsworth’s representative on the HACC. BAA is also required to submit returns to the Department for Transport (DfT). The Department is responsible for ensuring the BAA as airport operator operate the Heathrow Night Flight regime in accordance with government policy.
Officers are not aware of breaches that have occurred in the Heathrow Night Flight Regime. In the event that evidence were to come to light of an alleged breach of night flight conditions, the council would not be able to intervene directly as it has no statutory enforcement powers over aircraft in flight. The council would however ask for an investigation via the Heathrow Airport Consultative Committee and could also ask the DfT to investigate.
If any BA or any other airline using Heathrow were to be repeatedly in breach of its slot times or allocations then the council could ask the slot coordinator ACL to investigate as this company has a statutory responsibility under EU to investigate alleged breaches of slot rules. ACL has the power to impose financial penalties on airlines that deliberately and repeatedly break their slot allocations and timings.
What grants, if any, are available for residents who would like to insulate their homes to ensure efficiency in older properties and cut heating bills?
Answer/response: In terms of local authority funded grants the ‘Coldbuster’ grant is available to residents of private dwellings who are in receipt of a means tested benefit. Full details are set out below and the contact number is 0800 358 6668:
This grant, whilst ultimately approved by the Council, is not processed directly by us but through our partner organisation, Creative Environmental Networks (CEN), who also arrange the contractors. The grant is intended for heating and energy efficiency improvements and applicants may be either private tenants or owner/occupiers. The works may also extend to replacing some windows, electrical rewiring and ventilation but usually only where the main works cover energy efficiency works. Applicants must be in receipt of one of the following benefits: Income Support, Income based jobseeker’s allowance, Council tax benefit, Housing benefit,
Guaranteed pension credits, Working families tax credit (incomes less than £15,050), Child Tax credit (incomes less than £15,050), Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance
Landlords may also apply on behalf of their tenant if that tenant meets the above criteria. The maximum grant is £6,000 and if the property is sold within 10 years the grant is repayable but no interest is applied.
There are other schemes funded by central government and the utility companies, the main one being the Warm Front grant which has three qualifying categories but is again tied to receipt of certain means tested benefits. The contact number is 0800 316 2805.
There are many other schemes that are available and enquiries are directed to the local Energy Advice Centre on 0800 512 012, who can discuss a person’s individual needs and eligibility.
The graffiti on the railway bridge over Point Pleasant has apparently been there for several years. Can the Council get Network Rail to clean the bridge up?
Answer/response: With regard to the graffiti on the railway bridge over Point Pleasant the Council has contacted a Network Rail engineer who will check to see what remedial works are required and will programme the graffiti for clearance, although this can take some time due to health & safety requirements when working on the railway and the need to close the line below the bridge to undertake works. The Council cannot take enforcement action to require clearance on railway land but we will work in partnership with Network rail to progress its removal.
The council offers a free graffiti removal service to residents and businesses in the borough. We aim to remove graffiti in the following target times: 24 hours for offensive, racist or obscene graffiti and 3 working days for non-obscene graffiti such as tags. In 2008/09, the team raised 3,741 orders to remove, clean and paint over 54,098 square metres of graffiti. In 2009, our budget is just under £500,000 to remove graffiti in the borough and continue our educational programmes in local schools and the community.
We coordinate and liaise with the Police, London Underground, British Transport Police and Network Rail as well as other London boroughs to take action against those that commit graffiti vandalism and to reduce the incidents of this type of crime.
We also work alongside other neighbouring councils and agencies such as the police to take enforcement action against graffiti vandals through groups such as SWAAG (South West Action Against Graffiti). Graffiti intelligence and evidence is communicated and shared amongst these agencies to help prevent graffiti vandalism and take court action against offenders. The council will take action against anyone who commits graffiti vandalism to council property. In addition, we take photographs of all graffiti removed, which may be used as evidence in court.
There are a number of ways that you can contact us to request the removal of graffiti:
Appointment of new vicar for the Parish of Putney
(St Mary’s, Putney Bridge and All Saints, Putney Lower Common)
A new Team Rector Designate has been appointed for Putney. Her name is Ailsa Newby. Ailsa has been Vicar of St Anne and All Saints, South Lambeth since 2001. She is married with two adult sons. Her Licensing will take place on June 22nd at 7.30pm.
The advert for a new Team Rector to replace Giles Fraser who left in July 2009 attracted 14 formal applications of which four were shortlisted and invited to tour the Parish of Putney and then to meet some members of the congregation over an informal lunch. The formal interview panel comprised Rt Revd Dr Richard Cheetham, the Bishop of Kingston, The Venerable Stephen Roberts, Archdeacon of Wandsworth, Canon Alvyn Pettersen, Patron of Worcester and St Mary's Churchwardens, Paul Donnelly and Maggie Wentzel.
Police meetings in May
The police and Safer Neighbourhood Team have scheduled one drop-in surgery on 26 May from 1800 to 1900 in Putney Library, Disraeli Road.
www.met.police.uk/teams/wandsworth (Thamesfield ward)
SUGGESTIONS WANTED
The Thamesfield SNT panel need your suggestions. The Panel sets the priorities for the policing team to follow in addition to the standard police force priorities of robbery and burglary. Currently the three priorities are:
If you have any additional suggestions please contact the Safer Neighbourhood Team on thamesfieldsnt@met.police.uk
The SNT can be reached on 020 8721 2434 or on 07920 233924. In an emergency always dial 999. For all other calls to the Metropolitan police please dial 0300 123 1212.
Hopefully the recent warmer weather is a foretaste of the summer ahead. This is a time when we open windows, which can be an invitation to burglars. Please make sure that all windows are fitted with window locks which can restrict the amount that a window can be opened and ensure that there is nothing within reach of an open window. This is equally important when you are in the house or garden.
Events and activities
For The Half Moon’s April programme - www.halfmoon.co.uk.
The Star & Garter on the Embankment is holding one wine tasting evening this month. On 12 May the sommelier will cover unusual wines. For more information http://www.thestarandgarter.com/events.asp
The Duke’s Head on Lower Richmond Road is offering standup comedy on Wednesdays. Doors open at 8pm, tickets £7 or £5 for concessions. Reservations 07966176049 or dukesheadlines@gmail.com.
The Russell Gallery, 12 Lower Richmond Road, has an exhibition of “ Island Life” by Lucy Pratt which runs until 22 May. www.russell-gallery.com
The Putney Leisure Centre in Dryburgh Rd provides swimming and a full range of activities http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/info/644/sports_facilities/391/putney_leisure_centre
The Putney Theatre Company’s programme can be downloaded via www.putneyartstheatre.org.uk. From 5-8 May PLOS is performing Bad Girls – The Musical. From 18-22 May Putney Theatre Company will be putting on a studio production of Silence by Moira Buffina.
Knitting concert at All Saint’s Church on May 23, The Burnsteeg Trio present Women in Art. The concert lasts an hour, is free. Audiences are invited to bring something not too noisy to do whilst they listen if they want to. To receive monthly updates on these concerts robertdbridge@yahoo.co.uk.
The Putney Senior Social Group meets every Monday at All Saints’ Church, Putney Common between 10 and 11.30am. They offer tea and coffee and homemade cakes for the over 60s. The group started with four members a year ago and now regularly has up to 16 people in attendance. To join the group call Carolyn Biddick on 07964 593879 on any weekday mornings for more details.
Regenerate-RISE provides lunches, activities, outings and spport for the over 60s, particularly those who are isolated. It operates from The Platt Christian Centre in Felsham Road. They also have a hairdresser open three days a week to anyone over the age of 60 at very reasonable prices. They hold a cafe once a month on a Saturday open to anyone. For more information please email Mo Smith, Chair of Trustees, Regenerate-RISE at mosmith@regenerate-rise.co.uk
There is a permanent exhibition about The Putney Debates 1647 in St Mary’s Church by Putney Bridge open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm www.putneydebates.com .
Details about the Putney Sculpture Trail located along the river from Leaders Gardens to Wandsworth Riverside Quarter can be found on a map on the sculptor’s website at www.alanthornhill.co.uk/Putney
The Partnership Board has produced a brief heritage guide for visitors to encourage people to visit and explore Putney. This can be found at, http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/downloads/file/973/heritage_guide_for_visitors
Putney Town Centre
The Rocket – see above.
The Railway – Wetherspoons have plans to refurbish this pub at the top of the High Street opposite the station. We will report further.
Ladbrokes has applied under the Gambling Act 2005 to run a new betting shop at 159 Putney High Street (former Barclays Bank). There is already planning permission for such use. In the event of the application being granted the Ladbrokes shop at 212 Upper Richmond Road will close.
Markets: There are weekly Friday (11am – 8pm) and Saturday (9am-4pm) market stalls in Church Square hosted by Portland Scallops selling fresh wet fish and shell fish now joined by a specialist cheese stall and a stall selling fresh flowers.
Useful Numbers:
Details of the Minor Injuries Unit at Queen Mary’s Hospital can be found online www.wandsworth.nhs.uk/pdf/MIU/minor%20injuries%20leaflet%2010-06.pdf
or call 020 8487 6499/6999. Evening smear test clinics now available for women who find it difficult to get to their doctor during the day held at the Minor Injuries Unit every Tuesday from 5.30-7.30pm. The clinics are by appointment only to women registered with a Wandsworth GP. To make an appointment call 0845 6026292.
Do help us keep Thamesfield ward in good shape by reporting instances of fly tipping and graffiti as well as broken pavements and pot holes.
Waste services – including fly tipping, street cleansing, missed collections, recycling.
Tel 020 8871 8558 Email wasteservices@wandsworth.gov.uk
Tel 020 8871 7479 for recycling hotline.
Graffiti removal
Tel 020 8871 7049 Email graffiti@wandsworth.gov.uk
Broken pavements, potholes etc
Tel 020 8871 6708 Email highways@wandsworth.gov.uk
Noise hotline Email esd@wandsworth.gov.uk
Tel 020 8871 6170 (during office hours)
Tel 020 8871 7869 (outside office hours)
Future Thamesfield E-bulletins
As your local councillors we send out regular e-bulletins to update you on local news, information on our work and things of interest in our local community. To join, simply email rtorrington@wandsworth.gov.uk and type SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time by emailing the address below with ‘unsubscribe’ in the subject line.
3 Summerstown, London, SW17 0BQ Tel. 020 8944 0378 heretohelp@wandsworthconservatives.com, www.wandsworthconservatives.com
Promoted by Robert Morritt on behalf of Putney Conservatives, both of 3 Summerstown, London, SW17 0BQ
May 3, 2010