A monthly update from your local ward Councillors
Welcome to this 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.
Email Heretohelp@wandsworthconservatives.com
Thames Tunnel – consultation results
The results of a public consultation on Thames Water’s super sewer plans have been published and show that 5,698 objections were made to the use of Barn Elms Playing Fields as a main tunneling site. This was the highest among the scheme's 23 proposed locations.
We have campaigned with STOPtheSHAFT against the use Barn Elms Playing Fields, a green field site on recreational playing fields alongside the riverbank, as one of the main tunneling sites. In response to the intensive campaigning Thames Water has recently announced that the tunneling operation proposed for the playing fields could be relocated to a semi-derelict brownfield site across the river at Carnwath wharf in Fulham.
The results of the first round consultation on the Thames Tunnel super sewer scheme are published on the water company's website.
A working group has been set up by Justine Greening for residents and TW representatives who met in early March. Thames Water has agreed to fund independent experts to advise the working group. We will continue to campaign against the Barn Elms site and also fight to ensure that there is minimum disruption at the Putney Foreshore site and we will insist on any plans being in sympathy with the conservation area. The tow path is very heavily used by cyclists, runners, dog walkers and ramblers and we will continue to press Thames Water to ensure this popular facility remains available.
The report reveals less than half the people who responded to the consultation believe that the tunnel is the right way to clean up the river. Only around a third of respondents agreed that Thames Water's preferred tunnel route was the correct choice.
Thames Water plans to release details of a revised scheme in autumn this year which will then be subject to a second round of public consultations. A final decision on the site locations and tunneling strategy is expected in 2012.
For an overview of the original proposals and an account of the council's concerns visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/savebarnelms. For more information on STS visit www.stoptheshaft.org.
Increase in District Line trains
In conjunction with Justine Greening and London Assembly member Richard Tracey we have been lobbying for increased capacity on the tube and rail facilities serving Putney to meet the over congested state of affairs facing commuters at rush hour. Unfortunately, PTAL (passenger transport access levels) which determine transport needs when granting planning permission only take account of proximity and frequency of service and discount the fact that trains and tubes are already arriving full. Therefore, we were pleased that our concerns were being taken seriously and that from December this year local commuters will benefit from an increase in capacity on the Wimbledon branch of the District Line.
During the weekday morning peak an extra five trains will run from Wimbledon into central London - a 12 per cent increase in passenger capacity. The improved timetable will be achieved through the withdrawal of the weekday shuttle service between Kensington Olympia and High Street Kensington, via Earl's Court. These trains carry an average of just 26 passengers but seriously restrict service capacity on other parts on the District Line. The change will also help to reduce bottlenecks at Earl's Court Station - improving the entire line's service resilience and its ability to recover from delays.
Putney river bus to accept Oyster
With warmer weather and longer days what better way to travel then by the river bus? Timetable via http://www.thamesexecutivecharters.com/river-taxi.html or www.tfl.gov.uk/river.
Oyster pay-as-you-go will be accepted on the Putney to Blackfriars river bus by the end of the year. The Chief Executive of TEC was invited to the March Passenger Transport Liaison Group to talk about his plans for expansion and increased frequency of the river bus service.
Freedom Passes
Wandsworth, along with 32 London town halls have struck a deal with train companies to allow older people and those with a disability to continue enjoying free travel on national rail services in the capital for the next four years. The agreement means that older people and those who are disabled who have a Freedom Pass can continue to use most overground rail services in London free after 9.30am every day.
Freedom Pass holders also enjoy free travel at all times on buses, trains, trams, the docklands light railway and underground services in London. London's boroughs use a mixture of funds to pay for the Freedom Pass scheme with the lion's share coming from their parking accounts.
Census 2011
Don’t forget to complete your Census questionnaire. The last date for submission is 6 th May 2011. Census statistics are very important for the planning of services ranging from primary schools to old people’s homes, and transport to hospitals. Failure to complete the form is a criminal offence.
Grand Easter Egg Hunt (11-23 April)
The Putney Partnership has launched the 2011 Grand Easter egg hunt in conjunction with Waitrose and Eddie Catz which is open to all children.
From 11 April, sixteen numbered Easter Eggs will be hidden in Putney shop windows. Ten Eddie Catz soft toys will be holding the eggs in window displays of shops on Putney High Street & Lacy Road. Six golden Easter bunnies will be alongside the numbered eggs inside the Exchange Shopping Centre. Children are invited to enter the Easter Egg Hunt and find them!
When complete put it in the drop box at Waitrose or at Eddie Catz. The closing date is midday April 23. All correct entries will go in a prize draw and the winning entry will receive a Waitrose voucher for Easter Eggs and a 6 month membership to Eddie Catz. The next 10 Runners Up will receive an Eddie Catz goody bag.
Entry forms are available from Waitrose, Eddie Catz, Sally’s@St Mary’s and the library or download one from the Council’s website http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/info/200172/putney_town_centre
Easter Holiday Fun (11-21 April)
The Council has organised a programme of Easter Holiday activities running from 11 to 21 April. http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/downloads/file/4237/easter_brochure. On Barn Elms playing fields there will be two weeks of hockey, rounders, volleyball, tennis, archery, rowing, football and more. There is also an Easter rowing course for 12 year olds +.
Affordable childcare options this Easter
The council’s play and extended services team offers a range of fun and exciting activates for children aged 3 to 13 over the school holidays.
This Easter break (April 11 to 21) three council playcentres will be open between 8am and 6pm. Places are filling up fast so parents are advised to book now to avoid disappointment. Costs are
Family rate: pay £75 per week for the first two children then pay £30 per additional child.
To make a booking or for more information about what's on offer call play and extended services on 020 8871 6348.
Flood defence works at Ashlone Wharf (May to December)
Site visit by Environment Agency on 19 April - The Environment Agency will begin flood defence works at Ashlone Wharf in the next few weeks. Work starts in early May and lasts until the end of the year.
Ashlone Wharf is a flood defence structure which manages the flow of water between Beverley Brook and the Thames. The wharf, which is located to the south of Barn Elms Playing Fields, is in a poor condition and requires urgent repairs. Engineers anticipate the gates would completely fail within the next few years if no action were taken, exposing more than 450 homes to the risk of tidal flooding.
Environment Agency officials have written to residents in the surrounding area and are holding a site visit on 19 April to further explain the works. Their latest newsletter with full details is available on the council's website.
A secure construction site will be created around the wharf and a temporary road will run along the edge of the sports pitches to provide vehicle access from Queen Elizabeth Walk. A small compound will be set up in the southern corner of the playing fields so vehicles will not be accessing the site through Putney roads. A map showing their exact locations is available on the council's website. Environment Agency officials confirm the riverside tow path between Putney and Barnes will remain open throughout the works, as will Beverley Brook Walk.
For more information, and to register your interest in attending the site visit, contact the Environment Agency's project manager David Blythin on 01276 454705 or email david.blythin@environment-agency.gov.uk
Metropolitan Police to patrol parks
Wandsworth Park and Leaders Gardens could benefit from new proposals to improve safety and security in Wandsworth’s parks and open spaces by having a dedicated team of Metropolitan Police officers on patrol.
The council is seeking agreement for a squad of 16 Met officers to take over responsibility for patrolling and ensuring public safety in the borough's green open spaces. The Met officers would only be used to patrol local parks. They would be ring-fenced for this purpose and not be available for other police duties in the borough. The 16 officers would be fully trained and equipped constables and would not be civilian community support officers (PCSOs).
They would use Met Police radios and other communications systems and would be able to instantly summon police reinforcements from outside the parks in cases of emergency. They would also have instant access to the police national computer to help them conduct their enquiries and investigations. The Met officers would have the full powers of a warranted police constable and be able to enforce all laws that apply in England. If the negotiations with the MPA are successful, the 16 officers would take over patrolling and security duties from the council's parks' police service.
Currently the council's parks police employs 22 people - but only 15 are employed on full time patrolling duties. Their current hours of operation are from 6am to midnight - and this would not change under any new patrolling arrangements.
The proposed changes would also save council tax payers in Wandsworth around £800,000 a year. These savings would be achieved by a reduction in staff costs, office costs, management costs and equipment costs.
Following complaints received by Cllr Torrington Wandsworth Park gates remain unlocked at all times on a trial basis throughout the summer to enable residents to exercise and walk their dogs in the early mornings and late at night. We would be interested in any feedback.
Seeking feedback on the use of our Parks
The Council is currently drawing up a parks management strategy for the future use of our parks and is seeking residents’ input. Full details can be found at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/moderngov/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=11690
If you would like to respond to the consultation this can be done by following this link www.wandsworth.gov.uk/parksstrategyconsultation
The consultation ends on 15 April.
Wandsworth Arts Festival (6-22 May)
This year’s Wandsworth Arts Festival offers more than 45 events planned in venues right across the borough. The festival has something for everyone including spoken word performances, theatre, visual arts, dance and exhibitions by visiting and local artists.
The festival's final event - The Shimmy - is an afternoon of eclectic outdoor arts activities all along the riverfront from Wandsworth Park, down Deodar Road and in Putney Wharf on May 22.
The festival brochure, which includes detailed times and venue information, is now available at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/downloads/file/4304/wandsworth_arts_festival_2011_brochure
and is available in libraries and other local venues. Several events take place in Putney venues such at the Exchange, the Library, the Green Man and St Mary’s Church. The map can be downloaded at here .
For further information contact the arts team on 020 8871 8711 or email arts@wandsworth.gov.uk.
Putney Bridge road surface
The Council is continuing to discuss the state of the surface of Putney Bridge with Thames Water. There are six pipes running under the road surface within the bridge. Following TW investigations on two of the pipes, both have been found to have leaks. Investigations are now underway on the remaining four pipes and this work should be complete by the end of April. It is the leaking water coming from beneath the road surface which is breaking up the surface so before spending several hundreds of thousands of pounds resurfacing it, Thames Water need to identify and fix the leaks. There are also issues surrounding liability. We will report with further news.
New Big Society Fund
Councillors have set aside £169,000 for groups that carry out schemes fulfilling the Wandsworth Challenge aim of enhancing people’s quality of life, taking greater responsibility for the fabric of their neighbourhoods or improving local services by devising new and better ways of delivering them. Projects to help improve the quality of life for the borough’s most deprived citizens will be given priority for this funding. Groups and individuals wishing to apply should e-mail bsf@wandsworth.gov.uk for an application form and guidance notes. Alternatively contact Steve
Diamond on (020) 8871 6205 or email him at SDiamond@wandsworth.gov.uk.
The creation of the Big Society Fund coincides with the appointment of Groundwork London to run the borough’s volunteering support services. The council will invest a further £380,000 to encourage more people to take up volunteering opportunities in projects that benefit the community. Councillors have also agreed to set up a second fund to help support local voluntary groups that are struggling financially in the current economic climate. The Wandsworth Discretionary Fund will make £200,000 available to groups with a proven track record that supports the council’s corporate objective of “building a prosperous, vibrant and cohesive community” but who are experiencing a drop in their income. Find out more about Wandsworth Challenge at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/challenge
Council Tax for 2011/12
The Council has not increased its proportion of Council Tax from 1 April onwards. The London Mayor has also frozen his share of the Council Tax so that the annual average Band D property is set at £682 or £707 for those liable for the levy of the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators. To help keep costs down it is beginning to put more and more services online so that residents can access them 24/7. The latest example is council tax. You can now log on to your own personal account and check the status of balance. Sign up at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/counciltax. Parking permits will be the next service to go online later this spring.
Community Toilets
Referred to by Private Eye as the “Biggy’s Society” we thought it might be helpful to list the current locations in Putney.
Children are allowed to use the loos in pubs. All restaurants, bars and pubs have facilities for their customers even if they do not subscribe to the community toilet scheme. We have been pressing the Boat Race organisers for some years to provide portaloos on the day of the race and will make them aware of the ongoing widespread concern about this matter.
Hudsons in Riverside Quarter in Point Pleasant
Hudsons has been caught red-handed selling alcohol to two girls, aged 13 and 15. The seller, Miss Sachi Desai, was issued with an £80 penalty notice by the police. Hudsons has been given a final warning and told they will lose their drinks license if it happens again.
The joint trading standards and police operation used specially-trained young people to find out which shops were flouting licensing laws. The young people, who were kept under close supervision throughout, were instructed to enter the shops and attempt to buy alcohol.
Councillors have imposed new conditions requiring them to introduce a 'Challenge 25' policy, supported with signage at the entrance and serving areas, so that young people who look under 25 must be challenged to prove they are over 18. Only documents which include a photograph of the buyer will be acceptable. They must maintain a refusal book that outlines details every time the sale of alcohol is refused, and conduct in-depth training of all staff before they are allowed to sell any alcohol to the public, and ensure they undergo regular refresher courses.
It is illegal for a shop to sell alcohol, tobacco, fireworks, knives and solvents to anyone under the age of 18. Anyone buying an aerosol paint spray must be at least 16-years-old.
Anyone with information or concerns about items being unlawfully sold to children should call trading standards on (020) 8871 7720 or email tradingstandards@wandsworth.gov.uk
Police meetings and associated matters
The next meetings in Thamesfield Ward will be as follows:
27 April 6-7pm Putney Library, Disraeli Road, a drop-in session
26 May 6-7pm Putney Library, Disraeli Road, drop-in session
31 May 7-8pm St Mary’s Church, public meeting
http://www.met.police.uk/teams/wandsworth/thamesfield/index.php
The Thamesfield Ward SNT Panel sets the priorities for the policing team to follow in addition to the standard police force priorities of robbery and burglary. The panel have recently changed the priorities to reflect the high level of criminal behaviour in the town centre:
To contact the Safer Neighbourhood Team - thamesfieldsnt@met.police.uk . 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. Register bikes and other valuables on www.immobilise.com to enable police to return it to you if it is stolen.
There are currently 41 Neighbourhood watches in Thamesfield covering 2,340 homes.
Putney Town Centre
Trinity Hospice Furniture Workshop and Showroom is opening in the former Sofa Workshop premises on Putney Bridge Rd (Putney Wharf). http://www.trinityhospice.org.uk/contact-us/trinityshops
Malcolm John Fish and Grill has opened in the former Cafe Rouge premises on Putney Bridge Road by end Feb/early March. www.fishandgrill.co.uk
Las Vegas Nails will open in the former post office at 210 Putney Bridge Road.
Events, activities and exhibitions
The Putney Society is organising a public meeting on air pollution in Putney on 14 April at 7.30pm in the Brewer Building. Speakers are Simon Birkett from Clean Air in London and Cllr Sarah McDermott, the Council’s cabinet member for the environment.
http://www.putneysociety.org.uk/events/air-pollution-in-putney.html
Full details of Easter services at St Mary’s and All Saints can be found in the Parish magazine at http://www.parishofputney.co.uk/commonfiles/downloads/Parish-Mar2011.pdf.
There are Easter Sunday services to celebrate the first Eucharist on 24 April at 5.30am at both churches then an all ages Eucharist at 10am at St Mary’s and at All Saints Holy Communion at 8.30am and an all ages communion service at 10am.
Tuesday May 3 7.30pm, Debate on AV Vote. Fo rmer Times journalist Peter Riddell chairs the
debate between representatives from the Yes and No vote campaigns. Free event. St Mary’s Parish Church and The Putney Society, St Mary’s Church Putney, Brewer Building SW15.
Visit www.putneysociety.co.uk/events.
Sunday May 15 7 - 8.30pm, The Man on Putney Hill. A dramatised reading from H G Wells’ The War
Of The Worlds, plus talk by Michael Sherborne. Wells set this chapter of his novel at The Green Man;
Sherborne, author of a recent biography of Wells, explains why. Tickets £5.
The Putney Society at The Green Man Pub, Putney Heath SW15.
www.putneysociety.co.uk/events Call 07960 097370 or email sue.rolfe@fsmail.net
There are a series of drop-in events for children and families at Wandsworth Museum over the Easter holidays http://www.wandsworthmuseum.co.uk/2011/04/my-museum-drop-in-events-for-the-easter-holidays/. Also an excellent café with home-made cakes.
Eddie Catz, above Halfords, has a good schedule of classes and activities for young children throughout the year with special events during half-terms and holidays plus mum’s networking events. http://www.eddiecatz.com/events.php
Putney School of Art and Design runs regular art courses, family learning classes and a certificate and diploma in art and design. Details here.
Summer term programme: http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/downloads/file/4205/summer_term_programme_2011
Master Class Sunday on 22 May from 10am to 4pm.
Wandsworth Symphony Orchestra performs several times a year in St Mary’s Church. Details of their programme at http://londonswso.org.uk/concert_dates.html
Fibonacci give regular lunch-time concerts in St Mary’s Church. Programme details at www.fibsonline.co.uk .
Putney Theatre Company and Group 64 Youth Theatre at Ravenna Road have a regular schedule of performances. For details http://www.putneyartstheatre.org.uk/
Putney Music Society meets at 8pm in Dryburgh Hall. Their programme of lectures is available at http://putneymusic.org.uk/whatson.php
The Putney Society, the amenity society for Putney and Roehampton, organises speakers and debates on topics of local relevance to the environment. Forthcoming meetings at http://www.putneysociety.org.uk/tags.html?tag=members%27+meeting
The Half Moon run a regular programme or music – to joint their mailing list go to http://www.halfmoon.co.uk. There is jazz every Sunday lunchtime from 1pm and families are welcome. Every Tuesday you can join the Half Moon pub quiz in the main bar with six people per team.
The Duke’s Head on Lower Richmond Road is offering stand-up comedy on Wednesdays. Doors open at 8pm, tickets £7 or £5 for concessions. There is a regular quiz night on Tuesdays at 8pm. http://www.dukesheadputney.com/
The sommelier at the Star & Garter on Lower Richmond Road hosts regular wine tastings and other seasonal events. http://www.thestarandgarter.com/events.asp
Cakes4Fun on Lower Richmond Road run regular cake-making courses, baking master classes, chocolate truffle-making and many other courses including evening classes. http://www.cakes4funshop.co.uk/courses.irc?cName=courses&pg=1
Parsons Nose (formerly Buckleys) on Lower Richmond Road run butchering courses (half a free range lamb or pig) and sausage making classes. http://parsonsnose.co.uk/putney/classes.html
Wills Art Warehouse on Putney Common, (Lower Richmond Rd) exhibits and sells affordable contemporary art. http://www.wills-art.com/thistext.cgi?doc=dates
The Russell Gallery on Lower Richmond Rd, exhibits and sells modern British art. http://www.russell-gallery.com/welcome.htm
Regular daily guided tours and “feed the birds with the wardens” take place at the WWT London Wetlands Centre. Details from http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit-us/london/events.
Putney Verse workshop takes place on Sundays at 4pm at The Cats Back pub on Point Pleasant. Information from Connaire Kensit 8788 8647. The topic on 17 April at 4pm is Why Wordsworth? And on 22 May “Cats and Dogs” to coincide with the Arts Festival.
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
Details about the Putney Sculpture Trail located along the river from Leaders Gardens to Wandsworth Riverside Quarter can be found via the link below together with places to eat and drink en route http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/info/200097/town_centre_management/398/putney/4
If you would like to do some gardening but lack a garden consider the Garden Partners scheme run by the Council in conjunction with Age Concern. Volunteers enter into partnership with a homeowner of 60 or more to cultivate their garden and share the produce with them. http://www.acwandsworth.org.uk/index.cfm?id=4705 or call Sarah Jackson on 8877 8946.
The Putney Senior Social Group for over 60s meets every Monday at All Saints’ Church, Putney Common between 10 and 11.30am. They offer tea and coffee and homemade cakes. If you know of friends or neighbours you think may be interested in joining call Jo Warren on 07970 280172.
Regenerate-RISE provides lunches, activities, outings and support 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 .
Felsham Road recycling bank you can now recycle c ardboard, food and drink cans, mixed glass, plastic bottles, food & drink cartons and newspapers & magazines behind TK Maxx . Any residents, and particularly those who live in a flat with limited space to store orange sacks, can deposit the above items in the recycling facility throughout the week. As it is a residential area the recycling bank should be used ONLY BETWEEN 8AM AND 8PM.
Please don’t dump your old clothes outside the charity shops in the High Street when they are closed or dispose of them in orange sacks – they can be recycled in Scope banks at Putney Leisure Centre, Leader’s Gardens or Telegraph Road. All textiles including curtains, bedding, towels, handbags, cloths, rugs and mats can be recycled here.
Edward Lister, Jim Maddan and Rosemary Torrington Councillors, Thamesfield Ward, Putney, Wandsworth Borough Council.
April 10, 2011