JULY 2012

Over the past few months there have been many changes in the borough and we have been involved in many local issues, we therefore thought it would be helpful to provide you with a brief overview.

A new Leader for Camden – Councillor Sarah Hayward was elected as the new leader of Camden Council. Sarah replaced Councillor Nasim Ali who, after two years in post decided to stand down.

Plender Street/Bayham Street traffic light removal – Ward councillors are still fighting to have the Plender/Bayham Street traffic lights reinstated after their removal some months ago. We feel that this situation is potentially hazardous especially for more vulnerable groups and will be attending a meeting with the Cabinet member for transport, Councillor Phil Jones in an attempt to review this situation. This meeting will be open to residents – 7th August 6.30pm, Bayham TRA Hall, Bayham Estate, NW1

Chalton Street market – Ward councillors attended a meeting with street traders, local tenants and residents associations (TRAs), businesses and residents. Current proposals for the market include securing the market as a tourist attraction, options to lower the rents to bring in more traders and increasing the number and variety of stalls. Further consultation will be carried out with regard to all the suggestions put forward which will also take into consideration the work of Shelagh O’Connor’s (Director of the New Horizon Youth Centre) feasibility study which will incorporate the views of our young residents.

Education – We are pleased to announce that following recent investment and development, Regent High School (formerly South Camden School) will be opening its doors in September 2012. The school remains under the leadership of Rosemary Leeke and we are sure that students will benefit immensely from the changes.
Edith Neville Primary school’s head teacher, Sean O’Regan, has stepped down after 20 years of excellent service. We wish him all the best and thank him for the contribution he made to the community at large.

Olympics/Paralympics Route Networks (ORN/PRN) – During the 2012 Games London will be turned into a massive sporting and cultural venue. This will of course have an impact on St Pancras and Somers Town roads. You may have already been alerted to Transport for London’s (TfL) Olympic Route as there is every likelihood that we will be subject to road closures and diversions as well as temporary relocation of bus stops. Think about how the Games could affect YOU and make your preparations now. You can find help and information at http://www.getaheadofthegames.com

Somers Town Festival is on Saturday 14th July from 10am-7pm and we will as ever be in attendance at our advice stall. This is a unigue festival which draws Camdenians together and we look forward to seeing you there.

Housing – Is a Council home for life? – The law has changed and social landlords can now offer new tenants fixed term tenancies rather than the lifelong tenancies previously provided. This will not affect existing tenants, who will keep their security of tenure even if they move to another social rented home, nonetheless this law could have a major impact in our ward and we would encourage as many of you as possible to complete the online survey www.camden.gov.uk/homeforlife and ask that you note the response deadline of 25 July 2012.

Tenants Participation Scrutiny Panel – Councillor Roger Robinson is chairing Camden’s Tenants Scrutiny Panel; issues under current consideration include investigating how the authority can help TRAs increase their profiles, rebuilding TRAs that have gone defunct and the establishment of TRAs where they don’t exist. The panel will report to the Housing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee in November 2012.

Local bus routes – We recently attended a London Transport liaison meeting with TFL and Council transport officers to discuss local bus travel arrangements. Councillor Robinson has been fighting for a bus route for Camley Street and St Pancras Way for some time and discussions are ongoing; Councillor Robinson’s work has been tireless and we will be in touch as soon as we are in a position to update you further.

Dispersal Zone – At present there is a Dispersal Zone in place in the St Pancras and Somers Town area which expires on 6th July 2012. We have noted the benefits this arrangement has delivered and are happy to report another is soon to be initiated in our ward with Eversholt Street as the boundary. The zone will also take in Agar Grove Estate.

Community Investment Programme – The wide scale consultation was concluded in 2011 and incorporated community workshops in which we, alongside local residents and tenants’ groups, helped identify priorities for our ward. Proposals currently include the building of up to 15 affordable new homes on Camden Street, a new community centre on the Richard Cobden School changing room site, a new nursery and a new public open space on the garage site in Bayham Place Estate. As part of the investment programme firm proposals to modernise the shopping parade and incorporate new housing at 67-72 Plender Street are being progressed. It should be noted that the plan to build private homes will, in a difficult financial climate, provide funds to pay for the much needed afore mentioned amenities. There are two options available for the Plender Street surgery, either to move to the Crowndale Centre or to a suitable vacant commercial property on Crowndale road.

St Pancras and Somers Town Heritage Centre/Museum – Councillor Robinson, the Council’s Heritage Champion and Deborah Berns -former chair of Goldington estate TRA, have submitted proposals for a heritage centre/museum which includes architects plans to renovate the lodge building on the Old St Pancras Church land. Before they seek Heritage Lottery funding they will need the council to agree to them taking up the tenancy and the decision will be going to Cabinet this summer. More news to follow…

Advice surgeries – We have dealt with 511 cases where we have been able to offer advice and assistance with regard to council services. We hold regular advice surgeries where residents are free to drop in to discuss their concerns.

We look forward to working with and for you over coming months and would of course welcome you getting in touch

Best wishes,

Cllr Peter Brayshaw
peter.brayshaw@camden.qov.uk

First Friday of the month
St Pancras Community Centre
Camden Street
10-11am

Third Friday of the month
Lulworth Community room
Agar Grove Estate
6-7pm

Cllr Samata Khatoon
samata.khatoon@camden.gov.uk

First Friday of the month
Somers Town Community Centre
150 Ossulston Street
6-7pm

Women only surgery
Last Friday of the month
Somers Town Community Centre

Cllr Roger Robinson
roger.robinson@camden.qov.uk

Second and fourth Friday of the month
Crowndale Centre
218Eversholt Street
6-7pm

Women only surgery
Godwin & Crowndale Estate Hall
Godwin Court, Crowndale Road