Next Forum Meeting
There has been a long gap in our bulletins because our team has been depleted by illness, but we are now starting to plan for a more active programme next year. The first step is to agree a budget so that we can renew our basic funding from the Lambeth Forum Network.
We also need to hear what you think the Forum’s priorities should be for the year ahead. That’s two good reasons for holding a Forum meeting on Monday next, 26 November, starting from 7 pm at the Vida Walsh Centre, 2b Saltoun Road SW2 (facing onto Windrush Square).
We need your views – take our survey!
If you cannot make the next meeting – or just want to feed in ideas before the meeting – please complete our simple survey on the link in the version of this bulletin sent to our mailing list members.
If you don’t have time to respond before the meeting, we will continue to collect results up to mid-December, to help inform next year’s Forum activities.
Current Consultations on Planning and Transport
Lambeth has 3 important policy documents out for comment until Monday 17 December:
– the Draft Revision of the Lambeth Local Plan;
– changes to the Charging Schedule for the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL);
– Lambeth’s Draft Transport Strategy.
We will briefly introduce these on Monday and highlight a few of the changes that Lambeth wants to make. We would encourage you also to respond directly (via the Consultations section of the Council’s website). Are the proposed changes helpful or not? Are other issues being ignored?
The Local Plan is probably the most important of the three documents, but there is a lot of it to check through. There are certainly some new proposals for Brixton this time.
The CIL Charging Schedule is generally being increased, so that more money from new developments comes back to the Council, but we need to be careful that key services for a balanced community are not discouraged. There is a risk that our Council will become too dependent on developers’ money and allow too much building, to the detriment of the local community.
Transport strategies are largely set by the Mayor and Transport for London, so Lambeth’s strategy is largely a reflection of London-wide priorities – but it’s a great opportunity to press for access to the London Overground, or for better bus connections.
News from Local Organisations
If your group wants to make a presentation or report to Monday’s meeting, please tell the Secretary as soon as possible, so that we can organise the final agenda. We are also happy to put out your news through these bulletins or on our website. Also contact us if you would like to present to a future Forum meeting.
Brixton Rec User Group – public meeting, Tuesday 27 November
6 pm to 8 pm in the meeting room on Level 6. Is the Rec working for you? What changes would you like to see? Enquiries to recusergroup@btinternet.com
Ten years of Transition Town Brixton:
Marking 10 years of the Transition Town movement in Brixton, with reports from several projects which grew out of TTB, including Brixton Pound, the Remakery and Incredible Edible Lambeth. Thursday 6th December, 7 pm to 10 pm at the Impact Hub (at back of Pop Brixton) 49 Brixton Station Road SW9.
Christmas Fairs and more
Saturday 24 November – Friends of Carnegie Library Winter Fair, 11 am to 3 pm at St. Saviour’s Church Hall, Herne Hill Road (c/o Finsen Road) SE24.
Saturday 1st December – Loughborough Farm Market @ The Platform, 2 Ridgeway Road SW9 7AH: 1 pm to 3 pm, featuring the farm’s winter harvest, Christmas greenery and handmade gifts.
Sunday 2nd December – Friends of Brockwell Park Winter Fair, 11 am to 3 pm in Brockwell Hall, in the centre of the park.
Monday 3rd December – Stockwell Good Neighbours Christmas Fair, 11 am to 3 pm at the Oval House Theatre, 52-54 Harleyford Road SE11 5SW. Enquiries to info@stockwellgoodneighbours.org
The Brixton Society will have their regular stall in Brixton Station Road on Saturday 8th December, 11 am to 3 pm, to coincide with their monthly Market walk. A chance to stock up with local history books, maps and postcards.
The Crafty Fox Christmas Market this year will be downstairs at The Department Store, 248 Ferndale Road SW9, Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 December, 11 am to 5 pm.
Van Gogh bust unveiled at Hackford Road:
A bust of Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh has been set up in Van Gogh Walk, off Hackford Road, close to where he stayed as a young man in 1873-74. It is one of a series designed by sculptor Anthony Padgett, which are being set up at various sites associated with the artist – others are planned for sites in Isleworth, Ramsgate and Arles in France. The local example was unveiled on Friday.
Funding, support and training opportunities
We will continue to share information that comes to us from funders and other agencies.
Workspace Opportunity for a Social Enterprise
Tripod is the business space in the basement of the remodelled Town Hall, managed by Meanwhile Space. They are looking for a social enterprise to join their nucleus of creative and tech businesses, offering event space, subsidised office space or hot desk memberships. Enquiries to rosie@meanwhilespace.com
International House open for Business
Lambeth has moved its own staff out of International House, and handed it over to 3Space to manage. The Brixton BID, Brixton Design Trail and We Rise are among those who have already moved in. More details at www.3spaceinternational.co.uk
Published by Brixton Neighbourhood Forum.