New platform

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In the local papers this week

Following last week's Council meeting I have made it into both local papers this week.

In the Mercury they ran the story about the incomprehensible answer given by Cllr Maureen O'Mara to my straightforward question about excessive weed growth in the ward. They also covered my maiden speech to Council, where I spoke in my capacity as finance spokesman on the cuts to services that Labour are proposing in order to balance their books.

In the News Shopper the story focussed on the Mayor's shameful decision to avoid Labour cabinet members being held to account by closing the meeting before Members had a chance to cross question those in charge.

Planning Applications: week ended 1 December 2006

Greenwich Heights, Master Gunner Place - Erection of 5 0.3m transmission dishes with ancillary development.

37 Wricklemarsh Road - Erection of a two storey side extension.

Press Release - Weeds

Greenwich Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Maureen O’Mara, is to be nominated for the Plain English Campaign’s Golden Bull award for gobbledygook.

When asked by Kidbrooke with Hornfair Cllr Andy Jennings at this month’s Council meeting what precautions were being taken to ensure that excessive weed growth was not repeated next year, Cllr O’Mara stated:

“The Council is in the process of reviewing the management and performance of its street services. A Performance Management and Management Project Team has been set up within the service to introduce improved performance management systems. Supervisors will be assisted to improve their performance management so that a consistent approach is achieved”

Cllr Jennings said, “I asked a straightforward question and had hoped for a straightforward answer. Instead, I received an unintelligible response that would have made Sir Humphrey Appelby proud.

“Residents want to know what the Council is actually going to do to stop weeds growing to a height in excess of three feet next summer. I would have asked a supplementary question for clarification but the mayor had shamefully let the cabinet off the hook by moving Members questions to the end of the meeting and then closing the meeting before the business could be considered”.

Press Release - Hervey Road

A residents petition calling for the restoration of sporting facilities to a playing field in Kidbrooke has been delivered to Greenwich Council.

Concerns had been raised that despite promises in June 2002 that the sports ground would be used to the fullest extent possible, the Council had left the site to fall into a state of disrepair in order to earmark the area for development. The Greenwich Property Annual Report to Schools shows plans for a school to be built on the sports ground.

Presenting the petition at last night’s Council meeting, Kidbrooke with Hornfair Cllr Andy Jennings said, “It is scandalous that the local authority appear to pay lip service to consultation with local people. I have been told that no decisions have yet been made about the site, yet the Council’s own annual property report show an artist’s impression of a school with elevations to Hervey and Begbie Roads.

“What we need is for the Council to rebuild the changing rooms and restore the ground to become a decent public sporting facility. At a time when Greenwich hopes to capitalise on being a host borough for the 2012 Olympics, we need to be increasing our sports provisions, not taking them away.

“I have had interest from several local groups and schools who would like to make use of one of the area’s most valuable assets.”

What are the cabinet afraid of?

Last night saw the first meeting of the Council for four months. It was perhaps, unsurprising that there was a lot of business to discuss.

Full Council meetings are an opportunity for councillors to get written responses from members of the Labour cabinet about specific issues, and then then to ask supplementary questionson the evening to gain further clarification.

I had raised four questions. One of the most important ones was regarding the excessive weed growth that the borough, and in particular the area between Shooters Hill Road and Wricklemarsh Road, had experienced this year and what measures the Council was putting in place to ensure that the propblems did not reoccur next summer.

The written answer I was given from the cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Maureen O'Mara, was full of goobledygook and jargon. I therefore had hoped to get some clarification about the real measures that were to be undertaken with my supplementary question.

However, Labour's mayor decided to use his 'discretion' to move questions from item 9 on the agenda (which would normally be taken around 7.45pm) to the very end. The rest of the meeting had so much business that we did not reach questions until 10.30pm. The mayor then called the meeting closed without taking questions, under a standing order. No vote, no discussion, just closed the meeting and left.

Having cancelled the previous meeting due to lack of business, it is a bit rich to close out the following meeting when there is still business to discuss. It is doubly galling that the mayor, who is supposed to be non-political, seems to have acted in a way to stop opposition councillors holding the Labour administation to account.

It begs the question, what has this Labour council got to fear?

Planning Applications: week ended 24 November 2006

64 Hervey Road - Fell leyland cypress tree in rear garden and replace with standard ornamental

90b Hervey Road - Erection of 1.1 metre high timber fence and gates to front.

163 Broad Walk - Erection of a single storey side and rear extension.

Planning Applications: week ended 17 November 2006

216 Wricklemarsh Road - Erection of a single storey rear extension and erection of a front porch.

34 Weyman Road - Erection of a single storey rear extension.

Planning Applications: week ended 10 November 2006

11 Montcalm Road - Erection of a roof extension with a hip to gable end and a rear dormer window.

64 Broad Walk - Erection of a single storey side extension and a front porch.

Charlton Park Rugby Club, Broad Walk - Erection of an 18.7m floodlight monopole containing 3 antenna and 1 dish antenna to replace existing floodlight pole and associated equipment cabinet.



If you have any comment about these planning applications please contact me on cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks.

Planning Applications: week ended 3 November 2006

17 Broad Walk - The erection of a single storey side and rear extensions.

171d Shooters Hill Road - T1 Ash - reduce main limb overhanging forecourt area by 30% and remove major dead and diseased wood over forecourt area only.

If you have any comment about these planning applications please contact me on cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks.

Planning Applications: week ended 27 October 2006

7 Eastbrook Road - Erection of a single storey side/rear extension and timber decking to rear.

If you have any comment about this planning application please contact me on cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks.

Planning Applications: week ended 20 October 2006

272 Shooters Hill Road - Conversion of house to form 2 x 1-bed flats.

201 Broad Walk - Demolition of existing garage and erection of a 2 storey side extension, single storey rear extension and a front porch.

115 Mayday Gardens - Erection of a single storey side and rear extensions.

If you have any comment about these planning applications please contact me on cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks.

Planning Applications: week ended 13 October 2006

Wildes Newsagent, 180 Shooters Hill Road - Erection of internally illuminated fascia and projecting signs and a canopy.


If you have any comment about this planning application please contact me on cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks.

Planning Applications: week ended 6 October 2006

227-241 and 275-289 Holburne Road - Lowering of sill heights of kitchen windows to rear elevation and blocking up of small larder windows.

48 Hargood Road - Erection of a single storey rear extension.

1 Edith Cavell Way - Erection of a garage.

Blackheath Bluecoat School, Old Dover Road - Change of use of premises managers house to the north of the site to teaching accommodation and erection of 2 canopies to the building.

20 Elizabeth Fry Place - Erection of a front porch enclosure.



If you have any comment about these planning applications please contact me on cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks.

Advice surgery tomorrow

A reminder that Cllr Graeme Coombes and I will be holding an advice surgery tomorrow morning from 10.30 to 11.30 at the Holburne Community Hall, 126 Holburne Road SE3 8HT on the Evelyn Estate.No appointment necessary.

Planning Applications: week ended 29 September 2006

131 Old Dover Road - Erection of a single storey rear extension and a dormer window in the rear roof slope. (Resubmission)

41 Woolacombe Road - Erection of a single storey side and rear extension and roof extension with a hip to gable end and a rear dormer.

27 Mayday Gardens - Erection of a single storey front, side and rear extension and conversion of garage to a habitable room. (Resubmission)

10 Eastbrook Road - Rear Garden - ash tree crown reduce by 15-20%, Sycamore - crown thin by 10%, small mulberry - Fell


If you have any comment about these planning applications please contact me on cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks.

Planning Applications: week ended 22 September 2006

Hider Court, 120 Hervey Road - Installation of a solar panel on rear roof slope.

68 Wricklemarsh Road - Change of use of property from a residential dwelling (C3) to bed and breakfast accommodation (C1). (Resubmission)


If you have any comment about these planning applications please contact me on cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks.

Online .... at last

Today - 137 days after being elected - the Council finally have installed IT services so that I can pick up email that has been sent to my andy.jennings@greenwich.gov.uk address.

Apologies to anyone who has had a delay in response having sent email to that address. You can now contact me using either the Greenwich Council address or cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com

Cllr Graeme Coombes' email account is almost ready - I will update you when he has been switched on.

Planning Applications: week ended 15 September 2006

13 Zangwill Road - Erection of a part single/part two-storey side extension and dormer window in the rear roof slope.

Flat 3, 28 Hervey Road - Erection of a first floor side extension.

28 Woolacombe Road - Extension in height to rear boundary fence where site abuts Rochester Way (retrospective).

112 Broad Walk - Erection of a single storey side and rear extension.

If you have any comment about these planning applications please contact me on cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks.

Planning Applications: week ended 8 September 2006

32 Crossbrook Road - Erection of a single storey side and rear extension. (Re-submission)

34 Begbie Road - Erection of a two storey side extension and loft conversion incorporating a dormer window to rear roof slope

Rear of 66 Hervey Road - Demolition of existing garage and greenhouse at the rear of the garden

Rigebrook Road Phase II - Submission of details pursuant to condition 16 (Access roadways) of planning permission dated 29/11/04 for the demolition of 17 existing prefabs and the erection of 6 x 2-bed bungalows, 2 x 2-bed disabled person bungalows, 12 x 2-bed and 5 x 3-bed houses with 25 parking spaces.

If you have any comment about these planning applications please contact me on cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks.

Are we living in a one party state?

With breathtaking arrogance, Greenwich's Labour mayor, Cllr Harry Singh, has used his powers to cancel the next meeting of Council, scheduled for 20th September.

In an email from the 'acting team leader of committee services' it cites a "lack of business to be considered". He did not consult with either of the opposition parties.

This strikes me as strange given that motions can be submitted until the sixth working day before the meeting, and questions to cabinet members can be received by the public up until three days before, and from Councillors until the day before the meeting.

It also seems strange that the mayor can second guess that there will be nothing to debate or answer questions on. Indeed the Conservative Group has prepared a motion on the subject of Safer Neighbourhood teams and police numbers. In view of the increase in the rate of burglary and gun-enabled crime in the borough this motion should be debated sooner rather than later.

Furthermore, since the last Council meeting in July one might assume that the public might have had an interest in (amongst other things) the shady goings on at the Dome; the Council's appearance at the Casino Advisory Panel; failures in the Council's IT systems; a cabinet member's prejudicial interests in a planning development; increases in Council rent arrears; the dispute with Unison over staff safety; the year and a half delay in the Council's race equality scheme; the response to petitioners regarding the proposed bookmakers in Old Dover Road; the inappropriate language used to advertise the borough's car free day... the list goes on.

I also wanted to get a response for residents about the Kidbrooke weeds issue to ensure that we have a commitment not to repeat this year's disaster again next year.

However, the mayor thinks there is no business to be discussed. Given the next Council meeting is not scheduled until November, I honestly believe that the ruling Labour group is showing the greatest disrespect to residents of this Borough who might feel, given the exorbitant levels of Council Tax they have to pay, that their Councillors should be using these opportunities to stand up for their interests.

Kidbrooke Safer Neighbourhood Panel

Last night together with 13 residents, representatives from the local neighbourhood office and the police team I attended the second meeting of the Kidbrooke Safer Neighbourhood Panel.

The team has been brought up to its full compelment of six officers with the addition of PC Angela Vincent, who is transferring from Camden, and PCSO Joseph Omadi who previously had been working in Thamesmead.

Residents agreed that this summer had been much quieter than usual in terms of youth disorder: in no small part his has been down to a greater police presence on the streets. Once the team can find closer premises than those currently used at Westcombe Park, the presence should be even more noticeable.

The Safer Neighbourhood Panel will be setting local residents priorities for the neighbourhood police service. Currently we are short on representation from the Brook Estate, as well as the area between Begbie and Farjeon Roads. If you are interested in getting involved please contact me on cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com and I will pass you details on to Sgt Peacock.

One issue that was raised was the need to publicise the Kidbrooke telephone number, and some useful suggestions were made that the police wll be following up. If you need to contact the police locally then please call 020 8721 2634 or email kidbrooke.hornfair.snt@met.police.uk. If it is an emergency then you should still call 999.

Restore Hervey Road Sports Ground

It can’t have escaped the notice of most Kidbrooke residents about the appalling state of the Hervey Road Sports Ground. At a time when Greenwich is putting itself forward as one of the host boroughs for the 2012 Olympics, it is nothing short of a disgrace that existing facilities that the Council run are left to a ruinous state of disrepair.


Whilst the pitches are used, albeit infrequently, the basketball and tennis courts together with what seem to be cricket nets have been abandoned. The fence around the field is unattractive and not fit for purpose - large gaps are easy to get through, and residents have seen youths breaking through to ride illegal mini motorbikes on the pitch.


I am furious about this. When Graeme and I went down to the sports ground last weekend we found it easy to get in through the fence. Once inside we found evidence of extensive grafitti, flytipping and drug usage. What used to be attractive and valuable facilities for residents to use have been left to ruin.


At a time when we are trying to tackle a worrying increase in obesity in our children, it seems irresponsible of the Council not to properly maintain local sporting facilities. I cannot see how we will produce the stars of the future, by denying them the opportunities to take part in sport locally.


The main users of the ground seem to be dog owners who let their pets foul on the pitches without clearing up.

Rumours are rife in the local community that the Council has plans to relocate a school from the east of the borough to this site.

We want to see action before it’s too late. The space should be restored as decent proper public sporting facilities, or at the very least should be turned into a proper park accessible to all.

In the Council’s own Green Space Strategy it states:

The successful Olympic bid represents a unique opportunity to widen and increase participation in sport for all the borough’s residents regardless of ability, age, gender or race ... these aspirations require quality outdoor provision to cater for all those who take part in sporting activity

We aim to improve the quality of our sports pitches and facilities to make them more accessible and increase their availability for use

Hervey Road is one of only nine outdoor sports facilities owned by the borough.

We are launching a petition this coming weekend which I will be presenting to Council demanding the restoration of Hervey Road Sports Ground under the terms of the Council’s own strategy.

If you want to see this area preserved as proper green open space, sign the petition, or you can email your support to cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com. Please include your name and address.

Really weed-iculous

I am appalled at the poor service given by Cleansweep to getting rid of the weeds on the pavements in this part of the Borough.

The first excuse was that it was too wet to spray the weeds in May this year. We then had one of the hottest and driest summers in memory, but still the weeds weren’t cleared.

The Council has consistently failed the people of Kidbrooke with its repeatedly broken promises to remove the weeds. Instead they seem to concentrate on the main through routes and leave those living in more residential areas untouched.

Rest assured I shall not give up trying to get our streets cleaned and maintained, and will press for a proper plan of action so the problems will not be replicated next year

Footway renewal on Well Hall Road

I have been notified by Transport for London of their intention to renew the footway on both sides of Well Hall Road, between Shooters Hill and Westmount Road.

The work is programmed to start tomorrow, Monday 4th September, and is due to last three months. At certain times during this period, closure of the pavement will be necessary and pedestrians will ether be directed to cross the road or to make use of the nearside traffic lane.

The road will also be subject to some restrictions, although I have been assured that to minimise traffic disruption work on the site will only take place between 9.30am and 4.00pm.

Delays are inevitable, so if you can use an alternative route, please do so.

Cleaning up Kidbrooke

Cllr Graeme Coombes and I have our sights set on making Kidbrooke a no tolerance zone for grafitti vandals, and we've started with the Holburne Community Hall.

Last month we were appalled at the graffiti daubed over the centre and made sure the Council came and cleaned it up. Whilst we are pleased that Cleansweep have cleaned the Hall, it is disappointing that they have left the flytipping round the side.

Is there a local eyesore you want to see cleaned up? If email cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com and let us know

Graeme outside the Holburne Community Hall: before (above) and after (below)

Consultation re bus route 386 extension

I have received notice that Transport for London and London Buses propose to extend route 386 to link West Greenwich directly to Blackheath Village.

The 386 is planned to run from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital to Greenwich Town centre as present, and then to:

• - Greenwich High Road (for Greenwich Station);
• - Greenwich South Street;
• - Blackheath Hill;
• - Shooters Hill Road;
• - Goffers Road;
• - Tranquil Vale;
• - Royal Parade, where the service will terminate.

It is disappointing that Transport for London are not yet addressing the poor bus services from the Brook Estate, but rest assured we will continue to press for improvements to these routes.

If you have any comment about these proposals please contact me on cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com or by telephone 020 8293 9526 before Friday 22nd September in order that I may respond on your behalf.

Planning Applications: week ended 1 September 2006

158 Prince Henry Road - Erection of a two storey side extension and a roof extension with hip to gable and a dormer window in the rear roof slope.

66 Hervey Road - Demolition of existing garage and greenhouse and erection of a two bed house.

If you have any comment about these planning applications please contact me on cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks.

Advice surgery tomorrow

A reminder that Cllr Graeme Coombes and I will be holding an advice surgery tomorrow morning from 10.30 to 11.30 at the Holburne Community Hall, 126 Holburne Road SE3 8HT on the Evelyn Estate.

No appointment necessary.

Planning Applications: week ended 25 August 2006

115 Mayday Gardens - Erection of a two storey side extension and single storey rear extension.

20 Harraden Road - Erection of a single storey rear extension.

Land adjacent to 30 Hervey Road - Erection of a single storey building to be used as a residential dwelling (Resubmission).

If you have any comment about these planning applications please contact me on cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks.

Planning Applications: week ended 18 August 2006

Kidbrooke School, Corelli Road - Submission of details pursuant to condition 1 (facing materials) of planning permission dated 15/3/06 for the erection of a single storey extension to school.

34 Weyman Road - Erection of a single storey rear extension.

If you have any comment about these planning applications please contact me on cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks.

Advice surgery this weekend

Please note that the advice surgery planned for tomorrow at the Orchards Youth Club on Carnbrook Road has been cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control.

It is hoped that this surgey will resume on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 16th September at 10.30am. Details will be confirmed as soon as possible.

The next formal surgery will be on Saturday 2nd September at the Holburne Community Hall. If you require assistance in the meantime please call either myself on 020 8293 9526 or Cllr Graeme Coombes on 020 8319 8024

Planning Applications: week ended 11 August 2006

108 Broad Walk - Loft conversion incorporating 2 dormer windows, one to the rear roof slope and one to the side.

27 Mayday Gardens - Erection of a single storey front, side and rear extension and conversion of garage to a habitable room.

Master Gunner Estate - Submission of details pursuant to Clause 7.27 (Eco-Homes Validation Report) of Legal Agreement and Conditions 20 & 21 (surface water drainage works and control measures) of Planning Permission dated 23/09/04 for the demolition of 6 existing residential blocks and erection of 224 new homes.

If you have any comment about these planning applications please contact me on cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks

Advice surgery tomorrow

A reminder that Cllr Graeme Coombes and I will be holding an advice surgery tomorrow morning from 10.30 to 11.30 at the Holburne Community Hall, 126 Holburne Road SE3 8HT on the Evelyn Estate.

No appointment necessary.

Planning Applications: week ended 4 August 2006

24 Crosier Close - Erection of a single storey side extension with pitched roof.

Ridgebrook Road, Phase 2 - Submission of details pursuant to condition 12 (traffic noise assessment and remedial measures) of planning permission dated 29/11/04 (Ref:03/0096) for the demolition of the 17 prefabs and erection of 6 x 2-bed bungalows, 2 x 2-bed disabled person bungalows, 12 x 2-bed and 3 x 3-bed houses with 25 parking spaces.

If you have any comment about this planning application please contact me on cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks

David Gold wins Eltham Parliamentary nomination

Last night's open primary at the Bob Hope Theatre in Eltham saw David Gold (pictured right) win the nomination as Eltham's Parliamentary Candidate. In a meeting which was introduced by Shireen Ritchie (centre), chairman of the Candidates Committee - but perhaps better known as the mother-in-law of the singer Madonna, each of the finalists gave a short presentation on local issues, followed by an interview with Michael Portillo (left) and questions from the floor.


The final field was very strong indeed and David beat off tough competition from Jackie Doyle-Price (our running mate for the Kidbrooke with Hornfair council elections in May) and Eric Ollerenshaw (the former Londonwide Assembly Member) to secure the nomination.

E-mail address

Since being elected on 4th May - nearly three months ago, the Council has been unable to set my e-mail account up for access outside of the Town Hall. Currently if you use that e-mail address I will not be able to pick up the mail until my next visit to the Town Hall, which I try to do on a weekly basis.

Therefore, if you would like a more prompt response, I would ask you to use this e-mail address: cllrandyjennings@dsl.pipex.com which I will be able to check on a daily basis.

You can also leave a telephone message on 020 8293 9526 or telephone 020 8921 5050 to speak to Rona Smith at the Town Hall who will be able to contact me immediately.

Vacation - Cllr Andy Jennings

I shall be away on holiday until Wednesday next week, 26th July 2006.

If you have an issue that needs assistance in this time please contact Cllr Graeme Coombes on 020 8319 8024

Help choose the next MP for Eltham

At the next General Election, boundary changes mean that whole of the Kidbrooke with Hornfair ward will become part of the Eltham constituency.

For many of you this means goodbye to the Greenwich and Woolwich constituency which has covered most of this ward for several years.

The local Conservatives have announced that they are currently looking to select their candidate through means of an "open primary". This means that any registered elector in the Kidbrooke with Hornfair ward, whether a member of the Conservative Party or not, has the opportunity to hear the final three candidates at a meeting on 31st July 2006 and then vote for their favourite.

This meeting will be chaired by former Secretary of State for Defence, and current TV pundit Michael Portillo. Each candidate will give a short presentation on local issues and will then be subject to a tough grilling by Mr Portillo. There will then be ample opportunity for questions from the audience.

The meeting is to take place at the Bob Hope Theatre on Wythfield Road in Eltham at 7.30pm on Monday, 31st July 2006. Pre-registration is essential and can be done by email to office@greenwichconservatives.com or through the Greenwich Conservatives website, where fuller details are available.

Planning Applications: week ended 14 July 2006

82 Hervey Road - Erection of two dormer windows to the rear roof slope

If you have any comment about this planning application please contact me on andy.jennings@greenwich.gov.uk or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks

The Great Get Together at Carnival 365

This afternoon I attended the Great Get Together at Carnival 365 at the Eltham Specialist Sports College. It was a chance to meet with constituents on an informal basis.

Vacation - Cllr Graeme Coombes

Cllr Graeme Coombes will be away on holiday until next Sunday, 16th July 2006.

Carnival 365 this Saturday

The annual event of Carnival 365 will be hosted at Eltham Green Specialist Sports College, Middle Park Avenue, Eltham on this Saturday 8th July from 12 noon.

This year the event is being linked with the Council's Great Get Together event, an opportunity for you to have your say about your Council and its services. Many of the Eltham sector ward councillors will attend the event to give you the opportunity to meet them and also to discuss any issues that you might have.

I will be available from 3.30pm to meet with any residents of Kidbrooke and Hornfair - and look forward to seeing you there.

Advice surgery tomorrow

A reminder that the first advice surgery takes place tomorrow morning from 10.30 to 11.30 at the Holburne Community Hall, 126 Holburne Road SE3 8HT on the Evelyn Estate.

No appointment necessary.

Planning Applications: week ended 30 June 2006

188 Shooters Hill Road – Installation of an extract ventilation system and an external flue (retrospective)

If you have any comment about these planning applications please contact me on andy.jennings@greenwich.gov.uk or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks

Kidbrooke Safer Neighbourhood Meeting

Tonight I attended a meeting with local residents and the Kidbrooke with Hornfair Safer Neighbourhood Police team.

This new police team is dedicated to the area south of Shooters Hill Road right down to the Brook Estate.

Headed up by Sergeant Alfred Peacock, the police officers assigned full time to our area are PC Matt Brown, PCSO Iain Nicholls and PCSO Naz Webster. The intention is to add another PC and another PCSO to take the team strength up to six.

I am delighted that these officers have been allocated to our community and am particulary pleased that they will be out in the ward walking (and cycling) the beat, acting as a deterrent against the worrying increase in crime - particularly on the Evelyn and Brook estates.

A Neighbourhood Panel is to be set up with representatives of the different communities within our ward. This panel will set the priorities of our local police officers, and seems at least to be the first steps towards making Kidbrooke a safer place to live.

Residents raised their concerns that in the past it has been difficulty getting response from the police - and that the Plumstead control room seemed disinterested in our area. I hope that with this dedicated team, contactable directly by telephone and email, we will start to see some of the local crime and antisocial behaviour becoming a thing of the past.

For those living north of the Shooters Hill Road - your police team comes under that of Charlton and I will add more details on this soon.

Road resurfacing in the ward

The Council has informed me that the following roads are programmed for the Summer 2006 road surface dressing programme:

Farjeon Road
Wricklemarsh Road (part)

The process involves laying an asphalt material over the existing carriageway (nimpactacote) and will remove undulations and reprofile the street.

Works are due to commence this week and residents will be notified by the contractors regarding exact dates.

Hornfair Park: inadequate response

This morning, Cllr Graeme Coombes and I met with the chair of the Thornhill Tenants and Homeowners Association.

Before our election in May, a petition of 206 signatures had been presented to the Council calling for the restoration of the Hornfair Park pavilion, the toilet facilities and the reintroduction of permanent park staff and CCTV to ensure security and the safety of park users.

The Council's response to this petition was woeful, and suggested that a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund should be used to "fund the priority infrastructure projects for the Park". The Council itself cannot bid for the money itself and would rely on local residents setting up a "Friends of Hornfair Park" organisation to raise the money.

This seems to me like the Council is refusing to accept responsibility for one of its principal duties - the proper maintenance of parks and open spaces. The Thornhill Tenants and Homeowners Association agree and we will be supporting their campaign to get the Council to restore the facilities back to a good condition for everyone to enjoy.

Planning Applications: week ended 23 June 2006

154 Wricklemarsh Road - Erection of a hip to gable end roof extension and a dormer window in the rear roof slope

156 Wricklemarsh Road - Erection of a hip to gable end roof extension and a dormer window in the rear roof slope.

Master Gunner Place - Relocation of bin store and disabled persons parking bay.

If you have any comment about these planning applications please contact me on andy.jennings@greenwich.gov.uk or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks

Advice Surgeries: details announced

Cllr Graeme Coombes and I will be holding regular advice surgeries at the following locations:

1st Saturday of the month, 10.30-11.30: Holburne Community Hall, 126 Holburne Road SE3 8HT on the Evelyn Estate. Starts 1st July.

3rd Saturday of the month, 10.30-11.30: Orchard's Youth Club, 25 Carnbrook Road SE3 8AE on the Brook Estate. Starts 19th August.

No appointment is necessary - if you have a problem that we might be of assistance with then just turn up.

If you would like a more private appointment then please telephone me on 020 8293 9526 and leave a message.

2012 Olympics: site visit

Today, as part of Greenwich Council's Olympic Legacy Best Value Review Team, I visited the three sites that are to be used within the borough for Olympic events in 2012.

The Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich are set to be the venue for the shooting events; Greenwich Park will host equestrian activities; and the Millennium Dome is to run the basketball finals and gymnastics.

Afterwards we went to Stratford to see how building work on the main 2012 Olympic site was progressing. Much of the area in the future Olympic Park has now been flattened, and cabling work has begun in the area due to be the Athletes Village, just north of the newly built Stratford International train station.

Greenwich, as one of the host boroughs, has a duty to its residents to make sure that the Olympics coming to London leave a legacy for future generations to enjoy. And whilst no events are scheduled to take place in Kidbrooke itself, I want to ensure that you get the best value for money possible: after all it's our council tax that is going to have to pay for a large part of the cost.

The legacy to this borough will not just be in terms of grand sporting venues. For example, the 2012 bid places great emphasis on creating a safe cycle network around Greenwich to ease transport fears. This is admirable, however anyone who has tried cycling into Greenwich Town Centre will be frustrated at the lack of places to leave your bike there securely once you arrive: so I will be campaigning for more cycle racks where people need them.

In the end it may well be an accumulation of small, practical ideas like this that is the real legacy the Olympics can leave in Greenwich.

An introduction to licensing

This evening I attended my first meeting of the Licensing Committee at the Town Hall.

I am sure that many of you, like me, assumed that Licensing was all about pubs and clubs. However the Council issues licenses to a variety of businesses - everything from market traders to supermarkets, and from scaffolding erection to civil partnership venues.

And my first two cases tonight were both market traders at the Beresford Square Market in Woolwich.

Most of the licensing work is conducted through smaller sub-committees. If residents want me to speak up for or against any particular licensing application then I am happy to get involved: however I will need to excuse myself from the sub-committee that deals with the application.

Planning Applications: week ended 9 June 2006

Charlton Lido, Charlton Park Lane - Regeneration of existing facility to include gym and retail area and erection of a two-storey extension to eastern side containing scuba diving training centre, restaurant and bar. OUTLINE APPLICATION

214 Wricklemarsh Road- Erection of a single storey rear extension and a forch porch.

2 Shirebrook Road - Erection of a single storey double garage.

If you have any comment about these planning applications please contact me on andy.jennings@greenwich.gov.uk or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks

Planning Applications: week ended 2 June 2006

23 Holburne Gardens - Erection of a single storey side and rear extensions.

175 Broad Walk - Formation of ground floor w.c. and lobby to rear of existing garage.

153 Shooters Hill Road - Conservation area and Listed building consent for demolition of the existing garage (retrospective); Erection of fencing and gates to rear up to 2.08m high (retrospective);

32 Crossbrook Road - Erection of a single storey side and rear extension.

If you have any comment about these planning applications please contact me on andy.jennings@greenwich.gov.uk or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks

Planning Applications: week ended 26 May 2006

153 Shooters Hill Road – Conservation area and Listed building consent for removal of a single story rear extension (retrospective)

57 Hervey Road - Certificate of Lawfulness for existing front brick wall with railings and gates.

59 Hervey Road - Erection of a 1.8m brick wall with metal railings and gates to front and demolition of existing porch and erection of a portico style porch

If you have any comment about these planning applications please contact me on andy.jennings@greenwich.gov.uk or by telephone 020 8293 9526 within the next two weeks

Conservative frontbench announced

The Opposition frontbench Council team has been announced and both Cllr Graeme Coombes and I have been given a portfolio to lead on. As a chartered accountant, I am looking forward to holding the Labour Council to account on all issues financial.

Team in full

Leader of the Opposition: Cllr Spencer Drury
Deputy Leader and spokesman on Strategic Planning: Cllr Peter King
Chief Whip and spokesman on Neighbourhood Services: Cllr Eileen Glover
Frontbench spokesman on Finance: