Current Issues:
Blackheath Assembly

Blackheath Assembly

Lewisham Council intend that local assemblies should be a new way of working in which residents can decide how to improve their area.

How do local assemblies work?

The Council has as its stated intention:

  • each ward in Lewisham has its own local assembly - anyone who lives, works or studies in the ward are encouraged to attend
  • these friendly, relaxed meetings will take place four times a year
  • they provide open discussion and debate about what matters in your area
  • they intend to deliver real action to solve the issues raised
  • should demonstrate the community working together with the Council to make real change
  • meetings will be chaired by a councillor and supported by a coordinator employed by the Council

During the process the following key priorities have been identified as candidates for spending out of the Mayors' Fund

1.  Traffic in Blackheath Village
2.   Parking
3.   Drinking culture and licensing issues
4.   Litter and graffiti
5.   Lack of facilities for children

It is that traffic continues to be the main issue highlighted, with many suggested actions emerging.  The Society welcomes this, especially since The Society is already engaged with Lewisham Council in pressing for a review of the 20 mph Zone, introduced some years ago.  The Society also welcomes the request for a new crossing at Royal Parade which emerged at the Assembly, provided that this is done in a manner appropriate to the area.

The fourth meeting in the series, on 7 March, was dedicated to choosing awards for the Locality Fund, a fund of £10,000 for local small initiatives.

6 winners were chosen:  Heathside and Lethbridge over 60-s club; Heathside and Lethbridge Youth Project Wash House;  Sutcliffe Rangers girls' soccer team;  St. Matthew Academy Forest Project;  London and Quadrant Housing trust finance awareness project;  and Teachsport Changing Shapes healthy lifestyles course

The next meeting is currently scheduled for 9 September, 2009

More on the Assembly process on

www.lewisham.gov.uk/CouncilAndDemocracy

 

 

 

 
 

       
   
  © The Blackheath Society 2009