Whizz Kidz

Just in case anyone is interested, the Christmas cards I'll be sending out this year relating to my work as a councillor will be supporting the charity "Whizz Kidz" which provides mobility equipment, training and advice to children.

Gadget Show free WiFi campaign

The Gadget Show on 5 have launched a campaign for free country wide WiFi:

This week on The Gadget Show, Jason explored a pilot scheme which supplies the city of Norwich with free WiFi internet access for its people.
A great idea, but not enough. We want to see free WiFi in every major town and city in the UK; for business, for tourism, for the future, and for anyone and everyone who relies on the internet.
If you agree, please sign up to our online campaign here, and we'll take it all the way to the top.

This is something I certainly believe the UK should have so I've signed. If you'd like to support the campaign you can sign up here

How would you spend £10,000 in the ward?

A locality fund has once again been made available and we now have £10,000 to spend in the ward, double the amount we had last year. The funds have to be allocated and spent by the 31st March 2007.

The key aims of the fund are:
1) Engaging local residents to deliver improvements in their ward
2) Action or activity that will directly benefit the local neighbourhood
3) Action or activity that will make a visible difference

We spent last year's fund on:
Girder gates in Burnt Ash to prevent fly-tipping
On the plant pots at Leegate in Eltham Road
For setting in motion the renewal of the nature reserve at Hither Green station
Towards setting up the Hither Green Renewal committee

So we're looking for suggestions for how we could spend this money in the ward. I'm quite keen on getting some matching waste bins for the seating at Leegate in Eltham Road, and would quite like to renew the plant pots in Eltham Road for example.


Any ideas?

Hither green urban design and development framework meeting today

Very short notice I know (which is entirely my fault) but there are two meetings today (23 November) at Hither Green Baptist Church, Radford Road, Lewisham, SE13 6SB, at 10.00-12.00 and 19.00-21.00 to review whether local residents and other stakeholders are still interested in developing a structure which will help to take forward at a local level some of the ideas contained within the Hither Green urban design and development framework. You'll probably recall that there were previous consultation meetings about this being a useful way in which residents could contribute to developing some of these ideas It is hoped at this initial meeting residents can start to review how they would like this structure to look and to develop an initial action plan.

Please feel free to bring anyone else who would be interested in contributing or becoming involved.

The Duke Of Edinburgh Licence Application

The Duke Of Edinburgh, 394 Lee High Road has applied for a new/variation licence under the Licensing Act 2003 for alcohol and late night refreshment 24 hours.

The four criteria under which you can support or object to this application are:
Prevention of Crime and Disorder
Protection of Children from Harm
Public Safety
Prevention of Public Nuisance

You can email the Licensing Team or write to:
The Licensing Team, 2nd Floor Laurence House
1 Catford Road, London SE6 4RU


Please could you ensure that any representations either for or against this application reach the Licensing Team by 20th December 2006.

Any London Transport questions, comment, grumbles or praise?

There's a meeting of the London Transport Liaison committee coming up on December the 12th and if you'd like me to raise any questions, comments, grumbles or indeed praise about or for London Transport services please let me know by Friday 24th November.

Tasty Grill Licence Application

The Tasty Grill, 175 Lee High Street has applied for a new/variation licence under the Licensing Act 2003 for late night refreshment Monday – Saturday until 03:00 and Sunday until 01:00.

The four criteria under which you can support or object to this application are:
Prevention of Crime and Disorder
Protection of Children from Harm
Public Safety
Prevention of Public Nuisance

You can email the Licensing Team or write to:
The Licensing Team, 2nd Floor Laurence House
1 Catford Road, London SE6 4RU


Please could you ensure that any representations either for or against this application reach the Licensing Team by 14th December 2006.

Ladywell Pool Saved!

The BIG news of the week was that the Mayor finally relented and Ladywell Lewisure Centre will not now be knocked down to make way for the new school but will instead continue to offer much needed sport and leisure facilities to the community until its replacement is built on the Sundermead site. The new school will now be built on the site of the existing Lewisham Bridge primary school.

Congratulations to Max Calo and all the Save Ladywell Pool campaigners, the New school Campaigners, and to my colleagues and councillors of all parties, and indeed everyone who took part in this campaign.

Don't miss Open Studios - this weekend and next

Lee Green is absolutely bursting with creative talent and this weekend and next you can visit some of our local artists and view their work. You'll find displays in Kellerton, Handen, Leahurst, Chalcroft, Manor Lane, Bankwell, and Cambridge Drive - just look for the houses with posters and balloons outside! There are also displays at Stark Studios in Lee High Road, You Don't Bring Me Flowers in Staplehurst, and in the church hall of the Good Shepherd in Handen Road (Good Shepherd next weekend only).

This is a great way to meet new people, have a glass of wine, see some fabulous work and maybe pick up a Christmas present or two!

I've been around about half the venues so far and my favourites right now are Jenny Thorley's very witty sculptures, and Rachel Park's children's book illustrations.

As an added bonus on the top floor of Stark Studios in Lee High Road you'll find Tall Lighthouse who write, publish and promote contemporary poetry. Their 'Automatic Lighthouse' anthology features both their established and new poets. My favourite is Odds, by Maggie Sullivan (you'll find it on page 32!).

This really is a super event and well worth making the effort for.

New Arrivals!

Starying a little outside ward boundaries I bring you news that there are two new Lib dems in Forest Hill, but it will be awhile before they'll be coming after your vote as they are both just a few days old! Congratulations to Cllr Philip Peake and Cressie, and Cllr John Russell and Jane on the birth of their daughters.

A del.icio.us experiment!

You'll probably have noticed the "I am CllrPaulBentley on del.icio.us" over on the right side of this page under Links. If you click on this it will take you to my experimental public bookmarks page for links that relate to my current preoccupations as a councillor in Lee Green ward, which are planning and the socially responsible investment of pension funds, but there'll be other interesting links mixed in as well.

At the moment there are just two bookmarks as I'm taking the time to explore all the options del.icio.us offer, but a whole lot more links will be added in the next few days. Please let me know if you find this addition to the Blog useful.

Enjoy!

Skulduggery for Beginners!

While Leepedia Lite is all about news and events, Skulduggery for Beginners is all about comment and ideas that relate to my role in opposition in Lewisham council, and as a councillor for Lee Green ward. Quite how this experiment will turn out I have no idea, but I'm sure it will be fun finding out!

The first posts will be up sometime next week. Please take a look and tell me what you think?

Good Shepherd Christmas Fair

The Good Shepherd (in Handen Road) are holding their Christmas Fair on Saturday 25th of November, 11:30am to 2:30pm
There will be a whole host of things to buy, do and eat: raffle, tombola, bric a brac, wine bottle and money tree games, Sanra's Grotto. Lucky Dip, face painting, mulled wine and minced pies (yummy!), crafts, home produce, cards, children's toys and clothes, and nearly new books.

Sounds like a great way to get in the Christmas mood and get your hands on a mince pie at the same time!

Ward Councillor Surgeries and Contact Details

A reminder of our contact and advice surgery details:

Cllr Paul Bentley
cllr.paul.bentley@mailbox.co.uk
020 8297 4849
Cllr Bentley holds his surgery on the 2nd Saturday of the month
in the Parish Room of the Good Shepherd, Handen Road SE12
between 10-11am


Cllr Sven Griesenbeck
Cllr_Sven.Griesenbeck@lewisham.gov.uk
020 8297 4826
Cllr Griesenbeck holds his surgery on the 1st Saturday of the month
in Manor House Library, 34 Old Road SE13
between 10-11am
(Please note there is no disabled access to Manor House Library)


Cllr Brian Robson
Cllr_Brian.Robson@lewisham.gov.uk
020 8297 4283
Cllr Robson holds his surgery on the 3rd Saturday of the month in the Portakabin, William McEwan Centre Leybridge Court SE12
between 10-11am

Wildlife Rescue Jumble Sale!

Our local wildlife rescue will be holding a jumble sale on Saturday 11th November at 11am, in the church hall at the Good Shepherd, Handen Road, London SE12.

If you have jumble to donate call 020 8852 5507 or deliver to 94 Manor Lane.