News from Crystal Palace councillors John Canvin and Chris Gaster

10.13.56am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 17th Apr 2004

Cllr Chris Gaster, 16 Kelsey Way, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3LL. chris.gaster@bromley.gov.uk

CRYSTAL PALACE PROJECTS

Following the agreement between Bromley Council, Sport England, the Greater London Authority and the London Development Agency (LDA) to grant a 2 year lease of the National Sports Centre to Sport England, the LDA is consulting on the contents and location. Options include refurbishing the existing listed NSC and building a new sports facility on land near Crystal Palace Station. The LDA's Corporate Plan is likely to identify Crystal Palace as a key London project. This should result in it being classed as an 'area of intervention' (eg like Wembley Stadium), and will help drive regeneration and development locally.

The Crystal Palace Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) scheme finished in March. More than 70 cross borough projects were completed. The cross borough partnership created will help deliver LDA objectives. One of the SRB's last projects was the conversion of Anerley Town Hall into starter business units. If you are interested in renting one, contact Heather Hosking on 8313 4421. Offices will be provided in the building for the newly formed Community Development Trust which will carry on the SRB's work. The Trust will also manage the halls. An experienced manager has been appointed. The adjoining prefabricated annexe will be demolished soon as it's unsafe.

We were very disappointed to hear that Penge's Christmas lights had been left in the open at the rear of Anerley Town Hall. We have now ensured they have been stored in the basement.

TRANSPORT PROJECTS

The consultants investigating a possible extension of Tramlink to Crystal Palace will not be reporting before July. (We were originally told their report would be ready in March). We have met the Project Manager for the East London Line Project which will bring the tube to Crystal Palace. After 19 years work, it is ready start. Bromley Council is strongly supporting this scheme which will improve transport accessibility, ease congestion to central London stations, and link with other forms of transport. The scheme now awaits final Government approval. If you're interested in the route, contact us and we can send you a copy.

Cllr John Canvin, 85 Shortlands Rd, Bromley, Kent BR2 0JL. john.canvin@bromley.gov.uk

We have also met local train operators. They tell us Anerley and Penge West Stations are to be refurbished. We are pleased two new shelters have been provided in Crystal Palace Station, and Crystal Palace Station Road paved in Tegula setts, the bridge parapet re-pointed and wall enclosing the cutting rebuilt. South Central are to refurbish all their 455 trains and the first one completed is now in service. We are very concerned at plans to terminate all trains on the Hayes line at Cannon Street and reduce frequencies on some services to Victoria from Kent. Councillors are meeting rail operators shortly.

BETTS PARK CANAL

To reduce leaf drop into the canal, trees have been cut back and those between Seymour Villas and Anerley Road coppiced (ie cut back every few years). New aquatic plants and the aeration system, will protect aquatic life and reduce smell.

HEALTH SERVICES

Planning consent has been given for the rebuilding of Beckenham Hospital to provide a minor injuries unit, GP surgeries, and a range of clinics. The scheme will take over 3 years to complete and services will be maintained during building in temporary buildings in the adjoining park. Work on a new health centre on the site of James Dixon Primary School which will become vacant when it transfers to the Anerley Primary School site in September is continuing.

PLANNING

Appeals have been lodged against the non determination of SG Smith's plans for 23 flats on the workshop buildings to the rear of 2a Anerley Hill and Bromley's refusal of permission for a maisonette and flat at 47 Pleydell Avenue.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Bromley Council is to spend an extra £130,000 this year to bring street cleaning standards up to those in adjoining Boroughs. Its failure to maintain street trees has created a backlog of work. Following an incident involving a tree in Beckenham and the threat of action by the Health and Safety Executive, an extra £145,000 is to be spent reducing the backlog and planting trees in the Borough's 2500 empty tree pits.

BROMLEY's HOUSING CRISIS

Even people accepted as homeless now have to wait for some two years before receiving an offer. Two schemes are now available. If you are an Housing Association tenant of a family home and want to move to another Housing Association one bedroom home, Bromley Council are offering £1000 for each bedroom you give up, up to £300 in extra grants and payment of your removal costs. Contact 8313 4307 or 4070 for more details. If you are in temporary accommodation arranged by the Council, are an Housing Association tenant with a clear rent account and no history of anti social behaviour or are on Bromley's waiting list, you can apply for a home in the north of England under the 'New Home, New Start' initiative.

BROMLEY COUNCIL FAILS CHILDREN'S SERVICES INSPECTION

Councillors were led to believe that when children's services were inspected, Bromley's Social Services would be removed from its nil stars rating. The Inspectors' recently published report states that Bromley's personal social services budget for 2002/3 was below the outer London average and the fourth lowest of similar type Councils. Services provided in the Penge referral and assessment team were described as 'unsafe'. There were numerous criticisms of Bromley failing to address equality issues. Councillors have now agreed to raise pay of social workers to encourage recruitment to vacancies in the Penge team (the main reason for the unsafe verdict).