Bexley Magazine Winter 2011

Transcription

Winter 2011
magazine
Major investment in
Bexley communities
es
Includ n
o
What’s
listing
Outstanding fostering service
news - what’s on - local information
Listening to you, working for you
602063 BEX MAG Winter 2011 Pg 1.indd 1
www.bexley.gov.uk
04/11/2011 14:40
Letting your
property?
Our lettings department urgently require all types
of property for pre qualified professional tenants.
Through our established management department
we can offer: rent guarantee, legal cover,rent
collection, subscription to the T.D.S and periodic
property inspections. For further information or a
free Landlords information pack please call, click or
pop into see us at either.
511 Abbey Road, SE2 9HA
020 8306 2020
287 Bexley Road, DA8 3EX
01322 400222
MANAGEMENT SALES LETTINGS MORTGAGES
Join England’s recreational running community
Beginners Badminton
A fun Badminton course for adults with
coaching and equipment provided
Tuesday 10 January 2012 for 10 weeks
Times: 7.30 - 9pm
Townley Grammar School, Bexleyheath
Cost: £35 per person
Download a booking form at www.bexley.gov.uk/sports
020 3045 4885
[email protected]
2
602063 BEX MAG Winter 2011 Pg 2-3.indd 1
04/11/2011 14:47
Inside your
magazine
Welcome
4 Plans for QMS
5 Bexley’s outstanding
fostering service
Bringing up our looked after children
in a secure family environment makes
a huge difference to their lives. We were
delighted when our fostering service
was recently rated ‘outstanding’ by
Ofsted, but it’s our foster parents who
are the real heroes.
6 New buses for BATS
21 Christmas
present
ideas
10 Spare
room?
22 Six ways to help
Your Community 16-17
Your local health services 23
Local information 25
Flicking through this issue of the
Magazine you’ll find lots of examples
of public-spirited residents who give
up their time to help others.
What’s on 26-27
A-Z of services 29
Local organisations 30
If you would like to know more about the services the Council provides, or would like either
a translation of this document or the information in a different format, please call our
Customer Contact Centre on 020 8303 7777, quoting reference: 602063/11.11
London Borough of Bexley, Bexley Civic Offices, Broadway, Bexleyheath, Kent DA6 7LB
Telephone: 020 8303 7777 • Website: www.bexley.gov.uk • Email: [email protected]
Distributed free of charge to every property in the borough • Printed by: Wyndeham Heron
on environmentally friendly paper
Editorial: John Ferry (editor), Jane Parson, Pauline Rootsey, Julia Walsh and Lynne McVicar
Designed and produced by: Bexley Graphics Studio. Front cover photograph by Brian Aldrich
There’s a piece about Reverend Bob
Morgan and his family, who helped
those evacuated following a fire on the
Larner Road estate, as well as features
on the Christians Against Poverty Centre
and Thamesmead Food Bank.
An article on our green-fingered
gardeners and friends of our parks
shows the efforts that led to more
triumphs in this year’s London in Bloom
competition. These are the key people
that help to keep Bexley such a green
and pleasant borough.
We are also helping to publicise
the call for volunteers by the local
Neighbourhood Watch – people who
give up their time to keep themselves
and their neighbourhoods safe.
I think it’s important we recognise
the important work of all these
individuals – and others I haven’t
mentioned. But, with Christmas
approaching, it’s also the ideal time to
look at our feature on ‘6 ways to help
others’ to see how you could help make
a difference.
If we all gave up some of our
time to help others, just imagine what
we could achieve!
Cllr Teresa O’Neill
Leader of the Council
3
www.bexley.gov.uk
07/11/2011 10:19
news
QMS future plans
Proposals for services for a
Health and Wellbeing Campus at
Queen Mary’s, Sidcup have been
submitted to NHS London.
Library progress
Plans for the London Boroughs of
Bexley and Bromley to share back
office and management functions
across their library services are due
to be finalised much earlier than
expected.
The merger of the two services, that will
streamline the back office function and
minimise the requirement for changes
to front line library service across both
boroughs, was due to become official
in April 2012. But the smooth running
of the project has resulted in the official
start date being moved forward to
January.
Bexley’s Cabinet Member for Leisure,
Cllr Peter Catterall said: “This has been a
complex and path-breaking project for
both Boroughs, but the rapid progress
made shows what can be achieved with
clear objectives, determination and hard
work by all involved.”
The changes reflect the Council’s aim
to achieve savings on running costs to
Bexley’s library service while avoiding
reducing in customer services or having
to consider closure of branch libraries.
Mayor of London
returns to Bexley
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson,
was due on another visit to Bexley
as the magazine went to print
(10 November).
He is going to unveil the foundation
stone at the new Haberdashers’
Aske’s Crayford Academy and
then visit Parish Wood Park in
Blackfen – which won
£400,000 from his ‘
Priority Parks’
initiative.
4
The Strategic Outline Case sets out
the next steps towards a new health
and wellbeing centre for people
in Bexley.
The Campus services will be
geared towards the needs of local
people, focusing on older residents
and patients with long-term
conditions, such as diabetes and
dementia. The plans also include
services to promote independence
and prevent unplanned admission
to hospital.
The first round of services will be
those judged essential to improved
health and wellbeing, such as
outpatients’ services, diagnostics
and a paediatric assessment unit.
The second round could include
services such as a cancer centre,
hospice and pharmacy, together
with wellbeing services such as
those aimed at helping people to
stop smoking and lose weight.
Further public engagement will
take place as part of the process to
determine whether the potential
services are viable.
Improving services for people
with learning disabilities
Consultation is about to begin on
the next phase of an innovative
programme to improve the
support and services offered
to local people with learning
disabilities.
London Borough of Bexley is
working to review key areas of its
services to ensure that they meet
the needs of local people now and
in the future, as well as providing
value for money.
“The aim of the programme we
are developing is to improve the
quality of life of both our clients
and their carers by offering services
that are accessible, of excellent
quality, that offer choice and ensure
dignity,” explains Cabinet Member
Cllr David Hurt. “We aim to increase
choice by improving the range of
service options that are available
and by introducing personal
budgets and personalised support
for people who wish to become
more independent.
“We have made a commitment
to work with service users, their
carers and representatives to take
people with us on this journey,”
explains Cllr Hurt.
“We appreciate that our clients
and their carers are personally
affected by any change to their
services, which is why we will
work to explain how they may
be affected.”
A Haberdashers’ Aske’s student looking forward to the Mayor’s visit
04/11/2011 14:51
news
Southmere Village
Enormous investment in the borough
Autumn brought news of major
investment in the borough’s
affordable housing.
£11m of funding from the Homes
and Communities Agency (HCA) has
been secured for the third phase of
Southmere Village regeneration in
Thamesmead, thanks to extensive
lobbying by the Council and Gallions
Housing Association.
This phase, which is still subject to
planning permission, is expected to
see around 290 new homes, shops
and a library being built over a three
year period - starting in 2012.
The regeneration of Larner Road,
Erith is also set to go ahead with the
announcement of £15m funding from
the HCA. The grant will enable Orbit
South to start work on a £128m
project to transform the area.
The seven high rise blocks will
be replaced by a mix of 288 family
homes with private gardens and
approximately 340 low rise
apartments – creating new homes
for around 3,000 people.
Work on the site is due to start in
2013, with the first homes being
ready in the Spring of 2015. There will
be a mix of homes for affordable rent,
private sale and low cost
home ownership.
Local resident Steve Kenworthy said:
“This is a great opportunity to bring
people together, get them involved and
build a community spirit. I’m planning
to stay on because I believe it’s going to
be a great place to live and I’m looking
forward to having a say in the design
of the new homes.”
Fostering success
Ofsted has judged the London Borough
of Bexley’s Fostering Service to be
‘Outstanding’ following an in depth
inspection in August.
The inspectors arrived at this judgment
against the following criteria:
l Being Healthy: Outstanding
lStaying Safe: Outstanding
lEnjoying and Achieving: Outstanding
lPositive Contribution: Outstanding
lEconomic Well-Being: Good
lOrganisation: Outstanding
The lead inspector said they were
impressed with the depth and quality of
multi-agency working, especially with
Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Services (CAMHS) and the education
services for looked after children. It was
also impressed that the service showed a
good understanding of its strengths and
knew where developments were required.
Outstanding means that the service is
of exceptionally high quality.
When interviewed, foster carers said
they always receive excellent support from
the service as well as the guidance and
direction they need to support children
at home. The inspectors’ comments were
positive throughout their report.
They found that, “Children and young
people thrive within fostering households
which place them at the very centre of
the provision.”
If you feel you could help make a difference
to a child’s life and become a foster carer, please
contact us on freephone 0800 652 8330 or
e-mail [email protected]
The full report is available at www.ofsted.gov.uk
5
www.bexley.gov.uk
04/11/2011 14:53
news
Christmas and New
Year opening times
Checking citizenship
Bexley Register Office
Council Offices
The Council’s Contact Centre and
receptions at Hill View and Wyncham
House, will open as normal (9am-5pm)
during the week 19-23 December.
The offices close from Monday 26 December
until Wednesday 28 December inclusive,
returning to normal opening on Thursday and
Friday 29-30 December.
In the New Year, the offices will be closed
on Monday 2 January.
Reuse and Recycling Centres
Thames Road, Crayford and Maidstone Road,
Foots Cray are open 7.30am to 4pm every day.
They will closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day,
and open from 10am until 2pm on New Year’s Day
Libraries
Full details of library opening times can be
found on the Bexley Libraries website
Christmas parking
Bexley borough has over 2,000 parking spaces
near its town centres.
All car parks, and many on street parking
spaces, are pay and display using cash. However,
in some areas, including some car parks, you can
pay by phone. Paying by phone means you can
choose to have a reminder text sent when your
parking time is about to expire – giving you the
chance to buy more time by text, if you wish.
For further information about parking,
visit www.bexley.gov.uk/parking or phone
020 3045 3000.
People applying for British Citizenship can now have
their documentation checked and certified at Bexley
Register Office, Manor House, The Green, Sidcup.
Appointments can be booked by phone or in person.
The cost per application is £60, which must be paid by
debit card, credit card or cash at the time of booking.
Cold as ice?
The Council has been planning for winter since
the heat wave in the spring!
Supplies of rock salt were ordered early to get the
best value for money, as winter prices for rock salt
increase in line with demand.
We have five new pedestrian snow ploughs.
Once the snow arrives, the new kit will be deployed
in major shopping centres to help residents and
businesses.
In response to feedback, we’ve introduced the
sale of bagged rock salt and snow scoops at ‘cost
Same transport service, new buses!
For further details, please visit Bexley
Register Office Mondays-Fridays 9am-4pm or
telephone 020 8308 7515 or 020 8308 7509.
price’ so residents can keep their paths clear if
severe winter weather arrives.
Last year saw large scale theft from the yellow
salt bins, causing unnecessary inconvenience to
residents and a strain on over-stretched resources.
If you see anyone loading a vehicle from a salt bin
please alert the police.
Remember elderly or vulnerable neighbours
during the winter months. A shared pot of tea and
a chat can make all the difference. So can offering
to clear their path of snow.
Cllr David Hurt meeting BATS customers
At the beginning of November, the Council’s adult
social care transport service introduced new mini
buses to replace five of the current vehicles which
are no longer fit for purpose.
We know that many of you have had some
concerns over the last few months - we have
listened and the new vehicles are now in operation.
If you are travelling on one of the new buses
or know of someone who is, please give us your
feedback. Have the new vehicles made a difference
to your journey? We still want to hear from you.
It is your feedback which ensures that we provide
the best service we can.
6
04/11/2011 14:56
Spending reductions on track
news
Good progress is being made with the more
than £35m of spending reductions agreed by
the Council in March, offering real hope that
Bexley’s Council Tax can be frozen for another
year in the Spring.
At the end of September, the Council was on track
to achieve the target saving over the three years of
the programme.
The target for the current financial year is just
over £15m, with good progress made over the first
six months.
More than 100 jobs have been lost within the
Council, with the biggest reductions at Board level
and among senior management. Staff salaries have
been frozen and further jobs losses are being made.
A review of staff pensions means that staff will be
required to pay more and the cost to the taxpayer
will be significantly reduced.
“We are continuing to focus on keeping our
Council Tax down and protecting frontline
services.
“These are challenging times, but we know
people want us to look after the area and
safeguard services for those in most need.
“We have had to make a number of difficult
decisions, but we are sticking to the principles on
which we consulted people a year ago and know
that what we are doing is in the best long-term
interests of Bexley residents.”
Cllr Teresa O’Neill, Leader of the Council
Planning is now underway for the majority of staff
to move onto a single site in Bexleyheath, which will
achieve savings in running costs of over £1m year.
The recent decision to sell Wyncham House in Sidcup
earlier than originally planned will realise £½m of
this saving.
Good progress is also being made with sharing
services with other councils. This will reduce
administrative costs and help to safeguard services
to the public.
Bexley and Bromley’s jointly managed library
service is set to launch in the New Year and plans
are in place for Kent County Council to take over the
management of Bexley Register Office. Discussions
are underway with Bromley and Croydon about other
ways the three councils can work together to reduce
their costs.
One for the road
The Council continues to focus on improving the condition of our roads.
A number of planned road improvement schemes have been completed in
the last few months and more are programmed right through to the end
of the year.
Every inch of the borough’s streets are walked by technicians twice a year
in order to check their safety. This is in addition to the technical condition
surveys carried out annually to create a priority list of major schemes for
inclusion in the major works programme. Planning and scheduling large
schemes makes sense, because they provide the best value for money.
As only a limited number of major schemes can go ahead each year,
each one is prioritised against set criteria – making sure that priority
goes to the most needed schemes.
Mendip Road - before and after
Strategy 2014
lLow Council Tax
lProtecting key Council services that
work well and add to your quality of life
lA clean, green and safe Borough
lGreater use of online services
lReviewing what we charge for some
non-essential services
lWorking with others to serve the
best interests of local people
CCTV for Bexley Village and
Crayford Town Centre
CCTV cameras are being introduced
in Bexley Village and Crayford.
Following consultation with Ward Councillors,
residents and local people, it was found that
the majority of people would welcomed the
introduction of CCTV in these areas.
A three camera scheme will be installed
in both locations and will be monitored by the
Council’s state of the art CCTV control room.
Bexley is currently ranked among the safest London boroughs, although levels
of concern over the fear of crime remains high. Bexley’s CCTV network helps to
reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and helps to reassure and alleviate some
of the fears that residents and local business have around crime and disorder.
The cameras also carry a direct link through to the police. They help with
gathering intelligence and provide real time live coverage of any incidents.
Since the beginning of the year, CCTV has helped keep the borough safe
by contributing to just under 500 arrests.
7
www.bexley.gov.uk
04/11/2011 14:57
Slade Green - contained within the yellow line are both the
school sites, space on which the community facilities will be
built and the land that Redrow is to develop with housing
Improving services - saving money - driving regeneration - revitalising communities
£8 million regeneration
for Slade Green
New community facilities and
two new primary schools are to
be developed in Slade Green after
Councillors agreed to invest more
than £8 million in the area.
The plans will see two new primary
schools created from the existing Slade
Green Infant and Junior Schools.
Cabinet Member for Economic
Development and Regeneration
Cllr Linda Bailey said: “I’m pleased that
in such challenging financial times
we’ve been able to agree investment
of this scale.
“The Council will work with the
community to ensure that the end
result is community facilities that
will be well used by local residents.”
The new community facilities
will include:
a new library with ICT suite and
school/children’s library
● flexible community spaces that
can be subdivided according to
community need
● storage space for equipment
● catering facilities
● changing rooms
● toilets
● a flexible office space
● multi-use games area
● car parking and landscaping
Developments at the schools
include refurbishing and adding
an additional three classrooms to
the Junior School and five extra
classrooms to the Infant School.
The existing Howbury buildings and
Slade Green Community Centre will
remain open until the new community
facilities are ready. Construction will
take place from 2013 to 2015.
●
Residents approve of one-site
civic office plans in Bexleyheath
More than 350 people visited an exhibition
outlining the Council’s proposals to create a singlesite civic office by refurbishing the former Woolwich
HQ in Bexleyheath.
The proposals were displayed at the Central Library
in Bexleyheath alongside Tesco proposals to redevelop
the current Bexleyheath Civic Offices site with a new
Tesco store, some smaller shops, restaurants and
community space.
Also on display were Tesco proposals to build new
homes on land that it owns behind the Woolwich building.
Around 90 per cent of people who completed the
Council’s feedback form said they were in favour of the
Council’s overall proposals for the former Woolwich HQ.
The majority felt that customer contact points for faceto-face enquiries would need to be an important feature
of the future civic office accommodation.
The most comments the Council received concerned
the amount of parking on the site and concerns that
parking problems would result from staff moving there.
The feedback that both the Council and Tesco received is
now being used to inform the planning applications that
are being put together for the three separate schemes.
The Council hopes to submit its planning application by
the end of this year. Tesco is also aiming to submit its two
planning applications - one for the store and the other for
the homes at the back of the Woolwich Building - by the
end of the year.
Public exhibition mid-December
Residents are expected to be able
to view outline proposals for new
homes and the proposals for new
community facilities in Slade
Green in mid-December.
Redrow Homes Ltd and the London
Borough of Bexley are planning to
stage a public exhibition to outline
the plans and discuss them with
local people.
The exhibition follows the sale
of what is known as the Howbury
site (see aerial photograph) to
Redrow and the Public Cabinet’s
decision last month for the Council
to invest more than £8 million in
developing community facilities
and schools in the area.
Chris Sparks, Land Director,
Redrow Homes (Eastern), said:
“We’re looking forward to meeting
local residents to hear what they
think of our proposals, which
together with the Council’s plans for
new community facilities and new
primary schools signal a very bright
future for Slade Green.”
Following the public exhibition,
Redrow is expected to submit a
planning application in January
next year.
Details of the dates, timings and
the venue for the public exhibition
will be available on www.bexley.
gov.uk/sladegreenregeneration
later this month and publicised in
the Slade Green area.
Sale of Sidcup office to save more
than £500,000 a year
The London Borough of
Bexley is selling one of
its buildings in Sidcup,
Wyncham House, and
moving staff based there
to its other sites in the
borough, saving around
£535,000 a year.
The building went on the
market last month, with bids
accepted until 18 November.
Customers with planning
and building control enquiries
will be able to make these at
the more accessible Contact
Centre at the Bexleyheath Civic
Offices, once staff move. This
is expected to be by Spring
next year.
The Council’s other sites in
the Sidcup area are
unaffected. These include:
● Sidcup Library and Public
Protection (above library)
in Hadlow Road
● Foots Cray waste and
recycling depot in
Maidstone Road
● Adult Education Centre
in Alma Road.
Did you know?
You can access the
Council’s Planning and
Building control services
online at www.bexley.
gov.uk/planning.
You can create and submit
most types of planning
application online via
the Planning Portal and
view details of planning
applications currently
being considered through
the Public Access link on
the site.
If you don’t have
the internet at home,
computers are available
to use at no cost in the
Council’s libraries.
8
602063 BEX MAG Winter 2011 Pg 8 - 9.indd 1
04/11/2011 15:11
Bexley’s best
London 2012
Bexley’s talented athlete scheme
has entered its third year with a new
crop of young superstars making
their mark in the sporting world.
From world record breakers to potential
Olympians and from youngsters
ranked first in the UK to those that
have already tasted European and
Commonwealth success, the scheme
really does represent Bexley’s Sporting
Best.
The initiative was developed in
partnership with Worldwide Olympic
Partner Coca-Cola, who provide funding
and other support for young sports men
and women who are already competing
at national and international level.
This year’s athletes represent a range
of different sports, from athletics,
cycling and swimming to tae kwon do,
weightlifting and fencing.
For more information visit
www.bexley.gov.uk
Sporting Best athlete and former
world record holder in Downs Syndrome
Swimming Sarah-Louise Casey
Business support
London 2012 Organisers have
developed a range of online support
to help businesses run smoothly in
the Summer of 2012.
The number of people expected during
the Games means that London will be
particularly busy, which may mean
journeys made by staff, customers,
visitors and deliveries to or from
businesses could be affected.
There is a wealth of information
available, that will help to identify
ways to ensure your business can run
smoothly during the Games on the
‘beinspired’ webpage.
Bexley’s moment to shine
Seb Coe with Welling School students
Free tickets for schools!
Bexley Magazine on
tape or large print call
hospitality packages.
Encourage your school to join
020
Just over a year ago Seb Coe visited
the Get Set Network before
16 3045 3605
December for a chance to claim free
tickets for London 2012!
The ‘Ticketshare’ scheme is offering
thousands of young people the chance
to receive tickets to London 2012
at no cost, as long as their school is
part of the Get Set Network. Tickets are
funded through a levy on the ‘Prestige’
Bexley, recognising Welling School
as the first in the borough to join the
Get Set Network. Since then, nearly
50 more of the borough’s schools have
joined and are already demonstrating
their commitment to the Olympic and
Paralympic Values.
For more information visit www.bexley.gov.uk
On Sunday 22 July, the Olympic
Flame will reach Bexley, having
travelled through Redbridge,
Barking and Dagenham and
Havering earlier in the day.
Torchbearers will carry the flame
through the borough before arriving
at Danson Park for an official evening
celebration. We want to see as many
people lining the route as possible,
inspired to welcome the Flame and
demonstrating that the Olympic spirit
is alive and well in Bexley!
On 27 July 2012, the flame will
arrive at the Stadium, for the Opening
Ceremony of the
Olympic Games.
Full details
of the route
and local
torchbearers will
be announced
closer to the time.
***STOP PRESS***
Look out for
information on the
2012 ‘Local Leaders’
scheme on
the website
9
www.bexley.gov.uk
04/11/2011 15:15
community
Blooms-a-plenty!
Bexley recently won a total of seven
accolades in the 2011 London in
Bloom competition. The Council
retained all four of the awards it won
last year and added to its collection
by gaining a Silver Gilt in the new
category of Award for Cemeteries up
to five acres.
Welling residents Mr & Mrs Raymond
were once again found to have ‘London’s
best front garden’ .
Bexley in Bloom - our own local
competition to recognise greenfingered residents and businesses
who work hard to make the borough
a pleasant place to live and work, was
London in Bloom’s Best Front Garden - Tavistock Road, Welling
Sid joined the Council as a trainee
gardener 45 years ago and his first
job was in Foots Cray Meadows. He
has lived close by the award winning
country park throughout.
His wife Rosalyn, three children
and five grandchildren have become
used to Sid spending much of his
spare time at the meadows. He is
an active member of the Foots Cray
Meadows Friends Group and even
his young grandson Ronnie now
accompanies him on many of the
group’s works days.
The London in Bloom Judges were
Bexley is looking for local householders
with patience, compassion and
understanding to provide young people
with a room and the support they need to
develop their independent living skills.
n aged
Help a young perso wings
their
16 to 18 spread
are
spare room and
If you have a
standing you
under
and
t
patien
gs
supported lodgin
could provide
ial
Training and financ
ed
support provid
Rhodes
0203 045 5046
London Borough
of Bexley 604532/10.11
.uk
www.bexley.gov
Listening to
10
604532 Room
in your home
you, working
A4.indd 1
for you
Re-launched for 2012, the Bexley Environmental
Challenge aims to reward and promote those
working to improve Bexley’s environment, and by
doing so to encourage others to learn and care for
their environment.
Sid Wilkinson
Schools, community groups, families, individuals or
businesses can enter a range of categories.
There are trophies and large cash prizes, provided
generously once again by Cory Environmental. These will
be presented by the Mayor of Bexley during a special
awards evening in late 2012. All entrants receive a prize.
The closing date is 30 April. Shortlisted projects
will be visited in the summer.
A safe place to stay
Spare
room
in your
home?
Contact Frances
so impressed
by Sid’s
contribution
when they
were visiting
the meadows
to judge it
in the Best
Country Park
Category which it won that they personally recommended
him for the award.
Sid won a Forestry Commission
Individual Commitment and
Achievement Award in 2009.
When asked about his
outstanding achievements Sid
modestly states: “I’m just a normal
person – with a real love of trees
and this beautiful country park.”
also a fantastic success.
New for Bexley in Bloom 2011 was
the Best Public House and Restaurant
category, which saw The Yacht Public
House, Long Lane, Bexleyheath take
the honours.
Jason Togwell, joint manager with
Sue Barnes of the Yacht said: “We really
enjoyed taking part in the competition.
Until the awards evening we had no
idea how competitive it was - we’re
really going to have to up our game
next year to hold on to our title!”
Step up to
the Challenge!
Sid’s blooming
outstanding!
Bexley’s Tree and Woodland
Technician, Sid Wilkinson, won
a London in Bloom award for his
‘outstanding contribution to Foots
Cray Meadows’.
Jason Togwell, Steve Hems, Sue Barnes, Cllr John
Wilkinson and Phil Allan with a canvass of the Yacht
20/10/2011
10:01
Accommodation hosts are needed to join
the Council’s Supported Lodgings scheme.
The scheme provides young people who
have left the care system or are unable to
live at home, with a safe and supportive
place to live with a responsible adult.
To become a Supported Lodgings
host applicants need ● A spare room
● Willingness to help a young
person aged 16 to 18
● To be able to give one to two
hours support a day
● An ability to communicate with young
people to support and empower them
● Patience, compassion, understanding
and a good sense of humour.
Hosts receive training and financial support.
For more information call
0203 045 5046 /07580 100217 or
email [email protected]
04/11/2011 15:17
No ordinary
Sunday for Pastor
When fire took hold of the top floor
of Cambria House, Larner Road,
Erith early one Sunday morning in
September, the emergency services
were not the only ones providing
essential care and support to the
local residents.
Reverend Bob Morgan, Pastor of
Northend Baptist Church, his wife
Rosemary, and their daughters Emily,
Abigail and Hannah jumped into action
and opened the doors of their church
as an emergency rest centre - even
cancelling their Sunday morning service
so the whole building could be used.
The Morgan family provided shelter
and much needed tea, coffee and
biscuits to all affected by the fire,
including the emergency services
and staff from the Council and Orbit
South. They kept the rest centre open
throughout the day – even after
the emergency services had left.
Reverend Bob said:
“We’ve been here in the
community for eleven years.
As soon as I heard about the
fire I made my way to the
Church to see what I could do
to help. We are here to serve
the community and to lead
by example – so this was all
in a day’s work!”
Hannah, Emily, Abigail, Bob
and Rosemary Morgan
It’s everyone’s responsibility
Phone
and pay
to park
Everyone who produces waste is
responsible for ensuring that it is
disposed of properly.
On-street parking meters have been replaced with
phone
parking.
Phone and Pay users have secure
The
Phoneand
andpay
Pay scheme
will be
theirwhere
accountyou
online,
introduced
as an optional
method
Once registered
you can
park inaccess
anytobay
enabling
themto
to:the options
ofsee
payment
in all ofand
the Council’s
the phone
pay sign, simply
listen
pay
and you
display
car020
parks8090
within3595 l
when
call
and
quote
locations
Change
the the
vehicle
registration/s
unique
four-digit reference number
(can
be
seen
onaccount,
the
the
next month.
that are shown on their
signs at the location).
(up to three vehicles can be
Phoneisandalso
Pay the
usersfacility
do not need
There
to pay viaregistered
SMS text
message,
at the
same time)
toreceive
worry about:
a reminder text message when your time is due
lView or print off their full parking
toCarrying
expiretheorright
extend
l
changeyour
to parking time.
account history or VAT receipts
purchase
a pay
and display ticket
For
further
information
please visit
lUpdate their payment card or
www.bexley.gov.uk/parking
lThat their pay and display ticket or
other personal details without
phone
020 dislodged
8303 7777
may become
from ext 3000.
Ways
to pay
display
DEBIT For the first time ever, motorists
time (an optional reminder can be will be given a choice of method of
payment when using a Council car
sent through SMS or email when
Listening
to
you,
working
for
you
park, improvingwww.bexley.gov.uk
the user experience
the session is due to expire with
for all.
the facility to top up available in
most instances)
www.bexley.gov.uk/parking
lThat they might overstay their
604474
DEBIT
the need to speak to an adviser
Waste just left on land (public or
private) is called ‘flytipping’. It can
be as little as a single bag or large
scale construction waste. If found
guilty a court can impose a fine
of up to £50,000 and 12 months
imprisonment.
Even if you give your waste to
someone else to dispose of you
are still responsible for it. Check the
person has a ‘Waste Carriers Licence’
by either asking to see it, or by
calling the Environment Agency
on 08708 506 506.
Business premises have to ensure
they have a Trade Waste Agreement
in place to ensure their waste is
correctly disposed of. Agreements are
usually with the Council or a private
reputable company who will need
to be able to demonstrate where the
waste is being taken.
It’s free to take your domestic
waste to the Council’s re-use and
recycling centres. They are open from
7.30am to 4pm each day. The Council
also provides a chargeable collection
service for bulky items.
If you have any queries
regarding your domestic waste or
recycling call 020 8303 7777
Electronic recycling
With a quarter of us planning to
buy electrical or electronic goods
this Christmas, there’s huge
potential to recycle older items
into new products, rather than
throwing them away.
You can drop them at your local
recycling centre at Thames Road and
Foots Cray or selected mini recycling
banks borough-wide. You can also
donate unwanted, but working, items
to charities such as the British Heart
Foundation. Please remember that it is
illegal to place electrical items in your
general waste bin.
11
www.bexley.gov.uk
04/11/2011 15:23
nities
young people
Could you foster a Bexley child?
For the last seven years of her childhood, Bexley
resident Terri Elliot was fostered. She was, by
her own admission a very difficult child – often
resenting those who cared for her, sometimes
running away and not wanting anything to do
with family life.
Now in her early 20s, Terri has turned her life
around and is now hoping to “put something back”
and start working with children – ideally those
who have had a troubled childhood.
“I look back on those years when I was being
difficult and they tried really hard. But unless
you know what it’s like, unless you’ve been there
yourself as a child and gone through very tough
times, it is hard to understand what goes through
a young person’s mind,” she says. “I think I can now
help others because I can relate to their problems
and their state of mind.
“If my story serves one purpose, I hope it is to
encourage more people from different backgrounds
to see if they could foster. But I also hope that it
shows that fostered children can go on and do
something really positive with their lives –
even if they haven’t had the best start.”
For information on
Fostering in Bexley contact
freephone 0800 652 8330 or e-mail
[email protected]
Another new school!
Former Bexley foster
child - Terri Elliot
e
f
a
s
be
e
n
i
l
n
o
Staff and children welcome the
Mayor of Bexley to their new school
Staff and children at Willow
Bank Primary School in east
Thamesmead, which opened
last month, are busy getting
used to their new surroundings
and routines.
Pupils and staff, including John
Byrne the Head of School, joined the
Mayor of Bexley Cllr Ray Sams and
Councillors for a photograph in bright
sunshine during the opening event
under the Willow tree that gives the
school its name. The school will be
officially opened next June.
St Catherine’s Catholic School for Girls students Laura Isabel Lozano Robles
and Tosimi Faloma with the new CHAT magnets
Have fun and make the most
of social media sites and texting
but be careful – that’s the
message that Bexley’s young
people took home from school
this month during National
Anti-Bullying Week.
Every pupil in years 5,6,7 and 8
pupils was given a fridge magnet
and safety information card with
the message C.H.A.T.
C – Choose your friends carefully.
Do you know the person you are
talking to online is really who they
say they are? It’s fun to have lots of
friends – but only have them if they
are genuine.
H – Harsh words hurt feelings.
Think about how what you write
on your wall or send in a message
could affect other people. Cyber
bullying is a growing issue and your
quickly typed words could cause
upset and distress.
A – Anybody can see you online.
Just because you are typing or
texting in the privacy of your
bedroom don’t forget that anyone
can see what you have typed or the
pictures you post or send. This could
include family and, in some cases,
even potential employers!
T – Think before you post.
A hurried message posted or
sent can’t be taken back. A rash
comment could have a terrible
knock on effect at school and out
of school.
e
fun to us
e
b
n
a
c
:)
edia
Social m eed to stay safe
un
– but yo
12
04/11/2011 15:26
Rights and responsibilities
The Council’s commitment to
promoting equality of opportunity
for all the borough’s residents saw
the first meeting of Bexley’s new
Single Equalities Group in October.
It is made up of individuals
representing a broad range of diverse
groups and the Council hopes it will
produce recommendations that will
influence the Council’s discussions and
decision-making.
Cllr Colin Campbell, Deputy Leader of
the Council, said after the first meeting:
community
“The people who make up
the new group have broad
experience and a good
knowledge of the needs of
a wide range of groups. We
hope they will work to bring
communities together and
deliver real results that will
benefit all our residents.”
Equalities Act 2010
Since April 2011, the law has required all public bodies to have
regard to the need to –
●
●
●
Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
and other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010.
Advance equality of opportunity.
Foster good relations between all sections of the community.
There are nine ‘protected characteristics’ specifically referred to in
the Act: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil
partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief,
sex and sexual orientation.
The members of Bexley’s new Single Equalities Group.
Your community
needs you!
Local residents who are keen to
help themselves, their neighbours
and their community are being
invited to contact Bexley Borough
Neighbourhood Watch.
Effective Neighbourhood Watch
groups have been shown to
be effective in reducing crime.
Members may also qualify for
discounts on their home insurance.
“We are looking for volunteers to
help us build community spirit, offer
information, advice and reassurance
to their neighbours for the benefit
of everyone,” explains BBNWA
spokesman Ray Hudson.
BBNWA has more than 400
Neighbourhood Watch schemes
covering some 22,000 people. It
needs more people willing to set up
local watches in areas that are not
currently covered, or to provide extra
help to existing schemes.
Each Watch has a co-ordinator
and deputy who are in contact with
the local Management Committee.
Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association
Belvedere Police Station, 2 Nuxley Road, Belvedere, Kent DA17 5JF
020 8284 5537 - [email protected] - www.bexleywatch.org.uk
Goody bag professionals!
Re-Instate, the Erith-based charity,
recently won two new orders packing
goody-bags for prestigious national
events.
After working on a Thamesmead
fun-day with Seventeen Events, the
company gave Re-Instate the chance
to sort 350 goody-bags for the 2011
Observer Ethical Awards at the
Victoria and Albert Museum.
Everything went so well that
Re-Instate was awarded the contract
to manage and collate goody-bags
for the 2011 Observer Food and
Drink Awards.
Re-Instate operates a sheltered
workshop for adults with mental
health problems and learning
disabilities. Working within a
supportive and nurturing environment,
those who attend develop self-esteem
and grow in confidence. The work is
commercial and for local firms, who
benefit from the service, as well as
from the satisfaction of supporting a
worthwhile social enterprise.
If you know of any work that
Re-Instate could do, such as packing,
labelling, collating, hand-finishing
and organising mail-shots, would like
to volunteer as a workshop assistant,
or would simply like more information
about the charity, please call John
on 01322 438155, or visit
www.re-instate.co.uk
13
www.bexley.gov.uk
04/11/2011 15:26
Bexley Borough Police
The Metropolitan Police Service is here for London—on the streets
and in your community, working with you to make our city safer.
Don’t give thieves a Happy Christmas
Ways of
reporting crime
There are many ways to report crime,
anti-social behaviour or issues of
concern within your community.
Emergencies
In an emergency always call 999.
You should use this service to contact
police in situations when you need
an immediate response - if a crime is
happening at present or if someone is
in immediate danger.
Police Non Emergency Number
You can call 101 when you need to speak
to Bexley Police about non-emergency
situations, seek advice on police matters
or obtain details of your local Safer
Neighbourhoods Policing Team.
In person at Bexleyheath
Police Station
2 Arnsberg Way, Bexleyheath
Bexleyheath Police Station’s front office
is open to the public 24-hours a day,
7 days a week.
Crimestoppers
Crimestoppers is an independent
UK-wide charity helping to prevent and
solve crime. Give information regarding
crime in confidence and anonymously
24 hours a day, call free on 0800 555
111
www.bexley.gov.uk
Use this website if you want to report
ASB, graffiti, abandoned vehicles and
fly tipping. Diary sheets are available
to download online to report
anti-social behaviour.
Neighbourhood Services
Call to discuss crime, anti social
behaviour or other issues you may
have within your local community on
0208 303 7777 between the hours of
8.30am- 5pm.
Please note that the free phone number that
was previously available to contact the London
Borough of Bexley is no longer in use.
Mobile Text Service
A dedicated mobile telephone number,
07968 341 403, is available for those
people who prefer to text information
regarding non-urgent anti-social
behaviour or crime and disorder
problems within Bexley borough.
You can also call this number and leave
a voicemail. This number is staffed
between 9am- 5pm. We would like to
encourage young people to use this
number to text information regarding
youth crime.
603048/11.11
Bexley
603048 Keep Santa Safe A3.indd 1
21/10/2011 15:38
04/11/2011 15:29
Stamping out hate crime
well being
In April 2012 the digital TV
switchover will take place across
London. If you know of anyone over
75 or disabled who is still watching
an analogue TV (five channels or
fewer), please assure that them help
is available by calling the Switchover
Help Scheme 0800 40 85 900
(textphone 0800 40 85 936).
Borough Police Commander, Dave Stringer (centre front) and Cllr David Hurt (centre rear), with members of Respect in Bexley and the Bexley Speaking Up
Group with local supporters of the campaign
Borough Commander Dave Stringer
has given his support to a 10-point
pledge to stamp out hate crime
against people with learning
disabilities.
The pledge involves a commitment
to improve information and
communication, increase the awareness
of the needs of people with learning
disabilities and to recognise hate crime
for what it is.
In putting his name to Mencap’s
‘Police Promise’, the Borough
Commander explained that progress
could only be made by working in
partnership with the Council and the
voluntary sector to turn the words of
the promise into real improvements.
At a meeting with representatives
from Bexley Mencap, Respect in Bexley
and the Bexley Speaking Up Group,
the Borough Commander received a
petition signed by over 200 people
who have expressed their support for
the campaign.
The group had earlier held a
number of successful meetings with
the Borough’s Safer Transport Team,
at which people’s concerns about
travelling on local buses were listened
to and acted upon.
Carers’ Rights Day - 2 December
There is a ‘drop in’ coffee morning
for carers at the Pier Road
Centre from 10am-1pm (light
refreshments will be provided).
Carers Services staff will be
available to provide information
about local services within Bexley
that may be able to help you in your
caring role.
Information can be provided
regarding carers benefits, short
breaks, emotional support and other
organisations that provide a variety
of services.
For more information please
telephone 01322 338582 or just
come along to the Pier Road Centre,
42 Pier Road, Erith, Kent DA8 1TA
Pier Road is wheelchair accessible
and has accessible toilet facilities.
Pass on a postcard
The cold weather is upon us,
bringing with it danger for our
most vulnerable residents in Bexley.
The London Borough of Bexley has
teamed up with Age Concern Bexley
and Bexley Care Trust to produce
postcards, full of useful tips for
keeping warm and well this winter.
The postcards also have local
emergency telephone numbers
and helpline numbers.
If you know someone who could
benefit from the advice contact
Mollie Pepper on 020 3045 4069 or
Age Concern Bexley 020 8300 0883.
The big knit!
Volunteers for Age Concern Bexley
have knitted nearly 3,000 little
bobble hats as part of a campaign to
highlight the problems older people
face in keeping warm in winter.
As well as highlighting the issue of
keeping warm in winter, each bobble
hat earns a donation to Age Concern
Bexley towards their work in helping
older people in the Borough.
The campaign is in partnership with
Innocent Smoothies and Sainsbury’s
supermarket and the hats will be
displayed in Sainsbury’s stores
throughout November.
If you are interested in helping
next year’s campaign by knitting
for Age Concern Bexley then please
call 020 8300 0883 to register
your support.
15
www.bexley.gov.uk
04/11/2011 15:30
your community
Abbey Wood • Belvedere •
Thamesmead
London Green Points launches
Children from St John Fisher Catholic
Primary School, Thamesmead
recently joined legendary
broadcaster Neil ‘Doctor’ Fox, to mark
the official launch of the London
Green Points scheme in Bexley.
The scheme gives incentives to
residents to reduce the
amount of rubbish they
send for disposal by
reducing, reusing and
recycling their waste.
The less rubbish that gets
taken for disposal, the
more Green Points local
residents can earn.
Participants will have access
to a range of offers and discounts
provided by local retailers. The
points can be redeemed for a range
of eco products and exciting days
out or donated to selected local
charity projects.
Community Food Bank
Thamesmead Food Bank
provides community members in
temporary crisis with three days
of non-perishable foods, plus
general support and signposting
for further help.
It is made up of The Father’s
House, Emmanuel Baptist Church,
Thamesmead Christian Life
Centre, KICC Thamesmead
and St Paul’s Church.
Your commu
Community outreach has
provided more than 200 families
with food in the last 18 months.
The project has already
organised a successful donation
day in Thamesmead town centre,
when shoppers were encouraged
to buy one extra item during their
food shop.
Blackfen • Foots Cray • Sidcup
Meadows are pure gold!
Foots Cray Meadows won a Gold
award in the London in Bloom
competition and was the winner
in the Country Park of the Year
Category.
For details of Foots Cray
Meadows Friends Group go to
www.footscraymeadows.org
Birthday celebrations!
Birkbeck School Breakfast Club
celebrated its first birthday this
month (2 November) with a special
celebration breakfast! The club, which
is run in partnership with the New
Generation Church, invited along all
the children that attended the club
throughout the year.
Pathways open for business
Pathway to new school
The Pathways Short Stay School,
Thamesmead, held its official
opening ceremony last month.
The new school will provide
education for primary and secondary
students who have medical needs,
require respite placement from their
mainstream school or have
been permanently excluded.
The school has state-of-the-art
facilities, including a sensory room,
a fully equipped fitness suite and
specialist teaching rooms.
Falconwood • Welling
Hooking students on gardening
Mrs Doherty of Hook Lane
Primary School, Welling
recently won Bexley in
Bloom’s outstanding
achievement award “for
many years encouraging
others to engage in
horticulture.”
Judges said; “The hours
she spends working with
others to produce wonderful
displays is a benefit for the
whole community.”
Some of the work of the Hook Lane Gardening Club
16
04/11/2011 15:32
your community
munity
Bexley • Bexleyheath
Hall Place gets top marks
Local news
from your
neighbourhood
Crayford • Slade Green • Erith •
Northumberland Heath
Anne-Marie Gill of Bexley Heritage
Trust, who run the education
Crayford consultation
Consultation into proposals for
a special piece of public art in
Crayford town centre took place
last month.
The chosen sculpture will be
located between the new library
and former Town Hall, and will be
funded by developers R&M Projects
(Crayford) and Sainsbury’s.
Europa news
Four proposals were short
listed, by artists Andy Scott, Mike
Chapman and Stephen Broadbent,
and landscape architects Mor
Design. Each of the designs was
inspired by Crayford’s rich history.
The results of the consultation
and the chosen design will be
announced during November.
Europa members on site
The final touches are being put
to the Europa Gym and it’s looking
great! A packed new programme
of activities is being developed
and will be available on both the
Europa Gym and Council websites
when the gym opens it’s doors
for business.
Slade
Caption Green home for more
accessible disability services
There was good news for people
with disabilities in September, when
work started on new facilities for
Bexley’s Integrated Community
Equipment Service (ICES).
ICES provides equipment to help
people leave hospital as soon
as possible and to remain in the
community. The new building is
being constructed at the offices of
Inspire Community Trust.
Ranjit Bhamra, Co-Chair of Inspire
said: “When it’s complete next
Hall Place in Bexley has shown
itself to be at the top of the class for
educational visits by being awarded
a Learning Outside the Classroom
Quality Badge.
April, the project will provide fully
accessible premises for the ICES and
a demonstration unit to deliver a
user-friendly service for promoting
health and well-being amongst
people with physical disabilities and
sensory impairment, and for older
people.
“We will also be able to expand our
‘try & buy’ equipment service, giving
people a choice to buy services
directly from Inspire.”
programme at
Hall Place, said:
“Being awarded
the LOtC Quality
Badge is a real
coup for all the
staff here as it
shows that we
offer young people
the type of high
quality learning
experiences they really benefit from.
“We’re thrilled to get official
recognition for our efforts and we
look forward to welcoming even more
children and young people from the
local area to our fantastic historic
house and gardens.”
Visitors benefit from generous
donation of mobility scooters
Bexley Heritage Trust is
thrilled to have received
two motorised scooters
and an extra wheelchair
from the Bexley
Association of Disabled
People, so that even
more people can enjoy
visiting Hall Place and
Gardens in Bexley.
BADP has been in
consultation with the
Trust, which manages
Hall Place, to improve
access at the Grade
1 Listed house and
its award-winning
gardens.
Visitors with mobility difficulties
can book in advance to loan the
wheelchairs and those that are
familiar with how to use them can
borrow the scooters for use at Hall
Place during opening hours, 10am 5pm, seven days a week.
The service is free of charge, but
the Trust asks those using them to
Mary Driscoll demonstrates one of the
new scooters in the Hall Place gardens,
with Bexley Heritage Trust Chief Executive
Caroline Worthington and Trustee,
Cllr Peter Catterall.
leave credit card details as a form
of deposit.
Please telephone Hall Place
on 01322 526574 or call in to the
Visitor Centre for more information.
17
www.bexley.gov.uk
04/11/2011 15:32
annual accounts
news
in brief
Summary of accounts 2
Each year, the Council
is required by law to
produce a Statement
of Accounts that
summarises the
Council’s financial
activities and gives
details of the overall
financial position. This
means that much
of the information in
the document is of
a technical nature,
satisfying both statutory
requirements and local
authoritypro cedures.
For the purpose of
Summary financial
review
Funding of the Council’s services
This expenditure was funded from the income
sources shown in the chart below
Fees, charges,
other Income
9%
Revenue expenditure
The Council spent just over £536m on its services
in 2010/11. After allowing for grants from the
Government and income generated, this left a
total of £159m that was funded by Council Tax of
£94m, business rates contribution of £57m and
general Government grant of around £8m. After
taking account of commitments at the year end,
directly controlled spending was £340,000 less
than planned. This variation is 0.2 percent of the
Council’s net budget.
presentation have
been made to provide
information more
meaningful to residents.
Dedicated Schools
Grant 29%
Capital expenditure
The Council’s reserves
Capital expenditure benefits the Borough over a long
period of time and includes upgrading or improving
assets such as buildings and roads. In 2010/11, the
Council invested £68m in this way. This is largely
paid for from Government grants, borrowing and
selling surplus sites.
The Council’s main reserve is the General Fund
which provides its day to day working balance. Its
level is affected by under and overspendings and,
at 31 March 2011, this left an available balance
of £10.9m which, given the scale of the Council’s
business, is adequate but not excessive. In addition,
Bexley’s schools carry forward any unspent balances
for spending in later years and at 31 March 2011
carried forward a total of £8.8m.
The cost of the
Council’s Services
in 2010/11
The gross expenditure incurred by the Council in
2010/11 was split over the following services.
A full copy of the Statement of
Accounts is published on the
Council’s website, under Council
and democracy/ Council budgets
and spending/ Annual accounts.
Bexley’s external auditors, the
Audit Commission, have audited
the Council’s accounts for
2010/11 and consider that they
give a true and fair view of the
Council’s financial position.
Council Tax 17%
Other
Government
Grants 33%
this summary, some
modifications in
Revenue Support
Grant 12%
Other
services,
5%
Cultural, Environment
and Planning 11%
Financing costs,
precepts etc 5%
Capital expenditure in 2010/11
Capital expenditure was spent on the
following services:
Council Offices,
Libraries,
Community
Centres 4%
Housing and
Social Services 4%
Children and Young People
(inc. schools) 67%
Children and Young People
(inc. schools) 45%
Highways,
Regeneration,
Parks 25%
Adult Social
Care 12%
Housing 18%
Highways, Roads
and Transport 4%
18
04/11/2011 15:33
annual report
s 2010/11
Expenditure included:
l£16.1m on the Harris Academy
l£17.6m on Haberdashers’ Aske’s Academy
l£10.3m on new school buildings and improvements to
existing stock
l£6.8m on highways maintenance and street lighting
l£5.8m on the Thames Gateway projects at Belvedere
l£1.5m on IT equipment
l£1.5m on home improvement grants
l£0.9m on children’s centres
l£1.2m on the new Europa Gym
l£0.7m for playground improvements
The Council’s overall
financial position
Collecting the Council Tax
For 2010/11, the Council Tax (including that collected
on behalf of the Greater London Authority) was set
at £1,438.41 for a Band D property. Corresponding
rates for other bands were as follows:
Band
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
Number of dwellings
4,814
9,922
27,940
26,535
19,200
4,584
1,666
47
Council Tax
£958.94
£1,118.76
£1,278.59
£1,438.41
£1,758.06
£2,077.70
£2,397.35
£2,876.82
Bexley collected 96% of the total Council Tax due
in 2010/11. The remaining sums will be mostly
collected over the following three years.
The Council’s overall financial position is represented
by its Balance Sheet which is a ‘snapshot’ of the
finances as at 31 March 2011. The Balance Sheet is
summarised in the following table
Value as at 31 March 2011
£m
Land, buildings equipment etc
owned by the Council
566.7
Investments
41.9
Cash in bank
27.3
Money owed to the Council
56.8
Money owed by the Council
-111.2
Net Assets
581.5
Funded by:Borrowing
103.2
General Fund and other Revenue Reserves 59.1
Capital Expenditure Financing
419.2
581.5
19
www.bexley.gov.uk
04/11/2011 15:35
money
Burdened with debt?
Welling Baptist Church teamed
up with debt counselling charity
Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
last year to help people overcome
spiralling financial problems.
Now marking its first anniversary, the local
service has helped more than 30 people
on their way to becoming debt free.
Centre Manager, Zoe Blanchard
explains: “Recently I was in the
home of a lady who lost her job
suddenly, due to ill health, and
the financial commitments she
managed a few months ago have
now become impossible.
“Like a lot of people, she had very
few savings and was eventually faced
with skipping meals in an attempt to
keep her creditors at bay.”
The help provided was a huge
relief. First, the team carried out an
emergency shop for the lady, then head
office contacted her creditors. Today, she
is working to a planned
budget which prioritises
essential bills and should
enable her to become
debt free within
five years.
The free service,
which is provided
within the client’s
home, is confidential
and available to
everyone, regardless
of religion. Zoe added:
“We’re aware that many
more people in the local
community still live under
the shadow of debt and
I would urge anyone in
need to contact us.”
Applying for school
and nursery
Children who will be five years old between
1 September 2012 and 31 August 2013 will
start school in September 2012 and you can
apply now for a place.
Parents and carers can apply online, or collect an
application form from your local primary school.
Zoe Blanchard
For more
information
please visit
www.capuk.org
0800 328 0006
Don’t miss the closing date of 15 January 2012.
Late applications won’t be dealt with until after
all the ‘on time’ applications and you may
miss out on being offered your preferred school.
Applications for nursery places for children
who will be 4 years old between 1 September
2012 and 31 August 2013 can be made
between 16 January 2012 and 5 April 2012.
Visit www.bexley.gov.uk/admissions
for more information
20
04/11/2011 15:37
All our yesterdays
local history
Past presents
Stuck wondering what to buy for
that all important Christmas stocking
filler? Well, the Council publishes a
fantastic range of local history books
that cover all parts of the Borough,
from Foots Cray to Crayford and from
the Stuarts to the Second World War
and beyond.
Staff will be selling these
publications and much more
downstairs in the main entrance
at Central Library in the two weeks
leading up to Christmas in December.
For the first time, customers will
be able to select and print quality
images taken from our extensive
collection of historic photographs
that we have recently digitised.
If you are unable to visit in December you
can always order publications and prints from
www.bexley.gov.uk/archiveonlineshop
Sidcup’s
photographer
Alfred Dewey
Local Studies events for 2012
Local Studies are planning a wide variety of
new and exciting events for 2012.
To celebrate the bicentenary of Charles
Dickens’ birth, Archivist Lucy Bonner will be
delving into the archive to reveal the little
known history of Bexley during the time of the
Victorian author. To mark the anniversary of the
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, there will be a talk on
royal celebrations in Bexley in times gone by.
Due to the recent unprecedented
demand for viewing archive films, staff
also will be screening more unseen historic
film footage of the Borough at Local Studies
and in Bexley libraries.
To book a place on these and
other forthcoming Local Studies events
keep an eye our in future editions of
the Bexley magazine, local press and the
Local Studies Events website at
www.bexley.gov.uk/archiveevents
Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee bonfire, Oaklands Road, Bexleyheath
Queen Victoria’s Diamond
Jubilee celebrations
Alfred Dewey
With all the building work that is currently
taking place in Sidcup at the moment, have
you ever paused to think how the High
Street looked in years gone by? Fortunately,
Sidcup’s very own photographer, Alfred
Dewey captured the town in pictures at a
time when Sidcup was experiencing its first
period of development, towards the end of
the nineteenth century.
Dewey expanded his music shop
on Sidcup High Street to incorporate
a photographic studio. Dewey not only
photographed local scenes for postcards
but was also an accomplished portrait
photographer.
Local Studies Manager, Simon McKeon,
will be giving an illustrated talk on the life
and work of Alfred Dewey at Sidcup Library
on Wednesday 22 February.
To book a ticket ring Local Studies on
020 3045 3369.
21
www.bexley.gov.uk
04/11/2011 15:37
6
6 things
ideas to help others
4
The festive season is traditionally a time for
eating, drinking and celebrating with family and
friends. Many people also use the season as a
time to consider others who are less fortunate.
If you fancy ‘giving something back’ this year here are a few ideas.
1
Visit ...
a sick person. Not everyone
in hospital has family or friends
to visit them. Visitors can really
help improve a patient’s health
and state of mind, while of course
making the stay more pleasant.
If you have a couple of hours you
could spare visiting people in
hospital then call Lynne Jones
on 020 8302 2678 ext 3019.
2
Offer ...
to take
elderly or disabled
neighbours to the shops. There’s nothing
quite like the satisfaction of actually
getting out, choosing and buying those
special Christmas gifts yourself, and our
elderly and disabled residents are no
different. They may just have difficulty in
actually getting to the shops or carrying
the shopping. So why not spare a few
hours and offer to help them out next
time you are speaking to them?
Remember ...
our troops serving abroad. Christmas time
can be a particularly difficult time for our
servicemen and women.
The Royal British Legion
Bexleyheath and Welling
Branch runs a ‘shoebox
appeal’ all year round
where they send shoe
boxes full of home goodies
to soldiers serving in
Afghanistan. Boxes
should be no bigger than
a shoebox and weigh no
more than 1.8kg fully
wrapped. It’s also a nice
idea to include a letter or card. More details are available
at www.bexleyheathandwellingrbl.co.uk/
5
Donate...
a gift at one of the many supermarkets and stores that now run
schemes to help people in need. As people are shopping they put
an extra item in their basket such as a toy or toiletries, pay for it in
the normal way at the
checkout and then place
it in the ‘Donate a gift’
‘box’ on the way out of
the store. The store then
distributes the gifts to
people in need in time for
Christmas.
6
Help Santa ...
3
Keep hospital shops ...
going. The Friends of Queen
Mary’s are always looking for volunteers
to help run their shops in the hospital.
They are particularly keen to hear from
people who can provide cover in the
refreshments bar near the emergency
centre during the Christmas period.
Please collect a leaflet from one of the
shops or call Sandra Groombridge on
020 8302 6589
Bexley Rotary Club, who
will be towing their carol
float with Father Christmas,
sleigh and reindeers around the
streets of Bexleyheath, Bexley
and Welling between 5 and 21
December. Money raised is given
to numerous local charities and
hospices.
If you are over 18 and would like
to help with these popular door to
door evening collections please call
David on 020 8306 0926 or email
[email protected]
22
1
07/11/2011 09:42
environment
Your Local Health Service
Think first Choose Well
NHS services are especially busy in winter, so it’s
important to choose the right service. By choosing
well, you will receive the right treatment every time.
Worried about starting
a new medication?
Visit your local pharmacist for free,
friendly advice
Pharmacists in Bexley are launching a
medicines service, which helps local people
with long term conditions, such as asthma or
diabetes, to manage their medicines.
The new service enables patients and their
pharmacist to discuss a new medication
prescribed by the GP. Patients are offered a series
of appointments with their pharmacist to ensure
they are comfortable taking the medication and
understand any side-effects.
Local Pharmaceutical Committee Chief Officer,
Raj Matharu said: “Patients can often feel
apprehensive about taking a new medication
but the new medicines service helps ease some
of these concerns.”
When a patient with a long term condition
collects their prescription, they are offered a
consultation with their local pharmacist over the
phone or in the pharmacy consulting room to
discuss any issues or concerns. Progress with the
medication is assessed two weeks later, then a
final check is made after another fortnight.
Bexley Clinical Cabinet Chair Dr Howard Stoate
said: “The role of the community pharmacist in
Bexley is changing, with patients, pharmacists
and GPs working more closely together. This
latest scheme enables patients to make betterinformed decisions about their treatment.”
For more information contact
Bexley Business Support Unit
at [email protected]
Give up smoking with Bexley’s
successful stop smoking service
Get in touch with Bexley’s award-winning
stop smoking team if you want to kick
the habit.
The team helped more than 1,600 people give
up last year. A range of services are on offer,
including free support over a six-week period
Bexley Clinical Cabinet’s member for Clocktower Dr
Bill Cotter said: “People should only use A&E in serious
emergencies or accidents, and should use the Urgent
Care Centre for less serious, but urgent illness or injury.
Your GP should be able to help for most other things, but
if in doubt get advice from NHS Direct.”
The Urgent Care Centre at Queen Mary’s, Sidcup
operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provides
treatment for patients who have conditions which
should be seen quickly, but are not life-threatening.
The Urgent Care Centre should not replace your GP
and during working hours, you should try to get an
appointment with your GP first.
Around 100 patients are seen each day at the
Urgent Care Centre by an expert team of GPs, nurse
practitioners, assessment nurses and primary care
assistant practitioners.
The Urgent Care Centre is at the
Queen Mary’s Hospital, Frognal Avenue,
Sidcup. Tel. 020 8308 5611.
Contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647
Keep warm
Even the healthiest people can become ill in winter and
more accidents happen when it’s cold and dark. One of
the best ways to keep well during winter is to stay warm.
During the winter months remember to eat well, stay
active, keep your home warm, wrap up warm and look
out for elderly friends and neighbours.
Catch it, bin it, kill it!
lAlways cover your nose and mouth with a tissue
when sneezing or coughing
lPut dirty tissues in the bin immediately after use
lWash your hands frequently with soap and water
lMake sure you clean surfaces and contact points
and sessions with expert advisers at a range
of venues and times across the borough.
For more information contact the Bexley
Stop Smoking service on 020 8298 6147 or
email [email protected]
23
2
www.bexley.gov.uk
04/11/2011 15:40
24
04/11/2011 15:40
community
Local information
552860 Photo
sheet A5 2010:4
page A4
14/5/10
12:21
Page 1
LOCAL MPS
YOUR COUNCILLORS
For further inform
ation call
020 8303 7777
or
www.bexley.gov.u visit
k
The London Borough of Bexley is divided into
21 wards, each of which is represented by three
local ward Councillors.
To find out which ward you live in, or for up-to-date
details of how to contact your local Councillors or
members of the Council’s Cabinet, please visit
www.bexley.gov.uk or call 020 8303 7777
Council
Members
May 2010
Picture Bexley
David Evennett MP
Bexleyheath and Crayford
Your photo could win you £30 of printing,
enlarging or canvassing from Nigel Barrett
Photography, a place in the Picture Bexley
photo competition final and the chance of
winning a £250 prize!
Surgeries are held on the first and third
Friday of the month.
First Friday of the month
Venue: 17 Church Road, Bexleyheath,
Kent DA7 4DD
Time: 4pm until 6pm
Third Friday of the month
Venue: Ground Floor Consultation Room,
Crayford Temple Grove Children’s Centre,
accessed via Iron Mill Lane, Crayford,
Kent DA1 4RS
Time: 4pm until 6pm
No appointment is necessary at these
surgeries – constituents can turn up
and take a number.
To contact David Evennett MP
Write to: House of Commons,
Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA
Email: david.evennett.mp@
parliament.uk
Telephone: 020 7219 8403
Fax: 020 7219 2163
Website: www.davidevennett.com.
USEFUL LOCAL NUMBERS
Age Concern
020 8300 0883/5576
Childline
0800 1111
Citizens Advice Bureau 020 8303 5100
Consumer Direct
08454 040506
Dial a Ride
0845 999 1 999
Environment Agency
0800 807 060
Family Planning/
Sexual Health
01322 357 953
Floodline
0845 988 1188
Job Centre plus
0845 601 6916
Lost dogs and
cats hotline
0901 477 8477
NHS Direct
0845 46 47
Police - non-emergencies 0300 123 1212
Darent Valley Hospital 01322 428100
Queen Elizabeth Hospital 020 8836 6000
Queen Mary’s Hospital 020 8302 2678
Report a gas leak
0800 111 999
RSPCA
0300 1234 999
Samaritans
08457 90 90 90
Thames Water
0800 714 614
Transport for London 020 7222 5600
Victim Support
020 8303 1248
If you would like
to
or would like either know more about the services
in a different format,a translation of this docume the Council provides,
nt or the informat
please call our
020 8303 7777
and press 0, quotingCustomer Contact Centre ion
on
reference: 552860
/5.10
Listening to
you, working
for you
www.bexley.g
THEATRES
Geoffrey Whitworth Theatre Crayford
01322 526390
Playhouse Theatre, Erith
www.playhouse.org.uk
01322 350345 (Box Office)
Edward Alderton Theatre, Bexleyheath
020 8303 3131
(Box Office open 6-8pm)
Old Barn Theatre & Theatre in the Round
Rose Bruford College, Sidcup
020 8308 2616
DISPOSE OF YOUR ENERGY
SAVING BULBS SAFELY
Energy saving bulbs are 80% more
efficient than traditional bulbs and also
last 10 times longer.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, if
you fit only energy saving bulbs in your
house, you could save around £45 a year
and £390 over the lifetime of all the bulbs.
All energy saving light bulbs and
fluorescent tubes are classified as
hazardous waste because they contain a
small quantity of mercury and must not
be put into your household waste.
Please take them to • Bexley’s reuse and recycling centres
for recycling, or
• the Sainsbury’s or Robert Dyas stores
in the borough where they were
purchased, which have special
collection banks.
Please check the Council’s website
at www.bexley.gov.uk/recycling for
information on what to do it an energy
efficient light bulb gets broken.
ov.uk
Listening to
you, working
for you
www.bexley.g
ov.uk
Hall Place in the Snow - one of the
November entries from Alan Ashby
of Picture Bexley
PLACES OF WORSHIP
The Council has a list of places of
worship around the borough. The list
includes churches, temples, synagogues,
meeting rooms etc.
To include a place of worship or for the
full list visit www.bexley.gov.uk/
placesofworship
James Brokenshire MP
Old Bexley and Sidcup
Christmas & New Year
refuse & recycling collections
Normal Collection Day Revised Collection Day
Monday 26 December
Tuesday 27 December
Wednesday 28 December
Thursday 29 December
Friday 30 December
Tuesday 27 December
Friday 30 December
Saturday 31 December
Monday 2 January
Tuesday 3 January
Wednesday 4 January
Thursday 5 January
Friday 6 January
Tuesday 3 January
Wednesday 4 January
Thursday 5 January
Friday 6 January
Saturday 7 January
Collections only affected from 26 December
From Monday 9 January collections return
to normal.
If you have any queries regarding these
arrangements or your waste / recycling
remains uncollected, please call the Contact
Centre on 020 8303 7777 .
Please note there will only be emergency
phone cover over the Bank Holidays as the
Council Offices are closed.
The Council’s Reuse and Recycling Centres at
Thames Road, Crayford and Maidstone Road,
Footscray, are open 7.30am to 4pm. They are
closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and
open 10am until 2pm on New Year’s Day.
Our mini recycling sites throughout the
Borough are particularly busy over holiday
periods. If the banks are full please take your
recycling home. They will be emptied as soon
as possible. Please remember to use all of
your recycling containers at home.
Surgeries are by appointment
only by calling the MP’s office on
020 7219 8400.
To contact James Brokenshire MP
Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA
Email: james.brokenshire.mp@
parliament.uk
Telephone: 020 7219 8400
Teresa Pearce MP
Erith & Thamesmead
Teresa Pearce MP holds four advice
surgeries each month. Teresa’s surgeries
are held on the first Saturday of the
month in Thamesmead, the second
Saturday of the month in Erith,
the third Friday of the month in
Northumberland Heath and the fourth
Friday of the month in Abbey Wood.
All surgeries are booked by prior
appointment by calling Teresa’s office.
To contact Teresa Pearce MP
Westminister, London, SW1A 0AA
Email: teresa.pearce.mp@
parliament.uk
Telephone: 020 7219 7068
London Assembly Member
James Cleverly AM
(Bexley & Bromley)
To contact James Cleverly write to:
James Cleverly AM, Greater London
Authority, City Hall, The Queen’s Walk,
London SE1 2AA.
Telephone: 020 7983 4354 (City Hall),
fax: 020 7983 4419, or e-mail:
[email protected]
25
www.bexley.gov.uk
04/11/2011 15:41
local history
Local events - November to February 2012
For a list of regular events throughout the borough, visit the Council’s website at www.bexley.gov.uk/whatson
Thursday 1 December
7.15pm - 8.30pm The story of Bermondsey
Local Studies and Archives Centre,
First Floor, Central Library,
Townley Road, Bexleyheath DA6 7HJ.
NOVEMBER
Monday 28 November
Christmas creations with
Graham Harmer
Session starts with lunch at 1pm
followed by workshop 2.30pm-6pm
Danson House, Danson Road,
Bexley DA6 8HL
Learn how to make a door garland and
table arrangement to decorate your house.
All flowers and materials supplied - just
bring along a pair of scissors. You can take
away your masterpieces to enjoy at home.
Price includes four course Christmas dinner.
Ticket: £40 per person
01322 621238
DECEMBER
Until 24 December 2011
Santa’s Grotto 2011
Ruxley Manor Garden Centre,
Maidstone Road, Sidcup DA14 5BQ
Be greeted by one of the elves who will
present each child with their very own
Grotto Passport, before taking them on a
truly festive experience!
See Santa’s little helpers making toys
in their workshop and then cross the
courtyard to enter his enchanting home.
Meet Santa himself, where he will
present every good little boy and girl
with a gift from his special chimney!
A grotto experience not to be missed and don’t forget to visit our real reindeer
afterwards too!
Children over 2 - £8.99
Children under 2 with present - £5.99
Children under 2 no present - Free
Adult - £2
020 8300 0084
Thursday 1 December - 2pm
Old Bexley Floral Arrangement
Society floral demonstration
St Mary’s Church Hall,
Manor Road, Bexley
Floral demonstration Christmas in Mind - 01322 528224
Thursday 1 December
to 24 December
Christmas grotto and
seasonal gifts
Broadway Shopping Centre,
Broadway, Bexleyheath.
Times vary please see display
at the grotto.
Admission: £2 per child to visit
Santa (includes a gift)
020 8319 9230
[email protected]
Bermondsey has a distinguished and
strongly independent history. It has
undergone substantial change in modern
times. Little evidence remains of its
medieval abbey and even of the leather
and food processing industries that
dominated its economy in more recent
times. The talk will explore these themes,
along with its position as a centre
of entertainment in the 18th century
and radical social reform in the early
20th century.
Tickets available from the Local Studies
and Archive Centre.
Admission: £3.50
really get into the ‘Spirit of Christmas’whilst
taking part for a great cause? You even
get to keep your very own Santa suit!
Admission: £20
01372 220022
[email protected]
Monday 5 December - 7pm
Carols and Mince Pies
Our Lady of the Angels Church,
Carlton Road, Erith, DA8 1DN
Christmas concert featuring the Bexley
Youth Orchestra, Bexley Youth Band, Little
Big Band and the Bexley Youth Choir.
Admission £7 for adults and £3.50 for
children, payable on the door.
020 8302 1456 and ext 4.
Concert featuring the Bexley Band,
Intermediate band and Junior Choir.
Admission £7 for adults and £3.50 for
children, payable on the door.
020 8302 1456 and ext 4.
and Thursday 8 December 12.30pm or 1pm
Christmas Lunch at Danson
Saturday 3 December 7pm-11pm
Masquerade Ball
Relax and enjoy the run up to the festive
season with the opportunity to tour the
house, decorated for a Georgian Christmas.
Dine on a delicious four course Christmas
meal in the delightful Breakfast Room and
visit the shop stocked with gifts,
hand selected for their quality.
Pre-booking for these lunches is essential.
Tables can be booked for 12.30pm or 1pm.
£26 per person (£10 deposit at time of
booking)
01322 621238
Danson House, Danson Road,
Bexley DA6 8HL
Experience the dazzling and enchanting
world of an 18th century Masquerade Ball
at Danson House. Be a welcome guest for a
magical night of lavish Georgian merriment
and dancing in the stunning surroundings
of the historic house. Wrapped in the
mystery of your mask, admire or join in
with simple and lively informal dances
and try your hand at Georgian card and
hazard games. Ticket price includes all
refreshments and entertainment.
Dress up in 18th century costume to add to
the atmosphere or just put on your party
frock - but don’t forget your mask to add
to the excitement.
Tickets: £55 per person
01322 621238
Sunday 4 December - 10am
Santa Run for charity
Greenwich Park, Romney Road
SE10 9NF
The Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is
looking for Bexley people to help them by
taking part in this year’s sponsored run to
raise funds on their behalf. If you have ever
wanted to get involved in a 5km or 10km
run with a difference here is your chance!
You can walk, jog or run and the emphasis
is taking part and not winning. So why
not get a group of friends together and
The Baker Trust Hall, Maxim Road,
Crayford
Organised by the Crayford Manor House
Historical and Archaeological Society. A talk
given by Anne Carter. An entertainment in
the Queen’s own words and in costume,
giving an insight into the humour of the
whole family.
Admission: Please use contact information
below for December charges.
01322 551279
[email protected]
Saturday 10 December - 7pm
Brass celebration concert
St John’s Church, Danson Lane, Welling
Saturday 3 December - 7pm
Carols and Mince Pies
St Martin’s Church, Erith Road,
Barnehurst, DA7 6LE
7pm for a 7.30pm start
An Audience with Queen Victoria
Danson House, Danson Park,
Danson Road, Bexleyheath DA6 8HL
Thursday 8 December
7.30pm (doors open at 7pm)
Carols at Danson House
Danson House, Danson Park, Danson
Road, Bexleyheath DA6 8HL
Traditional carols to listen to and join in
with, will be performed in the atmospheric
library with the accompaniment of the
beautifully restored Danson Organ. Ticket
price includes a glass of wine or juice and
a mince pie.
01322 621238
Friday 9 December 12 noon- 7pm,
Saturday 10 December10am - 7pm,
Sunday 11 December12 noon- 5pm
Erith Christmas Tree Festival
Christ Church, Victoria Road, Erith,
Kent, DA8 3AN Admission free.
Brass Celebration concert featuring Rotary
Brass, Bexley Brass Collective, Brass Tacks,
Senior Choir, school choirs from Hook Lane,
Sherwood Park and Brampton
and brass players from Northumberland
Heath Primary School.
Admission: £5 per person
Further details from Bird College on
0208 302 1456 ext 4.
Saturday 10 December 11.30am- 4.30pm
Ladies Pamper Event
Roberts Hall, Broadway,
Bexleyheath DA6 7BT
Therapies including hot stone, reflexology,
aromatherapy, facials, ear candling, nail’s,
deep tissue massage, threading, beauty
treatments and lots more. Gift shopping,
teas and cakes. Come and pamper yourself
you deserve it! (Future events, every 2nd
Saturday of the month.)
Admission: Free
Tel: 07932 955689
Email: [email protected]
10am till 4pm
Charity Fair
Christ Church, Victoria Road,
Erith DA8 3AN
Sunday 11 December 6.30pm
Carols by Tree Light
Christ Church, Victoria Road,
Erith DA8 3AN
Sunday 11 December
3pm (doors open at 2.30pm)
Charity Carol Concert
Hall Place, Bourne Road,
Bexley DA5 1PQ
Hall Place hosts a Christmas carol concert
performed by Erith Operatic Society in
aid of the Rotary Club of Bexley. Doors
open 2.30pm, at which time you will
find Santa and musical sleigh in the
gardens of the house.
This is a traditional concert particularly
suitable for families, with mulled wine
(or juice) and a mince pie included in
the ticket.
Adults £10, Children (under 16yrs) £8
All tickets in advance
01322 621238
Monday 12 December to 16
December - 12.30pm or 1pm
Christmas celebrations
at Danson
meal in the delightful Breakfast Room
and visit the shop stocked with gifts, hand
selected for their quality.
Admission: £26 per person (£10 deposit at
time of booking)
01322 621238
10.30am-1pm
Basic Deaf Awareness sign skills
Resources plus, 104 High Street, Erith
DA8 1SL
Half day Basic Deaf Awareness sign skills.
Tea, coffee and biscuits provided, students
to bring their own lunch. To secure a place
or for further information, please use the
contact details provided below
Cost: £15 per person
01322 351122
Fax 01322 339428
a mince pie.
01322 621238
7.30pm
Christmas Concert with The
Belvedere Concert Band
Bishop Ridley Church, The Green,
Falconwood, Welling DA16 2PG
Tickets: £8
Donna Crane 020 8850 6863
For all the latest events
follow ‘whatsoninbexley’ on
26
04/11/2011 15:42
Football and multi sports
sessions
Bexley DA5 1PQ
Join us for a family friendly pantomime
version of ‘A Christmas Carol’, with audience
interaction, live music (carols and original
songs) as well as puppets. The story tells
of sour and stingy Ebenezer Scrooge’s
transformation after the supernatural
visitations of the ghosts of Christmas Past,
Present and Yet to Come. The show will last
about one hour.
Ticket: Adults £7, Children £5
01322 621238 All tickets in advance
Sunday 18 December - 3pm
(doors open 2.30pm)
Christmas Concert
Bexley DA5 1PQ
More seasonal treats and light-hearted
revels with the Geoffrey Whitworth
Strolling Players. Join us for Christmas
carols and merriment, a glass of mulled
wine (or juice) and a mince pie, to really
get into the festive spirit.
Monday 19 December to
12.30pm or 1pm
Christmas celebrations
at Danson
Tuesday 20 December
10.30am - 2pm
Christmas crafts
Bexley DA5 1PQ
*Please note calls to this number are charged at 10p per minute from
a BT landline, calls from mobiles and other networks may be more.
Sequins and sparkle found in this hour
of Christmas crafts to get into the festive
spirit. Make Christmas decorations to take
home with you. Tickets include drink and
a biscuit.
All children must be accompanied by
an adult.
Tickets (to be purchased in advance)
£4 per child per 1 hour session
01322 621238
Civic Carol
Service
Tuesday 20 December
Arranged by Churches
Together in Sidcup and the
London Borough of Bexley
a mince pie.
01322 621238
Taking part:
Merton Court
Preparatory School
Saturday 11 February 2012
7.30pm
Valentine’s Concert with
The Belvedere Concert Band
Dulverton Primary School
The Sidcup Symphony Orchestra
St Peter’s Church, Pickford Lane,
Bexleyheath, DA7 4RW
Tickets: £9, £4.50 under 16
Donna Crane 020 8850 6863
meal in the delightful Breakfast Room
and visit the shop stocked with gifts, hand
selected for their quality.
Ticket: £26 per person (£10 deposit
at time of booking)
01322 621238
CRIBS and Combined Churches Choir
Sunday 11 December 2011
4pm
St John the Evangelist Church
Church Road, Sidcup
600186/11.11
Saturday 17 December 5.30pm (doors open at 5pm)
A Christmas Carol family pantomime
Football and multi sports for boys and girls between 5-15 years
old are taking place at various locations
in Bexley during school holidays and at half terms.
For further information visit www.cact.org.uk
You can book online, or by telephone
0871 781 2095*
Free access to the internet is available at all Bexley libraries.
All are welcome
27
www.bexley.gov.uk
04/11/2011 15:42
28
04/11/2011 15:44
A - Z of council services
For a large print version of this
A-Z call 020 3045 3605
If you need to know about a Council service, this is the place to start
Visit us on the internet at
www.bexley.gov.uk
Email: [email protected]
Call our Contact Centre on 020 8303 7777
for any of the following services
Abandoned vehicles
Air pollution
Building Control
Bulky waste collections
Business Rates
Contamination
Fly tipping
Food safety
Free school meals
Health & safety at work
Highway & pavement
faults
Infectious diseases
Library book renewals
Library book searches
Library opening times
Library PC bookings
Listed buildings
Litter
Local Development
Framework
Noise complaints
Pest control
Planning
Planning enforcement
& appeals
Contact Centre
Opening hours for
telephone enquires
8am-5pm
Monday - Friday
Emergencies (24 hours)
020 8303 7777
Bexley Magazine
on tape or large print
call 020 3045 3605
Bexley at your fingertips
Planning policy
Play parks
Ranger services
Recovery
School admissions
School appeals
Selection tests
Skip permits
Street cleansing
Street lighting
Student loans/grants
Town planning
Uniform grant
Waste & recycling
Water quality
Winter maintenance
Services with their own direct
dial numbers
Dial
020 3045

Council Tax,Council Tax Benefit,
Housing Benefit
Automated Payments
5200
Bell Emergency Link
Line information
5400
Bexley Magazine
3500
Disabled Children’s Service
3600
Housing Advice / Homeless
3400
Housing Allocations &
Sheltered Housing
Adoption and Fostering
0800 783 7699
3100
Licensing Team
3900
Births, Deaths and Marriages
020 8308 7515
Local Land Search
4000
Parking Services
3000
Resources Plus
3800
Residential Care
4900
Temporary Accommodation
Queries
4800
0345 302 2317
(Charged at local rate from landline only.
Mobile phone charges are subject to
individual supplier)
Ceremonies
020 8308 7509
If the service is not listed here,
please call the Council’s main number
020 8303 7777
to reach the department you require.
Calls to 020 3045 numbers are local calls
charged at local rates
www.bexley.gov.uk
29
www.bexley.gov.uk
04/11/2011 15:45
Local organisations
Academy Photographic Group
020 8310 9218
Active Horizons Youth
[email protected]
www.activehorizons.org.uk
07833 477651/020 8310 5481
Age Concern Bexley
Grassington Road, Sidcup
020 8300 0883
Air Training Corps (Youth)
Welling Sqdn - 020 8303 7379
Bexleyheath Sqdn - 01322 559056
Sidcup Sqdn - 020 8309 9926
www.1227Sidcup.org.uk
Erith Sqdn - 01322 340749
Alzheimer’s Society
Bexley Branch - 01322 334245
Association of Bexley Charities ‘78
020 8310 5018
Assyrian Community of Kent
01322 331711
Arts Council of Bexley
[email protected]
020 8301 5806
Avante Care and Support: Homecare
01322 625 100
Avante Care and Support:
Independent Living - 01322 559 615
107 (Bexleyheath) Army Cadet Force
TA Centre, Watling Street
Bexleyheath DA6 7QQ 07982 721926
Advocacy for All
www.bbadvocacy.org - 020 8300 9666
Belvedere Community Forum
[email protected]
01322 435840
Bexley & Greenwich Resource
for Alcohol
108 Bellegrove Road, Welling
020 8304 6588
Bexley Accessible Transport Scheme
www.bexleyct.co.uk - 01322 311333
Bexley African Caribbean
Community Association
[email protected]
07946 497731
Bexley Archaeological Group
www.bag.org.uk - 020 8300 1752
Bexley Art Group
01322 430681
Bexley Associations of Disabled People
Inspire Community Trust, 20 Whitehall
Lane, Slade Green - 01322 350988
Bexley Association of Turkish Speakers
[email protected] - 07908 482700
Bexley Borough Pensioners Forum
020 8304 1749
Bexley Care Trust
221 Erith Road, Bexleyheath
020 8298 6000
Bexley Centre for the Unemployed
Pincott Hall, Christ Church, Broadway,
Bexleyheath, DA6 7BT - 020 8301 3187
Bexley Churches Housing
Association Ltd
020 8320 1086/07920 234806
Bexley Civic Society - 020 8304 1819
Bexley Council for Equality
and Diversity 01322 340316
Bexley Cruse Bereavment Care
020 8304 5245
Bexley & Dartford Branch
Cats Protection
www.bexleycatsprotection.co.uk
01322 611911
Bexley Deaf Centre
20 Whitehall Lane, Slade Green, DA8 2DH
Fax/Minicom - 01322 339428
[email protected]
SMS - 07918 881524 / 01322 351122
Bexleyheath & District Club for
Disabled 020 8303 4826/020 8303 1177
Bexley Heritage Trust
www.dansonhouse.org.uk
www.hallplace.org.uk
www.bexleyheritagetrust.org.uk
(Danson House) - 020 8303 6699
(Hall Place) - 01322 526574
Bexley Historical Society
www.bexleyhistoricalsociety.co.uk
020 8303 0544
Bexley Keep Fit Club
Hurst Community Centre
Monday evenings 7.30 - 9 pm
Wednesday afternoons 2 - 3 pm
Bexley and Lewisham Sea Cadets
[email protected]
020 8304 9448
Bexley LINk
020 8303 1948
Bexley Marquetry Group
01689 851702
Bexley Mencap
[email protected]
020 8303 6336
Bexley ME Support Group
020 8303 8553
Bexley Moorings Project
[email protected]
Bexley Neighbourhood Watch
www.bexleywatch.org.uk
[email protected]
020 8284 5537
Bexley Next Step
Erith Town Hall(Friday) Central Library
(Mon-Wed) 07747 471539
Bexley SNAP www.bexleysnap.org.uk
020 8311 6777
Bexley Stop Smoking Service
www.smokefreebexley.co.uk
[email protected]
020 8298 6147
Bexley Talking Newspaper
01322 445293
Bexley Tinnitus Support Group
01322 525769
Bexley Town Twinning Association
[email protected]
Bexley Twofold
Civic Offices, Bexleyheath
020 8298 0703
Bexley Turkish Elderly Day Centre
Pop-In Parlour,
27 Bellegrove Road, Welling, Kent
[email protected] 0208 306 6736
Bexley Voluntary Service Council
www.bvsc.co.uk - 020 8304 0911
Bexley WEA (Workers’
Educational Association)
[email protected]
020 8300 1845
Bird College, Dance, Music and
Theatre Performance
www.birdcollege.co.uk
[email protected]
020 8302 1456
30
Blendon Ladies Group
3rd Tuesday each month - 020 8300 3865
Bridge Mental Health
www.bridgementalhealth.org
[email protected]
020 8298 9677
Bridging the Gap South East
Supporting Adults with an Autistic
www.btgse.co.uk
020 8302 2890/ 020 8300 5444
British Army Association 01322 449175
British Polio Fellowship
(North West Kent Branch)
[email protected] 01322 400182
Cancer Research UK - local fund
raising [email protected]
020 8302 3964
Care Matters UK Ltd - 01322 522440
Carers’ Support Bexley
Manor House, Grassington Road, Sidcup
020 8302 8011
Citizens Advice Bureau
8 Brampton Road, Bexleyheath
020 8303 5100
50 Pier Road, Erith - 01322 357933
Civil Service Retirement Fellowship
Group - Bexleyheath Group
020 8310 6169
Complementary Cancer Care Trust
[email protected]
01322 524079
Connexions Prospects
233 Broadway, Bexleyheath
020 8301 3900
Crayford and District Probus Club
VCD Athletics Club Old Road Crayford
alternate Wednesdays at 9.45 am.
020 8306 0710
Crayford Manor House Historical
& Archeological Society
[email protected]
01322 551279
Crayford Town Archive
[email protected]
01322 551279
The Crossness Engines Trust
www.crossness.org.uk
Crossroads Care Bexley
[email protected]
www.crossroadscarebexley.org.uk
Cross Street Law Centre
4 Cross Street, Erith, Kent, DA8 1RB
020 8311 0555
Danson & District Amateur
Camera Club
020 8303 9825
Danson Youth Trust
[email protected]
www.dansonyouth.org.uk
020 8303 6052
Darent Cray National Trust
Association - 01474 705402
Diabetes UK
Bexley Support Group - 020 8302 2446
Douglas Macmillan Cancer
Information Service
Queen Mary’s Hospital- 020 8308 3295
Erith Model Railway Society
www.erithmrs.ukmodelshops.co.uk
01322 223947
Friends of Danson Park 020 8311 1351
Friends of the Earth - Bexley
www.foe.co.uk/bexley
To add your organisation to this list, or to update your contact
details please e-mail [email protected]
or telephone 020 3045 3605
Family Action
[email protected]
020 8310 6570
Guide Dogs for the Blind
Association Bexley Branch
www.guidedogs.org.uk
[email protected]
020 8311 1658
Greenwich & Bexley Community
Drug Agency
1c Woolwich New Rd, SE18 6EX
020 8316 0116
Haven - Gay and Lesbian Social Group
[email protected]
01322 287356 / 07961 446785
Headway South East London/
North West Kent - 020 8319 7148
Hill Park Autistic Trust
[email protected]
01322 334318
Hurst Horticultural & Garden Society
Independent Custody Visitors Panel
Recruiting - 07765 241936
Insight Bexley
www.insightbexley.org.uk
[email protected]
01322 448994/07824 999581
Inspire Community Trust
Disability Information Equipment
and Services - information@inspire
communitytrust.org 020 3045 5100
www.inspirecommunitytrust.org
Irish Community Services in
Greenwich ,Bexley and Lewisham
www.irishcommunityservices.org
[email protected]
Juniors Football Club
www.juniorredsfc.co.uk 07905 264157
Lamorbey & Sidcup Local
History Society
www.lam-sid-lhs.co.uk 020 8302 7820
Lamorbey 50+ Club
Sidcup Youth Centre
020 8303 9205
London Borough of Bexley Retired
Employees Association
020 8300 5526/020 8303 0606
Macular Disease Society
Bexley Support Group 020 8858 8315
MIND In Bexley
240a Broadway, Bexleyheath
www.mindinbexley.org.uk
020 8303 5816
MND Association
North West Kent Branch
www.mndassociation.org 01322 228169
Multiple Sclerosis Society Bexley & Dartford Branch
020 8306 7050
New Community Debt Advice Service
debtadvice@newcommunitychurch.
org.uk - 020 8269 8627
Nexus (drug and alcohol)
020 3326 7309
North Kent Scottish Association Wednesday evenings at Barnehurst
Golf Club
Old Bexley Music Society
020 8306 0353
Art Club Barnehurst/Crayford
Monday morning
01322 527980 / 020 8304 5505
Parkinson’s Disease Society
(Bexley & Dartford branch)
www.parkinsons.org.uk
020 8303 8971
Photo Digital Club
www.photodigitalclub.co.uk
07762 221909
Rainbows, Guide or Ranger Groups
020 8301 1200/01322 294516
Royal Airforces Association
(Bexleyheath & District) 020 8303 5158
St John Ambulance
- Crayford; [email protected]
07793 515488
- Erith; Dean Gardiner - 07974 219471
Samaritans - 020 8301 1010
Shopmobility Scheme
The Mall, Upper Car Park West Level 3
The Broadway, Bexleyheath
020 8301 5237
Sidcup Art Club
[email protected] - 020 8302 5390
Sidcup Chess Club
[email protected]
www.sidcupchessclub.org.uk
Sidcup and District Caledonian
Association Scottish Country Dancing
[email protected]
01689 838395
Sidcup and District Motor Cycle Club
www.sidcupmotorcycleclub.co.uk
01634 201268
Sidcup and District Natural
History Society
[email protected] - 020 8859 3518
Sidcup and District University of the
Third Age (U3A) 020 8300 3865
Sidcup Literary & Scientific Society
020 8300 8647
Sidcup Philatelic Society
Signpost Community
Drug & Alcohol Team
Erith Health Centre, 50 Pier Road,
Erith, DA8 1RQ - 01322 357940
SmileyArk Kids Club 07956 263531
The Scout Association
www.scouts.org.uk
0845 094 6368 or 0845 300 1818
SSAFA Forces Help
[email protected]
020 8639 0495
Stillbirth And Neonatal Death
www.kentsands.com - 07951 454682
Thames Innovation Centre
Veridon Park, 2 Veridon Way,
Erith DA18 4AL - 020 8320 1000 info@
thamesinnovationcentre.com
Townswomen Guild
Meet on 3rd Wednesday of each
month at 2pm at the Scouts Hall,
Mayplace Road West, Bexleyheath
Trefoil Guild 0208 304 8409
United Nations Association (Bexley)
01322 331711
University of the Third Age Bexley
(U3A) - 01322 556876
Victim Support (Bexley)
53 High Street, Welling 020 8854 1113
Volunteers Information Service (VIS)
12 Pier Road, Erith - 01322 347 492
Welling Alcohol Service Provision
Westminster Homecare
Bexley Branch - 01322 280680
Women’s Aid Helpline 020 8301 1536
602063 ORGANISATION.indd 30
04/11/2011 15:48
BEXLEY & DARTFORD SAMARITANS
020 8301 1010 or 08457 90 90 90
email: [email protected]
Your Local Slimming World Groups Discover the Amazing You
Thursday
When you can’t see a way forward
We are here for you 24 hours a day, every day
of the year.
We don’t judge, we won’t tell you what to do.
We will give you time to think, and talk your
concerns through, in absolute confidentiality.
Tuesday
ERITH 7.30pm
Erith Sports Centre,
Avenue Road, Erith DA8 3AT
Telephone Vikki 07786 018784
Wednesday
Could you become a samaritan?
If you care about people, can give 4 hours a week
and would like us to train you, find out more at:
Call our enquiry line: 07761 60 40 86 or
visit www.samaritans.org to find out more
THAMESMEAD
Thamesmead Town
Football Club, Bayliss Avenue,
Thamesmead SE28 8NG
Telephone Teresa 07590 324504
WELLING
Welling School,
Berwick Road Entrance,
Welling DA16 1QU
Telephone Michelle 07919 144944
NORTH HEATH 9.30am,
5.15pm & 7.00pm
North Heath Social Club Mill Road,
Northumberland Heath Erith
Telephone June 07917 446833
BEXLEY 7.30pm
Baldwyns Park Baptist Church,
Dartford Road, Bexley DA5 2AY
Telephone Sally 07557 276434
WELLING 5.30pm & 7.30pm
Welling Baptist Church Hall
Axminster Crescent Welling
Telephone Theresa 07548 303848
Saturday
BEXLEYHEATH 9.30am
Bexleyheath Scouts Hall Mayplace Road West Bexleyheath
Telephone Susannah
07557 235990
Charity No 275357
Parkinsons
Appliance Services Ltd
07766 607251
020 8301 1618 / 020 8303 6950
Repairs/Sales/Service
Washing machines, Dishwashers,Cookers,
Ovens, Tumble Dryers, storage Heaters etc
Fast Friendly Service
31
www.bexley.gov.uk
07/11/2011 11:09
Blazing Fires:Blazing Fires
15/5/09
15:39
Page 1
Blazing Fires
● Modern & Traditional Fireplaces
● Wide Selection on Display
● Site Survey & Fitting Service
● Friendly Advice
020 8850 4887
257 Eltham High Street
Eltham, London SE9 1TY
Carewatch, the national provider of local homecare
services provides care and support to those who wish
to retain their independence and to do so in their own
homes. Your local branch, Carewatch Bexley can
support you or a loved one with:
l
l
l
l
Light domestic duties such as shopping and cleaning
Providing friendship, reassurance and companionship
Personal support
Complex care, palliative and respite care
For more information please call:
020 8303 3330
020 8303 2727
602063 BEX MAG Winter 2011 pg 32.indd 1
04/11/2011 15:46

Bexley Magazine Winter 2011

Transcription

Similar documents

Woodmen and Fenmen: Blackfen`s story

Terence Court, Belvedere, Kent Offers Over

permanent orienteering course

Property Detail - Land Advisors Organization

Changing Times memory book