Call for ‘Assurances’ after video of tree felling narrowly missing cyclist is referred to Lewisham Council

After a member of the public contacted Councillor Alan Hall he has written to Lewisham Council’s Chief Executive Ian Thomas. However, the matter is so urgent and the Chief Executive is on leave presently, he has contacted the Executive Director, Kevin Sheehan and Head of Law, Kath Nicholson directly.

The letter states:

“Dear Ian, Kevin & Kath,

This video has been brought to my attention by a concerned member of the public. It is a shocking recording of a tree feller showing a cyclist on the public highway narrowly missing a huge felled tree trunk.

I am writing as I have received reports that the highway in question is Adelaide Avenue in Brockley. 

I would be grateful if you could let me know whether you have received these reports and whether they are accurate. I am concerned for the safety of residents and workers alike – if this is a Lewisham contractor and road I would like proper assurances to be given. 

The video can be watched publicly here:

Yours sincerely,

Alan

Councillor Alan Hall”

 

The tree can be seen on google here

Tree Brockley google 1018

 

A BBC report was published later that day here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-london-45834019/lewisham-video-shows-falling-tree-narrowly-missing-cyclist

Victory for Cleaners at Goldsmiths College

The campaign group Justice for Cleaners at Goldsmiths College can claim victory after a meeting of the Goldsmiths College, University of London Governing Council on Thursday, 20th September decided to bring the cleaning staff back in house.

A Statement from from the Justice for Cleaners campaign read:

“Very pleased to announce that Goldsmiths management have confirmed today that cleaning staff will be brought inhouse. This victory has come from the tireless struggle and organisational genius of the cleaners. On 28th of June of this year, cleaners organised themselves to attend the university council meeting to confront council members about their poor working terms and conditions. It was out of this act of collective determination that the Justice for Cleaners Campaign formed. Today, three months later, we went with cleaners to the the same council meeting to hear that they would be brought in-house. Solidarity and thoughtful collective organising among workers at every level of the university with students is the most effective way of changing the university. The university is a workplace, if you are not happy with how things are running change it through workplace politics. This stuff works!
We will continue to support our colleagues during this process, making sure proper transparency of decision-making is delivered and that cleaners are meaningfully consulted throughout. 

Hasta la victoria siempre!”

 

The full statement from Goldsmiths College states:

“Goldsmiths’ Governing Council has today approved plans to bring cleaning provision in-house, and confirmed steps to harmonise the terms and conditions of cleaners with other Goldsmiths staff.

This will ensure that cleaners at Goldsmiths benefit from increased annual leave allowance, access to a better pension provision, and maternity, paternity and adoption leave and pay in line with other Goldsmiths staff.

Furthermore, Council has agreed to increase the budgeted number of cleaning hours. This increased provision will give Goldsmiths flexibility to address some of the shift pattern issues that have arisen as a result of the recent restructuring of working arrangements.

Given the complexity involved in transitioning up to 100 cleaning staff into Goldsmiths, there will be a transition period of at least six months from 1 November 2018. During this period, intensive work will be undertaken to complete the TUPE legal process, to undertake appropriate consultation over changes to employment terms, to ensure payroll and employment records are handed over smoothly, to recruit in-house management and additional HR support, and to arrange supplies of materials and consumables. Goldsmiths understands that the process of insourcing such a large group of staff within comparable organisations has taken at least nine months, but SMT will be keen to ensure the process moves as quickly as possible, consistent with its duties to ensure a smooth handover for both the staff directly involved and the wider College.

Goldsmiths’ SMT will continue its discussions with cleaning staff and their UNISON representatives over these transitional arrangements and any residual issues relating to the recent shift pattern changes.”

https://twitter.com/cllralanhall/status/1042880236151603204

 

 

The Justice for Cleaners campaign are calling for donations to the hardship fund to help in the transition. The link is here

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No Freedom of Information on Lord Dyson Inquiry

The Information Commissioner’s Office has issued a Decision Notice on a Freedom of Information request to disclose evidence given to the Lord Dyson Inquiry commissioned by the London Borough of Lewisham into New Bermondsey or Surrey Canal Road including land around Millwall FC.

A previous blog post provides background and a full copy of the Lord Dyson Report.

The full ICO decision notice refusing disclosure is here

Here are some key paragraphs:

30. As officers would be likely subject to a second wave of intense scrutiny (unmerited on the basis of the findings of the Inquiry) and had already been subject to great criticism, disclosure of the withheld information was likely to inhibit them freely providing information in the future for fear of further unmerited criticism. This chilling effect would be likely in relation to both contributing to any deliberation in relation to the New Bermondsey Development (of which there will be many such deliberations in the near future and which remains controversial), and to any future Inquiry (including the inquiry for any CPO).

33. ……..Were this information to be disclosed, it would reveal the totality, or at the very least the great majority, of the public authority’s approach to and strategy within the New Bermondsey Development.

62. The Commissioner considers that there is a strong public interest in not disclosing the withheld information in view of the real and significant risk of inhibiting free and frank exchange of views in relation to the New Bermondsey Development. A chilling effect on free and frank exchanges in respect of the matter would significantly hamper the public authority’s decision making process at potentially considerable cost to the tax payer. Given the controversy surrounding the matter, there is a strong public interest in members and officers being able to deliberate in a free and frank manner without fear that their views would be revealed prematurely, leaving them open to criticism potentially including allegations of impropriety. It is right that the actions of members and officers in relation to the New Bermondsey Development are properly scrutinised which was what the Inquiry did. Clearly the public interest in additional scrutiny of their views and actions should not be dismissed in view of the fact that the New Bermondsey Development remains a live issue. Indeed the public authority has mentioned the possibility of a public inquiry into the matter and an affirmation decision in relation to any CPO by the Secretary of State. However, there is a strong public interest in ensuring that scrutiny is not conducted in a manner that would be detrimental to the interests of the residents of the borough. Publishing the withheld information while the decision making process in relation to the development is still very much ongoing would hinder, rather than facilitate the process. The risk of disclosing the withheld information outweighs the public interest in its value to additional scrutiny.

A correction was added: “Paragraph 9 of this notice suggests that an internal review was conducted by the public authority on 5 February 2018. In fact, the public authority advised the complainant that there were “no other section 36 statutory officers who are able to carry out the review who have had no prior involvement in this matter.” Hence, a review was requested.

 

Phoenix Community Housing – 10 years on the Board Cllr Alan Hall reflects

DF282A01-32D5-4D56-9678-5A5B97EE217CPhoenix Community Housing AGM was held in the Green Man Community Hub on Tuesday, 11th September. Phoenix is a community gateway housing association which is tenant led and a majority of tenants sit on the board. The Chair and Vice-Chair are local tenants. It is described as a resident led co-operative housing association.

There is a 10 year maximum term for board members. At this AGM Cllr Alan Hall stepped down as a board member after serving the maximum term.

In thanking the Chair, Cllr Alan Hall said:

“It’s been an incredible journey with the Phoenix Pioneers, Pat Fordham MBE, who believed that the tenants could run their own homes.

Jim Ripley, Chief Executive has used his professionalism and Chris Starke has done an incredible job as Finance Director in the most turbulent times in housing and we have secured an American Bond for future developments worth £60,000,000. [Further details are here]

We are building social homes. I am proud to have been part of the team that developed

  • Hazelhurst Court – an extra care centre on Beckenham Hill. This allows those with some care needs to move out of their house or flat into an award winning apartment with care services on hand anf it frees up much needed social housing for those on the waiting list too.
  • Fellowship Inn – a community project supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund in this Grade II Listed pub – a former cabinet member said that he had doubted anyone would wish to go to this pub – or something more colourful.

But, I remember helping to appoint Blacks architects for this building – the Green Man  Community Hub on Bromley Road – and working out whether we had enough room for toilets and the credit union! What a fantastic space it is.

But someone is also responsible. I would like to thank Mushtaq Malik of local Lewisham developers, Renewal and their greed and incompetence that allowed a development to collapse and an opportunity for a land swap with L&Q to build a co-operative headquarters for local residents.

I would like to thank the tenants and residents for their patience and support over the last ten years.

I will always be around as your Councillor and friend.”

 

Some historic archive news articles:

Flats rejected by Planning Inspector agrees with Planning Committee rejection despite Lewisham Council’s officers recommendation to approve:  https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/1651165.Flat_plans_turned_down_at_inquiry/

Lewisham Council planning recommend approval of Renewal Plan  http://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/Data/Planning%20Committee%20C/20061109/Agenda/ec84e75b39fd4bb2bd9866b1b091a4ebGreenManPH355357BromleyRoad9November2006.PDF

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/938654.Minty_moved_on_from_at-risk_pub/

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/1298566.Campaigning_to_save_derelict_pub/

https://mob.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/london/2006/09/351556.html

Renewal Beckenham Limited details http://suite.endole.co.uk/insight/company/05149673-renewal-beckenham-limited

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/11004622.Bellingham_Green_Man_pub_turned_Phoenix_community_hub_shortlisted_for_Building_Award/

Mushtaq Malik https://www.propertyweek.com/features/millwall-regeneration-into-the-lions-den/5088406.article

Green Man planning Renewal  Beckenham Limited   http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/1298566.Campaigning_to_save_derelict_pub/

Phoenix CH plans approved  https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/9372639.Green_Man_pub_to_be_demolished_after_8-year_closure/

New Videos: Justice for Cleaners at Goldsmiths College

Interviews at the demonstration on Friday, 7th September 2018 outside the Contemporary Arts Centre, Goldsmiths College, University of London, the day of the opening party.

 

 

Justice for Cleaners at Goldsmiths College say Trades Unions in Lewisham

 

On Friday, 7th September 2018, the Goldsmiths College new Centre for Contemporary Art opened with a party and a demonstration outside calling for ‘Justice for Cleaners’.

Cleaners at Goldsmiths College, University of London in New Cross are not directly employed by the college but by ISS a big contractor. The group Justice for Cleaners handed out hundreds of leaflets explaining the issues: Goldsmiths Justice Cleaners leaflet j4c-info-sept18.

A petition by the UCU – University and College Union expressed the cleaners’ concerns as they are in fear of losing their jobs:

“Our colleagues who work as cleaners already face significantly worse working conditions than what we expect of Goldsmiths, as these workers are employed by ISS, a large multinational company that hold contracts at many universities, hospitals, public transport services and other businesses. Our colleagues receive no sick pay, no holiday pay, a lack of job security, and heavy workloads. On top of this, ISS is now proposing to

– Get rid of the 7-hour night shift, replacing it with a 4-hour evening shift;

– Get rid of the weekend morning shift, replacing it with an afternoon shift;

– Get rid of the early morning shift, replacing it with a longer mid-morning shift;

– Get rid of the waste day shift, replacing it with a 4-hour shift.”

Campaigners have reported bullying and anti-union intimidation towards the cleaners and called the demonstration in support of the cleaners. The key demands are to bring the cleaners back in house, to be directly employed by Goldsmiths and to end the restructuring for cleaning staff that worsens terms and conditions with a commitment to meaningful negotiations about the future.

In a letter to The Guardian academics have expressed concern about ethical and professional principles at Goldsmiths College and backed their cleaner staff colleagues.

The demonstration was supported by students, staff, Lewisham Momentum and Lewisham Trades Unions, including CWU, RMT and Unite.

25A692ED-C9D7-4083-AA34-650C075444C5Alan Hall, Chair, Unite Community Greenwich, Lewisham and Bexley said: “Cleaners are not the dirt they clean. They deserve to be paid properly and that’s why Goldsmiths College should bring them back in house.”

He went on to say:

“Acts of anti Trade Union intimidation, victimisation by the contractor ISS are unacceptable and should be condemned.”

Lewisham Trades Unions Council, the Trades Council, have issued a statement:

 

New Video: Home Park Adventure Playground – support youth services in times of austerity

Home Park Adventure Playground is part of Youth First – Lewisham’s staff and young people owned youth service. It is a mutual youth service for young people aged between 8 – 19 years.

Local Councillor Alan Hall went along and met Chantel Simpson, the Senior Youth & Play Worker – watch the video.

 

https://twitter.com/cllralanhall/status/1035899365313990656

 

Universal Credit is creating a hostile environment

A__09691Alan Hall, Chair, Unite the Union Community  Greenwich, Lewisham and Bexley (GLaB) said:

“Universal Credit is creating a hostile environment for people who claim it and is not fit for purpose. 

“Over one million low paid part-time workers will also be affected by Universal Credit and for the first time ever people in work could face being sanctioned (having their benefits stopped) if they don’t prove to the job centre that they’re searching for better paid work or more hours. This will affect our members in Greenwich, Lewisham & Bexley. We believe they deserve a pay rise and austerity has failed.

“Despite knowing that Universal Credit causes serious problems for those claiming it the government is ploughing ahead regardless while claimants are descending further into debt, relying on food banks and getting into rent arrears and in many cases are being evicted from their homes. 

“In order to claim Universal Credit claimants need an internet connection which many simply can’t afford. 

“Unite is demanding a cut in the long waits to receive money, for people to be able to apply in job centres, not just online, better help for people when the system fails, landlords to be paid directly to avoid people getting into rent arrears and losing their homes, an end to benefit sanctions for people in and out of work.”

Public service workers using foodbanks has been reported in the Financial Times here

A story on Lewisham and Universal Credit appeared in the local Newsshopper here: 

New Videos: TGI Fridays Tips and Fair Pay Dispute – Bank Holiday Strike

 

TGI Fridays faced protests and a three day strike over fair pay and tips over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

The dispute arose when the company introduced a new tipping policy in January with only two days’ notice which has seen card tips earned by the waiting staff redirected to top up the low wages of kitchen staff, a move the company claims is driven by the need to stop the high turnover of kitchen staff. Read an account from waiting staff here

Unite regional officer Dave Turnbull said: “It is inexcusable that a company, which claims to have the best interests of its workers at heart, can continue to refuse to sit down with our members and their union to settle this dispute.

“It takes immense courage to take on a hedge-funded owed, multi-million company like TGI Fridays but the support that our members have had from the public has been great.

“It is companies like TGI Fridays that give the hospitality industry a bad reputation. The sooner it realises that workers will no longer stand idly by and be exploited, the better it will be.

“Unite will continue to make the case for action in these branches to expose bad practice across the entire business.

“Our message to the company is ‘pay your staff fairly and talk to the union’. Together we can find a sensible solution to this dispute.”

On Friday, 24th August, Unites’ Greenwich, Lewisham & Bexley Community Branch Chair Alan Hall joined the picket line in Covent Garden, London chanting:

“Forget the burgers, forget the chips, we want fair tips”

 

 

 

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New Video: Deptford Pride ‘a lovely success’

Deptford LGBTQi+ Pride was held on Saturday, 18th August 2018 and included a walk, workshops, stalls, dance and a variety of information and advice. The event was very grateful to receive sponsorship from the Metro Centre a local charity.

Deptford Pride was hailed a ‘lovely success’ by local resident Sue Lawes as Cllr Alan Hall says that it’s great to be at Deptford Pride because we’ve got pride in Deptford.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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