Show of solidarity after fascists attack bookshop

Crowds gathered at the Bookmarks bookshop in Bloomsbury, London in a show of strength and support on Saturday 11th August following an attack the previous week.

Around 12 men bearing placards and wearing baseball hats reading “Make Britain Great Again”, thought to be in their 20s and 30s, stormed the bookshop and destroyed displays, wrecked books and chanted right wing slogans with one wearing a Donald Trump mask between 6.30pm and 7pm on Saturday evening 4th August 2018.

Bookmarks is known for selling books on a range of socialist topics including Marxism and women’s and LGBT+ rights and is the TUC’s bookshop.

David Gilchrist, the shop manager said that this was an attack on the left and one that indicates their confidence, how emboldened they have become since the rise of Donald Trump and more recently the release of Tommy Robinson from prison.

Alan Hall and Barry Slapp of the Unite Community Greenwich, Lewisham & Bexley branch proudly joined the crowds showing their support.

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Trade Unionists Cllr Alan Hall & Barry Slapp

Cllr Alan Hall said: “It is important for us to come together to show support after an attack on a bookshop. Destroying books brings back images of the 1930s and we all know where that led.  I heard Labour London Assembly Member, Unmesh Desai passionately quote the famous poem:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

That’s why it’s important to show support today. We need to assert our beliefs, principles and values: The right to be a trade unionist, the right to be a socialist and the right to speak out whatever religion or ethnicity we are.”

 

 

 

 

New Video: Goldsmiths Cleaners are ‘not the dirt they clean’

Following a letter in The Guardian from hundreds of academics at Goldsmiths College, University of London a demonstration was called to show support and solidarity  for the cleaning staff who stand to lose pay and conditions. In the letter, it says:

“Cleaning staff “are not the dirt they clean” as the LSE cleaners campaign put it, and they deserve respect and employment parity. If neither of these are delivered, we are fully prepared to stand with our colleagues in their campaign for justice and to drive such toxic companies out of our universities.”

Councillor Alan Hall is proud to show support and solidarity to the Goldsmiths cleaners and call for ‘justice for cleaners’ see the video below.

 

Alan Hall is Chair, Unite the Union Community, Greenwich, Lewisham and Bexley

 

New Video: Young people bring positive vibes with a splash of colour in Bellingham

A new video has been launched about the community coming together to paint a mural in Bellingham to make it brighter and safer. Read the story  Splash of Colour as Bellingham Mural Launched

Councillor Alan Hall said: “This is an inspiring video and it shows what a community can achieve by working together. I will always think of this film as the story of the Bellingham Bee.”

Watch the video and see the story of the Bellingham Bee.

 

 

Thank you to everyone who took part and supported this community led project.

On the night of the launch, Councillor Alan Hall spoke about the exciting project saying: “The dark and damp tunnel has been made a happier and friendlier place thanks to a local artist, the local youth club and young people of Bellingham. The community is coming together in tough times.”

Read more on Youth First website here

Demolition of Bell Green Gas Holders Approved

Lewisham Council has made the decision to approve the demolition of the Gas Holders at Bell Green, Lower Sydenham.

A decision notice was posted on the Council’s website on 11th July here 

Campaigners fighting to save the Bell Green gas holders (These Streets Belong to Us from Perry Vale and the Sydenham Society) expressed their regret and disappointment at the London Borough of Lewisham’s recent decision to allow the demolition of the locally listed cast iron structures.

Annabel McLaren, Chair of the Sydenham Society said: “The Bell Green gas holders are a visual reminder of the rich history of gas production in Lower Sydenham. The decision to allow the demolition of these iconic cast iron structures is, in our view, vandalism. Demolishing the gas holders will inevitably lead to a bland streetscape, of the kind that is found everywhere. The Sydenham Society will continue to fight for the enhancement of the Grade II listed Livesey Hall, the adjacent war memorial, bowling green and pavilion, with the aim of securing a sustainable and appropriate development in the longer term.”

Speaking on behalf of the campaign, Cllr Alan Hall said: “Residents are not opposed to development, but they are in favour of an imaginative scheme that includes the listed and historic buildings on the site. Bell Green urgently needs a Masterplan. The fight continues!”

House Sparrows and Peregrine Falcons have been sighted but these protected species have not prevented the approval to demolish the locally listed gas holders.

 

Splash of Colour as Bellingham Mural is Launched

A tunnel under the railway part of the Riverview and River Pool Linear Park in Bellingham has received a make over by young people from the local area following a successful bid to the Bellingham Assembly. The park is part of the  WaterlinkWay which is an 8 mile (12 km) path between Lower Sydenham and the River Thames that can be walked or cycled.

Led by local artist Jasmine Parker working with Youth First, Lewisham’s co-operative youth service based in Bellingham they have created a bright and colourful entrance by painting a nature inspired mural on the outer walls to counteract the dark and dank tunnel.

This is a busy thoroughfare and many people have commented how it was about time something was done and that it brightens up the area.

Jasmine says on her blog: “I heard one boy say that he used to be scared going through the tunnel but now isn’t. Lots of children comment and are drawn to the animals that are painted and it’s lovely to hear families engage with it. I’ve heard, for example, parents asking their children what colour the ladybird is and how many ducks are there.”

At the official launch on Thursday, 5th July at Youth First’s HQ The Bellingham Gateway Youth Centre,  Bellingham Councillor Alan Hall said:

“The dark aEE85A6DC-4ECC-4CC7-8C16-E9B0FDB8DB5Fnd damp tunnel has been made a happier and friendlier place thanks to a local artist, the local youth club and young people of Bellingham. The community is coming together in tough times.”

“The railway was built in 1857 and it looks like this is the first coat of paint.”

“The Bellingham Assembly uses Participatory Budgeting to allow the local community to decide how our small pot of funds is spent. This is based on a project in Brazil where residents decided budget allocations for competing priorities for council works. There is huge demand and it is right that local people decide which projects are finally funded.”

Lewisham Council was involved in London’s first pilot in 2008 and a short video is here

Sydenham Society Object to Bell Green Gas Holders demolition and ask for an ‘Article 4’ Direction

The Sydenham Society have written an objection to the plans to demolish the locally listed Bell Green Gas Holders in Lower Sydenham.

Following hot on the heels of the Victorian Society’s objection here, the Sydenham Society go further and request an Article 4 Direction by Lewisham Council. An Article 4 Direction would remove permitted development rights and protect the heritage assets. A fuller explanation by Historic England states that Article 4 directions may be used to require planning permission for the demolition of a non-designated heritage asset (such as a locally listed building outside of a conservation area), by removing the demolition rights.

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SGN the owners of the gasometers spotted a Peregrine Falcon during a wildlife review and immediately called in their drone as the Pergrine Falcon is a protected species. For more details please read: https://alanhall.org.uk/2018/06/20/bell-green-gasometers-demolition-second-application/

Local Bellingham Councillor Alan Hall said: “Serious objections are mounting and the expert view of the Victorian Society should be fully considered. The gas holders form an integral part of the Grade II Listed Livesey Hall and Listed War Memorial. A sympathetic development is possible if the will is there and proper consideration of an Article 4 Direction would be necessary now.”

Comments and objections should be sent to planning@lewisham.gov.uk before July 9th 2018.

The full papers for the application to demolish are here

Read the Sydenham Society’s full objection letter below:

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Victorian Society Object to demolition of Bell Green Gas Holders

The Victorian Society have formally objected to the plans to demolish the Bell Green Gas Holders in Lower Sydenham.

In the letter of objection the Victorian Society cite the ‘deliberate relationship’ with the Grade II Listed Livesey Hall.

Bellingham Councillor Alan Hall said: “The expert view of the Victorian Society should be fully considered. The gas holders form an integral part of the Grade II Listed Livesey Hall and Listed War Memorial. A sympathetic development is possible if the will is there.”

Sir George Livesey was an industrialist and philanthropist in SE London. Interestingly, he was instrumental in introducing a plan for sharing the profits of his company with the employees.

The Victorian Society is a charity championing Victorian and Edwardian buildings in England & Wales find out more here

Comments and objections should be sent to planning@lewisham.gov.uk before July 9th 2018.

The full papers for the application to demolish are here

 

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Bell Green Gasometers demolition second application Peregrine Falcons’ sighting confirmed

The second application to demolish the Victorian gasometers at Bell Green in Lower Sydenham has been received by Lewisham Council.

Southern Gas Networks have applied to Lewisham Council for prior approval to demolish the locally listed structures. Full papers are here.

The campaign to retain the historic structures was given a boost when peregrine falcons were spotted in April. The refusal of the first application for approval to demolish followed shortly after. An account with photographs is here.

In the papers submitted in the second application for prior approval of demolition a Falco Peregrinus survey is attached. It states that no nesting birds were found but dramatically describes how “Part way through the aerial assessment, a male peregrine flew in from the west and landed on the top of the western side of the northern gas holder. Once the bird was spotted, the drone was immediately called in to land, safely away from the peregrine. The bird then perched on the structure for approximately five minutes before flying away and circling the surrounding area. A female peregrine then joined the male in flight from elsewhere (off-site) and they flew together in the vicinity of the site for around 10 minutes before flying out of sight.”

The law protects Peregrin Falcons and it is a criminal offence to intentionally or recklessly kill, injure or take a Peregrine. Nests and eggs are also protected and it is an offence to take, damage or destroy the nest of a wild bird while it is in use or being built or to take or destroy the eggs.

An even earlier application to replace the gas holders with shops was refused by Lewisham Council’s planning committee.

Bellingham Councillor Alan Hall said: “These historic gas holders survived an earlier attempt to demolish them by Southern Gas Networks, they survived Lewisham Council’s planning committee and they survived World War II and bombing raids. They are now under threat again.”

Meanwhile, on twitter a young Peregrine Falcon was spotted

https://twitter.com/JamesEvansPhoto/status/1013934248259137536

 

Objections and comments can be sent to planning@lewisham.gov.uk

Alan Hall is elected to Socialist Health Association Central Council

Alan Hall has been elected to the national governing body – the Central Council – of the Socialist Health Association.

Alan Hall said: “I have been campaigning for the NHS for many years in South East London including the Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign recently. It is an honour to join the national campaigners in the Socialist Health Association in the 70th year of our NHS.”

The Socialist Health Association is a campaigning membership organisation. It promotes health and well-being and the eradication of inequalities through the application of socialist principles to society and government. Believing that these objectives can best be achieved through collective rather than individual action.

The SHA stands for:

  • Universal publicly provided healthcare meeting patients’ needs, free at the point of use, funded by taxation
  • Democracy based on freedom of information, election not selection and local decision making
  • Equality based on true equality of opportunity and progressive taxation

SHA logoSHA is a  campaign for an integrated healthcare system which reduces inequalities in health and is accountable to the communities it serves.  it is affiliated to the Labour Party.  Until 1980 it was known as the Socialist Medical Association.

At the last meeting of the Central Council Professor Allyson Pollock was elected Honorary President. More details are here

Council ‘Scrutiny has come of age’ or has it?

Paul Wheeler is the founder of the Political Skills Forum and a journalist for the Municipal Journal amongst other publications. The Political Skills Forum gave expert advice on good governance.

In an article he wrote for the Municipal Journal the headline states that ‘Scrutiny has come of age’ and cites Cllr Alan Hall’s work on Lewisham Council challenging their Executive and directly elected Mayor over plans to regenerate Surrey Canal Road or New Bermondsey as it was rebranded by the developer Renewal.

The Fabian Society have published an article based on the Millwall FC and New Bermondsey regeneration plans and the scrutiny process around the formal decisions. It begins by saying that speaking the truth to power is always a risky business, no more so than when considering how millions of pounds of public money should be shovelled into developments and contracts.

Paul Wheeler writes:

“And that in a nutshell is the purpose of scrutiny.- ‘asking difficult questions of those in power’. Awkward yes especially when those in the spotlight are your friends and colleagues but exactly what was intended by the legislation and what the public want. It’s taken a while but scrutiny has come of age.”

However, as Paul Wheeler acknowledged in recent correspondence: “All councils especially those with big majorities need strong scrutiny but sadly doesn’t make you a lot of friends!”

Lewisham Council returned a total redwash of all Labour Councillors at the May 2018 local elections and at the AGM immediately after Cllr Alan Hall’s style of scrutiny did not win favour with the new administration.

Paul Wheeler went on to write:

“many Leaders and Chief Executives seem to have operated on the ‘mushroom principle’ (keep them in the dark and feed them on …..) when announcing major development to the rest of the council). The cynics were always dubious whether councillors of the same party would ever effectively challenge their own colleagues in the cabinet.”

But it takes leadership to recognise scrutiny’s importance and it will be interesting to see whether Lewisham Council has learnt the right lessons or whether the ‘mushroom principle’ will surface with a vengeance.

 

 

Read Paul Wheeler’s full article here:

The admirable Centre for Public Scrutiny (declaration of interest I helped establish it in the early 2000’s) organises an annual Scrutiny Awards. Well for the forthcoming year can I put forward Cllr Alan Hall Chair of Scrutiny in the London Borough of Lewisham (declaration of interest I am a resident) as the Scrutiny Hero for 2017

MJ readers may have noticed over the last few weeks the unravelling of a major development scheme in Lewisham. Much of the attention has focused on the noisy protests of Millwall football supporters (club motto ‘No-one likes us we don’t care’). However the real hard work has been the diligent questioning and hard work of scrutiny councillors led by Cllr Hall

Football and local politics is a heady mix and I suspect that its current manifestation  has more to do with land values in a London Borough than any moral high ground. But put aside the noise and the success story is that scrutiny works.

Since the Local Government Act of 2000 the scrutiny role has always been the poor relation of local government. Deprived of resources by local councils it has been seen as the job for those councillors who couldn’t make the cabinet. As a consequence many Leaders and Chief Executives seem to have operated on the ‘mushroom principle’ (keep them in the dark and feed them on …..) when announcing major development to the rest of the council. The cynics were always dubious whether councillors of the same party would ever effectively challenge their own colleagues in the cabinet.

That perception of scrutiny was always unfair but the day to day work never attracted the attention of the media. Now that is changing. Elsewhere in London an all party group of councillors in Westminster have called in the decision of the Cabinet to vest  public land to the controversial Garden Bridge Project. In Bolton backbench councillors are asking difficult questions to the leadership about a grant to a local law firm.

And that in a nutshell is the purpose of scrutiny.- ‘asking difficult questions of those in power’. Awkward yes especially when those in the spotlight are your friends and colleagues but exactly what was intended by the legislation and what the public want. It’s taken a while but scrutiny has come of age.