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More than a decade of Tory cuts leaves Myatt’s Fields school £2 million worse off
Parents and pupils in Myatt’s Fields have been on the end of cuts of more than £2 million since 2010, according to a new campaign launched by teachers’ leaders.
The shocking figures are contained in a new analysis of education funding since the Tories, aided by their Lib Dem allies, came to power in 2010. It reveals that:
- Christ Church Primary School on Cancell Road has had its budget reduced by £276,710 since 2010, a drop of £1,520 per pupil.
- Van Gogh Primary School has had its budget cut by £416,487, with a reduction of £1,281 per pupil.
- St Gabriel’s College has lost a staggering £1.7million from its a budget, over £2,700 per pupil.
- Overall, schools in Lambeth have lost over £41 million in funding since the Tories began slashing budgets.
Local councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop said:
“These cuts lay bare the awful impact of more than a decade of Tory austerity: cut after cut has had a direct impact on the education of local children.
“We will continue to campaign for a better deal for our local schools, and for a Labour government that properly funds our local schools.”
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Lambeth gives the go-ahead for new “rain” gardens on Myatt’s South estate
Following lobbying from local councillors, Lambeth Council has given the green light for two sustainable drainage (SUDs) gardens, aimed at reducing flooding by planting water retaining plants and surfaces, on the Myatt’s South estate.
Cllr Paul Gadsby pressed for an update on plans for the SUDs on the estate at a recent meeting of Lambeth Council, while highlighting the impact of Tory cuts on the local authorities budget. In response, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, Councillor Rezina Chowdhury, said:
” You are right (Cllr Gadsby) to highlight the government’s woeful record on funding for adaptation to climate change. It is left to local authorities to bid for little pots of funding and lobby Thames Water to deliver work that we know to be essential as we continue to break temperature records.”
“However, we are determined to deliver for and with our residents, and Myatts Fields estate is an excellent example of this. We have commissioned construction of the rain gardens at Myatt’s Fields, scheduling this around ongoing deep retrofit work to properties on the estate, which temporarily requires the green space where the SuDS will be positioned. The SuDS works are now scheduled to be implemented in Spring 24.”
“We liaised with the local resident association and those living directly adjacent to the proposed scheme location at St Lawrence Way. We have updated the design to reflect resident input. The rain garden will be set back further from the property boundaries and will also take on a more natural shape and form. The engagement process has enabled us to develop a more aesthetically pleasing scheme. The local resident association has supported us to develop the Lord Holland’s Way rain gardens. We will soon liaise with residents to go through in detail the works involved and how they will be affected.”
Local councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop have both welcomed the new investment on the estate, saying:
“It is fantastic news that the Myatt’s South estate will benefit from this investment into two rain gardens: we will continue to press for more across Myatt’s Fields.”
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Residents overwhelmingly reject plans for a for-profit company to take over their homes
Residents on the Lothian estate in Maytt’s Fields have overwhelmingly rejected proposals from a for-profit, private company to snatch control of their homes.
The results of a consultation, held at the end of last year, found that:
- Around two thirds of eligible residents gave their views: a huge turnout from the community – thank you to everyone who took the time to vote!
- A huge 82 per cent of council tenants said they did not want a ballot on the proposals
- Every single leaseholder in the area voted no to a ballot being held.
This huge “no” vote came after local councillors and residents raised serious concerns about how the plans could affects the bills of tenants and leaseholders, and put the future of their homes in doubt. Vision Homes (Lambeth) Ltd and their partner PACCA TMO also clearly failed to convince residents that they had either expertise or ability to run their homes.
Speaking about the result, Cllr Paul Gadsby and Cllr Annie Gallop said:
“Lambeth Council have confirmed that they believe no ballot is now needed on these proposals given the large turnout and clear majority who rejected these plans. We support this position and would urge Vision Homes Lambeth to listen to the people and abandon the proposal. It is concerning that early indications appear to show that the for profit outfit still wants to continue with a ballot.
“We would like to thank everyone who has spoken to us about these takeover plans: we realise this process has been extremely stressful for many residents.”
Further reading on these proposals
For-profit outfit unable to provide basic information about their proposals
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Myatt’s Fields councillors welcome Sadiq Khan’s free school meal pledge
A pledge by London Mayor Sadiq Khan to continue providing funding for free school meals for all primary school children should he be re-elected for a third term at this May’s election has been welcomed by local Myatt’s Fields councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop.
The programme funds 1.4 million free school meals every week in London. The councillors said:
“This scheme is a lifeline to many children in Myatt’s Fields, especially as many families are continuing to struggle from rising bills. At a recent roving surgery on Vassall Road, residents were delighted at Sadiq’s vow.”
Sadiq Khan said:
“Delivering free school meals has been one of my proudest moments as mayor as I have seen the difference it has made to the children receiving them and to their families.
“I know from personal experience what a difference these meals can make and it’s been fantastic to hear from teachers how much better children are performing and also how much parents and their children have benefited, with parents not having to worry about how to provide their children with a healthy, nutritious meal during the school day.”
You can find out more information about the pledge here.
This year’s Mayoral election will take place on Thursday 2 May: don’t forget to register to vote here.
Vauxhall MP Flo Eshalomi with local councillor Paul Gadsby and some of the Myatt’s Fields campaign team out and about listening to residents in our communities. -
Free Christmas Tree recycling service during January
Lambeth Council is offering a free Christmas Tree recycling service during January for any resident in the borough.
Full details of the service are below:
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Have your say on Lambeth’s plans to deliver better standards for private renters
Lambeth Council is asking for residents to share their views on a proposed expansion of it’s licensing schemes covering the private rented sector.
The consultation, which runs until 4 March 2024, aims to raise standards for the many thousands of private renters across Lambeth and in Myatt’s Fields, by requiring more landlords to obtain a license to rent out their property – which they will only receive if they meet minimum safety and other standards.
Speaking about the proposals, Cllr Maria Kay, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness said:
“We have already taken significant action to tackle poor standards in the private rented sector, and although most landlords operating in Lambeth provide our residents with decent, well managed and safe homes, we continue to uncover renters living in hazardous and unacceptable conditions.
“We are focussed on improving health and wellbeing and reducing inequalities for people in Lambeth. That’s why we have launched our consultation on the private rented property sector as part of our commitment to addressing these issues.
“It’s important that we hear from everyone who may be affected by our proposals. If you are a tenant or homeowner, or if you study or work in the borough, we need to hear from you. Your views are important and will help to ensure that we develop the best new scheme for everyone.
“We know that many of our residents are feeling the pressures of the current cost of living crisis and supporting our most vulnerable residents is a number one priority for all of us in Lambeth. That’s why we want to ensure that as many as possible have the chance to take part, share their views and comment on our proposals, and we are providing many different ways to engage with the consultation.”
Myatt’s Fields councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop are urging residents to give their views – find out more here.
You can also share your views by attending one of the virtual public meetings being held on the following dates:
Date & Time: Wednesday 17 January 2024 at 6.30pm – Please register and reserve your place by clicking this link.
Date & Time: Wednesday 21 February 2024 at 6.30pm – Please register and reserve your place by clicking this link.
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Lambeth announces waste collection schedule for the 2023 festive period
Lambeth Council have confirmed there will be changes to the normal collection days for waste and recycling during the upcoming festive period.
A revised schedule for collections is below, with more information on Lambeth Council’s website here.
Usual collection date Christmas collection date Monday 25 December Tuesday 26 December Tuesday 26 December Wednesday 27 December Wednesday 27 December Thursday 28 December Thursday 28 December Friday 29 December Friday 29 December Saturday 30 December Monday 1 January Tuesday 2 January Tuesday 2 January Wednesday 3 January Wednesday 3 January Thursday 4 January Thursday 4 January Friday 5 January Friday 5 January Saturday 6 January -
A Choral Christmas at Longfield Hall
Longfield Hall has announced details of its festive celebration which this year will take place on Saturday 16 December.
The community run hall announced that:
Bringing together four choirs from all over South London for a night of Festive Fun. Come along to Longfield Hall on Saturday 16th December at 7pm for an evening of choral Christmas music sung by 4 wonderful choirs from all around South London. Bringing together Longfield Hall’s very own Longfield Voices, Vocal Chords from Sydenham, Wimbledon Music Hub A Cappella, and The Solis Choir, this fun, Christmassy concert will feature musicians of all ages (spanning 8 decades!) and a whole lot of festive cheer!! Featuring carols both traditional and contemporary, alongside more popular Christmas hits.
We can’t wait to come together and sing as one at the most wonderful time of the year! There’ll even be mulled wine and mince pies too! The concert is free entry and un-ticketed, but any donations to support the work of Longfield Hall will be warmly welcomed. We hope to see you there!
You can reserve your ticket for the event here.
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Local councillors urge Lothian estate residents to reject plans by for-profit, private company to take control of local homes
Local Myatt’s Fields councillors have urged residents on the Lothian estate to reject plans by a for-profit, private company to take over control of local homes as a new consultation kicks off on the proposals.
After a year of what has been described as “baffling” delays from Vision Homes (Lambeth) Ltd and PACCA TMO, Lambeth council tenants and leaseholders on the Lothian estate will finally get their say on these troubling proposals. A consultation about the plans will start on 13 November and run until 18 December with residents set to receive information about the plans from an independent electoral organisation that will be running the exercise.
The proposals, which are the first time a for-profit company has attempted this kind of council home takeover in the UK, have drawn considerable fire from the local community and councillors. Cllr Paul Gadsby and Cllr Annie Gallop are warning residents that these proposals could result in:
- New bills for residents: Vision Homes are proposing a new ‘Sink Fund’ charged to tenants, but they haven’t said much the charge will be, if there is any cap on how much it will be and what the fund will be used for. Vision Homes could also increase other bills like service charges during the year and ask you to pay VAT on services like repairs.
- Concerns over the future of local homes: If Vision Homes were to sell homes on the estate to another company in the future, like a private developer, they will not be obligated to ballot residents to ask if they are happy with this sell off. Residents will also not be able to elect people to represent them on the “new board” that will be set up to run your estate: members of the board will be chosen by Vision Homes.
- An organisation with no track record of running homes taking control of housing services: This for-profit company has no track record of running social housing. If this transfer goes ahead it would be the first of its kind anywhere in the UK.
Cllr Gadsby and Cllr Gallop are urging residents to express their concerns about these plans in the consultation: if residents indicate they are favour of this for-profit takeover, a ballot of council tenants will happen in early 2024.
Cllr Gadsby and Cllr Gallop said:
“We have heard from many residents on the Lothian estate who are worried sick about these proposals. We would strongly urge residents to reject these proposals.”
“We want to thank the many residents who have spoken to us about these worrying plans: please get in touch if you want to speak to us further. “
Further reading on these proposals
For-profit outfit unable to provide basic information about their proposals
Leaseholders will lose out under local home takeover plan
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Local communities asked for views on borough’s critical new housing strategy
Myatt’s Fields residents are being urged to have a say in plans for a far-reaching housing strategy designed to change the way people live in Lambeth for the better.
Lambeth Council has unveiled the proposals which focus on how the authority might improve the way housing services are run, particularly to its thousands of tenants and leaseholders, and how more genuinely affordable homes can be built across the borough..
Lambeth residents can find out more here and are encouraged to respond to the plans here.
Myatt’s Fields Labour councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop welcomed the initiative and have urged residents to give their views.
Councillor Maria Kay, Cabinet Member for Better Homes and Reducing Homelessness, has published a video explaining the council’s proposals.
Myatt's Fields Labour
Fighting to improve the lives of our Lambeth communities
Myatt's Fields Labour 