Library service consultation given the go ahead

Proposals to consult on the future of Bromley’s library service were given the go ahead by a Scrutiny Committee.

The proposals were discussed at a meeting of the Renewal and Recreation PDS (Policy Development Scrutiny) Committee earlier this week. The recommendation allows for consultation on options for Community Management at the six community libraries in the borough and market testing for the management of the core service. The news follows a review of the library service which includes these options to modernise the service and make improvements, while making significant savings and protecting the core service.

Consultation will take place with library users and staff on the development of Community Management options at the borough’s Community Libraries which are Burnt Ash, Hayes, Mottingham, Shortlands, Southborough and St Paul’s Cray. This option would enable these libraries to remain open and tailored to the needs of the local community, despite the current financial restraints faced. The results of the consultation will be considered in Spring 2015.

Consultation will also be undertaken on market testing to outsource the core service in order to protect the service, keeping libraries open, while making savings. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the core library service will be subject to a full outsourcing market testing exercise, which will be taken in line with any decisions taken regarding the Community Library management options.

The full report containing the proposals can be downloaded by clicking on item 7b on the following Bromley web page :-
http://cds.bromley.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=117&MId=4791&Ver=4

There is no mention of what happens if there is no local community group willing to provide the volunteers to run it. In that case it seems likely that Burnt Ash library will be closed.

The library is due to be fitted with machines to issue books using the RFID chips fitted to most books. Books without the chips are being sold off at the moment at two for 25p or 5 for 50p. There is a table of these books in the entrance to the library. The book are in good condition.

St Andrew's Christmas Fayre(!) 29th November

Burnt Ash Library Coffee Morning

Waste and Collection Calendar December 2014 to May 2015

The waste and collection calendar for December 2014 to May 2015 has now been added to the list under pages on the right but can also be viewed with this link waste and collection calendar

A small change to the layout means that the the weeks shaded green are now the ones when we put out the green boxes. Possibly using the netting available to LERA members by visiting the LERA Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/lerabromley/. You can join the group by requesting to join from that page.

Burnt Ash Primary School in top 200 State Primary Schools

Burnt Ash Primary School was one of only three Bromley state primary schools named in the Sunday Times Parent Power in the top 200 state primary schools list.

The school has recently changed its logo (shown left) and has also changed it's website which can be seen at http://www.burntash.bromley.sch.uk/

For all Twitter members the Headteacher also publishes regular tweets at https://twitter.com/BurntAshSchool


FOBA (Friends of Burnt Ash), the Parent and Teacher Association is holding this year's Christmas fair on Friday 5th December from 3.30pm till 5.30pm in the school halls.

They are looking for good quality teddy bears and people to wash and wrap them.

If you are an existing parent and would like to rent a stall or help at the event please contact Carol, Zoe or Ann-Marie in the playground or via the school office email  admin@burntash.bromley.sch.uk

Christmas celebrations around Bromley

Bromley town centre will host live entertainment in Market Square from 12pm on Sunday 30 November, with a special appearance by the stars of the Sleeping Beauty pantomime. MyTime Active’s Santa Dash, with hundreds of participants in Santa costumes running through the town centre will kick off at 2pm. The traditional Christmas parade with Santa, and live reindeer will begin at 4.45pm, followed by the lights switch on at 5pm, with a magical snow and glitter shower.There will also be a life size Nativity scene, festive stalls and traditional rides. 

A nativity sheep trail is also taking place in Bromley town centre from Friday 14 November until Sunday 21 December. Find all the sheep around Bromley’s Town Centre and be in with a chance of winning a prize draw. 

Bromley residents and shoppers will also be treated to the annual Christmas Charter Market in the High Street from Thursday 11 December. The market is open everyday from 9am until 5pm until Wednesday 24 December. There will be a diverse range of stalls offering gifts, crafts, jewellery, plants, fresh vegetables, preserves, English and German specialities and much more. 

For further information about Christmas celebrations in Bromley’s town centres visit www.bromley.gov.uk/christmas

For more details on the Santa Dash in Bromley town centre or to sign up, please visit www.mytimeleisure.co.uk/santadash

Remembrance Day – Sunday 9 November 2014

During the morning of Sunday 9 November, Remembrance Day Services will be held throughout the Borough.

Listed below are those in the local area at which the Council will be represented.  

Bromley

The Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor. Julian Benington and Mrs. Valerie Benington the Chief Executive Mr. Doug Patterson,  Bob Neill MP and the Representative Deputy Lieutenant, will attend the Service in Bromley Parish Church. Those attending the service are asked to arrive by 10:45am.  After the service, the Civic party will proceed to the War Memorial for the wreath laying ceremony.

Bickley

Councillor Colin Smith will represent the Borough, read a lesson and lay a wreath at St. George’s Parish Church, Bickley Park Road, Bickley, BR1 2BE, at the service at 10:30am.

Mottingham and Chislehurst North

Councillor David Cartwright will represent the Borough at the service at Mottingham War Memorial which commences at 10.45 am in the car park of the Porcupine Public House, followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the Memorial.

Councillor Charles Rideout will represent the Borough at a service at St. Edward’s Church, St. Keverne Road, Mottingham, SE9 4AQ,which commences at 10:00am.

Plaistow and Sundridge

Councillor Michael Turner will represent the Borough at St. Andrew’s Church, 136 Burnt Ash Lane, BR1 5AF, at 10:00am.

Shortlands

Councillor David Jefferys will lay the wreath and Councillor Mary Cooke will do the reading on behalf of the Borough.  There will be a service at St. Mary’s Church, Kingswood Road, BR2 0HG, at 10:15am.  During the service the congregation will go to the War Memorial at approximately 10:45am to observe the silence and lay wreaths.

For a full list of services in Bromley click on the following link:-

remembrance_day_sunday_9_november_2014

Bromley Council Leader warns changes are inevitable

Bromley Council Leader Councillor Stephen Carr is telling residents that the Council has to make dramatic changes as it can no longer afford to do everything in the way it has done in the past.

He is calling for residents to take part in an online survey before 7 December so senior councillors are aware of residents’ priorities when difficult decisions have to be made about the budget for 2015/16 and beyond. The Council has to save more than £60 million over the next four years from an annual net budget of just over £200 million. This is in addition to substantial savings already made over the past few years. 

In an open letter to residents, Councillor Carr explained: “A much smaller council will mean we will all have to do things in a different way. Taking more responsibility within our families and communities so that those who need our services most will be able to get the help they need. It will inevitably come down to a combination of paying more council tax and ceasing to provide some services. Rest assured we continue to drive out inefficiencies and work to maximise our income as well as arguing strongly for a fairer government funding deal for our borough. We are proud of our robust financial management, but efficiencies alone will not bridge the budget gap we are anticipating over the next few years.”

As well as the online survey, there will be round table sessions with residents’ association chairmen and chairwomen and
public meetings:

Evening meeting:

7pm-8.30pm, Thursday 20 November – Orpington Methodist Church BR6 9JH

Daytime meeting:11am -12.30pm, Friday 28 November – Bromley Civic Centre BR1 3UH

Background information and the survey are atwww.bromley.gov.uk/OurbudgetYourviews

Bromley Council Budget and Spending Online Survey

Our budget, your views

As senior councillors set the budget for 2015-16 and beyond, they want your views on what you value most. 

We must make further budget savings of more than £60 million in the next four years. This is in addition to substantial savings already made, so there will be very difficult decisions to be made.

As more and more residents choose to communicate with us and access our services on the web, we are asking you to tell us your priorities through our online survey as we set the budget for 2015-16 and beyond.

Let us know what you think

Please take 10 minutes to complete the survey to let us know your views. You can do so at a time to suit you up until 7 December.

Complete the online survey

We will be reporting back through the Executive in January 2015 before the council tax rate is recommended to Full Council in February 2015.

Public meetings 

Join us at these public meeting so we can hear your views

• Orpington public meeting 20 November 2014
• Bromley public meeting 28 November 2014

Background information

• Letter from Leader of Bromley Council, Cllr Stephen Carr 
• Feedback from setting the budget 2014/15 
• Questions and answers about setting the budget 2015/16
• Expenditure and funding graphs comparing Bromley to other London Councils 
• Bromley's budget

Other ways to get involved

If you know family or friends who are not online at home, please tell them they can still let us know their views: 

• Visit a local library and ask for advice on how to fill in the survey
• Talk to your residents association - we plan to meet representatives
• Email: leader@bromley.gov.uk
• Attend a public meeting

Friends of Chinbrook Meadows Bulb Planting

Does your older persons Freedom Pass expire on 31 March 2015?

If your older persons Freedom Pass expires on 31 March 2015 you will receive a letter during November and December this year with your unique renewal number.

For the first time, you can renew online in a few simple steps.

Once you receive your letter, go to the renewal page of this site, enter your renewal number and follow the simple instructions to renew your pass. If you create an account by giving us your email address, you’ll also be able to track your renewal and will receive an email once your Freedom Pass has been sent in the post.

You cannot renew at the Post Office or over the telephone.

To ensure you receive your Freedom Pass by 31 March 2015, renew as soon as you receive your letter.

Renew your pass now
(after you receive your renewal letter)

I’m not very good with computers!
If you are not able to renew on the website yourself, ask a friend or family member to help, or visit your local library for assistance. It would be worthwhile contacting your library first to check what support is available and whether you need to make an appointment to use their computer.

What if I can’t go online?
Enclosed with the letter will be a form you can complete and return. If your name or address has changed, you will need to provide proof of your identity and address.

Remember: you must take action as soon as you receive your letter so that you receive your new pass before your current one expires.

- See more at: http://www.freedompass.org/older-persons-freedom-pass/renewing-your-pass