Plaistow and Sundridge Community Advisory Panel Web Page

Each of the London wards have an active Community Advisory Panel. The panel is made of people representing different areas of our community. 

On our panel we have the local vicar, our ward councillors, neighbourhood watch representatives and of course the police. We discuss all issues that affect community life and through the police and the councillors make sure our ward is a safe and pleasant place to live and work.

You can keep up with what's happening by regularly reading this page. If you have any comments or want answers please do use this page to communicate. You will get an answer.

At the moment there are before and after pictures showing the demolition of St Andrew's Church Hall. You can view the page at :- https://www.facebook.com/PandSCAP?ref=hl

Hopefully a member of the panel will be able to provide a little more information at the Annual General Meeting of LERA (Links Estate Residents' Association) to be held at St Andrew's Church on Wednesday 30th April at 7.30 pm.

Theft of contents and catalytic converters from cars in Ridgeway Drive

Late last night (17th /18th April) five cars were broken into and contents stolen. In at least one case the catalytic converter was also removed from beneath the car. The owner of one of the cars saw the thieves and called who arrived very quickly and were able to arrest two of the thieves.

The thieves got into a grey Volkswagen by drilling the lock as shown in the picture below. They also broke into another Volkswagen by the same method.

Click on the picture to enlarge it 

You should check your cars before trying to drive them away. Never leave anything of value or any bags or parcels which look that they may contain something of value. The thieves won't worry about damaging your car if they have a chance of stealing something.

Catalytic converters are very expensive to replace and a previous post made on 1st December gives more details about similar thefts. Click on this link to view it:- theft-of-catalytic-converter in December

PROPOSAL FOR REORGANISATION OF BROMLEY LIBRARY SERVICE -

As part of the budget setting process for 2014/15 Members put forward a number of
recommendations across a range of services in order to achieve the necessary budgetary
savings required to achieve a balanced budget for 2014/15. This included a proposal to
reduce the Library service budget by £300 000.

On 1st April a report was published and can be downloaded and viewed at the following link :-

Proposal for reorganisation of Bromley Library Service

The document is 144 pages long but you don't need to read all of it. The section of the report about the library service can be read  starting at page 42 but most useful entry about Burnt Ash Library is in the entry for Hayes on page 49. On page page 73 there are tables showing the proposed changes to opening hours for all branches. On the the next few pages two charts show how staffing will be cut.

The good news for Burnt Ash Library is that although it only opens for three days per week it accommodates a greater number of visitors than Hayes does over four days. As Burnt Ash Library is only open for 3 days per week and it is felt that any further reduction would not be viable. However it  should therefore be possible to open Hayes for the equivalent number of hours as Burnt Ash.

Although Burnt Ash Library seems to be safe for the moment we can all help by using it more than we do now to make sure it will remain open in the future.

LERA is looking for a new Chair of LERA

LERA is looking for a volunteer to be the new Chair

After 6 years Peter Skipp will be standing down as Chair of LERA at this year’s Annual General Meeting in April and we are looking for a volunteer to take over the role.

If you would like to get involved in local community issues affecting the Links Estate and are interested in becoming the Chair or you know a resident who would be, please contact Peter - Tel: 020 8857 0300. 
Peter will explain what the role involves and how the Committee operates.

LERA NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Wednesday 30 April 2014 in St Andrew’s Church starting at 7.30pm 

Once again we are holding our AGM in St Andrew’s Church.  The old St Andrew’s Hall has been demolished and we are pleased to hear that behind the security fence building work on the new Hall has started. You are very welcome to attend even if you are not currently a member of LERA.  Our AGM provides a good opportunity to talk about local issues, so come along and tell us what you like about living on the Links Estate and what you think could be done to make things better.

As reported last year we continue to have a strong working relationship with our Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) with members of our Committee and our Street Representatives linked by email to our local SNT office for regular bulletins on policing issues. Through membership of our local Safer Neighbourhood Panel we have been aware of the tremendous amount of work involved in the re-organisation of the Metropolitan Police following cuts imposed by the Mayor of London.  The new structure is now in place. 

We have maintained contacts with our local Councillors and Bromley Council officers.  We have represented LERA’s interests on the Bromley Council Road Safety Consultative Panel, which discusses road traffic management issues within the Borough.  We have had meetings about street cleaning and also arranged for fly-tipped rubbish to be removed.

This will be my last AGM as Chairman.  I have decided to stand down after serving for two terms and a total of six years.  I would like to thank all the members of the Committee and our Street representatives for their help and support and good company all of which I have really appreciated.

It is very important that we maintain a strong Residents’ Association to co-ordinate and represent the Links Estate’s interests in matters affecting our community and we really do need your support.  As always LERA needs new committee members – and a new Chairman! – so, if you would like to get involved, or know of anyone who would like to help even in a small way, please get in touch.

Copies of the Agenda and the Accounts will be available at the meeting.  Please let me know if you would like a copy in advance. I do hope you can come along to our AGM.  You may be assured of a very warm welcome.  Light refreshments will be available after the meeting.

Peter Skipp, Chairman

81 New Street Hill, Bromley, BR1 5BA

Tel: 020 8857 0300 email: skipphouse@ntlworld.com

Free NHS Health checks

As part of Vascular Awareness Week 17 – 23 March, the Council is encouraging all Bromley residents between the ages of 40 and 74 to take up a free health check offered by the NHS.

Mytimeactive are holding  FREE NHS Health checks from January to March 2014 every Wednesday at the Civic Centre in Bromley. For further details  of the NHS Health checks see their information sheet. 

Are you between 40 and 74 years old? 

If you are aged between 40 and 74 and have not already been diagnosed with heart disease, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease or stroke, you will receive an invitation to have an NHS Health Check every 5 years.  It will give you a clearer picture of your health and will help you take action to reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease. Everyone is at some risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes or kidney disease.  The good news is that these conditions can often be prevented, even if you have a history of them in your family.  Have your free NHS Health Check and you will be better prepared for the future and be able to take steps to maintain or improve your health.

Why do you need an NHS Health Check?

We know that your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease increases with age.  Both men and women can develop these conditions.  There are also certain things that will put you at an even greater risk.  These are:

• Being over weight
• Lack of exercise
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol

Even if you're feeling well, it's worth having your NHS Health Check now.  We can then work with you to lower your chances of developing these health problems in the future. The Health Check helps to identify potential risks early.  By having this check and following the advice of your health professional, you improve your chances of living a healthier life.

For further information see the frequently asked questions concerning click on any of the links saying NHS Health checks 

Burnt Ash Library Coffee Morning and Talk 20 March 2014

For more details visit the library or contact the librarians on 020 8460 3405 or by email atburntash.library@bromley.gov.uk