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:-

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