NewslettersAll newsletters:Chairman's Newsletter, April 2008I have some good and some bad news to report in this newsletter. Planning Gain Monies from the development of the Tesco superstore on South SideLocal councillors have been considering how to allocate a payment by Tescos of £420,000 which needs to be spent on projects within the vicinity of their store and the Clapham Common Management Advisory Committee (CCMAC) have been asked for their comments. We are delighted that Lambeth are considering spending the majority of this money on Clapham Common projects which are as follows:
If all this is finally approved it would be a very welcome development and a small step towards reversing the decline in some of the Common's buildings and infrastructure. Café on Rookery RoadThis café has a new lessee, Stephanie Schmidt, who has exciting plans for improvements and hopes to open her refurbished cafe for the early May bank holiday weekend. She has hired a French chef and wants to specialise in quality food for breaks and lunches during the week and speciality brunches at weekends. I am told that her coffee cake is a must! Bandstand EventsLook out for news about events being held at the Bandstand this summer which start on Sunday 11th May with a performance from the South London Concert Band starting at 2pm. Full details of the events programme are on our website claphamcommon.org and if you know of anyone who wants to stage an event they should contact David Holley at dholley@lambeth.gov.uk or telephone 020 7926 1017. Problems with ResourcingThis is the time of year when Lambeth discuss the allocation of money for the maintenance of their parks and open spaces. Over the last 3 years Clapham Common has received annually sums varying between £70,000 and £30,000 for maintenance. This excludes the outsourcing contract awarded to Veolia for general maintenance such as grass cutting and the collection of litter and waste. We now hear rumours that the parks budget is likely to be cut from about £630,000 to around £175,000 to be allocated over Lambeth's 65 parks and open spaces. If these cuts are approved Clapham Common's annual budget could be cut to less than £20,000 which is totally inadequate bearing in mind the state of disrepair which exists at the present time. I reported in my last newsletter that Battersea Woods were to be thinned this spring but this work has been put on hold for lack of funding. Parks Manager LeavingWe are losing Paul Bassi, the Parks Manager responsible for the Common. The Committee will miss discussing issues with him on his quarterly walkabouts. On the last occasion he took us to Nursery Woods where a small amount of additional thinning has taken place. He suggested a Community Project assisting forming walkways through this area using sawdust and chippings which have been piled up in the wood. When details of this are clearer we will be looking for volunteers. Bowling Green/Tennis Court complex on West SideWe also toured the above area with Paul Bassi and discussed removing the fencing that surrounds the old Bungalow site and how this former area could best be incorporated within adjacent areas of the Common. The tennis courts need replacement nets and repairs to the surrounding netting. We will be taking up these issues through the CCMAC. However, I personally was very impressed by the condition of the Bowling Green. New members are needed and this is the best time of year to think about joining this Club. Summer Garden PartyThis will be held on Wednesday 25th June at 7pm at 34 Clapham Common North Side by kind permission of Kathy and Fred Uhde. This is a lovely garden and if you would like to attend contact me on 020 7622 3190 Membership RenewalI would urge those of you who have not renewed their annual subscription to do so. Members' support and funding are vital if we are to continue working on behalf of the Common. We are also keen to receive members' feedback on issues which they consider are important for the Common. You can contact me by e-mail. Peter Burke-Murphy |
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