Southwark

Forum

Report of proceedings at the inaugural meeting of

Southwark Forum

at Cambridge House on 22nd October 2009

Delegates

Ade Adebola / Pohwer
Anabel Clero
Andy Boaden / VSO
Ann Clayton / Bermondsey and Rotherhithe Development partnership
Anna Peters / Broadway
Antoinette Sallah – Phillips / Bells Gardens TRA
Ayaan Mohammmed / VCS
Bonnie Royal / Southwark Council
Brenda Bond / Age Concern Southwark
Claudine MacPherson / St Michael’s
Cllr Adele Morris / Southwark Council
David Reid / PVSF
Debbie Morey / Blackfriars Advice Centre.
Deborah Collins / Southwark Council
Dennis Katungi / SGTO
Dionne West / Community Magazine
Dolly Mace / Southwark Links
Duncan Clelland / Peabody Trust
Eyunez Turay / Cambridge House
Glenn Heaton / Advocates for Homeless
Heide Rejek / Kids Southwark
Jean Tucker / Preschool learning alliance
John Jolly / Blenheim CDP
Kornelia Lavati / Pohwer
Les Alden / People Care Association
Lesley Murdin / WPF Therapy
Liliana Dmitrovic / People’s Republic of Southwark
Mairi Mills / Bede Housing
Mark Blundell / Salmon Centre
Natasha Plaister / Volunteer Centre Southwark
Paul Pope / LEAT
Paula Lopez / Latin American Forum
Peter Vautier / London Chinese Radio
Rebecca White / Kickstart
Roger Zoppola / Latin American Forum
Seray Kamara / Volunteer Centre Southwark
Stephen Douglass / Southwark Council
Susan Gordon / Charity Business
Sylvia Wachuku-King / Blackfriars Settlement
Tina Farage / Hourbank
Tony Mollett / Volunteer Centre Southwark
Verinder Mander / Southwark Carers
Vivienne Lamaro / SHRREB

Introductions: Chris Sanford (CAS)

Facilitator: Annette Zera


The meeting used the Open Space process to consider the question:

What burning premises issues do we have, and how do we resolve them together?

Delegates created the agenda. The topics discussed, and the recommendations that emerged, are listed below. The numbers refer to the priorities attached to each recommendation at the end of the meeting.

How do we make the most efficient use of our voluntary and community sector premises?
CAS to publicise information about mandatory and discretionary rate relief? / 12
Council properties should be made available for community use ? e.g. libraries, schools, tenant and resident associations. / 1
A lot of space, but not used.
A register of available space. / 6
Newsletter of available space – organisations can submit entries. / 1
Linking up people who need space and those who have space. / 7
Capital Assets
Voluntary sector (not council) takes initiative / 7
Regular liaison wth CAS and Council / 2
Council to reserve some buildings for voluntary sector use. / 3
Communication between property department, legal department, Health and Social Care and voluntary organisations
Delays and confusion re: lease negotiations / 1
Community Asset Transfer not happening (CAT). Market rents may not be achievable when there is no money for voluntary sector grants and contracts.
The council “has to get value” out of its assets. Nothing creative in the approach to premises or CAT.
Legal got their hands on the CAT strategy.
I would like the council build more flat surface facilities for people with wheelchairs.
Access to Public transport and facilities, including gym. / 3
Having accessibility – working lifts. If they break down in tower block to be fixed same day as a priority / 1
New build of buildings to be built with access to facilities for wheelchairs / 1
Creative Planning
Council to work harder to make consultation meaningful and engaging / 2
Use organisation with expertise in this / 1
How to find a room, when the organisation has no money / funds for it
For Kids - Leonard Cheshire new centre in north Southwark.
Likeminded organisations to contact and find out if they are interested. / 4
For CAS - Specific frauds to develop infrastructure
Create a database of charge free spaces.
PVSF – website support groups in Peckham / 4
For Kids – make an assessment of what I need and what criteria the space needs to meet.
Schools needs to offer access to the community. / 2
How can community groups with no premises at the moment get free rent
CAS to recommend seed bed spaces. / 1
Landlords to get involved and provide spaces
Community Asset Transfer
Strategy for use of empty retail premises short term / 13
Designation of community space
Freedom of information request for property portfolio details / 1
Creative discussions and agreements for properties/CAT / 6
Look at BME mix of Southwark
Look at BME mix of Southwark as English not first language
Look at community services, Southwark Council. Provide through their children/young people department (youth and connexions, parent forums.
Look at schools where parents can meet
How to inspire, and enable parent to positively impact on their children’s lives.
Secondary schools and extended services.
Looking at the ethnic mix of Southwark BME group, network with BME leaders. / 2
Premises Issues
CAS premises officer could explore common issues in leave negotiations and raise / address them. / 3
VCS property person needs a manageable workload – could be very effective role / 1
Improve communication between departments / 1
Community Hub/ Anchors
Place that brings people together.
Flexible space /working environments / 7
Activity Space – storage.
Capacity build smaller groups / 3
Joint funding bids. Rent space commercially.
Should tenants and residents associations (TRAs) have their own halls?
Council confirms a hall for each TRA. Standards for TRAs. / 1
Participatory budgets, governance documents. / 1
SLA agreements with youth service and police. Managed by an independent body. / 1
Does everybody really need their own building/premises?
Work needs to be done on identity and integration and how individual organisations can work with others/in different ways, e.g. sharing premises/hot desking, etc. / 4
Look at how council processes/leases can encourage sharing /sub-letting of space. / 14


Concluding remarks

A fabulous way to consult. Very interesting having representatives from the council, and I was interested in the issues raised.

A valuable learning event.

Lots of positive things we can do.

A great turn out. Keep it up.

Will be good to look at the notes and recommendations.

A great start to the forum. Well done CAS.

Well organised. Good content.

I really enjoyed the networking. I’d like to thank people for being so open.

Thanks to CAS.

So nice to see so many people.

Thanks for organising this.

I nearly didn’t make it, but was glad I did. Thank you.

I thoroughly enjoyed the session and found it very useful.

I enjoyed putting faces to some names.

Thank you.

Thank you for inviting me.

A great meeting.

Thank you.

Please invite me again.

I hope you can keep it up.

If we want an informed hub or centre, we need to take the initiative.

Thanks. Keep it up.

Thanks for inviting us.

Thanks. Lots of ideas and answers.

Thanks to the council for coming here today.

Thanks for inviting us.

We’re new to the area. I hope there’s another forum meeting. Southwark is a very active place.

Very interesting. I would like to come to another forum.

We have the contact list and will keep in touch with people attending. Thanks to Charity Business for sponsoring the event. We look forward to working in partnership with organisations to deliver these recommendations.