The "Working Group" met last Wednesday 10th June at 7pm
The meeting was facilitated by Louise Trewavas, Communications & Consultation Manager, Finance and Schools Support, Children Schools and Families (CSF) and Chaired by Sarah Bourne, Head of Property and Contracts at Camden Council. Cllr Andrew Mennear reported progress as Richard Lewin was unavailable due to health reasons.
Louise Trewavas reported that the number of unplaced children has decreased from the 133 to 127 (latest figures from Louise as of 12th June indicates that the figure has fallen now to 107).
Cllr Andrew Mennear reported that CSF were "in talks" with five schools in North / North West Camden about the possibility of having temporary "portacabin" classrooms to be installed ready for September. Currently, it is believed that all of these "five" schools are community schools. The names of the schools will be confidential until negotiations have been completed.
The Council estimate that 2-3 temporary classrooms of 30 children will be needed. The purchase order for the "portacabins" classrooms needs to be placed within the next 2 weeks, even though the sites may not been confirmed. The Council intends to feedback further progress and the names of schools electing to take part in the "portacabin" scheme when the "Working Group" meets again on 23rd June at Swiss Cottage Community Centre at 7pm, TBC. But it must be emphasized that only the governing body (the School Governors) of the local schools can make that decision.
The overall feeling by all present with a notable exception from Cllr Alexis Rowell was that some welcome progress had been made.
Author: Nigel Rumble
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Sunday, 7 June 2009
The Chalcots "Where Are We"
CHALCOTS: With all what has been going on in Belsize with 133+ children in Camden without primary school places and the near collapse of the Government one may wonder what is happening to the Chalcots with "mould" and other serious problems reported in previous blogs.So here is a timely update. After many high level meetings with Camden who still has yet to officially report back on all of the concerns raised by representatives of residents through the Housing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny and Hampstead DMC. Through the Operational Forum meeting, which meets monthly with representatives from all sides, it was stated by the PFIC CEO that on the question of “mould” that samples would be taken from THREE flats only and then for the rest of the 717 properties it would be up to the residents to report any re-occurring “mould” for a “TWELVE” month period.
This is in my opinion a disgrace, as I have stated in my previous blogs on “mould” and the problem of the “windows”, I feel that residents deserve better treatment.
I will continue to campaign for this better treatment and to receive acknowledgement that a serious problem exists.
I have received further news that I cannot yet blog about which is as vital and carries a significant H&S risk if unchecked. However, the implications of this particular matter which for legal reasons I cannot go into fully here presents a picture of a Camden Housing department which I have already stated for its failure to deliver "value for money", let alone quality of provision and adding to this an inability to monitor the capital works in the “regeneration” projects on matters of vital H&S standards. As soon as I am legally free to discuss these matters I will inform here in my blog fully the details. Rest assured however, that I will continue to actively campaign to get to the “truth” on these serious matters involving H&S standards.
Author: Nigel Rumble
Primary School admissions "The Week Ahead"
Putting the Euro, Local Elections and near collapse of the Government behind us for a moment.
We in Belsize must not forget the plight of the 133 or so children in Camden without a Primary school offer for the September 2009 or January 2010 intake and still on the waiting list for one of the preference schools, with many parents on waiting list in the high 30 or 40th or even higher position on the list! Many parents are refusing to accept alternatives being offered because of the travel distance to the alternatives. So the problem continues unabated.
Further update it is expected that more detailed information on the number of children that still require places will be made available week commencing 8th June.
It would appear that many schools have not received all the information back from the school admissions team yet. This may mean that the 133 may go up or down, lets hope down.
As soon as I get any new information I will post it here.
Reminder -- The next The Primary Admissions Working Group meeting will be Wednesday 10th June at 7pm at venue Swiss Cottage Community Centre, 19 Winchester Road, London. NW3 3NR. (This will be confirmed by Camden officially, I state it hear only as a guide).
We in Belsize must not forget the plight of the 133 or so children in Camden without a Primary school offer for the September 2009 or January 2010 intake and still on the waiting list for one of the preference schools, with many parents on waiting list in the high 30 or 40th or even higher position on the list! Many parents are refusing to accept alternatives being offered because of the travel distance to the alternatives. So the problem continues unabated.
Further update it is expected that more detailed information on the number of children that still require places will be made available week commencing 8th June.
It would appear that many schools have not received all the information back from the school admissions team yet. This may mean that the 133 may go up or down, lets hope down.
As soon as I get any new information I will post it here.
Reminder -- The next The Primary Admissions Working Group meeting will be Wednesday 10th June at 7pm at venue Swiss Cottage Community Centre, 19 Winchester Road, London. NW3 3NR. (This will be confirmed by Camden officially, I state it hear only as a guide).
Saturday, 30 May 2009
In memory of Mr Tom Waters who died last week
I was very saddened to learn today that Mr Tom Waters an Officer with London Borough of Camden, who had tirelessly worked as a Project Manager "trouble shooter" for the Housing Department had died of Cancer last week.
Tom was a stalwart of the Housing Development team, he was well known for his sense of wry humour and getting involved in the sharp end of dealing with the very "real" problems that residents on the Chalcots Estate and many other estates across Camden faced. He provided his mobile number to all without question or hesitation and would personally try to sort out problems.
Whether that may have been Lifts out of service on bank holidays, security concerns or any one of a hundred or more potential problems that residents may have faced with "major capital works"
I had become to know Tom very well during the past years and had frequent chats with him; I will miss his views and unique perspective on the building industry. He was a very knowledgeable person with lots of wisdom to offer people.
Tom will be much missed by a very many people.
Tom was a stalwart of the Housing Development team, he was well known for his sense of wry humour and getting involved in the sharp end of dealing with the very "real" problems that residents on the Chalcots Estate and many other estates across Camden faced. He provided his mobile number to all without question or hesitation and would personally try to sort out problems.
Whether that may have been Lifts out of service on bank holidays, security concerns or any one of a hundred or more potential problems that residents may have faced with "major capital works"
I had become to know Tom very well during the past years and had frequent chats with him; I will miss his views and unique perspective on the building industry. He was a very knowledgeable person with lots of wisdom to offer people.
Tom will be much missed by a very many people.
Friday, 29 May 2009
Primary School admissions UPDATE
Further update it is expected that more detailed information on the number of children that still require places will be made available week commencing 8th June.
It would appear that many schools have not received all the information back from the school admissions team yet. This may mean that the 133 may go up or down, lets hope down.
As soon as I get any new information I will post it here.
Reminder -- The next The Primary Admissions Working Group meeting will be Wednesday 10th June at 7pm at venue Swiss Cottage Community Centre, 19 Winchester Road, London. NW3 3NR.
It would appear that many schools have not received all the information back from the school admissions team yet. This may mean that the 133 may go up or down, lets hope down.
As soon as I get any new information I will post it here.
Reminder -- The next The Primary Admissions Working Group meeting will be Wednesday 10th June at 7pm at venue Swiss Cottage Community Centre, 19 Winchester Road, London. NW3 3NR.
Friday, 22 May 2009
Primary Admissions Working Group UPDATE
The Primary Admissions Working Group held first meeting on Wednesday 20th May at the Hampstead Town Hall Centre.
It would be inappropriate to "blog" the discussions of this meeting even before the official minute is produced and circulated to the group. This is just to say that as a active member of this "working group" that this important meeting has now taken place and that the process has started.
I hope together with other members of the "group" that we will bring about the required change to provide short-term solutions to the 133 children currently without placement and in the mid-term for the September 2010 admissions. The longer-term objective of developing a "new" primary school in the Belsize and Swiss Cottage area remains the "ultimate" aim. I certainly will focus my efforts in the order of priorities for short, mid and long-term.
The "working group" will meet again on Wednesday 10th June at 7pm, venue TBC, but I together with others have suggested that it should alternate with the Swiss Cottage Community Centre and the Hampstead Town Hall Centre so as to be seen to cover both the Hampstead and Swiss Cottage borders of Belsize.
Author: Nigel Rumble 22nd May 2009
It would be inappropriate to "blog" the discussions of this meeting even before the official minute is produced and circulated to the group. This is just to say that as a active member of this "working group" that this important meeting has now taken place and that the process has started.
I hope together with other members of the "group" that we will bring about the required change to provide short-term solutions to the 133 children currently without placement and in the mid-term for the September 2010 admissions. The longer-term objective of developing a "new" primary school in the Belsize and Swiss Cottage area remains the "ultimate" aim. I certainly will focus my efforts in the order of priorities for short, mid and long-term.
The "working group" will meet again on Wednesday 10th June at 7pm, venue TBC, but I together with others have suggested that it should alternate with the Swiss Cottage Community Centre and the Hampstead Town Hall Centre so as to be seen to cover both the Hampstead and Swiss Cottage borders of Belsize.
Author: Nigel Rumble 22nd May 2009
Friday, 15 May 2009
UPDATE for the Public Meeting on Local Primary School Provision 14th May 2009
First impressions, having attended this important public debate at Swiss Cottage School.
Camden officers have together with Cllr Andrew Mennear, Executive of Schools agreed to explore the short-term options of additional temporary classrooms on the spare grounds of Fitzjohn's as suggested by Cllr Chris Philp and other local schools having sufficient grounds to accommodate extra temporary classrooms.
I managed to get some of my ideas heard, the first of using "Portacabins" style classrooms which can be assembled during the summer as a fast track "pragmatic" approach to meeting the immediate needs of the 133. The second of using parts of the large "green" spaces of the Chalcots in Belsize to build a “new” primary school. Naturally, any such scheme would require the active cooperation and consultation of all residents on the estate. This would be a more long-term solution, since consultation, planning permissions are time consuming processes.
The other very significant agreement to come out of the public meeting was that a “Working Group” would be set up to allow volunteer parents wishing to actively engage in working together with senior Camden officers to find and develop a short, mid and long term solutions at a regular “focus” group meeting to be set-up shortly.
As a parent myself amongst the 133. I know first hand how incredibly frustrating this problem is, being 31st in the waiting list for one of our preference schools!
Clearly, emotions were running high at the public meeting, for example, the one question I heard time and time again from the floor was “what are you ‘Camden’ going to do about this problem?” but everyone managed to stay well mannered and focused on the key issues.
Camden has stated that a summary of all questions asked will be circulated shortly to all attendees of this key meeting.
Author: Nigel Rumble 15th May 2009
Camden officers have together with Cllr Andrew Mennear, Executive of Schools agreed to explore the short-term options of additional temporary classrooms on the spare grounds of Fitzjohn's as suggested by Cllr Chris Philp and other local schools having sufficient grounds to accommodate extra temporary classrooms.
I managed to get some of my ideas heard, the first of using "Portacabins" style classrooms which can be assembled during the summer as a fast track "pragmatic" approach to meeting the immediate needs of the 133. The second of using parts of the large "green" spaces of the Chalcots in Belsize to build a “new” primary school. Naturally, any such scheme would require the active cooperation and consultation of all residents on the estate. This would be a more long-term solution, since consultation, planning permissions are time consuming processes.
The other very significant agreement to come out of the public meeting was that a “Working Group” would be set up to allow volunteer parents wishing to actively engage in working together with senior Camden officers to find and develop a short, mid and long term solutions at a regular “focus” group meeting to be set-up shortly.
As a parent myself amongst the 133. I know first hand how incredibly frustrating this problem is, being 31st in the waiting list for one of our preference schools!
Clearly, emotions were running high at the public meeting, for example, the one question I heard time and time again from the floor was “what are you ‘Camden’ going to do about this problem?” but everyone managed to stay well mannered and focused on the key issues.
Camden has stated that a summary of all questions asked will be circulated shortly to all attendees of this key meeting.
Author: Nigel Rumble 15th May 2009
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