Camden Town and Primrose Hill

Disorder in Camden

2011-08-09T20:18:00.001+01:00

I spent this morning talking to residents living near Chalk Farm road about the disorder that occurred last night. I also attended a briefing session for local businesses at which senior members of staff from Camden Council and the Police updated us. Since then I have been in constant communication with residents, businesses and police and council officers.

The police did not manage to regain control of the situation last night until 5am. A number of shop fronts were smashed and several stores on Chalk Farm Road were looted.

We have been given firm reassurances that there will be a larger and better resourced police presence tonight. Of course, if there is disorder elsewhere in London, police may have to attend to that.

Local businesses are putting in extra measures including securing their shop fronts and hiring extra security.

I was heartened to see so many people volunteer to tidy up the high street this morning. I was also glad to see what a professional job the Council's street cleaning department did. When I did my first walk about before 8am this morning, most of the debris and broken glass had already been removed.

I have told the street services so secure all skips in the area and to ensure that bins are emptied, to ensure that bottles etc are not used as weapons.

I would urge you all to check on any friends or neighbours that you think might be lonely or afraid. It is very easy in a situation like this for us all to retreat into our own homes, but we must also provide any help we can to our friends and neighbours. If you have a neighbour that you would like me to talk to then please do send their contact details to thomas.neumark@Camden.gov.uk

I will be monitoring the situation tonight to ensure that the police provide an effective and proportionate service so that we can peacefully enjoy our wonderful neighbourhood.

Best wishes

Councillor Thomas Neumark

Consolidating Camden Council's offices

2011-04-16T19:31:00.001+01:00

I support Camden Labour party's decision to consolidate many of Camden council’s office buildings into two buildings, one in Bidborough street and a new building in Kings Cross.

This will come at no cost to the tax payer.

The new building will be funded through two sources. Firstly, by selling The Crowndale Centre, Bedford House in Camden High Street NW1, Clifton House on Euston Road, offices in Cockpit Yard, 98-100 St Pancras Way, the Town Hall extension on Argyle Street, and 156 West End Lane. Secondly, by taking out a loan which will be paid back through the savings we make through having a lower repairs bill.

The alternative would have been to sell these same building, apart from the Town Hall extension, and to use the money to repair the Town Hall extension. Over 25 years this option would have cost us somewhere in the region of £70 million.

I do not believe that we can legitimately cut further services in order to maintain inefficient buildings that are badly in need of repair when we have an option that costs us nothing and gives us a new building.

There is more detail about these decisions here http://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/council-and-democracy/plans-and-policies/camden-strategies-&-partnerships/corporate-accommodation-strategy-.en

Camden Labour party opposes High Speed Rail

2011-04-03T14:39:00.000+01:00

Camden Cabinet’s position on HS2

As it stands the HS2 proposals are unacceptable to Camden. We oppose them.

The loss of our housing, the threat to our communities and blight created by a decade of both uncertainty and building works are not mitigated by any significant gain to Camden's communities that would come close to offsetting this harm.

We will fight the proposals for our communities. If the Government does decide to go ahead, we will fight to get significantly more council housing and other additional improvements to replace the community amenities that are under threat.

High Speed Rail

2011-03-23T16:14:00.001Z

As you probably know the Government plans to build a new high speed rail link between Euston and Birmingham.

The consultation document that the government has put out on this is very weak. There is little detail or clarity in it.

What is clear is that the current proposal will cause planning blight to Primrose Hill and surrounding areas and disturbances from construction of tunnels and then the operation of trains.

The Labour party is nationally reviewing its position on the question of High Speed Rail.

To have your say fill out this very quick survey

http://www.britainbetterconnected.org.uk/Britain_Better_Connected/Welcome.html

Charity football match

2011-02-06T19:29:00.001Z

I was very proud to be invited to play in a football match with some of the young people who access Camden council's youth homelessness services.

They were a great bunch of lads who deserved to beat us old timers!

The future of the library

2011-02-06T09:17:00.002Z

As you will now the Tory-led central government is rapidly cutting the amount of money it gives to Camden council. This means savings and cuts have to be made across all the services which the council provides from adult social care to planning to street cleaning.

The Chalk Farm library in Primrose Hill is a much loved institution. It is not open nearly as much as we would all like but when it is open it is popular with young and old. However, there is a real possibility that this library could be closed if we cannot find another way to make the savings and cuts that we need to make.

The Council has started a consultation on the future of the library services. If you click on the link below you will be given lots of background information about the various ways in which are being looked at. Please do complete the survey or email me at thomas.neumark@camden.gov.uk

www.camden.gov.uk/librarysavings

Workshops in Primrose Hill

2011-01-26T16:02:00.001Z

The entirely non-political Transition Town Primrose Hill have organised a series of workshops on a whole range of things. They are all about learning new skills. Below is the list but please note that these are only for people who live in the Chalk Farm/Primrose hill area;

LEARN TO SEW BAGS with a difference

decorate using applique and patchwork

We hope this will become a group of 'sociable guerilla bagmakers' (see www.morsbags.com) making bags to give away and reduce plastic bag use.
On Tuesday 8 February 7 to 10pm
At Sew Much Fun
Cost £3.00
Bring old curtains or sheets to re use
Booking essential
Ring PHCA on 0207 586 8327
Or email info@primorsehill.org

MARMALADE MAKING!
Come and make marmalade together.
Saturday 5 February 2.30 to 4.30pm
at St Paul’s School Kitchen
Cost £3.00
Booking essential
Ring PHCA on 0207 586 8327
Or email info@transitionprimrosehill.org

CURTAIN LINING MADE SIMPLE
Save heat and money
No sewing, just cutting and ironing
Tuesday 17 February 10.30 to 12.30
At Oldfield
cost £7.00 to include material to take away
Booking essential
Ring PHCA on 0207 586 8327
Or email info@transitionprimrosehill.org

High Speed Rail 2

2011-01-09T11:12:00.001Z

There is a lot of concern still about the proposed route of the new high speed rail link between London and Birmingham.

A local group has been set up with the support of all local councillors. You can read more detail here, there is also a lot of official documents including maps available here

Rail fares

2011-01-09T11:09:00.001Z

Conservative Mayor Boris Johnson is increasing fares above-inflation this January for the third year in a row and Conservative Chancellor George Osborne is hitting rail users with fare rises averaging more than SIX percent - with many up by more than ten percent.

You can sign a petition against these rises here

Cuts

2010-11-25T12:37:00.001Z

Central Government cuts mean tough decisions for Camden - get the story so far in Camden

http://bit.ly/hko8Yb

ASBOs

2010-11-16T12:14:00.001Z

Excellent news that, at Blackfriars Crown Court on Monday 15th November 2010, a 31 year old man was convicted of offering to supply cannabis in Camden Town.

He was sentenced to 24 weeks imprisonment suspended for 1 year and given a 5 year ASBO prohibiting him from entering Camden Town.

This is the 173rd ASBO to be obtained by Camden Town with Primrose Hill Safer Neighbourhoods Team.

ASBOs are not to everyone's liking but they are certainly an important part of combating the drugs trade in Camden Town.

Changes to cycling on canal

2010-11-16T11:14:00.002Z

Many people have contacted me to complain about the way cyclists use the canal.

I am a keen cyclist myself but I agree that the canal towpath is just too small for people to cycle along.

That is why Camden council have come up with a proposal to move cyclists off the towpath and instead to take this route;

from east to west;

Copenhagen Street, York Way, Goods Way, Camley Street, Agar Grove, St Pancras

Way, Randolph Street, Camden Road, Bonny Street, Camden Street, Camden

Gardens, Kentish Town Road, Hawley Crescent, Camden High Street, Jamestown

Road, Oval Road, Gloucester Avenue, Regent’s Park Road, St Marks Square, St

Marks Bridge, and Outer Circle.

Any thoughts? Let me know at thomas.neumark@camden.gov.uk

Regulations on sexual entertainment venues

2010-11-02T19:53:00.002Z

Camden Council has launched a consultation on the regulation of sexual entertainment venues.

You can respond by clicking here

My view is that we should limit the number of these venues as far as possible, and we should ensure that there are not high concentrations of these venues in any one place.

If you have a large number these places next to each other it can create an intimidating atmosphere.

If you agree, or have a different view, you can email me on thomas. neumark@camden.gov.uk

Councillor pay frozen

2010-07-06T19:48:00.001+01:00

Happy to say that Camden Councillors have voted to freeze their pay this year.

With so many people facing hardship at the moment it would not be right for councillors to take a pay rise.

Extra police for Camden Town and Primrose Hill

2010-07-05T21:28:00.003+01:00

Despite cuts to funding for Camden Council we are pleased to announced that Camden Labour has secured funding for extra police for area.

Camden Council has more details on their website here

Changes to housing benefit

2010-07-05T20:43:00.002+01:00

As you might know the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat government has announced cuts to funding for Camden.

You can find more details here of what will be effected.

I am very concerned about proposed changes to housing benefit for those in private rented accommodation.

The charity Shelter has come out quite strongly against these proposals and the Camden New Journal had an interesting piece here as did the Evening Standard

One of the proposals is to cut people's housing benefit if they have been out of work for a year. This seems particularly cruel and could lead to more homelessness.

opening up Camden Council

2010-06-16T15:06:00.002+01:00

We have now published the pay of all senior council workers.

To look for yourself click on these links;

http://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/council-and-democracy/twocolumn/chief-officer-pay-at-camden-council-.en?page=3

http://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/council-and-democracy/twocolumn/chief-officer-pay-at-camden-council-.en?page=5

High Speed Rail 2

2010-05-20T08:36:00.001+01:00

Here is a copy of the letter I have just written to the High Speed rail consultation;

Exceptional Hardship Scheme Consultation,
High Speed 2 Limited,
55 Victoria Street,
London SW1H 0EH

Giada Covallero,
Consultation Co-ordinator,
Department for Transport,
Zone 2/25 Great Minster House,
76 Marsham Street,
London SW1P 4DR
19th May 2010
Dear Sir or Madam,

Response to Consultation on the Exceptional Hardship Scheme for HS2

I am one of the councillors representing Camden Town with Primrose hill. The “preferred route” of the proposed HS2 line passes through our ward. I understand that you have already received a letter from “the Primrose Hill HS2 Reference Group”. This is a group of concerned residents who have formed an entirely non-political community group to organise a response to the consultation.

Their response is an excellent summary of the feelings of many in Primrose Hill. I would strongly recommend that you take careful notice of their letter and provide a full response to it.

I would echo some of the points they make. Particularly, that, although the EHS is a non-statutory scheme which the Government is not obliged by statute to provide the EHS should still be run properly and be fairly implemented.

Residents have several legitimate concerns about the way in which the process has been managed so far. We are particularly concerned that;

• We were not notified at all about the adoption of the “preferred” route through Primrose Hill, nor about the EHS itself.
• Certain properties are unreasonably excluded from compensation under the proposed rules. Specifically, properties above tunnelled sections and owners of businesses who rent their business premises should be eligible for compensation.
Yours sincerely

Cllr Thomas Neumark

Public meeting over Hawley Wharf

2010-05-12T21:25:00.001+01:00

There will be a second public meeting to discuss the development of the Camden Market.

The meeting will be at 7.30pm on Monday 7 June at Holy Trinity Church, corner of Hartland Road and Clarence Way.

End to sale of Council housing

2010-05-12T08:46:00.000+01:00

Camden Labour to end controversial council housing auctions

In a first of a series of announcements – and with immediate effect - Camden’s new Labour administration is ordering the end to the unpopular policy auctioning of council homes to private developers to pay for repairs.

In November 2007 Conservative and Liberal Democrat-run Camden council announced plans to sell off 500 of its existing council-rented properties, despite over 18,000 people remaining on Camden’s housing waiting list.

The unpopular policy was made even more controversial after several auctioned flats reappeared on the market, ‘flipped’ by speculators for hundreds of thousands of pounds of profit.

A list showing what happened to properties after they were sold by the council show:

- One house in Croftdown Road, Highgate, was snapped up for £1.1million and quickly sold on for £1.9m - a 78 per cent profit.

- A flat on an estate in Arlington Road, Camden Town was bought for £176,000 and sold for £285,000 – a 49 per cent profit.

- A flat in Hemstal Road, West Hampstead, was bought from the council last May for £233,000 at auction with the buyer selling it on in December for £345,000.
Under Labour Camden now step up its campaign for more direct investment, look to its own commercial property portfolio and new housing revenue powers to create money for council house repairs.

It is also committed to drive better value-for-money in the existing housing repairs programme, criticised for waste and over-specification.

Camden Labour leader Cllr. Nasim Ali says:
“The ‘flipping’ of publicly owned housing to generate hundreds of thousands of pounds for private developers shocked Camden’s taxpayers. It was also a daily tragedy for the thousands that languish on the growing housing waiting list.”

“The choice at the election was between Lib Dem/Tory support for sell-offs and Camden Labour’s promise to immediately halt the privatisation of desperately needed housing. Taxpayers clearly said that auctions should end. We have done that today.”

Election Results!

2010-05-12T08:45:00.003+01:00

Pat Callaghan and Thomas Neumark were elected as councillors for Camden Town and Primrose Hill for the Labour party.

Sadly Robert Higson was not returned. However, we have not seen the last of him.

Full details here; http://www3.camden.gov.uk/votes/?page_id=2

Gordon Brown speech

2010-05-04T08:49:00.001+01:00

High Speed Rail 2

2010-04-15T18:11:00.003+01:00

This is the letter which Frank Dobson sent to all residents of Primrose Hill;

Dear Resident,

I expect you know it has been proposed that the High Speed Rail link to the Midlands, North of England and Scotland should come into Euston. This would involve a new tunnel being bored from Old Oak Common/Wormwood Scrubs to Euston and the demolition of four blocks of flats to the west of Euston, two hotels, some offices and warehouses and concreting over almost two thirds of St James Gardens. When this was announced in the House of Commons on 11 March I immediately made clear the proposal was unacceptable. I subsequently spoke against the proposal when it was debated on 30th March.

I believe that Britain needs a high speed train network, if only to bring about a massive reduction in the harmful number of short-haul flights within Britain, similar to the impact of the high speed link to the Channel Tunnel has had on flights to Paris and Brussels. This Government recognised that it made no sense to have the Channel Tunnel with no rail link. With my encouragement High Speed 1, the Channel Tunnel rail link comes into St. Pancras. However, I cannot support the Euston proposal.

Our area is densely built-up and populated yet the railway engineers are treating it like greenfield site. It is clear from a map of Euston station or from looking around the station that there is a huge amount of wasted space within the existing curtilage of the station. Even if Euston were to be the terminus the railway engineers would need to take a much more imaginative approach and not think that they can just draw a line on the map and decide that they will get the necessary land and bore the necessary tunnel.

But I have a wider objection to what is proposed. Along with some railway engineers I believe that Euston is the wrong station and that it would be better to bring the proposed High Speed link into Paddington. That would save an enormous amount of money by removing the necessity for the new tunnel to Euston from Old Oak which would be very expensive. It would also remove the need to build a new station at Old Oak. Having the terminus at Paddington would also provide a ready made link with Heathrow via both Heathrow Express and Crossrail, neither of which run through Euston.

So I believe that the Government should reconsider the proposal to bring High Speed 2 into Euston. First thoughts are not always the best. I recall the railway engineers proposed that the Channel Tunnel rail link should come into a huge cavern to be excavated under King's Cross station. Local people denounced that as barmy. When the engineers said there was no alternative, I pointed out that St Pancras station was underused and suggested that High Speed 1 should be brought into St Pancras station instead. As you know this has been a great success.

There is an even wider consideration. The more I consider the new scheme the more dubious I am about the proposal to have a Y-shaped High Speed network, with a single stem or leg proceeding from London to Birmingham, before branching out and dividing, with one arm of the Y going to the north-west and the other to the north-east. I question whether it is sensible to have just one leg coming into London - only one route in and out. If a major accident or, sadly, a terrorist outrage were to block that single route, the high speed network would cease to function. So I believe that an "X" shaped system with connections into two London stations would make more sense. It might also provide a direct connection with High Speed 1 and the Channel Tunnel which is not possible under the present proposal. I have therefore called for the whole scheme to be reconsidered.

In the House of Commons when I took the opportunity to speak up for local people, the Conservative Shadow Transport Minister accepted the proposed expensive tunnelling to Euston and the Lib Dem Shadow Transport Minister said "Let me make it clear that the Liberal Democrats welcome the proposals and the proposed route".

I would be most interested to have your views. You can write to me at the House of Commons, Lonodn SW1A 0AA even during the election

Yours sincerely

Frank Dobson

Eddie Izzard video

2010-04-15T18:09:00.000+01:00

Pirate castle

2010-04-15T18:08:00.001+01:00

Great video about Pirate Castle

The Road Ahead

2010-04-12T08:25:00.001+01:00

New housing powers for Local Authorities?

2010-03-30T08:53:00.004+01:00

According to this report Local Authorities will finally be given control over how rents from council housing are spent.

This is a very welcome development and one many of us have been campaigning for.

Some Local Authorities are not embracing this proposal as enthusiastically as possible. I think this is a real shame. It is a vital reform and one we should all support.

Labour party pledges

2010-03-30T08:52:00.002+01:00

Labour's Pledges

Secure the recovery and halve the deficit through economic growth, fair taxes and cuts to lower priority spending.

Supporting the recovery is essential. We are emerging from a global recession and the decisions we make now will shape the next decade. If we had cut during the recession, we would have seen more businesses closing and many more jobs lost, with government picking up even higher bills. Cutting support now, as the Tories want, risks derailing the recovery. It would mean taking demand out of the economy, pulling the rug from under the recovery and delaying our return to sustained growth. That would make the deficit worse not better. We have a clear, tough plan to halve the deficit in four years when recovery is secured. That means raising some taxes – with 60 per cent of the tax increases being on the wealthiest 5 per cent – while at the same time taking difficult decisions to cut costs, inefficiencies, unnecessary programmes and lower priority budgets. At all times, we will be guided by our values: prioritising families and businesses in the mainstream middle, and the public services which they rely on.

Raise family living standards, keeping mortgage rates as low as possible; increasing tax credits for families with young children; providing new help for first-time buyers; and restore the link between the state pension and earnings from 2012.

Labour’s priority is to help families on middle and modest incomes to get on in life and to provide security for all families from when their first child is born to when they retire. For parents of one and two year olds, we will provide an extra £4 a week in Child Tax Credit for each child from 2012. To take 9 out of 10 first time buyers out of stamp duty, Labour will introduce a two-year Stamp Duty holiday for first-time buyers on homes worth up to £250,000, funded by a higher duty on the most expensive properties. During the recession, we have not seen the 15 per cent interest rates that were the hallmark of the Tory years. We will keep the independent Bank of England that we created focused on its 2 per cent inflation target. We will invest in the capacity of the economy to stop bottlenecks pushing up inflation as the economy recovers. For pensioners, will restore the link between the basic State Pension and earnings from 2012.

Build a high tech economy, supporting businesses and industry to create 1 million more skilled jobs and modernising our infrastructure with High-Speed Rail, a Green Investment Bank and broadband access for all.

We are committed to a greener, smarter, even more skilled Britain: one that generates more knowledge and is better than anyone else at turning that knowledge into innovation and economic growth. That means putting in place the right targeted support to help the industries of the future to invest and grow – with an industrial activism agenda for advanced manufacturing, more graduates than ever before, high quality apprenticeships and a Green Investment Bank to unlock billions of finance from the private sector and invest in projects like offshore wind power, where Britain is already the world-leader. We have set out a goal of delivering for Britain a north to south high speed rail network which will result in far quicker journey times, benefiting both passengers and business. High Speed Rail will have a huge impact on the economic landscape of Britain, putting major cities within easier and quicker reach of each other than ever before, creating opportunities for growth across the country and with it many thousands of jobs will And our digital infrastructure will also speed up, with nationwide, next generation high-speed broadband coverage.

Protect frontline investment in policing, schools, childcare and the NHS, with a new guarantee of cancer test results within a week.

We have always valued the public services on which mainstream families rely. In 1997, when the British people entrusted us with the job of protecting our public services the task facing us was clear – to rebuild and restore them after decades of neglect. The task now is to take our public services to the next level. There can be no let-up in the process of reforming our public services. Standards have risen and must keep rising. We need to give guarantees of high standards to everyone – not just the lucky few – at the same time as delivering value for taxpayers’ money and services which are tailored to everyone’s personal needs. We will protect vital frontline services – in health, education and police numbers – while we bring borrowing down to meet our commitments on halving the deficit. That means that, unlike the Tories, we can guarantee extra maths and English tuition for all 7 to 11 year olds who fall behind, maintaining funding for police officer numbers and a new pledge of a guarantee of cancer test results within a week.

Strengthen fairness in communities through an Australian style points-based system to control immigration; guaranteed education, apprenticeships and jobs for young people; and a crack down on anti-social behaviour.

Strong communities are based on shared values, respect and opportunities for all where fair rules apply to everyone. In tough economic times it is even more important to ensure that only those with the skills that we need to build a stronger economy can come here to work. An Australian-style points-based immigration system will ensure that as growth returns, we will see rising levels of employment, wages and skills rather than rising immigration. We won’t abandon young people to years on the dole. Instead we will guarantee a place in education or training for all 16 and 17 year olds and young people aged 18-24 will be guaranteed a job, work experience or training place if they are unemployed for more than six months. We are also expanding the availability of apprenticeships, creating 400,000 apprenticeships by 2020. But at the same time we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour. Our anti-social behaviour guarantee will insist that police and local authorities use every one of the wide-ranging tools and powers available to them in the fight against it. Where we need to go further we will, with new powers to tackle alcohol-related crime, and preventative measures such as Family Intervention Programmes targeting troublesome families.

Camden Town and Primrose Hill Labour Party pledges

2010-03-30T08:52:00.001+01:00

Camden Labour’s 10 Pledges:

If elected we will:

1. Stop the housing sell offs; we will crack down on illegal sub-letting; review contractors performance with tenants and leaseholders; and do everything in our power to stop the privatisation of caretakers

2. Listening to you: we will bring people into the heart of our decision making with places on scrutiny committees, a housing procurement panel and within three months convene a Camden Green Summit.

3. Deliver value for money: Camden Labour proposed a council tax freeze for 2010/11. We will freeze senior officer pay and share services with other public sector bodies to save money. We will introduce a London Living Wage.

4. Tackle climate change: we will hold a Green Summit involving the whole community to develop a Camden strategy to reduce carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2020 in line with the Friends of the Earth targets. We will increase facilities for cyclists and introduce 20mph zones where communities want them

5. Defend education: we will do everything we can to maintain standards in Camden’s excellent state schools and have an immediate review to find a way to begin the building of a school south of Euston Road

6. Protect advice services: we will reinstate Camden’s award winning Welfare Right’s service that helped the vulnerable manage debt and bought money in to the borough. We will properly fund other advice services like CAB and Camden Law Centres are properly funded.

7. Support Camden’s economy: we will use the new Learning and Skills funding to improve jobs and apprenticeships for the long term unemployed. We will expand Camden’s own apprenticeship scheme

8. Keep Camden safe: will reinstate the dedicated executive member to give a real focus to tackling crime in our community. We will work with business to keep Camden Town clean.

9. Promote Camden’s voluntary and community sector: Our vibrant community and voluntary sector really delivers for local people we will keep it that way. In tough times the voluntary sector has a crucial part to play.

10. Protecting Camden’s vulnerable: we will bring together all the expertise in Camden to develop a holistic programme for looking after older people and vulnerable adults to enable them to live independently for as long as possible.

Changes to Britannia Junction

2010-03-22T21:16:00.003Z

The Council has published proposals to change the area around Camden High Street. More details here.

What do you think? Let us know at camdentown.primrosehill@camdenlabour.org.uk

Tube closed on weekends

2010-03-22T21:08:00.002Z

I just recieved this email from Transport for London.

Everyone agrees that the Northern line needs work. Camden Town station is often closed. Tubes are very crowded during rush hour.

However, closures for the whole weekend (as is planned for the next year and a half!), will do severe damage to the economy of Camden.

Again, as with the hastily withdrawn plans for football screening in Regents Park, the Tory Mayor of London has done very little in the way of consultation with residents and local businesses (as Camden Town unlimited, the business group, have made clear).

The Liberal Democrat/Tory controlled council has eventually started pressuring the Mayor on this issue but they appear to have had no success.

Looks like the "misery line" will continue to give residents a few reasons to complain for a while to come.

Camden Labour's alternative budget

2010-03-05T20:38:00.001Z

The opposition Labour party have put forward our alternative budget for Camden Council. Our key measures include;

- Council tax freeze 2010/11

- Secure site for school south of Euston Road

- Support for jobless and community groups (UK Online internet protected, welfare rights help restored, estate youth centre boost)

- Reversal of key price hikes (meals on wheels, market stalls)

- Library boost, save local history department and archives

- Freeze on pay and performance rewards for highest paid officers

- Council communications cuts - end to Your Camden and ‘paid-for’ celebrity endorsements (e.g. Giles Coren)

- Investment in public scrutiny to target local public service efficiencies across council, police, NHS and Jobcentres (‘Total Place’) and engage community groups in ‘Camden Futures’ discussion over public service efficiencies outlined in budget

GUEST BLOG -New Stables Market - Shop Immobility

2010-03-05T20:31:00.001Z

Camden has played an important role in all of my adult life. I strutted in my New Romantic finery at the Camden Palace during the 80's, performed here with various bands I played in through out the years and met my wonderful wife in The Electric Ballroom. I moved here with my wife, who is a Camden girl born and bred, four years ago and am happy to call it home. I have also been a full-time wheelchair user for all of my adult life, and while Camden has always been a little difficult for us wheelie types, everyone here have always been helpful and things slowly got better and better.

When I heard that the Stables Market had got the green light on a redevelopment scheme I viewed the future as rosy. The Stables was always a tricky place to shop due to the old cobblestones, but it was one of my favourite places to find a bargain. The new development promised to make the shopping experience even better as it would obviously conform to new rules and regulations on access for disabled shoppers.

Imagine my shock back in 2008, when the first part of the development opened and I found I had to take my life in my hands to visit it. There were ramps that had been built at the same incline as the stairs they were next to, making them more like a slide then a ramp. There were level changes that just dropped away, without any marking, so someone with visual problems (or anyone not paying attention for the matter) could trip down them and fall. However the biggest access issue was the vast areas that had been floored with cobblestones. Not just cobbles but badly laid cobbles, with big gaps between them and very poor pointing. There was even cobbled ramp, which is a double danger to anyone with mobility issues.

You see cobblestones are very dangerous for wheelchair user and people with mobility issues. They make an uneven surface to wheel or walk on, and mean that a fall is very likely. They also make crossing them a painful experience if you are in a wheelchair. OK, they look nice in a old fashioned way, but then there weren't many wheelchair users around back then. Also when they were laid they were level, and it's just age and use that had made them all bumpy. Whatever else, they are not really the approved flooring material for a new build shopping development.

I quickly e-mailed the developers, with an access report pointing out these mistakes. I also contacted the council planning department and access officer. I hoped that together we could ensure the rest of this major development would not repeat these mistakes.

"So Mik", I hear you say, "what happened?" Well... absolutely nothing. The New Stables Market is approaching completion and all of the access problems I pointed out have not been corrected. In fact they have been continued throughout the entire site. The whole site has floored with poorly laid cobblestones, even in areas that were once floored with York Stone, with steep ramps and poor markings. There are even areas that have no ramps at all! Yet all the time the work was being carried out, Camden's access officer, the over worked Michelle Horn, and myself have been trying to make the developers understand that they have a requirement to ensure the market is accessible to disabled shoppers. All we met, apart from one short meeting, was a wall of silence.

I even contacted the 2012 Olympic committee's disability advisor. After visiting the market he feels that unless the market's access is improved he will not be able to advise disabled tourists and Paralympians to visit Camden, as it may prove too dangerous for them. No one wants a Paralympian to miss out on a chance for a medal as they had injured themselves shopping in Camden, do we?

There have been moments where I felt maybe I should just let it go, but one day, while I sat outside the market moaning about how bad the access was, I saw a young boy of around 8 struggling across the market using a walking frame with leg braces on. I used to walk like that when I was his age, and the fact that 36 years later the environment was still forcing this boy to fight so hard just to visit some shops made my blood boil!

The developers of The New Stables Market should never have been allowed to build the site with such poor accessibility, and should be forced to have the site's access improved. I have no idea why Camden's planning department have not enforced the rules on accessibility. I know that some of the original cobblestones are listed, but all the new part of the market should be fully compliant with current regulations. All I do know is that as it stands, The New Stables Market makes Camden one the least accessible places in London. And that's a shame as Camden has so much to offer both tourists and residents. Just I really think it's time they were open for everybody!

By Mik Scarlet

www.mikscarlet.co.uk

Work to improve Council housing is very poor

2010-03-02T17:31:00.003Z

Following the letter Rob wrote to the Camden New Journal last week, Pat has asked some very good questions about why so many tenants are refusing to allow contractors into their properties.

20% of Council tenants are refusing to let workmen into their flats. This is because the work which has been done so far is of a poor standard, has taken weeks to finish and the workers are not cleaning up after themselves.

It is ridiculous that the Liberal Democrat/Tory controlled council is selling council houses to fund work which is so poor that tenants are refusing it.

Talking about shooting yourself in the foot!

No football to be screened in Regents Park

2010-03-02T17:24:00.003Z

The Camden New Journal is reporting that the campaign which we supported and which the Friends of Regents Park led has been successful.

The world cup will not be screened in Regents Park.

How much tax payers money has the Conservative Mayor wasted on this scheme? How much anxiety has he caused?

Residents have concerns about community safety and about the parks becoming too commercial. This does not make them "NIMBYs".

Hopefully, public authorities will learn that it pays to actually talk with communities before you come up with schemes like this, rather than just rushing in like a bull in a china shop.

Health

2010-02-11T09:34:00.002Z

This report, although long, is well worth reading, especially relevant to an area as unequal as Camden Town and Primrose Hill

Simply the best

2010-02-09T08:17:00.002Z

The Roundhouse has been voted best music venue in London by TimeOut. Well deserved!

More Northern Line misery

2010-02-04T08:38:00.001Z

The private company Tubelines has announced that it will suspend services on the Northern line on weekends for 20 months from March.

Read more about it here http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23801527-outrage-at-plans-to-shut-northern-line-for-82-weekends.do

Nash Ali, Labour's leader the borough of Camden said: "The borough of Camden, from Tottenham Ct Road up to Hampstead and Kentish Town, will be disproportionately hit on weekends. It may have a massive impact on the Lock market, one of London's largest tourist attractions and a source of local jobs and trade."

"This plan seems designed to protect the shareholders of Tubelines, rather than the interests of travelling Londonders. I urge Camden Council to make immediate representations on this and take action, just like it did when private companies wanted the Channel Tunnel works to go 24hrs after similar contract slippage."

If you agree sign this petition here;

http://www.petitiononline.com/nthlinex/petition.html

World cup matches in Regent's Park?

2010-02-02T22:22:00.002Z

Plans to use Regent's park for screening of world cup matches have been put forward.

These have been opposed by some locals.

If you want to put in an objection you can click here for more details.

No action on Camden Town tube

2010-02-02T08:22:00.002Z

As local residents will know Camden Town tube does not work properly. We cannot get into it on Sunday. The escalators down are often broken, meaning that people in wheelchairs or with prams cannot use the station. All of this makes it disappointing that neither the Mayor nor the Liberal Democrat/ Tory council are doing anything to improve the situation.

We asked the Mayor what plans he has to improve the tube. We just got his answer

"I am aware that Camden Town is an extremely busy station, and it is certainly far from ideal that the level of demand at certain times on weekends means that the station is open for exit and interchange only.

Camden Town station has recently benefited from the modernisation of the station, which meant improvements to passenger information, accessibility, safety and security as well as the overall decor. However, this has not addressed capacity issues at the station.

London Underground (LU) identified the station as a priority for extra capacity some time ago. However, the proposals originally put forward were unsuccessful in a Public Inquiry in 2004, despite the transport case being accepted.

There is currently no funding available to pursue the redevelopment of Camden Town station. However, it does remain LU’s aspiration for the longer term if an acceptable scheme can be found."

In short, he realises that it's a problem but he is not going to do anything about it. We, and Camden Council, must continue to put pressure on the Mayor to ensure that London Underground's "aspiration" is made into reality.

Criminal behaviour in Camden Town

2010-01-29T08:48:00.003Z

Everyone knows that Camden Town is a high crime area. Recent figures show that there has been much less success in making Camden safer than in making everywhere else in the borough safer.

Not only is there the problem of drug dealing, there is also alcohol related problems, like fighting and vomiting.

We, as residents, should not have to accept this.

This underlines the importance of our campaign to have a police station in Camden Town.

Email us at Camdentown.primrosehill@camdenlabour.org if you agree that Camden Town needs its own police station and if you would like to help on the campaign to get one.

New housing for Highgate

2010-01-29T08:41:00.003Z

Good news that the Labour government is investing substantial sums in building new social housing in Highgate. As Councillor Ali points out this is quite a contrast with the Lib Dem/ Tory council who continue to sell off empty council properties to private investors.

Support Camden's UK Online Centres

2010-01-13T16:17:00.001Z

Camden Council is proposing to cut the budget for UK Online Centres in Camden by £170,000 from April 2010. The budget for the current tax year is £206,000 so this represents a massive 82.5% cut.

There are 16 UK Online Centres in Camden based in local communities and offering free Use of the Internet , Computer Skills Training, Help back into Employment, English Classes, Help with Words and Numbers and much, much more. In today's economic climate these centres represent a vital support network for the most vulnerable and needy in Camden and a bridge to those left behind by modern technological developments. They also enable all to access the increasing number of on-line services which is important for both Council and residents needs.

The cuts proposed by the council will lead to some of these centres being closed and others having services cut. Jobs will be lost. Everyone who uses or works with Camden UK Online Centres will be affected.

Pat, Tom and I call upon the Camden Council to drop these proposals to cut funds to this much valued Camden service.

Please sign the petition, available here: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/supportcamdenukonline-stop-the-c/

From Camden to Kabul

2010-01-07T13:58:00.003Z

A new BBC documentary following the story of Nel, Camden resident who has lived here since she was six, returns to Afghanistan after fleeing the war. This should prove to be a fascinating programme, one I'm really looking forward to...

...From the BBC...

Nel has lived in Camden, London, since she was six, after her family fled the war in Afghanistan. Now 21, Nel longs to know what her life would have been like if she'd grown up there.

On returning to Kabul, Nel learns what life for women was like under the Taliban and sees at first hand how some things have changed for the better. But Nel also finds a world alien to her and discovers some of the heartbreaking restrictions that women still face.

She meets girls who face being attacked just for going to school; visits women who have been imprisoned for "morality crimes"; and, behind the closed doors of women's shelters and hospital wards, discovers a world of extreme violence. Nel also meets a relative who is sympathetic towards the Taliban.

You can see a clip of the programme here.

Happy New Year!!

2010-01-07T13:57:00.001Z

Pat, Tom and I wish you all a very Happy New Year! Here's to a productive, restful and happy 2010.

Banksy

2009-12-21T19:36:00.001Z

http://blog.artofthestate.co.uk/blog/_archives/2009/12/20/4408571.html

Climate change statement

2009-12-16T17:32:00.001Z

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climatechange/news/latest/uk-science-statement.html

Chalcot Square at night

2009-12-11T19:16:00.001Z

Camden Town xmas lights

2009-12-07T08:28:00.001Z

Oyster Card

2009-12-07T08:18:00.003Z

Hurray for the Oyster Card. It saves us all time and money. The papers agree. Proof of what a clear sighted determined city government can achieve.

Waiting lists in context

2009-12-07T08:08:00.003Z

Shelter have published some new numbers on council housing waiting lists.

As they point out Barnet council has the worse score. Families in Barnet have to wait 33 years for a flat! All the more worrying that in some ways Camden Council is following Barnet's policies and that they continue to sell off council housing.

In this country we have pursued the ruinous policies of selling off council housing and failing to build any significant number of new social housing. Despite this we still have, when compared with other European countries, a decent stock of social housing (http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/LSELondon/pdf/SocialHousingInEurope.pdf see page 9).

This is a testament to the achievements of the post war generation. However, the reason that we are in such a mess over housing allocation in this country is the starkly unequal distribution of income which exists here when compared to other countries. This means we have far more people in need of social housing than a country like Sweden.

The solution, therefore, must involve building more social housing but also efforts to create greater income equality.

Housing does not exist in a vacuum.

Public meeting over Hawley Wharf

2009-11-30T20:59:00.002Z

Anyone who lives near the Hawley arms should come to a public meeting on Thursday about the plans for a massive development in the area.

You can find out more details on this blog which I helped to start up.

The meeting will be at 7pm on Thursday 3 December.

It will be at Holy Trinity Church, corner of Hartland Road and Clarence Way.

This event is being jointly organised by Camden Gardens Residents Association, Camden Town Unlimited, Castlehaven Community Association, Clarence Way Tenants and Residents Association, Harmood, Clarence, Hartland Residents Association and Hawley Residents Association.

All residents welcome.

Labour party video

2009-11-30T20:58:00.001Z

Swindon showing the way?

2009-11-18T08:34:00.004Z

Swindon (a Tory controlled council) have introduced free wireless internet for all residents! Read more here

This could be very expensive. However, it could also make the area much richer by supporting people with good ideas to start businesses.

I think this is something London councils should seriously look at. What do you think?

Auden Place fire

2009-11-15T20:41:00.002Z

As you may know there was a serious fire in Auden Place a few weeks back.

A complicating factor in what was a horrible incident was that the fire engine was not able to get into Auden Place because of the parking in Kingstown Street. We have petitioned Auden Place and almost everyone agrees that the parking should be removed.

Frustratingly the Lib Dem/Tory controlled Council is dragging their heels on this. We wrote to the Camden New Journal about this issue last week. We will continue to press them on this.

Phonebox 2: The Truth comes out

2009-11-15T20:35:00.002Z

Excellent letter in this week's Camden New Journal about the telephone box at the bottom of Inverness street which we wrote about in August here.

Pat has just had this statement from the Lib Dem/Tory controlled council;

"This particular kiosk obtained an automatic "deemed" approval even though the Council would have refused it. This is because the Council unfortunately did not issue a notice of refusal within the 56 day time limit. This is due to the application not being dealt with correctly when it was first received."

The excuse given is that the Council was incompetent. Needless to say this is not good enough.

Open elections

2009-11-11T08:17:00.002Z

Local member Lazzaro Pietragnoli has written an excellent article on what are called open primaries in Italy.

Read it here;

http://theprogressive.typepad.com/the_progressive/2009/10/primaries-in-the-italian-democratic-party-have-been-a-major-innovation-for-the-party-and-the-country.html

Parking Fire Hazard at Auden Place

2009-11-09T22:43:00.003Z

Last week Pat, Tom and I spoke to a number of residents of Auden Place in Primrose Hill who had serious concerns about vehicle access in the aftermath of the recent tragic fire that took place. It is seriously lucky that no other flat set on fire and for that we owe our thanks to the swift action of our emergency services that night.

Here's a letter which the Camden New Journal recently published on this:

"THE flat where the fire in Auden Place, Primrose Hill started was completely gutted but luckily the rest of that particular building was undamaged (Dramatic rooftop rescue from fire, October 29).

In the aftermath of the fire it was revealed that the fire engines were unable to access the site due to parked cars blocking their way in Kingstown Street and the firefighters had to manoeuvre the hoses from Princess Road (an adjacent road) to the site of the fire.

On this occasion it worked, as the property on fire was on the perimeter of the estate. But if one of the houses or flats in the centre of Auden Place was involved this lack of access could have had serious repercussions.

A senior council officer we asked to have the parking removed as it was now a significant health and safety issue, told us: “Any proposals that change the existing arrangements would be the subject of local formal and informal consultation in the usual way”.

This takes months. We want this situation to be dealt with immediately. People’s lives could be at risk. Auden Place residents deserve peace of mind.

Yours Sincerely,

Cllr Pat Callaghan, Thomas Neumark and Robert Higson

Labour Action Team, Camden Town and Primrose Hill

Mayor helps Franny Armstrong

2009-11-09T22:28:00.006Z

Well done to the London Mayor for stepping in and helping Camden Town resident and director of the 'Age of Stupid' film Franny Armstrong, who was recently threatened whilst walking down Georgiana Street by a group of youngsters (as reported by the Camden New Journal here.)

Armstrong, who was actually a Ken Livingstone supporter in the Mayoral elections, is also behind the innovative 10:10 campaign which encourages people to cut their carbon emissions by 10%, a campaign that has definitely persuaded me.

Now if only Boris would do something about the state of Camden Town tube station...

Halloween

2009-11-02T21:25:00.002Z

This was the queue outside Escapades on Chalk Farm round on Saturday night!

New Kings Cross Blog

2009-10-27T07:18:00.001Z

Some activists in Kings Cross have started a blog. Check it out;

www.kingscrosslabour.wordpress.com

Dark side of the... Hill?

2009-10-22T15:18:00.003+01:00

From our very own Primrose Hill: the recreated famous artwork of Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon. This was projected into the sky last night in celebration of tomorrow's screnning of the band's performance at Earl's Court in 1994. This picture from the Evening Standard... Incredible.

Launch of the National Crime Mapping Website

2009-10-20T21:04:00.004+01:00

For the first time, Camden Town and Primrose Hill residents will be able to access an online map with statistics and details which compares crime levels in their local area with another and also compare crime figures over previous years. You can access all this information at: http://maps.police.uk/

This is exactly the sort of useful tool which helps local communities in helping fight crime and feel safer in their area, particularly areas with burglary and drug selling problems.

Specifically, the map helps provide information on crimes such as burglary, robbery, vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour. It builds on the previous Metropolitan Police crime mapping website, available here at: http://maps.met.police.uk/

Of course, this will not solve the problems of crime or all the concerns about anti-social behaviour (for many months Tom, Pat and I have been campaigning on the need for a functioning, full-manned permanent police station in Camden Town, for example) but it does help give us more informationand policing in their local areas.

If you'd like more information on this, please contact Pat, Tom and I by calling 020 7586 6039 or by emailing camdentown.primrosehill@camdenlabour.org.uk.

As though London wasn't expensive enough...

2009-10-15T19:22:00.002+01:00

Tube and bus fares are going up from January. And by quite a lot. The amount of money that Transport for London will raise by these price hikes is the same as they will loose by scrapping the western c-charge area and no introducing the charge on highly polluting vehicles.

Fundraiser for VIC

2009-10-13T08:27:00.003+01:00

It was a real honour to be invited to do a turn at the fund-raising event for Visually Impaired in Camden on Sunday night. It was a really well attended event at Primrose Hill Community Association (of which I am a member of the management committee) and hopefully it raised lots of money for an organisation which does a lot of excellent work.

Massive development planned in Camden town

2009-10-13T08:18:00.004+01:00

Last week week we attended a public meeting on the massive development which is being planned on the "Hawley wharf" site, which was affected by the fire last year.

The current plans are enormous including 7 stories housing blocks to house 200 units and gigantic new buildings to hold market stalls in.

We are calling for the following proposals to be adopted;

Space should be set aside for a police station to be built as part of the site.
All contractors used on site should have to sign up to a considerate builders scheme which would be monitored by the council. Failure to comply should lead to fines.
A considerable percentage of the housing (at least 50%) should be family units and should be built and managed by Camden Council.
The development's economic viability depends completely on public transport bringing shoppers into Camden. Camden Town tube cannot cope with the demands put on it at present. Any increase will cripple the transport infrastructure. Therefore we are demanding that the developers work with Transport for London to ensure that money is put aside for the upgrade of Camden Town tube.

The developers come to us with a mixed reputation (for example they still do not have planning permission for the temporary market which is up at the minute). However, we will keep pressing them.

Banking reform

2009-10-12T21:22:00.001+01:00

Follow this link for some interesting ideas about banking reform

http://www.urbanforum.org.uk/communiity-reinvestment/community-reinvestment

Blues and jazz bar in Camden

2009-10-01T10:44:00.003+01:00

The council has given a license to a new blues and jazz bar on Camden High Street. It's in the venue which used to be the Oh! bar, which had a lot of trouble with drug dealers and anti-social behaviour and was eventually closed. The new license is for 265 people.

We will have to see what happens with this but I think there should be a Camden Town wide plan for licensing. It seems that too often each request is considered separately, on its individual merits, rather than part of the overall effect on Camden town. Sometimes it's a case of the straw which breaks the camel's back.

Popping along to the pop-up shop

2009-09-28T20:23:00.004+01:00

I went to an event at one of Camden Town Unlimited's (CTU) pop-up shops last week. It was very well attended as you can see from the picture. Of course it is sad that these shops have to be there and they are only a stop gap measure. However, I think CTU are doing a good job on this. I have been to some other high streets which don't have this scheme (yes, sometimes I leave Camden, is that so wrong?) and the boarded up shops really bring the place down.

Camden Town

2009-09-22T20:44:00.001+01:00

Suprisingly good video on Camden Town (think it was done by Camden Town Unlimited)

Inaction on Camden Town Tube

2009-09-22T17:37:00.005+01:00

As you probably know Camden Town Tube can be a nightmare. It is crowded, the escalators break down and we can't even use it on Sundays. That's what makes is so frustrating that the Lib-Dem/Tory run Camden Council have not been doing anything to get extra investment into the tube.

We lodged a freedom of Information request last month with the Council and it failed to show any communication - whether by letter or email - between the Director of the Environment, the Leader and Deputy Leader of the council, the Executive member for the Environment and Transport for London officials since the Camden Town Tube station public inquiry took place in 2006!

Once again, I think this shows a lack of strategic vision by Camden Council. They should be providing leadership across the board on issues like housing, economic development and transport. Instead they are retreating away from these questions.

If you agree with us that more needs to be done to improve the tube sign the petition here
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/camdentowntube/

How to Save Money

2009-09-21T07:25:00.005+01:00

Interesting article in the Local Government press (which is a great read by the way).

Waltham Forest council (controlled by the Labour party and the Liberal Democrats) is going to merge with their local health care provider (known as a primary care trust).

There are several potential advantages to this including that the NHS is Waltham Forest will be more responsive to local needs than nationally determined targets which may be of less relevance there.

Also, in this time when everyone is looking at what savings to make this move could be a very good way to save some money. Firstly, they claim lots of management posts will be mergerd (good news), secondly, at the minute the NHS and the council do a lot of very similar work (for example in social care). Joining the two organisations together should make it easier to ensure that the money is spent in the most inefficienct way possible.

The Government is already running a programme called Total place which looks at what ways public money is spent in an area and looks for better ways to spend it. This is a good idea (weird that it hasn't happened before...) but the main problem is that once they have found that, for example, the NHS and the council both spend a lot of money on the same thing, what do they do then? The problem is that there is no one organisation in charge of public money in an area. If we are to make real savings we should move to a system where the council has more control of all money which is spent locally.

This is a much smarter way to save money than to cut funding to youth clubs or to charge more for meals on wheels as Camden council is doing.

Camden given affordable housing boost

2009-09-19T14:07:00.010+01:00

Camden got a welcome piece of good news this week in that it is set to be the most significant beneficiary of the government's new affordable home building programme.

Housing Minister John Healey confirmed this week a boost for affordable housing with news of a nearly £250 million investment to provide 3400 affordable homes and creating around 5,000 jobs. This is indeed great news.

Meeting the Housing Minister, John Healey MP

In all, 43 Housing Associations across 97 council areas and within every region of the country will benefit from the funding boost. Camden is set to receive the highest amount, £42 million for 284 homes.

All the new homes announced this week will be affordable, with more than four in every five built for low cost rent, and the rest for first time buyers. And as Tom mentions, all the while Camden keeps selling more and more council homes.

Labour Group leader Cllr. Nasim Ali welcomed the £42 million investment – the largest sum in the country: “Every councillor knows that housing is the number one concern local people have at our surgeries. Locally Labour's never stopped lobbying for more affordable housing, so £42 million for 300 new homes is fantastic news. It’s the largest settlement in the country and this will help families in overcrowded housing as well as first time buyers.

Eid Mubarak and Season's Greetings

2009-09-19T13:51:00.004+01:00

Just a very quick note to wish everyone Eid Mubarak and Season's Greetings from Pat, Tom and I and the whole team at the Camden Labour Group.

Camden Town Tube

2009-09-19T13:27:00.006+01:00

Pat, Tom and I have been campaigning about the serious need to resolve the state of disrepair of Camden Town tube station. This week, I wrote a letter about this to the Camden New Journal about this issue:

http://www.thecnj.co.uk/camden/2009/091709/letters091709_09.html

"I AGREE with much of your report about the state of disrepair of Camden Town Tube station (New Journal, September 10).

Parents with pushchairs and the elderly have problems negotiating the entrances to the station and often have to use Mornington Crescent or Chalk Farm stations. What’s more, it’s only a matter of time before someone else slips, falls and breaks a bone down the stairs given the out-of-action escalators.

Can we really allow this what with half a million people visiting Camden markets every single week and with the Olympics and Paralympics not so far away? I hope not. Just before the end of summer I met the transport minister, Sadiq Khan, to tell him about this. He promised me that he will raise the issue with the Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Transport for London. I know that Councillor Pat Callaghan has raised this issue and has written to him since.

But as a concerned resident, I would like to know what the current Liberal Democrat/ Conservative coalition are doing about about this terrible situation. And have they spoken to Transport for London? For those of us who use the station every day it’s important that we know.

Robert Higson

Camden Town tube

2009-09-17T19:52:00.003+01:00

If you agree that Camden Town tube station needs some proper investment (you know so you can actually use the down esculator or use it at all on Sunday!) sign this petition

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/camdentowntube/

Labour government funding more social housing in Camden

2009-09-17T18:36:00.003+01:00

The borough of Camden is to recieve over £42 million to build over 280 new homes for rent at affordable prices as part of a drive by the Labour government.

This is excellent news. Currently there are thousands of families on the waiting list and thousands of families living in overcrowded accomidation in Camden.

The Government is also in the process of changing the rules so that Local Authorities can keep any money they make from selling council homes under the right to buy (which for some reason they could not before!) and so that Local Authorities can bid for government money on the same basis as Housing Associations.

There are a couple of negative points in all this thought. Firstly, I would like to see more money being spent in this direction. Building is good for the local economy and we need lots more houses. Secondly, for some reason, Camden Council will not be building these homes, instead the money will go to housing associations. Other Local Authorities bid for the money themselves. However, it seems Camden Council does not have the ambition to build badly needed council homes. This is especially annoying since lots of the private house builders have had to let staff go, staff which ambitious Councils are hiring.

And all the while Camden keeps selling more and more council homes (they recently auctioned one off on Regent's park road).

Primrose Hill Residents' Survey

2009-09-08T08:05:00.002+01:00

Over the past few weeks, the Labour Action Team have been asking Primrose Hill residents what they would like to see more of in the community.

For example, we've asked whether they would like Camden Council to provide more recycling facilities, composting schemes and energy waste reduction schemes. The idea is to make Primrose Hill a greener and cleaner place, when and where we can.

The responses have been very positive and we're now looking to hear from more residents. Please feel free to print off the above residents' survey and send it freepost to FREEPOST RRZB-ALRL-EUKJ, Primrose Hill Labour Party, 110 Gloucester Avenue, London, NW1 8HX to let us know your views. Alternatively, you can get in touch by calling 020 7586 6039 or by emailing camdentown.primrosehill@camdenlabour.org.uk.

Protecting Primrose Hill's Views

2009-09-08T07:41:00.004+01:00

In February this year, a large number of Primrose Hill residents were concerned when plans were afoot to build an nine-storey block of luxury housing flats on the site of the old Barrow Hill reservoir in Primrose Hill.

The Local Labour Action Team, together with the Friends of Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill as well as a number of other concerned residents, worked together to stop this development from going ahead. In particular, the Team were worried that the development might blot the landscape and seriously upset the character of our area and our green spaces.

At Pat Callaghan said at the time: “Thanks to the coalition of concerned Primrose Hill residents, we were successful in campaigning against the previous development from going ahead. The Labour Action Team will continue to be vigilant and protect our green spaces when and wherever we can.”

This luxury development would have been an eyesore on some of the most-cherished views in the whole of London. The park has for many years given great pleasure to residents as well as visitors to the area but its attractiveness also makes it a target for developers. We need to continually monitor against such developments and protect our parks.”

The Team are asking for other residents who are also concerned about any future developments to the site to contact them. You can get in touch by calling 020 7586 6039 or by emailing camdentown.primrosehill@camdenlabour.org.uk. Pat, Tom and I would love to hear from you.

Great show at the Roundhouse

2009-09-01T17:26:00.003+01:00

A couple of days ago I went to see "Playing the building" at the Roundhouse. It's an interesting idea for a show.

An old pump organ was put in the middle of the Roundhouse and linked up to different parts of the building. When you play a note a bit of the building makes a noise.

Like I said, pretty interesting. Almost as interesting as the upcoming Jay-Z gig

Youth centre funding cuts

2009-08-27T18:37:00.004+01:00

Horrible to read the stories about the cuts which the Liberal Democrat/Tory run council have made to the Maiden Lane Youth centre.

Of course those of us who live in Camden Town and Primrose Hill have experience of this. Here the Council cut funding to the Haven Youth Cafe. The ironic thing is that they said they were cutting funding to our youth centre to give more money to Maiden Lane!

The bigger point is that youth centres need stability in their funding. They shouldn't be constantly worrying about whether or not they are still going to exist in a years time.

I have written a letter which has been published in this weeks Camden New Journal arguging against the cuts to the youth centre. I hope you will join me in arguing that youth centres, especially those in poorer areas, should be given stable funding.

Private Financing of the NHS in Camden

2009-08-16T19:27:00.002+01:00

As reported by the Camden New Journal's Tom Foot, a private company with no prior experience of running health services in London, has recently been awarded a £20m contract by Camden NHS, the new name for the Primary Care Trust, to run a health centre in Euston.

Needless to say, it's been a very controversial decision. The board of Care UK is comprised of a number of financiers, investment bankers and venture capitalists and were awarded the lucrative contract at the expense of a consortium of local doctors and health professionals from nearby Regent’s Park, Somers Town and Bloomsbury.

It will now be up to this company to hire the doctors and nurses to take care of and treat patients. The decision was made by unelected health officials. A number of Camden healthcare professionals I've spoken to about this are very concerned.

The Camden New Journal recently published a letter I wrote on this:

'I AM concerned a private company, Care UK, has been chosen as preferred bidder for the health centre contract. It’s incredible to think a firm with no experience, in a dubious consultation, could be handed such a contract, especially while sidelining the views of doctors with years of experience and knowledge in our area. Nye Bevan would be appalled.'

Now, I do believe that a healthy debate about the merits of public health and financing structures in Camden can take place without mirroring the farce in some sections of the US media about the NHS (I mean, really, it is absurd).

But serious worries linger: a universal healthcare system free-at-the point of use that is provided by private companies with legal obligations to turn a profit and a contractual duty to shareholders makes many - myself and the Labour Action Team included (and particularly Pat with 27 years working as a nurse in the NHS) - deeply uneasy.

Youth Provision - Carol Street Meeting

2009-08-09T10:52:00.008+01:00

One of the biggest issues we come across when campaigning is provision for young people. Many times I've knocked on doors and been told that there is little for young people to do. It's a serious issue: all too often some are in danger of becoming involved in the criminal justice system.

On Thursday, Pat and I attended a meeting at St Martin's Community Association on Carol Street with local residents and detached youth workers from Camden Council to talk about this. We discussed what we can do to get more facilities, activities and services available for young people - whether this be days out, minibus trips or signing up for to a football league. I will be organising another meeting in the coming weeks and asking all those young people who may be interested to attend. We will be leafleting about it nearer the time - hope to see you there!

Greenland Road Littering

2009-08-09T10:40:00.004+01:00

Yesterday, Pat and I were on a walkabout around the Greenland Road area. A number of residents mentioned to us that they were concerned about the piles of rubbish left by the wall at the end of the road. It's an obvious eyesore and something we're taking up with Environmental Health at Camden Council. If it keeps happening, please get in touch with us on camdentownwithprimrosehill@gmail.com.

Drug dealing on Camden High Street

2009-08-08T14:47:00.007+01:00

A new phone box has been put up on Camden High Street

It's just by the entrance to Inverness Street market. This is one of the key areas for drug dealers in Camden. It is very common that on my walk home through Inverness Street I will be offered drugs at exactly this area.

The phone box makes it harder for CCTV or police to observe drug deals. The Council should not have allowed the phone box to be placed there.

What's worse is that the Council know this.

This is a photo of the bus stop opposite Camden Town tube station.

It used to have a cover over the bus stop to keep people protected from the rain. The Council have removed this cover because it had become a focus for vandalism and had been used by drug dealers to hide from CCTV cameras.

What's the result?

A lot of people get wet waiting for the bus and there is still an area in which drug dealers can hide away from the CCTV cameras.

Why has this happened?

Because the enviromental health department forgot to put in an objection to the new telephone box.
Astonishing.

1,000 free Roundhouse tickets given away: More up for grabs!

2009-07-28T17:27:00.009+01:00

In the past few months, over 1,000 free theatre tickets for under-26s have been given away at the Roundhouse on Chalk Farm Road and there are many more free tickets still up for grabs.

This great initiative - ' called "A Night Less Ordinary" - is to encourage new people who for whatever reason simply don't get involved with the theatre much or may have never seen a live production before. The legendary Roundhouse (Dylan recently strutted his stuff there!) is one of over 200 venues which are participating in the scheme over the country. More info can be found at the following website.

Having taken advantage of the offer myself at the Roundhouse, it's well worth getting signed up to!

Arlington House

2009-07-20T21:19:00.001+01:00

I just wrote this letter to the Camden New Journal, I think it speaks for itself

I live just a minute’s walk from Arlington House and I volunteered there for a while. I used to help people who were moving out of the hostel into new accommodation. On those journeys, in the hostel’s clapped out old white van, I got to know some of the most amazing people I have ever met. The sheer adversity they had faced in their life was astonishing and, what’s more, they all, to a man, dealt with it with a quiet and stoic attitude.

I remember once sitting in someone’s new flat listening to him explain to me the problems he had had with his mental health, with failed relationships, with his parents and with drugs. Completely stunned I asked him what he was going to do next. “Probably phone the electricity board to see when they’re coming” was his repy.

As far as I understand, now that ownership of the hostel has been transferred to One Housing Group the original stipulations which governed Novas’ use of the hostel no longer apply. One Housing and Camden Council must ensure that Arlington is preserved as a hostel, as was intended when it was given over to Novas. We, as citizens, must ensure that the big private developers and the easily swayed councillors do not allow this asset to be lost. They are already selling off our council homes, they cannot be allowed to sell off Arlington.

Thomas Neumark

Gloucester Crescent NW1

Bicycle

2009-07-18T16:09:00.006+01:00

Such as shame to read that Camden Council are not supporting the new bicycle scheme which the mayor is proposing.

They say they will loose money from parking revenues!

CORRECTION: (10/8/09) According to messages I have recieved from local Conservatives they actually do support the scheme. They are blaming ill-informed journalism for the story.

Meeting the Minister for Transport

2009-07-09T12:21:00.016+01:00

Last week, along with friend and fellow activist Tulip Siddiq, I met with the newly appointed Transport Cabinet Minister, Sadiq Khan, to discuss the state of disrepair of Camden Town Underground Station. The meeting was very positive and he has promised me that he will raise the issue with Boris Johnson and Transport for London.

For years our community has been pushing for a refurbished station which would be fit for purpose for the wider public, but importantly also for people with mobility problems, the visually impaired and the elderly.

These groups have major difficulty negotiating both entrances to the station, and as you rightly pointed out, often have to use Mornington Crescent or Chalk Farm stations.

Despite repeated letters to Transport for London over the years, the situation has not changed. As mentioned by the Camden New Journal, the problems are magnified with the summer heat and out-of-action escalators.

Not only are we just 3 years from London's Olympic and Paralympic Games, but half a million people visit Camden Markets every single week. With almost 20 million entry and exist users of the station per year, we think it's time for a fresh approach.

Now would be a great time to work more productively with the new Department of Transport team and Transport for London to finally meet the challenges faced by all of us that use the station.

Citizens Advice Bureau

2009-07-06T18:48:00.003+01:00

I have just sent this letter to the Camden New Journal

As a former housing officer I know how essential a good Citizens Advice Bureau is. Dealing with benefits and utilities companies is a complete headache even for trained professionals; Camden’s housing benefit form is 28 pages long! However, vulnerable people with mental ill health problems or other disabilities, who are being threatened with eviction or the bailiffs cannot be expected to cope on their own. They need the Citizens Advice Bureau. During a recession the Council and the CAB should be investing more money in these services, not cutting back. The prospect of people being evicted from their homes while the Kentish Town CAB is refurbished and volunteers are trained is almost too horrible to contemplate.

Thomas Neumark

Gloucester Crescent NW1

The threats to the citizens advice bureau are a real cause for concern. In the context of a recession with rising unemployment and house repossessions, cutting back on advice services is recklessly irresponsible. We must keep up the pressure.

PostBank

2009-06-25T19:42:00.003+01:00

I am delighted to tell you that the Labour party in Camden has agreed with our proposal that a Post Bank should be set up.

The basic idea is to have a government backed bank operating in our post offices. This bank would offer products (like loans) to small businesses as well as offering bank accounts and other financial instruments to the public (including to those who find it difficult to to get bank accounts at the moment). If you would like to read more about the idea click here.

I have written on this blog before and in the Camden New Journal about the need to protect our post offices and I think the PostBank would be an excellent way to do this.

It is also good to see the post workers trade union (the CWU) heavily backing this idea. They are demonstrating that unions are coming up with innovative ways to reform public services which do not involve privitisation.

From a local point it is really important the we protect the existing Post Offices since the one on Camden High Street is already under enormous strain. We should all support the campaign to re-open the Albany Street post office.

If we can get enough people behind the idea of a PostBank it will be much easier to protect our post offices as they will have more and more customers.

Have your say...

2009-06-23T11:54:00.004+01:00

Pat, Tom and I have recently been speaking to residents of Primrose Hill Court and Whitton about the recent Council Works programme. If you would like to get in touch with us to share your views and whether you have any comments, please do so at camdentown.primrosehill@camdenlabour.org.uk or telephone us on 020 7586 6039.

Clarence Way estates

2009-06-16T21:54:00.002+01:00

We've just finished knocking on almost every door on the Clarence Way estates.

We were helping the Tenants and Residents Association give out an "options paper". This paper sets out the different options for changing the way the estates are managed. There are a few options but if tenants and leaseholders agree then the Clarence Way estates will soon be run as a tenant management organisation (TMO).

I think this is a really good idea for the residents. It would mean that tenants continue to be tenants of Camden council and they would keep their secure tenancies. In no way is it a move to privatise council housing. What it is, is a chance for tenants and leaseholders to have a greater say over how their estates are run.

They would be deciding on cleaning, refurbishment and dealing with anti-social behaviour.

Given the previous sucessess of the residents of the estates in improving their estates and the attempts by the Libd-Dem/Tory council to cut back on services such as caretaking, this could be a perfect solution.

Summer Fair Fun!

2009-06-16T11:12:00.003+01:00

Pat, Tom and I would like to say many congratulations to all the volunteers and organisers of the Primrose Hill Summer Fair. The weather was fantastic, everyone was in good spirits and a lot of money was raised for the Community Association. It was great to see so many people there so here's to next year!

Confusion to the people

2009-06-15T22:35:00.002+01:00

Camden Council have announced that the "area forums" will have £10,000 to spend. Quiet a good idea, and one the Labour party had a while ago. Anything would be better than the way they are currently run (all talk, no action).

Sadly there are several problems with the way this change is being brought in.

Firstly, there is no clarity about how we are going to decide how the money is going to be spent. Will it be bids? Will there be a vote? Will the councillors have a veto? Can we spend all £10,000 on one projects? When I asked the Council Officer in charge I was told that no decision has been made. That was on Friday. The next area forum is on Wednesday! I do not blame the Officers, there is clearly a lack of leadership from the Lib Dem/Tory council on this.

Secondly, my sources tell me that the money is in fact only going to be able to be spent on benches, dog bins and other enviromental improvements which used to be part of the council's mainstream business. It seems that the cuts to the council's budget have got so bad that things which were once concidered core business are now considered luxuries which have to compete against each other.

Of course I will be there at the area forum on Wednesday lobbying for the interests of local residents and will keep everyone updated.

Campaign to re-open Primrose Hill Station

2009-06-09T23:11:00.005+01:00

Despite protestations about the demolition of Primrose Hill Station over Christmas, it turns out that the Lib Dem run Council didn’t make any formal objection to Network Rail over the fate of the station.

Pat, Tom and I have been out and about chatting to residents about this. We think that reopening Primrose Hill station could definitley help ease congestion, whilst also improving local transport links with Hampstead and Islington.

We're looking to hear what residents in Primrose Hill think as well. Please write to us freepost at: FREEPOST RRZB-ALRL-EUKJ, Primrose Hill Labour Party, 110 Gloucester Avenue, London, NW1 8HX.

It's not all doom and gloom though: Network Rail have said that there may still be hope for the station to be reopened.

Pat, Tom and I will keep residents updated as soon as there are any developments.

Primrose in the Pink!

2009-06-01T23:09:00.005+01:00

The team have been helping to sell programmes for the upcoming Primrose Hill Community Association Summer Fair.

The fair will take place on Saturday 13th June from 2.00pm to 5.00pm in Chalcot Square, NW1.

The theme is health and fitness and is entitled ‘Primrose in the Pink’. And as the PHCA website suggests, "get out those pink shirts, dresses, trousers or hats - dye your hair pink and bring pink balloons or umbrellas and enjoy the day."

Look forward to seeing you there on what will be a great day!

Royal College Street Littering

2009-06-01T22:58:00.002+01:00

On Saturday, Pat and I were asked to look at some of the problems with rubbish and littering on Royal College Street. Littering is a real nuisance for residents and some of the businesses up and down the road and there's a particular issue with rubbish left in doorways.

We've put in an emergency request with the Council to get it removed and sorted out. If the problem flares up again, please contact us on camdentown.primrosehill@camdenlabour.org.uk.

Georgiana Street Paving

2009-06-01T22:40:00.007+01:00

Whilst out door-knocking this weekend, I became aware of some of the faulty cementing of the pavement of Georgiana Street. One resident in particular who I got chatting to had given up waiting for the Council to getting round to fixing it and had taken the matter into his own hands (quite literally) with some cement and a trowel.

The Lib Dem and Tory Council have an enormous surplus on their hands. To be honest, this should have been sorted out much earlier. I will be following this up with the Council: we can do better than this!

Pirate Castle re-launch

2009-06-01T22:21:00.007+01:00

Over the weekend, Pat and I attended the re-launch of the Pirate Castle centre on Oval Road (See: http://www.thepiratecastle.org/). The re-launch came after a long awaited refurbishment and it was great to see so many kids coming along with their families to get involved in the sunshine. Some of the free activities on display included face-painting, canoeing and puppet-making. Many congratulations to all the staff and volunteers who made it a fantastic day!