Local news

Spotlight

LBB Consultation on Local Development Framework Core Strategy – still time to comment
Your views of Children’s Services
The Bromley Children Project – approved list of service providers

Quicklinks

Community Links Bromley – AGM reminder
Stephen Blann selected for NCVO work shadowing scheme
LBB Consultation on Local Development Framework Core Strategy
Bromley Council Children & Young People Portfolio Plan 2011-12
Bromley PCT wants to know much importance do you attach to health and happiness?
People aged 50 years and older in Bromley benefit from the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund
Council launches new BMX track
Don’t lose your vote in 2012
Outcome of Consultation about Charging Disabled Blue Badge Holders in Council Car Parks

The Bromley Children Project – approved list of service providers

The London Borough of Bromley is inviting interested parties to apply to be considered for inclusion on an Approved List of service providers. The list will be used to identify those providers who, via appropriate tender action, will place arrangements for a range of early intervention and prevention services in Children & Family Centres and other venues within Bromley. The list will cover the following areas of activity:

Counselling
Food
Exercise
First Aid
Safeguarding
Job Skills
ESOL
Skills Development
IT
Craft/DIY
Literacy & Numeracy (Adults)
Literacy & Numeracy (Children)
Baby Massage
Teenage, Young & New Mums
Dads
Antenatal & Perinatal
Finance
Advice & Information
Breastfeeding Awareness
Speech & Language
Music
Sport

Successful applicants will then be added to the existing Approved List, which will be used (as provided for in the application pack and tender documentation) to select those invited to tender for the service opportunities identified. Depending on its requirements at any particular time, services may be placed via a “mini tendering” process from those identified on any particular element of the Approved List, in line with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rule requirements and associated Practice Notes. It is intended that that service activity for the next round of tenders will commence in November 2011.
Current approved suppliers need not re-apply for the activities for which they are registered, however, they may apply for new activity areas.
Applicants need not re-apply for the activity areas in which they were previously unsuccessful, as they will not be reconsidered at this time.
For further information and /or an application pack, please email earlyinterventionandprevention@bromley.gov.uk or telephone 020 8461 7259.
The deadline for completed applications is 21st September 2011.

LBB Consultation on Local Development Framework Core Strategy – still time to comment

The council consultation on its Local Development Framework Core Strategy closes at the end of the month. The LDF is the master document for land use planning in the borough over the next 15 years. The core strategy, as the name suggests, sets out the principles the council will use. It might sound dull, but it can have a big impact on organisations and the people they work with so we hope you will take part in the consultation. CLB will be submitting a response and we would like your view on what to include in this. Deadline for comments for inclusion is the 20th September.

Stephen Blann has prepared the following policy briefing on the Local Development Framework – Core Strategy. CLB has produced a draft response which we would like your views on. There is a simple online survey for you to add your comments or make amendments to the draft. We will then send the response, amended as necessary, following your comments. If you don’t want to use the survey you can email your comments to Stephen Blann at Community Links Bromley. Please comment by 20th September in order that we can revise the draft response before the council deadline.
However, we realise that you might have entirely different ideas and so we have also compiled a more detailed online survey allowing you to comment more generally on the consultation.

You can download the draft strategy - in full or in the different sections, you are interested in from the consultation portal on the council’s website. You can also respond online but your comments won’t be part of the collective response.

Your views of Children’s Services

The next Bromley Healthcare Community Forum will be at 10am 6th October at Bevington Hall, Beckenham Methodist Church, Bromley Rd, corner of Bevington Rd BR3 5JE. Bromley Healthcare is the new Social Enterprise responsible for non hospital services and the community forum is the way in which local patients, carers and voluntary organisations can give their views on how services should be developed. The meeting on 6th October will focus on children’s services. We hope to see you there. Download the flyer for the event and the agenda .

Community Links Bromley – AGM reminder

Date: Tuesday 27 September 2011
Time: Commencing 5.30 for 6pm
Venue: Community House, South Street Bromley

You are cordially invited to our AGM.

In addition to the formal business of the AGM, Mr Bob Stewart MP will be speaking about “One day spent volunteering” and there will be a number of case studies from CLB member organisations on the theme of building success in Bromley.
Please call Sue Lee on 020 8315 1902 or email suel to confirm your attendance.

LBB Consultation on Local Development Framework Core Strategy

As mentioned in previous e-news Bromley council is currently consulting on the “Core Strategy” which is part of its Local Development Framework (LDF). The LDF is the master document for land use planning in the borough over the next 15 years. The core strategy, as the name suggests, sets out the principles the council will use. It sets out the sort of development (or restriction on development) the council wants to see where and is used in making decisions about planning applications. This is a very important consultation which could affect most people and organisations in some way and we encourage you to be involved in the consultation.

Stephen Blann selected for NCVO work shadowing scheme

Stephen has been selected to participate in NCVO’s “day in the life” work shadowing scheme between civil servants and the voluntary sector. He has been paired up with statistician Claire Smith, from Department of Communities and Local Government, and will spend a day shadowing her work at the department. Claire Smith is currently booked to come to CLB for the 12th September to sit in on the Compact Steering group meeting.

This annual event pairs member of staff from voluntary and community groups with staff from one of the five participating government departments - DCLG, Defra, BIS, MoJ, and Cabinet Office.

The scheme gives you the opportunity to find out more about each other's work, ranging from day to day responsibilities through to the wider contexts in which you work and the challenges you face.
To find out more about how the scheme works and how to apply for next year follow this link.

Bromley Council Children & Young People Portfolio Plan 2011-12

Bromley Council has published its portfolio Plan for Children & Young People. This has 6 priority outcomes each of which has a range of specific actions responsibility and deadline - and also how success (or otherwise) will be measured. There are also sections on key statistics and the overall vision and 3 appendices covering the department’s management structure an outline of budget reductions in the coming years and the government’s reform agenda.
The plan comes in three formats

The six priority outcomes in the Portfolio Plan are:

The CYP Portfolio successfully implements the organisational changes required to meet the new financial and policy landscape
Children and young people enjoy learning and achieve their full potential
Ensuring health and well‑being of children, young people, and their families
Children and young people are safe where they live, go to school, play and work
Children and young people behave positively, take responsibility for their actions, and feel safe within the Borough, and parents and carers take responsibility for the behaviour of their children
Young people get the best possible start in adult life

Read Stephen Blann, CLB’s Policy and Networks Officers’ Briefing .

Bromley PCT wants to know much importance do you attach to health and happiness?

Director of Public Health, Dr Nada Lemic, asks:”I would be grateful if you could complete a short survey for this year’s Annual Public Health Report asking about the importance you place on health and happiness in your life. Each year the Annual Public Health report (APHR) deals with a significant Public Health issue. This year, the theme is living longer, healthier, happier lives.

“Your answers to the survey questions will help us understand the views of Bromley residents on this important theme. It should only take a few minutes to complete and hand back the survey to the reception/health professional. We would like as many people as possible to respond, so please share the link below with your friends and family and encourage them to follow the link below to complete the survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AnnualPublicHealthReport”

This survey is intended for the residents of Bromley and therefore please do not respond if you do not live in this borough. In the event of any queries, please contact Gu Fisher at gu.fisher@bromleypct.nhs.uk or 01689 880681.

People aged 50 years and older in Bromley benefit from the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund

1st August 2011, Age Concern Bromley announced that they have been awarded £45,000 from the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund to continue the successful Fit for Life Programme, part funded by NHS Bromley, for people aged 50 years and older, resident in the London Borough of Bromley.

Maureen Falloon, Director of Age Concern Bromley said: “We are delighted with the news of the funding. We have successfully encouraged older people to overcome the barriers they often face to leading a healthy lifestyle. Through using innovative methods to positively change people’s behaviour, we have seen an increase in their motivation and self esteem, and improved their quality of life.”

Peer Health Mentors will be recruited and trained by Age Concern Bromley to work alongside the Fit for Life Programme Co-ordinator to encourage and support their peers to become more physically active and to achieve their self-selected goals over a 12-week period. Evidence from both sides of the Atlantic demonstrates that trained volunteers of a similar age have empathy with their peers and are seen as “normal everyday people” reducing the common perception that health and management of long-term conditions is exclusively linked to medical services.

Out of one hundred and five applications received at City Hall, Age Concern Bromley’s bid was one of only two that targeted inactive older people and the proposal one of only fifteen selected for funding from across greater London. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: " If the Olympic and Paralympic games are to mean anything then it is imperative we do all we can to get people of all ages and backgrounds into sport and physical activity. Age Concern Bromley’s Fit for Life Programme is a fantastic example of the great work that is being done to deliver a sports legacy across London and reflects a commitment here at City Hall that age should never be a barrier to keeping fit."
Cllr Catherine Rideout, Sports Champion for the London Borough of Bromley said “We are delighted that Age Concern Bromley’s Fit For Life Programme has been chosen as part of the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund and even more so because it is the only organisation within London to gain this support for its work with older people. We know this fund will benefit many older people in the Borough by reducing health inequalities and encouraging inclusivity in sport.”

For further information contact: Julia Cawthorne, Age Concern Bromley, Community House, South Street, Bromley, Kent BR1 1RH. Telephone number 0208 315 1851 or email:jcawthorne@acbromley.org.uk

Council launches new BMX track

Castlecombe Youth Centre in Mottingham launched its new BMX Track at Foxes Field, Lower Marvels Wood, Court Farm Road on Friday 12 August.
A number of Bromley Council departments - Bromley Parks, Youth Service and Employment and Skills Team - working with local young people, residents and community organisations and funded by the Council, have developed the BMX track jointly. This is the culmination of a 15-year dream to have a BMX facility for young people in Mottingham.

Cllr Lydia Buttinger, Assistant to the Children and Young People Portfolio, cut the ribbon to declare the track officially open. During the afternoon local young people enjoyed a wide range of activities including a BMX display team; cycle awareness and maintenance; an army assault course; Kickz football coaching; arts & craft; and music, along with light refreshments.

Don’t lose your vote in 2012

Voter registration forms will soon be dropping through letterboxes across Bromley and you are being urged to return yours as soon as possible to make your voice heard in the Local Assembly and the election for the London Mayor in May 2012.
Your local Electoral Registration Officer, Doug Patterson and his staff will be sending forms to households in Bromley to compile the electoral register. If you haven’t received your form by 5 September, you should contact your Electoral Office on 020 8313 4364 or you can print one off at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

Doug Patterson, Electoral Registration Officer, said: “Registering to vote is very simple. All you have to do is update the annual canvass form with the details of everyone in your household who is eligible to vote and return it to us as soon as possible. And remember if nothing has changed, you can use text, phone or email to confirm the details.
“There was a lot of interest in this year’s referendum on the UK voting system and we were pleased with the increase in registration shortly before polling day. However, some people may not realise that they have to register every year.

“It is important that you complete and return the registration form so you’re able to take part in the upcoming election.”

In your electoral registration form, you can opt to have your details excluded from the edited register. This will mean individuals and commercial organisations cannot buy your details. For more information, contact your local Electoral Office on 020 8313 4364.

Outcome of Consultation about Charging Disabled Blue Badge Holders in Council Car Parks

For now Blue Badge holders will continue not to be charged to park in Council car parks. This was the decision made by the Portfolio Holder for the Environment, Councillor Colin Smith, at a meeting on 29th July 2011. Councillor Smith acknowledged the significant objections from disabled individuals and organisations to the proposal.
However, council officers are preparing a wide-ranging report on Blue Badges and may well reconsider the proposal to introduce charging in council car parks as part of this review.