Cllrs James McAsh, Victoria Olisa and Charlie Smith

This is one of our regular newsletters. They are posted online and emailed out to Labour Party members and anyone who signs up here.

Southwark Labour’s 2021/22 Budget

Council Assembly on Wednesday 24th February approved the Labour Group’s proposed budget for the coming year. There’s no doubt that with more funding we could deliver so much more but the administration has nonetheless managed to protect or increase funding in key areas. This is despite a decade of funding cuts from the government, where Southwark has lost 63p in every pound, and a vast Covid-19 funding gap. Two of the council’s flagship policies – universal free school meals and free swim and gym – have been protected and there has been investment in a range of new areas. This includes £500k into a food poverty programme to combat the drastic increase in food poverty since the beginning of the pandemic, £300k into Southwark Stands Together to make the changes we need for an actively anti-racist borough and £100k into the brilliant Community Hub which has been the epicentre of Covid-19 support throughout the pandemic.

Climate Emergency update

At Council Assembly we also agreed the council’s Capital Strategy which sets out the council’s investment for the next decade. The Labour Group will be proposing a huge £101m investment in the Capital Programme, towards initiatives which will contribute to our goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The Climate Change team has recently completed extensive engagement with residents which will shape the way this money is spent. Current plans include the Net Zero Operational Estate, which will see Southwark-owned property reach net zero carbon through improved insulation, glazing, and solar panels, and a Net Zero Council Fleet which will reduce fleet size and invest in electric alternatives. The council currently has a ten-year programme on Electric Vehicle charging points, and it will also be committing to accelerating this timeline with additional funding from the £101m.

Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy programme

The council has launched a programme of work encouraging and supporting residents (particularly groups who tell us they have concerns, such as black, Asian and minority ethnic residents) to take up the Covid-19 vaccine when they are offered it. The programme aims to help residents understand the risks that Covid-19 poses to them, their families and their community; know the plan for the vaccine rollout and what to expect; and feel confident in their decision about taking the vaccine, based on facts and official information. The programme includes training 1,000 community members including staff, volunteers and 50 Community Ambassadors, to talk to residents about their concerns and share information. The council is also running public webinars and producing campaign materials including case studies and videos to share through its communications channels and community and faith partners.

Funding for local projects

We received many fantastic funding applications for local projects. It was tricky to choose between them. In the end, we chose the ones listed below. They tackle a wide range of issues from street art to cycle storage, inclusion for young people to loneliness for older people.

Cleaner Greener Safer

Devolved Highways budget

Neighbourhoods Fund

Expansion of The Nest mental health service for young people

The pandemic has escalated the growing mental health crisis for children and young people in the UK. More than 200 young people have accessed Southwark’s new, free mental health drop-in service for children and young people, The Nest, since it opened online in April and physically opened its doors in August 2020. Southwark Labour Group has committed to The Nest being expanded to schools in order to cope with the rising demand for mental health services. This move will be part of a New Youth Deal which will give a Youth Parliament oversight of mental health spending on children and young people, amongst other funding.

New Private Rented Licensing Schemes

The council is looking to protect private renter’s rights through the introduction of 2 new licensing schemes. The proposed new schemes will encourage responsive repairs, fair rents, secure tenancies with protection from unnecessary eviction, and will give the council new enforcement powers against non-compliant landlords. The council wants to hear from private renters to help shape these new schemes and the consultation is open until the 7th June: https://consultations.southwark.gov.uk/environment-leisure/2021-private-rented-sector-property-licensing-prop/

Common Purpose Grants

Recently the council awarded 16 Common Purpose Grants to organisations in the borough – the grants are for activities that improve the lives of Southwark’s diverse residents.

As well as continuing to fund 12 previous recipients, 4 new organisations have received funding:

Central Southwark Community Hub: a BAME-led organisation to provide a community hub based around a food bank and pantry in Camberwell
Walworth Golden Oldies: an organisation supporting older BAME people, in particular people from the Windrush generation – this includes specific support with digital inclusion
Opening Doors: an organisation providing support to older LGBT people
Global Generation: an initiative to involve young people, with a focus on BAME young people, in environmental/ social action and volunteering.

Councillor Newsletter - March 2021