E16NewsLatest regeneration news for Canning Town and Custom House residents Mar 2011

Left to right: Barclays staff volunteer at Keir Hardie school. A new look for Ferrier Point. Rokeby School’s new home in Canning Town.

Top: Completing your census form is worth £,6000 in council funding

As this is the fi rst issue of E16 News for 2011, I’m pleased to start the year with the good news that the redevelopment of Rathbone Market has offi cially begun. Turn to page 3 to read about the ground breaking ceremony.

Ferrier Point has now been fully refurbished and I recently visited the fl ats to meet some of the residents and see the works. Take a look at the improvements on page 6.

The students and staff of Rokeby Secondary School are settling into their new home on Barking Road. Read page 8 to fi nd out what the students and local community think of the building and facilities.

The Residents Charter sets out the council’s commitment to residents directly affected by the regeneration programme. This is currently under review and I look forward to bringing you updates in future issues of E16 News.

A planning application for Crossrail will shortly be submitted. Look out for further information in the next issue.

I can announce that the appointed contractor for the Fife Road development; Countryside Properties is now onsite and has now begun preparatory work. See page 5 for more information.

Every household in Newham is required to take part in the Census 2011. Every form completed equates to £6,000 in council funding, so to ensure funding for vital council services, your form must be completed and returned by Wednesday 6 April. Page 13 has more information.

Councillor Conor McAuleyExecutive Member for Regeneration and Strategic Planning

CONTENTSProgramme updateGround breaking at Rathbone Market 03Progress for the town centre 04 in Canning TownThe new Residents Charter 04Rehousing update 05Fife Road re-development update 05The newly improved Ferrier Point 06

FeatureYour new housing service 07Bogus callers 07E16 meets pupils of Rokeby School 08

Community newsYou said, we did 10Keir Hardie school banks on Barclays 12Award winning ELBA 12Rosetta Arts inspire young artists 12Olympic training venues unveiled 13Census 2011 13Good Friday market at Rathbone Market 14Top dog show 14Street parties in Newham 15Workplace in Canning Town 15

What’s on 16

02

Inside View

ContactsCanning Town and Custom House

Regeneration programmeThe Place, 2 Silvertown Way E16 1ED020 3373 1443

Newham housing teamCustomer Service Centre, Beckton Road E16 5JQ. Or you can contact your housing offi cer on 020 8430 4096

PinnacleNelson Street Studios, Nelson Street E16 1DS020 7540 9880

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The fi rst phase of the development of Canning Town and Custom House began with the ground breaking ceremony at Rathbone Market in Canning Town.

The Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales was joined at the ceremony by Cllrs Conor McAuley and Clive Furness; Sir Michael Lyons chair of the English Cities Fund, Bob Lane chair of London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, and David Lunts from the Home Communities Agency.

The £180 million scheme at the market is one of the fi rst sites to be developed as part of the £3.7 billion regeneration programme in Canning Town and Custom House.

Rathbone Market is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Please note access to the market is no longer available via the passageway alongside The Co-operative. Additional short stay car parking is now available to visitors in Maud Street. For more information about the re-development of Rathbone Market and all regeneration projects in Canning Town and Custom House, please contact Keith Smith at the Place, 2 Silvertown Way, E16 or call 020 3373 1443.

03

L-R; Sir Michael Lyons, Cllr Conor McAuley, Mayor Sir Robin Wales, Bob Lane and David Lunts look at plans for the Rathbone Market developmentL-R; Cllrs Clive Furness and Conor McAuley, Sir Michael Lyons and Mayor Sir

Robin Wales stand on the site of the Rathbone Market development

Newham’s Mayor ‘breaks ground’

at Rathbone Market

E16: Programme update

The initial stage will include 271 homes, which will be completed by late 2012. Rathbone Market will continue to trade during the construction period. Stallholders have been relocated next to the remaining shops located at the Percy Ingle’s end of the market.

Sir Robin said: “This development represents a crucial part of the physical and social regeneration of the borough as we approach the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.

“We want our residents to have the same opportunities and aspirations as people living elsewhere in the capital and this project will provide our residents with a living environment of which they can be proud.”

E16: Programme update

Quality public spaces feature in plans for the re-developed town centre

Progress at the town centre in Canning Town

Residents Charter

Bouygues Development and One Housing Group are making good progress with plans to regenerate and expand the area opposite Canning Town station.

Bouygues aspire to include a mix of shops, a cinema, restaurants and a gym, providing leisure opportunities for residents and visitors alike. A hotel is also planned for the site. New homes are at the heart of the regeneration project and Bouygues’s proposals aim to provide around 1,100 homes in a range of housing types, including family housing. An exciting new addition to the proposal is a ‘skygarden’, providing an urban sanctuary for all residents.

Work is anticipated to begin on the fi rst phase in 2012 with the building of a new Morrisons

iThe proposals are still on display in The Place for residents to view. If you have any questions or comments about the town centre development please email ideas@yourcanningtown.org.uk

For more information please call the Canning Town and Custom House Regeneration Team on 020 3373 1443.

supermarket, 179 new homes and associated car parking. An energy centre for the whole site will ensure our regenerated town centre is environmentally sustainable. A planning application will be submitted this month.Public consultation events were held in February to display plans for their upcoming application. The sessions were well attended and gave residents the chance to fi nd out more about the development.

The Canning Town and Custom House Residents Charter sets out the council’s commitment to residents whose homes are directly affected by the regeneration programme. It explains what tenants; leaseholders and

freeholders can expect if they have to move out of their current homes in order for the redevelopment of the area to progress.

The Charter is currently being reviewed to ensure that our pledges are being met and are in line with current housing policy.

The new Government is proposing new policies affecting social housing that may impact on what the council can offer residents in the future. Look out for more information on progress on the Residents Charter in future editions of E16 News.

An aerial view of the new town centre

04

2011 and the fi rst phase completed in 2013. The executive member for regeneration and strategic planning, Cllr Conor McAuley said: “The regeneration of this area is Newham Council’s highest priority. We have been working very hard to secure the future of the scheme so I’m delighted that our plans to radically transform the area for residents and businesses are coming to fruition.”

E16: Programme update

05

The Canning Town and Custom House Regeneration Team have been working hard to rehouse tenants since 2004. The next phase of the project is to move people out of Area 2 – this is an area that stretches from Kennedy Cox House in the west to Edwin Street in the east.

This will be done in phases starting with the properties in McDowall Close, Trinity St and 2-60 Formunt Close and 29-81 Formunt Close. This area has been selected because these blocks are on the edge of the area for development, and that decanting them will cause the least disruption to remaining residents.

Newham Council working in partnership with Countryside Properties, and Affi nity Sutton Homes, is set to go ahead with the award winning Fife Road (Area 3) development.

Fife Road as it could look

The fi rst phase of the development will bring 139 new homes to the local community

Go ahead for first phase of Fife Road development

iFor further information and support about the rehousing process please contact Yvonne Weekes, Scott Riches and James Harry on 020 3373 1443.

Funds of £4.22m were secured from the London Homes and Communities Agency and Newham Council are providing £2.13m towards building the new Keir Hardie School.

The fi rst phase of construction will create 139 homes and all proposed homes are designed to ‘lifetime homes’ standard, 10 per cent are suitable for disabled people, and the affordable homes are ‘pepper potted’ throughout the development ranging from one and two bedroom apartments, three and four bedroom maisonettes and houses for larger families.

Pre-enabling works will begin on site shortly with the main works beginning in June

However because of the diffi cult economic situation, the regeneration team can not give precise timescales for when the rest of the residents in Area 2 will be moved and residents will have to wait longer until the regeneration team are able to proceed.

The independent residents advisor - SOLON are available to give advice to all residents within the Canning Town and Custom House regeneration area. Their details can be found on the back page of this newsletter.

The Canning Town and Custom House

Rehousing update

Residents will now be coming home to this brand new kitchen

A children’s playground is a new feature for Ferrier Point

One of the newly improved bathrooms

E16: Programme update

06

Ferrier Point; Newham’s tallest tower has been refurbished and Councillor Conor McAuley and members of the Canning Town and Custom House regeneration team paid a visit to two residents to fi nd out what they think of the works.

Residents Edward Brett and Maureen Dunn told Cllr McAuley how delighted they were with the improvements to their homes and also with the way the works had been carried

L to R: Maureen Dunn (resident), Dawn Airey (Rydons), Edward Brett

(resident), Yvonne Weekes (Regeneration team) and Cllr Conor McAuley

out by the contractors Rydons. Maureen is a long standing resident of Ferrier Point while Edward has recently moved into the block. Flats have had new bathrooms, kitchens, double-glazing and new front doors installed.

Cllr McAuley said: “The council took a decision to refurbish Ferrier Point and it’s great to see the works fi nally completed. It’s also fantastic to hear how happy residents are with their newly improved homes.”

Ferrier Point

07

E16: Feature

Your new housing serviceNewham Council housing service has recently undergone a major change. From 1 April, Newham Homes was integrated into the council. This means all services such as rent collection, caretaking and repairs are now provided by the council.

The decision was made last year to bring housing services back in-house to make significant savings. Newham Homes was set up to access Decent Homes funding and over the last five years £264.5m has been spent improving properties for council tenants. However the council can now bid for Decent Homes funding directly from the Government making the delivery of housing services more cost effective. Consultation with tenants and leaseholders was carried out last year with over 50 per cent supporting the change.

Although this is an important change, you may not notice any differences in the services provided. All services can be accessed in exactly the same way as before. The majority of Newham Homes staff have transferred across to Newham council and all contact numbers will remain the same. Your housing officer, caretaker and

to be on their guard against bogus callers. It may not be immediately clear whether a person visiting your home is a council employee. Someone sent to carry out repairs on your home or a caretaker in your block may still be wearing a Newham Homes uniform or driving a Newham Homes van. Anyone who visits your home from the council must carry a Newham Council identity badge containing their photograph. These cards must always be produced on request and staff must tell you their name if you ask them. If you are still unsure please call 020 8430 4454 to verify the caller’s identity.

The housing service in Newham is changing from 1 April

concierge will remain the same and you will continue to receive the same high quality service. As a tenant or leaseholder, there’s nothing you need to do.

Beware of bogus callers You will still see Newham Homes vans out on the streets and caretakers, concierges and RMS (Repair Maintenance Service) operatives sent to carry out repairs on your home may still wear Newham Homes branded uniform. To save costs, we will gradually move from Newham Homes to Newham Council branding.

Due to this gradual rebranding, it is important for all residents

08

The 600 students and staff at Rokeby secondary school have been settling in their new home in Canning Town since September last year.

As well as new and bigger learning environments and sport areas, the school has opened its doors to the community to offer various classes and events.

We went to the school to meet some of the local pupils and parents and ask how they feel about the move from Stratford to the £24m building on Barking Road.Rokeby School is a new £24m building in the heart of Canning Town

Ishrat Asif is the mother of one of the pupils and is attending English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes’ at the school.

“My son Farhan recently transferred to the school and loves being at Rokeby. He is really being encouraged to excel and get involved in all the activities. I even received a call from his teacher to say how happy they are with his progress.

“It was my son who told me about the ESOL classes. I’m now improving my English and enjoying the fun and creativity that the class brings. This is a great opportunity for parents.”

Theresa Boyo, Stratford – attends ESOL classes held at the school

“My friend told me about a new school that had just opened and was offering these classes. My children and grandchildren are all grown up now, so I felt it was time to go back to school. I would like to work towards qualifying as a carer for older people.

“I think the building is amazing, the pupils are happy and our teacher really looks after us.”

E16 Meets...

E16: Feature

09

Janeel Elybux, 14, West Silvertown

“The schools’ move to Canning Town made travel so much easier for me. Rokeby has had a positive effect on a lot of the students and the new building feels fresh and spacious. I’m getting to know the area and I like shopping at Rathbone Market with my parents.”

Olu Otasanya , 13, Canning Town

“I was happy we moved to Canning Town as my journey is now a lot quicker. The new building has much better equipment like Apple Macs. I love the fact we have a gym and I play basketball on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. I would like the opportunity to link up with students from other schools in the area like Eastlea and Royal Docks and take part in various competitions.”

Jeffrey Asante, 15, Canning Town

“The teachers are very supportive and constantly encourage us. I like the spacious classrooms and the state-of-the-art technology. I play football and regularly use Canning Town Library.”

Ericerikos Mikushus, 11, Canning Town

“I’ve just started secondary school and I’m glad I’m at Rokeby. The school is colourful, nice and tidy. It’s only a short journey for me and I’ve made a lot of new friends. I love the gym, computers and the school meals!”

E16: Feature

For people living and working in Canning Town and Custom House, your local neighbourhood meeting is the ideal place to come to speak to council offi cers and community police about issues concerning you.

The meetings focus on providing local information, problem solving and residents and council offi cers working in partnership to set up creative projects.

Following the last round of neighbourhood meetings held in January, below are some of the key issues concerning local residents.

You said...Students from Eastlea Secondary School have been suspected of causing damage to cars in the area. Police have been asked to work with the school to tackle this.

We did…The Safer Neighbourhoods team in Canning Town North have contacted the local schools offi cer at Eastlea to discuss the issue further.

You said...As a result of works taking place at Hallsville Road, refuse vehicles are not able to enter the road to clear bins from Alfred Dickens House.

We did…We have arranged with the contractors, Balfour Beatty to move the bins each week to a location easily accessible to the refuse team.

You said, we did

E16: Community news

10

iTo find out more about the meetings including which one is closest to you, please contact Sam Clark on 020 3373 3538 or email sam.clark@newham.gov.uk

You said...There has been an increase in squatters occupying empty properties in the local area. In particular incidents have been reported in Normandy Terrace, Custom House.

We did…Squatters were evicted from Normandy Terrace and alarms installed in the properties. Eviction orders for the remaining buildings are imminent and efforts are being made to re-let empty properties to avoid further incidents.

You said...One of the shops on Freemasons Road has been using the communal bin sheds – intended for the residential properties above the shops – to dispose of their excess waste.

We did…The shop owner was visited by a community safety officer and asked for proof of their trade waste agreement. No further incidences have been recorded.

You said...There are a number of incidents involving people urinating in public in Canning Town North.

We did…Residents submitted a map of the areas frequently used as a public urination point. This information was used by senior council officers during the Liveability Steering Group meeting. Possible solutions include a re-design of these areas and installing additional lighting.

You said...Residents are concerned about police visibility in the Custom House area and the frequency of police patrols.

We did…The Custom House police team held a ward panel meeting with residents to discuss the issue. The team also held surgeries in mobile police units along Freemasons Road, inviting local residents to come and talk to them face to face.

You said...Young people are congregating in one of the communal gardens on Ibbotson Avenue. They have knocked a wall down and there is evidence of drug use.

We did…Residents were advised to contact their Housing Manager to report any future incidents of anti-social behaviour. They have also received diaries to keep an accurate record of activities.

The next round of neighbourhood meetings are as follows:

Freemasons Road Neighbourhood MeetingWednesday 30 March 2011, 6.30pmThe Cundy Centre, Hartington Road.

Fife Road Neighbourhood MeetingTuesday 5 April 2011, 6.30pmKeir Hardie Methodists Church, Fife Road.

Keir Hardie Neighbourhood MeetingTuesday 12 April 2011, 6.30pmRiver Christian Centre, Vincent Street.

Canning Town Centre Neighbourhood MeetingTuesday 19 April 2011, 6.30pmThe Hub, Star Lane.

E16: Community news

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E16: Community news

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Through ELBA, Barclays support to Keir Hardie School, Canning Town continues when 10 volunteers from the bank spent the afternoon

delivering a money skills workshop to students, and then went on to transform the school grounds by painting, gardening and planting bulbs.

The school were especially delighted that Anthony Jenkins; Chief Executive of

Barclays staff volunteer their time at Keir Hardie school

Global Retail Banking for Barclays joined the volunteers.

Jean Bon, extended services co-ordinator at Keir Hardie school said: “Four Barclays Executive + six Barclays employees + 1.5 hours in a classroom = 60 inspired pupils

Developing young artists

Young Newham Artists (YNA) is a project providing 16-19 year olds with an amazing opportunity to develop their creative visual art skills through different mediums.

Run by the Rosetta Art Centre since January 2011, the programme is interactive and varied, giving young people the chance to progress creatively and gain qualifi cations.

Rosetta Art Centre is the only provider of a dedicated visual arts programme in Newham. They have been working in the community for almost 20 years delivering quality projects and workshops. YNA was created to fi ll the gap

in opportunities for young people in Newham who are interested in the visual arts.

The program takes place in one of the vacant buildings in Rathbone Market, Canning Town, which has been a great opportunity for young people to get involved in an area that is undergoing regeneration.

The group are mentored by two visual artists; Richard Moon and Joanna Phelps who are Newham residents and graduates of The Royal Academy of Arts.

iFor further details about Young Newham Artists please contact Rosetta Art Centre on 020 7511 1117 or visit www.rosettaarts.org

Award winning ELBA

The seventh annual Guardian Public Services awards saw ELBA’s innovative Future Directions Programme placed as runners up in the category of volunteering and citizenship. The award-winning leadership development programme has been championed by Morgan Stanley since March 2007. The programme aims to

The Ascension Eagles receive their

certifi cates from Morgan Stanley after

completing the leadership programme

skills of young people in Newham – and particularly Canning Town and Custom House - through workshops, delivered by Morgan Stanley volunteers at their offi ces in Canary Wharf. Workshops focus on CV writing, leadership and networking skills. The highlight is a presentation to their peers, parents, volunteers and senior staff at Morgan Stanley.

raise the aspirations and improve the employability

Keir Hardie banks on Barclays

with an increased understanding of money matters.”

E16: Community news

Two Canning Town venues have been confi rmed as Olympic and Paralympic training bases for competitors in the run up to the London 2012 Games.

The newly-built Rokeby School on Barking Road will host indoor volleyball and athletes will make use of facilities at The Hub; on Star Lane. Rokeby head teacher Charlotte Robinson said: “The children are very excited about the Olympics and Paralympics and we’re looking forward to welcoming world-class volleyball players to the school.”

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Census 2011: every person counts

Every household in the UK must take part in the next census; a detailed count of the population in the UK which takes place every 10 years.

Once completed, the census will provide a snapshot of the population which will allow central Government, local councils and health authorities to plan essential services such as housing, education, health and transport.

Council funding for these services could be secured from the information collected. Your census information represents around £6,000 in funding to the council.

Newham has previously lost out on funding due to census forms not being completed properly, or not at all. The importance of the count means residents not taking place will face a fi ne.

The forms are simple to complete, although assistance is available from the Newham Census team until Wednesday 6 April. The team have organised

For further information on the census please visit www.newham.gov.uk/census

Every completed Census form could

bring £6000 in council funding

The Hub in Canning Town will be one of the London 2012 venues

sessions in public venues like libraries and community centres to help residents with their questionnaire.

The census forms will be delivered to all UK households from mid-march and must be completed and returned by Wednesday 6 April. For the fi rst time, you will be able to complete the census form online.

Don’t worry, all personal information shared is confi dential and will not be disclosed to any government departments such as the police, UK Border Agency or even the council.

Olympic training venues unveiled

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To find out more drop in to The Place or call020 3373 8508www.newhamworkplace.co.uk

Your neighbours in E16 found work with the support of the Mayor’s Employment Project and are on average £96 per week better off which amounts to £5000 over one year.

The Mayor’s Employment Project supports people who live in households where no one is working, or those with little or no work experience.

What would you do with the extra cash?

An extra £96 per week

= £5000 a year better off!

brought to you by

Whats ON!

Neighbourhood group datesFor people living and working in the Canning Town and Custom House area, your local neighbourhood meeting is the ideal place to come to speak to council offi cers and community police about issues concerning you.

The meetings focus on providing local information, problem solving and residents and council offi cers working in partnership to set up creative projects.

The details for our next round of meetings are as follows:

Freemasons Road Neighbourhood MeetingWednesday 30 March 2011, 6.30pmThe Cundy Centre, Hartington Road

Fife Road Neighbourhood MeetingTuesday 5 April 2011, 6.30pmKeir Hardie Methodists Church, Fife Road

Keir Hardie Neighbourhood MeetingTuesday 12 April 2011, 6.30pmRiver Christian Centre, Vincent Street

Canning Town Centre Neighbourhood MeetingTuesday 19 April 2011, 6.30pmThe Hub, Star Lane.

To fi nd out more about the meetings including which one is closest to you, please contact Sam Clark on 020 3373 3538 or email sam.clark@newham.gov.uk.

Pinnacle walkaboutEvery Friday at 2pm. Meeting point at St. Luke’s Church, Tarling Road E16.

Independent advice for residentsIndependent advice and support is available to residents living in the Canning Town and Custom House Regeneration area.

If you have any questions about how the proposed plan will affect you contact:

Solon Community Network free of charge on:

0800 884 0800 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Email: info@yoursolon.com or visit: www.yoursolon.com

All queries will be dealt with in confi dence.

Meet your local councillorsCanning Town North - Marie Collier, Clive Furness and Paul Schafer

Cllr Collier and Cllr Schafer surgery timesEvery Monday (alternating) 10am7a Avondale Court, Avondale Road, Canning Town E16

Cllr Furness surgery timesFirst and third Friday of the month 6 - 7pm Helping Hands, 42 Balaam Street E13

Canning Town South - Bryan Collier, Michael Nicholas and Alan Taylor

Cllr Collier surgery timesSecond and fourth Monday of the month 10am – 12noon Canning Town Local Service Centre, 3 Beckton Road E16

Cllr Nicholas surgery timesFirst and third Thursday of the month 10.30am -12.30pmKeir Hardie Methodist Church, 14 Plymouth Road E16

Cllr Taylor surgery timesFirst and third Thursday of the month 6 - 7.30pmTrinity Community Centre, Bothwell Close E16

Custom House - Patricia Holland, Gavin Pearson and Conor McAuley

Cllr HollandFirst Saturday of the month, 10 – 11amSt Joachim’s Catholic School, Shipman Road Custom House E16

Cllr PearsonSecond Saturday of the month,10 – 11amSt Joachim’s Catholic School, Shipman Road, Custom House E16

Cllr McAuleyThird Saturday of the month, 10 – 11amSt Joachim’s Catholic School, Shipman Road, Custom House E16

Drop-in surgeriesEvery Wednesday between 10-11.30am at The Place, 2 Silvertown Way.

Surgeries will be attended by a Neighbourhood Services Manager who will aim to answer queries you may have relating to housing issues such as anti-social behaviour, supporting tenants and any tenancy management issues.

For more information please ring the freephone number 0800 952 9000.

Friday 22 April, 9am – 6pm

Come along and enjoy more than 100 stalls offering a variety of items including; jewellery and clothing, handmade goods, bric-a-brac and refreshments.

For more information please call 020 3373 1443.

Easter Good Friday Market