Author: Copers Cope Area Residents' Association (CCARA)

Residents Association covering central and northern Beckenham. Founded in 1939 to protect and promote the interests of residents in matters of local concern

Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood Team Newsletter July 2015

Hello and thank you for reading this months Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) newsletter.

The team details and ward map along with other useful information can be accessed at http://content.met.police.uk/Team/Bromley/CopersCope

Your team includes

  • PS 48py Mark Shrubsole
  • PC 128py Steve Allen, Dedicated Ward Officer ( DWO )
  • PCSO 7256py Julie Oldfield, Dedicated Ward Officer ( DWO )

Street Surgery

Saturday 11th July 2015 between 3pm and 4pm at Waitrose, Southend Road

Crime

Our priorities are:
Burglary
Motor vehicle crime Robbery – personal property

In the month of June there has been 7 residential burglaries and 7 thefts from a vehicle. The majority of these crimes have been spread across the ward however 2 of the burglaries did take place in Bromley Road.

Please if you can take simple steps to help prevent these offences take place, lock all windows and doors of your house even if you leave for just a few minutes. If you have an alarm please use it. Lock your car and take any valuables with you.

In order to lower crime in the worse effective areas on the borough there has been pro active patrols by Police Officers. This has seen crime such as burglary and motor vehicle crime fall.

Purple Flag

Beckenham town centre is looking to be accredited with a purple flag. If you are wondering what that is, the purple flag is a accreditation that recognises excellence in the management of town and city centres at night showing that the night time economy offers clean and safe enviroments, great bars and clubs, a variety of arts and cultural attractions, and excellent transport links.

The benefits of achieving the purple flag are:

Raised profile
Positive publicity
Improved public image
Increased visitors
Increased expenditure
Lower levels of crime and antisocial behaviour

Crime Prevention

Front Door Security: Doors should be solid timber, not hollow, a minimum of 44mm thick, supported by three 100mm ( 4” ) hinges. The frame to be of sound timber, securely bolted or screwed to the walls every 600mm ( 23” ) around the whole frame.

– Fit a good automatic deadlocking latch cylinder lock a third of the way down the door.

– Fit a British Standard 3621 mortise deadlock with boxed staple a third of the way up the door ( avoiding joints in the timber ).

– Strengthen the door frame with metal reinforcement. A “ London Bar “ on the lock side and a “ Birmingham Bar “ on the hinge side.

– Fit a letterbox cowl / basket to prevent fishing for keys or access to lock handles.

Back Doors: Fit a British Standard 3621 mortise sash lock halfway up the door ( avoiding joints in the timber ).

– Fit key operated bolts to top ( max height 1.5m ( 4’ 11” ) and bottom of the door.

– Reinforce any weak door panels with either sheet metal or 9mm plywood.

Double French Doors: Fit key operated bolts to the top and bottom of each door securing it to the frame.

– Fit hinge bolts or interlocking hinges to any outward opening door.

Patio Doors: Fit patio door locks at the top and bottom of the opening section of the patio door.

– Fit an anti-lifting device to prevent the door being lifted and moved.

Window Security:

Sash Windows: Fit 2 key operated sash stops to the upper window. The maximum window opening should be 100mm ( 4” ) to allow ventilation when the house is occupied.

Casement ( Hinged ) Windows: Fit key operated locks on the opening side. If replacing windows fit those that have achieved British Standard 7950 and have laminated glass 6.4mm thick in ground floor and accessible windows.

Gardens: Secure your rear gardens by locking gates and fixing trellis to the top of fences. Trellis should support climbing plants but not climbing intruders.

Sheds: Secure your shed or ensure that tools that may prove useful for breaking in ( e.g. forks and spades ) are secured elsewhere.

Further information is available from http://www.met.police.uk/bromley and follow the link to Crime Prevention.

 

Scams

Copers Cope work closely with Trading Standards if you have been or know someone who may have been a victim of a rogue trader or any mass marketing scam then please report this to the Police.

If you think you have a rogue trader at your front door call Bromley Trading Standards on their rapid response number 07903852090

Neighbourhood Watch

Copers Cope ward would like to have a neighbourhood watch co-ordinator(s) on every street. If you know of anyone who wishes to take part please find information on info@bromleynwa.org.uk

Thank you for your time reading this letter, if we can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to call or e-mail us and we will get back to you as soon as possible and we will be more than happy to help.

If you need police for an urgent matter where you are in danger or fear always dial 999. If you wish to see a police officer for a non emergency matter, then please dial 101

Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood Team Telephone 0208 721 2772
E-Mail Coperscope.snt@met.police.uk

Beckenham Toilets to be sold – community right to buy bid by 14 August 2015

Bromley Council have confirmed their intention to dispose of the old Beckenham Toilet block at Thornton’s Corner.

We asked the Council for the exact particulars of what will be sold and they have advised:

“The exact demise and rights of way have not been finalised yet… details will be made clear in the sales particulars that will also be sent to any eligible community group interested in bidding. However the demise is unlikely to include the raised flower beds at the front of the building and a pedestrian right of way to the building will be included.”

The Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association successfully registered the building as an Asset of Community Value. This means the Council have to offer the community the right to buy/make a bid on the building to the community before selling commercially.

An intention to bid by a community group must be made to the Council by 14 August 2015.  Those that have bid then have 6 months to actually arrange and make the bid. During the 6 month period the Council cannot sell or dispose of the building other than to a community group that have bid under the right to buy scheme.  After the six month period the Council will choose which bid to accept, this does not have to be the community bid.

In order to make a bid under the right to buy scheme you have to be either:

(a) A charity
(b) A community interest company
(c) A company limited by guarantee that is non profit distributing
(d) An industrial and provident society that is non profit distributing

Unincorporated community groups such as the Copers Cope Area Resident’s Association cannot make a bid, but if you have a great idea for the building don’t let that put you off as its pretty simple to set up a community interest company.

Potential bidders can find further information below.  Please get in touch with us at chairman@coperscope.org.uk as we would love to help changing this building into something great for the community.

 

 

More office space to be lost – St Georges House, Bromley Road

A planning apicatiin has been lodged with the Council for Second Floor, St Georges House, 2 Bromley Road near NatWest to change from office space to 3 x one bedroom flats. 

The Government introduced a 3-year permitted development right in Spring 2013 that allows landlords to make conversions from office to residential without permission. Councils may only refuse in respect of transport and highways, contamination and flooding risks.  The policy was designed to allow empty office space to be turned into homes to boost the creation of new homes. Unfortunately it is mainly being used in locations that deliver the highest returns on investment for landlords, despite the high demand for office space. So in town centres like Beckenham where housing prices/rents are soaring ahead of office space, local businesses are being pushed out. 

Show your support for a cycle friendly Beckenham and Bromley Borough

Bromley Council have published their draft Cycling Strategy, but it is good enough?

Bromley Cyclists part of the London Cycling Campaign are encouraging local people to email their local councillors and tell them more needs to be done. The have created a simple web form that asks for your name, email and post code, then provides you with a draft email that automatically gets sent to your local councillor. Supporting a cycle friendly Beckenham could not be easier.

Show your support for a cycle friendly Beckenham here

 

 

Launch of NHS Issues Paper in Bromley – ‘Our Healthier South East London’ – have your say.

The Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is working with our five neighbouring CCGs (Bexley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark) to develop a health commissioning strategy for south east London.

The programme, called ‘Our Healthier South East London’,  has launched an Issues Paper setting out why things need to change in the local NHS, some of their emerging ideas and considerations, and questions for the local people to respond to if they wish. It can be viewed online at: http://www.ourhealthiersel.nhs.uk/about-us/issues-paper.htm

This is not a public consultation document, it is a paper summarising the Bromley CCG’s early thinking on health issues facing the borough. Local people can make comment directly to the Bromley CCG by email to trishwatts@nhs.net

 

 

Met Police Commissioner Public Meeting in Bromley – 6.30pm Wed 24 June at Bromley Central Library

 

Bromley Council have advised that the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis will be coming to Bromley on Wednesday 24th June at 6:30pm to hold a roadshow in Bromley Central Library.

Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe will be answering questions and setting out the challenges facing the Metropolitan Police Service to communities from both Bromley and Bexley Boroughs.

Senior Officers from both Boroughs will also be at the event to meet local stakeholders and residents before and after the Commissioner speaks.

This event will be chaired by Gareth Bacon, on behalf of James Cleverly. Gareth is a London-wide GLA member and the Chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.

This event has an open invitation to all and an advertisement will be in the News Shopper shortly. 

High Street Alleyway Survey

The Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association on behalf of the Beckenham Town Centre Team submitted a bid to the Mayor’s High Street Fund to get some money to clear up the alleyways off the High Street.  The Mayor’s fund has awarded Beckenham £20,000 for the Do Up Our Alley Project which will name, sign, clean up and improve the maintenance of the alleyways in Beckenham Town Centre.

We need to know what local people think of the current state of the alleyways. If you use or work/live near any of the alleyways off of the High Street please complete this survey.

www.surveymonkey.com/r/P923BXS

For photos and to find out more about the alleys please click HERE.

TfL official consultation on 352 and 354 Bus service on a Sunday – have your say by Friday 10 July 2015

TfL have responded to months of lobbying from the Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association, West Beckenham Residents’ Association, the‘354 on a Sunday Campaign’  and many local people for a Sunday service on the 352 and 354 with an official consultation. TfL propose introducing a Sunday service on both routes in September 2105.

We encourage all local people to support the proposal, please do so at the link below by Friday 10 July 2015.

https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/bus-service-proposal-route-352-and-354

There is also a postal address for comments by mail you may wish to pass on to neighbours not online:

Consultation Team
Transport for London
10th Floor, Palestra
197 Blackfriars Road
London SE1 8NJ
Consultation Team

 

Copers Cope Police Newsletter June 2015

Hello and thank you for reading this months Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) newsletter.

The team details and ward map along with other useful information can be accessed at http://content.met.police.uk/Team/Bromley/CopersCope

Your team includes

  • PS 48py Mark Shrubsole
  • PC 128py Steve Allen, Dedicated ward Officer ( DWO )
  • PCSO 7256py Julie Oldfield, Dedicated ward Officer ( DWO )

In the month of May there has been

  • 4 Residential burglaries, two of which have occurred in Copers Cope Road the other two took place in Downs Hill & Shortlands Grove.
  • 3 Burglary non dwellings ( sheds, garages etc ) these have occurred in Copers Cope Road, Montana Gardens and The Avenue.
  • 1 Theft of motor vehicle, this occurred in Downs Hill where a motor bike was taken from a drive way
  • 4 Theft from motor vehicles, these have occurred in Copers Cope Road, West Gate Road and two offences took place in Hackington Crescent.

However there has been a drop in reported offences, particularly burglary, in March there were 7 residential burglaries compared to May’s 4 and in April there were 7 burglary non dwellings compared to May’s 3. Motor vehicle crime has also dropped, in April there were 11 theft from motor vehicle offences compared to May’s 4.

Please if you can take simple steps to help prevent these offences take place, lock all windows and doors of your house even if you leave for just a few minutes. If you have an alarm please use it. Lock your car and take any valuables with you.

Street Surgery

We held a surgery on Saturday 9th May in Waitrose where we spoke to and gave crime prevention information to over 100 residents. Crime prevention advice given covered burglary, motor vehicle crime, cycle theft and mobile phone thefts.

We hold monthly surgeries and we hope you can come along and see us. Our next street surgeries are on the following dates:-

  • Thursday 4th June 2015 between 3pm and 4pm at Waitrose, Southend Road
  • Saturday 11th July 2015 between 3pm and 4pm at Waitrose, Southend Road

Crime

Our priorities are:
Burglary
Motor vehicle crime Robbery – personal property

Crime Prevention

Front Door Security: Doors should be solid timber, not hollow, a minimum of 44mm thick, supported by three 100mm ( 4” ) hinges. The frame to be of sound timber, securely bolted or screwed to the walls every 600mm ( 23” ) around the whole frame.

– Fit a good automatic deadlocking latch cylinder lock a third of the way down the door.

– Fit a British Standard 3621 mortise deadlock with boxed staple a third of the way up the door ( avoiding joints in the timber ).

– Strengthen the door frame with metal reinforcement. A “ London Bar “ on the lock side and a “ Birmingham Bar “ on the hinge side.

– Fit a letterbox cowl / basket to prevent fishing for keys or access to lock handles.

Back Doors: Fit a British Standard 3621 mortise sash lock halfway up the door ( avoiding joints in the timber ).

– Fit key operated bolts to top ( max height 1.5m ( 4’ 11” ) and bottom of the door.

– Reinforce any weak door panels with either sheet metal or 9mm plywood.

Double French Doors: Fit key operated bolts to the top and bottom of each door securing it to the frame.

– Fit hinge bolts or interlocking hinges to any outward opening door.

Patio Doors: Fit patio door locks at the top and bottom of the opening section of the patio door.

– Fit an anti-lifting device to prevent the door being lifted and moved.

Window Security:

Sash Windows: Fit 2 key operated sash stops to the upper window. The maximum window opening should be 100mm ( 4” ) to allow ventilation when the house is occupied.

Casement ( Hinged ) Windows: Fit key operated locks on the opening side. If replacing windows fit those that have achieved British Standard 7950 and have laminated glass 6.4mm thick in ground floor and accessible windows.

Gardens: Secure your rear gardens by locking gates and fixing trellis to the top of fences. Trellis should support climbing plants but not climbing intruders.

Sheds: Secure your shed or ensure that tools that may prove useful for breaking in ( e.g. forks and spades ) are secured elsewhere.

Further information is available from http://www.met.police.uk/bromley and follow the link to Crime Prevention.

Scams

Copers Cope work closely with Trading Standards if you have been or know someone who may have been a victim of a rogue trader or any mass marketing scam then please report this to the Police.

If you think you have a rogue trader at your front door call Bromley Trading Standards on their rapid response number 07903852090

Operation Meebos

The team has continued to be involved in Operation Meebo this involves officers, whilst on patrol, to speak to and engage with persons going door to door cold calling and delivering leaflets.

Contacts

Thank you for your time reading this letter, if we can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to call or e-mail us and we will get back to you as soon as possible and we will be more than happy to help.

If you need police for an urgent matter where you are in danger or fear always dial 999. If you wish to see a police officer for a non emergency matter, then please dial 101

Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood Team Telephone 0208 721 2772
E-Mail Coperscope.snt@met.police.uk

Heritage Tree saved at 25 West Oak

Finally some good news for our threatened trees…. the Council have refused the felling of mature oak tree in the back garden of 25 West Oak Beckenham due to a lack of evidence indicating or proving that the tree was causing damage to nearby houses. Further details can be found online here.

There are numerous applications every year to fell or pollard our old for trees. Luckily this tree had a Tree Protection Order (TPO) so planning needed to be applied for before it could be felled. Trees without TPO are sitting ducks. If you have an old or mature tree in your road please contact the Council to ensure the tree is covered by a TPO. You can do this online at the link below.

Tree Protection Orders

Bromley Council Consultation on planning requirement changes – have your say by 22 July 2015

Local list of information requirements – consultation

Bromley Council  are asking for your comments on the revised local list of validation requirements for planning applications.

They  have reviewed our current local list of validation requirements for planning applications in line with national guidance and have updated the list and are now consulting on the revisions to the local list of information requirements and would welcome your views on the changes.This consultation is open for 8 weeks until 22 June 2015.Further information

The review has led to minor changes to items already on the list by way of making requirements clearer for applicants and ensuring that the most up-to-date policies are referenced. The revised list also introduces some additional requirements for non-householder applications to ensure that proposals meet current legislative and policy requirements, are capable of delivering high quality design and are addressing sustainability polices.

Furthermore by requiring applicants to submit certain details as part of the planning applications for major and/or complex and sensitive proposals, it is possible to prevent the use of conditions requiring further submissions which will reduce timescales for implementing permissions.

Additional requirements added to the local list include:

  • Clarification in respect of Design and Access Statements
  • Large scale (1:20) plans to show sensitive or complex design details
  • Living roof details
  • Computer generated images for major proposals
  • Accommodation schedules for all new dwellings
  • Submission of construction logistic plans
  • Submission of landscape proposals
  • Clarification in respect of information required for Lifetime Homes and wheelchair units
  • Material samples for appropriate schemes
  • Sustainability statements

Have your say

You can comment by emailing us at planning@bromley.gov.uk making sure you title your message ‘Local Information Requirements Consultation’ or by writing to us at

Planning (Local Information Requirements Consultation)
Civic Centre, Stockwell Close,
Bromley BR1 3UH

This consultation is open for 8 weeks until 22 June 2015.

Planning application for a new house to be built at the rear of 32 Church Avenue.

A planning application has been submitted for new dwelling house to the rear of No.32 Church Road.  Further details can be found online under reference 15/01541/FULL1.
Comments/objections in regard to this application must be provided by 10 June 2015, they can be sent by email to planning@bromley.gov.uk

Please ensure you provide your full name and address including post code to ensure your comments are registered.

Beckenham Businesses can enter the LB of Bromley Business Awards – register by 31 July 2015

The Bromley Business Awards are open to the whole borough. Find out more in the Awards Brochure.

To enter your business into the Bromley Business Awards by 31 July 2015 click here

There is also a free networking event  from 2-4pm on Thursday 25th June 2015 at Prospects House, 19 Elmfield Road, Bromley, BR1 1LT. To book a place at the What makes a winner? event email awards@prospects.co.uk or call 0208 315 1020. 

The Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner will be hosted on Thursday 15 October 2015 at The Warren, Bromley. 

Demolition of large house at 56 Copers Cope Road

A planning application has been submitted to demolish 56 Copers Cope Road Road (corner of Copers Cope Road and Brackley Road) and and replace with a  four storey building plus basement comprising 3 one bedroom and 7 two bedroom apartments.

Further details can be found online under reference 15/01536/FULL1.
Comments/objections in regard to this application must be provided by 01 June 2015, they can be sent by email to planning@bromley.gov.uk . Please ensure you provide your full name and address including post code to ensure your comments are registered. 

Southeastern consultation on draft 2016 rail timetable – have your say by 26 June 2015

Consultation on the August 2016 timetable

The Thameslink Programme and London Bridge station rebuild mean that at the end of August 2016 platforms 1, 2 and 3 will close and Cannon Street trains will no longer stop at London Bridge until January 2018.Charing Cross trains will, however, resume stopping at London Bridge with platforms 7, 8 and 9 back in service.

The draft timetable is available for consultation online from Monday 18 May for six weeks. Please provide your feedback before Friday 26 June to: timetablemanagement@southeasternrailway.co.uk

Your feedback will help Southeastern make changes where possible to the August 2016 timetable.

Proposed changes to the Hayes Line

  • The 07.43 Hayes to Charing Cross service is diverted to Cannon Street;
  • The 08.10 Hayes to Charing Cross service is re-timed to start at 08.13 and will cease to call at Lewisham (to allow pathway for a diverted Greenwich line service);
  • Off peak Cannon Street to Hayes services are diverted to Charing Cross and will call at London Bridge and Waterloo East.

Mini Petting Farm at Market On The Green today Sat 16 May 2015

A  mini petting farm will be open from 11.am to 15.30 at Market On The Green on Beckenham Green today. The petting farm is free of charge.

You can also enjoy local produce and craft stalls, face painting, have a go children’s arts and crafts, fun fair, carnival games, pizza making master class and live entertainment. See you later.

Live on the stage from 11am to 3.30pm

  • 11:00 – Bright Sparks – local Beckenham dance school.
  • 11:30 – Peter Green – Steam Punk Brit pop from London.
  • 12.00 – Break
  • 12:15 – Nomad Folk – Folk band from Penge.
  • 12:45 – Child Peters – Indie pop singer/songwriter from London.
  • 13:15 – R.A. Parade – stylish singer songwriter.
  • 13:45 – Break
  • 14:00 – Churchfields Primary School Choir singing pop.
  • 14:30 – Irish dancing at Balgowan primary school.
  • 15:00 –  Peppa Pig (lookalike) party on stage (by Brilliant Birthdays)

Entertainment

  • Children’s Carnival Games by Bromley Road School PTA
  • Bottons Family Funfair
  • Face painting by Tiger Dragon Butterfly

Stalls and hot food:

  • All Things Saucy – handmade sauces using fresh, natural ingredients from local sources.
  • Botanicals in Coloured Pencil – hand painted cards, totes and t-shirts.
  • Cranbrook Conserves – jams and preserve made using traditional methods and recipes handmade in our cottage kitchen in Cranbrook Kent.
  • Conkers and Clay – local craft artists, ceramics and pottery, wood sculpture and turning
  • DM Clothing -Handprinted lace scarves,  handprinted ponchos, dresses.
  • Deli Jerk – Caribbean jerk chicken.
  • Dine Thyme – speciality pies, sausage rolls, scotch eggs, and more.
  • Eat’n’mess Cakes – finest cupcakes from Sevenoaks.
  • Framerstamp – high quality, attractive, inexpensive framed stamp designs with each stamp a work of art in itself.
  • Free From Deli – sandwiches, salads, soups, juices/smoothies, pastries.
  • Hemings Bakehouse – made in Kent artisan breads.
  • Hocus Pocus  – A Magical Emporium of Wonderful Curiosities!
  • KME Crafts – children’s craft activity – sand art pictures, children’s lucky dip and a 16-piece brain teaser
  • Howards of Kent – locally produced fruit vodka.
  • Layhams Farm – locally sourced Kent produce from jars of honey, chutney and sauces to plants and seeds for your garden.
  • Marsh Produce – rare breed lamb & pork, beef, free range poultry, homemade burgers and sausage.
  • Nip from The Hip – fruit liqueurs made with locally sourced fruit.
  • Oink Oink Catering – local Kent born and bred hog roast with home-made apple sauce.
  • Organically prepared – organic fruit and veg.
  • Potash Farm –  Kentish cobnuts.
  • Preserved Passions – Kentish chutneys and relishes.
  • Sapore Vero – Beckenham wood fired pizza
  • ‘Sauced’ by Marina – homemade Italian pasta sauces.
  • Sevenoaks Candles – award winning Kenitsh handmade candles and soaps.
  • Simply True -handmade adult and children’s jewellery
  • Sweet Nostalgia Fudge – handmade fudge.
  • Terre Verdi  – organic skincare
  • The Mobile Coffee Bean- fresh brewed coffee and teas with organic milk.
  • Tiddly Pomme – Kentish juices and cider.
  • Tw0 Girls in Stitches – textiles
  • Ty Janick – authentic crepes and galettes.
  • Yumptious – Kent cupcakes, flapjacks, brownies, breadpudding, tarts (slices).