Copers Cope Area Residents' Association (CCARA) & West Beckenham Residents' Association (WBRA)
Two residents' associations working together across Beckenham on your behalf
Activities around the High Street and on The Green from 3pm.
George to George candlelit procession from 4pm.
Christmas light switch on by a celebrity at 6pm.
The Odeon Cinema Beckenham has made an application to vary its premises licence to add the sale by retail of alcohol everyday. Further information can be found online on the Councils website at the link below.
Residents wishing to comment on this application can do so by email (licensing@bromley.gov.uk) or post (Licensing, Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley, BR1 3UH). You must ensure you quote reference: 12/00823/LAPRE and state your full name and address.
Residents Forum and Open Meeting – TONIGHT 8pm Weds 7 Nov 2012 Beckenham Public Halls
The Director of Health Care System Reform from Bromley PCT/CCG (who are proposed to take over the Beacon when the South London Healthcare Trust pulls out) addresses Beckenham residents tonight.
Police were called to the victim’s home address after he had called 999 stating he had been a victim of a scam. On police arrival the victim stated that on 25/10/2012 at around 1330 he had received a call from a male who stated he was a police officer. This male knew the victims surname without being told and identified him self as DC Metcalf. This male stated to the victim that he was taking part in some form of operation to trap local criminals in the area and needed £4000 to do this.
The victim agreed to give the male the money but stated he would have to withdraw it from the bank. The male then told the victim that he could not tell anybody about this as it was secret. The male stated that one of his colleagues would come round later to the victim’s home address to collect the money. The victim was then given a reference number by the male which was 224498 and told that his colleague would give the victim this number to prove he was from the police.
Between 1330 and 1500 hours the victim has gone to Lloyds TSB in Orpington High Street to withdraw the £4000. The victim stated that he withdrew the money from his current account and was not challenged by bank staff as to why he was withdrawing so much money. The money was handed to the victim in a brown envelope.
At 1500 hours the victim had returned home from the bank and was alerted to a knocking at the front door. On answering the door stood a male (SUS 1) who was described as in his 30’s, F600 tall, olive skin, dark brown hair, with stubble and wearing a form of grey tracksuit with trainers. SUS1 showed the victim a piece of paper with the same reference number given by the male on the phone. The victim believed at this stage SUS1 was a police officer because of the reference number. No other identification was shown to the victim. The victim stated that SUS1 took two steps back from the door and appeared agitated.
The victim has then gone to hand SUS1 the brown envelope containing the £4000 in cash to which SUS1 has insisted it be put in a plastic bag instead. The victim has then gone to look for a plastic bag which has apparently made SUS1 agitated. The money was then placed in a plastic Wilson bag and handed over to SUS1. SUS1 has then left.
Following the South London Healthcare Trust (SLHT) being put into administration, the Trust Special Administrator’s has recommended the merger of Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woolwich (operated by SLHT) and Lewisham Healthcare NHS Trust (not operated by SHLT). This will see Lewisham Hospital cease to have an A&E. As Lewisham A&E is the closest for many Beckenham residents you may wish to support the Save Lewisham A&E Campaign.
There are currently 2 petitions doing the rounds.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/lewisham-hospital/
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/41027
Following the South London Health Care Trust being put into administration a report has been published that recommends the NHS Trust terminates it lease at the Beckenham Beacon. A public consultation on these recommendations is now open until the 13th December (respond to the consultation: www.tsa.nhs.uk/tell-us-what-you-think).
Extract from the report: “Beckenham Beacon: The Trust currently only provides outpatient and diagnostics services from the site, but in doing so occupies around 45% of the total space. This makes the space very poorly utilised and comes at a cost of over £1.7m a year. By improving the utilisation of the space and services within Princess Royal University Hospital, the Trust will be able to provide the services considerably more efficiently from there. Discussions have therefore started with Bromley CCG on ending the lease, which will reduce the Trust’s spend by £1.7m per year.
As part of these discussions, the CCG will be considering how it can most effectively use Beckenham Beacon to support the delivery of its communitybased care strategy. This may include the provision of some planned care, outpatients and diagnostics from the site. The CCG is also exploring opportunities to maximise the utilisation of the building for health and social care provision, which could include moving other local primary care and community services in as well.”
Bromley CCG refers to the NHS Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group which becomes a statutory body in 1 April 2013. Until then Bromley CCG will operate under the aegis of Bromley Primary Care Trust (PCT) which remains the statutory organisation for the commissioning of health services in Bromley until 31 March 2013.
What residents what to know is:
Our Association will champion the Beacon and strive to find these answers. We have a public meeting on Weds 7 November 8pm at the Beckenham Public Halls, please come along and raise your concerns with our Councillors and our London Assembly Member. This consultation on health provision in our town, borough and South East London more widely is significant to us all.
Useful links
Respond to the consultation: www.tsa.nhs.uk/tell-us-what-you-think
Summary of the TSA’s recommendations:www.tsa.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/Summary%20of%20TSA%20recommendations.pdf
Full draft report: www.tsa.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/TSA-DRAFT-REPORT-WEB.pdf
The South London Healthcare Trust (SLHT) was put into administration in July after being declared bust. The SLHT operates out of three main sites Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough near Orpington, Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich and Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup. It also operates two smaller satellite sites, the Beckenham Beacon and Orpington Hospital.
The Trust Special Administrator’s draft report into the future of South London Healthcare NHS Trust and services in South East London has now been published. The key areas affecting Beckenham are:
Lewisham Hospital has the closest A&E for many Beckenham residents. If the Minor Injury Unit at the Beacon is also closed the Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough will be the closest hospital for urgent care. It is also recommended Orpington Hospital be sold off.
A summary of the recommendations can be found below. A public consultation on these recommendations is now open until the 13th December. Respond to the consultation: www.tsa.nhs.uk/tell-us-what-you-think
Draft recommendations
The draft recommendations put forward in the TSA’s report propose a response to the long-standing issues at South London Healthcare NHS Trust (and its predecessor Trusts) and the sustainability challenges that are forecast to be facing the wider south east London system in the future. The recommendations are set in the context of the need to move towards a model of healthcare that ensures continued improvement in life expectancy and quality of life while addressing the challenges of an ageing population, the growth in the number of people with long term conditions and constrained levels of funding to the NHS. Only through a response to all of these dimensions can safe, high quality, affordable health services be secured for the population of south east London in a sustainable way.
The scale of change required both in the Trust and across the wider health economy is significant and cannot be delivered instantly. A three-year transformation programme is recommended. Through this, the NHS in south east London will be able to deliver services within the resources available by the end of the financial year 2015/16. At this
point of the UPR process, it is proposed that the transformation programme has six elements to it:
1. The operational efficiency of the hospitals that make up South London Healthcare NHS Trust needs to improve so that the Trust’s costs are in line with strong performing NHS organisations.
2. Queen Mary’s Hospital Sidcup should be developed into a Bexley Health Campus providing a range of services to the local population, including day case elective surgery, endoscopy and radiotherapy. The facility should be owned by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and services should be provided by a range of organisations.
3. Vacant and poorly utilised premises should be exited (leases) or sold (freeholds). The NHS should engage with the local authorities in Bromley and Bexley in the 2 process of selling surplus estate to ensure its future use maximises regeneration opportunities. [This includes the NHS pulling out of the Beckenham Beacon by terminating their lease, and selling off Orpington Hospital.]
4. On an annual basis until the relevant contracts end, the Department of Health should provide additional funds to the local NHS to cover the excess costs of the PFI buildings at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Royal University Hospital.
5. In line with commissioner intentions to improve the quality of care for the local population, there should be a transformation in the way services are provided in south east London. Specifically, changes are recommended in relation to community-based care and emergency, maternity and elective services:
6. In order to deliver this transformation programme, South London Healthcare NHS Trust should be dissolved and other organisations should take over the management and delivery of the NHS services it currently provides. In addition to the proposals for Queen Mary’s Hospital Sidcup outlined above:
Useful links
Respond to the consultation: www.tsa.nhs.uk/tell-us-what-you-think
Summary of the TSA’s recommendations: www.tsa.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/Summary%20of%20TSA%20recommendations.pdf
Full draft report: www.tsa.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/TSA-DRAFT-REPORT-WEB.pdf
Carey’s Aunt and Enid’s Nephew
The Blytons’ Dynasty in Beckenham 1897 to 1962
An exhibition in Bromley Library 3rd November to 30th December 2012
Our Association is holding a joint open meeting with the West Beckenham Residents’ Association. Between our associations we cover the whole of Beckenham and so have invited a panel of councillors from every ward to take your questions. James Cleverly our London Assembly Member will also be on the panel.
Clock House Ward • Copers Cope Ward • Kelsey and Eden Park Ward • Penge and Cator Ward
Come along and direct your concerns to the panel, we expect to cover the following issues:
Join us from 7.45pm, at the Beckenham Public Halls, Bromley Road, Beckenham. Wine and nibbles will be served after the meeting,
We look forward to seeing you there.
Police in Bromley are warning members of the public not to hand over money to men claiming to be detectives involved in a Bromley-led operation to tackle local criminals.Residents in Bromley have reported being approached by suspects posing as detectives and asking for money.
Officers in Orpington have recorded two incidents in the past week where members of the public have received calls from bogus detectives.
This is how the scam is carried out; a bogus detective rings the victim to explain that they are conducting an operation to trap local criminals and need money and assistance from members of the public in order to carry out their investigation. They appear to know the surname of the person they are contacting, which may make the call more credible. The caller also explains that the money provided will be marked with a special dye, as part of the bogus police operation.
Victims have been asked to provide large amounts of cash which is subsequently collected from their home address by another bogus police officer. The victims are even given a code or reference number. The fake police officer, who later collects the money from the victim’s address, will quote the reference number when he collects the cash, simply to make the scam look more believable.
Victims are also told that their money is being safely stored at Orpington Police Station.
In one case, one of the victims was also showed a fake ID similar to an officer’s warrant card.
One of the suspects is described as in his thirties, approximately 6’ tall, olive skin, dark brown hair, with stubble and wearing a grey tracksuit with trainers. A second suspect has simply been described as a black man.
Both incidents have taken place in Orpington and so far two victims have handed over a total of £12,000.
Bromley CID are investigating.
Chief Inspector Katrina Smith from police in Bromley said:
“We don’t ask members of the public to provide us with money in order to assist with our investigations. Please be extra vigilant and do not hand any money to anyone; it does not matter if they say they are from the police or if they say that they are working with detectives. Do not hand over any cash”.
She added; “It appears that the scammers are targeting elderly people and pensioners. If you have an elderly relative or friend, please make them aware of this scam and ensure that they do not hand over any cash to strangers under any circumstances.”
Anyone with information should contact DC James Coldham, Bromley CID on 020 8284 8783 or 020 8284 8785. Anyone with information who wishes to remain anonymous should ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Our Town Centre Manager has organised the giant poppies that adorn the tree at Thornton’s Corner (junction of Kelsey Park Road, Manor Road and High Street). They serve as a reminder of this year’s Remembrance Day parade & wreath laying ceremony, at the Beckenham War Memorial on Sunday the 11th of November. The parade begins at 10.15 am in St. Georges Road and proceeds to the War Memorial to observe the two minutes silence at 11.00 am. Our association is proud to be attending the parade and laying a wreath.
Check out the latest edition of Safer Bromley News – the online update from the Safer Bromley Partnership.
Check out the latest Bromley Council Update
Local author Linda MacDonald of Beckenham will be signing copies of her new novel, ‘A Meeting of a Different Kind’ at our local independent bookshop.
More information about the novel can be found at this link.
Date: Thursday 29 November 2012
Time 7pm
Venue Bromley Football Club, Hayes Lane, Bromley BR2 9EF
This meeting will provide you with the opportunity to hear and question the relevant authorities (Police, Fire, Ambulance, Health, Council) as to how their services coped during and post the Olympic period. We have asked them to provide us with a report which will be circulated to you beforehand to ensure you have time to discuss within your groups and to notify us of any questions in advance.
Everyone is welcome to attend, but to ensure seats it would be appreciated if you could RSVP to:
Amanda Evans, Operations Manager
amanda.evans@bcef.org.uk http://www.bcef.org.uk
Check out the Police’s October newsletter update.
The garden is a space for users to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life in a corner of the park that has been transformed to stimulate all five senses – sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. It includes features, designed to attract wildlife and create sound including bird baths and feeders, as well as textured floors and raised beds.
The garden has been created for the entire community and includes seating areas, a disability ramp, a wheelchair friendly picnic bench and wheelchair accessible footpaths. A trip to the garden will enhance the physical and emotional well-being of all visitors and residents with a disability, such as dementia or a visual impairment, will be able to enjoy nature in a safe and tactile environment.
Check out the newsletter below.
A planning application submitted to extend the car park at New Beckenham Station will be welcome news for rail users. The additional car parking will be located on the wasteland between the railway line and the gardens at the Lennard Rd end of Kings Hall Rd. The plans are for permeable concrete and that most of the existing trees will remain.
Sainsbury’s is taking part in the second-annual ‘Million Meal Appeal’ on 6th and 7th October 2012.
Residents can join in to help tackle food poverty this October by taking part in a nationwide
food-drive run by Sainsbury’s and FareShare, the national charity tackling hunger across the UK.
Last year’s ‘Million Meal Appeal’, was a huge success and Beckenham residents’ contribution was significant, with enough food collected at the Beckenham Store to send 2000 meals to charities across the UK. Can we beat that total this year?
Copers Cope Area Residents' Association (CCARA) & West Beckenham Residents' Association (WBRA) 