Camden magazine December 2015/January 2016

Your guide to council services | Dec/Jan 2016

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Frozen? Camden is ready @camdentalking

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Inside

6-7 The Camden magazine is distributed free to all homes in Camden to give you information about our services.

It is printed on paper that is 50% recycled and 50% from sustainable sources.

Digital edition Go to camden.gov.uk/ camden to find out how to access our digital magazine 2 | Camden | Dec 2015/Jan 2016

New Year, new you

Website: camden.gov.uk Email: camdenmagazine@camden.gov.uk Twitter: @camdentalking Communications team Camden Council Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, WC1H 9JE

Distribution from 7 December 2015 Published by Camden Council Editorial, advertising and distribution: 020 7974 5717 Costs 15 pence a copy to produce.

Cover image: Luke O’Reilly

You can receive your copy of the Camden magazine in large print, on audio tape or in another language by phoning 020 7974 5717.

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8-10

News in brief Open data Applying for primary school Parking bay sensors trial Crossrail 2 Netley opening Looked after children awards Our new e-newsletter Remember to register to vote Top of the class in geography

18

15

Feature Keeping our trees tremendous

16-17 Feature

Latest news from our schools

19-22

Special feature Get wise for winter

31

25

Feature Solutions to the housing crisis

28-29 Feature

Latest financial challenge news

HS2: Select Committee visit Camden

32

Advertisement Christmas and New Year opening times 3

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Christmas tree recycling If you have a ‘real’ Christmas tree, there are many points across the borough for you to recycle it after Christmas. You can take your tree to be composted at the following centres, which will be open between 4 January and 14 January:

❍ Boma Garden Centre – NW5 2DJ ❍ Brunswick Square Gardens – WC1N 1AR ❍ Calthorpe Project - WC1X 8LH ❍ Camden Garden Centre – NW1 0JW ❍ Camden Gardens – NW1 9PQ ❍ Chalcot Square Gardens – NW1 8YA ❍ Cumberland Market Gardens – NW1 3RH ❍ East Heath Road Car Park – NW3 1BN ❍ E ton Avenue – NW3 3EL ❍ ❍ ❍

(junction with Lancaster Grove) Fortune Green Road Open Space – NW6 1DS Goldington Crescent Gardens – NW1 1UA Harrington Square Gardens – NW1 2JJ

4 | Camden | Dec 2015/Jan 2016

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Highgate Road Jack Straw’s Castle Car Park – NW3 7ES Kilburn Grange Park – NW6 4LB Millfield Lane – N6 6JD Netherhall Gardens – NW3 5RN Purchese Street Open Space – NW1 1EL R egis Road recycling & reuse centre – NW5 3EW Russell Square – WC1B 4JP Talacre Road Open Space – NW5 3PH

Find more information about recycling and staying smart this winter at camden.gov.uk/winter

Welcome

to the December/January edition of the Camden magazine

T

he end of the year is always a reflective time, but it’s not a quiet one for the Council and this month marks a crucial point for some of the biggest challenges facing our borough.

watch the video

Councillor Sarah Hayward Leader of the Council

As I write we have just heard the Government’s Spending Review announcement which again sees significant cuts to funding for local government services. We worked incredibly hard to save over £90million and last year identified a further £75million of savings proposals which we are currently delivering but this situation now severely threatens our ability to carry on protecting front-line services. You can read more about this on pages 28 and 29.

The Spending Review is not the only threat to our services.

The Government’s Housing and Planning Bill is currently going through Parliament. London is facing an unprecedented housing crisis and we are deeply concerned that the proposals in this Bill are likely to make it worse, with Camden residents some of the worst affected in the UK. All tenures of housing will be affected; it will reduce the availability of genuinely affordable homes, drive up rents, reduce our ability to build new homes and damage the sustainability of London’s socially mixed communities and its

economy. We recently passed a Full Council motion to oppose this Bill and are raising our concerns with Government through every means available – you can read about some of the potentially devastating impacts of these policies on residents on page 25.

We are also busy preparing for our appearance before the Select Committee on HS2 to give evidence about the impacts on Camden. We are committed to securing the best deal for Camden and protecting residents and business from the impact of over a decade of construction, there’s more information about this on page 31.

We will certainly need the Christmas break after all that and I hope you have a chance to relax.

Many Council staff will be busy over the festive season making sure that the borough keeps running, including our front cover stars who will be out gritting our streets to keep us safe. There is a whole range of advice and helpful hints in this month’s magazine about how to keep you, your family and your home safe over the festive period and even some ideas on page 6-7 about New Year’s resolutions.

I wish you all a happy Christmas and New Year.

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News in focus

New beginnings January goes hand-in-hand with health kicks, limiting excess and trying new things. We’ve rounded up 10 of the best New Year’s resolutions to help you get the most out of 2016.

1. Get online

2. Volunteer

We can provide hands-on support to help you use computers and get online – making it easier for you to access council services online with a Camden Account, search for jobs, stay in touch with friends and family, find out about local events and much more.

Why not give up some of your spare time to support the people and causes that matter to you?

There are hundreds of local opportunities to choose from.

Pop along to one of the sessions below or visit camden.gov.uk/ adultlearning to find out more.

Queen’s Crescent Library, NW5 4HH Fridays, 11am to 1pm Kentish Town Library, NW5 2AA Tuesdays 2 to 5pm and Fridays 10am to 5pm Margarete Centre, NW1 2LS Wednesdays 2 to 4pm Pancras Square Library, N1C 4AG Wednesdays 10am to 1pm

6 | Camden | Dec 2015/Jan 2016

Talk to someone at Volunteer Centre Camden on 020 7424 9990 or visit volunteercentrecamden. org.uk to find out more.

3. Have a health check If you’re aged 40 to 74 (or 30 to 74 if you’re of South Asian origin) start 2016 with a free NHS Health Check. It’s free, simple and takes as little as 20 minutes – and can lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes. Book a check at your GP surgery or local pharmacy. You can also get a check from our mobile health van.

Visit healthycamden.com/ healthchecks to find out more.

4. Discover more of your borough From museums and libraries to markets and parks – there’s plenty on offer to keep you entertained right on your doorstep.

Visit lovecamden.org to find out more about local events and activities near you.

5. Get active There are lots of ways to get active in Camden. Try out the fantastic facilities at our leisure centres, with a range of membership options, including many concessions.

Over 60s can swim for free on weekdays from 7am to 12pm, and kids can swim for as little as £1 You can find lots more free and low cost community activities on our website, such as health walks, outdoor gyms, and physical activity and sport sessions.

Visit camden.gov.uk/active to find out more.

6. Kick the habit Tight on cash after buying all those Christmas presents? Quitting smoking can save you money as well as reducing your chances of chest infections, asthma and lung cancer.

With help from Smokefreelife Camden you’re four times more likely to quit for good. Offering

News in focus

Get active

free expert advice, one-to-one and group support, a personal quit plan and a range of tools and treatments to help you beat the cravings – there’s never been a better time to kick the habit.

Visit smokefreelifecamden.co.uk or call 0800 1070 401 / 020 7317 3861.

7. Sing out loud There are loads of music groups and choirs across the whole musical spectrum looking for people like you to join them. For a list of choral and classical choirs, therapeutic and culturally diverse groups in Camden, visit camden. gov.uk/choirs

8. Shape up Get inspired in the new year with Shape Up, a free group weight management programme to

Get online

support you to achieve your goals with advice on exercise, healthy eating and keeping going. Sessions start in January across the borough.

Find out more at camden.gov.uk/shapeup

9. Find a new job Looking for a new job? A range of information and advice is available – from help with your CV and interview tips to ideas of how to build up your experience through volunteering and work placements.

A range of local apprenticeships are also available for 16 to 24-yearolds in everything from retail and catering to construction and mechanics.

Visit camden.gov.uk/ jobsandskills to find out more.

10. Cut down your drinking Lots of us enjoy a drink from time to time, but regularly drinking too much alcohol can lead to serious health problems such as chronic liver disease.

Kick start a new approach to alcohol consumption by taking part in Dry January - a national challenge to banish booze for 31 days. Find out more at dryjanuary.org.uk If you are concerned about your own drinking, or someone close to you, we can help. For free advice and support visit icascamden. org.uk or call 0300 303 2420 (24-hour Freephone).

Find out more camden.gov.uk/health 020 7974 4444 7

News in brief

Got a question about Camden?

Open Data could have the answer Apply for a primary school We hold a huge amount of data about the borough as part of the range of services we provide to residents and businesses. Some of this data is useful or interesting to residents but it has not always been available or easy to access on our website.

Our new dedicated website to find information about the borough, Open Data Camden, is changing this. It provides accurate, up to date data in a range of formats.

You’ll find data tables, maps and graphs on the site covering services such as planning, parking and licensing and council spending. We are adding new data all the time.

Find out more opendata.camden.gov.uk

8 | Camden | Dec 2015/Jan 2016

place before 15 January

Parents whose children are starting reception classes in Camden primary schools in September 2016 need to apply by 15 January.

You can apply online at eadmissions.org.uk and name up to six primary schools in your preferences.

A higher percentage of children an amazing 96.1% - attend good or outstanding primary schools in Camden than almost anywhere else in the country, according to Ofsted.

Primary pupils in Camden also perform consistently above the national average in test results for 11 year-olds. In 2015 provisional results show that 86% of pupils achieved the required level in reading, writing and maths in Camden, compared with 80% nationally.

Our annual guide for parents, Starting School in Camden 2016, is out now.

Find out more camden.gov.uk/admissions

News in brief Find a parking space on your mobile We are trialling the use of parking bay sensors, to help drivers find available paid for parking and shared use spaces.

You will be able to view availability of approximately 170 parking spaces across the borough on your mobile phone by installing the free RingGo app, available via our website.

Parking spaces which are part of the trial are at Caversham Road, Charlotte Street, Fortess Road, Gaisford Street, Grangeway, Greenland Road, Islip Street, Mornington Crescent, Percy Street and Plender Street.

As well as making finding and paying for a space easier and quicker, the trial will help to reduce CO2 and NOx emissions by reducing the number of vehicles driving around looking for spaces.

Residents who already use pay by phone cashless parking will be signed up to RingGo and able to view this information.

Cashless parking is a quick and secure way to pay for parking.

Instead of putting money in a payment machine, you can use your mobile phone to pay and top up by call, text or using the app.

Find out more camden.gov.uk/baysensors camden.gov.uk/myringgo

two new Crossrail 2 stations in Camden, at Euston-St Pancras and at Tottenham Court Road.

We support Crossrail 2 in principle because of the transport benefits that if offers to residents. However, we are deeply disappointed that the expanded construction zone now proposed follows the Government’s and Network Rail’s failure to commit to redeveloping the current Euston Station as part of plans for a terminus for High Speed 2.

Consultation on Crossrail 2 Crossrail 2 (previously known as the Chelsea-Hackney line) is a proposed new rail line that would connect the north east of London with the south west.

Our concerns over the future of Euston and Somers Town have

intensified after Crossrail 2 plans now show that around 130 homes and 17 businesses may be directly affected by its construction.

TfL is currently holding a public consultation on proposals for the scheme which would include

You can view details of the proposals and take part in TfL’s consultation until Friday 8 January 2016. Visit crossrail2.co.uk or call 0343 222 0055.

Find out more crossrail2.co.uk camden.gov.uk

9

News in brief

Roaring successes of children in care Children and young people who are looked after by the Council were at London Zoo to have their personal and school achievements or progress officially recognised at an awards ceremony.

Before visiting the lions, tigers and other animals at the zoo, the children were presented with Achievement Awards by senior Council officers and councillors.

The Mayor, Councillor Larraine Revah, also attended to meet young people, praise their successes and thank the foster carers and Council staff who support them.

Among the other guests at the event was Camden’s longestserving foster carer, John Doneo, who has been caring for the borough’s looked-after children for more than 50 years, Camden’s Cabinet Member for Children, Councillor Angela Mason CBE, and Camden’s Director of Children, Schools and Families, Martin Pratt.

Find out more c amden.gov.uk/fostering fostering@camden.gov.uk 0800 0281436

Celebrations for a brand new school at Netley An exhibition on sustainable development by the children of the Netley education campus marked the official opening of Camden’s Netley development.

The Netley development in Regent’s Park is part of the Community Investment Programme (CIP), a 15 year plan to invest money in schools, homes and community facilities. Through CIP Camden has delivered a new school and new homes, including

10 | Camden | Dec 2015/Jan 2016

the first council rented homes built in nearly two decades.

The development includes a brand new school building, a purpose built area for Robson House the Primary Learning Support Service, new facilities for the Adult Community Learning Service, along with a mix of private and social rented homes.

As part of the opening day exhibition, parents and residents

got the opportunity to view artwork by talented schoolchildren from Netley Campus. There were also tours of the new new areas and musical performances.

Find out more c amden.gov.uk/netley c amden.gov.uk/cip

News in focus

Have you checked the list twice?

Keep in touch with news from the Council Keep up to date with what’s going on in Camden with our new email updates.

You can choose which topics you would like to receive information on, whether it’s housing, recycling or leisure.

Christmas is now just around the corner and the festive tunes have already been playing in the shops for weeks.

But did you know you can register to vote faster than you can sing ‘I wish it could be Christmas’?

If you visit gov.uk/register-tovote you can register in three minutes, whereas blasting out a full-length version of the classic Wizzard track would take you four minutes 48 seconds.

With elections for the Mayor of London and the London Assembly taking place next year, now is a great time to take a few minutes out of the yuletide hullaballoo to make sure you

can have your say in May. And with 44% of people who aren’t registered to vote incorrectly believing that they are, it’s important to double check.

Find out more electoral.services@camden.gov.uk 020 7974 6000 gov.uk/register-to-vote

You can also sign up to receive our key monthly newsletter which is full of important information and ways to have your say.

You can also keep in contact with the Council on our social media channels: • facebook: facebook.com/lbcamden • Twitter: @camdentalking • Instagram: instagram.com/camdentalking • Youtube: youtube.com/camdencouncil For a full list visit camden.gov.uk/ socialmedia

Find out more camden.gov.uk/enewsletter

11

Feature into carrying out sexual acts via web-cam.

Camden Parent Council has already helped raise awareness by running a drama workshop for parents and a high-profile poster campaign on buses and tube station platforms. Ofsted inspectors have praised their work in a national report on child sexual exploitation.

Parents’ film warns families of child sexual exploitation risks

Parent Council members also voiced the characters in the short film as part of a campaign, supported by Camden Council, to prevent child sexual exploitation.

Parents have scripted, edited and produced a short animated film warning families of the dangers of child sexual exploitation.

Child sexual exploitation can take many forms:

The film, What All Parents Should Know, tells the story of a teenage girl in an unhealthy relationship with a boy at her school who has older friends.

• ‘Peer on peer’ abuse by another young person with whom they have a relationship and who then coerces them into sexual activity with their ‘friends’.

• Inappropriate relationships, where a young person is targeted by an older abuser who exploits them by using power and control.

• Organised networks and trafficking by ‘rings’ and other criminal networks.

Parent Council

12 | Camden | Dec 2015/Jan 2016

• Online exploitation, where the young person shares sexual images or videos or is coerced

Councillor Angela Mason CBE, Cabinet Member for Children, said: “The Parent Council has done some wonderful work to keep Camden parents well-informed about how to spot the signs of child sexual exploitation.”

What All Parents Should Know was launched at an event attended by senior staff from the Council, Camden Safeguarding Children Board, the NSPCC and Barnardo’s, as well as the parents who worked on the film, Councillor Mason and the Mayor of Camden, Councillor Larraine Revah.

Find out more report your concerns Visit camden.gov.uk/ sexualexploitation Call the Police on 101, quoting ‘Camden Makesafe’ to report concerns, or on 999 if a child or young person is in danger.

You can also report your concerns to the Council on 020 7974 3317 (out of hours: 020 7974 4444).

Feature

Give us your views on spending money locally investment. However, the other 25% can be spent locally and residents can suggest how this ‘local’ CIL should be spent.

Ward councillors will be providing the Council with priorities in January, and will need to take into account the views of local neighbourhood forums where these exist.

Councillor Phil Jones, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning

Ward councillors are currently asking Camden residents how we should spend the ‘local’ portion of the money that we get from the community infrastructure levy (CIL).

CIL is a charge that collects funds from new developments, and pays for infrastructure to support growth in Camden. We started charging the levy in April 2015, and at the same time started reducing some requirements for payments from Section 106 agreements where infrastructure will now be funded

by CIL.

CIL is used to pay for wider infrastructure projects in areas such as: • r oads and transport • schools and education • medical and community facilities • s port, recreation and open spaces.

In Camden, 75% of CIL money – minus an administration charge – is allocated for strategic infrastructure projects anywhere in the borough.

For the next few years our priorities for CIL are schools and transport

Councillor Phil Jones, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning said: “We have set up a locally led system for deciding how local CIL money is spent in Camden. If you can think of an infrastructure project in the ward where you live that would support growth and benefit the whole community, please tell your ward councillors.”

If you don’t know which ward you live in or who your councillors are, please visit camden.gov.uk/ councillors to find out.

Find out more c amden.gov.uk/cil

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Feature

Camden cleans up Our officers were out in force again in October to help tackle residential fly-tipping and littering as part of our Clean Camden campaign.

Recycling electrical goods If your toaster, fridge or TV has stopped working you can recycle them easily in Camden. You can recycle most old electrical items by dropping them off at the Regis Road recycling centre, using one of our on street small electrical recycling bins, or if it’s a larger item you can book a free collection through 123recycleforfree.com

Did you know?

watch the video Over a two week period our environmental education and enforcement team took action in 150 cases of residential and business waste fly-tipping.

The team focussed on the problems caused by fly-tipping, rubbish being left out outside collection times and days and dog fouling, with patrols taking place at 48 residential fly-tipping hotspots and 12 dog fouling hotspots.

The patrols resulted in 85 education letters being sent to residents for fly tipping and 65 sent for business waste offences. Fixed penalty

14 | Camden | Dec 2015/Jan 2016

notices were also issued for littering during the two week period.

Our Clean Camden campaign was launched in November 2013 and is proving successful in tackling littering, fly tipping and dog fouling issues and is reducing the impact of these across Camden.

Thank you to everyone who is reporting issues to us. Please continue to let us know about littering, fly-tipping or dog fouling in your area, using our online reporting for or by calling 020 7974 4444.

• Dropping litter, a cigarette butt or letting your dog foul and not clearing it up could result in a fine of £80.

• Putting rubbish out when it’s not refuse collection day is flytipping – please remember to check your dates.

• There are over 1,200 litter bins in Camden to put dog poo in.

• Since the start of the year we’ve issued over 300 fixed penalty notices and over 1200 legal notices to tackle fly-tipping and littering.

Find out more camden.gov.uk/cleancamden

Feature Some of the many trees in our borough

Tree-mendous maintenance programme We know that trees are important to residents, so we take care of them to make sure everyone can continue to enjoy them.

tree database, mainly in two and three-year cycles, to ensure public safety and a healthy tree stock.

This includes trees in the street, parks and open spaces, school sites, housing estate communal areas and tenants’ individual gardens.

The 29,000 council-owned trees in Camden help give a sense of place, and can have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing. We have the 16th highest canopy cover in England and Wales with over 30 per cent of our urban landscape covered by leafy trees, which brings many environmental benefits, including improving air quality, and offering a habitat to wildlife.

When we call in special branch

No trees get leafed out We carry out inspections and maintenance with help from our

Our pollarding programme runs from September to March. We have a large number of trees to maintain so even though there may be early or late seasonal changes in leaf-fall our trees normally recover from pollarding by mid-summer. We’ve recently increased pollarding during winter to decrease the risk of tree-related subsidence. This is necessary to prevent damage to adjacent buildings, and can save residents from having to make costly insurance claims.

Rooting out problems We have to remove trees that are dying, diseased or pose a safety risk but we plant at least 400 trees every year to replace them and where possible seek external funding to be able to plant even more. We can’t always replace a tree in the same location because of underground utilities and obstructions, but will always try to replant nearby. We also aim to increase diversity in species and age across our trees, so that we provide the best possible habitat for wildlife.

Find out more camden.gov.uk/trees

15

Camden schools get top marks for geography

Two Camden schools, a primary and a secondary school, have received national awards for excellence in geography.

Argyle Primary School has scooped the silver primary award and Hampstead School the secondary award in the Geographical Association’s 2015 Quality Marks for high quality teaching and learning in the subject.

The Primary Geography Quality Mark aims to raise the quality of geography in primary schools.

Silver award schools such as Argyle “lead effective approaches that support excellence in geography”, according to the Geographical Association.

Among the initiatives at Argyle to encourage a love of geography were a recent field trip to a village in the Peak District National Park, 16 | Camden | Dec 2015/Jan 2016

Argyle pupils on their geography field trip

in Derbyshire, and a ‘pop-up travel shop’ at the school, featuring artefacts from countries around the world as well as artwork and booklets by the children.

Jemima Wade, headteacher of Argyle Primary School, in King’s Cross, said: “We are delighted that our work in geography has been recognised. We want our children to observe and appreciate the environment they live in as well as being fascinated by the wider world. We hope that by inspiring a love of geography we will empower our children to take action to protect our world.”

Hampstead School was awarded the Secondary Geography Quality Mark by the Geographical

Association in recognition of excellence in teaching and learning in geography.

Jacques Szemalikowski, headteacher of Hampstead School, said: “This is recognition of the importance and excellence of geography at Hampstead School.

We are delighted to receive this award, which reflects our commitment to the subject right from Year 7 through to A-level.”

Find out more camden.gov.uk/schools geography.org.uk

The Hive creates a buzz

Young workers and youth board members at The Hive.

for local young people A new youth base for Camden called The Hive has opened in Swiss Cottage.

The Hive aims to be a safe and welcoming place for young people aged 16 to 24, who may be caught in the gap between children’s and adults’ services.

Axis, a new borough-wide health and wellbeing service for the same age group, is based at The Hive and will employ a team of young adults trained to help other young people in many areas of their life including education, employment, housing, social care, health and wellbeing.

The Hive will also be a place for young people to relax, study, meet new people and to get information about local services. There will be spaces for e-learning and personal study, as well as a social enterprise where young people can get experience to help build their CVs. The Hive and Axis is managed by social business Catch22, in

partnership with local specialist organisations, while the new base and service has been jointly commissioned by Camden Council and the NHS Camden Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) but is funded by the CCG. A Young People’s Board has been helping to lead the design and delivery at every stage, including choosing The Hive as the name of the youth base. Members of the board received recognition for their efforts at a recent ‘graduation’ celebration at the new building in Finchley Road.

Councillor Georgia Gould, Camden Council’s Cabinet Member for Young People, said: “This is a bold new way of working with providers and young people to create support which is responsive, accessible and designed with young people in mind.”

Dr Martin Abbas, lead for children on Camden CCG’s governing body, said: “We are really excited about launching this important and ground-breaking new service with Camden Council and other partners.”

Find out more camden.gov.uk/youth Join the conversation @the_hive_camden

William Ellis students dance at The Place Students from William Ellis School performed the curtain-raiser for a prestigious new show at The Place, in King’s Cross.

The school’s performance, Arrival

of the Soldiers, was part of the first night show of Africarmen, a new contemporary dance version of Carmen by renowned London dance company Tavaziva.

Find out more www.williamellis.camden.sch.uk tavazivadance.com 17

Feature

KNOW You’re Not Alone Camden residents stand together to show their support On Wednesday 25 November we took to the streets of Camden to ask residents to show their support for our latest campaign to tackle domestic violence and abuse – and the outcome was outstanding.

Hundreds of people joined in by being photographed and videoed with a placard showing our important campaign message ‘know you’re not alone’ which was shared widely on social media using the aptly named hashtag #KnowYoureNotAlone.

Famous faces and community figures also showed their support.

Director of Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti, chef Tommy Miah, actress Ann Mitchell, and actor and playwright Arinze Kene joined Borough Commander Penelope Banham and Metropolitan police officers to show their support. The London Fire Brigade also appeared in the campaign alongside the Leader of the Council, Councillor Sarah Hayward, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Councillor Jonathan Simpson and Mayor

18 | Camden | Dec 2015/Jan 2016

watch the video of Camden, Councillor Larraine Revah, as well as many residents and visitors to the borough.

Holborn Mosque and Castlehaven Community Association also got involved, helping us to share our message across their networks and across our different communities.

Know You’re Not Alone is our new campaign to put a stop to domestic violence and abuse within the borough. The campaign launched to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women where, annually, organisations aim to put the spotlight on an issue that will affect one in four women in their lifetime.

Our campaign also recognises that domestic violence and abuse can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race or sexual orientation and it is our aim to ensure anyone experiencing domestic violence and abuse knows where to find help. Thank you for helping us spread the message that there is help and support available.

Whether it be physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial, if you or anyone you know is suffering from domestic abuse of any kind, contact Camden Safety Net to speak with one of our friendly staff for confidential and neutral advice.

Find out more c amden.gov.uk/know camdensafetynet@camden.gov.uk 020 7974 2526 07814 671 427

Stay well this winter The winter months can have a big impact on your health. Stay well this winter with our top tips.

Get the flu jab Anyone can get flu. However some people are more likely to develop complications as a result.

You can get a free flu jab if you are: • aged 65 and older •p regnant (it’s safe at all stages of pregnancy) •a carer (paid and unpaid) •a health professional.

Children aged two, three and four or in school years 1 and 2 can also get a free nasal spray vaccination – it’s quick, painless and effective.

Book an appointment with your GP or visit camden.gov. uk/flujabs for a list of local pharmacies offering the jab.

Stop smoking Smoking lowers your immune system and costs money – so winter is the perfect time to kick the habit.

With help from Smokefreelife Camden, you’re four times more likely to quit – offering free expert advice, one-to-one and group support, a personal quit plan and a range of tools and treatments to help you beat the cravings.

Visit smokefreelifecamden. co.uk, email smokefree. camden@nhs.net or phone 0800 10 70 401 or 020 3317 3861 to find out more.

Push the button Do you worry about an older or disabled friend or relative who lives alone?

For a small weekly charge, Careline Telecare (our community alarm service) can ensure they get help at the touch of a button, 24 hours a day, seven days a week – giving you both peace of mind.

Visit camden.gov.uk/ carelinetelecare, email carelinetelecare@ camden.gov.uk or phone 020 7974 1491 to find out more.

Feature Know the services available to you The NHS provides a range of services to help you get well if you become ill or injured.

Choosing the service that can best treat your symptoms can help you to get faster and better treatment – and also reduces pressure on services like A&E so they can help people who need it most.

Visit the NHS Choices website at nhs.uk to find the right service for you.

Get active Don’t use the cooler winter months as an excuse to stay indoors at home – why not get out and about and try a new activity?

Regular exercise not only helps to control your weight, but also boosts your immune system and your mood.

From a walk in a local park, a visit to your local leisure centre or an hour or so at an outdoor gym, to taking part in a community physical activity class or gardening your way to fitness at a Green Gym – there are tonnes of different ways to get active in the borough.

Find out more c amden.gov.uk/activehealth

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watch the video

Recycling is snow easy to do Stay smart this winter by remembering to reduce, reuse and recycle all of your winter waste.

Over the winter period most homes have more waste – over Christmas alone we generate around 30% more and most of this can be recycled.

Christmas cards, wine bottles, glass jars and lids, plastic bottles, tubs, pots and trays, tin foil, tins and cans and drinks cartons can all be recycled.

You can also recycle old wrapping paper – or save it to be reused next year. However not all wrapping paper is suitable for recycling. A good way to check that it’s recyclable is to scrunch it up – if it stays scrunched it can be recycled, if it unfolds please put it in your rubbish. Remember – if in doubt, keep it out.

Did you know? Crisp packets, bubble wrap and polystyrene cannot be recycled and should go in with your general waste.

20 | Camden | Dec 2015/Jan 2016

As well as recycling you can reuse many of the things that we often throw away. If the kids start to get bored with what Santa has brought, why not get crafty and turn your old boxes into a fort or make robots using boxes, bottle tops and foil?

Unwanted Christmas presents?

Instead of throwing them away take them to a charity shop or use Freecycle to allow someone else to make use of them.

Each tonne of waste you recycle saves £50 compared to waste disposal. By recycling you help us to save money so that it can be spent on other important areas.

Food leftovers Over the festive period food waste increases by up to 80% compared to the rest of the year.

In the UK we buy around 10 million turkeys, 370 million mince pies, 25 million Christmas puddings, sip 250 million pints of beer and open 35 million bottles of wine. Much of this will go to waste.

Please use your food caddy for all of your cooked and uncooked food waste – from scraps and peelings to leftovers and out-ofdate items.

You can also find excellent recipes at lovefoodhatewaste. com to turn your leftovers into delicious winter meals.

Recycling electrical goods Have you recently got an upgrade on an old electrical product? Has your toaster, fridge or TV stopped working? You can recycle them easily in Camden.

Winter weather safety tips Snow and ice is likely to affect us all at some point over the winter. Be prepared and stay safe with our top five winter weather tips:

watch the video

1. In icy conditions wear multiple layers of clothes, as well as suitable shoes with good grip to prevent slips and falls.

You can recycle most old electrical items by dropping them off at the Regis Road recycling centre, using one of our on-street small electrical recycling bins, or if it’s a larger item you can book a free collection through 123recycleforfree.com

Get smart with the Camden account Have you signed up to our Camden Account yet? It’s the smart way to access our services – including ordering recycling boxes and reporting missed bin collections.

It’s safe and simple to use, and signing up takes less time than making a cup of tea!

Find out more camden.gov.uk/winter

2. Know where your nearest grit bin is in case of snow –

there are over 170 in Camden and if you are a member of a community group you can also get a free shovel to help you clear snow. Please only use the grit on public paths – we have a limited supply. Find yours at camden.gov.uk/ winterweather

3. Road user? Check that your car’s tyres and windscreen

wipers are in good condition, add antifreeze to your engine and check your screenwash. If you’re a cyclist invest in a hi-vis jacket and make sure that your bike has working lights.

4. Winter proof your home – have your boiler serviced,

insulate your home and check that your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working. Call the Green Camden Helpline on 0800 801 738 for more tips and advice.

5. Elderly and less mobile members of the community can be

particularly affected by snow and ice, so check in on them occasionally to make sure they are OK and have everything they need. If you are worried about someone give us a call on 020 7974 4444.

Find out more camden.gov.uk/winter

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Stay safe when going out Most of us will be out and about this winter, getting ready for the festive season and enjoying ourselves. But don’t let your fun be spoiled by crime – follow our top five tips to keep safe and secure this winter:

home at 8pm

When out shopping don’t leave your bags unattended in shops, and keep your purse, wallet and keys out of sight and out of reach.

Plan your route home in advance or book a cab.

Text CAB to 60835 for cab service details or download the Cabwise app.

Be extra careful when using cashpoint machines. Most street crime is opportunist so make sure nobody is hovering nearby and don’t count your money in the middle of the street.

I f you’re going away over the holidays, ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your house. Over Christmas, burglars know that there are presents around your home - keep them out of sight and double lock your front door when you go out.

Heading out for the night? Keep to well-populated and well lit areas and let someone know what time you’ll be home.

22 | Camden | Dec 2015/Jan 2016

Find out more camden.gov.uk/winter

Cabwise

Feature

Reducing empty properties Reducing empty homes is a big priority for us.

Since April 2015 we’ve got 70 homes back in use and we’re aiming to make that 125 by April 2016.

Maria is a Camden resident whom our empty homes team was able to help. She was living in temporary accommodation with her 15 year old son and needed to find a permanent home. Maria said: “I received a phone call from one of the housing advisors who works for the private sector in Camden and he told me that there is a scheme where Camden Council provides people housing through an Empty Homes project.”

We find empty properties around the borough and work with the owners to bring them back into use for families like Maria’s.

When Maria and her son were living in their temporary accommodation she was worried as she thought

Maria has a new home

that they might have to move out of Camden and her son would have to move schools. She said: “Because he’s a 15 year old boy and he goes to secondary school it would be very difficult for us to move outside of the borough, or even east London, or even Barnet.

“First of all I would have to find him a new school which would have the same GCSE subjects that he has chosen, and it would be a very big disruption in his education.”

Moving into a new home After working with us Maria and her son were able to move into their new home. She added: “It took one month for me to be able to view it and I was told it would

be available in a week, so it was exciting. Everything is in very good condition, it is very new. It’s a nice refurbished building. So I think we have been very lucky in this move.”

Report empty properties You can help to bring properties back into use by letting us know at: camden.gov.uk/emptyhomes If you’re a landlord or letting agent with an empty property, and would like to find out how we can help visit camden.gov.uk/ camdenlettings

Find out more c amden.gov.uk/camdenlettings

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Feature

the winners Hundreds of Camden residents entered our Camden50 photography competition, capturing what Camden means to them in the borough’s 50th year.

On Monday 9 November shortlisted entrants and their friends and family gathered at Camden Town Hall to see the competition winners receive their prizes.

There were three categories in the competition, ‘I live in Camden’, ‘Portraits of Camden’, and ‘Past Camden’. A judging panel of artists Elly Clarke and Kate Peters, Councillor Larraine Revah, Mayor of Camden, and Councillor Patricia Callaghan, Camden’s Cabinet Member for Housing, chose three winners in each category.

All fifty shortlisted photos were on display at the event, and the Mayor and Cllr Callaghan presented winners with a framed print of their entry. The overall winner, Anne Clements of Camden Town, was

24 | Camden | Dec 2015/Jan 2016

Overall winner Anne Clements, receiving her framed print

also presented with a framed print of November’s Camden magazine cover, featuring her winning photograph.

Cllr Callaghan said: “It was lovely to meet the photographers behind the excellent images – including lots of Camden tenants and leaseholders.

The evening was a real celebration of Camden people and places.”

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY The competition was run in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery, and winners also saw their entries displayed digitally at the gallery, as well as receiving tickets to the gallery’s Audrey Hepburn: Portraits of an Icon exhibition.

As Camden’s anniversary year draws to close, the competition entries provide an important record of the borough at 50. The winning images will remain on display at the Town Hall until May 2016, and can be viewed by appointment. Please call 020 7974 3265 to arrange a viewing.

See the winning entries To see the 50 shortlisted entries, including the nine winners, visit the Council’s Instagram feed.

Find out more Instagram.com/camdentalking Join the conversation @camdentalking

Feature

Have you heard about Government changes to housing?

There could be big impacts for people in Camden and we need your help.

We recently held a series of events about the Government’s new housing plans and how we’re responding to them.

scheme would be a non-starter in Camden and still be far too expensive for the majority of working families in the borough.

Carolyn

London is facing an unprecedented housing crisis and we’re concerned that the Government’s Housing and Planning Bill, currently going through Parliament will make the situation worse, with Camden residents disproportionately affected.

Community action

to have to move and reduce my working hours to three days a week to avoid being hit by this.

The Government’s plans There are plans to extend the Right to Buy so that residents of housing association properties can buy their homes, which would reduce social housing in Camden significantly.

The proposals would require councils to sell their high value council homes too, which could mean Camden losing 300 homes a year because of the high property values. The Council would have less funds to invest in building replacement housing.

The Government are also putting forward discounts for first-time buyers, known as Starter Homes, but our figures show that this

We held community meetings at Swiss Cottage library and the Camden Centre. Residents found out about the potential impact for them, to hear how we’re responding and to give their views.

Carolyn Gelenter, a teacher and Camden tenant, was at the Swiss Cottage event.

Carolyn will be affected by another one of the Government’s proposals – known as Pay to Stay – which would see higher rents charged to social housing tenants whose total household income is £40,000 or more.

Carolyn has lived in Camden for 25 years and is due to retire. She’s concerned that she won’t be able to afford to stay in her home if the higher rents plan goes ahead.

She said: “I thought that I was going to be living here for the rest of my life and now I’m thinking that I’m going

“If I’d been in this situation a couple of years ago I might have thought about buying somewhere.

I didn’t want to buy my council flat because I think that council housing is brilliant, and it should go back into the community.”

Next steps We’re working with organisations across London on our response and we’ll be including feedback from our community meetings in this. To keep in touch and get involved in our campaign visit camden.gov.uk

Find out more camden.gov.uk/housing housingnews@camden.gov.uk

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Feature

Work is under way at Greenwood Place An exciting programme of work to build a high-quality community resource centre in Kentish Town will be starting soon.

Contractors have now been appointed at Greenwood Place in Kentish Town and works will be starting soon to build a brand new community resource centre. Greenwood Place will be an opportunity for people with dementia, learning disabilities, mental ill health, autism and profound and multiple learning disabilities to access high-quality services that will support them to achieve the outcomes they want for themselves.

promote and enable wellbeing and independence in the local community.

It will also be home to Camden’s first Centre for Independent Living (CIL) which will be run and managed by a user-led organisation. The CIL will lead the way in delivering a range of services and peer-support that

Facilities at Greenwood Place

26 | Camden | Dec 2015/Jan 2016

The project is part of the Community Investment Programme, a 15 year plan to invest money in schools, homes and community facilities.

Throughout the programme we’ve committed to build and refurbish 9,000m² of improved community facilities and space across Camden.

The new centre will include: • A hydrotherapy pool which will benefit people with a range of physical disabilities and complex needs

• Spaces for services supporting people with dementia, mental ill health, autism, learning disabilities and profound and multiple learning disabilities • Private meetings spaces for information, advice, counselling and health appointments • Space for physiotherapy and occupational therapy • Fully accessible flexible activity spaces, to include; an art room, an IT suite, a sound/music room, a large ground floor room with a sprung floor, suitable for exercise classes or events, amongst others • A café, training kitchen and catering facilities.

What’s next?

Our contractors, Clifford Devlin will be demolishing the existing buildings at 25-37 Greenwood Place and clearing the site ready for work to start.

The Design and Build contract for the centre is split into two phases.

We have awarded phase one of this contract to Kier Construction London Ltd, which involves preparing the site for construction and carrying out the necessary investigative ground studies and boundary works. Physical construction – phase two - will start in 2016.

The new centre is expected to open in 2018 and will be paid for by selling some existing service buildings (Raglan House, ShootUp-Hill and Highgate Day Centre) that will no longer be needed once the new centre is ready.

The services currently running from these centres will move to Greenwood Place when it opens.

To ensure that Greenwood Place is the best possible resource for our community we have involved users of our services, their families and carers throughout the project and we will continue to do so.

Alongside Camden Disability

Action we have hosted a number of events and workshops and supported people to visit other centres to compare what works well.

Find out more camden.gov.uk/greenwoodplace camden.gov.uk/cip Join the conversation #CamdenCIP

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Feature

Our financial challenge – further savings will be needed We’re giving you regular updates on our financial challenge. At the time of going to print the Chancellor was due to publish the outcome of the Spending Review.

This outlines what the public sector will have to spend in the next four years and includes news that will have a big impact on Camden.

You can read more about this at camden.gov.uk/camdenchallenge.

We know the outlook is challenging. By 2017 Camden’s funding from Government will have been cut in half, and social pressures – such as an ageing population and increases to the cost of living – mean the situation is only going to get harder.

We’re going to have to continue making tough choices about where we concentrate our limited resources. On 16 December, Camden’s Cabinet will meet to make some key decisions and consider the impacts of the Spending Review on the funding position for the Council over the next few years.

Read the latest at camden.gov. uk/camdenchallenge and see our latest consultation updates right.

28 | Camden | Dec 2015/Jan 2016

Changes to public toilets We are developing a new approach to how we provide public toilets in Camden.

We need to save £260,000 a year as part of our wider savings.

By using a combination of payto-use toilets run on behalf of the Council, alongside business and community partnership toilet schemes, we hope to provide access to toilets in our key areas.

Further information will be available on our website from mid-January, when we will be engaging with residents and businesses. We are keen to hear ideas on how we can make the savings and make sure toilets continue to be available to the public.

Find out more c amden.gov.uk/camdenchallenge

Managing and maintaining Camden’s green spaces Since September, we have been asking for your views on how Camden’s green spaces could be maintained differently in order to make savings. The online survey has now closed.

We have received 690 completed surveys as well as comments on social media and we would like to thank everyone who took part. We are in the process of reviewing the responses and your comments will inform the

priorities of the new grounds maintenance contract which, once approved, will come into effect in 2017 when the current contract ends. We plan to publish the findings of the engagement exercise in January 2016. We will present our proposal for the new way of delivering the service to Camden’s Cabinet early next year.

Find out more c amden.gov.uk/camdenchallenge

Have your say on reshaping youth support services before 8 January Our consultation on reshaping Camden’s youth support services ends on Friday 8 January 2016 – so don’t miss the chance to have your say.

The aim is to make savings of £1.6 million but we also want to better support those young people who will benefit most from our services. We propose to redevelop three youth centres so that young people who need additional help, for example because of deprivation or disability, can receive a broader range of support in one location.

These three centres would be:

If agreed, these proposals would mean fewer Council-run services for young people, and some services, shown below, would be reduced or stop:

• The Seven O’Clock Club for disabled young people would move from Pirate Castle to one of the three redeveloped youth centres.

• South Camden Youth Access Point, in King’s Cross, would close and these services would move to Somers Town Youth Centre

Find out more and have your say:

• Somers Town Youth Centre

• Gospel Oak Youth Access Point, in Queen’s Crescent, would close and services would move to Maitland Park Gym and Fresh Youth Academy, in Highgate

• Fresh Youth Academy in Highgate • Kilburn Youth Station

Decisions to be made at December Cabinet On 16 December, Camden’s Cabinet will meet to make some key decisions about our future library service and support to the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS). Although we need to make savings from these services, we are committed to protecting our most vulnerable residents.

We have worked with the VCS to develop a proposal for future support which will see us continue to invest £5.1 million, while making

a crucial saving of £700,000 from the current arrangement. From 23 September to 4 November, we consulted organisations and residents about this proposal.

The comments and feedback submitted have been taken into consideration when developing the final proposal to present to Cabinet.

Camden’s Cabinet will also be making a decision about how we deliver a modern, fit for purpose library service while saving £800,000 from the current budget of £4.5 million. The future libraries

• See more details about our proposals and take part in the online consultation or a VoXup survey at camden. gov.uk/youthservices • A final decision on changes to youth support services will be made by Cabinet on Wednesday 6 April 2016.

consultation ran from 15 July 2015 to 6 October 2015 and had a strong response with over 2,000 residents sharing their views.

An update on the decisions made at Camden’s Cabinet will be available online at camden.gov.uk/ camdenchallenge following the meeting on 16 December.

Find out more c amden.gov.uk/ camdenchallenge 29

Have you updated your housing application?

If you have an application a K) Advert (Allocationsfor – Lisa council or housing association home you need to update it before 31 December or it could be closed.

You can update your application at camden.gov.uk/ housingapplication

camden.gov.uk/housingapplication

30 | Camden | Dec 2015/Jan 2016

Feature

HS2: Camden meets the Select Committee The HS2 Select Committee visited Camden on Monday, 9 November 2015 to see some of the areas that will be affected by High Speed 2 (HS2).

Starting at the proposed vent shaft site in Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate, the Committee of MPs visited areas including Adelaide Road nature reserve, Park Village East, Ampthill Estate, St James’ Gardens, Somers Town and Euston Station.

The Committee spoke to residents and visited homes in Mornington Terrace and Regent’s Park Estate and met business owners in Drummond Street and Stephenson Way. The Committee also met children at Netley Primary School.

The site visit allowed the Committee to understand the topography of Camden. This will help them understand the affected areas when petitioners present their evidence.

Visits to areas that will be affected by HS2

Select Committee appearances Camden residents and businesses appear before the Select Committee this month to explain the effects HS2 would have on their lives – and what they want done to minimise its impact.

As we went to print, Camden Council was preparing to appear before the Committee on 1 and 7 December, with Camden residents and businesses who have petitioned set to appear up to 17 December. We will also be speaking on behalf of other local authorities along the line on a number of route-wide issues.

Our key concerns include, but are not limited to, the need for HS2 Ltd. to transport as much construction waste and materials by rail instead of road as possible, for open space lost during construction to be replaced and for there to be appropriate assessment of and mitigation for the cumulative impact of construction on homes.

We’re also clear that, if HS2 goes ahead, a comprehensive approach has to be taken at Euston including the current station and proposed Crossrail 2 works.

This approach would minimise the blight on the borough and provide benefits through new affordable homes, jobs for local people and replacement open space.

The content of our Select Committee presentation will depend on the extent to which HS2 Ltd. can address our concerns before this.

Find out more camden.gov.uk/hs2 highspeed2@camden.gov.uk

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Christmas and New Year opening times Normal opening hours will be in operation over most of the festive period, with the exception of Friday 25 December to Monday 28 December (inclusive) and Friday 1 January when all services will be closed. Services including Contact Camden – our customer service team – and Camden libraries will

also be closed from 4pm on Thursday 24 December and Thursday 31 December.

Changes to a small number of other services are listed below.

Essential services will continue as usual over Christmas and New Year. In an emergency, call 020 7974 4444 (24 hours a day).

Leisure and sports centres

Parking

Reduced opening hours will be in operation across all Camden leisure centres from Tuesday 22 December to Saturday 2 January.

Normal parking enforcement will be in operation on Thursday 24, Sunday 27 and Thursday 31 December.

Bank holiday parking enforcement will be in operation on:

All leisure centres will be closed on: • Friday 25 December • Saturday 26 December • Friday 1 January Talacre Sports Centre will also be closed on Monday 28 December.

For the Christmas opening hours of your local leisure centre visit: better.org.uk/camden

Rubbish and recycling collection Collection services will remain the same unless your normal collection day falls on one of the dates listed below.

Normal collection day

Christmas collection day

Fri 25 Dec

Sun 27 Dec

Mon 28 Dec

Tues 29 Dec

Tues 29 Dec

Wed 30 Dec

Wed 30 Dec

Thurs 31 Dec

Thurs 31 Dec

Sat 2 Jan

Fri 1 Jan

Sun 3 Jan

For more information, visit camden.gov.uk/waste

32 | Camden | Dec 2015/Jan 2016

• • • •

Friday 25 December Saturday 26 December Monday 28 December Friday 1 January

For more information, including car pound opening times, visit camden.gov.uk/parking

Health services NHS 111: if you need medical help fast, but it’s not life threatening or you’re not sure where to go, a 111 adviser will assess you and direct you to the right place. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.

Pharmacies: pharmacists are highly trained health experts. Visit camdenccg.nhs.uk/news for Christmas and New Year opening times.

GP: if your GP is closed, call 111 and an adviser will assess and direct you to the right place. Alternatively, visit your local pharmacy.

Sexual health clinics: call 111 or visit nhs.uk. Pregnancy tests and the

morning after pill are available from your local pharmacy.

District nursing: if you are receiving home-based care through a district nurse, you can contact them on 020 7391 6360 for a 24 hour message service for existing patients or carers.

Mental health: Camden and Islington mental health out of hours line provides information for available services on 0800 988 2149 or call 111.

Dental care: for emergency dental care, call your dental practice and a recorded message will explain holiday cover arrangements.

Urgent care centres For an injury or illness that’s urgent but not life threatening.

University College Hospital 235 Euston Rd, NW1 2BU

Accident and Emergency A&E is for life threatening emergencies. If you’re not sure if it’s an emergency, call 111 first.

University College Hospital 235 Euston Rd, NW1 2BU Royal Free Hospital Pond St, NW3 2QG Whittington Hospital Magdala Avenue, N19 5NF