Life
Promise 1
Value for money
Edwin and Naudette, Southwark residents “As a working family with two small children we have to be more and more careful each year with our money. The cost of all of the basics keeps going up but salaries don’t. We’ve made a few changes to our lifestyle and think much more carefully now about where we shop and what we buy. It’s good to know that at least our council tax stays the same.”
Promise 2
A safer borough
Dean, Southwark Works employment adviser “Some kids feel that the streets are the one place they’re free. But they’re fighting to know what's right. They don't see what’s happening until they’re in too deep in gang life. My job is to give these kids the chance at a clean slate. They've got transferable skills, with support they can go, get a job, start a business, change their lives. It's a breath of fresh air for them to know that there can be a different lifestyle.”
Promise 3
Warm, dry, safe homes
Denis, Consort Estate “We had a rewire, a boiler put in and new windows. It was marvellous. There was more done than what I expected. I used to be an electrician and I know good work. It was difficult with the scaffolding and all the work happening but the quality of the work was excellent. The team couldn’t have been better; they were friendly, helpful and just perfect. The foreman Jim from the contractor Elkins helped me when I hurt my leg, I needed to get a new step and he offered straight off to help.”
Promise 4
Improved customer service
Jeff, My Southwark user “I am chair of the Brandon 1 Tenants and Residents Association and regularly contact the council to request a repair to a resident’s home or a communal area. Now, I always make my requests online. It’s convenient, I can do it 24 hours a day and I get a speedy response.”
Promise 5
Improve educational attainment
Gemma, parent at John Donne Primary School “I think free, healthy school meals is a great idea as not only does it help me out financially but my boys are also becoming more adventurous in what they eat. Eating with their friends and teachers encourages them to try new things. They are a lot less fussy at home and eating more healthy things.”
Spring 2014
Promise 6
www.southwark.gov.uk
Support vulnerable people
Margaret, Peckham resident “I really enjoy having meals on wheels delivered to me. My favourite meal is omelette, chips and beans. The drivers are very polite and helpful and always give me a drink and get a knife and fork for me. As a pensioner I really rely on the service, the price is very good as if I had to go elsewhere I would have to pay a lot more for a hot meal, pudding and a daily visit. It’s even better that it is now more affordable for me so the little income I have can go that bit further. I do not know how I would manage without it.”
Promise 7
Encourage healthy lifestyles
Lee, Athenlay Football Club chairman “Athenlay Football Club has been here for 35 years but it was in a poor state for a long time. When it rained, it was like a swimming pool and in the summer it was like the Sahara. When we made the application for the Olympic Legacy money, it started a domino effect. We've got 18 teams playing so it's been an enormous boost to the local kids and the community.”
Promise 8
Invest in libraries
Diana, Canada Water Library visitor “I am a childminder and I use the library for myself and for the children I look after. It’s a great place for them to read, learn and socialise. Crafts, creative writing, games, manga – there are fantastic facilities for children here. I love coming here for myself too. I’m doing a degree and there are lots of books that help me, but I also enjoy trying new things; like in Black History Month, there were lots of interesting books and events to look into.”
Promise 9
Homes, jobs and growth
Eduardo, Camberwell resident “I’ve lived all my life in Camberwell. I've spent a lot of my childhood round here because of the Latin American community and all the restaurants. It’s where we meet up. I’m really liking the regeneration. All the new buildings, it's really making the Elephant modern. I’d like to see more progress on the regeneration. With the leisure centre, I’m expecting great results.”
Promise 10
Cleaner, greener Southwark
Nne, Bermondsey resident “I think recycling is so important for the future of our planet; the council has a really simple system so there is no excuse not to do it. I also think it’s great that food and green waste can be recycled and I hope people listen to the message that they need to play their part.”
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