Community council

It was good to welcome Southwark Council's Bermondsey and Rotherhithe Community Council (below) to St James's Church this afternoon.

Usually the community council meets in the evening.

This was an experimental Saturday afternoon event which seemed to go well.

There was a special focus today on health and well-being, with an exhibition in the south lounge from various local agencies.

The Youth Community Council, a lively bunch from local schools and colleges, kicked the meeting off with a thought provoking presentation, and then ably fielded a stream of questions from the floor.

Then we had a report from the local police, followed by lots of questions from local people in the light of recent violent crimes in the area, community news (including the launch of the Friends of St James's Churchyard), question time to the councillors, a budget consultation exercise, and the opportunity to hear from various community agencies associated with health and well-being, ranging from Age Concern Southwark to the Southwark, the Galleywall Nature Reserve, Southwark Cyclists, the Citizens Advice Bureaux and Surrey Docks Farm.

Finally, there was some detailled business on parking regulations transacted by the councillors, in the formal business that usually takes place towards the end of community council meetings.

It was a good meeting that brought together councillors, council officers, community groups and local residents, all concerned for the well-being of our local community here in Bermondsey and Rotherhithe.