Councillor Jenni Clutten

I had a really good time out canvassing Launcelot Road, Downham Way and Woodbury Gardens on Thursday. A number of issues have come up that I wanted to raise to make sure that anyone else with similar problems knows to get in touch.

First of all, there have been a number of problems with the work that is being carried out updating properties by Phoenix. The issues that came up have been varied but I was particularly concerned about one lady who’s door has been hung the wrong way which means that it is no longer possible to open the door without taking the safety chain off. This is an important issue as it seriously compromises the safety of residents when opening the door to unexpected visitors. Thankfully this is something that can hopefully be fixed quickly by Phoenix by getting in touch with them via their website. or calling them on their repair line 0844 264 2844. This is clearly just one of many problems that have come up but do get in touch if you are worried.

A concern that was raised by a resident in Launcelot road was the appearance of what seems to be a bogus caller. Two men called at a house the day after new windows had been fitted, flashed an unidentifiable ID card and made their way in to the property proceeding to go in two completely different directions once inside, working their way through the house. We must all be on the look out for suspicious activity and don’t forget to report any concerns you have to the police.

If you are ever suspicious about anyone calling at your door, do remember to thoroughly check their identity details. If you are still unsure, double check those calling on you are who they say they are by phoning the company/organisation to check up. Anything you can do to put your mind at rest and make you feel safer is best and please dont worry about asking lots of questions. Anyone who is who they say they are will be used to proving their identity and should do so willingly.

I hope everyone is having a good summer, I look forward to seeing some more of you very soon as I continue to knock on doors across Downham.

 It’s been a while since I first commented on this website so I’m going to try and get back in to the swing.  I apologise for the lack of website service, I have been rather caught up with house moving but I’m now fully settled and have full access to the internet which makes a nice change.  What gives me a better opportunity to write a little something than Lewisham Peoples Day, Saturday 11th July!

I’ve never had an opportunity to go to Peoples Day before and despite some very dodgy weather I had a great time manning the Lewisham Liberal Democrat book stall whilst having time to sample some great entertainment. I think we were all really pleased with how well the ‘Politicians in the stocks’ event went on our stall.  I get the impression that some people felt sorry for those who had to sit sopping wet in the rain but not everybody took pity!  I distinctly recall some very hard blows to the face for my colleague Julia Fletcher, fellow Downham councillor but I think she took it very well! 

As I spent all day on the book stall I miraculously managed to wiggle out of having to go in the stocks myself, although if we do it again I think it will certainly be my time to take some punishment from the general public.  Especially as Duwayne has now put himself in the stocks twice!

It was fantastic that so many local residents came up to talk to us all.  Knocking on doors and delivering our Focus leaflets is clearly making a difference and making sure that people can recognise us and feel happy talking to us about their council problems.

I hope everyone who went had a good time despite the weather and had a chance to sample some of the food and drink that was available as well as browsing the stalls of the multitude of organisations who were there. Please enjoy the photos posted

Yesterday I attended a conference hosted by Lewisham and Southwark aimed at sharing information across councils for how best to engage and empower local communities.

After listening to some speeches in the morning, we attended two workshops.  The first workshop I went to talked about the ways in which Councillors can get directly involved with communities.  It appears that a key way to get involved is through Local Assemblies like we have in Lewisham.  The presentations we were given by elected members from Southwark and East Riding identified the best ways in which they had found to work with local communities and best provide for their needs.  I was surprised to hear that most councils have not taken this process as far as Lewisham by providing individual Assemblies with their own money to spend as they see fit.  To me decision making in communities is weakened by this lack of monetary support which is vitally important to the concept of community engagement.  How can we engage and empower if decisions made are advisory rather than binding.

My second workshop was on Youth Engagement hosted by Portsmouth City Council.  I really enjoyed this discussion about the different ways a variety of councils are going about getting young people involved with the council.  This is one of my particular areas of interest so it was pleasing to hear young people speak about the ways in which they have been involved in a variety of ways in Portsmouth.  One scheme I wasn’t previously aware of was ‘Youth Advisors’ http://www.youngadvisors.org.uk/index.html.  I think this is a really useful way of making sure that young people are involved in their communities on an equal level to adults.

An interesting question that was raised throughout the day was the idea that by allowing individuals to make decisions on their own behalf this means that both the council staff and elected members have to let go of decision making control.  Is it right for us to empower individuals to make choices which we do not believe are right for them?  I would say that it is up to local communities to make community decisions, if they are the ones who choose who represent them and they are able to do that, why not empower them to make the choices about where money is spent locally.

At this end of the day we listened to the Koruso Multifaith Choir. A wonderful end to a useful day, please click the link to see them in action.