BrixtonBuzz

Steve Reed, Labour MP for Streatham and Croydon North, and the current Cabinet Member for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is facing scrutiny after it emerged that he accepted a hospitality package worth £1,786 to attend a football match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace.

The hospitality, provided in December 2023 while Reed was Shadow Environment Secretary, was paid for by Hutchison 3G UK Ltd, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings. This parent company also owns a 75% stake in Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings, the owner of Northumbria Water.

Streatham Library’s 50+ Group meets on the last Friday of each month from 10:30am-12pm for board games, card games, quizzes, puzzles and colouring.

Billed as an opportunity for a friendly chat and to catch up with old friends and make new ones, members are expected to chip chip in £1 a meeting to cover the costs of the tea, coffee and biscuits.

They say, “Sociable new members welcome. ”

Dates and times

Location

Streatham Library

London, SW16 1PN

Contact details

Vincia Bennett, Library Manager

Kicking off at 2.30pm on Saturday, 28th Sept, the Herne Hill Heritage Trail: South is a free walk, although places must be booked in advance.

The walk is part of the Lambeth Heritage Festival. and starts at All Saints Church, Lovelace Road, SE21 8JY.

The organisers say:

Lambeth Council has set out its next steps for its ambitious plans to make the borough’s neighbourhoods safer and healthier for all, especially local children, the vulnerable and the elderly.

Lambeth has some of the country’s most polluted air, lacks outdoor space for exercise and socialising for the many local people who live in flats, and dangerous roads resulting in too many people getting injured.

Lambeth’s ten libraries provide essential services and community spaces for thousands of residents.

Recent refurbishment works have already taken place at Durning and Streatham libraries, and a £1million overhaul of Brixton library was completed in August.

This latest investment marks the start of a major and ongoing programme of refurbishment and asset replacement across all libraries.

Councillor Donatus Anyanwu, Lambeth’s Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said: “Our libraries are at the heart of Lambeth’s communities.

In a significant achievement for local representation, two MPs from our Brixton Buzz patch have been elected to chair influential Westminster committees following competition from fellow Labour Party members.

Helen Hayes, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, has been appointed as Chair of the Education Select Committee. This committee plays a vital role in scrutinising the work of the Department for Education and shaping policy around schools, higher education, and children’s services.

The Labour MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, did not take part in the Parliamentary vote on the Conservative motion to block plans to means-test the Winter Fuel Allowance.

In a statement, Ribeiro-Addy explained her absence, saying:

“I’m unable to attend today’s vote on winter fuel payment cuts, but I’d like to place my opposition on record. The Tories left the country in a dire economic state. But it is wrong to place the burden on the most vulnerable, who have suffered so much over the last 14 years.”

A month-long mural festival across London will feature street art at seven housing estates in Lambeth created by top international and homegrown artists.

The London Mural Festival which started on September 5th aims to celebrate all things street art with interactive installations, exhibitions and more.

The first mural, kicking off the festival, has been unveiled in Oval and was painted by Spanish artist Sebas Velasco. Called ‘A Lasting Place’ the portrait is of a young local resident and takes its title from the song by British rapper Loyle Carner.

The debt advice kiosk in Streatham Library offers free expert advice via video for individuals with financial difficulties or money worries.

Each kiosk is designed as a soundproof booth, ensuring conversations remain private and confidential.

This is a walk-in service, so no appointment is required.

Dates and times:

Streatham Library

London

SW16 1PN

More info here

Contact details Vincia Bennett, Library Manager

Lambeth Council has announced a major investment into leisure facilities across the borough, with £1.1 million set to be spent improving venues, including the introduction of tenpin bowling and virtual reality experiences at Brixton Rec.

The move forms part of a wider strategy aimed at boosting income and ensuring cost savings after Lambeth brought the borough’s leisure services back under its control in April 2023 under the banner of Active Lambeth.

The improvements to Brixton Rec lead the project, with the introduction of bowling lanes and immersive VR facilities.