Camberwell Baths Campaign

Look how far we have come

2011-11-24T03:35:00.000-08:00

When sorting through my archives recently I came across these plans from a company of architects. They show how the refurbishment of the pool would have been achieved through the redevelopment of the area at the back of the Baths. So we would have had no 30 station gym, no youth centre, no Warwick Hall and no Olympic (Sports) Hall.

Makes you think doesn't it?

http://ashsak.com/camberwell-baths-london-grade-ii/

Olympic Capital Legacy Fund: Latest News

2011-10-06T11:44:00.000-07:00

Dear Supporter

I have just heard that following the application from the Camberwell Baths Campaign, the Olympic Capital Legacy Funding Panel has recommended that the Sports Hall (now to be known as the Olympic Hall) should receive £490K from the fund! The decision will now go forward for approval to Southwark Council (specifically Cllr Livingstone).

Matched with the £500K from Southwark Council's capital programme, that means that we will have reached our target for total refurbishment of the Olympic Hall.

We cannot celebrate just yet as the decision has not been ratified by Southwark Council, but should be in about 2 weeks.

Please find below the link to the full report on the Olympic Capital Legacy Bid. I have also taken out some of the key points for you:

http://moderngov.southwarksites.com/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=22879

Ten projects are recommended for full or part award. These are:

§ Bethwin Road Playground’s bid for a multi use games area in Bethwin Road

for £95K

§ Southwark Tennis Club’s bid for support for a BMX Track for Burgess Park

for £150K

§ The Camberwell Baths Campaign’s bid for a further phase of refurbishment

to the Camberwell Leisure Centre Sports Hall for £490K

§ Herne Hill Velodrome Trust’s bid for a contribution towards refurbishment of

the Herne Hill Velodrome track for £400K

§ Athenlay Football Club’s bid for a Sports Ground Development in Homestall

Road for £175k

§ Peckham Town Football Club’s bid for an Outdoor disability multi-sports court

for £85K

§ Fusion’s bid for a disability Pool Hoist for the Peckham Pulse Healthy Living

Centre for £5.6K

§ The parks and open spaces’ service bid for upgrading the Peckham Rye

pitches & changing rooms for £200K

§ The sports services’ bid for a contribution towards the redevelopment of the

Southwark Park Sports complex for £370K

§ Trinity in Camberwell’s bid for an outdoor sports area in Camberwell for £30K

The Camberwell Baths Campaign’s bid for a further phase of refurbishment to

the Camberwell Leisure Centre Sports Hall is a community driven proposal that

upgrades a significantly under used facility located in an area of high demand. 5

The sports hall forms the final phase in the wider refurbishment of the leisure

centre and would greatly increase usable space. The bid offers minimum risk

with achievable and realistic costs that afford good value for money. The board

felt that this bid would afford a strong legacy and would very likely improve

access to and participation in sport. For this reason, this project is recommended

to be funded to 99% of the amount applied for.

Four projects are not recommended to be funded. These are:

• London Southbank University’s (LSBU) bid for a new entrance to the LSBU

sports centre for £309.5K

• The Peckham Settlement’s bid for a new ‘Southwark run training facility’ in

the Peckham Settlement for £70K

• Sustrans’ bid for the ‘Connect2’ and ‘South Bermondsey Link’ projects for

£461K

• Tideways Sailability’s bid for an ability centre and pontoon access to the

River Thames for £490K

New Gym opens on Saturday 24 September

2011-09-13T09:47:00.000-07:00

At last the new gym is opening! The revamped, larger gym will open its doors on Saturday 24 September. I understand that there will be 30 workout stations and all of the latest fitness equipment, as well as new changing rooms.

I would suggest a look at the Fusion website ( http://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/Camberwell_Leisure_Centre) for all of the details on what will be available, as well as costs of membership.

However, there is a chance to win Choice memberships in a competition which is being run by Fusion. The entry is online at www.southwark.gov.uk/camberwell , or you can complete a form at Camberwell Baths .

The closing date for the competition is 15 September and winners will be notified on 20 September.

Olympic Capital Legacy Fund Stage 1

2011-06-05T07:17:00.000-07:00

We have just heard that our application for the refurbishment of the Sports Hall has been recommended to continue to Phase 2 of the process. We have applied for £500K for the refurbishment of the Sports Hall. Below is an outline of our application request.

The opening of the pool in February will be followed by the gym, dry-side changing rooms, Warwick Hall and Youth Area in September 2011. These works are defined as Phase 2 and 3. The contractors will remain on site until this date. This means that considerable savings would be achieved should funding be available to proceed with Phase 4 development in 2011.The only remaining areas of the centre requiring significant investment to bring them up to modern standards are the Sports Hall, and the 2^nd class entrance off Harvey Road. The Sports Hall currently features a sunken area (approximating the former pool tank) which is used for football and badminton sessions. The hall has poor heating and ventilation, and due to a lack of maintenance and investment, the roof and lantern windows leak, and poor insulation results large energy losses from the building. These works are defined as Phase 4.

It is the Sports Hall which is the subject of the application for funds from the Olympic Legacy Project. The total cost for refurbishing the Sports Hall is £1,097,806.

As a campaigning body, Camberwell Baths is encouraging the Executive Committee of Southwark Council to allocate funding from the Capital Programme fund to complete Phase 4 of the refurbishment. However, at the time of writing it is unclear the level of funding which may be awarded. It is in this context that an application has been made to the Olympic Legacy Project, putting forward Phase 4 development of Camberwell Leisure Centre as an appropriate legacy project for the people of Camberwell. This funding would allow the completion of a high quality project.

We would recommend that the Sports Hall is renamed The Olympic Hall in recognition of this legacy.

Camberwell Leisure Centre holds an important place in the strategic development of Camberwell in terms of its contribution not only to health and well being, but also is a symbol of civic pride. With the closure of the Town Hall, Camberwell Leisure Centre will be the only heritage building in Camberwell which is open to the public. It therefore represents a rare opportunity for local residents to immerse themselves in living history. It is rare, being one of only 13 Victorian swimming pools in England which is still open for public use. The critical role that it will play in terms of engaging young people to participate in sports and leisure activities is also critical.

Camberwell Baths: Community Open Day on Saturday March 12 from 10am

2011-03-08T07:45:00.000-08:00

As you know the pool is now open and some of you have already had the chance to look round and also have a swim. This Saturday there will be the chance of FREE SWIMMING from 11am to 3pm. This has been organised by Fusion, and they are also funding it.

You will need to book though as safety rules mean that only 100 people are allowed in the pool at any one time. There is a number you can call before the day to prebook your free session, which is 0844 893 3888.

The four sessions are 11-12, 12.30-1.30, 2-3 and 3.30- 4.30.

Alternatively, just turn up on the day and book a slot. If you have to wait around for your swim, then there will a marquee in the car park with lots of activities going on, including Tai Chi. The marquee will be open from 10am to 3pm.

There is an opening ceremony just after 10am, which will be run by Southwark Council. After that there is a display of synchronised swimming by Out to Swim Angels!

The timings are below.

10am - Marquee opens - exhibition displays (historical and plans for new gym), Community Games coach advising on fitness, face painting, badge making, local community table, tea and coffee

10.10 - The welcome address and cutting the ribbon to declare the centre doors open

10.20 - Visitors are admitted to the balcony to be seated (first 100 only)

10.30 - Commemorative synchronisation swimming display - Out to Swim Angels

11am - First of four free swimming sessions starts (100 people admitted at a time)

11.10 - Cutting of the celebratory cake in the marquee (or outside in Artichoke Place if sunny/dry)

12.30 to 1.30 - Tai Chi demonstration and workshop (visitors will be encouraged to join in)

Enjoy!

Press Announcement for Opening on Monday 28 February

2011-02-26T07:06:00.000-08:00

The Camberwell Baths Campaign are delighted to welcome the re opening of the swimming pool at Camberwell Leisure Centre on Monday 28 February.

After a four year campaign, the first stage of the refurbishment of the Leisure Centre is now complete. We would like to pay tribute to the cross party support for the project, and the key roles played by our local Labour MP Harriet Harman, as well as Conservative Councillor Lewis Robinson. We are equally delighted to have received assurances from the Leader of the Council, Peter John, that the Council is ‘ confident that we will find the capital’ to complete the refurbishment of the Sports Hall.

We have asked the Council to clarify the date for the capital programme decision, which has been delayed from February, so that refurbishment of the Sports Hall can begin whilst the contractors are still on site, and so ensure that maximum savings are made.

The refurbishment of the Sports Hall , and completion of the gym and the Warwick Hall will provide the additional revenue streams necessary to ensure the future financial stability of the Centre

Political Will: Brunswick Ward By Election

2011-02-19T03:24:00.000-08:00

Political will is very important. If politicians want to make something happen, then they usually can. That's why we are asking candidates who are standing in the Brunswick Ward by election what they are willing to do for Camberwell Baths.

Time is important. The contractors are still on site, and if we can get the additional funding in the next 2 months, then considerable efficiencies can be achieved. If decisions on the capital programme are delayed (as they appear to have been from February 2011 to a currently unspecified date), then we will lose the window of opportunity to get the Sports Hall refurbished at the current price.

Specifically we are asking candidates whether they are committed to the following:

1) Carrying out complete refurbishment of the Sports Hall (£1.09m)

2) Bringing forward the capital programme decision so that refurbishment of the Sports Hall can begin whilst the contractors are still on site, and so ensure that maximum savings are made

3) Seeking third party funding to complete refurbishment

By election implications

2011-02-13T04:44:00.000-08:00

The resignation of John Friary, the Labour councillor for Brunswick Ward, has meant that a by election will take place on 10 March. A by election means that there is a period of 'purdah' where politicians of all parties cannot appear at any Council run event which may generate publicity for their campaign.

In the light of this, so that politicians can be present to make the speeches and appear in photographs, Southwark Council have decided to delay the official opening event, with Free Swimming, to Saturday 12 March.

This delay is disappointing to us. As a campaigning body, our focus is to ensure that Camberwell Baths is a financial success so that it does not get into the same spiral of lack of investment as before. Part of that means getting as many people as possible to use the facilities as soon as possible. We would have preferred to keep to the date of 5 March, but that's politics for you.

Equally disappointing is the delay on the decision on the Capital Programme, which has been shifted back from February 2011 to September 2011. The reasons for the delay are unclear.

We need £1.09m to complete the Sports Hall refurbishment this year. Peter John, Leader of the Council, indicated his strong support for the investment at our public meeting on 3 November.

Whether the money comes from his £2m Olympic Legacy Fund, or the Capital Programme, we will be keeping up the pressure and continue to campaign to get current Southwark councillors to take up the baton from the LibDem/Tory councillors, and to complete the refurbishment of Camberwell Baths.

How the money stacked up

2011-02-12T03:47:00.000-08:00

Here is the definitive breakdown of the money raised for Camberwell Baths, and where the money came from.

Free Swimming Capital Fund: £1,450,000: External Funding From Department of Culture Media and Sport - Camberwell received the largest grant nationally

Leisure Investment Fund: 1,500,000: Council Internal Contribution. Allocated from 12.3m Leisure Investment Programme

Leisure Investment Fund +: 500,000: Council Internal Contribution. Allocated from 12.3m Leisure Investment Programme

Youth Capital Fund: 579,000: External Funding allocated to Camberwell following Young People consultation.

Youth Funding +: 45,000: External Funding allocated to Camberwell following Young People consultation.

Cleaner Greener Safer: 52,000: Internal Council Funding

London Marathon Trust: 100,000: External Funding From London Marathon, Mayor of London

Southwark Council Leisure Facilities Capital Budget: 20,000: Internal Council Funding (Roger Pearson)

Southwark Council Property Services: 150,000: Internal Council Funding from Property Services

Leisure Investment Fund Refresh: 154,000: Internal Council funding following review of £12.3m

Playsport Facilities Fund: 50,000:Mayors Legacy Funding

S106: 100,000: S106 funding ( Planning Gain from local developments)

Pool Opens on Monday 28 February!

2011-02-08T03:05:00.000-08:00

Yes at last the pool will open to the public on Monday 28 February! It looks fantastic, and the 25m main pool has been fully refurbished and retiled, now with a separate learner pool, as well as new male, female and family wet-changing areas.

We have a new entrance foyer, reception and social area/café, all of which are wheelchair accessible.

Please let everyone know that Camberwell Baths are open for swimming, plus delicious coffee and cakes (you can go to the cafe without paying the entrance fee to swim).

We understand that there will be special swimming only membership deals whilst we wait for Warwick Hall, the new Gym, and new Youth Facilities to open later in the year. If you don't see them on the Fusion site (link below) , then call the new manager at Camberwell Baths. His name is Adrian Matthews

http://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/Camberwell_Leisure_Centre

We will also continue the campaign to get funding for the Sports Hall, which needs about £1,097,806 for refurbishment, so watch this space.

There will be a Free Swimming day on March 12 which will be funded by Fusion.

Official Opening Saturday 5 March

2011-01-20T08:21:00.000-08:00

Camberwell Baths will have an official opening on Saturday 5 March from about 10.30. More details to follow, but we want this to be a community event , celebrating the culmination of a lot of hard work by local and national politicians of all parties, the officers of Southwark Council as well as everyone in the community of Camberwell.

At this stage, only the pool and cafe will open.

The gym, sports hall, youth facilities and Warwick Hall should follow by May. The Camberwell Baths Campaign is still pressing hard for final funding so that this can be completed, so the fight goes on.

Report of Public Meeting on 3 November

2010-11-10T12:32:00.001-08:00

Camberwell Baths Campaign held a Public Meeting on 3 November at 7pm in St Giles Church on Camberwell Church Street. The Rev. Nick George had kindly made the church available, and made sure that it was warm and welcoming for the 150 attendees. There had been widespread publicity for the meeting , with posters all around Camberwell and emails or phone calls to King’s, the IOP, the Salvation Army, Southwark Pensioners, SE5 Forum, local primary and secondary schools, as well as most local Tenant and Residents Associations. The purpose of the meeting was twofold. First, to update the local community on the latest developments, facilities and planned services at Camberwell Baths; second, to make the case to Southwark Executive Council for funding refurbishment of the Second Class Pool area.

Chris Owen, Chair of Camberwell Baths Campaign, opened the meeting with an impassioned speech about the importance of Camberwell Baths to all members of the local community. He strongly encouraged the Executive Council to carry on the torch of support for refurbishment which had been passed on to them from Harriet Harman MP, and Councillor Lewis Robinson, the former Executive Member for Culture, Leisure, Sport and the Olympics.

Councillor Veronica Ward (Executive Member, Culture, Leisure Sport and the Olympics) made a short speech of thanks to the public for attending the meeting, and her support for all of the work which has been completed to date. Councillor Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council then outlined the current financial restraints but presented his strong hope that funds could be secured from a number of sources in addition to the Capital Programme, such as an Olympic legacy fund.

Jay Yeats (Head of Leisure and Wellbeing) showed the meeting images of the new Camberwell facilities will look like, particularly the new pool, gym and café. In response to a question from the floor about any anticipated delays, Jay assured the audience that the building was still on course to open in February 2011.

Patrick Shelley (Head of Young Peoples Services) explained the new youth facilities which would be available as a result of the £576,000 investment by the Southwark Youth Capital Fund. It is planned that there will be a wide variety of leisure and sport activities happening at Camberwell Baths every day of the week, as well as volunteer training opportunities. The new facilities include a music studio, Juice Bar, as well as training rooms.

Fusion representatives were also present at the meeting, and had details of Fusion membership and class costs for Camberwell Baths, which will be the same cost as those at Dulwich Leisure Centre and Peckham Pulse. Churchill Catering had set up a counter displaying some of the fresh food which will be in the new café, and members of the audience availed themselves of the healthy fruit salads and yogurts as well as the delicious cakes which were provided free of charge.

The Executive Council is meeting at on the 23 November to consider Camberwell Baths’ final application for additional funding of £1.75m to complete the job. This would allow refurbishment of the 5 a side football area, specifically the roof which leaks badly. This area would be then become a multi use space for sports (football, badminton), leisure (music and theatrical performances, pop-up cinema, boxing) as well as other performance, arts and civic events, such as Olympics launch events and public meetings.

We hope that they will consider the strong support from the community of Camberwell for a legacy project which will improve the health and wellbeing of us all.

Summary of Funding to date

2010-10-26T06:57:00.000-07:00

There seems to be some confusion about the time lines and allocation of funding for Camberwell Baths, so here is the history of what was awarded.

March 2009: £1.4m awarded by central Government's Free Swimming Fund.

May 2009: £1.5m awarded by Southwark Council (match funding), £576K awarded by the Southwark Youth Capital Fund, approx £500K awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, approx £500K allocated from section 106 money and other grants

All of the above monies were focused on pool refurbishment and wet side facilities

October 2009: further £500k awarded by Southwark Council to complete the gym and dryside facilities

March 2010: £52K from Cleaner Greener Safer (for Artichoke Place), £100K from London Marathon Charitable Trust (towards Warwick Hall)

October 2010: £50k from Play Sports London Facilities Fund (for gymnastics facilities in Warwick Hall)

The additional funding we are asking Southwark Council to award from the 2010/11 Capital Programmes fund. The funding would allow the completion of Phase 3 and would refurbish the 5 a side football area, specifically the roof which leaks badly. This area would be then be a multi use space for sports (football, badminton etc), leisure (music and theatrical performances, pop-up cinema, other performance arts events) and civic ( Olympics launch events, public meetings).

If the work can be completed in 2011, then Camberwell Leisure Centre will be a fantastic legacy project for the 2012 Olympics.

Public Meeting 3 November 2010

2010-10-24T06:06:00.000-07:00

We will be holding a Public Meeting on Wednesday 3 November at 7pm at St Giles Church on Camberwell Church Street. The purpose of the meeting is to show the local community what work has been done so far, and to get their input on another matter. The work at Camberwell Baths is progressing well, but there are currently insufficient funds to complete the refurbishment of the Second Class Pool area (the sunken five a side football space), as well as the rear facade and public spaces at the front and rear of the building.

We hope that the Second Class Pool area could be refurbished for use as a multi-purpose space which can be used for a wide range of leisure activities from a pop-up cinema, to performance space for theatre, music and dance, to public debates, to boxing matches (or whatever else the community would like to see). Camberwell Baths were historically used for a wide variety of different activities beyond sport and swimming. This is an opportunity for a return to Camberwell Baths being a Leisure Centre in the widest sense of the term.

Funds could be made available from Southwark’s Capital Programme fund, which is intended for just this type of project. We would like to encourage the Executive members of the Council as well as our own local councillors to support the completion of the Camberwell Baths project, rather than leave it half finished. Decisions on allocation of the Capital Programme fund will be made in November or December, so the meeting has been called so that local people will have the opportunity to speak to councillors and voice their support.

Politicians Sign Manifesto for May 6!

2010-05-04T03:29:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to tell you that in advance of the local council elections on May 6, we have now received commitments to the Camberwell Baths Manifesto from the Leaders of all of the three political parties, the Conservatives (Cllr Lewis Robinson) the Lib Dems (Cllr Nick Stanton) , and Labour (Cllr Peter John).

I have included the 5 point manifesto below. As you can see it is modest in its ambitions, but it includes a number of critical items which will improve the access of the Baths' facilities to all members of the community.

Camberwell Baths Manifesto

We will commit to the complete refurbishment of the public realm in Artichoke Place
We will commit to the complete refurbishment of the public realm in Harvey Road
We will commit to the complete refurbishment of the Youth Entrance ( entrance in Harvey Road)
We will commit to the implementation of good quality signage to Camberwell Baths from a variety of major areas, including King's College Hospital and the Institute of Psychiatry
We will commit to putting pressure in the PCTs to implement initiatives for utilizing Camberwell Leisure Centre

Development work at the Baths is going well, and they are still on schedule to open in October 2010.

Manifesto Pledges

2010-04-15T07:13:00.000-07:00

We have written to the leaders of all the parties in the local council elections and asked them to sign up to the following manifesto pledge. Watch this space to see who signs up!

The Camberwell Baths Manifesto Pledge

I pledge that my Party will :

Commit to the complete refurbishment of the public realm in Artichoke Place
Commit to the complete refurbishment of the public realm in Harvey Road
Commit to the complete refurbishment of the Youth Entrance
Commit to the implementation of good quality signage to Camberwell Baths from a variety of major areas, including King's College Hospital and the IOP
Commit to putting pressure in the PCTs to implement initiatives for utilizing Camberwell Leisure Centre

Update on Building Progress

2010-03-10T07:45:00.000-08:00

The contract commenced November 2009

• Development progressing well, despite recent poor weather conditions

Opening due in October 2010

Current Work:

• Phase 1 – wet side development (the pool and new changing rooms)

• Phase 2 – youth facilities

Management and Operations

Additional funds secured, which include:

• Southwark Council Leisure Investment Fund

• Cleaner Greener Safer (£52K)

• London Marathon Charitable Trust (£100K )

New funds will contribute to phase 3 - improving the outside area (Artichoke Place), and upgrade of Dry side facilities

More Money for Camberwell Baths!

2009-10-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

A further £ 0.5m has been allocated by Southwark Council towards to refurbishment of the Baths. This means that the refurbishment of the gym can now take place.

This is part of the Phase 3 development which includes all of the facilities on the 'dry side' of Camberwell Baths.

It's fantastic news and means that work on this can begin swiftly, and may even be completed by Autumn 2010.

Open Day Saturday 12 September 10am to 2pm

2009-08-26T08:37:00.000-07:00

There will be a Camberwell Baths Open Day at Camberwell Library on Saturday 12 September from 10am to 2pm.

As you know, the Baths have now closed for renovation and the 'At Risk' work has now begun. The plan is that they should reopen, fully renovated, in 2010.

The detailed plans will be on display in the Library, and the Project Team and Cllr Lewis Robinson will be there to answer any questions you have, and to give clarification on the plans. It is a great opportunity to see how the Baths will be renovated, and what the new layout and facilities will be.

The public consultation period ended on 12 August, and I understand that there were no objections forthcoming from within the community or from English Heritage. So it's full steam ahead for the Project Team, as they need to get the grant spent within the financial year!

Planning Application

2009-08-04T11:55:00.000-07:00

The planning application has now been submitted and is currently out to public consultation until Thursday 12^th August 2009. Full details of the proposals are available on the Council’s website, using Application Number: 09/AP/1207 at: http://planningonline.southwarksites.com/planningonline2/.

The application will then be considered for approval by the Planning Committee on Tuesday 8^th September 2009.

As you know, the Government funding has to be spent in this financial year and achieving planning approval in September is crucial to meet this deadline. If the money is not used within the time frame, then it will be lost to the project.

Our recommendation is that you have a look at the plans and if there is anything on which you seek clarification (for example the exact layout of the changing rooms) then please contact Lewis Robinson lewis.robinson@southwark.gov.uk.

Please do not wait until 8 September to have a look at the plans!

The Camberwell Baths Campaign will be making more detailed observations on the plans, as will the Camberwell Society.

Achieving planning approval is the final hurdle before work can actually start on refurbishment of the Baths. It has taken a long time to reach this point so I hope you can take the time to review the proposals so that restoration of Camberwell Baths will start this autumn.

It would also be helpful if you could email your support for this application to planning.applications@southwark.gov.uk or directly to Lewis Robinson lewis.robinson@southwark.gov.uk.

Finally, there will be an open day on Saturday 12^th September 2009 where residents and users can view the final plans and programme of works. Once we have the details of this day we will circulate them.

Update on the Refurbishment of Camberwell Baths

2009-05-12T04:30:00.000-07:00

Some topline information for those of you who couldn't make the Public Meeting on 30 April.

The secured finance package is as follows:

Southwark Council £1.5 million
Free Swimming £1.45 million
Youth Capital Fund £ 0.5 million
Heritage Lottery Fund £ 0.5 million
S106 and Other Grants £ 0.5 million

We have been assured that this money has definitely been allocated to Camberwell Baths, and will not be redirected. The Free Swimming Capital money has to be spent this financial year, and so work on the wet side (that's the swimming pool and changing rooms) will begin in October (see below for programme timings). We also understand that our application for £25K Cleaner, Greener money to improve the street scene in front of the Baths has also just been approved.

The development is a phased programme, which is as follows:

Phase 1

• Free Swimming Capital Fund

• Supporting Facilities

Phase 2

• Youth Capital Fund

Phase 3

• Heritage Restoration

Phase 4

• Further Developments

The timetable of work is below, and the pool will be shut between October 2009 and June 2010.

April 09 – May 09 Detailed Design Work

May 09 – Aug 09 Planning Applications RIBA Stages E-H

Aug 09 – Sept 09 Mobilise Contractors

Oct 09 Works begin

Oct 09 – Jun 10 Wet-side Development

Jan 10 – Sept 10 Supporting & Youth Facilities

Sept 10 – Nov 10 Heritage and Further Options

I understand that Southwark will be posting updates on the link below, so it's worth noting the address if you want to follow progress, or contact the officers directly.

www.southwark.gov.uk/YourServices/SportsandLeisure

Public meeting - 30 April 7pm United Reformed Church - Grove Lane

2009-04-20T09:39:00.000-07:00

PUBLIC MEETING 30 APRIL 7PM
UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
64 GROVE LANE SE5

The future of Camberwell Baths is now secure, so come and hear about what the plans are for the building!

We will hear the latest news direct from
Councillor Lewis Robinson
(Executive Member, Culture, Leisure and Sport)

And
Harriet Harman MP

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=SE5+8SN&sll=51.475396,-0.089264&sspn=0.280983,0.433273&ie=UTF8&ll=51.471533,-0.088384&spn=0.008781,0.01354&z=16&layer=c&cbll=51.471614,-0.088454&panoid=WxByC96fwxvLevuz7-lUlw&cbp=12,271.55174835266484,,0,5

Camberwell Baths to get £1.45m from free swimming fund

2009-03-31T16:03:00.000-07:00

Dear Supporter,
I have just been given the exciting news that Camberwell Baths has been successful in the recent funding bid from the Free Swimming fund! We were given the largest award in England, at £1.45m.

Enormous thanks to all of you who have marched, written letters, turned up and swum on a freezing cold January morning and generally refused to take no for an answer! It's been a long hard slog, but I hope you agree that it was worth persisting.

There are too many people to thank individually, but special notes of thanks to Cllr Robinson for taking on the challenge of prioritising Camberwell, and reviving what had seemed to many to be a hopeless case; to Tim Clee, the officer who put together the winning bid; to Dora Dixon- Fyles who fixed the crucial meeting with Harriet Harman in December; and to Harriet Harman for making sure that the Dept of Culture Media and Sport knew about Camberwell' s needs.

So well done to everyone. We will keep you in touch with next actions, and will fix up a public meeting where you can see the plans and hear about the funding.
On behalf of Helen Owen, Secretary, Camberwell Baths Campaign.

Lots of updates

2009-01-21T05:27:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the radio silence on this one - a lot has been happening. This morning we had a visit from Gerry Sutcliffe, the Minister for Sport, to Camberwell baths wheer he was greeted by supporters young and old. Pupils from Lyndhurst School presented the Minister with a CD recoding what the swimming in Camberwell means to them.

The next step is the application for capital modernization funding grant of £1.5m from the national swimming pool fund (see below for the full update on action).

DCMS Free Swimming Programme Background
* Southwark has signed up to deliver free swimming for over 60’s and under 16’s. This will be grant funded by the DCMS in 2009/10 & 2010/11.
* An Incentive Capital Payment of £81k has granted which will be used for project development
* By signing up to deliver free swimming, the council is eligible to submit a further funding application for a capital upgrade and modernisation project to support the delivery of free swimming the DCMS Free Swimming Capital Modernisation Fund - £25m available nationally 2009/10
* Camberwell Baths has been identified as Priority Project for this funding
* A £4.5M proposal has been drawn up which will secure long term future of the facility.
* A Stage 1 application was submitted in October 2008 (£1.5m)
* December 2008 we were informed that our Stage 1 application had been successful
* We have now been encouraged to Stage 2 with a deadline for submission of 2nd March 2009

Message from Cllr Lewis Robinson following Overview & scrutiny meeting on Wednesday

2008-10-19T05:24:00.000-07:00

It looks like we will now also have to campaign for the capital grant from the government. Remember that the full council exec will consider this tomorrow at 7pm at the town hall - I hope to see some of you there...

----- Original Message -----
From: Robinson, Lewis
To:
Cc:
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 7:49 PM
Subject: Camberwell Baths
Dear All,

I thought I should just send you an e-mail to summarise my position following this morning’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting, which is as follows;

The Council is strongly committed to finding a way to make the refurbishment of Camberwell Leisure Centre happen. The community have told me that they want the retention of the pool, and I intend to pursue a financially viable solution that meets that aspiration. After a considerable period of time looking to find additional funding, a serious opportunity has now presented itself through the Government’s Free Swimming Capital programme and the Council will be applying for match funding as a priority. If successful the funding difficulties would be substantially reduced and we could move to a formal procurement process. I believe we can make an outstanding case for Camberwell based on the work that has already been done to date and it is incumbent on all elected representatives in Southwark to help me make the strongest possible case for Camberwell.

I hope that is helpful. I can also confirm that I am happy to accept the suggested amendments made by Overview & Scrutiny to the recommendations discussed this morning.

I am keen to discuss with all interested parties how we make our case, so please keep in touch.

Regards,

Lewis

Papers for overview & scrutiny meeting tomorrow and exec on Monday

2008-10-14T10:34:00.000-07:00

Can be found on the Council's website - here http://www.southwark.gov.uk/YourCouncil/AgendasMinutes/overviewandscrutinyhome/overviewandscrutinypapers.html

The recommendation is quite open about the future of the baths, so please continue to let Lewis Robinson know your views:

RECOMMENDATIONS
This report provides an update on options for Camberwell Leisure Centre and recommends
that the Executive should:
1. Proceed with a Free Swimming Capital Modernisation application. Once the outcome is
known, the Executive need to consider whether to
• If successful, undertake a procurement exercise seeking a market solution which
aims at retention of a pool at Camberwell.
or
• If unsuccessful, review all options which have hitherto been presented to the Council
for the future of Camberwell Leisure Centre, including a land disposal which does not
include a pool.

Overview and Scrutiny committee - VENUE CHANGE

2008-10-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

There has been a last minute change in venue for this meeting on Wednesday at 10am from Cator street to the Town Hall in Peckham Road. Easier place to get to but still a difficult time...

Swim in - Camberwell - Sat 11 October 1-2:30pm

2008-10-06T13:36:00.000-07:00

Calling all Camberwell Leisure Centre supporters...

We are holding a swim in this Saturday at the leisure centre. Please come along for a dip to show your support. If you don't fancy a swim then please come anyway - we are hoping to get the press there to highlight this crucial part of the campaign ahead of the council decision later this month.

Dates for your diary

2008-09-28T09:37:00.000-07:00

Southwark Council's Overview and scrutiny committee will consider the proposals for the future of the baths on 15th October at 10am at their offices in Cator Street, north of Commercial Way. This will be a difficult meeting for many working people to get to,so if you can make it to support the future of the baths, please go along.

The full Council executive will consider the proposals the following Monday 20th October at the Town Hall at 7pm.

Whether you can make the meeting or not, please let Lewis Robinson, Executive member for Culture, Leisure & Sport know what you think should be done - he can be contacted at lewis.robinson@southwark.gov.uk

Southwark News article on last week's public meeting

2008-09-18T04:30:00.000-07:00

http://www.southwarknews.co.uk/00,news,11973,5444,00.htm

Please see this good article in Southwark news on the public meeting to consider the three initial proposals for the Leisure Centre and recording the "overwhelming insistence on the community requirement to keep a pool" which I would agree came across very strongly at the meeting.

Were you there? What did you think?

Introduction

2008-09-14T11:39:00.000-07:00

I've set this up to enable others to easily contribute information and support to the Camberwell Baths Campaign to provide a more up to date and dynamic site than http://www.camberwellbathscampaign.org/ which will now largely remain static, so put all your news & views here.

Thanks

Hugh