Brixton Buzz

Cllr Jonathan Bartley, Lambeth’s new Cabinet Member for Safer, Thriving Neighbourhoods, has commissioned a review of the council’s arrangements for sharing information and intelligence with immigration enforcement agencies.

Bartley, who was elected for Clapham Town in an historic election that saw Labour lose control of the borough for the first time in 20 years, said:

“Immigration raids are causing fear and dividing Lambeth’s communities.

A huge proposed development around the Crown & Sceptre pub in Streatham looks set to both completely change the character of the pub and mark the death knoll for its popular late Latino nights.

A planning application has gone in for the “refurbishment and extension to the Public House” which includes the demolition of the buildings at 1A and 3 Streatham Place and the erection of a 5-storey building with a basement to provide co-living accommodation comprising 117 units.

A poster on Crown &n Sceptre discussion thread observed:

Are you a bit of a show-off? This informal workshop in Streatham will give you chance to have a go at stand-up in front of a friendly audience.

Alternatively you may want to hone your skills and develop your style. Jo will share her insights and feedback on what makes a great stand-up routine and how to prepare for your first gig.

Jo Ostrowska is returning to STC’s Second Tuesday events by popular demand. She lives in Streatham and is an aspiring comic, director and writer. Jo has performed alongside the likes of Sara Pascoe, Arthur Smith and Jack Whitehall.

The Streatham Theatre Company is holding auditions for their production of Twelfth Nightm which will be staged in the Rookery.

Here’s the details:

Shipwrecked in an unfamiliar land, twins Viola and Sebastian both believe the other to be dead. When Viola disguises herself as a man, she quickly finds herself caught between the lovestruck duke, Orsino, and the object of his affections, the Countess Olivia.

Full of love, music, mistaken identity, and a little bit of mischief, Twelfth Night has something for everyone.

Shirley Fortune a London Tour Guide, explains why, after completing guiding courses in the City, Westminster and Camden she joined the Become A Lambeth Guide course at Morley College last Autumn:

As a born-and-bred Londoner and a ( already) qualified tour guide, I cannot recommend this course highly enough. While I didn’t need another qualification to lead tours, I was eager to deepen my knowledge of Lambeth and the areas “South of the River.”

As a small local business, we work hard every day to provide a welcoming place for our customers and support the neighbourhood we call home.

And honestly, we love it! The friends we’ve made, holding a peaceful space for our community, and growing as a business even alongside the seemingly never ending improvements-is such a joy for us.

And we love sharing that with all that grace our green little oasis in good ol’ Streatham.

Lambeth Council has confirmed the details for both contests, with notices of election due to be published on Thursday 4th June. The nomination period runs from Friday 5th June to 4pm on Friday 12th June, and the deadline to register to vote is midnight on Tuesday 23rd June.

The Streatham St Leonard’s seat became vacant after Saiqa Ali declined to take her seat. In Clapham Park, Cllr Joanna Eaves resigned due to ill health shortly after becoming the ward’s first ever Green councillor.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Judy Best was unanimously elected Deputy Mayor at Wednesday night’s Annual Meeting, marking the first time in 20 years that the mayoralty will rotate between political groups – a sign of the new power-sharing era at Lambeth Town Hall.

Best, who represents Streatham Wells, returns to the role after a 12-year absence from the council. Colleague Cllr Kita Ogden described her as being “at the heart of the Streatham and Lambeth community for getting on 30 years.”

Liberal Democrat Cllr Judy Best was unanimously elected Deputy Mayor at Wednesday night’s Annual Meeting, marking the first time in 20 years that the mayoralty will rotate between political groups – a sign of the new power-sharing era at Lambeth Town Hall.

Best, who represents Streatham Wells, returns to the role after a 12-year absence from the council. Colleague Cllr Kita Ogden described her as being “at the heart of the Streatham and Lambeth community for getting on 30 years.”

The Green Party councillor for Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill has just been elected the new Mayor of Lambeth at the first Full Council Meeting, following historic local election results that saw Labour slip from power for the first time in two decades.

Cllr Valentine thanked all present in the chamber in his opening words, and took great pain to say that as the first Green Mayor and as first citizen of the borough, he represents and will represent everyone, regardless of political affiliation; Green, Labour, Lib Dem alike.