BrixtonBuzz

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.

The Streatham Free Film Festival offers an exciting range of films and events for two weeks every September and 2024 marks their 9th year. The programme kicks off on Saturday 14th September and runs until Saturday 28th with all of the films being absolutely free and the festival completely volunteer powered.

Concerns raised by residents in Streatham over issues related to HMO properties occupied by more than one household in the area have prompted Lambeth to propose a new planning control that would give the Council greater control over the creation of further such properties in two of its wards.

Taking place every Wednesday afternoon in Streatham Library is a free drop-in centre offering advice to local residents struggling to pay their bills.

The library says:

Every Wednesday a cost-of-living link worker will be onsite, providing support to residents experiencing financial hardship or having issues related to their living costs.

It will include advice on maximising incomes, minimising costs, building financial resilience, and managing debt.

Dates and times

Location

Streatham Library

London, SW16 1PN

More Info

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

The Dr Bike crew are inviting you to bring along your misfiring bicycle to the corner of Leigham Ave and Leigham Court Road in Streatham on Tuesday, 23rd July 2024 for some free TLC and attention.

They’ll be onsite, spannered up and ready to crank some axles and tweak some cables from 4pm to 7pm.

If your bike needs help, just turn up and the Dr Bike team will be happy to attend to errant gear shifts, wobbly handlebars, broken brakes and more, and the service is absolutely free of charge.

Here’s what their website says about what they do:

The Crown & Sceptre has announced a series of live music Thursday nights, starting this week.

Here’s what’s coming up:

Thursday, 18th July – Typical Daydream

Typical Daydream kicks off our series with their vibrant alt-rock sound on the 18th of July. Get ready to be swept away by their energetic performance!

Thursday, 25th July – Funk Buddies

Funk Buddies take the stage on the 25th of July, bringing their infectious funk grooves that are sure to get you moving.

Thursday, 1st August – The Alternators

A Brixton Buzz Freedom of Information request has found that Lambeth Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Housing doesn’t actually live in Lambeth.

Labour’s Cllr Timothy Windle [right] has held the position since May 2022. He has an allowance of £11,786 for the Deputy role, on top of his jobbing Councillor allowance of £15,960.

The Lambeth Standing Orders state:

“Only registered voters living or working within the borough for the previous 12 months prior to an election will be eligible to stand as a councillor.

Three quarters of temporary housing occupants in Lambeth are in ‘nightly paid’ accommodation. This is costing the Council £14,000 per year for each person, according to papers released ahead of the Housing Scrutiny Sub-Committee that will meet on 16th July.

In total Lambeth has 4,284 households in temporary accommodation. This is higher than nearby Southwark (3,714), Wandsworth (3,368) and Westminster (3,132). Residents are temporarily housed in the private sector.

All four constituencies in our Brixton Buzz patch returned Labour MP’S to Westminster as the votes for the General Election were counted overnight.

Bell Ribeiro-Addy won in Clapham and Brixton Hill; likewise for Florence Eshalomi in Vauxhall and Camberwell. Helen Hayes is once again the Labour MP for Dulwich and West Norwood.