Category: News

Lambeth have asked residents to take a small survey, outlining what your priorities for Lambeth’s spending are for the year to come.

Lambeth are looking to cost save over the next year and want to include residents views in their budgeting.

Please see more info on the following link; Reminder: 7 days to take our budget survey

Blenheim Gardens RMO annual report for 2024-25 is here!

Its been delivered across the estate, but if you’d like to read it online, you can access it here!

You can find all the fantastic things we did for the year and achieved with the community.

Consultation One: Parks Satisfaction Survey 2025 

This survey is open until Sunday 30^th November 2025

Please also help with Lambeth’s customer satisfaction survey for parks and open spaces.

We encourage our residents and park users to let us know how we are performing, what is working well, and also what we could be doing better or in different ways.

This includes planting, playgrounds, facilities, and trees. We appreciate every response in helping shape and value the service.

The link to the Parks Satisfaction Survey is here, and we are encouraging those responding to focus on just one park at a time for each entry.

Consultation Two: Budget Engagement Survey 2026/7 

This is an important survey of Lambeth Council budgetary priorities.

Project: Budget Engagement Survey 2026/27 | London Borough of Lambeth

 Helen Firminger encourages parks groups to fill it in – it specifically mention Parks and Open Spaces.

https://haveyoursay.lambeth.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/budget-consultation-2026-27From Iain Boulton:

Consultation Three: Draft London Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS)

from Iain Boulton

The Greater London Authority (GLA) is asking Londoners for their views on the Draft London Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS)

The LNRS is a new spatial tool for London’s nature and is one of 48 new strategies across England that aim to reverse biodiversity loss. The London LNRS sets out which parts of our city’s nature require the most urgent attention, how to help them recover, and where resources could have the greatest impact.

Successful nature recovery depends on collective action, so this strategy has been developed through close collaboration with technical specialists, community groups, boroughs and Londoners. It’s designed to be a shared tool – that anyone can use to inform the way they use, manage, improve, and develop land in London and especially within Lambeth, and includes all of the borough’s parks, commons and other public greenspaces.

A public consultation on the draft strategy will be launched on Tuesday 30^th September and will run until Wednesday 29^th October 2025. You can access all the information you need and feedback forms here: Have Your Say Today – London LNRS – Commonplace

Hard copies of the Statement of Biodiversity Priorities are also available to view at various locations across London. You can see a list and map of where you can find a hard copy here: London LNRS | Commonplace

There are also other ways for the public and organisations to participate in the LNRS consultation:

a. Public Webinar: on Monday 6^th October 2025 there will be a public webinar to introduce the LNRS and the consultation. You can sign up here at Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

b.  Drop-in Sessions: the GLA will be hosting drop-in sessions for anyone to ask questions or get help navigating the draft LNRS as follows:

Thursday 9 October (in person): 1:00-6:30pm at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, London, E16 1ZE (Committee Room 5) 

Monday 13 October (online): 12:00-1:30pm online. Sign up here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/ecfa3c6a-13a3-403f-9c87-916dcc9d525e@30653dea-fb01-4b4c-8ddf-c183f89febfb   

Friday 17 October (in-person): 09:30-13:00pm at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, London, E16 1ZE (Committee Room 6)

Your feedback will help to make sure that the strategy captures the most important priorities for nature in London.

Social Media Posts

Give your views on the new nature strategy for London: https://londonlnrs.commonplace.is/@LDN_environment #London #LondonNature #NatureRecovery #LNRS   

The next edition of the Blenheim Bulletin is now out for you to veiw.

Please click HERE for more information.

We wanted to let you know about a fantastic performance that is taking place at the Windmill Gardens on Saturday 31^st May 2025.

Catch of the Day – Outdoor aerial theatre from The Dot Collective

Saturday 31 May, 11am and 2pm
Tickets £14 / £12 / £10 / Free for under 3s

BOOK HERE

Following last summer’s production of Dream Sequence, The Dot Collective return this summer with their brand new production Catch of the Day.

We’re going to the seaside! A place where community unites the locals and those down for a jolly day in the sun. One local, a fisherman, has some fresh lobsters to sell, little does he know that these are not any lobsters, these are Lobster Quadrille Lobsters, who are ready to dance back to the sea.

Inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and performed by professional aerial actors (Glastonbury/The Royal Opera House) it’s a story of wonder and nonsense laced with lethal wit, of games, riddles and conundrums, of questions with no right answers, but above all of magic and adventure in which you could be the highest bidder on the lobsters!

Stay and Play! – there will be an opportunity post show for the audience to have a go sitting and swinging on the aerial silks. 

Your ticket purchase will support both Friends of Windmill Gardens and Dot Collective (a Dementia charity).

Recommended age 4+
Fully accessible and Dementia friendly theatre

Please note well behaved dogs are welcome but they must be kept on a lead at all times. 

The show will go on whatever the weather (unless thunder/lightening anticipated). 

Find out more about The Dot Collective’s production and their work here.

We hope you enjoy the event!

We wanted to inform you that registration is now open for the half term boot camp, being hosted by CEFL in the windmill park area.

The #BREAK B4 SUMMER 2025 BootCamp isrunning from:

• Where? Windmill Gardens (Park) Blenheim Gardens Brixton Hill SW2 5DA
• When? Tuesday, 27th to Friday, 30th May 2025
• Time: 10am to 4pm

To learn more about our offer, visit CEFL’s Website and you can also click this Link POSTER to view or use the link at the end of this sentence if you would like to have a feel of some of the activities being offered: SHARP-Experience

Please feel free to share with your community.

Please note that space are limited, so you’re encouraged to sign up now so not to miss out!

Thank you and if you have any enquiry, please do not hesitate to contact CEFL by email to community7@CEFI.org.uk

Every five years there comes a crucial time in the life of every Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) across the country when all Tenants and Leaseholders vote on whether they want their TMO to continue managing their estate.

Well it’s that time now for us at BGRMO! 

We have this week dispatched our ballot papers to all residents asking you whether you want  Blenheim Gardens RMO to continue to manage Blenheim Gardens Estate and its estate and housing management services for the next 5 years.  We also ask you whether you think we have done a good job so far.

This is a Confidential Ballot.  You will not be asked to give your name and or address.

This is a very important time for us all. If residents vote ‘YES’, we will continue to manage the estate and hopefully continue to improve the services we deliver for at least the next 5 years.   But if you vote ‘NO’, then the RMO will cease to manage the estate and will hand back all housing and estate services to the Council.  Our management agreement, which is a contract between the Council and the RMO, will come to an end.  The Council may then make a decision as to how this Estate will be managed in the future.  This will be the Council’s decision and not yours.  Whatever happens, the estate will no longer be managed by residents for the benefit of residents.  Local control will be lost forever.  Some residents may feel this will be a good situation, but for us, what is important, is residents get the opportunity to decide for themselves.

Questions & Answers:

When will the ballot commence?

Tuesday 6^th May 2025

When will the ballot conclude?

At 5 pm Tuesday 24^th June 2025

When will residents be informed of the ballot results?

The ballot papers will be counted and announced by Open Communities, an independent organisation employed to oversee the ballot process from 7pm on Tuesday 24^th June 2025, in the community Hub, 23 Prague Place, SW2.  This is a special general meeting open to all residents.   

Where do I return the ballot paper to?

Please return your completed ballot paper to the RMO office, 24 Prague Place, SW2 and place in the sealed box situated in the reception area.   Alternatively, we can arrange collection.  Please ensure the ballot is completed and sealed in the self-addressed envelope provided.

Who gets to vote?

All tenants, leaseholders and freeholders (freeholders however do not count towards the ballot outcome, but we felt its important to understand all views on the RMO and the services we provide)

Where can I get independent information and advice?

You can contact Open Communities directly on Freephone 0800 073 1051 if you have any questions.

Who gets to decide?

Residents do!  In order for us to continue, we need a majority of secure tenants and a majority of residents overall (tenants and leaseholders together) voting in favour of us continuing to manage the estate. 

This is your ONLY chance to make your voice heard.  BGRMO is your Resident Management Organisation working on your behalf.  BGRMO is the ONLY option for you to have direct influence over the future services you receive.  If you want it to continue, please make sure you ‘VOTE’ and that you ‘VOTE YES’!… Please don’t rely on other residents to vote – they may be relying on you!  

Thank you for your ongoing support

Please join us in welcoming our new gas contractor; Clapham Heating! We have taken on the services of Jordan Kelly of Clapham Heating to manage the gas servicing and gas responsive repairs on behalf of Blenheim Gardens RMO. For more information, including contact details, please click HERE

BGRMO are now advertising for a new housing assistant to join our fantastic team.

Please click HERE for a link to the job description and person specification.

You can apply for the job on the following link; https://uk.indeed.com/job/housing-assistant-3f28186cd99fdad3

Best of luck!

Wates will be setting up welfare units in the Ramilles Close area of the estate on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th March 2025.

The site will be set up in the following areas;

If you’d like any further details, please click HERE for a copy of the letter sent out to all tenants.

The next edition of the Blenheim Bulletin – a special ballot edition, is available to read on our website now! Click HERE to give it a read. A copy of the bulletin will be put through your door if you live on the estate!

BGRMO is advertising for a part-time caretaker to join our team!

Please see link for the Job Description and Application as well as link to advert below.   

https://uk.indeed.com/cmp/Blenheim-Gardens-Rmo-1/jobs?jk=343a56ed3a613dfb&start=0&clearPrefilter=1

Any interested parties will need to be eligible to work in the UK.  Please see link below to support inquiries. 

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/right-to-work-in-the-uk/check-if-you-have-the-right-to-work-in-the-uk

Best of luck!

We’ve been informed that the Cabinet agenda for 27^th January has been published with the HRA Rent setting report.

Agenda for Cabinet on Monday 27 January 2025, 5.00 pm | Lambeth Council

Please see below link if you wish to attend click here

The attendance link closes today!

The Tenant Q&A session is the same evening 6:30-7:30PM.

If you wish to attend the meeting in person, public access can be made available for limited numbers, but please contact Democratic Services (details on the front sheet of the agenda or Democracy@lambeth.gov.uk) before the meeting so that arrangements can be made.

Appendix 1 – Service Charges

Appendix 2 – Garages Sheds and Cycle Sheds

HRA Budget Rent and Service Charge Setting Report

CEFL have now OPENED applications for their break before easter boot camp.

The camp are offering a safe space filled with pure Active Sports, Creative Activities, Fun Learning, Food and Play activities.

The Camp is open to 7 to 15 year olds and offers volunteering/work experience opportunities for young people over 16 years old with priority of a place offer given to Lambeth residents over other borough residents.

To learn more, visit CEFL’s website and you can also use this link to have a feel of some of the activities offered: SHARP-Experience

The camp is running from MONDAY, 17th to FRIDAY, 21st February 2025 between 10AM to 3PM at The Windmill Garden (Park), Blenheim Gardens, Brixton Hill SW2 5DA.

See the attached Poster. You can read more about the camp and register an interest at the website: SHARP-Offer.

Alternatively, you can use the link below to access the application. 

APPLICATION FORM  

CEFL also offer a SEND camp for those with Medium to Low level SEND.

This camp is also running from MONDAY, 17th to FRIDAY, 21st February 2025 between 10AM to 3PM but takes place at The Community Centre, Roupell Park Estate, Hyperion House, Upper Tulse Hill, Brixton Hill SW2 1HY.

CEFL are offering young people with SEND a safe space filled with pure active, fun, creative learning, food, a Disco all of which is aimed to provide and enhance the learning and social adventure for the cohort and a little respite for parents/carers.

If you would like to know more, you can visit the website using this link SHARP-SEND Offer.

Use the link below to access the ‘Application Form’ through the website. 

APPLICATION FORM  

The Closing Date for Registration for both camps is, Friday, 07 February @ 12pm.

With the increase in lithium-ion battery fires used in E-scooters and E-bikes, Blenheim Gardens RMO is providing the following advice to residents:

• Batteries can get warm during their use. Allow them to cool down before attempting to re-charge.
• Batteries should always be charged on hard flat surfaces where heat can dissipate.
• Batteries can also pose a risk if they have been damaged, so try to ensure they are not getting knocked around while in use or while being carried. Do not continue to use a damaged battery.
• Batteries should also never be exposed to extremes of temperature.
• Keep an eye out for warning signs that your battery might be failing and becoming a fire risk.

The full article can be read here – Flat fire – Plaistow | London Fire Brigade

This comes as more than 85 organisations across the country joined Electrical Safety First’s ‘Battery Breakdown’ campaign around the use of lithium-ion batteries. The organisation has drafted a Bill that would classify lithium-ion batteries used to power e-bikes and e-scooters as high-risk, requiring third-party certification for safety compliance.

We hope you find the information in this post useful.

Bootcamp is back for the kids this during the October half term! Register now for a fun filled week of activities.