Cllr Clare Whelan talks about Labour’s plans to close the general waste depot in Vale Street, West Norwood.  The decision means that Lambeth residents will need to travel to Battersea from 1 April 2009.

In September the parents of 67 children from the area were denied a place in any of the three primary schools they applied for.

They were eventually placed in emergency classes in Kingswood Primary in Gipsy Hill and Elmwood School in West Norwood, but parents need a long term solution for the crisis and Conservative councillors are supporting their calls for action.

Parents are due to meet education officials soon, hoping a solution can be found in time for September 2009.

Gipsy Hill ward councillor Suzanne Poole said there were potential sites for new schools in the area and these should be looked at.

Lambeth Council however is rushing through the consultation and announced that the deadline is the end of June. There are secret talks in progress between the Council and a retailer about a supermarket-led development behind Norwood Road, but with no public investment.

Conservative councillors have demanded an extended consultation period with full information and proper local debate.

For more information and the opportunity to make a submission to the consultation – which is still possible – get in touch with your local councillors by emailing conservatives@lambeth.com.