Southwark Offending Services would like to assist with any community carpentry or painting projects that you may have. 

If you know of any relevant projects or require further details, please contact Martin Kelly on 0207 5257895/07983 330970 or email: martin.kelly@southwark.org.uk.

The Riots Communities and Victims Panel, officially launched on 16 September 2011 and is now calling for evidence.

The panel was set-up following the riots which affected English towns and cities in August. It will take a grass-roots approach, listening to the experiences of those in communities affected by the riots as well as hearing from academics, key debates and other reviews into the disorder.

The panel will look at:

• the motivation for a small minority of people to take part in riots;
• why the riots happened in some areas and not others;
• how key public services engaged with communities before, during and after the riots;
• what motivated local people to come together to take civic action to resist riots in their area or to clean up after riots had taken place;
• how communities can be made more socially and economically resilient in the future, in order to prevent future problems; and
• what they think could have been done differently to prevent or manage the riots.

 The panel will meet its aims and fulfil its remit primarily by speaking with communities and those affected by the riots. It will collect evidence in many different ways, including public meetings, discussions with key organisations (like councils, businesses and community groups), emails, letters, and chats with local people and businesses.

The panel is very interested to hear from the voluntary and community sector and would ask you to encourage your individual members to contribute to the panel’s work as well.

People can submit evidence to us or view our visit schedule at our website: riotspanel.independent.gov.uk or contact us via our email address: riotspanel@communities.gsi.gov.uk.

All our evidence will be published on this website, unless there is a good reason not to do so.

The panel intends to submit its interim report to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in November, which is likely to focus on highlighting the evidence that has been gathered to date and the future key lines of enquiry; and in March the final report, which will make recommendations as appropriate.

Southwark Council, as Trustee of the Livesey building in Southwark, is seeking expressions of interest from organisations for the viable long-term use of the building to benefit local communities. 

This includes broad educational, social, community or creative use, in keeping with the Trust’s charitable objectives.

Closing Date:  30 Sept 2011

If you wish to make an expression of interest in the Livesey, please contact: artsadmin@southwark.gov.uk for an information pack.