News

Families learn new digital skills

in latest phase of pioneering project

Wandsworth Council and Battersea Power Station are building on their joint venture to tackle digital exclusion across the borough and are now offering new skills sessions to local families.

In the very early days of lockdown, the council and the power station teamed up to create their Power to Connect scheme to provide schoolchildren in Wandsworth with the digital equipment and skills to continue their learning.

Since its formation in April 2020, Power to Connect has delivered more than 1,320 tablet devices and laptops to 72 Wandsworth schools and community organisations, along with £10,000 worth of data top-up vouchers and wi-fi dongles to lower income families.

The partnership with Battersea Power Station forms just one part of the council’s wider efforts to offer digital support to families in need. In total the council has overseen the provision of more than 7,200 laptops and tablets to local families throughout the pandemic. Now that families have the hardware to help them explore the digital world, the initiative is being expanded to make sure families have the skills and expertise to explore the digital world. The first series of digital skills session were held in June at St George’s primary school in Battersea. The parents whose children were given laptops and tablets were present and taught about privacy settings, social media and online safety. These sessions are set to continue next month when more parents will be invited to attend classes at St George’s. Cllr Will Sweet of Wandsworth Council said: “More than a thousand Wandsworth families whose children didn’t have a laptop or a tablet were able to continue their learning online as a result of this partnership. It’s helped make a huge difference by keeping them on top of their lessons and up to speed with their learning.” Isabel St Chapman, director of Power to Connect, added: “We are thrilled to be expanding our work at Power2Connect and delivering digital skills sessions in schools.”

Seize the COP26 opportunity - London Assembly

London Assembly’s Environment Committee has highlighted the opportunities presented by the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).

More than 190 world leaders will meet to discuss global action against climate change at the 26th COP26, which takes place in Glasgow in November.

The London Assembly Environment Committee has been hearing how London should engage with COP26. As a result of the committee’s meeting, the chair has written to Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to ensure London proactively seizes the range of opportunities presented by this historic meeting. The letter asks for key information, including: • How the mayor will engage with government for appropriate measures to address emissions and resolve the health risks facing London • How the mayor will use the opportunities COP26 presents and his convening powers to get all

Londoners involved in the move to net zero and decarbonisation • Regular updates on the additional work the mayor will be doing in the lead up to COP26 and during the event itself Chair of the London Assembly Environment Committee, Zack Polanski AM, said: “COP26 in Glasgow presents an historic opportunity for London to really show the world how serious it is about weighing into the climate change discussion. “London is a fantastic city that leads on so many fronts but there is more to be done here when it comes to tackling climate change. There is room for everyone to step up to the mark. “COP26 is a prime platform for the mayor to encourage different parts of London’s economy to make even bolder commitments. It’s also a good time to continue to up the ante on lobbying central government for even more powers to meet London’s environmental targets.”

Whether you are part of a large organisation or work from an office at home, there are many good reasons for joining the Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce.

As the business hub of Wandsworth, your Chamber is influential in helping to create the right business environment for local companies to flourish.

Through membership you have the ability to use our “business voice”, the opportunity to meet key stakeholders, network and do business with many other local businesses that you won’t find anywhere else. So, do it now, online, and start enjoying the many benefits on offer.

www.wandsworthchamber.org

For more information or to discuss how we can help you, please contact us at: Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce 020 3633 6575

enquiries@wandsworthchamber.org

Mayor of Wandsworth issues charity appeal

The Mayor of Wandsworth is appealing to residents and businesses to give generously to his chosen local charities.

Since being elected to serve as the borough’s first citizen, Cllr Richard Field has carried out more than two dozen engagements as he visits people around the borough. He can expect to attend several hundred over the course of his mayoral year in office.

At many of these events, he uses the opportunity to raise the profiles of his two mayoral charities in a bid to generate goodwill, support and funding for these good causes. This year’s civic charities are Regenerate-RISE, an organisation that supports isolated older and vulnerable residents across the borough and the Full Circle Fund Therapies, of which he is patron, which offers care and support to very sick children and adults at St George’s Hospital in Tooting. The vital community work of Regenerate-Rise during lockdown was highlighted in March by BBC London. Cllr Field said: “The work carried out by these two local charities and their volunteers really does make a hugely positive difference to the people and groups they support. “They are true pillars of our community and I’m determined throughout my mayoral year to do everything I can to raise their profiles and hopefully raise funds to help them continue their vital work.

“I know this past year has been extremely difficult and challenging for all our residents and that many are feeling the pressure financially. But for those who are in a position to do so, I would please ask them to make a donation and help support the efforts of those who are working tirelessly to assist local people who are vulnerable and less fortunate than most.”

To find out more about the two charities and make a donation, visit https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/the-council/councillors/the-mayorof-wandworth/mayors-charities/

for town centres and employment areas

Wandsworth Council is removing ‘permitted development’ rights in selected locations across the borough to protect town centres, local shopping parades and other business premises that may be vulnerable to change to residential properties.

New government rules came into effect on August 1 to allow change of use from town centre uses (commercial, business and service use) to residential without any need for planning consent.

The council has made a so-called ‘Article 4 Direction’. The effect of the Direction is that such changes of use to residential will require planning permission. This aims to protect the character of town and local centres, keep shopping areas vibrant, protect community facilities and local services and prevent further vacancies at a time when centres are recovering from the pandemic and changing shopping habits. The Direction focuses on the ‘Central Activities Zone’ of

Battersea and Nine Elms as well as Wandsworth Town, Clapham Junction, Tooting, Balham and Putney town centres. It also covers the borough’s local shopping centres in Battersea Park Road, Southfields Bellevue Road, Clapham South, Earlsfield, Lavender Hill, Queenstown Road, Mitcham Lane and Tooting Bec. In addition, all locally important parades have been included. The Article 4 Direction was made on July 30, 2021, and the public have until September 24 to make representations. The Direction will come into force on July 31 2022, subject to consideration of any representations by the public and the Secretary of State, and confirmation by the council.

For more information on the proposed Article 4 Direction, visit https://wandsworth.gov.uk/change-of-use-from-class-e-to-c3

Financial lifeline

for Wandsworth businesses

Wandsworth Council has secured additional funding to support hard-hit businesses as they face up to the pressures of the pandemic.

The council was required to distribute at least £9.5m of Additional Restrictions Grant funding by June 30 to be eligible for a further £2.9m.

In fact, the programme went so well that the target was exceeded and some £10.3m has now been distributed. The balance of the additional funding stands at around £2.2m and the council is considering options as to how to distribute it.

In total, since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, the council has awarded more than £150m in financial support to businesses.

Cllr Rhodri Morgan, Wandsworth’s cabinet member for economic development, skills and employment, said: “We know that many businesses, especially in the hospitality sector, are still feeling the impact of the pandemic. We have fantastic local businesses that truly are the lifeblood of our borough and we hope that by releasing these funds we can continue to ensure our business sector and our high streets thrive.” The council’s finance spokesman, Cllr Kim Caddy, added: “The aim of the council since the beginning of lockdown has been to ensure we can deliver financial support to businesses quickly and efficiently with the minimum of fuss and delay. We will continue to dothis as long as we need to.”