The Dulwich Society

Outcome of the Special General Meeting Held on 28th June

Following the end of the meeting, the Zoom reports on participants and voting were downloaded. These were cross-referenced with the membership list and the votes were then counted and validated. The results were as follows:

Motion 1: That the process for appointment of members of the Society’s sub-committees and all minutes of their meetings must be published on the Society’s website, including declarations of interest.

The motion was carried by 90 votes to 53, with 4 abstentions

The Society's Executive Committee had already agreed to this motion and, following the next Executive Committee meeting on 12th July, a more detailed statement about the process for the appointment of members of the Society’s sub-committees will be prepared and published on the Society's website, along with minutes of the future sub-committee meetings, including declarations of interest.

Motion 2: The Society must undertake a formal, independent and impartial survey of its Membership about the remit the Membership wishes the Society to adopt with regard to the Society’s long term policy position on Travel and Environment. The findings of this consultation with Members to be published in full on the Society’s website and available on request to all members.

The motion was rejected by 79 votes to 67, with 3 abstentions

2021 Annual General Meeting Reports

Dulwich Society Reports for Annual General Meeting - Tuesday 14 September
Executive Committee Reports for the Year 2020

Please note that the AGM has now been put back until September in the expectation that we will then be able to meet in person and, hopefully, hold an event to mark the retirement of our President, Dr Colin Niven, after ten years’ service.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:

Executive Committee: The Executive Committee met 6 times in 2020, online. The Executive awards funds to suitable local projects in line with the Society’s remit and objectives. There were fewer requests this past year as projects were put on hold or cancelled. Grants were made as follows:

Repairs to benches and white posts in Dulwich Village
Design of new sports mural at the Burbage Road rail bridge
Donations to two Food Banks in Southwark and West Norwood.
Donation to Sydenham Hill Woods.

If you have any ideas for projects that are in line with the Society’s objectives, please see https://www.dulwichsociety.com/local-projects for further information.

Dulwich Estate Residents’ Advisory Committee: The Society Chairman and Chair of Planning and Architecture together with representatives from Dulwich residents’ associations drawn from across the Dulwich Estate sat on the Estate Scheme of Management (SOM) Advisory Committee which met three times last year, online, to discuss matters relating to the SOM. The Society collated a list of issues ahead of the meetings for discussion arising from our members’ and residents’ concerns, and issues that the Society has identified across the Estate. In addition, the Chairman and Secretary met the Estate CEO and Director of Property on a regular basis at the Estate’s public surgeries to discuss members’ concerns on matters outside the SOM. Please notify This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have a matter that you would like the Society to raise with the Estate.

After a series of discussions between the Chairs of the Dulwich Estate Trustees and the Society, the Advisory Committee has been refreshed and will now comprise representatives in rotation to enable a wider group of representatives to attend the Committee. From the first meeting in March 2021, there will be two representatives from RAs in the north and south of the Estate, and two representatives from the Society’s Executive Committee.

Public engagement and consultations: The Society has continued to be active in the promotion of public engagement. Consultations on planning, traffic, public realm, event and premises licensing have continued during the Covid-19 emergency and the Society has reminded and encouraged residents to respond to all Council surveys and consultations affecting the Dulwich area.

Working with community groups: The Society continues to work closely with a wide range of stakeholders across Dulwich including residents’ associations, the Dulwich Estate, Dulwich Picture Gallery, amenity societies such as the Herne Hill Society, sporting venues, local councillors, MP and council officers and the police Safer Neighbourhood Panels. During 2020 this has been predominantly online.

Ian McInnes, Chairman

Dulwich Traffic Consultation

The consultation closes on 11 July. It can be accessed here: https://tinyurl.com/42cwhx5c
Please make sure your voice is heard.

Sydenham Hill High Rise development

Despite letters from Helen Hayes MP and Ellie Reeves, Lewisham West MP and the recommendation of Lewisham’s own Design & Review Panel for a reduction in height, Lewisham Strategic Planning Committee voted on 29 June to approve the Corporation of London’s application for 110 units of social housing on the Mais House site in Sydenham Hill.

Local Shops

Peace & Riot, the new restaurant/café in West Dulwich is open. https://www.peaceandriot.co/

Megan’s Deli in the old S G Smith showroom site should open later this summer. https://megans.co.uk/

The two empty units next to Megan’s are now let, one is to be a wine specialist who is planning a sister site to Peckham Cellars. It will be a wine bar, deli, & coffee shop specialising in British produce & wine. The other a coffee shop called Redemption Roasters, a social enterprise founded by Alleyn’s old boy Ted Rosner, which runs a roastery inside a prison and trains young prisoners to become baristas. https://www.redemptionroasters.com/

The Gilkes

McCulloch Homes has sold the site on; the new owner is Aquinna Homes. Gilkes Place remains closed to traffic from Dulwich Village.

Griffin Sports Ground

The former King’s College sports ground has been leased by a new charity that focuses on inclusive sport. The Lambeth Tigers Football Club draws from communities where young people are denied access to facilities, and Dulwich Cricket Club’s women’s and girls’ teams will share the ground.