Picturehouse cinemas, owned by Cineworld, has applied to open a branch in Ladywell, redeveloping the Ladywell Playtower (see here). “As a strong supporter of the Picturehouse workers' ongoing strike, I want to be very clear - Lewisham council must insist that any deal with Picturehouse is conditional on them agreeing the London Living Wage and the workers' other demands, and reinstating their sacked union reps at the Ritzy,” said Cllr Paul Bell. The Labour Party and labour movement need to stand four-square behind the Picturehouse workers, and we must fight to make our borough one of decent jobs and not one where employers exploit their workers. Press release HERE. #Picturehouse #Ritzy #La

I'm delighted to announce that I am one of the five shortlisted to be Labour's new candidate for Mayor of Lewisham. I will be standing on a platform of change, socialism and hope. I am supported by GMB and UNITE. You can help me by volunteering at: www.paulbell.org/volunteer. More information will be appearing during the course of the campaign. You can follow events at: www.paulbell.org/mayor. Here you can also get in contact with me. Best wishes, Paul Bell #LabourMayoralSelection #PB4Mayor

Today, I've put my name forward to the Labour Party to seek the nomination to be Labour's next Lewisham mayoral candidate. I’ve been fortunate enough to be described by the co-chairs of New Cross Learning, Kath Dunbar and Gill Hart as having a “lifelong commitment to core community values, unimpeachable personal integrity and compassion for our community”. I’ve been a Lewisham Councillor for seven years, a position I combine with my job as a national officer of the public sector trade union, UNISON. I’ve been endorsed by both Unite the Union and by Lewisham Momentum, I was raised in a working class family on a council estate in Sheffield, know what it was like to live on benefits in Thatche

Since the tragic Grenfell fire, Lewisham Council and Lewisham Homes have been very busy checking and making sure our council houses are safe. A similar exercise is underway by housing associations and some private landlords. Risk assessments and intrusive work has been undertaken. No one needs to evacuate in Lewisham Homes properties. All fire doors have been checked including people's front doors in tower blocks and in Telegraph Hill all are 30 minute proof, i.e. they have a 30 minute fire rating. Those buildings found with the problem cladding will have it removed. Lewisham Homes is working out how to remove and replace the cladding. Fire marshals will be in the blocks identified with this

Below is the information I've received on the extension of the 'Night Tube' network to the London Overground. While it will stop/start from New Cross Gate on Friday/Saturday nights - which is welcome - I've asked about Brockley and beyond. But well done to Len Duvall AM and Mayor Khan. Details from TFL: Dear Stakeholder, Following the huge success of Night Tube services which started last year, I’m writing to let you know that London Overground night services will start operating between New Cross Gate and Dalston Junction stations on Friday and Saturday nights in December. The service will then be extended to Highbury & Islington next year. In line with our approach for the Night Tube, all