Neighbourhood Governance Note of Elthorne Ward Forum

Transcription

1 Neighbourhood Governance Note of Elthorne Ward Forum Held on Wednesday 8 th May 2013 at Green man Lane Community Centre, Green Man Lane, West Ealing, W13 0SD Present: Councillors, Anita Kapoor, Nigel Bakhai and Yoel Gordon (Chair) Attendees: 35 Residents attended the meeting Officers present: Tan Afzal (TA) Neighbourhood Governance Coordinator, Peter Gaffikin Housing Regeneration Manager, Gary Redhead - Assistant Director of Schools Planning/Research & Development, Eric Leach West Ealing Centre Neighbourhood Forum and Sergeant Naeem Fazal Elthorne Safer Neighbourhood Team 1. Welcome and Introductions The meeting began at 7:00pm, with Councillor Yoel Gordon welcoming those present and introducing officers and guests. 2. Actions from the previous meeting None 3. Update from Elthorne Safer Neighbourhood Team Sgt Naeem Fazal Sgt Fazal provided an update on activities related to crime and anti-social behaviour in the ward. The current SNT priorities for the ward are drugs at Green man Lane Estate, street drinking at Hanwell and residential burglary. There have been no residential burglaries since April 2013, between last year (1 st April 2012 to date) a total of 77 offences have taken place. A prolific burglar was arrested last year. As a victim of burglary residents can have a Crime Question/Action Point 1

2 Prevention Survey carried out on their home which is arranged by the SNT. A drug dealer who frequents Green Man Lane Estate was arrested and has admitted to the offence. A further three individuals have been arrested since. Operation Hawk is a renewed emphasis on local police tackling local drug dealing using local intelligence. We have executes 16 warrants with numerous drug dealers, seizing over 5m worth of drugs from a local property. Intelligence from local residents aided this activity. There has been an increase in serious violence, most of which takes place along bus routes. An incident involving a stabbing took place ar Lower Boston Road. The offenders do not live local to the Elthorne area. In general crime has dropped by 16.7% The one type of crime which has shown an increase is theft from motor vehicles. Offenders are jamming the central locking system and in some cases motorists are forgetting to properly secure their vehicle. On 1 st May 2013 an agitated individual located close to West Ealing library, threatened suicide. Negotiators were arranged and the Uxbridge Road was closed off for several hours. The team is hoping to secure helicopters and historical cars for Hanwell Carnival 4. Regeneration of Green Man Lane Estate (St Johns School) Peter Gaffikin and Gary Redhead Peter Gaffikin and Gary Redhead provided an update on the regeneration of Green man Lane and proposals for the expansion of St Johns School: Res: Are drugs worse on Green man Lane estate compared to other estates. Sgt Fazal: It was pretty bad five years ago, much better now. There are many escape routes, specifically around Tintern Court. We receive more complaints about street drinking. 2

3 Building a school close or within the environment of housing stock is becoming common in London. There are 4 schools with housing including St Thomas primary School in Kensington. The headteacher from St Johns has visited this school and was pleased with the outcome. We are currently exploring whether this is possible with St Johns School at Green Man estate. The Headteacher and governors are very much involved with the process, their priority is to build the best school for their pupils, current and future. Consultation will take place in two phases, the first covering the expansion of the school and whether there is a genuine need to make the school available for more pupils. After this has been completed consultation on the planning process will begin, to establish what the school should look like in order to accommodate its needs. One option would be to build some housing on top of the school and town houses at the front. In principal this project would be cross-subsidised, allowing for a 3-form entry school which under normal circumstances would be very expensive to be built. The consultation exercise to look at expanding the school will take place after half term. Formal statutory proposals will be put forward in September. There are two main options for expanding the schools, which include the build of a total separate school without housing or one with housing units. The school is currently looked over by two housing units. If the headteacher, staff and governors were not supportive it would be very difficult to proceed. Res: As to size, can we have a fairer comparison than St Thomas s. There has been a serious lack of consultation with the residents of Alexandria Road and Felix Road. As to the safety of children, how will you vett the occupiers. GR: The pre-planning consultation exercise will involve speaking to local people. Safe guarding will be a high priority when taking design into consideration. Res: The possibility of two options is new information. The Cabinet report was accepted which detailed build of a school with two storeys of accommodation. It is difficult to comment on a second proposal when this is the first time it s become public? GR: The second proposal is only two weeks old. PG: The Cabinet report clearly stated the need to explore other proposals. Res:You have authorised A2 Dominion to build a school with accommodation. I understand the pressing need for school places, however, not enough consideration has been given to child protection, health and safety and the concept of adding a 5 storey building in a residential area near to cottage houses is absurd. Res: How was A2 Dominion/Rydon appointed as contractor to build the school, when the council has procurement rules? There is no evidence of tendering, this would allow for wide and proper consultation. This has been carried out in an underhanded manner. The consultation only reflects the comments of those residents residing on Green Man Lane estate and not the residents in the affected area. You have driven coach and horses through the quality of life for those who live in the vicinity of this project. Cllr Gordon: Decisions have not been made. GR: As stated, consultation for the expansion of the school, to establish whether there is a need for more spaces will need to take place. The 3

4 5. Riot recovery and High Street Fund Eric Leach Eric Leach provided a progress update on the activities being delivered with money from the Riot Recovery Fund approval to expand the school is subject to town and planning laws. Cllr Bakhai: How widely will you consult? GR: If it is a controversial build the planners will advise and as a principle of expansion will guide us as to how far the plans should be consulted. Res: How many dwellings are you considering? PG: It would be the same amount as what would have been built, 184 rooms, possibly amounting to 50 units. The school would not face onto Felix Road, it would face the community centre. Res: The main objections to the original plans included the lower (by 50) number of social housing available for rent. PG: There are fewer units, but it s the same amount of housing. Currently over 70% of the homes are one bedroom flats, the regeneration project will have more 2 to 3 bedroom properties to help accommodate family needs. Res: The papers are not clear, we need more detail. GR: We are not at the stage where we can provide greater detail. Cllr Kapoor: Can we be involved in the conversation you are having with the school? GR: At this stage we need to address information about what their needs are in terms of school accommodation. Cllr Bakhai: Can we have an update for the October meeting, this will be a running agenda item for this meeting. (ACTION) Res: Can we have a report on 1 st Phase Section 106 money for the next meeting (ACTION) Res: How soon will the school be built? PG: If it is kept separate, it can be built earlier, if it is joined with housing units it can be built within two years. Res: With the build of St Bernards how many children will be generated from these new units and why was Olde Hanwell not consulted? Cllr Kapoor: Can we get an update on the health clinic which is intended for build at the side of St Marks school. Res: Can you please explain the difference between West Ealing Neighbours and The West Ealing Centre Neighbourhood Forum? 4

5 and the High Street Fund: Mechanisms to put money into one pot to improving trading situations in West Ealing was attempted five years ago but could not get off the ground. This year the councils Economic Regeneration team have a dedicated officer who is working closely with the Ealing Broadway Business Improvement District to set up a BIF for West Ealing traders. 50 traders have been contacted of which 30 are very positive. A BID would be a powerful voice to rationalise business rates and reduce costs of waste and recycling contracts. A business hub will be available for entrepreneurs to source advice on legal, financial, and commercial advice. The groups aim is to help the high street to survive, with innovative methods to help businesses thrive. 6. Consultation results to Corridor 1c (imporvements to Uxbridge Road) The results to Corridor 1c were unavailable, officers are still collating the information, the raw data has so far provided the following information: Lower Boston Road junction, the widening of the junctions with a wider crossing at Uxbridge Road, residents in favour (67%) Church Road mini-roundabout on pedestrian crossings at all junctions, favoured by residents (68%) Safety measures to West Ealing, including raising the crossing at four existing locations and new side road entries, to reduce traffic speed and facilitate EL: West Ealing Neighbours is an organisation made up of residents who wish to enhance the quality of life for those who live and work in West Ealing and those who regularly use its services and facilities. Their aim is to improve such matters as public and private transport and the built environment and open spaces. WEN organise and host local activities which extend to the abundance programme and West Ealing Craft fair. The West Ealing Centre Neighbourhood Forum are a group of unpaid volunteers who are working together to together a detailed 15-year spatial plan for the centre of West Ealing. We aim to hold a referendum on the plans to help identify whether its residents support the proposals. Res: What was the method for consulting? Cllr Bakhai: Paper consultation and web consultation. At the last ward forum the consultation paper was discussed, the Assistant Director for transport Policy attended to go through the proposals. A public meeting was held in West Ealing and Hanwell. Res: Why were the residents of Hobbayne excluded from the consultation? Cllr Bakhai: The highways officers met with councillors from Elthorne and Hobbayne at which time the boundaries were agreed. Res: When will the Uxbridge Road be resurfaced? Cllr Bakhai: Part of the work will include better surfacing where the level of the road will be raised. 5

6 safer pedestrian movement is also favoured by residents (67%) Urban realm improvements at Leeland Road (farmers market), residents in agreement (60%) Post ward-form meeting the consultation results became available are attached. 7. Update on Local Parks Cllr Gordon provided the following update on parks: There are no major changes or works programmed for the Elthorne ward parks The refurbishment of the King George s playing field and Poors Piece will be entered for the Green Flag award which will be taking place this summer. There has been little progress made with the sarsen stone at Elthorne Park, if residents are keen to pursue this, we would like to hear from them. 8 Ward Forum Spend A copy of the wards budget summary sheet was disseminated to all to provide an update on project status. Attendees were encouraged to suggest project proposals. Res: There is an un-named (Hanwell Heath open space) piece of green space close to St Mark s School with a broken fence, can this please be repaired. Cllr Nigel Sumner has been addressing this issue. Contribution to libraries to help support the un-veling of Hanwell Library Junction of St Margarets Road and Green Lanes pub, during events it is very difficult to get around the corner. Can parking restrictions be added. The paving by the green space on Du Burstow Terrace should either be removed to enable proper vehicle parking or it should have double yellow lines for the safety of pedestrians. Going from Evesham Court to Uxbridge Road add double yellow lines at the corner to access Evesham Court. 6

7 9. Any Other Business Res: The space between Jacobs Ladder and the estate is very messy. Eric Leach: As part of the cross Rail project they are considering adding a step free link to the bridge. Res: Can we invite Hanwell for the Homeless to the next meeting. The next WECNF meeting is on 17th May at the West London Islamic Centre. Date of next meeting Res: When will the clock tower be repaired? Cllr Bakhai: It has been cleaned; the electric cable providing power to the clock has deteriorated over time and needs replacing. I am chasing council officers to fit the new cable Thursday 10 th October 7.00pm-9.00pm Oaklands Primary School 7