Neighbourhood Governance Note of Cleveland Ward Forum Held on Tuesday 1 st March 2016, Hathaway primary School, Hathaway Gardens, Ealing, W13 0DH Present: Attendees: Councillor Lynne Murray, Councillor David Rodgers (Chair) and Councillor Ian Proud 86 Residents attended the meeting Officers and others present: Tan Afzal (TA) - Neighborhood Governance Coordinator (LBE), Jonathan Kirby (JK) Assistant Director of Major Projects (LBE), Andrew Mcleay (AM) Ealing Soup Kitchen and Jackie Sears Director of Hanwell Big Local ((JS) No. Note Question /Action Point 1. Chair s Welcome and Introductions Cllr Rodgers welcomed all attendees; introducing all councilors present advising residents about emergency exits and requesting all mobiles are either switched off or turned onto silent. The chair advised everyone about the ground rules for ward forums, which included a councilors right to exclude an attendee or if required end a meeting early if attendees were to cause disruption. He asked that attendees not raise their voice, and to listen to others with respect. Each person will be given the opportunity to speak in turn, with priority given to a person who has not spoken. Cllr Rodgers stated that everyone should conduct themselves with courtesy and respect. Sgt Ade was expected to attend the meeting, as he had not arrived items further down the agenda would be addressed. 1
2. Speed Survey at Kent Avenue Cllr Rodgers stated a speed survey had been requested by Tony Purton, a resident of Kent Avenue. A survey had been carried out in 2012 at which time no speed issues were registered. The council intends to remain with the decision to take no further surveys, as since then there have been neither fatalities nor collisions. The ward councillors are not willing to support a new survey. Tony Purton: I disagree with the findings, and believe the area requires further attention. A speed survey needs to be carried out. Cllr Murray: The council is trialing a 20 mile per hour zone in Acton this summer, if successful this will be rolled out to the rest of the borough, we hope this will reduce overall average speeds. Alan Murray: How is the 20mph zone enforced? Cllr Rodgers: It is the responsibility of the police and not the council. Cameras are the mayor of London s responsibility. Linda Rivans: It is a costly exercise to add a 20 mph zone when it cannot be enforced, how many streets are being considered? Cllr Rodgers: I don t know at this stage, most certainly residential streets. 3 Redevelopment of Gurnell Leisure Centre Jonathan Kirby Jonathan Kirby presented on Gurnell leisure centre, focusing on the reasons for why the redevelopment is needed and the factors that have influenced the proposals: The major projects team is working jointly with housing and regeneration, we are a dedicated team dealing with capital projects and a re capital funded Factors such as value for money, current demand and future demands and population growth have been considered. There is an opportunity to have a 50 metres swimming pool, this is about creating an excellent facility, it is not about elite swimming. My team has worked on other projects such as Acton town hall and the Northolt leisure centre, both of which have been a success Roger Davis: Have you consulted the Environment Agency? JK: Flood risk surveys and other associated risks are being addressed. Res: Will the skate park be demolished and if so will it be replaced? JK: Yes Res: For many years we have seen swimmers park their cars in our local streets, using the paces to change into their trainers and sometimes even their clothes, which is frustrating for those of us who live nearby. JK: A detailed transport survey will be carried out. Undercover car parking is being considered as an option, charging would be similar to what is current. Transport planners will inform us of concerns about 2
We have instructed Wilmott Dixon to develop a framework, to get the expertise early and a set of options. It will be a mixed facility, with 4 recreational pools, moveable floors, allowing ease for learners and people with disabilities and providing a better facility for aqua classes. The Amateur Swimming Association has been consulted for their input, they believe the initial proposal could deliver a fun destination Currently we have an ageing facility with a corrosive temperature. The amount of investment required to bring the facility to a reasonable standard would be a poor and expensive investment unless we worked with developers who are able to provide a sustainable financial environment which allows more money to be invested in leisure services and activities. The timeline would include planning permission from the secretary of state. This would be a shared contract with Brent and Harrow. local congestion and parking difficulties, including how many more vehicles the redevelopment could possibly generate. Cllr Rodgers: There are grounds already for residents only parking on the housing estate at Gurnell. Chris Lowe: What evidence is there for demolishing the centre. Inside it is in better shape than it has ever been before. What quotes have you received and what is the nature of your research. Where did you get the cost of re-doing the roof, have you received several quotes? JK: Property consultants are carrying out the surveys, with a full condition survey by Babcock. Sauna and steam room would also be part of the mix. The air handling unit would require a full plant replacement. The main structure requires new electrical and plant equipment. Whilst internally it does look good, the functionality requires a great deal of work. The pool needs significant attention. The experience we have gives us the knowledge to not carry out too many surveys. The big ticket items would cost a third of 33m, this would not generate surpluses. By using Wilmott Dixon we would be dovetailing costs and saving money. Amir Bhattachajee: Northolt and Acton are nothing like Gurnell, at which I have been swimming for 30 years. They were unsightly, whereas Gurnell has a very good pool, well designed and well maintained, accessible to all. It's about practicality, why cant you just enhance the exisiting facility. JK: The current facility will not last beyond 7 years, the new development would ensure it can continue for the next 30-40 years. The orientation of the pool is technically wrong. AB: What guarantee is there this will remain a public amenity? JK: The Cabinet report sets out the aims for the development, one of 3
4 which is creating a public pool, housing is the funding source. By creating a 50 metres pool we are offering our residents the best facility. Alan Outten: Is the area metropolitan land, and what part of Gurnell sits on this land? JK: We will be replacing the leisure centre on land where it already exists. The carpark will go below, and the housing will go to the carpark hard standing area. AB: I have swum at Gurnell since the age of 47 years, I am now 81 years old. Why was this meeting not advertised at Gurnell. This is a scam and I will sue all three councillors. Surenda Dumghana: This project has not been made very public, consultation takes place after planning. How are we going to be reimbursed for the funding? JK: Consultation must be meaningful; therefore we must work up a level of the scheme to consult. As of April a proposal will be available to consult on. We will be inviting people through the centres to the consultation. Cabinet reports have been produced to provide details to the project. We have been working very hard with the skate association and the BMX team to assist with the development. David Park: have you considered putting the leisure centre in the car park? JK: It requires significant depth, three metres or further. The water has to disperse into a tank, which would be costly and quite prohibitive. If you keep the current site open, with no housing built, no money would generate from the sold housing leaving the council with a cash flow problem. Richard Collins: You consulted everyone except for the users JK: We have placed notices at Gurnell, there was a Cabinet report and
5 core user groups have been consulted. We will widen consultation to residents at the next stage, which will include talking to neighbouring boroughs. Cllr Rodgers: A political process for approval is always required. Francesco: Will the parking be reduced? JK: There are currently 175 spaces, with housing there would be additional spaces. Linda Rivans: The emphasis seems to be on providing more housing rather than the need for a new swimming pool, which then allows for the developer to pay for everything. If there are problems with the water table there is no guarantee the underground car park can go ahead. JK: We are not that Machiavellian, it's not about housing, it's about providing a high standard leisure centre. In the meantime we are looking around for other facilities that can support the users, which may also for transferred memberships. Res: Will this be as successful as the redevelopment of the cinema? JK: The council cannot pursue consultation until the right things are in place. Since the compulsory purchase order for the cinema was granted we can now proceed with looking at designs. Artis Solan: has the council considered building the housing by the old Perivale hospital or other sites? JK: we are always exploring options and taking feedback from planners. Anthony Homen: The refurbishment was never seriously looked at, the skate park could have paid for the roof. JK: Contribution from the development will pay for the skate park and the BMX facility. We brief Gurnell leisure centre, it is up to Gurnell to brief their staff.
4. Controlled Parking Zone at Kent Gardens and Surrounding Area Question / Action Point Cllr Rodgers: The redevelopment does require lots of consultation, which will take place, with it requiring planning permission, which would mean consultation. JK: We had some unfortunate news from the skate park association this afternoon, one of the young people who regularly skates at Gurnell took their life today. There is likely to be increased activity this weekend as people come by to pay their respects. Cllr Murray provided residents with an update on the transport issues at Kent Gardens: Kent Garden residents submitted a petition to full Council asking for consideration for a CPZ. An informal survey was taken to measure the level of support for a CPZ and 81 residents were in favor of extending the CPZ. If a formal consultation is carried out, the CPZ will be considered as a new CPZ rather than as an extension of St Stephen s, to prevent residents intra-zone 'commuting'. A map of the area to be consulted has been disseminated Consultation is expected to commence in April, the Easter break will be taken into account to allow for a longer consultation period. Consultation results should be available for May. Kent Gardens and Cleveland Road are mostly affected, we could add more double yellow lines but this would severely restrict residential parking, and only exacerbate their current problems. Commuters are currently adding pressure to the already congested parking spaces. Dual use bays will be installed where possible, to reduce displaced 6 Brenda Hawkes: Every household within the proposed boundary was consulted, of which two thirds requested a controlled parking zone. Steve: Can the outer area be added to the core area, we are plagued with commuters. We took a petition to the mayor asking for a CPZ, this also suffers from displacement parking. Cllr Murray: For purely technical reasons that side will be included in the Draytons CPZ. For residents who are keen to have a CPZ, it is important they rally some support from their neighbours. It is no longer a case of how many people respond, the survey will look at where there is a majority. Res: CPZs are a good idea, resident parking is great but at Pitshanger Lane we are being squeezed. Cllr Rodgers: That is a separate issue, if you wish to lobby the council we will help you. Our approach is to look at consultation. Elizabeth Wallis: Our portion of Cleveland Road is in brown. Cllr Rodgers: On all these parking matters we are responding to what residents have asked us for. Robert: Is it in your experience that people are in favour of CPZs once they are in place?
parking. Cllr Rodgers: Anecdotally yes. Debbie Edwards: Sovereign Close is not in the consultation area, with CPZ creep where will the traffic go, the commuters and the teachers? Cllr Rodgers: Sovereign Close is in the outer zone area. Transport is a challenge for London, our dependence on private motor vehicles makes things difficult. We need better public transport, Crossrail will help. The introduction of dual use bays can help with creating more parking spaces. 5. Consultation for Minor Parking Scheme at Woodfield Road Question / Action Point Cllr Rodgers updated residents on the consultation for minor parking schemes at Woodfield Road, particularly the west side of the street, which is used by buses to go towards Pitshanger Lane. This is a proposal that has come from residents who live on that side of the road. The buses have increased congestion, sometimes stopping traffic every 10-20 minutes. We have received emails for and against but the introduction of any yellow lines will be subject to formal consultation. Result of the consultation will determine whether the scheme proceeds or not. 7 Bob Cummins: I don t see why people are agitated, there is no commuter parking, would be interesting to know how many people have lobbied the council. Problem with the buses is not as stated. Cllr Rodgers: The problem is sited at a short stretch of the road, as many people can park on their drives. There are two bus-stops at which nobody can park against, the problem is the number of buses passing by, at locations where there are tight passing points. Heather Griffin: I live on the west side, we don t have off street parking, but we don t see commuters very often. The narrow end is the main problem, where buses find it too difficult to pass, particularly at peak times such as dropping off and picking up kids from school. Cllr Proud: I have received a dozen emails from residents who are against adding parking restrictions, if we take the precedent as being Kent gardens we should then take tonight as informal consultation and not continue with the consultation. Cllr Rodgers: The consultation has been drawn up, it would be an opportunity to carry out formal consultation on a matter which is clearly divided.
6. Ealing Soup Kitchen Andrew Mcleay Question / Action Point The Ealing soup kitchen is based at St John s Church on Mattock lane and has been for the last 40 years, AM presented on how it functions: We have been a charity since 2013 Made up entirely of volunteers, we cook, clean and organize activities. It is also supported by the church team There are a set of trustees who are also volunteers. You can find us at the church gardens every Saturday and Sunday between 3.30pm-5.30pm I look at what services the homeless need, this also extends someone to have a chat with. They need someone to build a relationship with as they are often very isolated given their circumstances We have an Instagram page which has many pictures of food. There is a Friday drop-in session at which I met with Cllr Rodgers and Cllr Murray, who came to visit us to find out what we do to support the local homeless Organized activities include art, film club, music, computer skills training, this could be available more regularly but we don t have enough volunteers. Always looking for new volunteers. 7. Transform Your Space (Copley Close) Jackie Sears JS provided information on an environmental project being developed on Copley Close: Hanwell big Local is working on a project to develop two community gardens and woodland at Copley Close. The area use to be called Dead Man Alley a place considered as undesirable by Francesco: I walked up to the entrance to Copley where it was once overgrown, it had been wonderfully cleaned up. TA: Can I suggest you use Bubble to promote the two projects, so as to encourage more volunteers. I would also be happy to add something to our internal web newsletter for staff, as some council officers live 8
locals, We aim to have a full time apprentice for two years, provide them with support to develop the garden Intend to work with Hathaway Primary School and Castlebar Study Centre. We also aim to develop an orchard trail at Gurnell Grove, all of which requires volunteers. locally. Cllr Rodgers: We have committed 10,000 to this project, it s important we spend money in all parts of the ward. 8. Ward Forum Budgets 2015-16 TA provided an update on the current status to ward projects: Most of the minor parking schemes have been completed apart from the ones at Woodfield Road which will require consultation. The re-alignment of the junction at Courtfield Gardens to Argyle Road has been completed to deter motorists from swinging onto Argyle Road without stopping at the junction lines. This is a very wide junction. The sign at Woodbury Road which showed the street as being a dead end has been repainted to ensure it is clearly visible. The two replacements trees at Pitshanger Park by the new pavilion were planted in November of last year The transport planning team will start working with North Ealing primary school to look at developing a road safety project and in the meantime have erected school warning signs on Meadvale Road The Pitshanger Community Association received a 5000 contribution towards new lights for their annual 'Light up the Lane' A contribution to fund a deep clean of Pitshanger Lane was carried out in support of the Pitshanger Village Traders Association's bid Ian Hammerton:St Barnabus church would like support from the ward forum to help fund the restoration of a very large James Clark painting that has great heritage value. We have sought funds from the Heritage Lottery Fund but would like 10,000 from the ward forum as a contribution to a conservator's report. Res: We have had over 1,000 people visit St Barnabus each week, and aim to establish an outreach project with local primary schools. Richard Costello: Can you please fund the replacement of street signs, similar to what they have in Hanger Hill. Francesco: Street bicycle repair stand. Cllr Rodgers: John Martin on behalf of the Pitshanger Village Traders Association would like to express his gratitude to all councillors and the community fior their support which helped Pitshanger Lane win the London category in the Great British High Street awards. 9
for one of the Great British High Street awards, which Pitshanger Lane won in the London category. Copley Close has been allocated a sum of 10,000 to help support the development of their green projects, through Transform Your Space 9. Public Forum Richard Costello: The Brentham Society carried out a survey regarding the introduction of wheelie bins, and a quarter of residents suggested smaller bins. Cllr Rodgers: Thames 21 will be hosting a clean up of the canal, if anyone would like to take part it will be taking place this Saturday from 11am-3pm, all volunteers are provided with equipment. Res: Ealing churches held a winter night shelter which took place at St Barnabus, it had the support of all three councillors, thank you. Res: The football matches at Pitshanger Park always leave a mess, can the players not clean their boots thoroughly before using the path. Cllr Rodgers: we always try to host ward meetings in different part of the ward which is why we had this meeting at this school. This ensures that people from each section of the ward can attend at least one meeting a year. Date of Next Meeting Tuesday 21 st June 2016 7pm Venue To Be Confirmed 10