Held on Wednesday 9 October 2013, 7pm at Horsenden Primary School, Horsenden Lane North, Greenford UB6 0PB Present: Councillor Theresa Byrne (TB) (Chair), Cllr Shital Manro (SM), Councillor Shahbaz Ahmed (SA) Apologies: Nick Cooper, Glaxo site development Attendees: 28 residents attended the meeting Officers present: Evelyn Gloyn, Neighbourhood Coordinator Paul Murphy, Community Safety Team Leader Jackie O Reilly, Note Taker Sgt Tither, and PC Tither, North Greenford Safer Neighbourhoods Team Note taker: Jackie O Reilly 1 0BWelcome and Apologies Apologies from Nick Cooper. Papers made available at the meeting: Agenda Cllr Byrne welcomed everyone to the meeting. Budget summary Safer Communities Report. Envirocrime Report Evaluation forms Importance was stressed to residents to complete the evaluation forms at the meeting or online at www.ealing.gov.uk/wardforum. A Scrutiny Panel is going to be looking at the governance structure and will be analysing the ward forum meetings at a meeting 28 November in Ealing Town Hall. It would be great if residents could feedback what they think about the ward forum process. If you have any queries please contact Evelyn Gloyn, Neighbourhood Governance Co-ordinator (North) via telephone on 020 8825 8021 / 07525 893579 or via email at gloyne@ealing.gov.uk 1
2 Update from Safer Communities Team/Safer Neighbourhoods Team Cllr Byrne told residents that although the agenda stated that the first update would be from the safer neighbourhood team, Paul Murphy would provide his update first as he had another commitment to attend to. Resident: Drinkers are hanging out behind Oldfield Circus, there were 12 in total the other evening, it was very unnerving. EG: This comes under Greenford Green, but the issue has been noted PM: This has hit the team s radar and we are tackling it. Safer Communities See report published separately Paul Murphy, Safer Communities Team Leader introduced himself to the meeting, he is responsible for the Perivale/Northolt/Greenford cluster. Paul told all that there was a report available for residents to take home. Contained within the report was an item on the anti-burglary project and he encouraged the residents to read it. Paul went on to say that he was fully aware that drinkers in the area were a big problem. He encouraged residents to keep reporting as it helped the team to target areas. He went on to say that the team was now responsible for antisocial behavior in council owned parks. Drinkers had now been identified and are invited into the council to sign an acceptable behaviour contract; if they break the contract then further action will be taken. One gent in particular had been picked up whilst wearing his work uniform; needless Resident: There are ongoing problems at the David Lloyd Centre and it s been going on for years. PC Tither: We visited there two days ago and counted 15. We now have names, a lot of them are coming across the borough boundary, and they are from Harrow. Resident: Whitton Place by the scout hut, they come in and steal the fruit and veg and leave beer cans. PC Tither: There is an operation in force as they have now stolen from the allotments. Residents need to call our number straight away if they are seen on stealing. Resident: There are two gates at the end of Whitton Drive in early September a lady spotted a cabbage and tomato plants torn up. A week later there was another small attack, then they started digging up potatoes, last week in particular there had been a vicious attack. A total of 52kgs of potatoes were dug up and taken. Resident: If they are breaking into the allotments then the houses which back onto them are vulnerable. Resident: The house at the end of Rosewood Avenue has lots of CCTV, they may have it recorded. I would ask them for help. 2
to say he is no longer working for that particular company. Safer Neighbourhood Team Sgt Tither addressed the meeting. He advised everyone that crime statistics were down across the country, the only area which had seen an increase was theft from a motor vehicle which the team was actively tackling. When any of the team find cars with valuables left in them, they trace the details and contact the owner to make them aware of the dangers. Sgt Tither said that the street drinkers were the bane of everyone s lives, and the team had to constantly chase them around. Action was restricted by legislation as officers can only tell them to pour the drink out; they cannot legally take the drink from them. If they are seen littering then the team can take action, they know the law so they comply walk away then buy more. The team has been actively targeting drinkers; they are trying to be less public. The team will continue to get rid of them but it will need changes in the bye-laws to change the culture of street drinking. Sgt Tither went on to say that Ealing had been noted as one of the safest boroughs. There had been a total of 935 reported crimes in the past 4 years. He also said that traffic injuries are now been recorded as crime. Resident: Amongst crime records how many were street muggings? Sgt: Robbery was down by 32% which included muggings, there were 3 at most per month, and many were in the Petts Hill side. The perception of crime was far worse than it was in reality. Resident: 1 mugging is too many Sgt: We cannot plan action with one mugging, in areas where it is a known problem then undercover surveillance has been used. PC: Before we leave we have one last initiative which is to tackle the problem at Ridding Lane. We need to get resources together, but it must be addressed. PC Tither told the meeting that this would be their last ward 3
forum meeting has both Sgt Tither and herself were retiring. She went on to say that although it had been a struggle sometimes, the team had always given their best to the ward. Sue thanked the councillors and gave a special thanks to Cllr Ahmed, she said there was a strong unit in the area and it was thanks to the residents in the ward Cllr Byrne said on behalf of all a deep felt thanks to both Sgt and PC Tither, they were both a prime example of excellent policing. Councillor Ahmed added that both officers had been efficient and hard working and it had been wonderful to have them both on the ward, they were going to be sadly missed. A huge round of applause was given to Sgt and PC Tither. 3 Envirocrime Team The Envirocrime report is published separately. David Stokes, West Team Leader asked the councillors to pass onto the meeting reassurances to residents that all cases reported are being investigated. 4 Local issues Activities for young people on Wood End Estate EG told the meeting that the data was on display at the back of the meeting room and that the data reinforced the To report concerns about Envirocrime www.ealing.gov.uk or Tel: 020 8825 6000 or through the councils website www.ealing.gov.uk/reportit Cllrs agreed that this was a good idea. Resident: Talk to the governors of the school, maybe something could be arranged but it would be of primary importance to safeguard the 4
need for somewhere to hold activities for young people in the area. The problem was finding a good location. The councillors had mentioned Greenwood School so dialogue has started. There was a pre-planning meeting on the 23 October at 6pm and it would help if residents went along to make their voices heard. Funding had been provided by the ward forum for a table tennis table but councillors had been advised not to put in in at the moment because it could cause more problems in the long run. Will hold off installing until further talks take place. children of the school. I will bring it up at the next governors meeting. SM: We are also going to talk to the David Lloyd Centre about releasing land, let s see if they can help. Resident: There is land on the Wood End Estate which is vacant, it is council land why can t it be used? SM: The land is leased, we can t do anything if they are paying rent. EG went on to say that there had been contact with Ealing Youth Services and they were aware of the need for facilities in this area. Alleys behind commercial premises. Mr Jeff Martin addressed the meeting and informed all that due to a lot of anti-social behavior the residents and the businesses had worked together to improve the alleyway. Quotes were being put together and at the last ward forum Resident: Why aren t you taking action on overgrown trees at David Lloyd? SM: We have looked into this and the law states no one has a right to light, we can only rely on their goodwill to cut them down. Talks are ongoing with them. Resident: I would like to see the trail of emails. SM: If we can release we will do so. Resident: I would be very keen to support the funding for these works; it will show a good example to other traders/residents what can be done if everyone works together. 5
meeting a total of 15k had been offered towards the cost of the works. Nearly ready to go but the cost has increased and the group would now like to ask for an additional 3k bringing the total to 18k. The ward forum agreed to fund the additional 3k. 5 Updates - Glaxo Development Cllr Byrne told the meeting that Nick Cooper passed on his apologies, he could not attend the meeting. Developers were on track to submit an outline planning application for the site on or around 25th November 2013. Another public information event will be held around the same time. NB: This is on Thursday 21st November, 5pm - 9pm GSK Site Security Office, Greenford Road, UB6 0HE If residents have any queries regarding the development they can sent them to: Nick Cooper Community Planning Director Iceni Projects Limited Flitcroft House 114 116 Charing Cross Road London WC2H 0JR D.D. 020 3435 4208 Tel. 020 3640 8508 Fax. 020 3435 4228 ncooper@iceniprojects.com www.iceniprojects.com Resident: With the university opening it has got very busy in the area with vehicles. SM: then controls will have to be put in. This was argued at planning meetings. If there is an issue we will discuss it with officers but controls will also restrict residents. 6
Resident: the park and pay system is not working, no one is using it they are parking in the side roads. SM: We will look into how well the system is working and if it is generating revenue. 6 Ward forum projects 2012/13 See budget summary sheet published separately. Cllr Byrne advised all that the yellow box junction had not been done yet. Joseph from the Horsenden Allotment Association addressed the meeting. He told the meeting that there had been a long standing issue with the gates to the allotments, they were no longer fit for purpose and wanted to ask the ward forum if they would consider providing funding to replace the old gates. He went on to say that the allotments create a good atmosphere in the community, the hope was to target the youth and to get them involved. The allotments were now under self-management and there is no money at present for upkeep or maintenance, so the association would like to ask the ward forum for 2080 to cover the cost of the high gates on Whitton Drive. The members will be for the other set of gates. SM: it might be worth getting a charity called Cultivate London involved, they could be asked to come and give talks to the youth. Resident: the council took over the plots on Rosewood, but it s now growing wild, they could use this land. TB: Is all agreed that the ward forum would contribute towards the gates, and we will also work with the charities and local schools to get them involved in the allotments. Resident: I fully support the request TB: It s agreed then that the ward forum will fund. 7 Public Forum 7
Cllr Byrne told the meeting that the crossing at Wood End Lane/Wood End Gardens/Wood End Way to go to Greenwood School was not a priority at present. The request had been added to the list of requests from residents to be considered for future bids for funding as part of the next round of the Local Implementation Plans. Resident: This issue has been raised for years. Would like an officer from the council to attend the next meeting. They also need to carry out a proper feasibility study. Resident: There was a lolly pop lady at Wood End Lane which helped the traffic TB: Agreed to meet on site at 8am to witness the problems and we will then report back at the next meeting. Date to be agreed. Resident: The raised tables, cars don t recognise them as crossings and speed. The news about a lift for Greenford Station has been well received by residents, particularly as over the years it has nearly happened before, but then stalled. Councillors urged residents to take part in the consultation on the reduction of NHS services at Ealing Hospital and other hospitals across the NW London sector. Cllr Byrne said that a resident had been in contact with the park ranger about the gates no longer being locked. The park ranger had checked with safer communities and to date only 2 anti-social incidents reported. Over the summer months the park ranger and the park guards increase their visible presence in the park and this has reduced the number and severity of incidents and encouraged more responsible behaviour. The consultation ends on 8 October and residents who are opposed to the recommendations are advised to take care on how to fill in the consultation form Resident: Manager of Ballot box said he would get his staff to close the gates at dusk. But Ian Ross said that they would not be insured to do so and therefore they could not do it. Paul Murphy has agreed to look into the matter further. TB: Naturally council staff would be covered under health and safety but anyone not employed it would be difficult. Let s wait and see what is said. Resident: Could funds be made available to illuminate the car park at the club: TB: there is an issue with light pollution and the grounds are not owned by the council. The grounds are owned by the football club. 8
8 What s coming up Cllr Byrne told the meeting that the council was compiling potential areas for the CPZ 2014-15 programme. If residents had any requests for the ward they could let their councillors know. Resident: Would like to know how much revenue is being generated from park and pay? SM: A resident could not make the meeting and wanted to mention that the 92 bus is now full up because of the new school. EG: There will be a review of buses, will feedback this to transport. Resident: Does any of the councillors have information regarding the derelict building on Allendale? SM: All we know is 2-4 years ago a number of applications submitted and then withdrawn. Freshwater own and they want to build flats. Resident: On the council s website it says that Cllrs Manro and Ahmed have stood down from planning. SM: Planning committee is not done on an area basis, it is part of the Labour Group and just because we are not on the planning committee we can still get information about planning. The meeting ended at 8:45pm Date of future meetings Thursday 20 March 2014 Local Elections and European Elections Thursday 22 May 2014. Future ward forum dates would be set after this Horsenden Primary School - Horsenden Lane North Greenford, Middlesex UB6 0PB 9