Neighbourhood Governance Note of Cleveland Ward Forum, Pitshanger Methodist Church, 2 Pitshanger Lane, Ealing, W5 1QP Held on Wednesday 12 th November 2014 Present: Attendees: Councillor Lynne Murray (Chair), Councillor Ian Proud and Councillor David Rodgers 57Residents attended the meeting Officers present: Tan Afzal (TA) - Neighbourhood Governance Coordinator (LBE), Sgt James Ayling Cleveland Safer Neighbourhood Team, PC Edwin Ade Cleveland Safer Neighbourhood Team, PCSO Lee Binden, Cleveland Safer Neighbourhood Team, Dave Grundy (President) Pitshanger Football Club, Roy Smith (Fixtures Secretary) PFC, Brian Lochead (Chairman) PFC and Carl Smith Park Ranger (LBE) 1. Chair s Welcome and Introductions Cllr Rodgers welcomed all attendees, introducing all councillors present advising residents about emergency exits and requesting all mobiles are either switched off or turned onto silent. He apologised for Cllr Murrays absence that she would be arriving shortly, currently delayed in travel from her voluntary role as Deputy Chair of the Book Trust.it was explained that the meeting would follow the agenda items, if residents had questions about other ward concerns councillors would be happy to address them at the end of the meeting. 2 Cleveland Safer Neighbourhood Team - Sgt James Ayling Sgt James Ayling reported on the following: Cleveland has the 4 th lowest crimes rates out of the 23 rd wards in the borough of Ealing. Crime in Cleveland has fallen by 15.5% compared with last year. Robbery has gone down by 8% compared with last year Residential burglary is 14.8% less than last year Theft of motor vehicles is 19.2% lower than last year Theft from motor vehicles has gone down by 15% compared with last year Res: Of those convicted were they local people or travelling into the area? Sgt Ayling: One person was local the other was travelling in from outside of the borough. Res: What do you attribute lower crime levels to? Sgt Ayling: Good policing, there have been changes made to the policing model, which means there are more police available for local policing 1
Cannabis factories have been closed down, one on Copley Close Two burglars were arrested, one of which was arrested for incidents around Argyle Road. There is greater potential for burglary during the Christmas period as many homes have new items purchased as gifts. Res: Has anything been done about the speeding at Kent Avenue? Sgt Ayling: The traffic department carried out a survey at Kent Avenue, we will take a look at this to establish whether further work is required. Res: how are the figures lower this year compared with last year, when a reduction by 15% is higher than the reduction of 24% mentioned at the last ward forum meeting. Sgt Ayling: Rolling three months. Res: Is your public campaign going to include cycling on paths? Sgt Ayling: You made contact with our Borough Commander, he will respond accordingly. Res: The double yellow lines don t extend far enough on Kent Avenue to give clear sight lines; we need an additional 20 metres. Res: For Belvue Road, this is an aberration, as crime has gone up in our area. I have not seen any patrols or policing. Sgt Ayling: We do patrol either in high vis or in plain clothes, I wasn t aware of a specific concern at belvue Road. Police officers are tasked to patrol the entire ward. Cllr Proud: What was the means of entry with respect to the burglaries carried out. Res: Stripping yale locks with a credit card Res: Are people advised about the weakness of yale locks Sgt Ayling: Yes, we do crime prevention work and we can carry out assessments to make properties secure. Res: There is lots of advice available online, on target hardening your home, vehicles and personal possessions. Res: Can neighbourhood Watch help deter crime from happening in the area. What is happening with neighbourhood Watch? Sgt Ayling: They are still promoted and supported by local SNT s. We recently started one in Templewood Road. They are very helpful as a source of intelligence for the police, we recently closed down a cannabis factory in Curzon Road, there was a horrendous smell yet nobody from 2
the neighbouring properties called us. Cllr Rodgers: Neighbourhood Watch is a mutual partnership between residents and their local SNT. 3 Pitshanger Park Update Question / Action Point Cllr Proud provided an update on the football pitches: Last winter saw the construction of football pitches, which in the past had suffered from flooding on a regular basis. The paths at Pitshanger Park leading from the allotments alongside Argyle Road do require resurfacing as they are often flooded too. The cost of this work is estimated at 40,000, some of which the council s parks team will be able to fund from their annual capital budget. The councils transport team will also contribute, we hope to contribute from the ward budget to make up the required funds. Brian Lochead, Roy Smith and Dave Grundy of Pitshanger Football Club updated residents on matters related to the new pavilion and pitches at Pitshanger Park. The football club has two key themes, one of which is a longstanding history, the club was established in 1972, and the other being a reliance on volunteers, predominantly parents who support the club. There are 26 teams, which include an under 5 s, under 18 s and a senior team called Pitshanger Dynamo. The club is not just about encouraging sport it also includes a social element. There are two teams for each age group, one of which is more competitive. The club house was a huge financial commitment, many pots of money helped deliver it including funds from the club. We Res: The hedge must be replaced, grass cutting machinery does not go through the hedge, so why should the machinery for the pavilion go through this opening. Cllr Proud: We have asked the council to close the hedge, the planting should have been carried out earlier, and we will continue to pursue this. Res: A silver Mercedes van is still using that route to access the grounds, this is churning up the grounds and ruining then paths. Res: The area between the pavilion and Meadvale Road is very dark, would it be possible to add more lamps between the tennis courts and the electricity box? Res: It would be incredible irresponsible for people to enter the park when it is dark. 3
committed more than a third of the 600,000 cost from our own funds. This investment is for the longevity of the club and the community around it. We are pleased that it is near completion. Initially a disused primary school was used by the club, which was later shut in 1997. We started negotiations for a new clubhouse 12 years ago. The club is a registered charity run by volunteers. It is easier to get children to participate but harder to get parents to engage and remain committed to the club. It is self-funded with contributions from members. There are clear restrictions as to how we use the club house, this does not include late night parties, primary use is during the daytime with a committee meeting held once a month. Action: Publish restrictions as mentioned in lease. Res: When will we see a reduction in congestion? BL: We have had more activity at the Argyle Road end which will spread out through to Scotch Common. We ask our member to be sensible when parking their vehicles. Our job is to communicate to our members very forcibly and regularly to ensure that they park responsibly. Res: More games have been added to the pitches at the Argyle Road end, will they be moved over to the new pitches. BL: When the five pitches are in operation, this will result in a shift. It will take a further six months before the pitches can be used, there are drainage issues that need to be resolved. Res: There are two oak trees that obscure the view to the football pitches, can they be relocated. Res: Can the contractors ass a sign to the building to inform people about the pavilion and how to become a member. RS: Yes Res: Can the contractors not use the space through the hedge to enter the park, silver Mercedes van has been churning up the path by entering that end. RS: This will be the last week, but it is very upsetting to hear that a contractor has been driving across new pitches. Res: Why is it going to take a further six months to have the pitches 4
ready for use? RS: The very wet winter has led to drainage issues. BL: We could not anticipate the weather conditions which has caused the delays. Cllr Rodgers: Very impressed with the clubs commitment to improving the health of local people and engaging them in healthy activities. Childhood obesity is on the increase, this certainly helps to address this issue. 4 Road Safety Question / Action Point Cllr Murray reported back on the various road safety concerns that had been raised at the previous meeting: The new crossing going into Drayton Green will be completed by the end of November. The previous councillors did lobby the council to have the crossing installed. Cyclists lobbied us to add a roundabout at the junction of Argyle Road and Sutherland Road crossing to Sutherland Avenue. In order to complete a study to establish whether this would be the best solution a budget of 5000 is required. At the southern end of Argyle Road by Rosebery Gardens, St Stephens Avenue and Courtfield Gardens a pedestrian survey was carried by video to establish the volume of pedestrians using this crossing point. Once the data has been analysed it will help officers identify whether there is a need for a zebra crossing or whether the existing refuge island should be widened. If it required a refuge island at the northern end of Courtfield Gardens this would necessitate a build out at Courtfield Gardens to reduce the swing on to Argyle Road. Cllr Rodgers commented on parking restriction within the ward: Arranged a walkabout with council highways officer which Cllr Proud and residents attended too. A number of proposals have been made for Queens Walk, feedback would be welcomed. A proposal to add limited parking restrictions at the two entrances Res: I counted very few cyclists using this area between 9-10am, a total of 16 cyclists. It would not be value for money to add a roundabout at this junction when so few people would benefit. Cllr Proud: Officers have advised us against adding a roundabout at this location. Cllr Murray: Cyclists would argue that they don t use it because it s too dangerous. Res: I don t consider this a good idea. Res: How would buses get around the roundabout? Res: The council has a responsibility to improve road safety; the ward cannot contribute to all these safety projects. Can cycling on pavements be added to all future agendas? Cllr Murray: It is an offence to cycle on pavements. The large part of this project would be funded through LIP funding; it may require additional funding if there is a need for a build out. Res: Would it not be possible for a regular patrol and camera to do this? Res: Can we buy 7000 worth of monitoring equipment instead? 5
to North Ealing School at Summerfield Road and Woodbury Park Road. The school meals van comes through the Woodbury Park Road end. Additional restrictions at Cleveland Road at the southern side of the road. The entrance point to Gurnell Estate is often parked at, which reduces visibility. Parking restrictions will be added to encourage motorists to pay 30p to park at Gurnell leisure car park. A formal statutory notice will go out with details to all restrictions. Res: Can you look at the area by Ruislip Road East junction to Argyle Road? Cllr Proud: This has been addressed too. Res: Why was there a need for parking restrictions behind Scotch Common across from the Duke of Kent? Cllr Rodgers: They were requested by local residents Res: The Summerfield Road end of North Ealing school needs to remain open for emergency access, there are irresponsible parents who drop their kids off in a dangerous manner. Res: Motorists are mounting the pavement that leads to Pitshanger Park to complete a 3-point turn, thinking it will give them access to the park. Can we please have a T-sign to deter people from entering Cllr Rodgers: This is also an enforcement issue, I tried to stop parents from parking on the zig-zag lines along Pitshanger Lane. Res: Thank you for acting so quickly on the issues mentioned at the l ast meeting, there is one point missing, are we going to have to wait for long? Cllr Rodgers: We hope to have the recommendations approved by the Leader of the Council by the end of this year with consultation and implementation to follow soon after that. 5 Gurnell Estate Play Area Question / Action Point TA provided an update on the plans to upgrade Gurnell Estate play area: At the request of residents, housing officers were asked to look at options to upgrade the play area at Gurnell Estate. In July following consultation with residents and local school children an indicative design was drawn up and in August the 6
council s consultant Leisure Services were commissioned to draw up a detailed specification and tender the project. Following the review of the specification additional funds were required by Housing to ensure the project met current health and safety legislations and policy recommendations. The project will cost 70k. Invites to tender were sent out in September, the successful contractor is Proludic. The new play area will amalgamate the two smaller areas into one making the play area much larger than previously. 6 Crossrail Cllr Murray stated an event on the latest design for the new Crossrail; station at West Ealing would be taking place on Monday 1 St December at the Drayton Court Hotel. Two opportunities to participate one from 6.30-7.30pm and the other from 8-9pm. Cllr Rodgers will be chairing one of the sessions. 7. Ward Forum Budget and Spend Cllr Murray opened up this agenda item to attending residents: 8. Date of Next Meeting Tuesday 3 rd March 2014 - Drayton Court Hotel Res: A green plaque in commemoration of the female doctor responsible for working with deaf children, helping them to utilise residual hearing which made it possible for some to attend normal schools. The cost would be 700, English heritage has turned the idea down. Cllr Rodgers: The councillors are in agreement that we support this project. Res: Thank you to the ward forum and the Pitshanger Community Association for the restoration of the ward memorial at St Barnabus. Res: Can the footpath at the south side of Pitshanger Lane going to Queen gardens be repaired. 7