Draft minutes

Cllr Doyle in the chair welcomed residents to the meeting, covering evacuation procedure and amenities. She reminded attendees about emails for notifications of future meetings and checked if email notification had been received.

The item was brought forward in meeting sequence by request. Secretary of the Over50’s forum spoke on the need for fairer funding, as London Borough of Enfield receives a disproportionally low amount in comparison to other authorities, while having greater needs than many due to deprivation in certain parts of the borough.  A petition, currently running at about 3000 signatures was circulated and signed by residents at the meeting. Cllr Celebi noted that with a few more signatories it would be possible to present it to the Council at a main meeting.  The campaign has cross party support in Enfield.  Cllr Chamberlain noted that this issue was very long running, having been on-going when he first joined the Council in 2002.

The Over 50s Forum are holding a conference on 28 October at Enfield County School, entitled “Prospects for better ageing”.

Sgt Stuart Gill was welcomed to the ward.  He reported that crime in August was down overall in the ward, excepting residential burglaries which had risen in that month.  Overall there were 30 crimes recorded in August, 42 in July. 44 in June and 48 in May.  He noted the Mayor’s promise of more PCs for safer neighbourhood police wards. Ward promises (focus of local policing) were ASB in parks, begging and speeding.  A Speed gun operation had been conducted in Wellington and Halstead Roads on 14 September. No tickets were issued in this instance.   Sgt Gill noted that there was an issue of overestimation of speed by untrained observers, but he will be requesting a speed surveys and intends to conduct further speed exercises.  Considerable concern over speed was noted by residents.  Locations considered an issue were noted by Sgt Gill.

Other incidents discussed included speeding on the A10 as TfL have permanently withdrawn the speed cameras. The recent stabbing was discussed, it was noted that the location was not a factor in the occurrence. Concerns over gang issues were covered, although it was noted there main area of activity was east of the A10 outside the ward. 

Sgt Stuart Gill was welcomed to the ward.  He reported that crime in August was down overall in the ward, excepting residential burglaries which had risen in that month.  Overall there were 30 crimes recorded in August, 42 in July. 44 in June and 48 in May.  He noted the Mayor’s promise of more PCs for safer neighbourhood police wards. Ward promises (focus of local policing) were ASB in parks, begging and speeding.  A Speed gun operation had been conducted in Wellington and Halstead Roads on 14 September. No tickets were issued in this instance.   Sgt Gill noted that there was an issue of overestimation of speed by untrained observers, but he will be requesting a speed surveys and intends to conduct further speed exercises.  Considerable concern over speed was noted by residents.  Locations considered an issue were noted by Sgt Gill.

Other incidents discussed included speeding on the A10 as TfL have permanently withdrawn the speed cameras. The recent stabbing was discussed, it was noted that the location was not a factor in the occurrence. Concerns over gang issues were covered, although it was noted there main area of activity was east of the A10 outside the ward. 

Concerns were raised over the proposal to put a cycle path along the back of Bury Lodge Park, with a Pelican crossing on the A10. Particularly given its proximity to the junctions.  Problems with the scheme were noted by residents in relation with the threat of loss of independence for people with disability and  loss of parking. Concerns over the inclusion of people outside the borough in the council consultation were also expressed, with the concern that cyclists were using outside support to boost their position. It was also noted that cycle lanes would not provide routes for emergency services as they were too narrow.

In all a number of residents expressed their discontent with the scheme, while some expressed support, particularly in view of the health benefits.

It was noted that the council had expanded the cutting area so that the centre and some of the perimeter were now to be cut, but not all of the area would be cut as before.  On being asked Cllr Chamberlain noted that it was unlikely the Cabinet Member  would further alter the cutting plan as the Cabinet member had been quite clear he would not alter it further.  Residents expressed discontent that the fields would not be cut as they were originally.

·         Question (raised during item 5) – What happened to the £5.5m for Broomfield house – Cllr Doyle undertook to find out.

·         Concern over development in the green belt was expressed (raised during item 5)  and residents were urged to attend the Green Belt forum on 13 October, starting 19:30 at the Civic Centre.

·         Congratulations where noted on Bury Lodge Park's success in Enfield in Bloom. The recognition of the great work done in the park by the Park Friends was warmly applauded.

·         Green bin collections.  People were concerned over the council consultation which only offered two options, charged for collection or two week collections, as they felt two weeks was too long in the summer.

·          Bury Lodge Development- There would be a consultation at the end of November, but no date had yet been set.

·          Concerns were expressed over a planning application for a shop in Queen Anne's Place, that would include being open until 4am. [Note it has now been confirmed that 4am was a typing error, it should have been 4pm]

·         Speed cameras along the A10 have now been permanently removed. Residents were advised to write to the London  Mayor if they wanted to push for their restoration.

·          An average speed check for the A406 was also discussed.

·         The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 16 January 2017, same location and details.