Agenda for Southgate Ward Forum on Tuesday, 23rd February, 2016, 7.30 pm

Minutes

Proposed venue: The Southgate Methodist Church, 45 The Bourne, Southgate, N14 6RS

Items
No. Item

1.

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

Minutes:

Cllr Edward Smith welcomed the residents and introduced the agenda and format.

 

2.

CRIME UPDATE FROM THE LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE TEAM

Minutes:

SGT Malloy advised the attendees that the Police had seen a spike in burglaries in December and again in January (13) but they had reduced down again to around 5 for burglaries a month. This is a consistent trend year on year.
Crime is generally down for Southgate. Robberies are now 0. This was partially due to a joint operation at Southgate Tube Station where these crimes often occur.

PSCO’s - 1 PCSO will return in April. Until now there has been none in post due to budget and resource changes. From April the council will fund this post.

Twitter - Police have started to use Twitter. To tell residents what the police are doing and warnings on crime. Look up @Enfield Police.
The police are now also sending out Police reports with statistics via email. This is not to scare residents, but to show what is happening in the locality, listing crimes in each ward. The objective is to reduce questions and help the public see what is happening where.


Anti-Social Behaviour
– Southgate Ward is number 1 in dealing with anti-social behaviour of all the wards in North London. Whenever an issue is identified, it is dealt with immediately.


Harris & Hoole café, Southgate. A PC will now also be based at the café at certain times of the week as a new initiative. Residents are invited to come and see the police and discuss issues.

Contact points. Southgate ASDA and Morrison’s had previously been contact points where an officer was based for 3hours a week. However the officer had recorded how many people came and spoke to him and it is clear that people are just not using this service and found it odd to speak to someone whilst doing their shopping.  So this initiative is being reviewed.

3.

UPDATE ON CYCLE ENFIELD

Minutes:

Cllr Smith – updated residents on the scheme and the public consultations that had taken place, both the council's own consultation and the more extensive consultation to 18,000 residents by David Burrowes MP.  Due to significant objections from residents and businesses opposed to many aspects of the scheme and how the consultation had been undertaken,  local businesses in Palmers Green are hoping to mount a judicial review. This will depend on whether the necessary money to cover the legal costs can be raised.

The main concern felt by ward councillors is that cycle lanes are planned on the main road routes, and other routes such as the New River or through side roads are being ignored.  The likely levels of pollution arising from  increased congestion is also a matter of concern. 

 

4.

STANDING ITEMS

Minutes:

Proposed new School in Bourneside – Michael Clary updated residents on this proposal.
Historic England have said that they oppose these proposals and would reject them if a planning application was submitted by the Council for a new primary school. The Labour Council has not fully taken into account the conservation requirement for this listed piece of parkland.  However discussion with Historic England has not been concluded and they have said that if 4 objectives are satisfied they would reconsider:
1) No other sites available for a school in the area.
2) A long term park management plan is created.
3) The Council would restrict further development on the site.
4) Funding to come from Heritage Lottery.

Copies of documents have been obtained under Freedom of Information. These cannot be reprinted but can be shown to residents if they contact Michael Clary.

 

The Minchenden School option favoured by the ward councillors will be converted to a school for children (132 places) with high spectrum autistic needs.  The purchase of the site from Barnet Southgate College is imminent.
Opposite this site is the Southgate library. This is proposed to be demolished. Potentially it would become college offices with residential dwellings above. No detailed plans are available as yet.  The public library would be moved into the College itself.

Cllr Robert Hayward suggested that the new library will be a good thing with a greater book selection for residents.

 

Concern was raised by Ms Jane Maggs that the community notice board outside of the library should remain as this was paid for by the Residents' Priority Fund. This notice board has also been emptied and Cllr Hayward will investigate why this has happened.

Cllr Smith announced that Southgate has £2,400 still remaining in the ERPF. This could be used for planting around Southgate Circus.

A resident raised the point that there are empty offices opposite St Andrews School that could be converted to a Primary School and that could and should be considered by council officers. The site may be suitable due to the space and car park being used as a play ground.

The Ashmole Academy is well under way.  Although located across the border in Barnet, a new primary school is being built in the immediate area to which local children in Southgate would have access.

 

Hotel Proposal next to the Allan Pullinger Centre – Premier Inn application has been submitted and is being considered by Council officers. This hotel would bring employment and hotel guests that would use the many local restaurants in the area benefitting all. There were however potential traffic issues.

 

Enfield Road residential development – Fairview wanted to develop 600 houses and secondary school. Due to extensive local opposition, Fairview and Church of England have backed down as this scheme was located in the Green Belt and the site had not been re-designated in the Local Plan.  What is concerning is that this land could be ‘realigned’. This means that the Green Belt boundary  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

LOCAL CONCERNS FROM PREVIOUS MEETING - PROGRESS

Minutes:

Bourne and Bourne Hill W9 Route – hale and ride. Residents had asked for some bus stops to be put on this stretch of road . The Council have agreed and will consult the GLA on funding to put in six potential stops. This number appears excessive and councillors have objected to this number.

Speeding on Queen Elizabeth Drive – Speed survey was conducted. The Council is claiming the average speed was 30 mph. This is believed to be wrong and wholly incorrect by residents. This will be continued to be challenged. Park View has the same issue.

Polling Stations – Why are these in schools as they have to close on election days. The Council is keen to have alternatives, and open to suggestions if submitted by the public.

 

Question from John Burridge. – Hedges overgrown and not maintained, causing damage to cars and risking the public. Council is not enforcing public realm and failing to maintain hedges and trees that are causing damage.  Where examples are seen, please report this to your councillors.


Opposite Oakwood Station – Bus Stops are being altered. 147 have been altered in 2 years for disabled users. However drivers are claiming this is a waste of money as buses can cater for disabled people by dipping with ramps.

 

Southgate Taxi Rank has been extended to 5 taxi places up from 2 at Southgate station. This is causing an obstruction. Can it be investigated as to why more ranks are being inserted causing traffic issues?


Fox Lane and Bourne Hill question. Street cleaning was previously excellent. Since the start of 2016, this has completely stopped and rubbish is building up and litter gathering.  Cllr Pearce will look into this and reply back.

 

6.

DATE OF FUTURE MEETING

Minutes:

7.30pm, Tuesday 26th April.