Agenda and minutes

The next Cycle Enfield Board meeting is on Monday 15 June - the two routes originally identified are still being considered.  The last board meeting gave information about the consultations which have taken place and the data gathered.

There will be more public consultation events on Cycle Enfield in July.

The second Quieter Neighbourhood workshop for the Fernleigh Road QN is on 18 June

The second Quieter Neighbourhood workshop for the Fox Lane QN is on 2 July

The third Quieter Neighbourhood workshop for the Fox Lane QN is on 30 July.

Once the designs are finalised they will be trialled and all residents in the area asked to comment on how they work.  Any changes needed can then be made in response to these comments.

•   Many (but not all) residents would like a borough-wide 20mph limit.

•   It would be useful for residents if these events were advertised more widely.

ACTION:Councillors will ask for details to be put on the council web site and in libraries  (Done, DB)

The presentation is attached to the agenda. 

This gave us an overview of the river and the work being done to maintain and improve it.  For example, the full length of the New River is currently being walked to identify areas where work needs to be done.  TW are aware of a blockage forming in our area- it will be cleared when the birds nesting there have reared their young.

We also heard about the opportunities TW offer local people who are struggling to find work and the education work they do including the engineering challenge and the new education centre to be opened at Deephams.

TW’s next steps are to develop collaborative work with Local authorities and the police to tackle littering and antisocial behaviour and enhance the New River for visitors.

Residents can report issues of concern directly to the council using: http://ww.enfield.gov.uk/forms/form/200/report_anti-social_behaviour

•   Friends of Firs Farm is interested in setting-up an action group to look after our section of the New River; he, Mumin and Dave will discuss this.

•   The short film The Ballade of the New River Path which was recently shown at Talkies was recommended

•   Misconnections are less of a problem in Enfield than in many other boroughs but work continues to identify and manage them.

•   The land near the pumping station at the back of Cedars Road has been sold for development.

ACTION: Councillors will try to find out what is being planned - I can find on planning application for this area DB

The crime figures, including antisocial behaviour, show a general trend of improvement over the last three months.

Residents were reminded that warmer weather leads us to leave our windows open; we need to be aware that this makes it easier for someone to commit a crime.

Smart-water (DNA  to label goods) is being trialed in parts of the borough with high rates of burglary.  The levels in Winchmore Hill are low so we will not be included in the trial but may benefit later if it is successful.

There have been rumours of dogs being poisoned after eating something in a park.  The only known fact is that a dog has been sick but it might be wise to ensure dogs don’t eat things when out walking.

Next Police mobile surgery: 19 June 3.00 - 5.00pm Winchmore Hill Green

Next Police CAPE meeting: 2 July 4.00 - 5.00pm The Kings Head (upper room)

Residents asked about the number of shops on Winchmore Hill Broadway that have been vacant for some time; in particular one restaurant and the bank.  (The vacancy rate in Winchmore Hill Broadway about 10% if you count the double shop that is being refurbished as vacant.)

•   Enfield’s town centres have fewer shop vacancies than other parts of the country. The vacancy rate in Enfield’s main centres (0.8-6.9%) is now below the national average (12.1%). They are also lower than the London-wide vacancy rate (8.8% in 2012).

•   Council owned store fronts have very few vacancies. The vacant premises are mainly privately owned premises and we cannot force owners to rent them out! 

What we can do:

-    We can sometimes persuade owners to rent them to pop-up shops.

-    We regularly contact the commercial agents representing property owners and encourage them to bring in new tenants whose businesses will fill market niches that are currently neglected in an area.  (We are all too aware that filling an empty site, without considering the environment in which it will operate can damage existing businesses with the end result that no one makes much money or stays in business.)

-    Related to this is another initiative; going out to businesses that will provide services that are not yet on offer here and showing that Enfield provides a viable market worthy of their moving here.

•   We are trying to make our town centres more attentive for businesses by:

-    Improving internet access,

-    Promoting events to attract customers to the area, e.g. our Pop-Up University: ‘Enfield Thinks’ and social markets: French, Italian English (soon) and German at Christmas.

-    Improving the appearance of shop fronts in some areas.

•   We also provide some specific help for new businesses:

-    Start-up loans from the North London Credit Union and Enterprise Enfield, two local entities that the council supports.

-    Business rate relief for small businesses.

-    We are putting together directories to publicise local companies.

-    Small business Saturday takes place once a year to promote our small businesses.

These efforts are being recognised nationally. Last year we won a Local Government Chronicle commendation for being the most entrepreneurial council in the country.

Residents would like to be able to meet with the school to discuss a number of issues including how the parking problems at school drop-off and pick-up times could be resolved.  They are keen to work with the school in as good neighbours and think such a relationship could be mutually beneficial.

Suggestions made as examples of ideas that could be discussed to help with parking:
Have a child drop-off / pick up point to the left of the car entrance.

Have a drop-off / pick up point with a walking train from Sainsbury’s carpark.

Have a ride and stride system

ACTION: Cllr. Hayward will investigate this and discuss with Cllr. Hurer who is a governor at the school. (Started, EH)

A member of the Friends group, gave an update.

The Friends are working with Thames 21 and Enfield Council to create a wetland area at the north end of the park between Firs Lane and the Cambridge Rd.  This will be beautiful, educational and prevent flooding.  As a result of a competition they have been awarded £175 000 from eh GLA to meet some of the cost of this.  This week the group are starting to plant trees so it’s an exciting time to get involved.

•   The issue of play equipment is still being discussed.

•   There are currently no WCs available in the area.  Cllr. Barry said that the council had recognised this as an important issue and that there might be some progress soon.

North London Waste Consultation

For information and to comment visit: http://www.northlondonheatandpower.london

Enfield in Bloom

The group does a lot to enhance our environment; this not only makes our borough beautiful, it also reminds motorists that it is a place where people live and that we care about it.

Residents are encouraged to get involved in the work by visiting the web site or contacting the chair, Dennis Lushey  www.enfieldinbloom.org.uk, dennis.lushey@btinternet.com 01992 718857

Monday 28 September from 7.30 - 9.30 at The Burford Hall N13 4AL

Tuesday 19 January from 7.30 - 9.30 at The Orange Tree N21 3HA