Agenda for Haselbury Ward Forum on Thursday, 4th February, 2016, 7.30 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Community House, 311 Fore Street, Edmonton, N9 0PZ

Items
No. Item

36.

MATTERS ARISING

Minutes:

An attendee stated that, although the minutes had shown that police were no longer seen on the streets, she did see police on many occasions.  A resident stated that she had dialled 999 when she saw a person with a knife in the car park by her property, but had received no response, whereas a neighbour, who had contacted 101, had received an email response.  This issue would be raised at the next CAPE meeting and Cllr. Savva confirmed that he had raised the need for more police on the streets at the last Haselbury CAPE meeting.  It was noted that there was no police representative at this forum.

 

37.

LOCAL PLAN

Minutes:

Gerry Ansell gave a presentation on the Local Plan, giving an idea of the challenges faced such as housing and health and sustainable ways of dealing with the population growth covering the period of 2017 to 2032.  Consultation events had taken place, as the Council wanted to engage with as many people as possible, but to date there had been little response.  He emphasised that the consultation was at an early stage and that, if residents wished to have a paper copy rather than comment through the Council website, this would be sent out on request.

Mr. Ansell explained that in 2001 the population of Enfield was 274,000 By 2032 this is expected to reach 400,000 plus, much higher than previously anticipated.  Planning has to start now to deal with the space available and the housing need. The Lee Valley corridor is expected to play an important part, this being part of the larger Stansted / Cambridge corridor.

As per the London plan town centres need to be developed. The large Meridien Water development of 8000 homes will go ahead and there will be more trains along the Eastern corridor, encouraging growth in that area.  Industrial land in that area could be utilised and the controversial option of building on Green Belt land might be considered.

Attendees expressed concern that the health services would not be able to cope with the increase in population.  The hospitals were not coping now and the loss of Chase Farm A&E had made the situation even more difficult.  Residents were also upset at the proposal to build on Edmonton Green car park, reducing parking spaces.

 

38.

CYCLE ENFIELD

Minutes:

Liam Mulrooney showed a promotional video.  He advised that the total cost would be £42 million (including a £30 million grant from The Mayor of London).  He confirmed that 8,000 letters had been delivered to houses along the A1010 and 53,000 booklets handed out in the surrounding area, transport hubs and shopping areas having been visited and community groups contacted.  These groups had not responded.  Posters had also been placed on buses etc.  The consultation on this part of the scheme had been extended until 20th March. An attendee suggested that The Council should go to schools to consult at pick up time. 

Following Mr. Mulrooney’s statement that the Palmers Green scheme had been amended following concerns re loss of parking, a resident asked if these changes would be replicated for this scheme.  Mr. Mulrooney advised that in Fore Street most of the parking would be retained.   He explained that there would be a buffer strip between the cycle lane and parking bays to protect the cyclist and traffic lights would have a cycle/pedestrian phase.   Mobility scooters will be able to use the cycle lanes.

There was general concern as to how the scheme would work and a resident asked if the use of  the cycle lanes would be monitored before and after the scheme to see if it was worthwhile.  Another stated that there was already a problem with the barrier by Asda - this scheme would make the situation even worse.  An attendee commented that, although the scheme was supposed to promote a healthier life style, there ere too many unhealthy food shops in the area.

 

39.

COUNCILLORS' UPDATE

Minutes:

Cllr. Savva mentioned the Healthy Living Seminar that had recently taken place.

Cllr. Abdullahi said that the budget was not good news - cuts would have to be made and council tax probably increased.

Cllr. Jiagge stated that fly tipping in Upper Edmonton was a real problem and encouraged residents to take photos and pass them to the Council.  Cllr. Savva stated that fly tips were cleared, but more rubbish was then dumped.  A resident advised that she often saw a van full of rubbish, driven away and brought back empty.  She wondered whether this was official or whether the driver could be dumping.  She was asked to take the registration number and report it.  It would be easy to check if it was a legitimate vehicle.  Cllr. Ekechi said there were vans parked in College Road. The suggestion was made that there should be a notice in each road, stating which day the household rubbish was to be collected.  An attendee asked if fly tipping had increased since higher charges had been introduced.

 

40.

AOB

Minutes:

In reply to a question re illegal trading (take-away without permission) at no 4 Church Street - Ada Restaurant Cllr. Savva stated that the Council legal department was dealing with this and that prosecution papers were to be filed the following Monday.

An attendee asked if any action was being taken on the Charity Hall in Church Street, which was deteriorating all the time.

A resident suggested that landlords should be penalised for the bad state of a property, but Cllr. Savva explained that the Council had been banned from setting up a register of landlords.  He did advise that the Council had allocated £300,000 to tackle untidy  properties. 

 A resident stated that, when extensions were built that were larger than had been agreed, the Council stated they were rectified, but did not take action to see that this was actually done.

An attendee stated that, if the proposal to extend Edmonton Cemetery went ahead, it was important that tennis courts be replaced on the opposite side of the A10 in the same area before the cemetery was extended.  The skateboard park was also very well used.

Next meeting -  Thurs 14th April 2016 -  7.30pm - Community House, Fore Street