Minutes:
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A: Proposed boundary changes to the Enfield Southgate constituency The Boundary Commission had recently announced proposals to abolish the current Enfield Southgate constituency. If implemented, David Burrowes MP would lose his seat before the next general election in 2020. It was proposed that Southgate Ward along with Southgate Green and Winchmore Hill would be moved into a new Finchley Southgate constituency. Counter proposals would need to be agreed and submitted to the Boundary commission before Christmas. Residents were urged to view the proposals on the Commission’s website and submit their views.
Some residents felt that the changes to the constituency boundaries would end up with MPs becoming more distant from the people they were supposed to represent.
B: Southgate Library The existing library building next to Barnet Southgate College had been closed. Residents were very unhappy with the new library located inside the college grounds. Councillors felt that the borough’s smaller satellite libraries were being run down, although the Council denied this.
The replacement library in the College is badly located round the back of the building with poor to no provided with a few chairs and tables. Residents reported that access from the street is difficult and library users have to sign in via the kiosk and wear a badge. Staff were reported as not helpful. Other concerns were raised over safe guarding because anyone can now access a facility that is shared with large numbers of students. It was felt that the transfer had been poorly managed with insufficient oversight by senior officers. The Labour Administration has justified the changes to the Library Service by claiming they have to make drastic cuts. There were no positive comments from the audience many of whom have tried to use the new library. The impression had been given that the service is deliberately poor to enable the council to close the library because of low demand. Residents from the floor complained that Southgate is a major town centre but is generally ignored by the Council. |
C: Southgate Tube Station – Planting areas Cllr Smith advised that he was still trying to arrange a meeting with Transport for London to discuss improvements to planting areas around Southgate Tube Station. An LBE officer who had worked previously with Tfl on another project in the Borough had helpfully given him some useful contacts. Cllr Smith would continue to progress this potentially beneficial project and would keep the Forum informed.
D: Proposed School in Groveland’s Park. Cllr Smith reported that he had attended the opening of the new temporary primary school in the grounds of Ashmole Academy. In his view, the school’s grounds were large enough to accommodate a permanent primary school. A temporary structure has been erected for 80 pupils, which would alleviate some of the demand for primary school places in Southgate. A planning application for a permanent school had been submitted by the governors to Barnet Council and would be considered by the planning committee in December. It was understood there were objections from residents in surrounding streets and from Sports England who did not want anything built on the playing fields.
Concerning the construction of a new primary school in Bourneside, Groveland’s Park, Historic England were not keen on the proposals put forward by the Council to date and had laid down criteria which the Council were required to meet in order to obtain consent. It was understood that a Free School (The Lime Trust), were also keen to establish a school in the park area or other areas.