a. Council Budget 2018/19
b. Cycle lanes on the A105
c. Grovelands Estate Community Project
d. Traffic restrictions in Wynchgate And Queen Elizabeth Drive
e. Quieter Neighbourhoods schemes.
f. Future of Enfield Southgate Constituency
Minutes:
Council Budget 2018/19. Apologies had been received from the Director or Finance and his staff who had declined to attend the forum as Council officers would only attend meetings of more than one ward.
Cllr Smith drew attention to the budget consultation process that was underway and the website URL where the public could view the consultation. Visit www.Enfield.gov.uk/consultations
Enfield spent £1.16bn on services in 2017/18. All Councils are under pressure to reduce spending. Government had decided to re-phase out Revenue Support Grant that had previously provided 50% of the Council’s income. This grant was being replaced by retained business rates, which had previously been returned to the Treasury, and increased miscellaneous grants. In the future the council would keep more of the money it takes in income. This would be adjusted through a mechanism sharing formula with other London authorities. The picture is not as bad as painted although the council’s income had not increased in line with costs over the past few years.
The consultation process was criticized as being impossible in some cases to navigate. Councillors explained that the transformation in customer and resident engagement is designed the segregate residents from officers who have less resources and make most transactions electronic.
Cycle lanes on the A105. – The cycle lanes are almost completed along the A105. There have been delays and some sections have had to be replaced. Other areas of the project elsewhere in Enfield have been suspended or slowed down.
Grovelands Community Project – Unfortunately Alison Mason could not be present this evening. The area running up to the Priory private hospital that was currently neglected very neglected and it was essential that it was brought back into community use. The current proposal was to provide a community building shared with the Prior. Frank Farmer spoke about progress and the discussion taking place with the commercial director of the Priory. The Priory has some ambitious plans for the area. Historic England will not comment until they see for plans.
Michael Cleary commented that some of Friends of Grovelands Park were not entirely in favour of any development in this area. More engagement with all interested parties is required.
The proposal for a primary School was still active, but there was not a clear update on this matter.
Traffic restrictions in Wynchgate and Queen Elizabeth Drive. – A consultation has taken place. There has been a large response from residents. A proposal will be put forward to Cllr Daniel Anderson, the Cabinet member for the Environment, for consideration in due course.
It was understood from the traffic engineer dealing with consultation that nearly all residents located at the The Bourne end of Wynchgate have asked for double yellow lines throughout. In Queen Elizabeth Drive, residents have not generally objected to the proposals. The proposals for Ralegh Rd were generally considered to be unacceptable.
Quieter Neighbourhood Schemes – The Council would start Consultations shortly in the Fernleigh Rd and the Fox Lane areas on proposals designed to implement traffic calming measures, stop cars cutting through residential areas and encourage cycling. Some roads would be closed, an area wide 20mph maximum speed limit would be imposed and different methods, including road humps, widened parking bays etc to slow traffic would be considered.
Future of Enfield Southgate Constituency – The Boundary Commission have reported back. Enfield Southgate would regain Cockfosters Ward but would lose Palmers Green and Bowes and gain wards in Finchley. The constituency would change in character and be divided in half by the North Circular. Whether the Government will implement these proposals was still unknown.