East Sheen Village Plan - Achievements So Far (Covering the Period September 2012 - May 2015)

East Sheen Village Plan - Achievements so far (covering the period September 2012 - May 2015)

The Village Plan describes a vision for your village and identifies what the council, communities, business and partners can do to achieve the vision together. For more information on the village planning process see http://www.richmond.gov.uk/barnes_area_village_plan.htm

Below is a summary of priorities you identified during the village planning process and what we have achieved together so far to help shape and improve your village.

1 Council Projects Projects / actions WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED TOGETHER Parks Improvement A Parks’ Improvement Programme, was introduced in 2012 with a budget of £3m aims to provide people with the Programme (PIP) opportunity to live their life through Richmond’s Parks and encouraging residents to make parks part of their day to day life

Improvement proposals will be the subject of consultation locally, but the key projects will be developed in line with the following themes:

1) Access: 2) A river borough: 3) A place to play: 4) A flowered borough

2 COMMUNITY PROJECTS Projects/ actions WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED TOGETHER Mosaic to honour the In June 2013 a mosaic was placed on the walls of the Sheen Lane Centre to honour the creator of the World Wide creator of the World Wide Web. Web Sir Tim Berners-Lee, a British computer scientist, is best known as the inventor of the World Wide Web, which he created in 1989. He was born and grew up in East Sheen and attended Sheen Mount Primary School. To honour his achievements, local community group the Mortlake and East Sheen Society (MESS) commissioned a mosaic to be installed near his birth place.

Air Raid Shelter Museum A former World War II air raid shelter and educational resource will be a step closer to opening its doors to the public following a Civic Pride grant from Richmond Council.

The former St Leonard’s Court Air Raid Shelter is being lovingly restored as a museum and educational resource by the Mortlake with East Sheen Society. The £4,712 award from the Civic Pride Fund will pay for a full condition survey, budget costs for restoration options and a full inventory of artefacts found there, preliminary cleaning of the

site as well as the installation of an information plaque. East Sheen Website The official East Sheen Village website is a one stop community website for everything to do with ESV - Sheen & Mortlake - news, events, articles about local businesses and a directory of useful information. You can sign up to their newsletters and also follow them on their facebook and twitter pages The Powerstation The Powerstation offers a wide range of activities for young people including a fully equipped rehearsal space and recording studio, and sport hall. Richmond Card The new Richmond Card was launched. It combines the previous parking card/discounts, library membership, and the opportunity to join local sports and fitness centres. If you use any of our facilities once a week or more it will be cost effective to add on a leisure subscription when applying for a Richmond Card. 3 HOUSING Projects/ actions WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED TOGETHER Affordable Housing From April 2010 to March 2014, the Council working with its partners has delivered four hundred and thirty three affordable homes for borough residents; this included the Borough’s first specialist Extra Care Housing Scheme and supported housing schemes for the learning disability and mental health services. One affordable home has been provided in Barnes. New Housing Allocation A new housing allocation policy was implemented in May 2013; it gives greater priority to households where Policy someone is working and who have lived in the borough for three or more years. We are committed to assisting members of the armed forces and rehoused our first ex-serviceman in Armistice week 2013. Since February 2014 residents have been able to apply to the Borough’s Housing Register online Tackling overcrowding To help tackle overcrowding the Council has provided £750,000 to extend the homes of 22 families in need of larger social housing including two properties in Barnes village. This solution has proved less disruptive for the families; additional funding was provided by the Housing Associations involved. Tenants Champion From January 2011 the Tenants’ Champion Councillor Lisa Blakemore has supported tenants and leaseholders who rent or lease their property from a Housing Association in the Borough and who have serious unresolved complaints. Tackling issues such as anti-social behaviour, repairs and general housing matters including transfers, the Tenants’ Champion has assisted 143 households. To find out more read her Second Annual Report (pdf, 770KB). Disabled Facility Grants Between April 2010 and March 2014 the Council will have facilitated five hundred and fifty four Disabled Facility Grants to help people with adaptations to their homes such as walk in showers and disability access. Coldbusters grant We’re working in partnership with Climate Energy to provide Coldbusters grants to make homes warmer and more energy efficient, helping to keep fuel costs down. If you are an owner, occupier or private tenant and in receipt of an income or disability related benefit or over 60 and on a low income (subject to a means test), you may be eligible for a Coldbusters grant. Check the Coldbusters leaflet (pdf, 1194KB) to see if you are eligible. Discuss your needs with one of our energy advisers on 0800 358 6668.

4 HIGH STREET AND COMMERCIAL CENTRES Projects/ actions WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED TOGETHER Supporting traders The Council recognises the value of local small businesses and encourages the development of business/traders’ networks as well as providing a forum for all the local networks to share their ideas and engage with the Council to help boost local trade. It supports the East Sheen Business and Retailers Association (ESBRA) and one of their projects was the development of the East Sheen Village website, with ESBRA. Funding for celebrations Additional funding has also been given to support Christmas and Jubilee festivities and the closure of roads for street parties to connect with major national celebrations has been facilitated. Support for Pop up Shops The Council provided a grant to support the opening of a seasonal Pop up Shop for Christmas 2012. This proved very successful, thanks to the efforts of the East Sheen Business and Retail Association. Empty shop grants The Council wants to boost the vitality of our high streets by providing more small grants to support the efforts of those that want to make use of an empty shop. Although the borough has a relatively low level of empty retail units, residents and businesses would like to see more of these used. Temporary use of empty shops can enliven high streets, provide an outlet for community creativity and entrepreneurialism and also lead to permanent use of the unit. Empty shop grants of up to £2000 are available to help support costs associated with running a temporary shop. For further information, including how to apply, see our empty shops grant page. 5 PARKS AND OPEN SPACES Projects/ actions WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED TOGETHER Improvements to East East Sheen Common Entrance Improvements Sheen Common o Paid for by the Parks Improvement Project, these works have allowed a run down neglected entrance to be improved to that worthy of a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation. o In liaison with local residents, the Royal Parks and the LBRuT Cemetery Team were able to create an open, welcoming entrance with an improved footpath up to Bog Gate in Richmond Park, a popular walk for dog walkers, ramblers and residents alike.

Park user engagement Since 2010 the council has undertaken a series of customer engagement exercises and surveys to establish public opinion on the standards of the boroughs parks and open spaces.

 The Parks Customer Satisfaction Survey attracted over three times the number of respondents when compared to previous years. View the results.  In 2010/11 the All-In-One consultation showed that 73% of people said that local parks and open spaces were the most important aspect of living in their area and were one of the things that they valued the most about it.  The Annual Resident's Survey in the autumn of 2013 showed that 93% of park users were satisfied with parks, open spaces and play areas provided by the Council.

Dog Fouling Dog fouling, irresponsible dog owners and levels of dog fouling have been raised as specific local concerns by residents in previous years. The Council ran a week long Dog Campaign in October 2013 to raise awareness of the problem and educate park users on how to report repeat offenders. 6 SCHOOLS Projects/ actions WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED TOGETHER Additional school places Additional places have been made available in the area as part of a shared expansion between Sheen Mount Primary School, Marshgate Primary School and The Vineyard School. Sixth Form provision The Council has consulted with residents regarding sixth form provision in the borough and in response to the results has made a decision to provide sixth forms in every secondary school in the borough, to widen choice for young people post 16. Richmond Park Academy Richmond Park Academy is currently undergoing a £10 million partial rebuild. The Council is pressing the redevelopment Academies Enterprise Trust (AET) to ensure that standards at the Academy improve to the point that it becomes the natural first preference secondary school for local residents. The Council expects the Academy to reflect local people’s expectations and aspirations for their children. The Department for Education approved RPA’s application to provide sixth form provision from September 2014. Christ’s School increased Christ’s School increased its number of places available per year from 120 to 150, from September 2013. number of school places 7 LIBRARIES Projects/ actions WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED TOGETHER New ICT Free Wi-Fi has been available since March 2014. Adults can log in via the password available in the library

while children at schools on the London Grid for Learning (LGfL) network will use their Universal Sign On (USO) and pick up their school’s Internet filtering policy. This is the first time this system has been used anywhere in the UK and is another innovative first for Richmond upon Thames Libraries.

In March the Library Service went live with its new computer system, Spydus, which has delivered a 25% improvement in the supply times for reservation requests. Libraries now offer free reservations for items on the library catalogue. Volunteers We encouraged volunteers to work in partnership with library staff to spread knowledge and learning. The 100th library volunteer was recently recruited. Drop in information point Worked with Age UK to establish a library-based drop-in information point for the Community Independent Living Service. Community Libraries A Community Libraries Manager has been appointed to develop links with the local community and ensure Manager appointed that the library is a well-used community meeting space and actively supports local community initiatives. 8 Art and Culture Projects/ actions WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED TOGETHER Community Arts project Sheen Library took part in a successful arts and libraries project in 2012 involving families with young children funded by the Arts Council. The sessions were well attended and are part of a developing strategy of increased joint programming between Arts and Libraries. The Library also work on family learning projects and hosted an event as part of the Richmond Literature Festival in 2013. Garden Festival All villages participated in the 2013 Gardens Festival and over the next 4 years will take part in the borough’s World War One Commemorations at the borough’s ARThouse Open Studios and the Richmond upon Thames Literature Festival. 9 Community and Sports Facilities Projects/ actions WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED TOGETHER Entrance to East Sheen Work to improve the run down entrance of East Sheen Common has now been completed. This includes replacing Common the fence line, replacing broken furniture, improving the drainage, realigning the entrance gate to improve vehicle access, creating of a stag beetle loggery, and footpath improvements. Champion for Sport The Council has appointed a Champion for Sport (pdf, 78KB), Councillor Richard Martin, whose role is to promote participation in sport and physical activity throughout the borough.

10 Health Projects/ actions WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED TOGETHER

Live Well Richmond (New LiveWell Richmond is a free NHS health improvement service available to anyone over the age of 16 who lives in health and wellbeing the borough of Richmond. LiveWell Richmond can help you to work towards living a healthier lifestyle service) NHS Health Checks The NHS Health Check programme aims to help prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and certain types of dementia. Everyone between the ages of 40 and 74, who has not already been diagnosed with one of these conditions or have certain risk factors, will be invited (once every five years) to have a check to assess their risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes and will be given support and advice to help them reduce or manage that risk. 11 Children and Young People Projects/ actions WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED TOGETHER Castlenau Community We have made further additional curriculum funding available to Castlenau Community project to maintain and project support the youth club programme. Online media presence We have increased our online media presence with a Facebook page specifically for Powerstation Youth Centre which is providing local information to young people Improved our ICT We have further improved the ICT facilities on offer in Powerstation for children and young people to use Supporting young people We are offering information and support through our Youth Enquiry Service (YES) for young people and parents and parents who would like to talk or meet with a professional either at Powerstation or at the one stop hub in Heatham House. 12 SENIOR RESIDENTS Projects/ actions WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED TOGETHER Champion for Older  In July 2013 the Champion for Older Residents, Councillor Frances Bouchier, commissioned a publicity Residents leaflet (pdf, 1319KB) highlighting a range of befriending services offered by the Neighbourhood Care Groups across the borough.

 The befriending leaflet has been published and distributed to the neighbourhood care groups, GP surgeries and to the borough’s Social Care Access Team.  You can find out more about the Champion for Older residents in her first annual report (pdf, 668KB). Dementia Services The Council has commissioned The Alzheimer’s Society to help develop dementia friendly communities throughout the whole borough. In September 2013 work started to establish what activities can be made available for people with dementia, such as leisure centres, museums and art classes etc. 13 TRAFFIC AND CONGESTION Projects/ actions WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED TOGETHER A205 case study The Council is working with other boroughs in the South London Partnership, and has used the A205 as a ‘case study’ to see how Transport for London can increase local management of such sections of road. The Council’s

objective is to secure local management by the local community. Specified routes for We are imposing more stringent planning conditions so that building contractors and suppliers have to use specified building contractors and routes to ensure that overweight lorries avoid smaller streets. suppliers Working to reduce road We are using new powers to limit road works disruption and congestion caused by utility companies. This means work disruption that a permit is required every time works are to be carried out and as a result fewer works are being requested. Enforcing traffic offences In May 2013, the Council adopted powers to enforce moving traffic offences. Penalty Charge Notices can now be issued to drivers stopping in the yellow box junctions in Castlenau by Trinity Church and Hammersmith Bridge. School Zig Zag line All school zig zag marking adjacent school entrances have been reviewed. Enforcement has increased reducing enforcement congestion outside schools at key times and residents benefit from parking during key holiday periods. Traffic flow Transport for London (TfL) carried out a timing review of four key junctions in the borough to ensure they operate effectively, taking current traffic flows into account. These junctions are: Petersham Road/Star and Garter Hill, Lower Sunbury Road/Upper Sunbury Road, The Causeway/Broad Street, St Margarets Road/Richmond Road. Minor timing changes have been undertaken early 2013 and TfL are currently assessing whether any existing equipment requires upgrading on these four sites. This timing review is aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing congestion. No Left Hand turn sign Following concerns raised by residents we have installed a new traffic sign to ban the left turn out of South Worple Way onto White Hart Lane. The sign was installed in February 2014 and will be reviewed after an 18 month period. If you would like to make a comment please email [email protected], or call 0208 487 5279. 14 Transport Projects/ actions WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED TOGETHER Speed Indicator Devises Speed indicator devices have been deployed across the borough to manage vehicle speeds, the intention is to (SIDS) extend this to six further sites. Kerb realignment and Sheen Road/Richmond Road West, kerb realignment and parking provision. A305 corridor improvements. parking provision 15 PUBLIC TRANSPORT Projects/ actions WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED TOGETHER Bus stops All bus stops on the bus service routes 33 and 371 through Sheen have been surveyed for full accessibility compliance and work is due to start in bringing any failing bus stops up to standard.

16 CYCLING Projects/ actions WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED TOGETHER Bike stands We have provided additional cycle parking within a secure compound at Mortlake Station in partnership with South West Trains.

17 Walking Projects/ actions WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED TOGETHER Promoting walking Working in partnership with the Councils in London, Walk London provide free information on interesting walking routes including the Capital Ring Walk which goes through the borough. For further information please see the Walk London website.

18 Parking Projects/ actions WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED TOGETHER Fair Parking Policy Made changes to enhance the Council’s ‘fair parking’ approach including: If a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) hasn’t been issued when a driver returns to their car, they can leave knowing that a PCN will not be served in the post.

 Greater discretion for considering mitigating circumstances in the appeals procedures.  Clearer warnings for suspended bays so they can be more easily identified by drivers.

 More information on parking (pdf, 292KB). 30 minutes free parking  We have introduced 30 minutes free parking outside The Broadway in White Hart Lane and in Castlenau near its junction with Lonsdale Road.

 There is now 30 minutes free parking for residents in any Council run car park or on street pay and display using the Richmond Card. Yellow Line removal Anyone who would like to suggest unnecessary yellow lines near their home or business could safely be removed requests should email the location to [email protected]. East Sheen Parking East Sheen Parking Review led to an experimental reduction in hours of operation. To be reviewed after the 2014 Review Local Election. 19 MAINTENANCE OF ROADS AND PAVEMENTS Project/ action WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVIED TOGETHER Online reporting system The Council has improved and updated its online forms so that it is easier to report road and pavement faults. improved Tree planting We consider the suitability of trees being planted in each location to reduce the problems that roots cause to pavements. Council’s Winter Service We have reviewed the Council’s Winter Service (gritting/snow clearance) and following public consultation the

8 policy revised policy is available on the web page here. Road resurfacing  The Council used micro-asphalt surfacing to provide a cost effective means of extending the life of many roads as well providing a uniform appearance to the street scene.  We have reduced the use of bitumen patching and will give preference to the restoration of traditional paving where possible. Council gritting policy We have reviewed the Council’s Winter Service (gritting/snow clearance) and following public consultation the revised policy is available.

Roads and Pavement Fund Following the All in One survey and village planning events, the condition of roads and pavements were two key issues that emerged across nearly all areas as priorities for improvement. The Council has made available a specific annual funding pot of £35,000 per village area through the Community Road and Pavement Fund. This is in addition to the routine maintenance work being carried out.

First Round (2012)

The improvements made as part of the first round for the East Sheen area were:

 Portman Avenue – Road and footway repairs  Gordon Avenue – Footway repairs

Second Round (2013)

Improvements made or will be made to the East Sheen area as follows:

 Grosvenor Gardens – Footway repairs and improve road surface  Gilpin Avenue – Footway repairs and improve road surface  South Worple Way – Footway repairs

Third Round (2014)

 Vicarage Road  Grosvenor Avenue

20 Crime and ASB Project/ action WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVIED TOGETHER Anti-social behaviour  ASB levels are very low in East Sheen, however, the team regularly carry out high visibility patrols at the start of the school day and when the schools close, to minimise any ASB.  They have also been involved with a neighbour dispute that resulted in one of the parties being served with a Prevention of Harassment letter, which could result in the offending party being arrested if they breach the conditions. Theft from motor vehicles  The Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) regularly carry out uniformed patrols in “hotspot” areas to deter potential offenders and also use plain clothes patrols to detect would be criminals.  The team update Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators on each road about crime trends concerning motor vehicle crime and have sought to increase the number of Neighbourhood Watches across the ward.  Victims of motor vehicle crime are provided with a crime prevention pack containing useful information about securing your motor vehicle and a leaflet other is given to residents in crime ‘hotspots’ to raise awareness. Residential burglary  The SNT conduct high visibility patrols at all times of the day and also at night to deter burglaries  One of the key measures that has been pursued in East Sheen is the use of alley gating schemes to secure alleys at the rear of properties.  Victims of burglary receive a visit from the SNT to carry out a free crime prevention survey and also carry out “super cocooning” operations in a chosen street, where they seek to speak to all the residents of the street to give them crime prevention advice on the security of their homes.  Some residents of East Sheen Village will fall under the North Richmond SNT area or the Mortlake and Barnes Common SNT area. You can use My Richmond to find the ward and SNT for your location. North Richmond SNT and Mortlake and Barnes Common SNT also offer home survey visits, street briefings and police surgeries, details of which are available on the North Richmond SNT or the Mortlake and Barnes Common SNT website.  East Sheen is a pilot area for the introduction of no cold calling zones, which are areas that do not wish to receive unsolicited visits to their homes.  The zones are set up in partnership with the police SNT and the Trading Standards Team from the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Signs have been erected in the following roads-Clare Lawn Avenue, Milton Road, Wallorton Gardens and Hood Avenue.