Neighbourhood Governance Notes of Northfield Ward Forum, held at Northfield Community Centre, 71a Northcroft Road, , W13 9SS Tuesday 7 October 2014, 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Present: Councillor David Millican, Councillor Theresa Mullins (Chair) Apologies: Councillor Mark Reen

Attendees: 71 residents attended the meeting

Officers present: Tan Afzal (TA) Neighbourhood Governance Coordinator (), Bill Brown (BB) Glanville Projects, John O’Brien (JB) JMS and Jon Skoyles (JS) Park Ranger (LBE)

No. Note Question /Action Point 1. Welcome and Introductions Cllr Mullins opened up the meeting by passing on Cllr Reen’s Papers available at the meeting were: apologies and introducing Cllr Millican and council officer, Tan Afzal.  Agenda  Budget proposed projects sheet  Notes from previous ward forum meeting

2 Update from Northfield Safer Neighbourhood Team PCSO Quested provided an update on policing matters. PCSO Res: A crossbreed bulldog attacked my husband outside Quested has been a dedicated ward officer for 4 ½ years. Northfields tube station on the evening of 19 September 2014. .  Northfield is the safest ward in the Ealing borough. He was taken to the hospital and now has a bad scar. The owner  Residential burglaries, theft of person and Operation Hawk of the dog is described as mid to late 20’s and of a black ethnicity. (drug dealing) are the three priorities for the ward. The police searched the local streets, but were unable to find a  Promises include anti social behaviour associated with street dog on an expandable leash. Local dog walkers do not recognise drinkers along South Ealing Road, Northfield Avenue, the description of the dog. Don’t know whether the incident was Boston Manor and Blondin Park. Increased patrols in captured by TfL CCTV as the incident took place on the stations Blondin Park. forecourt.  Residential burglaries - There have been 17 resident PC Pierce: The CCTV belongs to TfL, if they have footage they burglaries from 01/06/14 to 30/09/14. Northfield is an will pass it on. affluent, expensive residential area. The majority of

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No. Note Question /Action Point burglaries have been during the daytime. The suspects tend to use the front door by forcing or slipping locks. There have been no reports of residential burglary in W7. There have been a few in W3.  Motor vehicle crime – 8 theft of vehicles, 50% of which are BMW’s. No forced entry, considered as inside job via garages. No smashed windows. Small spate of incidents in late July/early August. There were 15 theft from motor vehicles, which included some theft of number plates.

 Total number of offences, compared with surrounding wards - 409 - 271 - 298 Walpole - 372 Northfields - 186

 We had a crime prevention table at Brentford Festival  Nominated Neighbour Scheme – individuals vulnerable to scams, distraction burglary. A trusted neighbour becomes a nominated neighbour.  There were reassurance patrols in during the time Alice Gross was missing and after her body was found. This is an ongoing murder investigation.

PC Pierce stated the following:  The murder of Alice gross has been the first investigation where a great deal of information has been issued to the public.  The Ward Panel enables residents to alert the police about their priorities.  There is a virtual survey, which we ask residents to

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No. Note Question /Action Point complete, that helps to provide important and relevant information to the SNT.  A monthly newsletter is distributed to keep people informed about local concerns and crime figures.

Cllr Mullins asked everyone to join her in a minutes silence for Alice Gross.

Email. [email protected] 3. Cable Work at Little Ealing Lane Bill Brown provided an update on the essential cable works to take Res: Has the zig-zag between Boston Manor road been place at Little Ealing Lane: completed? • The project commenced in June at Popes Lane, we JB: Trying to use the car parking space. expect completion in November 2015, we are 30% Res: Will there be disruption to electricity services? complete. BB: No, the old cables will be removed after the new cables have • The work involves upgrading the electric network, been installed and charged, using the existing sub-stations. there are very old cables which need updating. Res: Can you explain what the little holes on the east side of • It also required eight months of duct work Gunnersbury Lane are used for? • Cables will be placed into the duct work, the cables BB: They are to do with the reconstruction of the power bridge will be connected, and finally the sub-stations will also be upgraded. Cllr Millican: Can you reassure us Blondin Park will be reinstated to its original state? BB: Yes, reinstatement will be carried out. Detail on fencing it off And ensuring peoples safety is very important. Res: Will there be a contribution made to Blondin Park? BB: Yes, trees will be planted. We have dedicated highways officers too.

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No. Note Question /Action Point

John O’Brien added the following update: Res: Will the sign for resurfacing the road to follow? JB: Junction from South Ealing road to Olive Road, the SEPD • Ducting involves using a rig that carried out horizontal website has information, you can also contact us on 07720 directional drilling, to dig below the canal and road, this 398205 does help alleviate congestion • Three sub-stations will require some upgrade work Res: If you provide us with a schedule we can add it to the • Have been made aware of drug dealing in Blondin Park residents noticeboard • Planning works around school holidays to minimise disruption BB:The buses are to be diverted, notices will be placed ten days • Access to allotments will be available until after Christmas. prior. Work will start at Boston Manor road before moving into Res: There are two primary schools in the area, if the parents can Blondin park. be advised of the programme of activities it would be helpful. • If anyone would like a tour of the site I would be happy to Cllr Mullins: It would also be important to alert the Children’s Log show them around Cabin. 4. Brentford Festival – Linda Massey Cllr Mullins congratulated Linda Massey for putting on a successful festival, it was well coordinated and enjoyed by many.

Linda Massey provided an update on the festival: Cllr Millican: The ward forum contribution to the carnival is from  This is the second time we have hosted the festival at public money, it does need to be approved by the Leader of the Blondin park, to which nearly 10,000 people attended. Council.  There were a large number of volunteers who helped it make it happen, up to 60 of them  Over 125 stall holders  A few comments about the cost of balloons and the length of time the pony rides lasted.  The bars profits go to the friends of Boston manor which is reinvested in community projects, such as Boston Manor Park and Blondin Park  The overall costs for delivering the carnival were far higher than the previous year

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No. Note Question /Action Point  Hounslow council have indicated that they would very much like the carnival back in their borough. We like the Blondin space, but that decision is not mine, if we keep with Blondin please don’t ask us to change the name. 5. Trees for Cities – John Skoyles (Park Ranger, LBE) John Skoyles reported on the intention to plant an orchard between the nature are and central field at Blondin Park.  Up to 15,000 young trees will be planted in an area that is used very little, with the hope of massively increasing biodiversity, buy introducing 20 different species  The species will include sweet chestnuts, berries and evergreens  At a later date there will be some under planting with bulbs Res: How will the entrance to the park affect the homeowners  The are will be fenced off once the planting is complete who live within the park?  The project will cost £50,000, with funding coming from the JS: We will liaise with them regarding access, possibly providing Mayor of London, the councils parks budget and the ward them with a key to the lock forum.  The project is called ‘Plant To The Beat’ its aim is to encourage people to get involved with promoting biodiversity and greener spaces, through a fun activity which includes entertainment, food and people who share common values

JS also reported on other matters relating to the local park:  The entrance to the Swyncombe Avenue end of Blondin park will be improved with the addition of a gate to prevent commuter parking and improve bedding. 6. Parking Schemes Cllr Millican updated attendees on parking schemes: Res: Will we be informed by the council?  Currently consulting on the southern end of the ward, Cllr Millican: Yes, they do so by website. We will fund a leaflet to consultation ends in October. There is a small outer area in advise everyone. the North Road/South Road section of the ward which could Res: What is the timeframe for results?

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No. Note Question /Action Point have a knock on effect, which may need to be treated Cllr Millican: Four weeks, possible a little more. It has to go separately. through the council as a formal result. It requires a 20% response  The data will be pulled together a short time after the and a majority result is anything over 60%. For this ward we consultation has ended, we hope the response will be clear normally get a much higher response rate, closer to 50%. cut Res: Can the officers provide results road by road and larger Cllr Millican also discussed the new shopping parade scheme: roads by junction?  A shopping parade scheme by The Plough will be Cllr Millican: Very unlikely to split the CPZ by junctions as a road. implemented, this will include new benches, cycles stands, Res: One zone was implemented street by street, is this not an new paving and several other public realm improvements. inappropriate way to introduce a zone. Once completed this will mean every single shopping parade Cllr Millican: It is all or nothing in Northfield will have had new paving. Res: Does the council have any influence on parking at Raynard Mills? Cllr Millican: Not directly, it is in Hounslow. The current proposal is more parking spaces than dwellings which fits within the model of modern households which have more than one vehicle.

Res: Will it be possible to have a new roundabout at the junction close to The Plough? Cllr Millican: No Res: Will there be new paving both sides of Windmill Road? Cllr Millican: No. Res: Can you ask Fullers to consider investing in this project. Res: Very disappointed the council is not going ahead with the roundabout, I would like to see the methodologies used by the engineers, Res: Is it a funding issue? Cllr Millican: The money allocated to this project is meant to be used to address cycling facilities, which has taken priority Res: Is the bakers changing into a development. Cllr Millican: Not to my knowledge

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No. Note Question /Action Point 7. Ealing Fields Free School Cllr Mullins advised all that two open days had taken place, at which 300 parents had attended. The head teachers have been confirmed, but a site has not been agreed. Cllr Millican stated the school was liaising with the Saudi government to come to an agreement on the old King Fahad site. 8. Your Ideas for Local Improvement Schemes Res: Can the play equipment by the North Road play area be either restored or replaced with new pieces.

All residents agreed to have Christmas lights at South Ealing road for the following year. Cllr Millican: We need to consider cost and the time it will take to implement.

Res: Can the historical plaque outside 1 Junction Road, W5 be restored, there are two plaques, once used as the old parish boundary markers.

Daniel Raven-Ellison (Greater London National Park): I am campaigning to turn London into a national p, currently 47% is green space and 10% is urban habitat. London is marked byt the Thames, Britain’s second longest river, it has 50 canoe clubs and 13,000 species of wildlife. If the Mayor of London is happy with the idea than Murad Qureshi will look at feasibility. I am trying to engender community support, by having the Northfield ward forum as the first group to support this idea.

Res: Are you going to allow the management of Ealing parks be devolved to residents of Ealing? Daniel R-E: A public consultation would be required. Parks are losing more and more funding from central government each year.

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No. Note Question /Action Point I need support to encourage the mayor of London to consider this proposal and to research it. Res: Where does the Greater London Authority sit on this? Daniel R-E: It would be vital to engage Murad before the mayoral elections.

Res: London wide, Ealing is already under-represented at the Friends of the Forum. Cllr Millican: This is a local grass roots group, are you requesting support from your neighbours? Cllr Mullins: How would this impact local parks, what are the costs, benefits and opportunities of having a GLNP? Daniel R-E: If you were to support the idea, I would write to Boris Johnson seeking to have this idea researched.

Residents voted to support this proposal.

9. Q&A with Councillors Res: IS it possible to have a lift at Northfield tube station, John Beeston asked for a lift and has since then recruited a consultant to place emphasis on installing a lift at the station. Cllr Millican: I have spoken to our councils transport policy officers, they are considering as it is a busier tube station.

Res: Crossrail will change passenger flow, TfL may not be willing to support this. Cllr Millican: Its two different pots of money

Res: I need level access, at Acton Town they have a bridge ramp, but they can add one at Northfield as the bridge curves, Lifts will soon be added at Hanwell station.

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No. Note Question /Action Point

Res: When will the bike racks and lights be installed at northfield station? Cllr Millican: They are expecting to receive them soon, a license has to be agreed between TfL and the council.

Res: The pavement at Northfields Avenue by Sainsburys looks great, can the other side be done too. Cllr Mullins: An annual survey dictates which streets are done within the road resurfacing budget. Cllr Millican: We did manage to get them to extend the works around Sainsburys.

Action: Cost up the resurfacing of the path at the opposite side to Sainsburys.

Res: Four bollards are needed at Hereford Road junction to Weymouth Avenue for the safety of pedestrians. The stations forecourt works have included ducts, it also requires CCTV on the outside to prepare for 24 hours station service.

Res: I would like to congratulate the council for their rapid response to rectifying matters with the outside gym at Lammas Park.

Res: Street cleaners are not coming out soon after the bins have been collected at Carlisle Road. Cllr Mullins: This is a common story across the borough. Res: People need to be educated, they place their rubbish out far too early. Cllr Millican: This problem started when the contract changed two years ago, street sweepers have now been contracted to

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No. Note Question /Action Point follow on the next day. Date of Next Meeting: Thursday 29 January 2015 – 7.00pm- 9.30pm South Ealing Mission 29a Junction Road(Carlyle Road entrance) Ealing W5 4XP

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