Neighbourhood Governance Note of Norwood Green Ward Forum

held on Tuesday 23rd July 2013 at St Mary’s Church Hall, Norwood Green Road, Southall UB2 4LA

Present: Councillors: Rajinder Mann (Chair), Mohammad Aslam, Gurmit Mann

Attendees: 30 residents attended the meeting

Officers present: Ealing Council: James Morton - Park Ranger Dennis Frost (DF) - Neighbourhood Governance Co-ordinator

Metropolitan Police: Sergeant Guy Rooney - Norwood Green Safer Neighbourhoods Team

No. Note Question /Action Point 1. Chairman’s welcome and introductions

The meeting began at 7:10pm. Councillor Rajinder Mann welcomed those present and introduced his fellow ward councillors, Mohammad Aslam and Gurmit Mann – also Dennis Frost (DF) who supports the work of the ward forum.

He welcomed back Councillor Aslam, following his successful year as the borough’s mayor.

Apologies for absence: Patrick and Christine Howard – local residents.

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No. Note Question /Action Point 2. Notes of last Norwood Green ward forum – 24th January - to note

Councillor Mann reported that the notes had been circulated in March and further copies were available at the meeting.

- Update on local Norwood Green issues, including:

Warren Farm: planning application from Queens Park Rangers Councillor Mann asked DF to report on progress.

DF noted that the council’s Planning Committee on 24th April had approved Queens Park Rangers’ application to develop the site. Since then QPR have been working to with the council to finalise the formal development agreement. The planned Advisory Group – comprising representatives of local residents’ organisations, the council, QPR and national sporting bodies – had met to consider the project in detail, with further meetings scheduled.

In early June the council received notice from Hanwell Community Forum of a claim for a judicial review of the planning decision, claiming it is not appropriate to build on the site which is classified as Metropolitan Open Land by the borough’s Unitary Development Plan. The council disagrees with the claim, and has noted that the decision to grant planning permission has subsequently been approved by the Greater London Authority and the Secretary of State.

Osterley Sports Ground – fly tip DF reported it had been confirmed that the previous owner remained responsible for clearing the tip (a point raised at the

previous meeting).

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No. Note Question /Action Point

The previous owner had recently been served with a council notice, giving 21 days to remove the tip before legal proceedings are taken.

Three Bridges Canalside Park

Councillor Mann welcomed the completion of this project – the ward had contributed £25,000. Councillors had conducted an opening ceremony on 20th July.

Residents also felt this was a valuable community resource, and Councillor Mann asked DF to enquire if further seating could be DF to arrange for further seating at the park installed.

Iron Bridge – pigeon roosting DF reported that, although Network Rail had carried out some work, much remained to be done. Councillor Mann noted this matter was long outstanding. DF responded, noting he had Councillor Mann asked this matter be included on future ward forum escalated the request to a senior manager at Network Rail. agendas until it was resolved.

3. Local police report from Safer Neighbourhoods team - Sgt Guy Rooney

Sgt Rooney began his report by giving an update on the Norwood Green Safer Neighbourhoods Team – details Metropolitan Police’s plan to deal with budget reductions. This Team members was called the Local Policing Model and was scheduled for  Sgt Guy Rooney introduction in September. The ward’s Safer Neighbourhoods team would be reduced to one sergeant, one PC and one PCSO,  PC Darren Ives supported by a Southall-based crime solving team. It is uncertain if the ward team will continue to be based at the Arches Business  PC Simon Donnan Centre.  PCSO Angela Mirzai Sgt Rooney was unable to provide recent crime figures for the

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No. Note Question /Action Point ward, noting that pressures on time made it difficult to prepare  PCSO Galjit Mahey this information. Residents noted it was important these details are available, and that the Police needed to bring this resourcing  PCSO Mohammed Saad matter to the attention of their superiors. Address In response, Sgt Rooney was able to confirm that overall crime in  Unit 4, The Arches Business Centre, Merrick Road, Southall the ward had continued to reduce, and that a Neighbourhood UB2 4AU Watch had been established in Wolsey Close Phone

 020 8721 2046 E-mail: [email protected]

Web site: www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods

Crime in your local area: http://maps.met.police.uk/index.php?areacode=00AJGU

Councillor Mann asked for residents’ questions to Sgt Rooney: What are the Police doing to tackle prostitution in the ward?

Sgt Rooney replied that considerable Police resources were being directed towards dealing with this matter, but he would prefer not to reveal too many details at this stage.

Councillor Aslam observed that in Birmingham, local residents had organised their own street patrols to deal with prostitution.

6. Envirocrime report - regular written report from the ward’s Envirocrime officer

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No. Note Question /Action Point

Council’s Envirocrime Team details: DF reported that unfortunately, there was not a written report available on this occasion, as Ruston Wyatt was unwell. Ruston Wyatt & Seema Patel, Envirocrime Prevention Officers

Ealing Council, Customer Service Centre, Perceval House, 14 -16 Uxbridge Road, Ealing W5 2HL

Office hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm

Tel: (020) 8825 6000

E-mail: [email protected]

He asked if residents wished to report any Envirocrime issues, which he would pass on to the team. The following were raised:

- cars continue to be advertised for sale in Norwood Road DF offered to raise these reported matters to the Envirocrime team. - there was a dumped car in St Mary’s Avenue South

Sgt Rooney noted that some useful tree pruning work had recently taken place on Church Path, Merrick Road, and at Dairy Meadow Primary School.

5. Ward funded projects for 2012/13 - review of ward projects (attached)

Councillor Mann reported that the review set out the year-end position as regards the ward’s supported projects.

The bulk of ward projects had been completed, including the

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No. Note Question /Action Point parking restrictions in Harewood Terrace and highways work in Havelock Road.

James Morton reported that the improvements to the Norwood Road / Manston Avenue footpath had been delayed because of work to the adjoining properties. However, the job was snow in hand, and was costing £2,000 less than the budgeted figure. Councillor Mann noted that this saving would be carried forward to the 2013/14 budget.

A confirmed site for the litter bin in Tentelow Lane / Poplar Avenue was required from the Norwood Green Residents Association.

The majority of community grants had been paid, although reports were awaited from the Windmill Park Sewing Club and the Access for Support and Development Centre (since re- DF to remind these organisations of the requirements to provide named the Somali Advice and Development Centre) reports on how the ward funds have been spent.

Rajinder Garcha – on behalf of Mael Gael Elderly Group, who had submitted a report – noted that the ward funded community garden was making good progress, and he invited the ward councillors to view the work.

6. Ward budget – 2013/14 - discussion of possible ward funded projects (draft budget attached)

Councillor Mann presented the draft budget, which had been circulated to residents prior to the meeting. He noted that, with the carried forward funds from the previous year, a total of £48,750 was available.

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No. Note Question /Action Point The draft budget listed a mix of possible projects, which had been suggested by residents, councillors and council officers, and there remained scope for further suggestions.

Councillor Mann worked through the projects listed to date:

Khalsa Primary School – contribution to road safety scheme DF confirmed this comprised a pedestrian crossing and other safety features, and had been designed by his colleagues in the council’s Transport department, taking into account the concerns of parents, who had attended the ward forum previously. The scheme was likely to cost £30,000 and the meeting suggested a contribution of £5,000

Park Avenue CCTV scheme Residents and councillors felt this to be an important project for the ward, given the success of the camera in Park Avenue. The area around the alley leading under the railway line to the Armstrong Way industrial estate was felt to be the priority location for a camera. DF explained that costings were awaited.

Southall Manor House Grounds – improvements This joint scheme involving local schoolchildren, with Southall Green ward also providing £3,500, was supported.

Uxbridge Road – hanging baskets Councillor Mann felt this was a worthwhile project, given the support for the previous planting in the Uxbridge Road central reservation. The area around the bus stop and the alley leading from Argyll Avenue was identified.

Hanwell Meadows – litter bins

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No. Note Question /Action Point James Morton reminded residents that this project was planned for last year, but had been taken off the budget following concerns about the cost of bins designed to receive dog waste. This matter had now been resolved.

Norwood Green – public exercise machines Residents agreed that these machines were popular in other Southall Parks. Could an outdoor table tennis table be added? James Morton and DF offered to see if a table could also be afforded.

Community Grants:

Southall Micro Fund DF explained that the council’s Leader and Deputy Leader had asked that all Southall wards consider a £6,000 contribution to this fund, which was designed to provide small grants to local community projects. The Leader had established this fund last year, and now asked if the wards could now take the project forward. Councillor Mann wished to be reassured that Norwood Green’s allocation be allocated as far as possible to local projects.

A Rocha – contribution to Wolf Fields improvement project Mairi Johnstone and Kailean Khongsail gave details, bringing this disused council-owned allotment area back into use, as a community area, involving local schools. The ward had supported A Rocha previously, with a grant towards a community food growing project at Bixley Fields. So far £25,000 had been raised towards this two-year project, which would cost £90,500. The meeting suggested a £10,000 grant from wards funds, split over two years

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No. Note Question /Action Point Havelock Road MUGA – contribution to A2 Dominion managed project Dele Ryder from A2 Dominion Housing Group spoke of plans to install a new Multi Use Games Area near the Havelock Community Centre, to replace the life expired facility, which was now unsafe and out of use. Support from Brentford Football Club’s charitable trust had been secured and Sport England’s Neighbourhood Improvement Funds was helping with the cost. A2 Dominion was also providing support. Sgt Rooney commented that the lack of play facilities in the area was a concern for him and his team. The meeting offered a £5,000 grant towards the project.

Scene on the Green – for staff uniforms etc. A proposal to support this project had been discussed previously. Councillor Aslam noted he had visited this charity shop in Tentelow Lane which was supporting young people with learning difficulties. He thought it a very worthwhile scheme and the ward recommended a grant of £500.

St John’s Church, Church Avenue – contribution to Autumn Festival Rev Mark Paulson spoke of this event on 26/27 October, involving 150 local children, the highlight of which will be a performance of Benjamin Britten’s Noah’s Flood. He asked for a contribution of £2,600 and this was supported.

Norwood Green Village Day – contribution to the 2014 event An allocation of £1,000 was also supported.

Councillor Mann asked that residents make further project DF to devise a finalised ward budget in consultation with ward suggestions to councillors or to DF before a finalised budget is councillors, for presentation to the Leader of the Council in due drawn up. course.

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No. Note Question /Action Point 7. Public Forum

- issues and questions from residents

Wolsey Close Residents from Wolsey Close spoke of fly-tipping, burglary and pressures on local parking – which they feared will be worsened with the development of the Warren Farm site. A residents’ scheme to gate some of the alleys in the area had not been successful.

DF noted that the current informal parking on Windmill Lane, in the entrance to Warren Farm and elsewhere, could not continue once the development of the site by Queens Park Rangers begins. DF to arrange a visit to Wolsey Close Following a discussion, Councillor Mann asked if DF could arrange an advice giving visit by council Highways officers, which councillors would also attend.

8. Dates of future meetings dates – 2013/14

These were confirmed as being on:

- 10th October – Havelock Primary School, Havelock Road - 23rd January 2014 – St Mary’s Church Hall, Norwood Green Road

Dennis Frost 01: Aug: 2013

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