RESIDENTS’ FORUM

12 March 2008 held at Broadfields Primary School, Broadfields Avenue, HA8

Forum Officers’ Action Notes

Chairman: Councillor Brian Gordon Vice-Chairman: Councillor John Hart

Issue Raised Response Update 1. Inaccuracy in the action To note. Noted. sheet for the meeting held on 13 November 2007 at Pursley Road, :

The action sheet in paragraph 2 of issue 1 was inaccurate as the Recreation, Leisure and Arts Committee approved the former south site of Copthall Girls School to open space and did not respond any feasibility study for the area.

2. Petition requesting the The Council had been in discussions LB Harrow have advised provision a pedestrian with LB Harrow. It was likely that that housing development crossing near the Royal Section 106 money from the housing on the site is not now likely National Orthopaedic development on part of the hospital to be coming forward in the Hospital, main site will be used to fund highway foreseeable future. The gates. improvement measures such as a no Council is therefore looking right turn out of the hospital and a at possible alternative pedestrian crossing. funding sources in order to provide safe crossing facilities, and other associated traffic management measures. It is envisaged that a scheme will be designed over the coming few months.

3. Request for an official bus The Environment and Transport For a considerable period of stand at Edgware Bus directorate to respond. time during 2007 the bus Station for the coach to the station at Edgware has Royal National Orthopaedic been undergoing major Hospital, Stanmore. rebuilding works. Now that work has finished it is possible to make such a request. However it is known that the bus station is extremely busy and indeed there is one bus route already that does not use the bus station.

1 Issue Raised Response Update The Council will liaise with Buses about the Hospital coach and its request for a standing and possible publicity for its location.

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital is served by local bus 107 from Edgware Station. Single decker buses are scheduled but quite often double decker buses are used. The Council has suggested that at the next contract renewal, the base frequency is either made every 12 minutes or else double decker buses are used at all times. The latter would be the easiest improvement to make to the bus service connection to Edgware Station.

The new contract for bus 107 is due to start in October 2009. London Buses have not yet indicated how the new contract will be structured and it would not be expected until Autumn 2008.

Diverting bus 107 into the hospital in one direction has been considered in the past, but because the number of through passengers far exceeds the number requiring the hospital, coupled with the difficulty of procuring a satisfactory turn round space close by Brockley Hill, London Buses has not felt it possible to undertake this feature within the bus route. However, Officers will raise this possibility again with London Buses.

2 Issue Raised Response Update 4. Petitions requesting the The sentiment of the petitions had Scheme revisions are being Council not to proceed with been noted and would be included considered as a result of a controlled parking zone in with all other comments and/or the consultation returns. objections received relating to the scheme for consideration before a decision was made on whether or not to proceed with the proposals, with or without modification.

Should the scheme proceed the operational aspects will be reconsidered in light of issues such as those raised in these petitions that could include for example a longer stay on pay and display bays being provided.

The Council was aware of congestion issues that can occur in the area and were progressing some remedial measures in the form of waiting restrictions designed to address these problems.

5. The following comments These issues were noted and most were raised about the Burnt would be responded by Council Oak Controlled Parking Officers in the update sheet for the Zone (CPZ): next Forum. • unhappy that some Officers are not in a position Councillors and the local to comment on the views of MP were in favour with Councillors or MPs. the proposed CPZ; • consultation response When consulting on a time of three weeks was proposal to introduce a too short; controlled parking zone or other similar measure, the Council are required by law to follow certain processes including that of giving a 21 day period allowing anyone opportunity to object or comment proposals. Experience shows that the majority who wish to, advise the Council of their views within the first two weeks of consultation. However, representation received after the three week period is not excluded and would be considered up to the point of a decision being made on the future of the scheme.

• consultation was difficult Every effort is made to to understand; ensure that consultation documents and materials 3 Issue Raised Response Update are as easy to understand as possible so that individuals can make an informed decision. Officers are not aware of a significant level of miscomprehension regarding the proposals.

• these proposals could kill The original audit of opinion the town centre; on parking related matters in the Burnt Oak area carried out last summer showed that parking was an issue that affected many aspects of daily activity in Burnt Oak, including the ability to trade. The careful consideration of appropriate measures to enable a turnover of parking space can help to improve custom. There is no evidence that the introduction of a CPZ detrimentally impacts on the viability of Town Centres.

• local schools had not All schools within the been consulted; proposed areas were included in the consultation.

• parking problems Parking problems do occur occurred mainly in the in some areas outside of evenings; the hours of control being proposed. Where this results in safety or traffic management concerns at junctions for example, waiting restrictions would be proposed irrespective of whether that location falls within a CPZ or not. Where a CPZ is proposed, it is designed to give more opportunity and give more protection to residents as opposed to other motorists who generally would not be in the area outside of normal working hours.

• requested that parking It is not considered that charges in Watling car removing the charges park be halted for three would result in more 4 Issue Raised Response Update months to see whether parking being available as parking problem ceased; charges help to manage the area. The absence of charges would inevitably result in more vehicles coming to the area.

• requested that a hourly Consideration of the most CPZ be introduced appropriate times that the around the tube station CPZ might operate is part i,e. 10-11am; of the consultation process and a lesser time of restriction is one option that may be considered. • requested that proper The Council will always enforcement be taken seek to ensure that all against parking at bus restrictions are adequately stops; enforced. If residents are aware of areas that do not appear to be sufficiently patrolled thay are encouraged to contact the Council accordingly so that appropriate action can be taken.

• request for further The Council will consider if consultation on a further consultation on ‘sensible’ scheme; measures is appropriate once it has given due consideration to all comments and objections received to the current proposals.

• the Council should The Council will always respond the provision of seek to introduce a CPZ on a street-by- restrictions only where it is street basis; considered necessary for the better management of the public highway. However, depending on overall demand and associated problems it is not always possible to exclude a road even though the majority may not wish for restrictions to be introduced.

• many problems The introduction of associated to those who restrictions would give used their cars for short better protection for those journeys; and residents who use their vehicles for short periods.

5 Issue Raised Response Update • residents had a right to There is no right to park on park outside their homes the highway. However, in a designated parking whilst the introduction of a space. CPZ would not guarantee that a resident could always park directly outside their homes, it would give more opportunity within a reasonable distance of their homes.

6. What is the outcome of the Detailed analysis of the responses No decision has yet been proposed CPZ in the Burnt received to the proposals is ongoing made and Officers are still Oak Area? and therefore at this stage there is no discussing possible options outcome to report. Once analysis is with local ward councillors. complete the findings will be discussed with local ward members with a view to establishing how or if the scheme should proceed. This is expected to take place over the coming month or so.

7. Can the Council comment The design of the CPZ will consider No further comment. on the fact that the proposed the demands from various sectors of Burnt Oak CPZ will give an the community and where possible insufficient amount of provision will be incorporated into the designated parking spaces scheme to try and cater for those for parents collecting and demands. However, it must be delivering their children, remembered that one of the primary visitors and staff to the reasons for proposing to introduce a school? CPZ is that there is competing demand for parking that outweighs the number of places where it is safe to park resulting in congestion and safety issues. Therefore any CPZ cannot cater for all demands in an area and is designed to deter those that have no interest in the area other than a convenient place to park e.g. commuters and people choosing to drive instead of using other forms of transport to get to work.

It is on this basis that parking space allocation is considered. Of course consideration is given to the needs of particular sections of the community including schools and it is envisaged that if controls are introduced the ability of parents/carers to safely deliver or collect vulnerable children in a timely manner will be possible through the elimination of commuter type parking and sensitive enforcement of the restrictions.

Visitor parking will also be incorporated into the parking design 6 Issue Raised Response Update of the area by way of pay and display facilities that would enable short term parking for visitors to the school etc. However, at this stage there are no plans to provide specific facilities for employees of the school to park on- street.

8. Request that Watling Car The Resources Directorate to The suggestion is not viable pPrk have a two hour free respond. as it assumes that this two parking period to ensure that hour window would provide Burnt Oak town centre better opportunity to park. remains vibrant. However, with no controls in place there would be no guarantee of a space being available to those vehicles that had specifically travelled to park during that period. Visitors to the area would, by experience, know that they would have more chance to park if the controls are in place. 9. Request for traffic calming Menorah Foundation has successfully The Council is seeking to measures such as lollipop completed its School Travel Plan progress appropriate person outside Menorah (STP), which identifies ways of engineering solutions to a Foundation School. improving access and safety on the number of issues identified highway in the vicinity of the school or in the travel plan which will on the way to school. This STP also be considered for includes ways in which the school implementation; this may intends to encourage children and include facilitating the staff to use alternative forms of creation of a School transport when going to the school Crossing Patrol. thereby reducing the number of vehicles in the area. If as part of the STP the school has indicated a desire for a school crossing patrol this will of course be given full consideration.

10. Request that the Council The Environment and Transport All schools are expected to erect speed warning signs Directorate to respond. have a School Travel Plan outside schools in Burnt Oak in place by March 2009. area (as currently less than As part of the travel plan 50% of schools in the process the school will Borough have warning identify travel issues and signs). can make suggestions for proposed engineering measures to address the issues. The Council will look at engineering measures to be put in place that have been identified through the school’s travel plans which may include Vehicle Activated Signs.

7 Issue Raised Response Update 11. Request that the Council The Environment and Transport This issue would be remedy the access problems Directorate to respond. addressed as part of the for emergency services to CPZ proposals or looked at Abbott Road as cars are separately if the proposals parked on both sides of the do not proceed. street.

12. Request that the Council The Environment and Transport The Council recognise that deal with the inconsiderate Directorate to respond. there is a need to ensure parking by parents dropping that children need to be their children at schools in collected from or delivered the Burnt Oak area. to school in a safe as manner as possible. The proposed CPZ would seek to ensure his is the case wherever possible by sympathetic but fair enforcement in the area. 13. Can something be done to A Council Officer visited the estate Civil Enforcement Officers stop somebody dealing with this morning and reported that every are deployed to the area second-hand cars on North road and vehicle was checked. No daily. Any vehicles seen in Road Estate as he takes vehicles were found to display a ‘for contravention are issued residents parking spaces? sale’ sign. with a penalty charge notice, including those with ‘for sale’ signs on the public highway.

14. Can the Council help to The Environment and Transport The Council are happy to provide parking for those Directorate to respond. consider the most who attend the Edgware and appropriate parking Mill Hill Friendship Centre in provision and could Burnt Oak? increase the time allowed to stay on pay and display parking bays in the area should the scheme proceed.

8 15. The Copthall Consultation To note. Noted. Group Forum wishes to note that their proposal for the use of the former Copthall Girls South (south site) as a multi-sports area for local youths is regarded by the Council as compatiable with Green Belt use.

The Copthall Consultation Group Forum also note that ownership of the site was returned from school use to the Council for Open Space purposes in July 1996 (ref: Education Committee report 2/7/96, Council decision 9/7/96, Recreation, Leisure and Arts Committee decision 15/7/96). This limits use of the area to such activities as outdoor recreation which is compatiable with our proposal.

9 Issue Raised Response Update 16. The Mayor of London has The Mayor of London is contributing No further update required. given £1.5m each to London funds to London boroughs to be Boroughs to spend on youth allocated in line with two existing provision. Please can you national government funding streams: state were this money is the Positive Activities for Young being spent and which People (PAYP) funding and the Youth wards. Opportunities Fund (YOF). Barnet is currently in the process of allocating this funding.

PAYP funding will be prioritised in areas with proportionately higher numbers of young people not in education, employment or training or that have higher levels of crime.

The Council are also looking to target a proportion of the funding to other areas where our data shows some additional funding is required to stimulate activities for young people from vulnerable groups.

Funding decisions for the YOF are made by Youth Bank, Barnet’s group of young people who are trained up to allocate and monitor funding. They consider applications only from young people. Last year’s YOF funding went to activities in various wards including: • the Rolling Base, which provides mobile youth activities across the Borough; • Ayesha Community Education in Hendon; • Church Farm youth club in ; • two outreach projects for dance and drama across the Borough; • equipment for youth activities in ; and • fitness activities in , amongst others.

17. Can the Council divide the The Children’s Service Directorate to The criteria for funding £1.5m that it had received respond. requires funding to be from the Mayor London targeted to areas and towards youth provision to young people in need. equally across the 21 wards in the Borough?

10 Issue Raised Response Update Can the Council ensure that The Children’s Service Directorate to The funds have been the £1.5m that it had respond. allocated for youth received from the Mayor provision. London goes towards youth provision?

18. What is happening with The Children’s Service directorate to Activites co-ordinated by youth provision in the respond. Barnet's Youth and Broadfields area? Connexions service include visits by Barnet's mobile youth bus Rolling Base during holiday times and weekly outreach by a dedicated youth worker. As an area of identified need, the Youth and Connexions service will be co-ordinating further postivie activites on the Broadfields estate in school holidays.

19. Why doesn’t the Council The Freedom Pass Scheme is a No further update required want its residents to have London Boroughs Scheme operated - the Council fully supports the Freedom Pass? through London Councils. Freedom this initiative financially. passes are available to all residents over 60 years and those with a disability who meet the eligibility criteria of the Transport Act 2000. Barnet funds the Freedom Pass Scheme along with other London Councils. For 2007/08, the Freedom Pass costs £10.95m for 50,846 people in Barnet.

20. Can the Council confirm that The Resources Directorate to There isn't a reserve and it will be contributing to the respond. the Borough pays on a per reserve for the Freedom capita basis. Should there Pass? ever be a surplus in one year it would be moved across to help fund the following year’s commitment.

21. Why are the Council The average costs of a Leader No further update required. spending so much money on Listens event is £2800. Therefore a the Leader Listens when he full year's programme covering an can attend the Area Forums event in each ward is approx. to hear from residents? £60,000. Most of this is accounted What is being spend on for by postage and mailing with a publicity, hall hire, admin small amount for hall hire. There is costs, postage etc? no budget for publicity.

It is expected that there will be only 15 events this year at a cost between £30,000 and £45,000 or £3 per residents invited.

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Issue Raised Response Update The Leader Listens initiative was designed to reach out beyond the attendees of the Forums as part of the to the Governments drive to increase engagement with the public directly. From information gathered the vast majority of attendees of the Leader Listens had never been to a Forum which underlines the view that the Leader Listens reach out to a different audience. The numbers attended such as the 80+ at Leader Listens is much greater than the general attendance at the Forums.

The programme also engages a far wider number of residents as notes of the discussions and resulting actions are sent to all those invited, not just those who attended.

22. Has Council always been There are no rules governing when No further update required. aware of the numbers of working from home business changes customers / clients any the operation of a single dwelling to particular trade / profession such an extent that a material change can be carried out from of use requiring planning permission residential homes, with, as occurs. The Government encourages well as without planning people to work from home and permission, and if Council guidelines relating to when a change was not au fait with that of use occurs state: “The likelihood of information, why was that there having been such a material so? If Council was aware of change of use may be indicated such information, why did where the business or non residential Council not reveal that use generates visitors, traffic, noise or information during the early fumes over and above what might be part of 2007? expected if the property were used as a single dwelling without any ancillary use” (Paragraph 33, Planning Policy Guidance Note 4).

In cases where the Council is satisfied that a material change of use from a dwelling has occurred and that use is causing significant planning harm, then enforcement action would be taken.

23. Can the Council confirm that The Planning and Environmental Planning permission is residents are protected Protection directorate to respond. required if the operation of against harm from a business from home, businesses working from generates sufficient activity homes such as nuisance for there to be a change in and anti-social behaviour? the character in the area.

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Issue Raised Response Update Specific noise nuisances resulting from a business operating from a dwelling may result in a change of use requiring planning permission but specific aspects of anti social behaviour are usually dealt with under Environmental Health legislation.

25. Does Council fully observe The Disability Discrimination Act No further update required. the Disability Discrimination (2005) places a general duty upon Act to all who are registered public authorities to promote disability disabled, and if not, in equality by eliminating disability whose favour? Are the discrimination and harassment, regulations observed for the actively involving disabled people, benefit of able-bodied promote equality of opportunity, residents and extended to promote positive attitudes towards their friends and families, or disabled people and encourage to residents who are participation of disabled people in registered disabled? In active life. The Council is both addition, is it appropriate for obliged and committed to meeting this able-bodied Council staff to general duty and its component parts. know and acknowledge how Under the Disability Discrimination a registered disabled person Act (2005) there is no registration can or cannot cope? process for people to register as disabled (as in the past with green cards).

26. Request for double yellow Officers are grateful for this issue On New Brent Street, lines (to replace the being brought to the Council’s vehicles are normally chevrons) on New Brent attention and will respond the parked on the right hand Street as fire engines cannot concern. Initial attention will be side as you enter this road get through if there was an focussed on ensuring adequate from Brent Street, in emergency. Parking enforcement of existing prohibitions marked out parking bays. Wardens do not give parking e.g. footway parking, but should On the left hand side tickets to those who park on further measures be considered they chevrons have been placed the chevrons and pavement. will be given serious consideration on the road to restrict and introduced where necessary. parking on this side of the road.

On a number of ad hoc visits no obstructive parking was seen to be taking place and at the present time the Council have no plans to propose any waiting restrictions on this road. However, we will continue to monitor the area should any changes be necessary in the future. 27. Request for the dead tree on A Housing Officer from Barnet A small dead plum tree was the side of 16 West View be Homes’ West Housing removed on 14 April 2008 removed. Neighbourhood Team will visit the following an inspection that estate on Thursday 13 March to found a fracture in the stem. 13 Issue Raised Response Update inspect the tree and see whether it is dead or causing structural problems.

If the tree is on Barnet Homes land, Barnet Homes will then send a pro- forma to the Council who will then inspect and quote for any necessary works. Should the tree be dead/dying or dangerous, works would be authorised by Barnet Homes’ Housing Operations Manager and a works order would be raised.

28. A recent edition of the Press The Council is legally required to No further update required. listed the increased have a scheme for payment of allowances for Cabinet Councillors allowances and it is Members, Councillors required to review that scheme (including the Forum annually. When doing so, it must take Chairman and Vice- account of the recommendations of Chairman). How can it be an independent panel of non- ensured that this is value for councillors. money? The Council accepted all of the recommendations of the independent panel, including their main recommendation that the allowances should increase by 2.475%, in line with the local government pay settlement. In making their recommendation, the independent panel considered the level of allowances paid to councillors by other London Borough councils. The independent panel have said that, when they carry out next year's review, they intend to review the details of each key post in receipt of a special responsibility allowance and from that make informed comparisons that will allow a fundamental reappraisal of the bands of allowances and the amounts payable.

29. Recently on LBC it was The Council does not have the No further update required. alleged that local Councils authority to tap private phones this had the authority to tap would be classed as intrusive private phones. Is this the surveillance, and would only be case? If true, when would a carried out by Government Council tap a phone? Departments i.e. for the purposes of national security.

30. Can the Council ensure that Distribution of the Press newspaper is No further update required. the Press newspaper is under the control of the newpaper distributed throughout the company and not under the control of Borough (as it is non- the Council. Not all are necessarily existent in parts of West delivered door-to-door, however, the Hendon) as this is where Council are assured that copies are public notices are available in public buildings such as 14 Issue Raised Response Update published? libraries. In addition the public notices are published on the website.

31. Can the Council stop people Detailed observations will be No further update required. riding on pavements with forwarded to the local Safer their bikes as this is a Neighbourhood Team for action danger to pedestrians? relating to moving traffic offences.

32. Can the Council ask the The Council has no powers to stop No further update required. police to deal with drivers drivers driving whilst using mobile driving whilst using mobile phones. Residents should pass phones? specific details to the local Safer Neighbourhood Team.

33. Can an update be given Broadfields Primary School will be No further update required. about the rebuilding of the rebuilt as part of the Primary School Broadfields Primary School? Capital Investment programme. The programme is currently selecting a building contractor.

The Council expect to start construction at the first site (Whitings Hill) this summer. Broadfields Primary School is the second school in the programme. The school will start design activities with the architect in June 2008 and the Council expect to commence construction in January 2009.

Residents have already been engaged by the Local Planning Authority who has developed a planning brief for Broadfields Primary School. This planning brief was endorsed by Cabinet in April 2007.

34. Could the Council please Burnt Oak Library was designed and No further update required. comment on what they will built in 1968. The Council is do to maintain rather than upgrading the building to ensure that reduce library services in it meets the current Disability Burnt Oak library as a result Discrimination Act (DDA) compliance of the refurbishment. regulations, improve the library service and introduce a new customer For example: The publicity service centre. This work will ensure states that it will be a the building can be accessed by all 'leading library'. Yet the members of the community. The new plans currently on show at ramped access is essential to comply the library indicate that the with DDA regulations and has been overall floor space will done to ensure that the Council reduce, the area for children maximise floor space and in fact will will be reduced to around a also allow the library to have a third of current, the children’s terrace upstairs in the bookshelf area for adults will library. 15 Issue Raised Response Update reduce (currently there are 11 book shelves while the Please note that the boards showing plans propose 10 shorter the plans are artistic impression and ones). are not the actual colours or materials that the Council intend to use.

There are currently 16 With regard to the quality of the library bookcases for children's service offered there will be a new books - the plansdo not childrens library, study areas show these. The publicity including access to more PCs then states that the role of are currently available and the same libraries is number of books that the library changing...'people come to currently stocks. Additionally, the study'. At the moment there Council will be introducing WIFI so are 3 study tables and they people with their own laptops can are often full. The plans do access the internet and this is the not indicate any study tables reason for soft seating areas as well at all. There are many sofas as for people to browse through in the plan – unsuitable for books, newspapers and other serious study. There are publications. All of these elements currently 2 children's will come together to make the library computers and 1 catalogue a leading library. computer – these do not appear on the current plan. Consultation was done on what services people would like so when The public consultation was designing the building the elements on general use of services required by local people would be and did not include the designed in – this has been done and plans. This seems to be reflected in the design. being rushed through without allowing us enough The plans that were displayed were to of a chance to have our say. show the exterior structure of the The plans indicate that much building and the ‘blocks’ do not thought has gone into represent the furniture – these are designing a fancy wall with a just there to show the public which mural – more thought should floor the library is to be on and build a have gone into the inside picture of how the new library will space which is the library. look.

The publicity states a million The Council’s public consultation pounds is to be spend on period included a chance to view the improving our library. This plans and models in the library and needs to corrected: in fact a the project team were available to million will be spent on the answer questions. BUILDING, part of which includes a library. The Council are currently designing the layout of the library and we will ensure that there will be no loss of shelf space – it must however be stressed that the plans did not in any way show any possible layouts of any furniture.

35. Following the Burnt Oak The Resources Directorate to The new leading library that Library refurbishment, can respond. will be offered at Burnt Oak the Council confirm whether will be approximately the the space provided for the same size offering the 16 Issue Raised Response Update following will be bigger, the same number of books, and same or smaller: the same area allocated to • books; play and reading space. • children’s play area; and • reading space.

36. Can the Council confirm how The Resources Directorate to The Council raised and what means the public respond. awareness of the project were consulted on the Burnt through posters and Oak Library refurbishment? displays at a number of Council buildings. A questionnaire was dropped through 1000 residents around the library and additionally handed out at council buildings. The questionnaire was also available to fill out on line.

The Council made the questionnaire available in November 2007 and it was closed on 14 January 2008.

The Council additionally held a public consultation event (where users of the library were encouraged to view the plans and ideas) in February.

37. Stonegrove Regeneration

(a) Is the new biomass boiler The combined heat and power and No further update required. being planned to heat district heating system proposed may hundreds of dwellings on be designed to use dual fuels. This Stonegrove / Spur Road could allow the use of specially estate nothing other than a prepared wood pellets in addition to glorified crematorium for the gas. This plant is a requirement of hundreds of trees with and the GLA and will reduce carbon without Preservation orders emissions. that will now be axed by Barnet Council on this land?

(b) Will the new biomass boiler There is no intention to get rid of No further update required. on the Stonegrove / Spur thousands of trees. Road estate become the easy way for Barnet Council to rid itself of the thousands of trees which stand in it's way of turning an 'Edge of Green Belt Suburb' into the Senior Officers much proclaimed 'City Suburb’?

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Issue Raised Response Update (c) Stonegrove's Zone 1 – 8 The decision made by Councillors on No further update required. storey slab building scheme the Planning and Environment and southern monopitch Committee on 3 March was taken industrial style dwellings are with consideration of the Planning particularly out of character Officer’s report and various oral in this edge of green belt representations at the meeting. The location. Why have the Planning Officer’s report to Planning Officers allowed Committee sets out the design this to be approved without a rationale for the scale, height and whimper? Was it political design of the buildings. The decision and economic pressure was made mindful of the relevant over-riding good planning local and regional planning policies; sense? and material considerations.

(d) Will Barnet Council Depending on the situation in relation No further update required. prosecute and seek redress to any particular tree the Council may from all Organisations as seek to take action against any well as Developers (whoever organisation who interfere with they are), that cut the roots protected trees. of TPO trees, cut the Crowns, uproot or otherwise interfere with these Trees without: i) firstly taking Notice of the Parliamentary protection afforded to these TPO trees; or ii) seek the required formal planning approval. Or is Barnet Council a cut above Parliamentary Law?

38. Request that the Council The Planning and Environmental Depending on the situation enforces it protection role for Protection Directorate to respond. in relation to any particular TPO trees on the tree the Council may seek Stonegrove Estate. to take action against any organisation who interfere with protected trees.

39. Can the Council visit Church Council Officers are fully aware of the No further update required. Way so that they know that CCTV coverage of Church Way the majority of the path is footpath and consider it adequate. not covered by CCTV? There have been further attacks recently with 2 in the week beginning 7 January.

40. Can the no cycling signs on Additional no cycling signs were No further update required. Church Way be erected as erected recently. promised?

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Issue Raised Response Update 41. Can the no cycling signs be The Environment and Transport The 'No Cycling' signs erected at the Mall Shopping directorate to respond. have been erected Centre and Parkfield Close entrances to Church Way?

42. Request for the Council to The Environment and Transport Specific locations and send Civic Enforcement Directorate to respond. times of parking need to be Officers (CEOs), previously phoned in on 020 8359 known as Parking Attendants, 7446. to deal with poor visibility caused by inconsiderate parking at the junction near Horseshoe Open Space (as it has been a problem since the 1980s).

43. Why is the work at Brookside The Environment and Transport This response refers to Road taking so long? Directorate to respond. works being carried out by Thames Water and affects Brookdside Road NW11. These are works to provide improved foul water overflows to the Decoy Brook. There were design changes required to the chamber design which delayed the completion of the scheme. The works are now finished and the road has been reopened. 44. What is happening with the The Resources Directorate to The land has not been sold vacant Warren’s Shawe Lane respond. to Notting Hill Housing site sold by the Council to Trust, although it is developers? understood that contractors for Notting Hill have been using it to store materials and waste.

There is a current Cabinet Resources Committee decision to sell a small part of the site to Notting Hill Housing Trust, and to grant it a long lease of the remainder for a 6 bed care home. Discussions with Notting Hill Housing Trust are on-going.

45. Residents enquired whether The Resources Directorate to The Council’s Information the Council can improve e- respond. Systems Team works mail facilities for Councillor closely with all councillors Helena Hart and Councillor to ensure the availability of Richard Weider as they mailboxes. A member of seemed to constantly have the team will contact 19 ‘bounced back’ e-mail. Councillor Hart and Councillor Weider to see if any further assistance is required.

46. Request that the Forums The Corporate Governance Council took the decision become localised as Directorate to respond. to have Residents' Forums residents need to travel and their formation. It is longer distances and hear the intention that the many issues that do not Forums will not be held at concern them. the same venue but held at different places within an area. Council does not dictate the issues placed on the Agenda – that is a matter for local residents.

As well as forums, there are other channels of communication with the Council open to local residents.

47. Can the Council respond to The Resources directorate to The overgrowth is not on the Customer Care Unit respond. the Council’s Grounds complaint 610189 regarding Maintenance schedule. the cutting of the overgrowth The Grounds Maintenance between Hammond Close responsive team cut back and Tayside? the overgrowth pending investigation into ownership.

48. Petition requesting that The resident was asked to contact Since the meeting held on Pavilion Way football pitches George Church in Property Services 12 March 2008, Officers remain in community use. by e-mail to register his interest in received initial enquiries providing a community use for the for the property from a site. football club and a local community group. Copies Currently, Officers had not received of the public section of the any communication (with or without a last Cabinet Resources business plan) from community Committee paper had football clubs interested in using the been forwarded to them, premises. The only communications with a reminder that the received had been from a local restrictive covenant in the football club asking to use the legal title to the property premises. Their use would, however, requires that the property not comply with the terms of the can only be used by the restrictive covenant. A Freedom of general public. Information enquiry was made concerning the detail of the restrictive In accordance with covenant, which has been dealt with. instructions from the Committee, each group had each been asked to prepare a robust business plan in support of their proposals. Both had been invited to meet Officers to discuss their proposals.

20 Meanwhile, Officer’s work with Barnet College and The Really Fine Leisure Company Limited continues.

49. Watling Avenue Cages

(a) Why has it taken so long for The Planning Housing and The Council were trying to the Council to progress with Regeneration Directorate to respond. persuade the relevant direct action against those owners to voluntarily cages that had not appealed remove the unauthorised against the enforcement structures before the notice? Council having to resort to direct action and remove the unauthorised works themselves.

The Council were successful in persuading one of the owners to voluntarily remove their unauthorised structure leaving five outstanding cases being subject to direct action proceedings. All illegal structures have now been removed.

(b) Has the Council taken any Planning, Housing and Regeneration The Council have recently enforcement action against Directorate to respond. carried out a shop front the 2 recently erected cages survey of Watling Avenue on Watling Avenue? and Silk Stream Parade and found no new front extensions.

50. Can the Council inform Planning and Environmental The Food Team have residents why 31 Watling Protection Directorate to respond. been constantly Avenue was closed after a monitoring the external food inspection for 4 days caged areas of food before its subsequent closure premises in Watling by Environmental Officers in Avenue for over a year. October 2007? The Food Team try to avoid duplication of effort and causing any confusion to traders. Whether or not the food is taken in overnight, the Food Team would expect the structures to be pest proof so that rodent soiled surfaces do not contaminate food placed in the cages the next day.

31 and 79 are food shops that open 8am to 9pm and the food is taken in over 21 night.

Food shops that have external cages are 13,17, 25, 27, and 41 Watling Avenue. All of the external areas appear to be proofed against rodents or the food is taken in at night apart from Net Try (27 Watling Avenue).

The manager of Net Try had been advised to proof the external area against rodent activity, and has been liaising with a pest control contractor and the Food Team.

The owner of the premises has been served with a Hygiene Improvement Notice under The Food Hygiene () Regulations 2006, Regulation 6, requiring the owner to carryout proofing to the external area by 20 March 2008.

Please could all queries and complaints about pest proofing of these structures, relating to food premises, be directed to Chris Carabine or Pat Enti, Environmental Health Officer, or Alison Patmore, Food Safety Officer.

51. Public consultation on the To note. Noted. closure of 272 Watford Way and 80 Chandos Crescent offices.

The closing date for any feedback is 2 April 2008. Please send to: Anita Turner, Network Development Manager, c/o National Consultation Team, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM

22 Email: [email protected] Customer Helpline: 08457 22 33 44 or (textphone 08457 22 33 55 to request an alternative format for the visually impaired)

The Forum which commenced at 6.30pm ended at 9.05pm.

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