Neighbourhood Governance Notes of Northolt West End Ward Forum Meeting

Wednesday 20 June 2013 at 7pm Northolt Grange Community Centre, Rushdene Crescent, Northolt Present: Cllr Bassam Mahfouz (chairman), Cllr Brian Reeves and Cllr Lauren Wall Apologies: 0 Attendees 25 residents Evelyn Gloyn (EG) – Neighbourhood Co-ordinator Jackie O’Reilly (JOR) – Note Taker Northolt West End Safer Neighbourhood Team Paul Murphy - Community Safety Team No Note Action Point/Information 1 Cllr Mahfouz welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Notices

• Changes to Welfare/benefits – leaflets were made available at the meeting. • Northala Green Flag Renewal – the green flag scheme is a benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales. The award was given to the best green spaces in the country. Applications are judged on:

 Creating a space that people feel welcome  A site that is safe and healthy  How a green space can be managed in sensitive ways  Encourage community involvement .  Promoting/marketing a site

• Road renewal programme – two roads in the Northolt West End ward are going to be resurfaced, they are Edward Road (Hartfield Road to Kingshill Avenue and Maytree Gardens (Aspen Lane to end). The works have been planned for late August, early September, but this is subject to change. Members and residents will be informed of the actual dates near to the time.

2 Safer Neighbourhood Team & Community Safety Team Resident asked what is proposed staffing on the team? PSCO’s Seema, Bev and Beth attended the meeting to provide PSCO: Not sure at present, one PC is leaving tomorrow, then there will updates. be 1 PC, 1 Sergeant and 3 PSCO’s. The actual module is 1/1/1 but we know this isn’t enough on the ward. Perpetrators get moved on, the

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No Note Action Point/Information Aspen Lane was highlighted as being a problem as there is a lot of team is reduced and then they come back. The final set up will be drug activity in the area and filtering into Byron Way and the implemented in September. Wayfarer Estate. The SNT are putting together a dispersal zone Resident: Why are you being cut? and offenders can be moved on or arrested in the area. There were PSCO: No money, that’s the basic fact. The police have to make huge also problems with drinkers in Gainsborough Tower. savings just like everyone else. The first to go are people in positions of 30 years and longer. Resident recalled that when the area team was originally set up, 7 officers were promised. PSCO: the team want to stay, but the cuts are a directive form the government. Resident: will they be cutting MP’s or people who protect them? BM: No they are not. Resident: Is neighbourhood watch (NHW) dead? PSCO: It very much depends on the residents, some groups do a lot of leg work and the group really does work. The SNT has been in force for 7 years, and the neighbourhood watch groups have built up over the years. BM: Said there was a review going on about how the NHW could be taken out of police hands, but it will be still supported. How they will continue is being discussed at present. PSCO: We have all stressed to the sergeant how busy the ward is and that it was important not to lose 3 PSCO’s. Resident: There are currently 225 neighbourhood watch groups in Ealing, of which there are only 2 in Northolt West End. There could be a bigger team based at Ealing or Southall. As we all know there are budgets being cut everywhere from the Mayor downwards, the police, fire and transport are all hugely affected. BM: Said thank you to all on the team, since the team had been on board there had been dramatic changes in the ward.

To contact the SNT Call 020 8721 2770 or visit www.met.police.uk/teams/ealing

Community Safety Team

Paul Murphy, manager from Safety Communities spoke at the meeting. Paul is responsible for Perivale, Northolt, and Greenford Resident wanted to know when the drugs problems would be sorted in and these areas are called a “cluster”. the ward as there was a lot of activity at the bottom of his garden. BM: Advised all that the forum was a public meeting and that individual Paul told the meeting that the team had launched a new initiate in cases could not be discussed as this was not appropriate. June 2012 and the team were hoping planning to be more enforcement driven with the key focus being results. The team work very closely with the police. The team are based at Perceval House along with police. 2

No Note Action Point/Information 3 Traffic Issues Related to Transport for London

Councillor Mahfouz told the meeting that there was a need to reduce Resident: wanted to know what would happen? speed along Church Road and that a consultation will commence in BM: Confirmed that signage would be improved, and there were August which will bring together a number of different measures. He proposals to expand the central island and to make the bus lanes wider. went on to say that Department for Transport (DfT) have deemed There was also an idea to plant trees in the central island to make it that any road that is a 30mph road cannot have a sign to indicate more of an avenue feel. The other option which again was that. DfT have stated that a sign can go up for 6 months only to controversial would be to remove the barriers in the middle as all too warn drivers of the changes but after that they must be taken down. often people are trying to jump across, fall then then end up in the The road has been a 40mph for road for many years and there are carriageway with oncoming traffic hurling towards them. still high speeds on the road. A number of measures are being Resident: There is a problem from Kingshill Avenue, you need to open sought to get people’s speeds down to 30mph. Watery Lane. Also BP is being used as a cut through to avoid traffic build up. One of the options, which is somewhat controversial, would be to BM: Kingshill Avenue, Northolt Grange, Radcliffe Way and the garage make the roundabout 40mph – since no one in their right mind will be looked at with a view to relieving problems. would go around a roundabout at 40mph – so as they approach the Resident: the 90 bus is going over the islands, not around them. exits there would be signs to indicate the speed was reducing to Resident: The barriers on Church Road should be made higher, also 30mph. The council has also asked for cameras as there were far adding trees in the middle of the road would be disaster, if you hit one too many accidents and deaths on this road. However there is no of those at 30mph you would be dead. money for cameras, and it is also difficult to locate where to place BM: A consultation will be carried out so people can put their views them – there is no single hot spot along Church Road, the whole across. road is affected. Resident: wanted to know if a yellow box could be installed at the end of Yeading Lane, if this area was clear you would lose some of the Cllr Mahfouz was pleased that the issue had now been brought to traffic. the table and asked all to take a look at the drawings which were BM: yellow box junctions can be difficult to install as there are so many available to view at the meeting. requirements from the DfT. Resident: So many days a year would be lost having to close Church Road to maintain the trees Resident: At 6.50pm today there were so many double decker buses empty, the buses are needed in the morning. Also why in general are there so many buses going along Church Road that weren’t in service. Resident: confirmed they worked for one of the bus companies and said that TfL were not willing to pay for double decker buses to be used on services. The reason for so many buses is because TfL want a service at each end of the route and they weren’t concerned about the middle of the route.

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No Note Action Point/Information

4 0BLocal Updates

a) Downe Way Shopping Parade.

Cllr Mahfouz said that the improvement works at Yeading Lane were Resident: Wanted to know if the works would be similar to what has now complete and he hoped that all could see the benefits of these been done in Yeading Lane and would it be possible to remove some of works. If anyone had any comments regarding Downe Way they the grass verge to enable more parking. could leave their contact details. BM: Confirmed that the works would be similar and that he would feed back the suggestion for more parking for consideration. Resident: Asked if the proposals would come back to the meeting before the works were done. BM: confirmed that there would be enough time for residents to feed back at the next ward forum meeting.

b) Reviewing measures introduced to tackle rat running

Hawtrey Avenue/Laughton Road - Cllr Mahfouz said that the new Resident: since the new changes they have been experiencing measures between 8am and 9am have been implemented, some problems getting out of their front gardens because of cars blocking people happy whilst others are concerned. Councillor Mahfouz told them in. the meeting he would like to hear how people feel, and their BM: Told all that you can register your legally constructed dropped kerb reactions to the changes. with parking services for enforcement action. You need to call 020 8825 6677. Repeat surveys will be carried out in July before the schools break Resident: How long does it take them to come out and ticket? up for the summer holidays. The analysis and reporting will then be BM: Around 1-2 hours done in August with the results being presented to the ward forum Resident: Traffic coming off Old Ruislip Road, at last meeting we asked meeting in October. if an exception could be made for the mini-buses BM: We have asked TfL if the road could be used by mini-buses but Tangmere Gardens – the traffic volume and speed survey were they were not in agreement. due to be carried out in April with the results being made available in Resident: Was amazed at TfL’s response about the mini-buses - May. Councillors will chase this matter. disabled children were being transported in these buses, could they not see the reasoning why there were less than the required seats. Taxis can use the bus lane and they can only carry up to 5 passengers. The mini-buses are causing the problem because there are a large number of them going to the school. The position of the camera needs to be improved and they need to allow the mini-buses. BM: Would everyone support the move of the camera? Resident Yes they would Resident: There was no consideration given to the residents in the road when the barrier was installed. BM: This is the reason why we put this matter on the agenda tonight, to get your views. Resident: How many tickets have been issued, and how much revenue has been generated? BM: Apologised because he did not have the figures available for the 4

No Note Action Point/Information meeting.

[Addendum: In spring vehicle access from Old Ruislip Road to Hawtrey Avenue was restricted between 8-10am

Parking services have provided some statistics on tickets issued. For the first 5 complete months:

Jan: 456 Feb: 349 March: 237 April: 408 May: 242]

Resident: There are so many transport related issues, TfL have always been asked to attend but they never do. BM: We did ask for them to attend this evening, but they couldn’t - if they attend one, they would then have to attend all, it would set a precedent and there are a large number of ward forum meetings per year if you factor in all of the wards. We have to be the mitigator and feedback your comments.

4 1BWard Forum Priorities and Projects for 2013-2014 If you have any suggestions for projects for 2014/2013 please contact Evelyn Gloyn Neighbourhood Governance Co-ordinator (North) by The budget summary sheet was made available at the meeting. telephone on 020 8825 8021 or mobile 07525 893579 or via email at [email protected] Councillor Mahfouz told the meeting that he had been down to Northala Fields to see the Get Hooked for Fishing scheme. The Resident: wanted to know what was happening with the park watchers scheme has been welcomed; he encouraged people to go down and scheme. see for themselves. BM: confirmed that he would look into the matter. Resident: wanted Charville Lane cleaned up. The budget for 2013/2014 was £73,200 for capital and £11,100 for Resident: suggested keep fit equipment in the parks. revenue as funds had been carried over from the previous finance EG: suggested that the ward forum could contribute to the gym year. equipment at Northala, Greenford Broadway ward had confirmed a contribution at their meeting last night. All of the proposed schemes had been approved and work will Resident: Downe Way Park needs repair. commence later in the year. BR: confirmed would look at what needs to be done with a view to making improvements. There are plans to have a new mound on Marnham Fields then build EG: Could works be done as part of a pocket parks project? a bridge from Horseshoe Crescent to join all of the mounds, the BM: Mayor of London has a fund called pocket parks which supports ward forum will be asked to make a contribution with Greenford the creation and enhancement of 100 pocket parks and the new and Broadway. improved spaced across London will be delivered by March 2015. Pocket parks will be small areas that are an inviting public space for all 5

No Note Action Point/Information The blockage in Sharvell Lane needs to be investigated and will to enjoy. They should have trees and greenery; they should be open to follow up with Hillingdon about contributing to costs. all. Resident: It should be mandatory that any surplus budgets from the Welfare Reforms – Cllr Mahfouz told the meeting that the recent ward forums should be used to maintain parks. welfare reforms will put a big strain on local services. Ealing’s advice service (similar to Citizen’s Advice Bureau) has been set up in Grand Union Village and is providing a service to the local residents. EG went on to tell the meeting that the officers are trained in specialist areas so they can support each other and help residents.

The following ideas have been put forward for consideration for 13/14

• Yellow lines in Byron Road • Either a special lock or a new gate in Rushdene Crescent • Contribute towards the gym equipment at Northala, match fund with Greenford Broadway ward • Contribute to work being done with Ealing advice service to help support residents through welfare reforms

6 Your concerns

7 2B Any Other Business Resident: As you are the cabinet member for transport and Councillor Mahfouz if they had any issues to raise under any other environment could you ask for an additional bus stop in Kingshill business. Avenue - we have been asking for this for years. Also could it be pushed to have the E9 come onto the estate? BM: This has been talked about previously - an additional bus stop cannot be put in, nothing to do with cost, it’s to do with the location. In terms of the bus route it was decided in 2010/2011 that TfL would not agree to it because it would add time onto the journey. Resident: But there is a danger at night time, there is no bus going down the estate. EG: When reviews are done officers will look at new schools and where they have to be made bigger, they will then assess the need for transport link improvements.

Resident: Has the West London Shooting grounds got planning permission yet? LW: No, not has not gone to the committee yet. 6

No Note Action Point/Information Resident: Can they land helicopters? LW: They do not have permission to do so. Resident: Then an enforcement officer needs to attend and enforce. LW: We will certainly look into this. PM: This would fall under regulatory services.

Resident: Want to congratulate the ward for getting the £105,000 for improvements to Edward Road.

Resident: there are three grass areas in Parkfield Avenue which are overgrown. This attracts fly-tipping and the rubbish is left on the pathway so you can’t walk on it. BM: We will certainly look into this. Resident: There are overgrown brambles at the back of the Happy Shopper on Ruislip Road. BM: This may be private but we will investigate. Resident: What about tree cutting? BM: This year the trees in Northolt West End will be pruned. Resident: What about the gullies? BM: I have spoken to Highways and they have asked TfL to cleanse their gullies along Church Road. Resident: There are an increasing number of outhouses going up in gardens. BM: There is now a special team in place to enforce this. You can build in your garden subject to conditions and without planning consent but people are using these outhouses to sub-let which is illegal. LW: If you are suspicious you can report the matter, details are available on the council’s website, http://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/100007/housing/1385/illegal_outhouses BR: The council is taking action but it is a slow process.

Resident: I have heard as part of the HS2 works there are plans to put in ventilation shaft 30 metres down. Where will the spoil from the Heathrow spur go? BM: The great news is that we were successful in our campaign and HS2 is now going underground through the entire borough of Ealing. We are unclear at this stage what the exact route is for the spoil. Resident: Would be grateful if you could find out and report back.

3BMeeting Ended 8.53pm Dates of next meetings: Thursday 24 October 2013, Viking Primary School Radcliffe Way, Yeading Lane, Northolt UB5 6HW Thursday 6 March 2014, venue TBA

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