Draft minutes

The Chair welcomed attendees to the meeting and provided an update on actions from the last meeting:

·    Improvements works to Muswell Hill library: works had been completed to the exterior of the building and redecoration to the first floor and staircase. A number of access issues needed to be addressed including the potential installation of toilet facilities on the ground floor. Improvements to lighting would be made using funding from the Muswell Hill Low Carbon Zone project.

·    Issues surrounding the Wellington Road gyratory: agreed that an update would be circulated with the minutes.

·    Bus stop sited at the brow of Muswell Hill: it was advised that Transport for London (TfL) had ongoing concerns regarding finding a suitable site for relocation but that discussions were ongoing.

The Chair advised that a public meeting on the future of Whittington Hospital had been scheduled for 4 March from 8 pm at Greig City Academy, Hornsey, N8 7NU.

An event to celebrate the Muswell Hill Low Carbon Zone would be held on 27 February, 10.00 – 15.00 at Muswell Hill Primary School and would include a question and answer session, activities for children and a ‘give and take’ stall.

Attendees were advised that application forms were now available for the Making the Difference fund for the new financial year beginning in April. The closing date for applications would be 12 March.

Duncan Stroud, Associate Director of Communications at NHS Haringey attended the meeting to provide an update on the current review of the NHS. The review aimed to introduce a new delivery model for health services in London based around an increased community focus to ensure the right services were provided in the right locations and to ensure the best use of resources and efficiency set against the significant budget challenges facing the NHS. The review was a clinically driven process which was currently within its initial phase, centred around consideration of a series of possible scenarios relating to delivery of future services and their locations. Public consultation would be undertaken following the selection of the favoured scenarios after the local elections. Ongoing discussions were being held with local communities for example through LINk representatives and the hosting of a meeting with local community groups in March.

It was acknowledged that although public concern was primarily centred around future arrangements for Accident and Emergency (A&E) provision, the review would consider all levels of care including walk-in clinics and specialist services. A number of residents at the meeting expressed concerns regarding the potential closure of the A&E department at the Whittington Hospital and the impact this would have on the time taken for Haringey residents to receive urgent care. Confirmation was provided that 2 of the scenarios being considered involved retaining A&E facilities at the Whittington, with other options centring around a variety of alternative arrangements, for example 24 hour urgent care facilities. Consideration would be given to the capacity of current facilities such as the Royal Free Hospital when considering scenarios as well as evidence from past reviews. It was confirmed that complex modelling systems were used to assess and plan the location of services and that a thorough plan and timetable would be put into place to manage the transition of changes brought about by the review. It was reiterated that the process was at a very early stage and that residents would have further opportunity to inform the NHS of their views regarding the future provision of services. 

In response to concerns expressed regarding the accessibility of the Hornsey Health Centre on Park Road, in particular the lack of direct transport links from Highgate, it was confirmed that ongoing discussions were being held with TfL on transport provision to the Centre. It was agreed that the Associate Director of Communications would forward an update to Neighbourhood Management for circulation at the next meeting.

A brief overview of the Environmental and Planning Enforcement Service was provided by the Head of Enforcement, which was based around the three main areas of commercial, enforcement response and street enforcement services.

Concerns were raised by a number of residents about an illegal mini-cab service in the Dukes Mews/Avenue area which had been refused planning permission but appeared to still be operating. Although the Head of Enforcement was not aware of the specific details of the case, it was confirmed that enforcement action might not necessarily be taken if a further application for planning permission had been made. It was agreed that a written update on the issue would be sent from Enforcement Services to Neighbourhood Management for circulation.

In response to concerns regarding the monitoring of compliance of developments once planning permission had been granted, it was confirmed that the Service had limited capacity to carryout proactive enforcement work so reporting mostly originated from the public or from Development Control service referrals.

Concerns were raised about the removal of paving slabs at the Cranley Gardens garden centre site. It was confirmed that although certain allowances were made for developers during the build, costs were recovered from developers at the end of projects to ensure that public highways and access routes were returned to their original state.  

An update was provided on progress with the Cranley Gardens traffic calming scheme. Following the end of the consultation period in December, an imprint design system had been selected as the chosen design to be put in place before the end of the financial year. A number of concerns had been expressed by residents in neighbouring roads about the displacement of traffic due to the scheme and traffic surveys would be carried out to check if there were any negative impacts in line with the legal obligation to consider and respond to views put forward as part of the consultation. In response to concerns regarding the safety of the Park Road and Cranley Gardens junction for cyclists it was confirmed that an analysis had been carried out by TfL that had evidenced the benefit to cyclists. 

An update was provided on progress with the statutory consultation for the extension of the Fortis Green CPZ (Controlled Parking Zone). Mixed responses had been received, with closest roads generally in favour and those further away against the extension. Consultants had undertaken parking surveys in January in particular to look at the level of commuter parking, which would then be considered at a meeting with Cllr Bevan and ward Councillors. Outcomes from this meeting to determine the way forward would then be fedback to residents.

Cllr Kober, Leader of the Council provided responses to questions from attendees.

Potholes: concerns were raised regarding the amount of potholes in the borough roads due to the recent cold weather and Council prioritisation for allocating funding for repairs. Confirmation was provided that the Council was aware of the extent of problems with the condition of roads and that the approach to managing the problem was constantly under review including the Leader regularly meeting with the Highways teams to discuss the best way forward.

Waste contract update: the Leader outlined the process in place to seek a new waste contract to start in April 2011. Companies applying for the contract would have to meet clear outcomes set by the Council for example targets relating to value for money, public perception of service quality etc and would be assessed by a cross party Member and Officer steering group. The successful contractor would be announced in October.

Low Carbon Zone: Confirmation was provided that benefits and learning from the Zone in Muswell Hill would be spread to the rest of the borough where possible through the development of an underpinning action plan. It was emphasised however that the Zone had defined boundaries under the terms of the funding and would therefore receive the bulk of the benefits from the scheme.  

Street cleaning: it was queried how contract monitoring was undertaken of the contractors used by the Council following concerns regarding the standards of cleanliness in some areas of the borough. The Leader confirmed that monitoring arrangements involving officers and Members were in place but that the public also played an important role in reporting issues to the Council to allow further investigation.

Cllr Oatway updated that the consultation period on traffic management in the Palace Gates area of Alexandra Ward would be starting next week, with leaflets being sent out to local residents. A lorry ban was already in place in the area.