Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member's judgment of the public interest and if this interest affects their financial position or the financial position of a person or body as described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct and/or if it relates to the determining of any approval, consent, licence, permission or registration in relation to them or any person or body described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the minutes of the Committee meeting held on 8 September 2011 as an accurate record.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 September 2011 be agreed as an accurate record.

To provide feedback on the earlier session on proposals for the future introduction of dog control orders.

The Committee noted that a formal consultation on the introduction of Dog Control Orders in the borough would start in May in response to concerns about the growing number of dogs causing problems in public places and the need to promote responsible dog ownership. Local residents were encouraged to forward their views to help formulate the final Dog Control proposals that would go out to formal consultation.

RESOLVED

That the plans for a formal consultation be noted. 

To provide feedback on the earlier consultation session on the Area Plan and to note the next steps.

The Committee noted the update provided during the Forum on progress developing the Area Plan for the area and that it was intended that the draft document would be submitted to the next meeting for sign off.

RESOLVED

·      That the update and next steps be noted.

To note the funding allocations made by the Committee following the last meeting.

RESOLVED

·      That the successful projects and their associated funding allocations to be awarded under the Making the Difference fund be noted.

·      17 April 2012

The Committee noted that the next Forum and Committee meeting was scheduled for 17 April and would if possible be held at a venue in Bounds Green ward.

Additional items proposed for future Forum/Committee agendas included:

·      An update on Pinkham Way

·      Information on the new Community Organisers initiative.

·      Future plans for Wood Green High Road highways and pavements to allow residents to provide input

The proliferation of betting shops in the area remained a concern particularly along Wood Green High Road and as such, it was agreed that Cllr Strickland would circulate a short briefing note to the Committee setting out the Council’s planning and licensing powers in relation to these premises. On a related issue, concerns were also raised about the emergence of short term money lending shops in the area and the transparency of the planning applications for these premises. Cllr Strickland provided assurances that improvements had been made to the Council’s website to improve public engagement and consultation for planning applications but he further agreed to meet with Cllr Demirci as the Chair of Planning Committee to discuss if further improvement could be made in this area.

In response to a query on providing feedback from the consultation sessions held with residents following the rioting, it was advised that the Community Panel would be publishing their recommendations on 23 February. This report and the feedback from the sessions held at the Area Forums would be used to inform regeneration plans for the area.

It was agreed that feedback from previous meetings be added as a standing item going forward on agendas for both the Forum and Committee part of the meeting.