Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 June 2013 be approved and signed by the Chair.

Matters Arising

MH78 – Minutes – 11 April 2013

MH55 and 56: In response to a question regarding the business case for LED lighting, Tony Kennedy advised that a borough-wide decision had been taken to adopt LED lighting. The work programme for the roll-out would depend on the yearly funding allocation, but it was initially proposed to focus on the three wards of Crouch End, Tottenham Hale and Northumberland Park. An approach with regards to cast-iron columns was being developed, and it was intended that a full asset review be undertaken within the next 18 months, subject to confirmation from the new contractor regarding their timetable. The Committee requested that it be kept up to date with progress on these areas.

Action: Single Frontline

MH58 – Muswell Hill Library disabled access and use of space behind the Library: The Chair had written to Cllr Watson for an update on the space to the rear of Muswell Hill Library. The Chief Executive had advised that Property Services were looking at the possibility of selling this space, but there was concern that the resultant loss of space would prevent the creation of a lift to provide disabled access in future. These concerns had been raised with Stephen McDonnell and a response was awaited.

NOTED

MH64 – Issues pertaining to nursery places: Clarification on this matter had been obtained by the Area Champion and circulated to Committee Members.

NOTED

MH73 – Area Plans: The intention was to review the Area Plan on a half-yearly basis; this was planned for next month.

NOTED

MH80 – Feedback from Area Forum – 13 June 2013

MH80i) – Deputation from WalkSafe N10 and 20 mph issue: The Chair was delighted to report that following the last Forum, officers and local Ward Councillors had met with residents and the Council is now consulting on extending an existing 20mph zone to include Coppetts Road. It is also proposed to carry out some resurfacing and installing some new and more evenly-spaced speed cushions along the road. Letters were due to go out to local residents in the vicinity the week beginning 23 September 2013.

The Chair had attended Cabinet and made the requests regarding the extension of the consultation period on the borough-wide 20mph speed limit and clarification of the A and B roads, as agreed at the previous meeting. The consultation period on the 20mph proposal had been extended to October following that meeting.

Work on the improvements connected to the new W7 bus stop was underway. The pavement was now greatly improved, and it would be wonderful for all of Muswell Hill Broadway to be of such high quality. There were still works to be completed on new traffic islands and raised tables at the entrance to Dukes Avenue and the northern arm of the Broadway, and it was hoped that these would make it easier for pedestrians to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

There were no questions, deputations or petitions for the Committee to address.

Police Issues

Concern was expressed regarding the review of contact point arrangements, as raised by Insp. Shaw in her presentation. It was agreed that Cllr Newton would write to the Borough Commander to seek a response on this issue, and also to seek clarification around whether the reported shortfall in police numbers was a recruitment or a funding matter.

Action: Cllr Newton

Concern was also raised regarding the tone of the presentation with regards to Police Officers’ concerns around working late shifts, when this was when the majority of concerns for local residents arose.

Licensing matters had been suggested by local residents as a key topic for the January meeting, and it was felt that the Police should be in attendance for this item. It was suggested that Mark Greaves, Police Licensing officer, should be invited to attend the meeting.

Action: Clerk

The Committee had  welcomed the suggestion around sharing resources, for example with St John’s Ambulance, in order to facilitate a space for police presence in Highgate. It was agreed that this should be discussed at the Highgate Neighbourhood Forum to consider ways of taking this suggestion forward.

Action: Highgate Ward Councillors

Parking – MH Shopkeepers view

It was agreed that the Chair of the Committee write to the new Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Bevan, to request a reduction in stop and shop parking rates, as had been requested in the recent petition to Full Council made by Chris Ostwald, and to request the introduction of 30 minutes of free parking, in order to support trade in local town centres. It was noted that a formal response to the petition, signed by 5,500 people, had not been received and the matter had now become urgent.

It was reported that further steps regarding this issue were available under the Localism Act, but that it would be appropriate to write to the Cabinet Member in the first instance.

The Committee additionally:

RESOLVED

Given the concerns raised by traders in local town centres and as the run-up to the Christmas period begins, to call on the new Cabinet Member for Environment, urgently, to grant thirty minutes free parking in all pay and display bays across the Area Forum area and that in addition parking charges be reduced from the current high level of £3 per hour.

Parking – Crossovers for parking

It was agreed that the Chair of the Committee write to the Service regarding what evidence there was that the Council enforces compliance with its own planning requirements on crossovers, in particular figures for enforcement action for crossover infringements in each of the Area Forum Wards over the past three years.

Action: Chair

Road Safety

It was noted that Tony Kennedy had mentioned the possibility of the removal of lights at the junction between Colney Hatch Lane and Alexandra Park Road. It was agreed that Cllr Solomon would discuss this matter further with Tony Kennedy outside the meeting, in liaison with Fortis Green Ward Councillors. It was further suggested that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

The date of the next meeting of the Area Forum was Thursday, 30 January 2014 and was due to be held in Highgate Ward. Possible venue options included the Murugan Temple, Jacksons Lane and St Michael’s School, and it was agreed that the clerk would contact each venue regarding their availability on this date and seek further details.

Action: Clerk

The meeting closed at 9.25pm.