West Ealing Neighbours
 
Notes of Committee Meeting 13 June 2007
 
Held at Drayton Arms Hotel
 
Present;-
 
David Highton (DH), Eric Leach (EL), Andrew Cazalet (AC), Gill Adams (GA), Nick Greenhalgh (NG) and Dave Randles (DR) (Guest).
 
Apologies: Frank Proud; Diane Gill; Allan Soper
 
1.      Regeneration
 
EL and DH had recently held a meeting with Brendon Walsh and Lucy Taylor on 12/6/07. See separate DH notes. The understanding was the consultants were to deliver their initial findings by October. In the meantime, two consultation meetings were being held - on the 25 June with local West Ealing Businesses and at a residents' meeting to be held in July.
 
It was intended that the council convene a body of representative organisations e.g. residents and trader's associations to discuss and meet on a local basis. 
 
Marianne Downie (MD) is to be our main point of contact as she is tasked with co-ordinating regeneration for West Ealing. 
 
EL and DH had seen extracts from the confidential draft report from Tibbalds which were then discussed briefly with the committee. DH/ EL
 
2.      West Ealing 2020 Proposals
 
EL suggested that it might be appropriate to have another meeting to resolve and finalise this as not all committee members have been present at the last meetings.  In the meantime, NG was to file the report on the regeneration section of the website, and confirm to MD that the hard copy we gave to BW is our current thinking on the subject.
 
DH explained that the regeneration process was clearly a very long one and that the council recognised that the implementation of the regeneration proposals could take at least ten years.
 
In the meantime it was suggested that there might be some possible quick wins that would help demonstrate to local residents that there was at least something happening. A couple of suggestions were refurbishment of awnings or hanging baskets for West Ealing.

3.      Ealing Dean Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ)
 
Kingsdown Residents Association (KRA) had produced a report analysing the results of the Ealing Dean CPZ consultations. EL and DH agreed with the contents of this report and allowed KRA to add WEN's written support for the anaysis and suggested implementation guidelines.  This had been presented to a meeting that EL, KRA and NABTA had pressed for with the council to establish from them what the proposed way forward was. 
 
EL explained that from his perspective this had been a frustrating meeting as the council did not seem to have clear views and proposals.  It was explained that following the consultations the matter would be referred to Ealing Area Committee of the council for a recommendation then to be made to the Council Cabinet. This would then outline detailed proposals.  It was not envisaged that the process would get to Cabinet until at least September. 
 
EL explained that there were presently approximately 16 CPZs being reviewed in the Ealing Borough.  This was despite the existence of a written policy of how and when to use CPZs.
 
4.      Save Ealing's' Antique Lampposts
 
EL explained that he and the other SEAL representatives were currently considering the best way forward following the lack of a substantial response to the submission to the leader of the council, Jason Stacey, on the 23 April.  EL passed round the proposed letter they intended to send to Jason Stacey.  It was agreed that whilst this was a good letter, the sentence with the slightly emotive comments regarding the Private Finance Initiative should be removed.  EL explained he was anxious not to go public with publicity until he had given Jason Stacey the full opportunity to try and substantially address the issue.
 
5.      Neighbourhood Governance
 
The council had made various recent proposals.  Formal response was required by 1 July.  The outline of the proposals was for forums based on each electoral ward to which approximately £30,000 of possible expenditure would be devolved.  There would then be a smaller number of four amalgamated area committees. 
 
DH to consider developing proposals in this area. 
 
DH and EL had attended a Northfields ward forum ran by the three councillors for that ward which had been successful. 
 
It was discussed whether it would be possible to change the boundaries for consultation as these were based on wards which were not always a defined community as such. As this was set by the Electoral Boundary Commission it was suggested this might be difficult because of the political consequences of redrawing the boundaries.
DH to amend the formal WEN proposal in light of this discussion.
 
6.      Membership/Events
 
DH, EL and AC had attended the Northfields Avenue Business Traders' Association Saturday fun day which had been worthwhile in meeting and discussing with new members.  We had recruited 13 new members at this event. 
 
EL explained that he was going to an Ealing Civic Society event on climate change on 26 June.  He would take various newsletters to distribute.
 
It was agreed that these types of local events were a very good easy way to publicise WEN.  It was suggested that maybe we could attend the Hanwell carnival. 
 
It was agreed that we would ask Diane to prepare some form of one-page membership flyer for those who did not have internet access. 
 
D offered to distribute leaflets as necessary.
 
7.      Ealing Cultural Strategy
 
EL plans to attend a public meeting on the 27 June at which council officers and members will discuss the council's cultural strategy document, and the feedback on it from residents.. He hoped to take Jean Fitzpatrick who had spoken at length on this issue at our last public meeting. 
Action: EL to contact JF.
 
8.      Draytons Community Association
 
EL explained that this organisation had recently been formed and they would shortly have a local inaugural meeting (5:00 pm - 7:30 pm, 23^rd June) in St Lukes Hall which he would attend.  It was agreed that West Ealing Neighbours should support these organisations as far as they wished. 
 
9.      WEN July Social on 5 July
 
DH/NG were to draft an email to send to the email list advertising this.
 
10.  Newsletter
 
EL asked if there are any further contributions people felt they wanted to add. Silence.
D offered to deliver as many newsletters as needed.  
 
11.  Website
 
NG explained that we had received at least 15,000 hits on the website recently.  It was agreed to try and promote as many ideas on the forum as possible. 
 
As it was no longer used it was agreed that the West Ealing Neighbours Yahoo group would be closed. It was agreed that all committee members would agree to join the Yahoo committee members list to enable easy email management of West Ealing Neighbours correspondence.  GA was to re-invite all committee members to join. 
 
GA agreed to speak to Romeo and Juliet café of Leyland Road to take up their offer to post a West Ealing Neighbours notice board or similar. 
 
GA suggested it might be a good idea to have West Ealing Neighbours business cards.  DH offered to obtain various quotes for the cost of this. 
 
The next committee member meeting was agreed for Saturday 14 July at 12 noon in the Dayton Arms Hotel.