Issue

Detail

Respon-sible

1. Recent public meeting

Meeting was agreed to have been a success, with lively and informative debate and an attendance of around 75 people (including several councillors), an increase on our previous meeting.

To build on this success the following points were noted:

l       We had a packed agenda with too much content to cover comfortably - next time we will aim to cover fewer topics allowing more depth on each

2      Mangage the Q&A sessions differently, probably with one or more other committee members assisting

All

DH to co-ordinate

2. Regenerat-ion and Tibbalds report

Tibbalds' report has been made available on the Council web site, and a summary has been circulated.

The report was commissioned by the council to feed into the process of formulating a Local Development Framework for Ealing, to replace the Unitary Development Plan. 

l       The Framework is expected to be in place by Winter 2010, following consultation rounds. 

2       WEN is in favour of the creation of a plan to create consesus around key development principles and avoid a piecemeal approach to redevelopment

3      This report is not council policy but is designed as background material for debate

Initial impressions are that the report makes some good points, for example on the need for more green space and potential to create a West Ealing town  square near the Sainsbury's site, but misses other issues, in particular the need for a transport hub including bus station at Ealing Broadway

Tibbalds' report assumes that the Leaf and Dicken's Yard developments will happen - but given current macro-economic conditions this can not be automatically assumed, so Tibbalds has been asked to produce an addendum considering the implications of these developments not proceeding.

We understand from a recent meeting with the Council's Regeneration Team that plans are being made to recruit a Town Centre Manager for West Ealing, who would be responsible for a budget of £2m to spend on improvements.

There will be an exhibition on the Tibbalds report in West Ealing.  It was suggested that we might try to have it coincide with our next public meeting.

Explore options for venue / co-location

DH

3. SEC

Noted that activity had lessened as the Glenkerrin plans are being re-formulated. 

SEC  is working on alternative town centre plans to input to the Council's process of developing its LDF

We understand from a recent SEC meeting attended by DH that Ealing Broadway station will be re-built in 2012, with improved access (including full disabled provision)

Concern was noted that this and other council and transport plans do not address the needs of minicabs and their users, with no provision for waiting areas. 

Continue to represent WEN on SEC

EL

4. SEC and culture

GA attended an SEC & Culture meeting.  This was an interesting session focusing on questions such as why do people go to the centre of Ealing, and how can they be encouraged to do so.  Unfortunately time pressures mean GA can not continue to attend these meetings.  All present considered that AS may wish to take over attendance on behalf of WEN

AS

5. SEAL

Council Leader Stacey is still very supportive about having as many Heritage Quarter streets re-lit with renovated/updated cast-iron posts.

Concern was expressed over the extremely high breakage rate (17%) which the current contractors are experiencing, and that there is a risk that lighting specifications are in some cases being set at an unnecessarily high level.

Continue to coordinate the campaign through constructive engagement with the Council and other parties

EL

6. Ward forums

Area Committees have now been replaced by the new Ward Forums.  The format of the forums is not yet clear, and consellors have significant discretion over how they are implemented in their wards. 

All to aim to attend Forums in their home Wards

Send email to membership to see if anyone in Ealing Broadway and Northfield wards is interested in joining the committee and/or attending the forums on WEN's behalf

All

DH

7. CPZs

It was noted with disappointment that, despite repeated requests, the Council has not been able to articulate what its policy on CPZs and their implementation is.

WEN has noted significant displacement from the new zones and envisages further CPZ consultations in the near future

Our attention was drawn by a member in Arlington Road to teething problems with CPZs (including incorrect dates printed on visitor permits) which have led to short delays in CPZ introduction. 

8. Abundance

GA updated on progress.  In particular, two Abundance events have been scheduled:

l       Sept 7^th - Sale of produce from stall in Boston Manor gardens

2       Oct 18^th - Cookathon in Boston Manor cafe

Organisation and promotion of events

Identify further sources of surplus produce

GA

All

9. Sainsbury's and Waitrose

It was noted that Sainsbury's has now replaced virtually all 'free' trolleys, helping to reduce trolley fleet losses

DH and EL have a forthcoming meeting with the Waitrose store manager.  This will include discussion of planning commitments, including a noise-reducing barrier along the car-park/railway boundary, and blinds to prevent light pollution

Look up Waitrose planning application to confirm nature of commitments

DH/EL

NG

10. Shopping bags

GA gave an update on the Morsbags initiative (www.morsbags.com), designed to reduce plastic bag use through providing bags made from recycled clothing.  Ideas discussed included making WEN-branded bags and handing them out to supermarket shoppers, possibly with WEN information inside, and carrying out quick surveys to assess levels of and trends in reuseable bag use.

Co-ordinate WEN actions

Ask Waitrose if its OK for us to do a survey outside their store

GA

DH/EL

11. Website

NG noted that we were currently receiving 12,000 hits per month

Also, funds will be needed as our hosting and domain registration will require renewal in the near future

All

12. Membership

EH announced that membership now stands at 275, with an additional 20 members having been recruited at the recent meeting.  All agreed that this was a respectable level that gave us credibility

13. Heathrow expansion

GA noted that the NATS efficiency review consultation, which could impact  over-flight levels, requires submissions in the near future.  However the consultation is not user-friendly, and the consequences of proposed actions (removal of Western preference and  tightening of flight routes) were not spelled out clearly. 

Review consulation document

All

14.  Annual accounts

To be completed

AC

Next meeting

Wednesday 4^th June, 8pm at DG's house