Walpole Ward Forum 18^th Sept 08 at St John's Church lounge 7.00PM
Present: Cllrs Chapman (Chair), Cowing and Kapoor and about 60 residents.

1. Chair's introductions

Cllr Ann Chapman explained purpose of Ward Forums. A Review decided Area Committees were not effective as few attended. Ward forums were proposed where "Cllrs could tell Ward members what is going on and residents could tell Cllrs what's wrong". Also to discuss spending  £40,000 per tax year within Walpole Ward on capital projects (transport/environmental related). The Administrator, Evelyn explained her role. She will post Ward Action points on Council website. She supports 6 different wards' meetings. There will be 3 ward meetings per year. An additional cross-ward meeting could be possible. Questions raised:

2. Policing: Safer Neighbourhood Team

PSCO Dave Aldous explained the team's role. Walpole is "safest ward in the borough" (from crime stats) "Rowdy Patrols" took place through summer at night supervising problem drinking establishments. These very successful.
Q: Resident concerned about a fish van. Were the door to door sellers genuine?
A: (from other residents). This service is genuine and longstanding.
Q: Concern expressed about crimes in Dean Gdns. Why is it not locked at night?
A: Discussed later (at item 6)
Q: Club in Chignell Place, W.Ealing very rowdy. A: Police are aware. Watch this space
Q: Adults cycling on pavements.Many residents concerned about this.
A: Cllrs promised to look into this.
Q: Why isn't there a surgery location for Safer Neighbourhood Team? Was at Skylight Café and now stopped. Why no address for SNT to visit/contact? A: Skylight surgeries  were poorly attended. Contact through mobile phones and Council Website.
Q: Why so few Walpole SNT Newsletters? Summer edition was at this meeting, but we've never seen it before. Last edition questioner had delivered was Autumn 07. How would people know the SNT tel. Numbers? A: We usually put newsletters through doors.
Q: This has not been done. A: No answer.
Q: Why no proper Police Station? Ealing Station impossible to access by car and waiting time can be 2-3 hours. Residents can cease to bother to report.
A: Ealing Police Station now has police cells in it. Security issues mean no visitor parking.
Q Chapel Road Temple procession in August caused dreadful congestion A: Much work was done negotiating with temple. This will continue to improve things for next year.

3. NHS Ealing LINk

This is a new community network that replaces Community Health Councils. To be run by local people. West Ealing Neighbours have a meeting on this and other health issues 25/9/08 at Dean Hall Singapore Road
 

4: Scrutiny Issues

Cabinet makes the key decisions. Scrutiny Committees provide checks and balances. Cross party meetings to hold Cabinet and officers to account. Anyone can attend and make contributions. Permanent Scrutiny Committees: Overview & Scrutiny, Transport & Environment. Specialist (non permanent) includeTraffic Calming, Pension Fund, Worklessness/Skills, Planning, Ethnic minorities. Cllr Cowing to chair Local Development framework to seek Vision for 2020. Further opportunity to take part in consultation when it's finished.  Cllr Cowing also on Council and Community Partnership Panel.
Q: Concern re Walpole and Lammas Park: A: This is being looked at More in Item 6

5: Ealing Dean CPZ

Councillors explained they had tried to limit displacement of vehicles, through minimum hours, free parking by parks etc. But Lancaster and other residents are upset re vehicle displacement. Q: Can Lancaster and Lavington have CPZ extended to cover them?
 A: There will be a CPZ Review after 1 year. Suggested a Petition may help speed up a CPZ. Q: Concern about Lido flats who have no parking.
A: On purchase they were told there was none. Q: Concern expressed that they add to the displacement problems by parking out of zone. A: None/nothing can be done.
Comments from residents included the problems raised for N. Avenue business staff parking if CPZ spreads (since staff parking provision prohibited in a CPZ). Buffer Zone idea raised. A resident stated that a strong request for this was made at the time of implementation and this was refused. A: It seemed Cllrs now considering this idea.

 
6: Capital schemes:

Heritage Quarter (HQ) to be installed and £300,000 promised to upgrade Walpole and Lammas Parks fencing and pathways. Antique heritage lights to be upgraded within the HQ boundary. Section 106 money for S. Ealing Road and Northfields Avenue. Hanging baskets in N. Ave (as in S Ealing Rd) 

Suggestions for £40,000 budget: Possibilities:
Width restrictions and yellow lines could be a possibility. (position to be identified).
Stop /Shop in Leyland Terrace (Was to be part of E.Dean CPZ but not enough money)
Clearing gullies near Sainsbury (Culmington/Lammas Park Gdns gullies now cleared)  Q: Shouldn't this come from "normal " budget? A: Yes, in an ideal world!
Dean Gardens. Either gates for night time, or if no closure, better lights in the Gdns)
Pedestrian crossing at Uxbridge Rd/Northfield Ave. junction. This is very dangerous.  Discussion took place over the consultants report on this junction which was rejected as it had no answer on this, the major traffic problem in the area.
Suggestion: Could Chris Veasey be appointed to make study and proposal?
Eccleston Rd. A resident raised problem of drivers disobeying the no left turn sign on exit to Uxbridge Rd. A: Not in Walpole Ward. A camera could be installed (from stock: no cost needed). Walpole Ward budget not appropriate here.Grosvenor and Coldershaw Rd  One way scheme suggested due to high traffic volume, narrowness and parked cars. Seaford Rd. An adaptation to the no entry element Seaford Rd would be appreciated

 
7: Future Meetings

: So far 3 meetings per year identified. January, May, September suggested. Comments: Notice Boards could be used for communication? 
This resident also raised 3 queries passed to him by others:
1)      Top of Waldemar Ave has a huge "dip" in the road probably caused by subsidence (The tarmac is not broken) This jolts badly when disabled people are taken to a day centre in the community bus. A: Noted
2)      There are numbers of phone masts on two properties in Northfield Avenue (by Christian Centre) An Elers Rd resident is very concerned about the high reading of telecommunication waves on her recording instrument. Health/safety issue?
3)      An 80 year old resident is very concerned about deep holes in the footpath through Walpole Park from Lammas Park Gdns to High Street. We know the Heritage Quarter budget will d/w this, but this is an urgent matter. People could fall and get injured. What about some action now?
4)      Q. The Ealing Dean CPZ visitor parking tickets have very ambiguous words. A: Cllrs to look into this.
This resident was concerned that Jan. 09 is too far away. We need an update on all the queries sooner. Also, to decide the use of budget . Decision required before April 1^st.  Discussion took place about a November feedback meeting? General approval from residents of this. No decision was made by Cllrs.

Judy Breens: Kingsdown Residents Assoc.

25th September 2008