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www.westealingneighbours.org.uk
Minutes of Meeting - West Ealing Neighbours - 14th January 2000
Present:
David Highton - DH
Diane Gill - DG
Eric Leach - EL
Gill Adams- GA
Nick Greenhalgh - NG
Andrew Cazalet - AC
Allison Franklin
Apologies:
Frank Proud - FP
Emma Hunter
1. AGM
WEN discussed ideas for the forthcoming AGM (date TBA but likely to be Wednesday 11th February 2009) GA had a novel idea! To contact all WEN members to ask them if they would like to conduct a short presentation on a local (to west Ealing) subject that they feel passionate about. Everyone agreed this was a good idea. WEN will send out an e-mail to members with suggestions for topics and ask for volunteers. It is envisaged the speaker would talk for up to 5 minutes maximum with Q and A at the end of their session.
Action: DH
2. Green Man Lane
EL/DH met Sarah Parker, a resident of GML who is on the GML Joint Working Group for the re-build of GML as well as the Developer Selection Group. The list of developers is down to 2 - A2 Dominion/Rydon and London & Quadrant/Countryside.
A2 Dominions proposal has the inclusion of a low cost gym and hotel as well as ideas on breaking up the estate to allow easier access and to be part of West Ealing rather than a separate enclave.
London & Quadrant's plans appear to be only housing plus some gated gardens which would provide security for residents (although conversely it could be argued as a continuation of the separation of the estate from their surroundings).
Both plan to reinstate a more traditional street structure which will help residents feel more a part of their local community and blend in more with the surrounding streets.
The real issue for WEN is that without knowing what the selection criteria are it is very difficult to know on what basis the Council will base their decision. There is a concern that the Council will seek to maximise its revenue from the land at the expense of choosing the best scheme.
One of the key issues for Sarah Parker (and WEN) is the importance of ensuring that much-needed services for residents, such as youth activities, crèches, lunch clubs for older residents are funded long-term and not just short-term. To avoid the constant threat of budget cuts there needs to be sustainable income to support existing and any new local activities on the estate. She would like to see a degree of independence and not rely on Council funding that may be cut or stopped altogether. Her other big issue, and WEN's, is that once in a generation opportunity to revitalise the centre of West Ealing with a range of community, social, security, healthcare, play, cultural and sporting facilities may be lost forever if the 10 acres becomes housing only.
WEN's role - Ensure the final stage of the process is as fair as possible. DH and EL to write a letter to the Council regarding the process adopted thus far. In addition WEN would like to see ideas on revenue streams and for GML.
Action: DH & EL
3. Regeneration and follow up to December public meeting EL/DH to follow up this meeting with Marianne Downie in February.
4. SEC Dickens Yard and Arcadia have been given conditional planning approval. The Planning Committee Panel meetings for both were highly unsatisfactory and with 1,000s of objectors to both schemes the Council's decisions seem perverse.
Hopefully, many Ealing residents will attend an SEC meeting in the Town Hall on 20th January at which they will give their views about what they want and what they don't want in Ealing's centre. SEC will present its Vision for the centre. Dickens Yard and Arcadia have been given conditional planning approval. The Planning Committee Panel meetings for both were highly unsatisfactory and with 1,000s of objectors to both schemes the Council's decisions seem perverse.
Hopefully, many Ealing residents will attend an SEC meeting in the Town Hall on 20th January at which they will give their views about what they want and what they don't want in Ealing's centre. SEC will present its Vision for the centre. 5. SEAL EL produced leaflets designed and printed by the Council that were sent to residents in the ‘Heritage Quarter' for the re-furbished lamp posts. This leaflet had a questionnaire attached and EL reported that there was a 16% response with an overwhelming 98% in favour of the proposals. They were also given the opportunity to vote for the style of lamp post they preferred. Formal completion of the installation of the lamp posts is due by the end of March 2009 but this is unlikely. In terms of why this ‘Heritage Quarter' was chosen in the first place - the largest concentration of lamp posts were in this area plus the Council had less that £500,000 to spend. 6. Abundance The next stage of Abundance will focus on bringing in volunteers to teach a ‘masterclass' to people in the community. We have an expert who has set up her own cookery school has volunteered to run the first session on bread making. This is likely to be around Easter making hot cross buns.
In addition DG and GA are in the process of designing an Abundance blog that will provide all manner of content. This will go live in around a month's time. NG will provide technical assistance.
Action: GA & DG 7. Food shop reviews DH has a list of food shops in West Ealing. NG/DG/GA and DH will discuss how the reviews will be posted on WEN's website. Initial ideas are to take a photo of each shop and place this plus the review on a map of the High Street so individuals can click, see a picture of the shop and read the review as well as finding out its exact location.
West Ealing has some excellent independent food shops therefore it would be great if we could advertise them in order for more people to visit West Ealing and shop here.
Action: All 8. W13 Ward Forums
WEN need to get to as many as possible. Dates and locations are published on WEN's website.
9. Lido Junction DH will attend Walpole WF to obtain an update on this. 10.Accounts AL has completed the accounts and DH will check. There is around £200 in the account, ably assisted by proceeds from selling jams/chutneys at St James November 2008 craft fare! 11. Membership This currently stands at 299 12. AOB
DH has contacted Ealing and Brentford Consolidated Charity to see if WEN would qualify for any funding.
Sarah Parker from GML is keen to set up a GML website. WEN (NG) will help her to this.
DH has been in touch with the West Ealing mosque again and hopes to meet some of its members later this month with the aim of beginning to build a long-term relationship and being able to work together for the benefit of West Ealing.
Next meeting Saturday 7th February 2009 at the Drayton at 12.00pm - All members welcome.
WEN is committed to engaging ALL of the Community that is West Ealing regardless of race, religion, gender, age, nationality, disability or sexual orientation.
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