(You can see the presentation slides used at the meeting here)
Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers
Eric Leach, vice chair, opened the meeting. David Highton, chair, said these meetings are well attended and offer a chance for residents and councillors to meet. If we want these meetings to continue WEN needs new volunteers willing to join the committee. Both David and Eric are very happy to talk to any potential volunteers about what is involved in being part of the committee.
The annual accounts ending 31st December 2025 show £583.71 in the bank. In the current year WEN received a donation of just over £1,000 when Stop The Towers closed down.
Finally, the proposal to re-elect David Highton as chair, Eric Leach as vice chair and Andrew Cazalet was proposed, seconded and approved by a show of hands at the meeting.
W13 Wards
West Ealing is made up of a number if different wards and since the recent local elections the political make up of these wards is more varied as illustrated by the slide shown. The two wards on either side of the Uxbridge Road both completely changed parties at this election.
Know Your Councillors
The new councillors for the LibDems and Greens were introduced to the meeting:
LibDems for Walpole ward
- Will Francis
- Matt Mellor
- Ksenia Maximova
Greens for Hanwell Broadway ward
- Andrew Walkley
- Clare Welsby
- Natalia Kubica
The three LibDem councillors spoke first and outlined some of their initial priorities including:
- Anti-social behaviour and rough sleeping in Melbourne Avenue
- The proposed temporary theatre in Walpole Park
Cllr Walkley introduced the three Green Party councillors for the Hanwell Broadway ward (which covers an area immediately north of the Uxbridge Road. Their priorities include:
Anti-social behaviour
Concerns about the lack of social housing being built and the high number of studio flats, co-living and HMO housing now being, or soon to be, built in the ward.
Both parties explained how the councillors could be contacted and how they hold surgeries. Cllr Mellor explained the concerns around the safety of Cllr Maximova due to her support for Ukraine and the resulting procedure to contact them for a face to face meeting.
St Mary’s Cathedral Café
This has recently opened and is a very welcome addition to the area.
West Ealing Farmers’ Market
WEN believes this will move back to Leeland Road in October. (Later – there seems to be some doubt about this now).
West Ealing Community Library
Clare Harrington, the library’s new part time manager, outlined the wide range of activities available in the library – over 30 a month. The library also hosts one of the Council’s Customer Service points which offer residents the chance to talk to Council staff face to face on Wednesdays and Thursdays each week.
Clare explained how the library is mostly run by volunteers and new volunteers are always very welcome.
Rough Sleepers
This summer has seen a sustained problem with people sleeping rough in front of the library. It has now largely been resolved. The LibDem councillors have put together an action plan to seek a long term solution to rough sleeping:
Advising residents to use MET Engage to report anti-social behaviour (ASB)
Looking at environmental solutions to reduce ASB
Talking to local shops e.g. Greggs about bringing in anti-shoplifting lay outs etc
It is quite clear this issue requires the involvement of a wide range of agencies, police, Council staff – including RISE, St Mungo’s, mental health professionals etc.
Troubadour Theatre proposed for Walpole Park
This is a recent and controversial proposal for a temporary (3 year) pop-up theatre in Walpole Park. The LibDems are active in their opposition to this proposal. A show of hands at the meeting indicated a high level of concern and opposition to this proposal. An e-petition has gathered enough signatures to trigger a Council debate.
Concern was expressed that a similar theatre in Enfield has had its lease terminated.
577 Bedsits in West Ealing?
There are plans to build some 577 studio homes in the three developments at Kwik Fit, St James Avenue and the old Woolworths site. These are largely aimed at young professionals and do not seem to include any social housing.
There are worries about how they will be managed. Will there be a concierge on site? Will their residents feel a part of the local community?
WEN will arrange a meeting of some St James Ave residents with the developers Luxgrove so they can convey their concerns.
Development Sites Update
1.Dean Gardens
When will the half-built blocks be demolished and what will be put in their place?
2.Gurnell
When will the new leisure centre be completed?
3.Green Man Lane Estate
Following the previous problems with builders, a new builder, the Higgins Partnership, will take on the final phase 4 – including 400 new flats and a new church hall.
4.Kwik Fit
Not much happening. (Update: some preparatory work now going on whilst the final sign off is awaited)
5.Majestic Wine Warehouse site
Work well underway for the 412 student homes tower.
6.Manor Road
Still problems in Manor Road with building material storage.
7.Old Woolworth’s site
Work now underway for 8 storey 268 co-living units.
Questions
A resident of Green Man Lane raised the problem of noise and parking issues related to the West London Islamic Centre in Singapore Rd.
Problems with restaurant rubbish bags left out overnight and causing delight amongst the foxes.
The Lime Bikes (and the other brands) are often left in inappropriate places. This needs managing.
Fly tipping still a worry – suggestion is to use the Love Clean Streets app to get these collected by the Council.
Ealing Council doesn’t permit electric vehicles to be charged with covered cabling crossing the pavement. Other Councils do allow this.