At 7.30pm at the Colliers Wood Community Centre.
Keith Spears (Chair), Fiona Sydney (Vice-Chair), Keith Allen (Treasurer), Tony Richardson (local police), Local Councillors and Residents of Colliers Wood.
Everyone present introduced themselves.
Minutes taken as accurate.
CPZ extension: consultation was inconclusive: some roads strongly in favour, some strongly against. Going to Committee in February. A concern was raised about future development of the Tower and impact this may have on parking.
Fencing has been erected following Section 215 last year. However, an illegal radio mast has now been erected – no planning permission prior or retrospectively has been applied for. Planning enforcement team are planning to meet with owner re. condition and appearance of the site. Owners have submitted a new application to amend Section 106 to allow them to pay at the end of the development rather than as they go along – they could end up paying a lot less than originally agreed! Siobhain McDonagh MP has arranged a meeting on 11th January @ 8pm, St Joseph’s Hall to discuss Tower development and other local issues.
Email from John Hill (Planning Dept): enforcement papers are being prepared; no dates given. Suggestion for birthday event to be held in 2011 (20th June) to keep the profile high on the agenda. Previously arranged by Matthew Marks.
Planning permission and Listed Building consent have been put on hold. Plans to extend front and back need to be amended.
This is not in the Colliers Wood Ward (Abbey Ward), therefore our Councillors are unable to lobby on our behalf. Email from John Hill: draft amendments to reduce building to 2 storeys and a smaller minaret. Concerns remain about access, parking and pedestrian space. No dates have been given for future consultations. CWRA will raise an objection on behalf of residents. Action – CWRA to write letter of objection.
Results of consultation in November are believed to be overwhelmingly in favour of expansion. Expansion plans for schools across Merton have been amended due to objection raised by Bishop Gilpin School which will now remain one form entry. Temporary building on the Singlegate site will be erected to accommodate an additional class in September; expansion will take place over 5-6 years. Suggestion that the height of the building should be raised to reduce the impact of land loss: once ground has been built on it could be impossible to reclaim the land. The school will use the park as play space in the future which means temporary ‘closure’ of part of it during school hours. Next steps: planning department will meet with the school and more detailed consultations will be issued. Suggestion that Sustainable Merton work alongside Councillors during consultation.
Rumour that this has been bought by Golfrate. It has been noted that people are living in the building. Permission has been refused to erect advertising hoardings and to use the garden as a market. Action – Keith to make enquiries.
Pre-application enquiry has been submitted to convert the building into a hotel. Implications for the library are not known. Effect on plans to build a Health Centre is not known. Application is available for viewing at the Civic Centre.
Cuts are severe: 28% over 4 years. All departments in the Council have been affected.
Donald Hope Library will now be closed on Wednesdays and Fridays but will remain open during lunchtime (currently closes 1230-1330). A meeting has been arranged for Wednesday 19th January in the library @ 7pm. Suggestion to form a “Friends' Group” to support the library.
Tariffs on energy use will be coming into force soon. Councils will be able to reinvest the money from energy from renewable sources. Sustainable Merton hope to have a meeting early Spring with the Council to discuss potential buildings to erect solar panels etc – date to be circulated.
Council congratulated on their ability to maintain a good service of waste collection during the poor weather. Also congratulated on putting in dual-waste/recycling bins on the streets. Some residents still do not have food waste collection but this is still being rolled out across the borough. Garden waste collections to be resumed 7th January.
Majority of motor vehicle thefts have been scooters. Thefts from motor vehicles are still happening, including removal of Sat Navs from glove boxes. Robberies did go down but are slightly up again; the police will be working on this area. Staffing numbers in the team will be known after April – unclear whether there will be cuts. If you wish to included in the circulation list, please email Collierswood@met.police.uk.
Funding has been reapplied for – deadline is the end of January. If successful, work will begin in March. Suggestion made that we ask for matched-funding from Barclays Bank, which holds our account.
Successful grant applications from Merton Priory Homes and the Council will enable events to go ahead – three International days and “Making Colliers Wood Happy!” for a further year.
Well received. Current editor wishes to resign. If you are interested in this role please contact Keith Spears. Next issue will be the beginning of March.
Further funding has been granted. Audio guide will be expanded and become permanently available in the library and downloadable from Merton’s website from March. Request made to residents for further contributions. Meeting provisionally arranged for Saturday 12th Feb 2.30-5.30pm.
Siobhain McDonagh has invited residents. If you are interested please let Keith know. Dates have not been set yet. Likely to be a morning group and an evening group.
Pathfinder project has been cut due to govt. cuts. Community Centre in partnership with CWRA and Parks and Open Spaces group have applied for a grant from the National Lottery to allow an amended version of what young people wanted to go ahead. Part 1 of the application has been submitted.