Held at the Colliers Wood Community Centre.
All present at the meeting introduced themselves.
Taken as accurate.
It was confirmed that the derelict site by the Tandem Centre had now been fenced off and made safe after an intervention by Nick Draper and Laxmi Attawar.
Cllr Andrew Judge said that the Parks and Open Spaces budget for Merton (about £4 million) may be cut by up to 40 per cent over the next 3-4 years, with a cut of about 10 per cent in the coming year. This is because Merton has lost £16.5 million in grant funding over the next 2 years. Discussions will be held over the next year as to how to implement the budget cut, and there would be more engagement with volunteers, residents, friends’ groups etc to find out what people value and what ideas might be put forward.
Five main options were suggested:
Staffing cuts had also been made, with working hours reduced and two senior officer posts lost. Staff working hours had changed to align better with the use of the parks, and the plan is to split staff into two teams, one covering the west of the borough and one the east of the borough. The possibility of not locking the parks was raised (currently 20 of the 113 parks and open spaces in the borough are locked at night), and different levels of maintenance regime would be applied to each park. The importance of fairness across the borough was emphasised, and it was confirmed that no parks would be sold off. So far about £350,000 had been saved.
A discussion followed about the possibility of opening cafeterias in some of the parks in order to make some money and gaining revenue by using the empty ‘pavilion’ in the Recreation Ground. Concern was expressed about the possibility of not locking parks and this resulting in vandalism and anti-social behaviour that would also be counter-productive financially; Cllr Judge said that each park would be assessed individually as to the risk involved in leaving it open. He also said that the creation of a Wandle Valley Country Park was under consideration.
An officer from the Office for National Statistics and the local census co-ordinator were present. The ONS officer outlined plans for the Census, to be held on 27th March. He emphasized the importance of getting accurate information from the Census to inform the planning and funding of local services. At the last Census in 2001, the completion rate in Colliers Wood was 91 per cent; a similar figure was aimed for this time.
Differences this time are that the form can be completed online if people wish to do so, and the forms will be sent out by post instead of being hand-delivered. A more sophisticated computer system would be used that would tell Census officers which households had not returned the form, so chasing would be more efficient. Census officers would be in Colliers Wood from 6th April to 6th May to follow up unreturned forms. The possibility of having a ‘completion event’ to encourage/assist with local completion of forms was mentioned. On 31st March the P Bus would be at Morden Civic Centre and Mitcham Clock Tower.
A question was raised as to whether the Census should be cancelled because of current economic difficulties. In reply it was emphasized that Census information helps local authorities and central government to direct funds where they are needed and so leads to greater efficiency and ensures that local authorities do not lose necessary funding to which they are entitled.
It was also stated that the information provided in the Census is completely confidential, the data is held securely with name and address information removed (and that can’t be used for 100 years) and that it is a legal requirement to complete the form.
John and Marilyn spoke about the new community centre due to open on the site of the former nursery on the High Street by about Easter. It will incorporate a nursery (0-5 years), dance classes, computer training, etc, and employ about 20 people. For more information contact 020-86482446.
Sgt Tony Richardson reported on crime levels in the last 2 months:
WPC Julie Spells has started work in the team.
A friends group to support the work of the library and recruit more members will be launched at the library on Tuesday 29th March 7pm-8.30pm.
CWRA has been offered £6,840 by the Big Lottery Fund to set up a Community Gardening Project in Colliers Wood. The cheque has not yet been received but it is hoped that the project will be up and running by 1st April. It will be managed by the Parks and Open Spaces sub-committee of the CWRA – next meeting Tuesday 5th April.
An arts and crafts workshop led by Sally Booth from ACAVA - inspired by food from around the world - will be held at the Community Centre on Saturday 26th March 2.30pm-4.30pm. An international food event celebrating the culinary traditions of the diverse cultural groups who live in Colliers Wood will be held at the Community Centre on the same day.
No real progress to report. A meeting had been held on 11th January, a small demonstration held outside the owner’s office and some publicity achieved, but no confidence that Mr Aziz will proceed with the work required.
A decision on whether to progress with legal action against the developers is going the (Council) Cabinet on 7 March, but it could cost £10,000 to take this route.
Planning issues still being negotiated; work has stopped in the mean time.
A planning application is to go forward in March, with a recommendation to accept.
No planning application received yet.
No new permissions granted.
An application has gone in for a hotel and a health centre in the building.
None.
Chair – Keith Spears – 07982 721496/keithaspears@hotmail.com
Vice-chair – Fiona Sydney
Secretary – Myra Sae Heng
Treasurer – Keith Allen – 020-85425801