Minutes of Colliers Wood Residents Association meeting
held on Saturday 17th February 2024
Welcome by the Chair, Bryony Pollock, and introductions from attendees as to their first names and where they lived.
Apologies were sent from the TFL representative, James Pickard, the Community Police officers and Councillor Caroline Cooper-Marbiah.
Anne George shared information about the project based at Pollards Hill, set up in 2020 as a result of Covid. The project offers a weekly free meal to families with children. It provides the families with a space to meet others, receive support, and activities for the children. They also organise ‘Arise and Walk’ sessions for 8–18-year-olds.
The project is looking for volunteers. Any help would be appreciated, even if only monthly. Training can be given if required. Details on the website: https://www.wamg.co.uk/
Fiona reported PC Luke Taylor is now the Community Police Officer. He had sent a report for the meeting. Merton is now the 4th Safest Borough in London, having dropped from 3rd due to the increase in shoplifting from local stores. Crimes against the Person, Knife crime, reports of Domestic Violence have decreased. He asked that the community identify issues they are concerned about.
5. Updates from Councillors Stuart Neaverson and Laxmi Attawar
5.1 Acre Road
At the last meeting concerns had been raised around Anti-social behaviour; drugs and fly-tipping which the Police are aware of. Stuart had asked for the foliage around the bridge to be cut back in the hope that this reduces the activity. He reported that unfortunately the cameras rotate across the Borough so there was currently no camera in situ.
5.2 Wandle Park
It had been reported that the wooden footbridges were slippery in wet and icy weather. Officers had explained to Stuart that the surfaces on the bridges were the same in all Merton’s parks and met the required standard.
5.3 The Tower
The scaffolding was being removed and an agreement had been reached on the remedial work to be done on the windows by Criterion, the owner of the building.
Stuart explained that all the local councillors were in opposition to the Planning Inspector’s suggestion that the Merton Local Plan remove the stipulation that Britannia Point be the tallest building in Colliers Wood. All present at the meeting supported the councillors’ stance. Stuart and Tony were working on a draft letter of objection which would be circulated to all residents to read and use to make their own objections. Comments had to be in by 22 March 2024.
The link to the petition would also be circulated.
https://www.change.org/p/reject-the-construction-of-taller-buildings-in-colliers-wood
5.4 Blue bench outside Sainsburys
Someone was sleeping on the bench and someone else may be in a tent in the area. People had been leaving food which has resulted in a build-up of rubbish in and around the around the area. There is a concern regarding an increase in the number of rats seen and also the likelihood of the rubbish blowing into the river. The Council were trying different approaches to move the man on, it may mean having to involve the Police but this would only be as a last resort.
5.5 Merton Abbey Mills
Tenants at Merton Abbey Mills had approached Laxmi about the proposed raise in their rents. They had asked to attend a residents’ meeting. While the meeting was sympathetic it was not clear what the Residents’ Association could do to help.
Residents at the Meeting raised the following:
5.6 Pickle Ditch
Fly-tipping has been taking place, as this is Private Land the Council may be unable to take any action.
5.7 Park Road
The number of cars speeding and using the road as a rat run has increased. Stuart said that speed bumps were being considered in both Robinson and Park Road. It was suggested by a resident that Park Road was made a one-way road, this had been considered in the past.
5.8 Skip Scheme
Due to its success this will be rolled out across the Borough.
6. Myrna Close Nature Reserve
Fiona was thanked for her efforts in clearing the area.
Tom Walsh had suggested applying for Charitable Funds to clear the pond. Fiona would check once more with the council and feedback.
7. Any other business
A number of residents had attended the meeting because they had issues which they wanted to bring up with Transport for London. These were:
Tom reminded the meeting that Leonie Cooper, Greater London Assembly member for Merton & Wandsworth, had said that the most effective way to get an issue dealt with was to raise with it with TfL directly and then to copy her in on leonie.cooper@london.gov.uk to the next email if the issue was not resolved.
It was agreed to list all the issues the TfL spokesperson would be asked about for the next meeting rather than spring them on him. Residents should email collierswoodra@gmail.com with any further concerns.
7.2 Local activities
Keith reminded the meeting of the Walk and Talk group. Meeting Point at Colliers Wood Tube every Saturday at 10:30.
Keith also mentioned the Creative Writing classes at the Community Centre on Thursdays.
Bryony reminded people to register via the CWRA website to ensure they get the newsletter and notes of the meeting.
8. Date & time of next meetings
Saturday 20 April
Saturday 15 June
Saturday 21 September
Saturday 9 November
all at 11am in the Community Centre