Action by

1.

Welcome and introductions

Tom Searle, chairing the meeting, welcomed everyone.

2.

Leonie Cooper, Greater London Assembly member for Merton & Wandsworth, spoke about her role and answered questions.

While constituency members were elected in the usual way, first past the post, other members are elected by proportional representation.  This meant that no one party gained control and parties had to work together. The Assembly was responsible for overseeing the police, the fire brigade and Transport for London and had a role in the larger planning decisions.

The role of the Assembly member is to hold mayor to account and give a voice to Londoners.  The Mayor held a three hour slot once a month to answer questions from assembly members. All meetings are webcast and Londoners can watch any meeting at the time or later. Access to all information is via the london.gov website. Leonie also attends meetings at invitation and each community forum in the two boroughs.

Current hot topics were the expansion of ULEZ and the Casey report into the Metropolitan Police. The Fire Brigade had recently been the focus of a similarly scathing report. The developments at Mitcham Gasworks, Benedict’s Wharf and the All England Lawn Tennis Club were examples of planning issues Leonie had been asked to look into.

ULEZ exemptions had been extended and the scrappage scheme would include retrofitting as well as scrapping. People working anti social hours were now exempt but nothing so far had been agreed for care workers. Active travel was another strand of the plan.  Incentives to join car clubs, buy bicycles, and more were advertised on the TfL website.

Leonie suggested that the Residents Association considers what information they would like from her – she would be happy to consider a proposal on regular communication.  She confirmed that she was in regular communication with local councillors.

Leonie could also take up individual issues. She agreed to take up the removal of disabled parking slot outside the community centre after Tom described the Centre’s difficulty getting a change.  

Committee

Leonie C

3.

Police Report

The neighbourhood police had been unable to attend.

4.

Actions and updates from the previous meeting

4.1 People counters

Stuart Neaverson confirmed that the machines to count the number people using the park had been installed 10 years ago and were not in use currently.

4.2 Electric charging points

Stuart would be meeting Stephen Alambritis, Cabinet member for Transport, about charging points. He confirmed that the council were looking into ways of ensuring that leads running over pavements were not trip hazards.

4.3 Britannia Point

Following the threat of legal action by the Council, Criterion would be starting work on the windows in the Tower in June. Once completed the scaffolding would be removed.

4.4 Fly tipping

The council have four CCTV cameras (some smart cameras) working to catch fly tippers in Colliers Wood. There was also a rapid deployment camera. Councillors agreed to ask if the statistics on the numbers of people caught dropping cigarette ends could be separated from those caught fly tipping.

Another resident expressed thanks to the council for the ceaseless work against fly tipping. Laxmi Attawar reminded residents that while the council does have a presence on Next Door it is always better to contact the council directly to report fly tipping. Photos would help even if they would not be used in court. Residents can request that cameras are sent to a particular hotspot.

Councillors were asked if notices to remind people of their responsibility to clean up after their dogs could be put up.

Caroline Cooper-Marbiah agreed that the “Beat the Street” initiative had been successful, she hoped that it would be extended.  

Councillors

Councillors

5.

Election of Committee Members

No new volunteers had come forward at the end of the last meeting.  The committee had met and decided to share the roles. Tom, Fiona, Bryony and possibly Karen would chair the meetings. Bryony and Karen would take the minutes.  Suzanne would continue to issue the newsletter and monitor the emails for the time being. Fiona would continue to liaise with the police. Tom would continue as Treasurer and  Kevin was willing to continue as a member of the committee. Gary offered to help and would be invited to the next Committee meeting.

6.

Parks and Green Spaces

The areas behind the bus stop at the tube station, behind the nursery in the Recreation Ground and in front of Sainsbury’s/SavaCentre were looking particularly good.  The daffodils in front of Sainsbury’s had been planted in memory of Jane Upson’s nephew.  Laxmi and Caroline confirmed that a blue bench was also going to be placed there. Adam Kay would be officially opening/unveiling the bench. The Residents’ Association would write and thank the council.

The next area that needs addressing is the childrens’ playground  in Wandle Park.

An update on progress on the Pickle Park will be provided at the next meeting.

Tom

Bryony/Margaret

7.

Any Other Business

7.1 MertonVision

There might yet be a successful outcome to the discussions between the Integrated Care Board and the developer which would mean the development of the GP surgery and premises for MertonVision would go ahead. However Merton Vision were investigating two other possibilities as a contingency.

In the meantime MertonVision was bringing activities back to the building.  https://mertonvision.org.uk/

7.2 Roads

Caroline informed the meeting that work will be undertaken at the junction of Lyveden and Robinson Roads to narrow the road and make it safer.

7.3 Christchurch Close

Caroline had met with residents of Christchurch Close who were having problems with deliveries to the development on Fortescue Road.

7.4 Anti idling signs had gone up.

7.5 Planning update

A planning application had been made for permission to install a training pool in the empty premises by the tube station.

8.

Date of future meetings:

Saturday 16 September 2023 at 11am in CW Community Centre

Saturday 4 November 2023 at 11am in CW Community Centre