Action by

1.

Welcome, apologies and introductions

Kevin Godding: Chair.  

Apologies: Councillor Caroline Cooper-Marbiah

Present: Residents from Colliers Wood, Councillors Laxmi Attawar and Stuart Neaverson, PC Luke Taylor, PCSO Kayleigh Beer

Guest speaker: Councillor Billy Christie, Cabinet Member for Finance

2.

Police Report

• The Colliers Wood Ward currently has one PC and one PCSO – there should be two PC’s, the police are trying to recruit.
• High level of shoplifting in Colliers Wood.  The police are in discussion with local shops to resolve this.  There is no set profile of the offenders and it does not appear to be the same offenders.
• A recent operation in the Tandem Centre (Operation Retail) was successful and a number of shoplifters were caught.
• Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is in place.  Targeting street drinking; this includes the area around Baltic Close; also targeting rough-sleepers.  People are moved on.  The priority is to reduce secondary crimes.
• Stop and search for drugs takes place when suspicion arises.
• PCSO Beer patrols CW everyday – main street and residential streets.

We need more residents to join the Colliers Wood Ward Panel – this provides an opportunity for residents to influence the priorities for the area through the discussion of local concerns over crime, and find out what is going on.  Please contact Kevin or Fiona for further details.

Residents

3.

Councillor Billy Christie

• Oversees the Council budget – income, expenditure and management of funds/spending.
• Income stream from 3 sources:

Government grants

Business Rates

Council Tax

By law the Council MUST balance the budget.  Merton are overspent, but not to the same extent as other councils.  Over a period of 14 years, there has been a significant budget reduction set by the Government.  In the past income was 1/3 from each of the sources; currently 12% from Government and 17% from Business Rates (fixed by the Government), therefore Council Tax now needs to make up 71% of income.

Council Tax covers services across a range of areas, including waste and recycling, libraries, leisure centres, parks and open spaces, and providing and organising social care for children and elderly residents.

£13 million a year is also used to support low-income families who are unable to pay the full Council Tax.  Government funding was stopped in 2013, but Merton Council decided to continue to support residents falling into this category of need.  

There are significant pressures on budgets due to increase need in adult and children social care, and increased demand for temporary accommodation as a result of people presenting as homeless.  The council therefore need to provide housing – tends to be in hotels and private properties due to lack of suitable accommodation. This is very expensive.

The Council consider areas to make savings and also to increase income yearly.  For example, additional income was generated from the Morden Hall summer festival.

Income from parking fines is ring-fenced and limited to road infrastructure and funding Freedom passes.

The Council are NOT able to alter banding for houses as this was set nationally based on 1991 house prices.

Questions from residents

Q1:  Air quality monitoring funding was ceased.  Why?

A: This was originally funded by a Tfl grant but was stopped in 2019.  Merton Council funded this temporarily.  The Council do have a group set up to look into pollution – Councillor Stuart Neaverson is on the group.

Q2: How much did Council rebranding cost?

A: £15,000.  Significantly less than other councils as the rebranding team from another local authority was used.  Rebranding is taking place over time, when things need to be replaced.

Q3: How much does it cost to clean up fly-tips?

A: About £1 million a year.  There is now a Safer Streets team in place to reduce anti-social behaviour; the Wall of Shame has been successful at identifying and deterring fly-tipping; following a successful trial, ‘Garth Road on the road’ will continue to provide local collections at set locations on various days across the borough.  Residents will be given approximately 2 weeks’ notice.

Following the discussion, residents raised concerns over the increase in the level of fly-tipping in Colliers Wood.  We have requested that our Councillors provide figures on prosecutions and fine at the next meeting.

Councillors

4.

Councillors report

• TfL are running a feasibility study on step-free access at Colliers Wood underground.  Please sign this petition to help get step-free access.  https://form.jotform.com/242342369655361
• The GLA has provided an award to clean up chewing gum at Colliers Wood and Morden.
• Following vandalism, the artist who built the Wandle Park structure will be rebuild it and reposition it in the park.
• Siobhain McDonagh will be holding a coffee morning on Saturday 12th October, 10.30am – 12.30pm, there will be benefit advisors present for anyone who needs advice.
• The councillors are working with businesses in Merton Abbey Mills to improve the area and make it more attractive to residents.  Events in the summer included a Jazz afternoon and Kids Fest.
• The councillors are trying to encourage the land owners to host the Christmas light switch on – 30th November, to include local music groups and family-friendly events.

Concerns raised to councillors

• Bins around Colliers Wood are in a poor state and need cleaning
• There is a leaking fire hydrant near the station and is causing a build-up of water
• Request for purpose-built planters to be installed at the entrance to the part at Baltic Close, to encourage residents to look and appreciate their green spaces.

Councilliors

5.

Revisiting our vision

The above documents were circulated and discussed.  We aim to encourage more residents to participate in the residents’ association.  A sub-group will be set up to focus on improving communication – extending our reach to other groups, such as faith groups and community groups from other cultures.

All meetings will be better advertised locally to support those without access to social media and the internet.

We will aim to keep the website up to date.

We would like to consider another community event to bring the community together, broaden participation and highlight what is available in Colliers Wood.

Sub committee (Gary, Lilly, Karen, Tom, Margaret, Bryony)

6.

Parks and Green Spaces Sub- Group

A meeting was held on Monday 16th September and was well attended.  

If you would like to know more about the activities of this group, please see their social media page Colliers Wood Residents Association - Parks and Green Spaces | Facebook 

Concerns have been raised about the lack of consideration for biodiversity in the area when work is being carried out by contractors.

Councillors

7.

Any Other Business

Concerns were raised over the state of street trees.  A resident contacted the Tree Warden and was told that their service is not informed by the Council when a new tree is planted.  A number of trees have been cut down in the area and new trees are dying as they are either in a poor location or not watered regularly.  New trees will need to be planted in response to climate change and the need of the wildlife.

A request was made for the councillor responsible for trees to attend a future meeting.

Councillors

Committee

8.

Dates of future meetings

Saturday 9th November 2024 at 11am in the Community Centre

James Pickard from Transport for London will be attending.

Future meeting dates to be published soon. Home - Colliers Wood Residents Association (cwra.org.uk)