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DRAFT
HARPENDEN TRIANGLE RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETING 7.30pm Tuesday 24th January 2006 Lancasters Restaurant, 463 Norwood Road SE27 9DJ Present: Michael Batchelor, David Martin, Kitty Nakkeeran, Chris Pointon, Diane Wood Apologies: Sue Flahaut, Heidi Nicholson MINUTES 1 Minutes of Committee meeting held on Tuesday 29th November 2005 a) Accuracy: Fine b) Matters Arising: None 2 Membership No new members since the last meeting. Chris confirmed that, as yet, there had been no new members via the Yahoo Group on the Harpenden Triangle Website. Michael explained that he had been unable to contact Dominic Leary, who on joining the HTRA, had intimated he would be prepared to join the Committee. Michael will keep trying. 3 Finances No changes to the HTRA Bank Account since the last meeting. 4 Traffic & Parking Issues a) York Hill Crossing David tabled a letter from Councillor John Whelan, dated 20th January 2006, enclosing the latest plan for the above crossing, authorised by Tim Jackson, Lambeth Assistant Director of Street Management. This plan does not include a Bus Lane, currently proposed by TfL, who have the ultimate power to decide what happens. The plan, which is far less costly, proposes four Pelican (Green Man) crossings, with phased lighting on the red, to allow pedestrians time to cross the roads safely. Further, John Whelan asked for support of the plan to be given to Tim Jackson who is having discussions currently with TfL that are likely to be difficult. David undertook to write to Tim Jackson accordingly. In the meantime Irene Kimm, a Thurlow Park Ward Conservative Councillor, has prepared a Petition for the new plan, that David tabled. It was unanimously agreed that David would have further copies printed so that as many signatures as possible can be obtained in support of the latest plan from both local residents and commercial/retail concerns in Norwood Road. John Whelan had also made a Tory Leaflet drop locally, during w/c Monday 16th January, about the same plan. (More information at External Relations 6c) below). b) Controlled Parking Zone Plan Little heard about this since the previous Committee Meeting. David undertook to find out the latest timing proposals for implementation, from the Council and/or our local ward Councillors. c) Elmcourt Road School David said that there is minor disagreement between local residents, particularly in Lancaster Avenue, and the Parent Promotors Foundation (the latter having the ultimate authority), about the size of the School. Under discussion, therefore, is whether the new school should have four or six form entries yearly (each of 180 pupils per year), the latter resulting in nearly 1100 pupils. Also the debate continues about whether the Special Needs School, currently on the same site for the new school, should be moved elsewhere or not. In the meantime while the new school is being built it has been decided that temporary accommodation for pupils year by year will be at the now empty Norwood School, not the Strand, as originally envisaged. This may have a detrimental effect on the initial uptake for the new school affecting costing. It was noted that Elmcourt Road will become part of the proposed extended CPZ plan and is likely to be made one-way. 5 Environmental Issues a) Community Champions Awaiting information from Heidi. 6 External Relations a) Town Centre Forum No further news about this at present as Heidi, Chair of the Forum, was unable to be present at this Committee meeting. b) Surveys & Questionnaires David said that he had received a number of the above on a variety of issues affecting our local area and the total Lambeth Council area. He felt that it was wrong of him to complete such questionnaires without consulting the Committee and our Members. It was agreed that David would not respond to questionnaires or surveys unless they related specifically to HTRA issues. If they did and the HTRA position was already known and clear David would just reply accordingly. If they were relevant, but the issues had not been discussed or if the HTRA position was unclear, David would call an emergency Committee meeting to resolve the matter. c) Norwood Area Committee meeting on 12th January 2006 (See 4a) above) Chris and Michael attended this meeting held at the West Norwood Library. The Agenda included a Progress Report on Transport Issues; Norwood Safety during which Inspector Richard Hall gave a verbal presentation. ( Inspector Hall commented on the effect the 7 July bombings had, as so many local police were removed for security duties. Local Police cover is now back to normal and the introduction of Street Wardens is proving beneficial. 12 Wardens have been deployed for our three local wards of Gipsy Hill, Knights Hill and Thurlow Park); Lambeth Children’s Centres; Update of the Community Strategy for Norwood; Refurbishment of Norwood Park Sports Pitch. Martin Sachs, Lambeth Head of Transport and Highways who reports to Tim Jackson, gave a verbal presentation of three safety crossings currently planned by Lambeth, from a Report he had prepared. These are at Norwood High Street by Auckland Hill; Thurlow Park Road at/near the junction with Lovelace Road; and Norwood Road/ York Hill/ Lancaster Avenue Junction. Mr Sachs said that due to the difficulties with TfL, the date for starting work on the York Hill crossing has been delayed by six months. As a result Councillor McConnell, who conducted the meeting, proposed a Motion calling for a Public Meeting on this issue at which Lambeth and TfL Representatives will discuss the situation. Councillor A’Court seconded the Motion which was passed unanimously by all present. 7 Membership Communications a) Newsletter/Public Meeting Chris confirmed he would prepare the Newsletter (No 6) and asked for copy content. To determine the time-scale to prepare the Newsletter, David said that it is necessary now to fix the date for the Public Meeting. It was agreed that Tuesday 16th May 2006 or 23rd May would be suitable. David will book the Salvation Army Hall for one of the dates as available. David will also approach speakers for the Meeting and the following people were agreed:-
b) Website The new newsletter will be posted on the HTRA Website. Chris also said that it would be good to have a regular flow of topical issues to post on the website. 8 Any Other Business – None 9 Date of Next Meeting 7.30pm on Tuesday 21st March 2006 at Lancasters |
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