The Committee to approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 April 2009.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 23 April 2009 were approved as a correct record, and signed by the Chair, subject to the following amendments to the Minute headed Open Forum:

4^th line – delete the word ‘minor’

The sentence starting on the 9^th line to read: “Of the 7,000 vehicles using the road each day, approximately 1,000 were speeding in excess of 44mph”.

The Chair said there was one announcement.  Ian Kershaw reported that the refuse and recycling bank outside WH Smith in Cheam Village had been removed earlier in the day.  Officers agreed with the points regarding this facility made by Barry Green, resident, at previous meetings.

Apologies were received from Councillors Barry Russell and Misdaq Zaidi, and Peter Mattey.

To note that Jack Hamilton, Alan Hyslop and Peter Mattey were recently appointed by Full Council to serve on this local committee as community representatives in 2009/10. 

It was noted that Jack Hamilton, Alan Hyslop and Peter Mattey had recently been appointed by Full Council to serve on this local committee as community representatives in 2009/10. 

An opportunity for members of the public to raise points or questions about local issues that are not already on the agenda for this meeting.  The time allowed will be at the discretion of the Chair, to finish no later than 8pm.

Questions about items on the agenda will be taken when the item is considered.

The submission of all questions in advance would be helpful – to the Area

Co-ordinator whose contact details are shown on the front of this agenda or the committee’s inbox: sscblocal@sutton.gov.uk

The Chair said that he had received notice of two questions.  He summarised the following question from Stephen Grubb:

“Would the Local Committee kindly make representations to Transport for London, and to our Greater London Assemblyman for Sutton, for consideration to be given for the installation of a left turn filter from The Broadway into Cheam High Street, at the Cheam Village crossroads?  This could operate at the same time as the existing turn right filter in the opposite direction, and would help ease the present congestion of traffic in The Broadway.  At the same time, could the timing of the “all red” phase on the traffic lights be reviewed, so as to shorten the time taken between the lights turning red, and the “green man” appearing?”

The Chair invited Mr Grubb to join the committee table and the ensuing discussion.  Ian Kershaw, Locality Lead Officer, explained for the benefit of all that the main roads through the Village were red routes and therefore came under the control of Transport for London (TfL).  He suggested that if members wished to pursue the matter that it be considered alongside potential traffic measures for STEPS Zone 7, which had been mentioned at the last meeting.  Consultation on those measures would be carried out in the summer and a report was scheduled for the September meeting.  The matter raised by Mr Grubb could be drawn to the attention of TfL before then, however.

The Chair clarified for Mr Grubb the approximate boundaries of STEPS Zone 7; it incorporated three of the four adjacent residential areas off the cross formed by Cheam Village crossroads, the exception being the area to the south-west centred on Anne Boleyn’s Walk.

The second question was raised by Councillor Tony Shields on behalf of local resident, Mr Kennedy.  There was a shortage of parking space within the boundaries of Kingslee Court, a Sutton Housing Partnership (SHP) property.  The problem had arisen through some parking space on an adjacent block of flats being sold to developers.  With less space to go round, some residents of that block were now parking at Kingslee Court.  It was thought that this block was wholly private so the sale of space was up to them.  Mr Kennedy had raised the issue with SHP but apparently they had not been helpful.  Donna Ashby said that her section, Parking Services, were helping SHP with a review of parking space at their properties; Councillor Shields accepted this but felt that Kingslee Court residents could not wait that long.  At Councillor Shields’ request it was agreed that an advisory update be tabled at the September meeting.

The Chair said he was aware that some residents present were interested in Banstead Road in terms of speeding vehicles and the traffic calming measures introduced as part of the STEPS Zone 32 scheme for South Cheam.  The issue had been considered by this Committee over the last 18 months and a further report was scheduled  ...  view the full minutes text for item 523.

The survey results from Parking Services are attached.  Normal footway enforcement means that Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) would patrol those cul de sacs during their general patrols of those areas.  In the first instance the CEOs would place Warning Notices on vehicles parked in contravention and then after a 4 week period Penalty Charge Notices would be issued to any vehicles found after that 4 week period.

Regarding vehicles that are parked in front of dropped kerbs, they will be dealt with when a resident telephones NSL (formally NCP) and requests enforcement.  Initially again Warning Notices will be issued for 4 weeks.  The procedures to contact NSL will be explained to residents by letter in due course.

Further to Minute 128/09 the Committee had before them the results of the parking enforcement survey that had been carried out in Netley Close and Tudor Close.  Annette Madden, Executive Head of Business Services and Donna Ashby, Head of Parking Services, were in attendance. 

The Chair clarified that this issue was one of three outstanding items concerning these cul-de-sacs; the others were:

• a possible extension of parking controls in these roads and Tilehurst Road
• STEPS Zone 7, mentioned earlier in the meeting.

Consultation on these two issues would be carried out over the summer.  Alan Hyslop confirmed that as a resident of Tudor Close he had just received a letter about STEPS Zone 7. 

On the issue now before members, the Chair reminded them that they had previously resolved to go with whatever the majority of residents wanted.

The results were as follows:

Netley Close – 24 forms returned, a response rate of 41%

Footway enforcement – for 18, against 6

Dropped kerb enforcement – for 16, against 5

Tudor Close – 28 forms returned, a response rate of 67%

Footway enforcement – for 14, against 13

Dropped kerb enforcement – for 18, against 9

In view of this, officers were recommending that normal footway enforcement in both roads be carried out.  Dropped kerb enforcement would be by resident request only, in accordance with the procedure previously described to the Committee.

Adriana Stringer, resident of Tudor Close, addressed the meeting at the invitation of the Chair regarding parking enforcement in the vicinity of Cheam Park.  She was also a member of the West Sutton Little League Committee and would help to pass on to parents the message about impending enforcement, if this was to go ahead.

Annette Madden explained the process for giving warnings and issuing tickets.  Several roads in the Borough were affected by footway parking; residents of some roads wanted footway enforcement, others did not, so roads were treated on an individual basis.   If the Committee agreed the recommendations then a letter would be sent to Netley Close and Tudor Close residents including the decision from this meeting.  There would then be a short period during which the parking contractor would be instructed to issue warning notices.  The telephone number which residents would need to call if they found a vehicle parked across their dropped kerb would be included in the letter.

            Resolved: (i) To note the results of the survey and thank Annette Madden and Donna Ashby for attending;

(ii) To agree the recommendations for normal footway enforcement and resident request dropped kerb enforcement in Netley Close and Tudor Close.

Further to the recent article in Sutton Scene magazine inviting suggestions for the future use of Cheam Park stable block and The Lodge, there will be an opportunity for residents to input on this matter.

The Chair introduced this item by referring to the article in Sutton Scene magazine seeking ideas from residents regarding potential uses for the stable block and The Lodge. Cheam Park.  He invited residents Mrs Powell, Debbie Whitton and Mrs Stringer to the committee table.  He emphasised for all that this committee could only do so much to progress any refurbishment of the stable block particularly in view of the financial situation.  Ian Kershaw, Locality Lead Officer, also gave a short introduction to the item.

There followed a lengthy discussion involving residents, officers, Alan Hyslop and other members.  Ideas put forward included:

• a café opening out on to the playground area
• some kind of exhibition area including space for historical information about the area
• craft centre/ workshops
• some allotments were nearby and if the craft idea could not be developed then maybe more space could be given over to the growing of vegetables / other ‘green use’
• facilities for visits/use by people with disabilities, scouts/guides, the Women’s Institute
• would the National Trust be interested in the area?
• micro–brewery
• to mark Tony Hancock’s connection with Cheam in some way
• advertise to entrepreneurs as long as their ideas included a crafts/art centre
• effect on local businesses and to bear in mind that there is a market in Cheam on Fridays

Ian Kershaw said that Mrs Powell’s idea for a craft centre had been shared with Mark Dalzell, Parks Manager, who was supportive. 

Ian Kershaw said that in terms of attracting funding, his experience of getting in bids for community safety work might be useful.  He said that he would like to draw the ideas together in a paper for submission to the Council’s Executive.  It was important to note that The Executive would be reviewing the parks portfolio of buildings and had decisions to make in that regard.  He also advised that The Lodge was a listed building; the stable block was not.  It would be good to involve some of the people present, to act as a sounding board.  Councillor Jonathan Pritchard offered his assistance. 

            Resolved: (i) To thank all for their contributions;

            (ii) That Ian Kershaw draw together ideas for the use of the stable block, for the purposes of a submission to The Executive in September if possible; and there be an-hoc group to help progress the matter comprising the three residents named above, Alan Hyslop in his capacity as a representative of Friends of Cheam Park, and Councillor Jonathan Pritchard.

            (iii) There be a report back to this Committee in due course.

An update by Ian Kershaw, Locality Lead Officer, will be provided at the meeting.

Ian Kershaw, Locality Lead Officer, presented his report.  It addressed certain issues affecting Belmont Park and recommended a number of improvements totalling approximately £7,000.  He had been advised that the proposal to repaint the railings along the Brighton Road perimeter of the park (estimated cost £11,280) was a revenue cost and therefore could not be funded from the public realm programme.  An alternative was to replace the railings at an estimated cost of £40,000.   This was prohibitive so he would continue to seek alternative funding for this part of the project.   The possibility of using the community payback scheme for the railings repainting had been considered but this particular job required an expert contractor.

Regarding Cheam Park BMX track, Ian Kershaw said that confirmation of whether planning permission would be required was awaited.  It seemed that the site was one of potential archaeological interest and therefore English Heritage would have to be consulted, but further information was needed.  He still intended to hold the local public meeting as soon as possible after receipt of planning advice.  

Ian Kershaw summarised some of the other public realm projects, most of which had been completed or were well advanced.  Consultation on proposed improvements to Overton Park playground equipment would be aligned to that for the Play Builder scheme.  The Council had £1.1million for investing in play equipment in the Borough’s parks under this scheme and consultation would be carried out over the summer. 

Tree planting would be carried out in the autumn.  The improvements to the two sets of planters in the centre of Cheam were being treated in one block and were nearly complete.  Costings had been received for the Sutton Court Estate ball court and consultation with residents would follow.  It was noted that the Committee would have £79,000 to spend on public realm projects in 2010/11.

Councillor Tony Shields suggested that if there was some public realm money available under the Overton Park scheme then perhaps the toilets within the pavilion building could be upgraded.

Councillor Peter Geiringer expressed concern that no lighting improvements were being recommended for Belmont Park.  Ian Kershaw responded as follows:

• he would share the full environmental audit referred to in his report with Councillor Geiringer;
• Shanklin Estate residents had already been consulted, this would continue, and he would try to get the lighting issue raised at the Shanklin residents democracy group meeting.

Resolved: (i) To receive the report and note that it will be updated to include the 2010/11 allocation and the point made by Councillor Tony Shields, as outlined above;

      (ii) To agree the proposed improvements to benches, picnic tables and the basketball court in Belmont Park at an estimated cost of £7,000;

      (iii) To note that the Chair has brought the report forward as an urgent item under the provisions of Section 100B of the Local Government Act 1972 in order to avoid delay with implementation of the Committee’s public realm programme.

To include an update by the Police on enforcement against speeding in Banstead Road, Banstead.

Inspector Chris Riggs introduced himself as the new inspector for this Committee’s area, having recently joined Sutton Police.  Current ward priorities were as follows:

Cheam

• Speeding traffic in Banstead Road – this had already been covered earlier in the meeting but to add that there were plans for joint operations with Surrey Police
• Anti-social behaviour in Church Hill Road and Cheam Park
• Possible youth service provision at Cheam Methodist Hall

Belmont

• Anti-social behaviour at Shanklin Estate – the SNT team’s efforts being concentrated around Hulverston Close and some arrests had been made
• Vehicle crime including advice to drivers who had left their vehicles unlocked

Sutton South

• Burglary including the Foot in the Door Scheme which offered advice to householders whose premises could be more secure
• Motor vehicles crime – fortunately levels were quite low in this ward
• Anti-social behaviour around Sherborne Court

Councillor Peter Geiringer referred to the speed cushions in Banstead Road South; he had been informed by residents that unfortunately some drivers were negotiating the cushions and continuing to speed.  Therefore he would like to see more enforcement.  He had raised with Belmont SNT the fact that some drivers were not obeying the priority flow markings in Crossways.  Councillor Geiringer also asked for details of an accident involving a motorcyclist fatality in Northdown Road; Inspector Riggs said he would investigate and let Councillor Geiringer know the circumstances of the incident.

            Resolved: To thank Inspector Chris Riggs for his update and he reply to Councillor Geiringer regarding the Northdown Road accident.

MATTER FOR NOTING

There was none apart from the report submitted under the public realm heading.

A verbal update by Councillor Pamela Picknett.

Councillor Pamela Picknett reported that the tree trail project was well advanced.  The Borough had been divided into four for the purposes of the project: Carshalton, Beddington, Sutton and Cheam.  The Carshalton, Cheam and Beddington parts of the tree trail booklet had been finalised, Sutton was nearing completion.  Drawings and photographs were being brought together. The front cover of the booklet would feature a painting by artist John Stillman with no charge for its use.  The proofs should be done by early July with a view to publication in time for the school holidays.  Councillor Picknett said that she would be meeting with the marketing director of a large Sutton firm shortly to discuss sponsorship of the booklet and she hoped to get the tree trail featured in the Green Guardian newspaper.

The Chair thanked Councillor Picknett for her efforts so far, particularly as she had steered the project without much member support beyond this Committee.  It was noted that the trails had been designed to pass by local refreshment outlets, so they might benefit from some custom.

            Resolved:  To thank Councillor Picknett for her update.

An updated work plan is attached.

Councillor Peter Geiringer asked for two items to go on the work plan.  Firstly, the possible extension of the yellow lines along Brighton Road had been discussed at committee in the past.  Councillor Tony Shields said that some consultation with residents had been undertaken and the general consensus was that obstructive parking along the road was not a problem.  This was accepted.

Secondly there was the question of Belmont controlled parking zone.  The Chair said that this issue did require a report back to committee but no specific meeting had been identified.  He asked Councillor Geiringer to speak to Peter Ashley, Traffic Engineer, and agreed that the issue could go on the 17 September agenda if Mr Ashley felt that this was achievable. 

            Resolved: To note the circulated work plan and that other items may be added to it as a result of this meeting.

A schedule of events in or immediately adjacent to this Committee’s area is attached.

            Resolved:  To note the circulated list of events for this Committee’s area, for Take Part Take Pride week 6-12 July 2009.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 17 September 2009.  The venue will be confirmed on 11 June.

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It was noted that the next meeting would be an additional meeting to consider Banstead Road traffic issues only on 6 August.  There would not be an open forum session at that meeting although residents would have the chance to submit their views at the discretion of the Chair.

The next regular meeting would be held on 17 September, the likely venue being St. Dunstan’s Primary School.