Apologies were received from Councillor Paddy Kane and Steve O’Connell (Member GLA)

Officers and Councillors were introduced to the meeting.

Minutes of the meeting held on 31 January

Indicative time – 5 minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2012 were accepted as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

A report from the SNT regarding crime and Anti Social Behaviour in the three wards

Indicative time – 15 minutes

Inspector Tyre addressed the meeting advising about Ward priorities and activities of the Team.

St Helier Ward priorities were: Burglary, Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) at Rosehill and ASB at Wrythe lane flats.

There had been a number of drug warrants and arrests associated with cashpoint theft, a ward clean up and a successful pilot Domestic Violence project.

The Wrythe priorities were: Burglary, youth engagement and youth disorder around the Wrythe and Muschamp. An alleged copper thief had been arrested.

Inspector Tyre commented that Vanessa, PCSO for the area had been commended for work in developing the Police Academy; this work was being rolled out across the metropolitan Police area.

Wandle valley priorities were: ASB involving motorcycling at Hackbridge, theft of motor vehicles and disorder at Mill Green. There had been several arrests for criminal damage.

Inspector Tyre noted that Sarah Lowe, PCSO in this area had been awarded PCSO of the year for the Metropolitan Police.

In summing up the year, Inspector Tyre noted that crime in all three wards was down 16%, ASB in two wards was down by 23% and in the Wrythe down by 3%, in line with the Metropolitan area. A number of successful operations had been undertaken.

Councillor Colin Stears suggested and it was agreed that the Committee record its thanks and congratulations to Sarah Lowe.

In response to a question about the mobile CCTV car, in which it was noted that drivers were obscuring the registration numbers of parked cars, to prevent them being checked for insurance and licence, Inspector Tyre agreed to work with wardens to address the issue.

The means whereby theft occurred from cash machines was explained to the meeting.

Councillor Drage had received many comments from residents about motorcycling at Mill Green. Inspector Tyre was aware of these; entering the site was a criminal matter and he was trying to work with the owners to secure the boundaries. This would cost a large sum of money and was unlikely to happen. The Police had only four complaints and Inspector Tyre asked for complaints to be directed to the Police. A similar problem occurred at Watercress Park on Sunday afternoons.

Mr Theobald, speaking as  Vice Chair of Governors at Tweedale School had been trying to get a crossing at Thornton Road for fifteen years. He understood that it had been opposed by the Police. Councillor Dave Callaghan explained that this had been explored in detail, but traffic police objected to the location. There appeared to be no suitable location to permit a crossing and zig-zag markings. The school had not requested a crossing, but now that it was doing, accident records would be explored.

Sharing any recent information regarding the situation facing the St Helier hospital. To be led by Councillor Colin Stears

Indicative time – 10 minutes

Councillor Colin Stears updated the meeting about developments regarding St Helier Hospital.

The proposed merger with St Georges was not proceeding. St Helier was not viable alone. It was clear that St Helier must find new partners. Work on this was underway, and the Council had written to the Hospital Trust inviting them to be more inclusive and open on this occasion. It was hoped proposals would emerge by the Summer. These changes impacted upon the changes proposed for Wallington Care Centre and the demolition of Ferguson House. In the meantime, the £200 million development at the hospital going ahead.

A questioner referred to newspaper suggestions that Accident  and Emergency services, and Maternity services at St Helier were at risk. Councillor Stears referred to the need to reduce both A and E and Maternity capacity across South-West London and the investigation, ‘Better Services, Better Value’ as to how this should be done. This process was at a very early stage.

An update regarding the preparations for the festival, to be held on 16 June 2012. To be led by Alexa Loucas (Sutton Housing Partnership) and Councillor Dave Callaghan.

Indicative time – 10 minutes

Alexa Loucas and Bill Reed explained the work being undertaken ahead of the St Helier Festival, taking place this year on 16 June.

The Festival, led by Sutton Federation of Tenants and Residents Associations (SFTRA) had been a great success in the past three years and there were significant changes that would make it even more attractive this year. Much of the background work of raising sponsorship, publicity and creating the event were explained.

In response to questions it was confirmed that there would be a climbing wall, with appropriate safety and insurance, a Police presence, St John’s Ambulance staff would be present toilets would be available at Sutton Arena and publicity would be done in a timely way.

An interactive workshop session allowing people to discuss what is currently done about the issue and what we could do as a Local Committee to add to existing provision and improve the perception of this as a problem

Indicative time – 20 minutes

The Mori survey at the last meeting had revealed that 52% of people were concerned about dog fouling. This session was designed to encourage ideas and initiatives that could be run in the area.

The meeting broke into small groups and reported the following suggestions:

Table 1           Education

                        Enforcement

                        Make example of them

                        Is it a certain set of the population?

                        Advent on mobile phones, people are distracted

                        It should be socially unacceptable

                        More bins

Table 2           Report on this number 8700 5070

                        Publicise the dog team

                        ‘Pick up or Pay up’ sign and stencil on pavements

                        Name and shame

Table 3           Get Sutton Guardian to publicise fine on front page

                        Possible advert child picking up ball alongside dog deposit.

The report of the exercise would be reported back to dog wardens and dog enforcement teams.

The agreement of a draft protocol for the use of the mobile CCTV camera, along with a decision as to its first location.  A suitable location and alternative options will be made available to committee before the meeting.

If possible, the CCTV camera itself will be brought to the meeting.

Indicative time – 15 minutes

Ian Kershaw, Safer Sutton Partnership, demonstrated the capability of the CCTV camera which had been purchased by the Committee and which was in the room. The Camera could be remotely activated, had four cameras, including 360° capacity and produced pictures of evidential quality even under street lighting conditions. It was vandal proof.

The camera was not set up to record speeding offences although it could record mobile traffic offences – such as entering a box junction, and parking illegally.

The draft protocol was agreed with two minor alterations: to permit the use of the camera to record ASB including fly tipping and inconsiderate parking; to note that the locations for the camera must be chosen in consultation with the Chair of the Local Committee.

A short presentation and opportunity to ask questions regarding the proposals for the Energy Recovery Facility in Beddington. To be led by Peter O’Connell, together with officers from Viridor, the company involved in the provision.

Indicative time – 20 minutes

Matt Clubb, Head of Waste Management, and Robert Ryan from Viridor spoke about plans for Energy Recovery at Beddington, speaking to a powerpoint presentation.

Viridor were consulting on a proposed planning application for an Energy recovery Plant, which would create energy from unrecyclable waste from four Boroughs in South London. This presentation was part of their pre-consultation.

In response to questions it was confirmed that the advanced technological design would restrict to a minimum any chemicals entering the atmosphere and that the building is 42.5 metres high, is 109 metres long and 80.7 metres wide

Thanks were recorded to Matt Clubb and Robert Ryan

The opportunity to ask and have answered questions regarding the public realm update, which will have been circulated in advance.

Indicative time – 10 minutes

The report was presented by Glen Ocsko, Lead Locality Officer. The report set out progress on projects approved to date and suggestions for new activity.

A number of members noted inaccuracies in the progress report and Mr Ocsko undertook to correct these and report to the Committee.

Councillor Drage confirmed that the Council had recently agreed that the funds allocated to Local Committees could be spent on either revenue or capital projects without any restriction.

There was agreement to proceed with hanging baskets for 2012/13, and Councillors requested that these be planted in red, white and blue. Saddle baskets were also sought for Middleton Circle, as previously agreed.

Councillor Dave Callaghan suggested three new Public realm projects as follows:

·         Double yellow lines at the junction of Garendon Road and Love Lane

·         Drop kerbs at Bishopsford Road

·         Traffic calming at the access road to Rosehill Co-op.

Mr Ocsko undertook to investigate.

It was noted that there had been no funds to secure benches at Poulter Park and it was agreed to seek these from 2012/13 budget. Councillor Drage undertook to identify the preferred location.

It was resolved:

To fund hanging baskets and flower troughs for 2012/13 as set out in the schedule below

To endorse the decision of the Chair to fund a path at Green Wrythe Lane

The Local Committee had funded a feasibility study into a zebra crossing across Green Wrythe Lane, close to the junction with Shaftesbury Road. Mr Forghani, Traffic Highways Works Manager reported on the outcome.

The study demonstrated that the criteria for installation of a zebra crossing were not met and thus there could not be a justified recommendation to proceed.

Councillor Court noted that there had been accidents not recorded or referred to, including her own, and she felt that the count had been done in the wrong location.

Mr Forghani felt that the numbers were so low that a change in location would not have had a material effect.

Councillor Colin Stears was critical of the report for not providing enough information to allow the Committee to take an informed decision. He wanted to see the costs of a zebra crossing or design study, such that the Committee could decide to proceed with one if it chose. In response Mr Forghani suggested a zebra on a raised table would cost around £30,000, a zebra at road level around £15 – 20,000, and a design study around £2,500.

It was noted from the meeting that a similar undercounting of accidents had occurred at Middleton Road, in that instance it had led to a change of decision.

A suggestion of a crossing that operated only at school times was felt by Mr Forghani to be illegal and potentially dangerous.

The Committee resolved: To proceed with a design study for a zebra crossing across Green Wrythe Lane, at a location either North or South of Shaftesbury Avenue, at a cost of £2,500, the results of the study to be made available to be part of the agenda for the meeting of the Local Committee on 31 May.

Councillor Thistle noted that Councillors had raised £108 to assist Muschamp School; this would now be spent on a new recycling bin. Members would be invited to an opening ceremony.

Councillor Drage noted the Olympic torch would be passing through the area on 23 July and was sure the route would be well decorated.

The Chair noted dates of meetings for 2012/13 and that meetings would be on Thursdays. There were no objections to this.

31 May 2012

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 31 May at 7.00 pm, at Muschamp School.