Apologies were received from Councillor John Keys, Councillor Bruce Glithero, and Community Representative Keith Knight (Springboard Residents Association).

Minutes of the Local Committee meeting held on 7 October 2008 to be agreed and signed.

Community representative Lisette Scott, Onslow Gardens Residents Association was shown as absent on the minutes from the 7 October meeting, this was incorrect and has been amended accordingly.

Councillor Terry Faulds asked that, Minute 829, resolution (ii) be amended to state “without further consultation to all three wards”.  This was unable to be amended, on checking the recording the comment had not been made. Therefore the request was minuted for noting only.

The Chair stated that Minute 827 had a question from Mr Donwall, which was incorrectly spelt - the resident’s name was Mr Dodwell.

There will be 15 minutes allocated for the public to ask questions on non-agenda items.  Please submit these in writing to the Area Co-ordinator at least 10 minutes prior to the meeting.

There is in addition the opportunity to ask questions or make contributions on each item as it arises.

The Chair received a question from Mr Dan Billin, which she read on his behalf asking if the results of the Wallington Access scheme consultation will be returning to the committee for a final decision? The Chair confirmed that yes the consultation and final plans for decision would be returning to 3 Februarys meeting.

Mark Dalzell, Highways and Parks manger will provide an information sheet and discussion on the way in which Highways works and the procedures involved.

Mark Dalzell, Parks and Highways Manager introduced his report and gave a brief overview of the activities of the Highways service, outlining the four main objectives the Highways Service Works to. Gary Mersh, Highways Area Manager was also present to answer any questions.

The main objectives of Highways were:

·        To manage, control and maintain the borough’s adopted public highway network to meet the Council’s statutory responsibility in accordance with the current legal and regulatory framework.

·        To improve the quality of the road network, ensuring safety and social inclusion obligations are met to increase public satisfaction with the service.

·        To target existing resources working with colleagues in Street Scene      Services and other Council services and seek additional funding from external partners to ensure sustained improvements in the road network.

·        To minimise disruption to traffic and pedestrians

The specific activities of Highways and Parks were read as listed in the report.

It was explained that the highways service is highly regulated, driven by inspections, safety criteria and national performance criteria, which meant less flexibility in service delivery and fewer opportunities for residents to influence the work undertaken.  However the Council welcomed comments from residents about the way in which work was undertaken, which could help shape service delivery.

Residents were encouraged to play their role by providing details about:

·        Pot holes or other defects,

·        Abandoned vehicles,

·        Locations that flood during rainfall,

·        Requests for dropped kerbs,

·        Requests for street tree planting,

·        Sponsored tree and bench applications, and

·        Overgrown hedges that are obstructing the highway,

By calling 0208 770 5070 or reporting issues on the Sutton website www.sutton.gov.uk.

The Planned Highway Maintenance Works Programme dealt with major reconstruction and resurfacing of roads in the Borough.  The aims of this work is to ensure the Council meets its statutory responsibility for road maintenance, minimizes ongoing maintenance costs, keeps the roads safe and serviceable and reduces the liability for insurance claims as a result of damage or injury.

The reaction time allowed for reported defects to be repaired was based on the “Well Maintained Highways Guidance Notes” and was dependant on the location, size and nature of the defect.  However it was ultimately at the discretion of the Inspector as to what level of priority the defect is assigned.

Utility works in the borough are primarily coordinated by two methods. The London Borough of Sutton holds quarterly co-ordination meetings, which were attended by all statutory undertakers and utility companies are obliged to send electronic notices in advance of commencing works on the public highway.

Members queried if the freepost feedback cards were still available for reporting issues such as potholes?  Mark Dalzell responded that these cards were not being used as many had previously been returned with insufficient information on them to enable officers to locate and deal with the problem or to respond back to the sender.

Mark Dalzell explained that the call centre staff were trained to get the right information  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1014.

Report of the Executive Head of Planning, Transport and Highways

Paul Blunt, Traffic & Highway Works Manager gave a brief overview of his report which gave background information on the proposal to introduce a cycle contra-flow in Redford Avenue, Wallington, between Link Lane and Stafford Road.

The scheme was ready to go to public consultation, however ward councillors had expressed concerns on the cost of the scheme and whether it was good value for money.

The current estimate for this scheme was £36,200 and Transport for London (TfL) had allocated £40,000 via the cycling category of the Local Implementation Plan (LIP).

Informal consultation was undertaken with the Metropolitan Police traffic representative, Cyclists’ Touring Club (CTC) and London Cycling Campaign (LCC) representatives and internal sections of the Council. The scheme met with favourable comments from all those consulted and with TfL who said that the scheme proposals were a good use of cycling local access funding. The route is also included on the proposed cycle network plan, which forms part of the Council’s Sustainable Transport Strategy – Enabling Smarter Travel Choices.

Following a member concern that the scheme didn’t appear to link in with another it was explained that the scheme linked into another route going up Redford Avenue to Mollison Drive, and it was hoped to put a cycling route through Mellows Park.

Councillor John Leach asked how much it would cost to relocate the bus stand in Redford Avenue and which way would the contra flow go for the cyclists? Paul Blunt said that the cost of relocating the bus stand would be the cost of the road markings and resurfacing, however there would need to be consultation so the total would cost about £1000.

Councillor John Leach responded that the implementation seemed very expensive and would like to know what would happen to the build out, and why it was considered suitable to move the bus stand from one side of the road to the other.

Paul Blunt replied that the design complies with the London design standards which TFL Issues. The cycle lane is on the left hand side as oncoming traffic will be on the other side of the road, which means if the bus stand is left in its current position it will be in the way of the cycle Lane. If the cycle lane was moved to the other side of the road this would be the wrong side to cycle on. With regards to costs slip lanes have been put through the build outs at each end and they will require the no entry signs to be relocated which have an electricity supply to them, and modifications to the build out with kerbing will also add to the cost.

Councillor Terry Faulds stated that he was concerned the report submitted with the agenda did not refer to any safety issues previously raised, or to the option put forward by Paul Blunt for a trial system put forward elsewhere in London at a much lower cost of between £5000-£10,000. Why was this not reflected in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1015.

Malcolm Barker, locality lead officer will provide an information sheet and discussion on issues regarding travellers.

Malcolm Barker, Locality Lead Officer gave a brief overview of his report which provided an insight into recent illegal encampments by Gypsies and Travellers, the protocol for dealing with illegal encampments, difficulties faced by Gypsies and Travellers, the outcome of the London wide Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment and the need to make more transitional and permanent sites available.

         Malcolm Barker explained that the council had developed a protocol for dealing with all illegal encampments on its land including those by Gypsies and Travellers. The protocol had been in place for some time and is in the process of being reviewed.  Sutton Council has had a permanent Travellers site since 1971 at The Pastures, Carshalton Road, Banstead.  The location of the site and lack of local amenities and local schools has a significant impact on access to services for the travelling community.  Specialist managing agents manage the 15-pitch site for the council. There was also a privately owned site adjacent to the council one. There were more than 20 families on the waiting list for the site and there were no transitional sites in the borough. Unfortunately, this leads to illegal encampments of which there have been eight so far in 2008.

Councillor Peter Wallis asked what the council had learned about prevention of illegal encampments from the eight so far this year. In response Malcolm Barker explained that sites were constantly monitored and the Council were looking at solutions such as height restrictors, as a preventative measure. Mark Dalzell explained that when travellers are served an illegal encampment notice they are also given a list of sites across the borough that they are unable to return to, which prevents them moving from one site to another.  This has proven to be very effective.

Councillor Richard Bailey commented that the last illegal encampment was at the Public Hall car park in Wallington, which was due to the height barrier being left unlocked.

Councillor Terry Faulds asked Inspector Colin Baker from the Metropolitan Police how the notices that are served to travellers are different from a Dispersal Order, which breaks up gatherings? Inspector Colin Baker explained that Dispersal Orders are used for people on foot causing specific disorder whereas travellers were fundamentally illegally parked.

Resolved: To Note the report.

·                    Update on Roundshaw skate park – Mark Dalzell

Mark Dalzell, Parks & Highways Manager, gave a brief overview of his written report.

Mark Dalzell explained that the committee previously agreed to put aside monies for a skate park at Roundshaw Park subject to local consultation and a further report coming back to the committee.  The options that were consulted on included siting a skate park at the rear of the existing pavilion and youth seating in the locality of the existing ballpark and youth seating in the park opposite Mollison Square shopping parade.          

It was reported that 31 people under the age of 18 returned the survey, 30 of which were in favour and one against. To ensure maximum use of the facility it was suggested that a wheel and ramp park be installed that could be used by skateboard users and BMX riders, widening the range of users.

Involving young people in the design and layout of the park as suggested by the police report was good practice, which the Parks service had followed in each of the wheel and ramp parks developed so far. It was recommended that Elevate, an external organisation, be employed to carry out a further consultation with young people.  Malcolm Barker was aware of some funding which could fund a consultation.

Other responses to the consultation included 62% in favour of youth seating opposite Mollison Square and 75% were in favour of youth seating next to the existing ballpark.  A total of 1934 residents were sent consultation letters and 222 had responded.

Comments from the police and crime prevention officer raised a number of concerns about the proposed location of the skatepark.  They considered it to be very secluded without lighting and not overlooked.  It was recognised that young people should have a say in what equipment they wanted and that CCTV or removal of shrubs needed to be considered to improve the site making it safe for young people to use. There were also concerns that residents may object to the removal of shrubs and trees and that the youth shelter was too secluded to have within the park and would be better on the second proposed site, which was at Mollison Square.

Roundshaw Homes had no objections to the options in principle but they were not sure that there was a proven demand for a skate park facility.   Roundshaw Homes had consulted previously on facilities young people wanted and had a number of ideas put forward, of which a skate park was not one. It was noted that the majority of the options young people were keen on were not eligible for public realm funding.  The Chair reminded the committee that at a previous meeting the suggestion for a skate park funded by public realm monies was put forward and had been agreed subject to consultation.

With regards to the location of the wheel and ramp park it was proposed that it was moved forward onto the tarmac adjacent to the ball court (option 2 in the report). The surface in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1017.

a)     Councillor Jenny Slark stated that:

·        Works on the Lych Gate were nearly complete.

·        That the Minute for the Mallinson Road deputation did not reflect that she had supported Mr Gregory and she had made two site visits with him previously.

·        That there was concern that there had been no update on the CCTV at the Broadway, Beddington in recent weeks.

b)     Councillor Terry Faulds thanked Mark Dalzell for the trees that were planted at the entrance to Mollison Drive; they would make a tremendous difference in years to come.

c)      In response to a question about whether a response had been received from the Primary Care Trust about covenants on the Carshalton War Memorial Hospital the Chair stated that a response had been received which she was not happy with.  A letter asking for more information and a full response to the original letter was being drafted.   Any further response from the PCT would be circulated to members.

d)     Mr Sammons requested to know if the demolition work now taking place at the War Memorial Hospital was illegal or premature.  Councillor John Leach explained that permission had been granted for Ashcombe House, the nurse’s quarters, to be demolished and redeveloped.  The Chair suggested that Mr Sammons contact the planning department for further clarification on the demolition.

e)     Mr Sammons made the suggestion that when Ferguson House was rebuilt that maybe they should name it the Carshalton War Memorial wing. The Chair stated that Mr Sammons positive suggestion to rename Ferguson house would be included in the response to the PCT.

f)        Councillor Richard Bailey asked if the Carshalton War Memorial Hospital was a listed building, and was it in the conservation area.  Malcolm Barker offered to find this information and respond back to members.

g)     Councillor Colin Hall stated that there had been a fun run in Beddington Park recently, although it was great to see so many people using the park there was a lot of confrontation between cyclists, cars, and runners which needs to be monitored especially with regards to parking.

h)      Councillor John Leach stated that he and his fellow ward councillors had all received a letter from engineers asking them to comment on the location of the proposed road humps for the ward, he had responded and is waiting to see what happens next.

i)        Councillor Richard Bailey thanked the Parks Team for the new trees that had been planted in Wallington South; also he has been in touch with Maggie Tomms regarding the tree trails around the borough.

j)        Councillor Joan Hartfield stated that ward councillors had liaised with officers regarding the size of the Butter Hill traffic consultation

k)      In response to a question raised about the potential for locking St Mary’s Field playground gates the Chair informed the committee that it had been decided to combine this item with the report to come back on security issues, in the summer, as the two items went together well.

Community Representatives are invited to raise issues for future agendas or for discussion at the meeting if the Chair deems the matter urgent.  Please inform the Area Co-ordinator if you would like to raise an issue.

There will be a time limit of 3 minutes per Community Representative with a total time limit of 15 minutes.

a)     Mr Colin Wadeson (Woodcote Avenue Road Fund Committee) thanked Malcolm Barker for the replacement, refurbishment and extension of the Christmas lights outside the Town Hall and Boots and in? Wallington Square; they looked lovely.  Mr Wadeson also thanked Councillor Colin Hall for restoring the lavender lights.

b)     Colin Wadeson also read the following statement on Mr Keith Knight (Springboard residents association) behalf, as he was unable to attend the meeting:

“I am pleased to see the Christmas lights in Wallington looking so good and would like to thank and say well done to all those involved in making this happen. All the lights on the lampposts appear to be working and the trees with the blue lights look lovely. I hope we are going to get a Christmas tree on the balcony of the Town Hall as agreed last year”

The Chair thanked Colin Wadeson for his comments and said that the issue regarding the tree would be looked into.

c)      Richard Sammons (South Wallington & District Residents Association) reported the following safety concerns:

• Poor visibility from the right when turning out into Stanley Park Road from Park Hill Road;

• Obscured visibility of traffic signals for the pedestrian crossing in Woodcote Road, and the

• Extension of the double yellow lines at the Woodcote Road end of Hall Road.

Richard Sammons also requested, on behalf of the residents association, that the Council look at reducing rates instead of increasing them due to the current climate.

The Chair thanked Mr Sammons for bringing Highways issues to the Council’s attention.

Resolved: (i) To request that the Area co-ordinator pass Mr Sammon’s safety concerns to the relevant officer for a full written response and to request that ward councillors be copied in.

(ii) To note that the Council’s budget consultation 2009/10 is currently featuring at local committees however due to the full agenda of this committee an informal meeting with ward councillors and community representatives will be arranged to discuss the budget consultation.  Date, time and location for this meeting was yet to be confirmed.

There were no items brought forward. 

The date of the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 3 February 2009 at Bandon Hill Primary School, Sandy Lane South, Wallington.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday 3, February 2009 at Bandon Hill Primary School, Sandy Lane South, Wallington at 7.30pm.