Agenda and minutes

Hackbridge, St Helier and The Wrythe Local Committee - Thursday, 21st July, 2022 7.00 pm

Venue: Riverside Centre, 113 Culvers Avenue, Carshalton, SM5 2FJ

Contact: Ben Kiang Email: committee.services@sutton.gov.uk

Media

Items
No.	Item
1.	Welcome and introductions View the background to item 1. Minutes: The Chair, Councillor Bobby Dean, welcomed those present.
2.	Apologies for absence View the background to item 2. Minutes: There were no apologies for absence.
3.	Declarations of interest View the background to item 3. Minutes: There were no declarations of interest.
4.	Minutes of the previous meeting View the background to item 4. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the St Helier, The Wrythe and Wandle Valley Local Committee meeting held on 16 March 2022. Supporting documents: Minutes , 16/03/2022 St. Helier, The Wrythe and Wandle Valley Local Committee , item 4. PDF 124 KB Minutes: RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2022 be agreed as an accurate record.
5.	Any urgent business View the background to item 5. To consider any items which, in the view of the Chair, should be dealt with as a matter of urgency because of special circumstances (in accordance with S100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972). Minutes: There was no urgent business.
6.	Election of a Vice Chair View the background to item 6. Minutes: The Chair announced that, as a Vice Chair of the Committee had not been appointed at the Annual meeting of Council, a Vice Chair would be elected at this meeting for the 2022/23 municipal year. The Chair, Councillor Bobby Dean, proposed that Councillor Patrick Ogbonna be elected as the Vice Chair. This was seconded by Councillor Paul Cole. Councillor Sheldon Vestey, proposed that Councillor David Tchil be elected as the Vice Chair. This was seconded by Councillor Wendy Clark. The Clerk conducted a poll vote of committee members who voted in turn for who they would like to elect. Both Councillor Ogbonna and Councillor Tchil received five votes each. As Chair of the Committee, Councillor Bobby Dean, used his casting vote to elect Councillor Patrick Ogbonna as the Vice Chair. RESOLVED: That Councillor Ogbonna be elected as the Vice Chair of the Hackbridge, St Helier and The Wrythe Local Committee for the 2022/23 municipal year.
7.	Appointment of community representatives An application for the appointment of a Community Representative has been received. Minutes: The Chair announced that the committee had received applications for new community representatives, non-voting members of the committee representing locally based groups. Councillor Tchil proposed that the committee appoint Andrew Sargent as the community representative for the Bedzed Residents Association and Grace Platt as the community representative for the Wandle Valley Neighbourhood Watch and New Mill Quarter Residents’ Association. Councillor Tchil also proposed that the committee appoint Louise Duggan as the substitute community representative for the Bedzed Residents Association. Both proposals were seconded by Councillor Sheldon Vestey before being put to the committee for a vote. RESOLVED: 1. that the committee appoint Andrew Sargent as the community representative for the Bedzed Residents Association and Grace Platt as the community representative for the Wandle Valley Neighbourhood Watch and New Mill Quarter Residents’ Association. 2. that the committee appoint Louise Duggan as the substitute community representative for the Bedzed Residents Association.
8.	Update from the Safer Neighbourhood Team View the background to item 8. An update on the four wards’ priorities in the area and community safety issues. Minutes: Sergeant James Carvey, provided an update on the local crime figures and the priorities for each of the three wards. It was confirmed that local Ward Panel Meetings took place every three months and that the priorities emerging from the last meeting were: violence against women and girls, catalytic converter theft and antisocial behaviour. Attendees were encouraged to attend their local Ward Panel Meetings with details available on the Metropolitan Police Website.
9.	Community group showcase Minutes: Sian, owner of Nana B’s Bakery, provided an overview of her business that sells cakes locally and provides a place for the community to come together. The committee thanked Sian and offered their support in promoting her business locally.
10.	Protecting and improving the Wandle Trail Minutes: The committee invited attendees to join small group conversations, each focussing on a different aspect of protecting and improving the Wandle Trail. Discussions involved a range of stakeholders with an interest in the Wandle River and surrounding area, including council officers, partner organisations, councillors, community representatives and members of the public. Discussions focussed on the council’s River Wandle Management Plan, river restoration, biodiversity, landscaping and community engagement. Following the group discussions, a member of each group provided an overview of the key themes, ideas and questions that had emerged during the conversation.
11.	Public questions View the background to item 11. This item is an opportunity for members of the public to raise points or questions about local issues that are not already on the agenda. Questions should be submitted using the form available on the council’s website at least five working days in advance of the meeting. Where possible, written responses will be provided before the meeting. The Chair has also allocated some time during the meeting to hear supplementary questions. Your question will be published, along with your name and any organisation you are representing (if applicable) and will also be included in the minutes of the meeting. Supporting documents: Public Questions Addendum - 20220721 , item 11. PDF 141 KB Minutes: Attendees at the meeting who had submitted, and received a response to, a question ahead of the meeting were invited to ask a supplementary question. As a supplementary to his original question regarding the installation of a moped inhibitor on the fields north of BedZed, Andy May-Heggie raised concerns about the council’s plan to prevent public access to the area to all residents and asked if the council had plans to consult residents on this decision. The Assistant Director of Housing, Planning and Regeneration confirmed that officers intended to meet with ward councillors to look at options and agree measures to implement. As a supplementary to his original question regarding the moving of St Helier Hospital services to a site in Belmont, Daniel Rayner asked if the council would continue to push back against the decision to move services or if they were resigned to it going ahead. The Assistant Director of Housing, Planning and Regeneration reiterated that the council is on the record as being publicly opposed to the relocation of services. Since the announcement of the decision by the Government, the council has been fulfilling its obligations by working with the Epsom and St Helier Trust as they prepare their forthcoming planning application for the specialist emergency care hospital. It was also confirmed that the council would be advocating for the improvement of public transport links to Belmont ahead of the move.
12.	Neighbourhood fund update Minutes: The Assistant Director of Housing, Planning and Regeneration confirmed that the Neighbourhood Fund, money from developers to support community infrastructure, was open for bids until the end of July and there was money available.
13.	Public realm projects and neighbourhood grants Supporting documents: Public Realm Report - Hackbridge, St Helier and The Wrythe 210722 , item 13. PDF 101 KB Minutes: The Head of Communications and Engagement provided an overview of the public realm and neighbourhood grant funding streams and an update on ongoing projects. Residents and local community groups were invited to apply for funding as there was money still available. Officers agreed to provide an update on the public realm project relating to a feasibility study into the river restoration project and a breakdown of the associated costs. Officers also confirmed that the council was looking into streamlining the process for applying for different streams of council funding and that an update would be provided to a future meeting of the committee.