Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Committee Room 2, Hendon Town Hall, The Burroughs, London NW4 4BQ. View directions

Contact: Pakeezah Rahman Email: Pakeezah.Rahman@barnet.gov.uk 020 8359 6452 

Items
No. Item

1.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 84 KB

Minutes:

An amendment to Item 7 was noted. In the statement, ‘The Council took a pro-active approach and was looking to plant 10,000 trees a year’, the number of trees was amended to 1000.

 

2.

Absence of Members

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Cllr Anne Clarke, Cllr Nagus Narenthira, Mr Richard Bennett, Derrick Chung, Daniella Picker, Mr Clive Cohen and Mr Roy Beddard.

 

3.

Disclosable Pecuniary interests and Non Pecuniary interests

Minutes:

None.

 

4.

Report of the Monitoring Officer (if any)

Minutes:

None.

 

5.

London Borough of Brent - Welsh Harp Management Plan pdf icon PDF 98 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Mr Leslie Williams presented the report and reiterated that the joint management plan between the Canal River Trust, Barnet Council and Brent Council is on the Brent Council website.

The Action Plan is updated for each Committee attached to the agenda. The online version is colour coded according to progress. Under item 3.3 works with Canal and River Trust and Welsh Harp Sailing Association to trial the willow scrub management at the edge of the reservoir was completed.  The band of marshland about 5-20m wide along the southern and northern shores of the reservoir is very conducive for the growth of willow scrub and trees creating a wind shadow which affects water sports.

Brent introduced the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which comes into force in Brent’s parks on the 3rd of April this year.

Initiatives are meant to be educational and about enforcement. Training of Brent staff will be carried out to undertake enforcement.

Mr David Rose from the Welsh Harp Sailing Association presented photographs of the marshland. The section of scrub that was cleared created a much better view to the Welsh Harp Reservoir. Reeds are preserved to allow sunlight and to encourage habitat in the area. Willows by the water edge have been cut and need to be controlled in future.

More activities will be organised following the consultation and discussion of best area for wild life and plants to form.

Engineers carried out works safely near the car park as discussed at previous meetings.

The Chairman thanked Mr Rose on behalf of the Committee.

 

PUBLIC SPEAKER – Anne John, Brent Resident

Anne explained how she has walked extensive grounds along Barnet and Brent Greenspaces for a long time and has worked in the Council for many years.

One issue that has been raised to the Committee for immediate attention is the encampment, in York Park on a little bend opposite the first big tower block. It would be a huge operation to remove the gigantic long standing black tent. The main concern is the bird nesting area on the bend where so much rubbish has been dumped.

Other issues include the plastic along the side of the water by Cool Oak Lane bridge where many tins and bottles have been dumped.

It was noted that the dumping ground of furniture on cool oak lane was cleared by the London Wildlife Trust with a group of 50 volunteers a week ago. Bad areas were identified but it was too dangerous to carry on clearing. It is a hot spot identified by Community Safety team. If there was a CCTV camera in place, the Council could then capture number plates and catch culprits easily.

Cllr Don is regularly reporting on litter cleaning.  It was noted that a cut-off lamppost and street sign have fallen.  During a commitment meeting, CCTV was requested and Cllr Don has written to the Council for an update.

 

RESOLVED:

(i)            The Chairman recommended a Notice be put up in the problematic area and/or  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

London Borough of Barnet - Welsh Harp Management Plan pdf icon PDF 177 KB

Minutes:

The reported fly tipping over Cool Oak Lane Bridge was being investigated by Officers from Barnet Community Safety. The Council has tasked an external contractor to carry out enforcements.

An update was provided with regards to the West Hendon Playing Fields Master Plan.

Key changes included the area of the local nature reserve as well as the tennis courts and skate park which will be relocated.

Final draft documents will be published on the Council’s webpage on the 7th of March 2019.

The Section 106 update was provided on the West Hendon Estate money regarding the SSSI mitigation. Current work was being done by the London Wildlife Trust around the area on the A5 where scrub and bags of rubbish have been removed. The reported gap in the fence has been closed and replaced with a gate.

One of the members wanted to know if a SSSI Warden was going to be in post and if he or she would attend the next meeting.  Matthew confirmed that there was already a Warden from the London Wildlife Trust who was not funded from s106 pot of money. It was explained that up to 60% of the £500,000 of the s106 money could be spent on a Warden.

Planning consent has been put in place for a fixed term and needed to be revisited.

Action: To check on claim grant £1000 a month from Baratt London – Welsh Harp Committee

 

7.

Update on activities in the Welsh Harp

Minutes:

Covered under previous items.

 

8.

Any Other Business

Minutes:

As good weather approaches for the canoeing season, the Welsh Harp Sailing Association welcomes residents to the Harp. Sunday is the ‘Push the Boat Out’ day.

Vice Chairman, Cllr Mashari announced that it was the last meeting under Cllr Hart’s Chairmanship. Cllr Mashari thanked Cllr Hart for his excellent Chairmanship of the Committee.

 

9.

Any Other Items that the Chairman Decides are Urgent

Minutes:

None.