Agenda and minutes

The Chairman of the Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee, Councillor Jennifer Grocock welcomed all attendees to the meeting and noted the Covid-secure measures in place throughout the meeting.

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 November 2021 be agreed as a correct record.

None.

Councillor Arjun Mittra declared an interest in relation to item 10 (Members’ Items – Area Committee Funding Applications) by virtue of being a ward Member for East Finchley.

Councillor Anne Hutton declared an interest in relation to item 10 (Members’ Items – Area Committee Funding Applications) by virtue of being a ward Member for Woodhouse.

The Chairman Councillor Jennifer Grocock declared an interest in relation to item 10 (Members’ Items – Area Committee Funding Applications) by virtue of being a ward Member for Finchley Church End.

None.

The Committee noted the response to the Public Question which was published and circulated to Members prior to the meeting.

Upon invitation of the Chairman, Mr David Bannett joined the meeting. The Committee noted the supplementary question which was responded to verbally by Officers and the Chairman.

None.

None.

The Committee welcomed the update report.

It was RESOLVED:

1. That the Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee noted the amount available for allocation during 2021/22, as set out in paragraph 6.2 and in Appendix 1.

2. That the Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee noted the amount or reallocated underspends & overspends in Section 2.1

None.

a)    Councillor Rohit Grover - Creswick Walk – footpath repairs

Councillor Grover presented the Member’s item and spoke about the need to improve the amenity of the area and accessibility. The Committee welcomed the application.

It was RESOLVED that the Committee having considered the application decided to award funding fully for £28,442.55 and noted the implications to the Committee’s NCIL funding budget.

b)    Councillor Peter Zinkin - Basing Hill Ballpark Project – Herts Baseball Club

Councillor Zinkin presented the Member’s item and spoke about the project. The Chairman invited Mr Aspi Dimitrov from Herts Baseball Club, Mr Dimitrov addressed the queries from the Committee and spoke about the benefits of the project. The Committee welcomed the application and agreed to increase the funding amount from £10,000 to £11,500 to cover additional costs associated with the identified potential planning application fees.

It was RESOLVED that the Committee having considered the application decided to award funding fully for £11,500 and noted the implications to the Committee’s NCIL funding budget.

c)     Councillor Daniel Thomas - CCTV installation and paving upgrade at Stephens House & Gardens

The Chairman invited Mr Malcolm Godfrey (General Manager Stephens House & Gardens) who spoke about the scheme and addressed the queries from the Committee. The Committee welcomed the application.

It was RESOLVED that the Committee having considered the application decided to award funding fully for £35,000 and noted the implications to the Committee’s NCIL funding budget.

d)    Councillor Claire Farrier - Cherry Tree Wood – Play Equipment

Councillor Mittra presented the Member’s item on behalf of Councillor Farrier. The Committee welcomed the application.

It was RESOLVED that the Committee having considered the application decided to award funding fully for £13,453.36 and noted the implications to the Committee’s NCIL funding budget.

e)    Councillor Arjun Mittra - East Finchley Planters

Councillor Mittra presented the Member’s item and spoke about the details of the scheme. The Committee welcomed the application.

It was RESOLVED that the Committee having considered the application decided to award funding fully for £33,000 and noted the implications to the Committee’s NCIL funding budget.

The Chairman welcomed Daniella Cometti, Operations Manager Highways and Phillip Hoare, Assistant Director for Parking and Lead Officer to present the report.

Following a query from the Committee about the Hampstead Way / Meadway scheme, Officers spoke about the considerations for the width of the carriageway, layout of the road and vicinity to the roundabout in order to improve visibility and road safety. Officers noted that the views from Ward Councillors and residents will also be taken into consideration before the decision by the Executive Director for Environment.

In response to a request from Councillor Cohen, Officers agreed to list the requested schemes that are under consideration in future reports on Road Safety & Parking Scheme update.

It was RESOLVED that the Finchley & Golders Green Area Committee noted the allocations set out in Appendix 1.

None.