Agenda item

Decisions of the Finchley & Golders Green Residents Forum

5 September 2019, 7PM

Finchley Church End Library

Members Present

Chairman: Councillor Jennifer Grocock

Vice-Chairman: Councillor John Marshall

Introduction:

The Chairman of the Finchley and Golders Green Residents Forum, Councillor Jennifer Grocock welcomed all attendees and introduced the Panel. She explained the process and options available to the Forum in response to each petition and issue on the list. The Chairman also encouraged residents to submit their views in respect of the draft Growth Strategy consultation, available on: https://engage.barnet.gov.uk/growth-strategy

1.     Petition for Barnet Council to CCTV and Restricted Parking Winnington Road:

Lead Petitioner: Vered Aaron

Mr Gayle, on behalf of Ms Vered Aaron presented the petition to the Forum and noted the response provided. Photographs were provided to the Panel at the meeting which highlighted the issues set out in the petition.

Upon invitation of the Chairman, the following issues and concerns were raised by residents during the meeting:

-        Vehicles including vans which are parked for long periods of time on the road and some appear to be abandoned

-        Rubbish dumping

-        Residents expressed serious concerns over safety and crime which has been reported

-        Suggestions were made for CPZ introduction which would address some of the parking issues and abandoned vehicles

-        Concerns were raised about the proposed closure of the local SNT in the autumn period

-        Parking spaces used by trading companies to park their vehicle fleet on the road

Mr Phillip Hoare, Head of Parking & Infrastructure noted that a coordinated response would be needed from multiple teams working together to address the issues raised. Mr Hoare noted that one of the actions will include a sweep of the area for any vehicles that may quality under the categories of Abandoned or Untaxed vehicles categories. For other categories, this may be addressed through the introduction of CPZ. In addition, the Community Safety team can make the necessary assessment and recommendations going forward in light of CCTV data and in partnership with the Police.

The Chairman thanked the residents for highlighting these issues. Residents were encouraged to also raise the issues with their Ward Councillors and submit information to Officers in order to collate as much data and information as possible. She noted that Officers will commence the process for a coordinated response and that a response will be provided to the petitioner within 20 working days.

(Action: Member Liason Officer Re, Head of Parking and Infrastructure, Community Safety Team)

2.     Issue: Cricklewood Railway Terraces road surface

Submitted by: Jessica Howey

The Panel noted the response provided, the resident was not in attendance. The Forum agreed that Officers will provide a response to the resident within 20 working days.

(Action: Member Liason Officer Re)

3.     Issue: Speeding Castle Road

Submitted by: Jordon Neville

The Panel noted the response, the resident was not in attendance. The Forum considered that the issues raised and dangers posed by speeding vehicles on Castle Road required attention and agreed that the issue be referred to the following Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee for consideration where funding could be provided. 

The Chairman noted that the resident will be informed of the decision and invited to attend the Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee meeting. (Action: Governance)

4.     Issue: Resident parking concerns, Eversleigh Road - Finchley Central

Submitted by: Duncan Parsons

The Chairman invited Mr Parsons who highlighted the issues around parking to the Forum. Mr Hoare in response noted that the issues will be addressed through an assessment and prioritisation process

capital investment programme by combining similar sites and applying a coordinated approach.

The Forum noted the response and agreed that due to the parking issues experienced by residents at Eversleigh Road Finchley Central, the issue be referred to the Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee for consideration.

The Chairman noted that the resident will be informed of the decision and invited to attend the Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee meeting. (Action: Governance)

5.     Issue: Brexit impact

Submitted by: Julia Hines

Ms Hines presented the issue to the Forum and expressed her concerns over the impact log and raised queries around the update to the impact log, future planning towards food supply chains and data sharing arrangements.

The Chairman noted that the Policy and Resources Committee is due to receive a report at its meeting on 3 October on this matter and encouraged attendance at this meeting. The Forum noted the response and agreed that the Chief Officer provide a response to the resident within 20 working days.

(Action: Deputy Chief Executive)

6.     Issue: Breaching noise regulations

Submitted by: Mr Levy

The Forum noted the response, the resident was not in attendance.

Additional items:

The Chairman also noted that due to technical issues which will be investigated, a small number of issues submitted by Mr Kettleton and Ms Robertson had not been received at the correct F&GG Residents Forum inbox. The residents were encouraged to email the issues directly to f&gg.residentsforum@barnet.gov.uk and once received the Forum agreed to refer the matters to an Officer to respond within 20 working days.

(Action: Governance Service, Member Liaison Re, Head of Parking and Infrastructure)

The meeting finished at 8.20 pm