Category Archives: Parks

HS2, HS2 Updates, Parks

An update from HOAC

From HOAC

HOAC to close due to HS2

From 1st October HOAC will be forced to close as the Centre finally succumbs to the advancing HS2 project.

HOAC will continue to exist; we have the funding in place to relocate and we will return. There will however be a period of time that we will be unable to operate.

For the past few seasons HOAC have managed, with plenty of support from many influential people, to hold HS2 at bay and be able to continue offering this unique opportunity to a wide range of users. Those that have used the Centre this season will have seen how HS2 are advancing and closing in on us.

2020 season

The 2020 season has been a very challenging one with managing both the disruption from HS2 and the Covid Pandemic. Despite that we have been very pleased to see so many people continuing to make use of the Centre through our Covid opening program and our summer holiday courses. Thank you all for managing to navigate our website (which wasn’t designed for how we have used it this summer) and apologies for those that have had issues trying to use it. I would also like to thank you for continuing to use the Centre despite having to navigate Dews Lane and the security teams on it. Seeing people making use of the facilities is what keeps us going and helps gain us political support when we are trying to negotiate our future.

2020 winter and beyond

Unfortunately as already stated from 1st October we are being forced to close as HS2 will finally take over and destroy our Centre. We had always planned that when this day would come we would be able to move to a new site and continue our operations elsewhere. However due to stalled negotiations between HS2 and LBH (London Borough of Hillingdon) we are not yet ready to move to a new site, so the Centre will face a period of closure. At this stage we do not know how long we will be closed for or where our new site will be, however we are pushing the government hard to resolve the stalemate and hopefully in the near future I will be able to share some more positive news. We are still hopeful that by next Spring we will be operating at a new site

Membership

Those with annual membership or longer deals, we thank you for your continued support of the Centre, as we will have a period of closure we can offer you a couple of options regarding your unused membership.
1. We can refund you for the unused portion of your membership
2. We can hold your membership fee and use this as a credit for future membership once we re-open.

We would obviously prefer you to choose the 2nd option as this gives us greater negotiating power regarding our future with the safe knowledge that we have the support of our current members, and we will ensure that this deal is a better value than a refund.

We will assume that if you do not contact us that you are happy to proceed with option 2. If at a later date you change your mind the refund option will still be available. When contacting the office please email admin@hoac.net we are still running with a smaller team in the office due to Covid-19 and may not always be around to answer the phones.

Boat Parking

For those with boats at HOAC we will have staff continuing to ensure the Centre and your boats are stored safely so you are welcome to leave your boats at HOAC until such a point that we relocate. You will still be able to access the Centre to work on your boat or to take it away for a weekend trip for example. Access will need to be pre-planned with the office to ensure we have people here for you and that HS2 security are aware that you are coming. So regarding boat-parking we have a couple of options

  1. Leave your boat at HOAC with limited access
  2. Remove your boat from HOAC and get a credit for future boat parking once we re-open
    3. Remove your boat from HOAC and get a refund for your unused portion

If you do not contact us we will assume you are happy for your boat to remain here. When contacting the office please email admin@hoac.net we are still running with a smaller team in the office due to Covid-19 and may not always be around to answer the phones.

Groups

We are still hopeful that we will be able to run our school and groups program in 2021, we have groups reserving dates for the summer of 2021 and again this helps us with our negotiations and future planning. As we get further into the Autumn we will be in a better position to know what we can do and will contact all the groups booked in once we have more updates.

HOAC’s Future

Although, at present our future doesn’t look particularly bright, HOAC will carry on once we get over this short-term closure. Due to our negotiations and persuasion the funding for moving HOAC is guaranteed and is written into the Hybrid Act, so HOAC will move and get funding to execute that move.

I do hope you are able to continue to support the Centre as we negotiate this latest hurdle in what has been a 10-year battle. Once we re-open free from the shackles of the HS2 burden that has blighted the Centre for many seasons we can again look positively towards the future and start to re-build the Centre and continue to offer the unique facilities that you have all continued to enjoy.

Thank you all for your continued support and we will see you back out on the water in 2021
Neil Maddock
Centre Principal

Parks

Eastcote House Gardens

Eastcote House Gardens
Winter is approaching, but still plenty to enjoy at Eastcote’s Gold winning park.
*
The last Plant and Second hand book sale of 2019 ,
Saturday 12th October 2019 11am -2pm.
Held in the Gardener’s Yard at the rear of the Walled garden.
Last chance to stock up on winter reading, and plants to enhance your gardens next year.
Eastcote Horticultural Society will be joining the Friends of Eastcote House Gardens with spring bulbs and spring bedding plants for sale.
Free event, please bring your own bags.
*
Don’t miss the exciting concert series to be held in the Stables EHG.
WELCOMING THE RETURN OF THESE FANTASIC GROUPS
 
SUNDAY 20TH OCTOBER AT 2PM
JAZZOLOGY
Bossa Nova, Jazz, Latin, Swing
TICKETS £12.00
*
 
SUNDAY 27TH OCTOBER AT 2PM
LONDON IN VOICE AND VERSE
TICKETS £15.00
*
 
 SUNDAY 3RD NOVEMBER AT 1.30PM
STUMBLING BLOCK
Early Music Ensemble
Set your feet tapping to dance music of yesteryear
TICKETS £12.00
*
 
Ticket prices include refreshments and a donation towards the upkeep of the gardens.
Tickets available from lesley.crowcroft@gmail.com
Telephone 020 8866 8436.
 
*
Last event of the year at Eastcote House Gardens
 
Tree Dressing
Saturday November 30th 1.30-3.30
School choirs.
The Mayor & Mayoress of Hillingdon will lead the dressing.
A happy start to the season of Advent.
Community Voice, HS2 Updates, Lidl, Parks, Planning, Police, Quarterly Meetings, RAF Northolt

MINUTES OF THE QUARTERLY MEETING HELD AT ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL 24TH JANUARY 2018

 

Public Quarterly Meeting Held at St Mary’s Church Hall, The Fairway, On Wednesday 24th January 2018 8pm.

AGENDA

  1. Opening Remarks.
  2. Apologies for Absence.
  3. Minutes of Meeting.
  4. Matters Arising.
  5. Reports: Chairman, Treasurer, CRS, Secretary.
  6. Reports from Ward Councillors.
  7. Any other Business

NEXT QUARTERLY MEETING ON 24th April 2018 AT ST MARY’s CHURCH HALL THE FAIRWAY 8 PM

  1. Opening Remarks

Vice Chairman Sid Jackson chaired and opened the meeting at 8pm in the Vice Chair’s absence. Sid welcomed everyone to the meeting.

In attendance were 60 residents and 8 committee members. Councillors present Cllrs Barnes, Kauffman and Lavery.

Sid said he had received a letter from St Mary’s stating someone ‘representing the SRRA’ had been at a St Mary’s supported meeting and had made prejudiced offensive remarks.  Sid stated categorically that the SRRA was welcoming to all and any remarks contrary to this could not be and would not be tolerated.  Any such comments are the responsibility of the individual and do not reflect the views of the SRRA committee, officers or members.

  1. Apologies for absence

Apologies were received from: Kate Fennel, Colin & Hazel Hook, Frances Jones, Geoff Quantock, Jagjit Sohal, Cllr Kelly and Duducu, Margaret and Alec Wallis.

  1. Minutes

No comments on the minutes

  1. Police

PC Solanki spoke at the meeting and initially listed crimes in the area, in the last three months.

Assault with injury 8, common assault 1, shoplifting 33, theft of motor 13 damage to others 9 and other crimes 21.

He warned home owners to keep UPVC doors double locked without keys in them.  Keep vigilant for burglary and take sensible precautions.

Pc Solanki discussed the tri-borough initiative.  This involves the Hillingdon Borough merging with Hounslow & Ealing.  Ward officers may be shifted depending on operational requirements.

In response to a question PC Solanki confirmed shop lifting is not being investigated on the ward where below a minimal value.  Such cases are passed to a high volume department.  The reason for this is the low return on the time spent for the police.

Discussed people turning right into West Mead up Victoria Road toward Ruislip.  A concern.  A review is planned of the signs and the rest of the junction.

Drop in surgery information to be confirmed, but will take place regularly at the South Ruislip Library and have a Cuppa with a Copper at The Rumbling Tum.

Secondly Ward Panel is made up of members of the community and in addition the police are setting up a virtual ward panel to reach a wider section of the community.  They are seeking the names and addresses etc of people willing to join.  Three or four time a year e-volunteers will be sent an email questionnaire on policing priorities locally.  To join write to SouthRuislip.snt@met.police.uk email address.  They will also to add you to the newsletter distribution.

Doing weapon sweeps in parks locally.  Happy for the SRRA to join.

  1. Lidl Henry Neal

Henry Neal thanked residents for their patience and support.  The store opens tomorrow 8am.  Employed 45 people, clear majority locally.  Re Landscaping – they are still planning on planting trees and hedgerows.  Not done yet, utilities in the area need to be moved and then the landscaping will be completed.

Still some highway works to come about.  Highway entrance off Victoria Road.  All need to work on that together (council, utilities and Lidl) and placement of the island on Stonefield Road.

Apologies for disturbance of the lights locally.  These had been left on by contractors and they will go off when the shop is shut at night.

A contractor blocked the entrance causing traffic problems. Apologies.

The store is designed with energy efficiency in mind.  Opens from 8am to 10pm.  Concern expressed re exiting the road onto Victoria Road.

  1. Chief Road Steward

After Road Stewards to deliver newsletters and collect subs for Palace Road and Diamond Road.  Hardy Avenue (28 properties) and Glebe and Weldon Av.

  1. Treasurers Report

£1064.41 and in the deposit account  £12,367.46.

  1. Cllr Teji Barnes – Cavendish Ward

Field End School.  Part of the ward budget to be spent on the clock at the school being redeveloped.  Going to restore it back to original feature. School pleased.  Redevelop their library, to make reading attractive to pupils.  The school applied for Chrysalis fund money and they were offered this.

Whitby Road has a mobile CCTV camera. Looking to prosecute fly tippers.

Resurfacing work.  Hunters Hill, Oxford Drive, St Andrews, Essex Close, Queens Walk and Mount Pleasant.

  1. HS2

Don’t condone protests at Harefield as concern to safety.

Breakspear Road South will do enabling work.  Will be one way traffic. Feb and March 2018.

Work in South Ruislip likely 2019.

Are Carillion the constructors?  Yes, but there are many sub-contractors who simply be gone directly to.

  1. Traffic Congestion on Victoria Road

Council aware there is a problem.  But the fix is not simple.  Only two options.  One is to make the road wider or a resident only parking scheme. David Seaman wanted a copy of the letter we wrote to the Council. Sid was happy to provide this and the reply. Frustration expressed by participants with the delay.   Was expecting a briefing from Cllr Burrows who was expected to attend (but unfortunately he couldn’t attend the meeting for personal reasons).

  1. Cllr Allan Kauffman – South Ruislip Ward – Improvements to South Ruislip

Where works done, the area looks far better with the new pavements and the road improvements.  We have seen Improvements with the Christmas lights this last festive period.

Where pavements have been changed, have seen trucks driving on and vans on pavements. Mostly with Windmill Plumbing.  Cllr Kauffman expressed disappointments that facilities like cigarette towers are not being used adding to litter. Bollards, bins, and trees are going to be added which will reduce on pavement parking.

Looking at making improvements at the Bridge at South Ruislip.  This will take time though as work involves three railway companies.  Work planned includes cladding and more art being used.

  1. Teabreak
  2. Presentation from SKLP

Proposals from SKLP.  Martin Evans Architect. Tina Patel. Kanji Harrari and Ian Roberts transport and highway consultant for the SKLP project.

Tina Patel gave an overview of the site and its place in the SKLP and the wider community as well as SKLP’s aspirations for the site.

Their history was based on a commonwealth community who moved from India to W African and then to UK.  Settled in UK and set up a community centre.  Mostly made up of people 24 villages in India.   The site is currently used by community for sports.  The SKLP team want to open to wider community.  The aim since 1972 has been to unite people and they are a registered charity.  Work includes support for the elderly and a nursery, including language and community lessons.  Sports clubs with local success.  They are keen for local residents to participate.

They are looking to consult on planning for a proposed redevelopment of the site demolishing the existing building and replacing with a modern purpose built air conditioned unit, which will house more people and reduce noise for local neighbours.

Change in the balance in sports and community. The brief for the development is sports based. With back up facility that a sports facility will use. It will incorporate sports events.  12 badminton courts for example.

Occasionally used for weddings in 5 hour slots.  They have 1 big event a year, the Mela.  Attract 7-8000 people per year.  Then dancing 10 days.

Most of the time the venue is a sports facility.  The aim is to add a second cricket field, football, badminton, make the Gym more commercial. They intend on spending eight to ten months looking at demand.  Carrying out work and assessments on Highways, parking, trees and landscaping. Mostly with Ealing council.

Acoustics? Site is green belt so limited in action to be taken but the development will help.  Will help contain noise.

Extend awning out for an event.

Will submit to planning and will go to committee stages.

Sid said that we will oppose the expansion of the site.  The facilities will attract more people.  Road around suffers very badly at times of peak use and the residents locally especially in Harvey Road have suffered a blight of anti-social and nuisance behaviour from the site.  Many of the complaints include parking in Harvey Road, blocking vehicle access and potentially impeding emergency vehicles.  There has been parking on A40 slip road which is dangerous.

Sid continued, the noise has been terrible disturbing residents for twenty years with a fundamental lack of engagement from SKLP and willingness to address residents of Harvey Road’s concerns.  Although matters were much better in the last season the distrust is such that Sid said there was concern that this was just to help with the planning application this year.  Although events cease at 11pm noise carries on far longer for residents when people leave.

SKLP representative said that they are working to improve traffic management and they use parking at a local farm to mitigate the impact.  The new building would dampen sound and has been designed to do this.  Sid was concerned that this would have little impact when the doors are opened in the heat and the event is opened out to marques etc outside.

New flood lights planned

One day Mela event.  Once a year 6000-7000 a year attending.  A couple of marquees go up now. 10am to 6pm.   On a Sunday.  The ten to twelve day event takes 1500 to 2000 people. Has to stop at 11pm.

The building will accommodate the dance festival.   Has a full surround of hay bales at the moment and these changes will have a positive impact.  The dances take place. 8pm to 11am.  Will take place inside the building.

The marquees will cease to exist.

People will be 500 to 1500 during the dance events.

Need a traffic management plan.  More discussion on the noise levels.

  1. Meeting close 9:58

Next SRRA Meeting Wednesday 8pm 24th April 2018 at St Mary’s Church Hall, The Fairway,  On Wednesday

ARLA Development, Community Voice, Democracy, HS2 Updates, Lidl, Parks, Planning, Police, Quarterly Meetings, RAF Northolt, Traffic

Minutes from July Quarterly Meeting

We have just posted the minutes from the last quarterly in July.  Plenty happening in the area with HS2 and news on the field opposite Field End School on Field End Road.  No more Thunderpark!

The minutes can be found over here.

Sorry for the delay in getting them out this time!

ARLA Development, General, HS2, Lidl, Parks, Planning, RAF Northolt, Rover/Comet Site, Traffic

Minutes of the South Ruislip Residents Association Quarterly Meeting Held at St Mary’s Church On Wednesday 26th April 2017

In attendance were 52 residents and 10 committee members.  Councillors present Cllr Kelly, Kauffman and White.

Apologies were received from: Cllr Lavery & Cllr Barnes.

  • Meeting Opened 20:03.

Minutes signed off.

  • Reports from the Chairman

Collecting emails for invites to the opening of the cinema.  Going to give details to Citygrove with the hope that they invite the attendees of this meeting.

Will discuss HS2, ARLA and Victoria Road and traffic congestion later.

Any comments on the newsletter following the change?  Yes, please make sure we add the date and time of the meeting.  Did you like the mast head with the Polish War Memorial? Positive reply.  This is our local landmark.  Some more work to tidy it up and improve the presentation.

  • Secretary Report

Noted that the meeting is recorded for the benefit of the minutes.

  • Treasurers Report

As at last night current account £505.94 and Reserve £13,365.79.  Out-standing is a cheque for insurance for £156.75.

Colin placed on record thanks to John Davy for auditing the accounts. Accounts accepted by the meeting.

John said thank you for not claiming expenses to the committee.

  • Chief Road Steward

Vacancies for road stewards in West End Road (side that backs onto Wingfield Way)(12), Bourne Court and Station Approach (6), Cavendish Avenue and Dudley Drive (13) and part of The Fairway, odd numbers (19).    Not an onerous task;  Delivering four times a year and collecting subs. Have taken on a few Road Stewards recently.

Going to deliver newsletters to the flats on the ARLA site to encourage them to join the resident’s association.

  • Election of Officers
Officer Person
Vice Chairman Sid Jackson
Treasurer Colin Hook
Chief Road Steward Geoff Taylor
Secretary Jeremy Wasden

 Officers were duly proposed and seconded.  All voted in with approval of the AGM.

Mr Sohal asked Sid whether he would become Chair.  Sid mentioned he felt he was unable to attend to meetings at the council and similar activities which meant that he could not do the job of chair with 100% commitment.

Question from the floor.  Did Sid not take the Chair role and stay Vice-Chair so that he didn’t have to remain neutral as a Chair should do?  Sid said he was unaware of such a rule.  Secretary commented that it is better to be impassioned and take a view to move the association forward but we would always give both sides of the argument the opportunity to put their case (within reason).  

  • ARLA Site

ASDA opens 22nd of May.  Looking to recruit within 5 miles of the store.  Manager did say he was coming to speak tonight but has clearly forgotten.  Nando’s has opened.  The Cinema will open in July.   Looking to invite members to the opening.

  • Has applied for license to sell alcohol until 3am.

Live music, dance and recorded music and food until 5am.  More like a nightclub than a cinema.

Judy was the only complainant previously and encouraged people to write in to the panel and complain.

Might be hard to object when the restaurants and the BP have a license.  But reason to be concerned with the nightclub elements.  Have approached Cllr Kauffman for a form to object.  A concern about anti-social behaviour and planning permission creep.

Agreed to raise a petition against (which was done with 54 signatures).

Question from the floor.  What licencing committee would allow that variance?  The government changed licencing laws, with more freedom of the sale so can only really object to poor behaviour after the permission has been granted.  When rejected from the council licence committee they have then appealed and gone to a magistrate who has accepted the conditions and granted the application.   Very hard to stop the agreement, only get refused later after complaints.

The council would put on conditions which help restrict this, such as two trained staff needed at BP to sell alcohol at night.

Do the Cinema need to change their planning use?  Cllr Kauffman said they would go back and follow up with the council officers.

  • LIDL

The Comet building has gone.  Bensons of Bed’s is still trading and construction work is ongoing.

  • HS2

Sid attended a meeting with HS2 staff about the amenity work.  They have appointed contractors Costain and Skansa who will work between 8am and 6pm.  Due to start March 2019 digging up the roads.  Will drill small bore holes for samples along the route.  Dig up the road between Sainsbury’s and the Fishing Net and under the bridge and at Bridgewater Road bridge and along West End Road.

Sid has written to the chair of the HS planning committee to ensure that the window for works is large enough to complete the works without running at the same time.

The lorries will be circa 50 lorries a day as they remove spoil from the vent shaft at the ARLA site.

Looks to be a computer modelling exercise for the planning rather than carefully planned locally on ground.

Read in paper Brexit may delay and if delayed by a couple of years it may kill off HS2.

  • RAF Northolt Open Day

22nd of July.  Some tickets still available £5 each.  As a resident’s association we will be at the show.  Enough people to man the stand.  We have pictures to use.  Will hand out newsletters and a perhaps a canvas bag.

  • RAF Northolt Runway

They have the go ahead for the replacement for the runway which will mean the runway is closed between April to October next year to fix wing aircraft.  Still open for helicopters.

Carried out scans on the remains of the crash spitfire from WWII.  It is not a war grave.  Looking to excavate during the refurb of the runway.

Large amount of people on the site.  BFPO, Central Band, RAF Band, some thirty units there.  Quite a complex base with a fair amount of scale there.

Response from the Cllrs to Ealing’s proposal to but 20,000 houses on the site.  – Can you imagine what the impact would be?  Total no no.  Last surviving Battle of Britain airport. They have a restriction that they can’t take scheduled flights, nothing that gets in the way of short term needs of the military.    Can’t take any airplanes over 28 seats.

Is there a relationship with London Docklands airport?  No only shared management of VIP area.

Sid saw the commitment of the runway refurb as positive, but no guarantee.

  • Improvements to South Ruislip

Field End Recreation ground.  Proposal was to add two buildings, but stopped as ceiling for boxing ring is 12ft.  Going to be rebuilt now.    Will be a car park, fencing and MUGA pitch there.  Sports hall, changing facility, canteen and office.  All covered by CCTV.  Cost will be £1.4Million plus £400k for the pitch.

Good use for field only used once a year.

Skateboard Park.  On the Field End Rec near the road, but far from housing.  Funding in place.

Road resurfacing.  Victoria Road to Eastcote Arms.  Station Approach to West End Road.  Then footpaths.  The Fairway and Queens Walk to receive the attention.  Pavements are more expensive than roads to do.  Quicker to do via tarmacs.  400 miles or road in the borough and around 800 miles of pavement.

Break for tea

The Fairground at Field End Road.  If crime can’t be controlled the fair will be stopped.

Great Central Avenue.  Not many objections raised to addition of further flats and petitioners did not turn up.

Concern over what is left at the bottom of the stairs.  Based on information from a former fire chief will look at the law and Allan will check it out.

Bonnells Electric Contractor.  Fenced off pavement and dumping cable reels in the front of the building.  Concern about it looking a mess and parking on the front yard.

Eastcote Arms.  Looking to be turned back into a pub, planning application in with Harrow to turn into 16 flats.

  • Victoria Road Traffic Parking and Traffic

David Seaman’s speech.  He thanks the council for the resurfacing of the area between Field End Road and Royal Crescent.

“Due to cars parked in Victoria Road between South Ruislip and Ruislip Manor it can be difficult, if not impossible to pass a large vehicle, coming in the opposite direction.   Not long ago I personally experienced what can happen when large vehicles come head to head and cannot find enough room to pass each other, and are unable to reverse due to the traffic that had quickly built up behind them. As result of this a large number of motorist had no option but to do a u turn in Victoria Road in order to find another way around this obstruction.   How this blockage was resolved I have no idea as the large vehicles were still head to head when it came my turn to leave the scene by doing u turn. What would happen if an emergency vehicle would want to go down there?

Both our Vice Chairman and Councillor Kauffman have told me that the council are aware of this problem and that the council intend to do something about it, but nothing seems to be happening.

In view of the inaction may I request that our association writes to the council on a formal basis asking them. “What and when do they propose to do something about this problem?”

 Sid followed up the Cllr Burrows and the council have looked at various issues with the road, widening, parking, the trees and it’s a difficult problem which they don’t want to tackle in his opinion.

Linda raised a petition about the parking some 15 months ago, so it being looked at as a parking issue rather than a vehicle access.  Sid wrote to say that the road is not fit for purpose as an HGV access route to South Ruislip.

Kris – same problem in Great Central Avenue.

Cited as a good example, Eastcote Road in Harrow, seems to have worked.  Have removed the trees countered Allan.

Sid keen for the council to walk the site at Victoria Road.

ALDI/B&M Removal of superstore sign.  Needs to be either give way or filter light.  Concern still of people turning right into West Mead.

  • Cllr Judy Kelly

Attended petition hearing from two years ago.  Part of the pavement to be divided on West End Road cycle road. Still looking for a crossing over the A40 for children from Harvey Road.  Historic objection from TFL for zebra crossings on the A40 slip road.  Concern for speed.

  • AOB
    • Extend lanes on two lanes on West End Road

Suggestion following the improvement in to junction at The Fairway and Victoria Road.  Up to TFL to develop the area.  Glebe Farm owned by an offshore insurance company.  Pinch point at Glebe Farm.  Might ease traffic into West End Road.

  • Pavements Being Broken by large lorries in the area

Encourage residents to take photographs where possible and the council will prosecute and make for example builders pay for it.

Complaints about vehicles parking on pavements and grass verges.

16.3      Bus Bin West Mead

Needs to be on the other side, located against solid wall with advertisement.

  • Flower & Plant Sale Ruislip Lions

6th of May at the Rugby Club, West End Road.

Meeting Closed.

ARLA Development, Lidl, Local Clubs and Associations, Parks, Planning, Police, Quarterly Meetings, RAF Northolt, Retail

MINUTES OF THE SOUTH RUISLIP RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION QUARTERLY MEETING HELD AT ST MARY’S CHURCH – WEDNESDAY APRIL 27TH 2016

Minutes of the South Ruislip Residents Association

Quarterly Meeting Held at St Mary’s Church On Wednesday April 27th 2016

In attendance were 65 residents and 11 committee members.  Councillors present Judy Kelly and Eddie Lavery.

Apologies were received from: Jenny Hunt and Cllr Kaufmann, PC Jack Duerden.

April 2016 SRRA Quarterly Meeting
April 2016 SRRA Quarterly Meeting

1.0   Minutes signed off and Vice Chair Sid Jackson opened the meeting.

2.0   Police.

Manor and Cavendish

Acting Sergeant Tristan Brown has recently taken on this role. His dedicated ward officers are Sarah Fordham (Manor) and Ajay Shah (Cavendish).

His 2 dedicated PCSOs are Gurbinder Sandhu and John Dickens (John is currently on a small squad delivering MetTrace kits across the Borough)

The following officers are also part of the team: Aidan Young and Nathan Francis

South Ruislip

Sergeant Karl Spour is the new sergeant. His dedicated ward officer is now James Burgess

His dedicated PCSOs are Kara Remick and Anne Marie Chapman-Bennett

The following officers are part of the his team: Allan Webster, Jack Duerden, Maz Solanki and Charlie Mitchell (joins in June)

Rabournmead Drive

Skeletal remains were found.  The police believe they have identified the person.  The person had been missing since last year.   The polices working hypothesis is that the person, sadly,  died sleeping rough.

3.0   Brian Varley from Bellway Homes

Bellway Homes are the construction company building the residential homes at the ARLA site.  Construction will be fully complete in two years time.  Sales of the first phase opened at the weekend.  They are sold out on the first release.  They are working on the site with other construction companies Simmons and Stace, who deal with the commercial side of the development.

Questions/Comment from the floor:

Site access for pedestrians.  Bellway are creating a pedestrian walkway through from Station Approach which will be at the side of the Middlesex Arms.

Traffic will be separate from the shopping side of the development giving residents their own access to the site.

Drawing showed trees on the plans, but these have all been removed.  Established trees removed in the construction phase but other trees and landscaping will be planted at the perimeter. This will be completed towards the end of the development.

Question about affordable / housing association properties and quantity and proportion of these.  163 plots in total and there are 18 shared ownership homes which will be affordable and 18 rented units to let via a housing association.  No HA yet appointed to manage these.

What of car parking at the site? Parking is one space for one flat/property.  Generally thought to be low, but meets regulations etc.

Are these properties all sold to overseas buyers?  Not really, many local buyers, property advertised locally and many sold to local people.

4.0 Report from the Chairman

ARLA Site

Sid visited the ARLA site.  Impressive.  On target for completion by end of year.  Likely to be open around Easter next year.  The Focus site entrance opposite West Mead (now Aldi / B&M) will close and entrance will be part of the overall scheme.

Lidl

First phase plans approved for the development at Victoria Road, but the larger development is still waiting points to be cleared and planning application then will go to planning committee meeting.

HS2

Seeing movement in MP’s positions from opposition to mitigate the disruption that construction will cause.  See this as a sign that work will go ahead.

5.0   Treasurer’s Report

Current account balance £1,229.88.  Reserve £12,361.33.

No questions for Colin.

6.0 Chief Road Stewards Report

Hunting for Road Stewards for The Fairway, Diamond Road, Royal Crescent.  Wingfield Way.

Simple task to visit the houses and deliver.  Collecting the money is also simple, can be completed in a way that suits you.

7.0   Secretary Report

Nothing to report

8.0 Officers Election

The following officers were returned as standing for the following year.

Name Position
Vice Chair Sid Jackson
Treasurer Colin Hook
Chief Road Steward Geoff Taylor
Secretary Jeremy Wasden

9.0   Cllr Judy Kelly & report from Cllr Alan Kauffman who submitted in Writing

SKLP

Cllr Judy Kelly petition raised from local residents on Harvey Road re the disruptive behaviour from the site.  SKLP were better neighbours in 2014, but were more disruptive later last year with a poorer response from council officers and the police to the issues raised by residents.

Keen to improve the situation again for residents.

Youth Club at South Ruislip

Conversations with councillors have been ongoing. Set up meetings about way forward.  Report update when know more.

Block of Flats opposite South Ruislip Station on Great Central Avenue

Much work especially by Cllr Kauffman.  Flats will house people in need of temporary housing.  They can house up to four people.  Owned by Hillingdon but leased to a housing association.  An open day is being arranged by the provider to view the flats for local residents.  Date tba.

Yellow Lines on Field End Road

Now painted.

Corsa’s illegally parked in Brackenhill

Cat and mouse with council officers.  Now not advertised.  Looking at parking meters.

Bridge at South Ruislip

Looking to improve Station Approach.  Written to mayor, designers worked site.  Bridge is very dark.  When it floods can’t get through.  Walls seep moisture.  Perhaps put cladding on, raise pavement by two foot and raise light levels.  Circa £353k cost to improve.

10.0 RAF Northolt

Station Commander here next meeting.

The runway is going to be resurfaced next year.  New base to the tarmac needed, very invasive work.  Therefore the runway is going to close next year for around 9 months.

Display. Question from floor about whether flying displays will be affected following crash at Shoreham. Sid felt not as displays not aerobatic.

Flybe.  Wrote wanting to fly from Northolt.  Sid said feeling was it won’t happen.  Can’t operate scheduled flights as military has priority.  Once start to have a schedule the military would lose control.  There are also restrictions on aircraft passenger numbers due to ambulance cover, fire covers etc.  Not in foreseeable future.

Part 2 SRRA Meeting. 

Tea Break SRRA Quart Meeting April 2016
Tea Break SRRA Quart Meeting April 2016

Secretary Jeremy left, and Lynne Kauffman kindly completed the minutes for the evening.

Item Discussion/requests Action
11 VC Jackson carried out a vote to verify the proposed and seconded officers of the executive.

There was an overwhelming positive vote for all all committee members carried forward.

Open invitation to any member who wishes to attend the executive meetings 9thJune, 14July.
12 Update requested on the ground between the library and the youth centre on Victoria Road. Cllr Lavery stated that it was council owned land. Cllr Kelly reported on the site history for the development of the site. Cllr Kauffman and Cllr Kelly to investigate.
Members question Question on the fly tipping opposite the dentists on Northolt Avenue. To be resolved through an Members Enquiry.
Members question Use and development of the site on Station approach that was previously a nursery. Cllr Kelly though it was to be used for a day centre. Lunch club was mentioned but there is already a lunch club held at St Mary’s church hall 3 x per week run by Good Neighbours the club includes transport and outings. Publicise the lunch club in the newsletter to attract new members.
AOB from the committee.
  • GT(Chief Road Steward) raised the issue of identification for road stewards- use of photographs was suggested by a member. GT requested support still required for deliveries.
  • LC community report – Jim O’Neill walk almost impassable because of lack of drainage- suggested use of the Chrysalis fund to improve drainage.
  • CH no points to raise.
  • Non committee member(editor of newsletter) LK promoted the open meeting on EU for all South Ruislip residents 29th April 7:30 at the Ramada Hotel.
 Still required

Diamond Road

Royal Crescent

The Fairway

West End Road

Wingfield Way

 

 

To be reported by Cllr Kelly
AOB from the floor
  • Question raised ‘Are we likely to see more of Boris once the election is over.
  • Northolt Avenue fly tipping repeated
 VC to invite Boris Johnson to a meeting. Cllrs mentioned BJ’s surgery on Friday evening.
VC thanked members for attending meeting closed at 9:28pm.

Date of the next meeting 27th July.

 

Parks

Official Playground Opening!

The Mayor of Hillingdon, Councillor George Cooper will be opening the refurbished playground at The Fairway/Long Drive playground this Wednesday at 11.30am.

 

 The London Borough of Hillingdon invites local children along with their families to join the Mayor at the official opening of the newly refurbished playground at Long Drive

 

 This will be on Wednesday 27 May, 11.30am

 

 For more information contact the Chrysalis team on 01895 250118 or email chrysalis@hillingdon.gov.uk