LONDON BOROUGH OF WALTHAM FOREST

WOOD STREET COMMUNITY WARD FORUM

MEETING MINUTES

Meeting date: Wednesday 22nd February 2016

Councillors present:

Cllr Angie Bean

Cllr Richard Sweden

Cllr Peter Barnett (Chair)

Clerk to the meeting: Amanda Butler

No. / Item / Minutes
1. / Welcome & Introductions / Cllr Barnett welcomed residents and introduced speakers and Ward Councillors to the meeting
2. / Minutes of the previous Meeting / Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed by attendees
3. / Mini Holland Consultation / Christian Muncey, Mark Bland and Iain Killingbeck from the Mini Holland Delivery Team gave the following presentation to residents:
Hoe St and Wood St Post Consultation
  • Pedestrian crossing will be implemented on Wood St (near Roland Rd E17)
  • Road closure at the junction of Roland Rd to enable pedestrians to cross the road more easily and safely
  • Public Realm improvement will consist of tree planting at the junction of Oliver Rd, Greville Rd and Shernhall St
  • Public Realm improvement consisting of tree planting at the North of St Mary’s Church
  • New speed table and footway widening in Rectory Rd
  • Wood St area:- 3 Modal Filters in Barrett Rd, Roland Rd and Greville Rd
  • Modal Filter and closure in Church Hill Rd
  • Rectory Rd will not be closed because residents did not support the proposal for closure
  • Junction Improvements on Shernhall St. Footways and designs to illicit 20 MPH speeds
  • Vinegar Alley to open for cycle path. Council currently in discussions with St Marys Church
Lea Bridge Rd Update
  • Consultation for Section A and H were conducted in June and July 2015
  • In September 2015, the Cabinet approved proposals for Whipps Cross roundabout to proceed
  • In November and December 2015 consultation was conducted on the rest of Lea Bridge Rd. Cabinet will consider approval to proceed with these proposals on 23rd February 2016
  • TFL(Transport for London) Approval scheduled for March 2016
  • Whipps Cross Roundabout: No Right turn out of Wood Street
  • Eastern Rd will have Traffic Signals and Pedestrian facilities
Foresters Drive and Forest Rise
The following options are: -
  1. Back to back right turns at Snaresbrook Rd Junction OR
  2. Create gap on Lea Bridge Rd junction to enable right turns into Foresters Drive
These options are currently being looked into
Question: Resident
Will the buses be affected?
Answer: Iain Killingbeck
Buses that use the Whipps Cross roundabout route will not be affected
Question: Cllr Bean
TFL were not allowing buses to turn right at Wood St
Answer: Mark Bland
The proposals consist of expanding the capacity of bus stands and bus stops. This will not affect the buses turning right
Question: Resident
Foresters Drive is a rat run
Answer: Mark Bland
We are looking at improving routes and access in that area
Comment: Resident
It is hard for cars at Foresters Drive to travel through Bisterne Avenue
Comment: Resident
There is traffic congestion on Avon Rd which is impacting on the 230 Bus route
Question: Resident - Foresters Drive
In relation to the right turn across the carriageway of Foresters Drive, do you intend to install Traffic Lights?
Answer: Mark Bland
No. Gaps will be created to enable right turns
Question: Resident
Have you proposed the removal of trees at the Whipps Cross roundabout?
Answer: Mark Bland
Yes.
Question: Resident
Are residents able to attend the cabinet meeting scheduled for 23rd February 2016?
Answer: Cllr Barnett
Cabinet meetings are statutory. The public can attend the Cabinet meeting at 2pm on 23rd February 2016. They can listen to proposals and decisions
Answer: Iain Killingbeck
The Cabinet meeting on 23rd February 2016 will decide if the Council can proceed with the detailed design. The Council still need to liaise with TFL.
Answer: Cllr Bean
The meetings are publicised in Waltham Forest News
Question: Resident -Greville Rd
What method of consultation is used? The Council are only talking to residents who are in favour of the proposals.
Residents in Greville Rd are not in favour of the Mini Holland Scheme
Answer: Mark Bland
We have mail dropped all residents in the relevant areas. The consultation was also available online
Question: Resident -Stockfield Rd
Will there be an increase in pedestrian crossings at the Whipps Cross roundabout?
Answer: Mark Bland
There will be reconfigured junctions. There will be controlled pedestrian crossings
Question: Resident
Are there any statistics regarding the impact of the Mini Holland scheme on Ambulance times?
Answer: Iain Killingbeck
The Council meet once every 6 weeks with Emergency Services. We have not had a response from the Emergency Services indicating any impact on Ambulance response times
Question: Cllr Bean
The Emergency Services attended the Health & Wellbeing Board. The Emergency Services said that they did not have an issue with Ambulance response times
4.
5. / Wood St Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT)
Manual Instruction Centre / PCSO David Izard- Wood St SNT, gave the following update to residents: -
Most reported crimes in the Wood St Ward in the last 51 days of 2016 are as follows: -
  1. Burglary
  2. Car Crime
Burglary
  • 7 Burglaries in the last 51 days (5 of which were because of unlocked windows)
  • Residents are encouraged to lock windows
Car crime
  • Residents are leaving money in central consoles
  • Residents are reminded not to leave valuables in Cars
Mobile Phone Thefts
  • Residents are reminded to register mobile phones to prevent thefts
  • SNT Officers are conducting spot checks in Mobile Phone Shops in order to check for stolen Mobile phones
Comment: Resident
There was a pilot conducted by the Police to check cars in Foresters Drive and Salters Rd. On 2 occasions Police identified 6 cars which were left unlocked in the evening
Residents are also leaving packaging advertising contents near to recycling bins. E.g. Smart TV’s etc. Residents should ensure packaging of valuable items are placed inside the recycling bins
Question: Resident
What is the law regarding Legal High Canisters?
Answer: PCSO Izard
They are legal. However, the use of legal high canisters may lead to Anti-Social behaviour and other criminal activities
Question: Resident
Do you promote the Smart Water initiative?
Answer: PCSO Izard
There is a big Smart Water campaign launched on Greenway Avenue and Salters Rd because statistics have identified a high rate of burglaries in these areas. We intend to roll the Smart Water campaign out to other areas within the ward tin April 2016
Emma Roberts and Mina Patel gave the following update to residents on the Manual Instruction Centre: -
  • Emma Roberts and Mina Patel are residents of Brooke Rd and Barrett Rd
  • The Manual Instruction Centre site was previously part of the Warwick School. It is situated on the corner of Barrett Rd and Brooke Rd
  • Emma Roberts and Mina Patel are currently in talks with the Council to request a lease for the site with aim to utilise it as a Community Garden
  • Funding has been sought from Tesco’s ‘Bags of Help’ Scheme
  • A bid has been submitted to Tesco’s for an Eco Project to be conducted from the site. Funding Application of £8,000 to £12,000 has been submitted
  • Residents are encouraged to vote in their local Tesco’s on Saturday for their preferred project to receive funding
Question: Resident
Are your intentions to utilise the gardens on the site or the building?
Answer: Emma Roberts
Wood St Walls were previously utilising the building, however we would like to utilise it as well.
Phase 1- Gardening Project
Phase 2- Considering how the building can be utilised for the Community
Question: Resident
What is Community Gardens?
Answer: Mina Patel
Community Gardens is not the traditional allotment. It involves planting projects with local schools and installing benches, growing produce etc.
We will also be introducing a Friends of manual Instruction Centre membership scheme for a nominal fee
Question: Resident
You can liaise with London in Bloom for ideas
Question: Resident
Will it be a fenced or open garden?
Answer:Mina Patel
We will follow Council guidelines. There are proposals to close the Road opposite the Manual Instruction Centre
Answer: Emma Roberts
We envisage that the fence/wall will remain at the site
Question: Resident
I think you should keep the fence because it will prevent fly tipping on the site
Question: Resident
How will Tesco publicise the Voting to residents?
Answer: Emma Roberts
It is the responsibility for the Manual Instruction Centre to publicise the voting procedure.
Three projects have applied for funding and residents are encouraged to vote for their preferred Project
Question: Resident
I think it’s a good idea. The Mill at Coppermill Lane is a good project for you to benchmark
Answer: Emma Roberts
We have been in talks with The Mill
Question: Resident
You could utilise the building as a Nursery or it could be a facility for the Community
Answer: Emma Roberts
There are 4 Manual Instruction Centre Volunteers. We are liaising with the Council in relation to requesting the building to be listed
Question: Resident
Is there funding available from the Mini Holland Project regarding Pocket Paths?
Answer: Emma Roberts
We will consider this. Further information on the Manual Instruction Centre can be found on Facebook under ‘Friends of the Manual Instruction Centre’
6. / Community Discussion / Local Resident, Morag McGuire gave the following update to residents about the Beans on Balconies Project: -
  • Beans on Balconies Project is launching within pocket neighbourhoods in Walthamstow's Wood Street Ward including Shernhall Street and Barrett Rd areas,
  • Beans on Balconies is a new informal network for local residents tomake space to grow fruit and vegetables in small places.
  • There will be opportunities for residents to participate in Indoor and Outdoor Workshops
  • Residents are encouraged to contact Morag via e-mail at morag.artillery.org.uk or via the Beans on Balconies Facebook Page
Graham Hodges representing Wood Street First Community Organisation gave the following update to residents: -
  • Wood St First is a voluntary community group who supports and helps other Community Groups get started
  • Wood St First also organises events, projects and activities for the Community
  • The following 6 events have been arranged for 2016
  1. 19th March 2016- Street Art/Buskers & BBQ in Wood St. (The event is being arranged in conjunction with Wood St Walls)
  2. 30th March 2016 to 31st August 2016 (School Holidays)- In light of the Plaza closure a number of indoor Children’s Arts & Crafts activities will be available from different venues in the area
  3. May 2nd 2016 to September 2016- A number of activities will be held at Walthamstow Cricket Club
  4. Summer Event: - 17th July 2016 in Wood St area. Venue to be confirmed
  5. Winter Event: 10th December 2016 in Wood St area, including Live Music and Christmas Grotto Venue to be confirmed
  6. Wood St Play Project- A large collection of children’s play equipment can be hired out to Community Groups or for Street Party Events.
Residents are encouraged to volunteer or join Management Committee especially if they have IT Skills. Please contact Wood St First for more information-
Question: Resident -Greville Rd
I telephoned Waltham Forest Direct on Saturday morning to report an illegally parked car and was told to phone back on Monday. Why is there a restricted service?
Answer: Clerk
I will refer the matter to the appropriate Department to look into
Question: Resident -Barrett Rd
The last Community Ward Forum was cancelled. Resident were not notified before the date of the meeting and did not receive an apology
Answer: Cllr Barnett
Good point. I apologise to residents for the late cancellation of the previous Community Ward Forum Meeting
Question: Resident
Avon Rd, Bisterne Ave and Fyfield Rd were not included in the initial CPZ consultation. I would like this matter addressed
Answer: Cllr Bean
We were told by Council Officers that no enquiries were received from Avon Rd residents regarding CPZs.
We are aware of CPZ concerns and we are escalating the matter
Answer: Cllr Barnett
We have relayed residents’ concerns to the Council and we are looking into it
Question: Val Stokes -Dennis Locksmiths Wood Street E17,
I would like feedback on the following questions.
Marlowe Development:
Where are sub-contractors going to park?
Where are deliveries going to be made? Will there be restrictions on times so as to reduce the disruption to Wood St?
The same applies to removal of the vast amounts of waste.
Will some parking bays be suspended whilst the building takes place?
Also, if the Council intend to proceed with the restricted parking times on parking bays, this will affect businesses in Wood St
Answer: Cllr Barnett
There was a proposal to reduce the 15-minute free parking to 5 minutes. However, the 15-minute free parking is remaining as well as proposals to have an additional 1-hour free parking at lunchtimes
In relation to your points raised about the Marlowe Development, we can refer your questions to the Council’s Planning Department via the Clerk
Answer: Cllr Sweden
The Marlowe Rd Development will be discussed at future Community Ward Forum Meetings
Question: Resident
Motorists could get a ticket if they have to walk to a Pay Point shop to purchase a permit voucher
Answer: Cllr Barnett
Free Parking times are at the consultation stage
Answer: Cllr Bean
An executive decision for the matter to go out to consultation will be held on 7th March 2016
Question: Resident – Hillside Gardens
The Filter lights only work at certain times- (Right turning from
Forest Rd into Hale End Rd)
Question: Samuel Kehinda
There was an article in the Local Waltham Forest Guardian Newspaper about the Councils Private Property Licensing Scheme. All private sector landlords have to have a license. The article also provided details of a property closure notice on a block of flats. Is it the flats on Marlowe Rd?
Answer: Cllr Barnett
We are not aware of that information
We have been in consultation with Marlowe Rd residents for the last 5 years
Answer: Cllr Sweden
The Council wanted to keep the Plaza with the current footprint. We were told that if the Plaza was to stay, residents would have to move.
The Plaza will be moved. No one has to move out of Marlowe Rd if they do not want to
Answer: Cllr Barnett
The Development of the Marlowe Rd Estate is a good thing. It will provide good quality housing
Question: Graham Hodges
I attended the Ward Panel Meeting recently and was informed that the Children’s Play area was intended to close at the end of March 2016. However, it will now close on 2nd May 2016
Answer: Cllr Barnett
The Plaza will be moved. The Plaza is there centre of the Wood St ward. The new Plaza will be bigger than the existing Plaza
Question: Resident
Residents on Roland Rd E17 and Foresters Drive residents are not receiving the Council’s Waltham Forest News Publication
Answer: Cllr Bean
We have received similar feedback
Question: Wale Ojelesi- WO Sports
W.O Sports provides Sport activities for Children. Activities will be held at Woodside Primary School from 29th February 2016 to 11th March 2016.
It is a pilot project aiming to contribute to children’s Healthy Living and Healthy Lifestyle
Question: Resident -Hillside Gardens
The Abbeydale Nursing Home site at 98 Bisterne Ave E17 is looking derelict. There is an overgrowing Sycamore tree which backs backs on to Hillside Gardens. There is also broken fencing on the site
Question: Resident
There have been improvements implemented in Addison Rd in relation to Speed humps and Bicycle Sheds. However, the speed humps are not reducing speeds on the roads and the Bicycle Sheds are not being utilised
Answer: Cllr Barnett
It is work in progress
Question: Resident – Ms McGuire
The Voting registration forms for the Mayor Elections need to be proof read. The Forms read Q instead of G
Question: Resident -Barrett Rd
There is a street cleaning issue in Greville Rd. Leaves are blocking drains
Question: Resident
Is there a street cleaning schedule?
Answer: Cllr Barnett
There is no cleaning schedule. Inspectors decide if the street should be litter-picked or swept
End of Meeting: 9.00 PM
Date of Next Meeting: To be Confirmed
Action: Clerk to refer the following issues to the relevant Department
Marlowe Development:
  • Where are sub-contractors going to park?
  • Where are deliveries going to be made? Will there be restrictions on times so as to reduce the disruption to Wood St?
  • The same applies to removal of the vast amounts of waste.
  • Will some parking bays be suspended whilst the building takes place?
  • Street cleaning issue in Greville Rd. Leaves are blocking drains
  • Issue with Voting registration forms not being proof read. Forms read Q instead of G
  • Abbeydale Nursing Home site at 98 Bisterne Ave E17 3QS looking derelict. Overgrown Sycamore tree which backs on to Hillside Gardens. Also, broken fencing on the site Action:
  • Concern re: Roland Rd E17 and Foresters Drive residents not receiving the Council’s Waltham Forest News Publication
  • Concern re: resident telephoning Waltham Forest Direct on Saturday morning to report an illegally parked car and was told to phone back on Monday. Explanation requested for restricted service
Mini Holland Actions
Christian Muncey/Mark Bland/Iain Killingbeck to look into the following issue raised by residents: -
Right turning from Forest Rd into Hale End Rd- Filter lights only work at certain times
CPZ
Residents raised concern that Avon Rd, Bisterne Ave and Fyfield Rd were not included in the original CPZ consultation / Lead Team: Community Development Team/Planning Dept
Lead Team: Community Development Team/Central Neighbourhood
Lead Team: Community Development Team/Electoral Service
Lead Team: Community Development Team/Empty Property Dept/Central Neighbourhood Team
Lead Team: Community Development Team
Lead Team: Community Development Team/Waltham Forest Direct
Lead Team: Community Development Team/ Mini-Holland Team
Lead Team: Community Development Team/Traffic Dept

1