Agenda and minutes

Cllr Paul Upex, Chair of the Forest Hill Assembly welcomed everyone to the

meeting and introduced Cllr Peter Bernards and Cllr Maja Hilton

Background to nursery Closure

Fairlawn Primary’s nursery class which previously operated out of the Waldenshaw Road site closed in August 2016. The decision to close was made by the school’s governing body because it was no longer financially viable to keep the nursery open. The reasons cited by the school were falling numbers and high running costs of the separate building and site.

The building has now been returned to the Council.  It has not been re-opened as it is un-economical in its current state.

What is the Council planning on doing with the site?

The Council is in the process of putting together a team to run a project which will look at options for the future of the site.   The current building doesn’t make best use of the land it sits on, and so over the coming months we will look at the potential for redeveloping the site.  Our thinking at this stage is that this would involve a non-housing use on the ground floor, and then new homes above.

The homes themselves could be for a range of purposes, but the Council has an objective to build at least 500 new Council homes, and the site could contribute towards that programme. Equally a range of other useful housing approaches could be considered.

On the ground floor provision, we would want to consult with local residents and groups about how it can work best for the community. Our ideas at this early stage include re-providing a nursery, or a new GP surgery. At this stage we believe the site on its own is likely to be too small for a doctor’s surgery, but we are liaising with Lewisham CCG on the potential for branch surgery instead. 

As well as our ideas we also want to hear from the community about what would be most useful on the site, and we will be carrying out consultation from late summer/autumn once the project team is in place. 

In the meantime, if you have any questions about this project, please contact: housingstrategy@lewisham.gov.uk

The Council has been working with highways contractor, Kier, to implement the streetscape proposals which were consulted upon in 2016.  Kier is Transport for London’s contractor, and has been appointed under TfL’s LoHAC framework.

Unfortunately there have been some delays to the start of works on site.   At the moment we are unable to confirm a date for the start of works on site.

Officers are in discussions with Kier at a high level, and as soon as we have an agreed programme this will be communicated to the local assembly.

The Council remains committed to the delivery of these works which are vital in supporting the local economy and environment.

Curtis Woodruff from Kier Services delivered a presentation:

For future work, letters will be sent out to residents, 2 week notice will be given for works –

Road closure will take place in sections, and will be completed as quickly as possible to minimize disruption. It will be closed in January 2018 for 6 weeks and there is talk of a possible community celebration event.

There was some concerns raised around the closure of bus stops.

There are concerns around lack of parking spaces and a particular issue raised around land ownership at 117.

20 parking spaces have been taken away from where is considered their private land.

Simon Moss, Transport Policy and Development Manager explained that Highway rights over the ownership of land rights is what is in question here, an example was given where house owners can own land up to the middle of a road, but Highways would supersede that right.

Concerns that more parking spaces will be taken up in neighbouring roads was highlighted also.

There was interest expressed in a new CPZ consultation in the library and pools area.

Issues around lack of consultation at Forest Lodge was raised. A petition has been created.

It was acknowledged that the scheme started in 2014. The council has been working within the community, consulting and developing over this period, utilising the assembly as a platform for information and consultation among other routes.

The 2017/18 Forest Hill Assembly fund will focus on one or more of the following:

Youth engagement and provision- looking for activities that will appeal and support new and existing schemes young people. These could include those that are Art, Music, Drama and Sports based. We are also keen to open up the criteria to include ideas around exciting intergenerational projects.

Making Forest Hill more attractive - looking for proposals that will help to keep Forest Hill streets clean and appealing. This could include the planting of trees and flowers or a proposal that would increase street art or improve an area.

Community events  – looking for proposals around events that include celebrations, e.g Christmas or events that engage residents and local groups offering education and relevant information to the Forest Hill area, as well as being fun.

Supporting local Traders – looking for proposals that could support and promote Forest Hill as a vibrant town centre and the Kirkdale area for local businesses.

How much is available? 

There is £12,500 available for the Forest Hill ward in 2017–18.

You can apply for a maximum of £2,500 for each individual project.

What can it be spent on?

The priorities highlighted have been identified by residents, community groups and local businesses who have attended the Forest Hill Assembly Meetings. We want to fund projects that aim to tackle these important issues raised by the local community. The money could be used to start up a project, support a group to develop new activities, or support a larger project that has secured funding from other sources.

How to apply

Download the Assembly Fund 2017/18 application form , fully complete and email to maya.onyett@lewisham.gov.uk. There is further important information on page 7 of this form.

Closing date for all proposal forms is Friday 1 September 2017.

Voting on projects will take place at the Forest Hill Assembly Meeting to be held on Saturday 30^th September venue to be confirmed, 1.30 – 3.30pm.

Discourse|architecture

Simon McCormack from Discourse Architecture, working with the Forest Hill Society, introduceda review of opportunities to reconfigure Forest Hill town centre. They propose that currently under-used sites around the station should be developed as part of a coordinated vision, which improves the environment for local residents and businesses.

The Exhibition will be held at Forest Hill Library- 28 June-6 July.

Find out more about these proposals and have your say:

www.discourse-architecture.com

www.foresthillsociety.com

Cllr Upex highlighted the importance of completing the feedback forms and invited members to join the coordinating group which plans the assembly and discusses local issues and updates. If you would like to join contact maya.onyett@lewisham.gov.uk for further information.

·         Brendan Cuddihy, Forest Hill Society, Walking and Cycling strategy

brief introduction, to attend the next assembly

·         Brendan Cuddihy, Forest Hill Society, Walking and Cycling strategy

brief introduction.

Brendan explained that potentially TFL are making money available for cycling and walking from Transport & Health:

https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/health/transport-and-health

linking to Healthy Streets, https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/how-we-work/planning-for-the-future/healthy-streets

The Forest Hill and Sydenham Society want to improve cycling/ walking routes over the coming months. Brendan to update at future assembly meetings.

·         SNT Update- Cheseman Street - Neighbourhood Watch

Regarding Burglary;

There has been a noticeable decrease in the number of reported residential burglaries, though there has been a slight increase in the number of non residential burglaries and these have generally affected sheds etc. The Police ask people to ensure their sheds and garages are secured with approved locks. Again, if anyone needs any advice on suitable locks or crime prevention in general, can they contact them and this can be arranged.

Additionally, now the weather is much warmer can residents ensure that suitable measures are being taken to keep your homes as secure as possible. Please make sure all windows and doors are locked when you are leaving the house, even if it is just for a few minutes.

Regarding Neighbourhood Watch;

The team have recently set up several neighbourhood watches within the ward, the most recent being on Cheseman Street, which is in the last stages of being set up.

All that is required is someone who agrees to be a co-ordinator, who will then relay relevant information back to other members.

Being part of a neighbourhood watch entitles you to attend quarterly Ward Panel Meetings at Catford Hill Police Station, these meetings are where members of the public speak with the team and decide what the ward priorities should be for the next three months.

If there are any residents who are interested in setting up a neighbourhood watch, then please get in touch with the team via e-mail and they can start the process for you.

Regarding ASB;

Our ward panel members have given them the task for the next three months to answer and deal with complaints of ASB within the ward. To this end, if anyone has any concerns over ASB in their area, please make contact with them either by ringing 020 8721 2723 or by e-mail at ForestHill.SNT@met.police.uk. Your call or e-mail will be dealt with in strictest confidence or alternatively, the public can contact them through either online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111

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