Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor Best welcomed attendees. She offered a particular welcome to the teachers and students of Sydenham School of Performing Arts, who had been invited to perform to open the Assembly.

The performance was greatly welcomed by those present and it was cited as an example of local groups using the Sydenham Centre facilities. The lead dance teacher explained that the group practises twice weekly and that they are making good progress.

Councillor Best thanked the group on behalf of the Assembly.

Councillor Best introduced this item, stating that the online survey had been a great success, with 342 completed surveys received. The survey included feedback in key areas, including the respondents providing comments and suggestions for improving the high street, improving community safety and putting forward ideas to make Sydenham a more neighbourly and vibrant area.

Councillor Best circulated written copies of the survey feedback to attendees to provide a reference for the café conversation which was due to take place next on the agenda.

Councillor Best introduced this item by stating that each table had been allocated one of ten topics to discuss. A table lead was identified for each topic. The brief for the tables was: to review the survey feedback and other points made by attendees at individual tables; to arrive at a list of priorities that could be implemented as part of the Local Assembly Action Plan; to make notes of the table’s discussions so that these could be fed back to other Assembly members.

The topics for discussion were:

• Clean waste management, fly tipping and fly posting
• Greens - parks and green spaces
• Crime and anti-social behaviour
• Health and wellbeing
• Vibrant high street, including arts and events
• Neighbourliness/older people
• Younger people
• Transport – Bakerloo line, buses, parking
• Planning
• Housing

Each group was asked to feedback, identify the key issues and identify an area which was deemed to be the main priority. The following key points were made during the feedback session from each group:

Planning

Identified issues:

·         Promoting Sydenham

·         Sydenham to be known for sports activities

·         The need to ensure that there was effective planning enforcement, possibly through a planning enforcement website

·         Making Sydenham a destination, possibly by identifying a “Sydenham” brand

·         Effective use of social media

Priority:

·         Effective planning enforcement

Clean waste management, fly tipping and fly posting

Identified issues:

·         The group noted the proposed changes to waste collection and the possible impact of this.

·         On recycling, the group was positive at the proposed changes. They stated that it would be helpful to have clearer guidance on what should go in the different bins.

·         There was concern about whether the bins were sufficiently large to meet the needs of larger families.

·         A further point made was that there were insufficient street bins and suggestions were made, including speaking to local businesses to sponsor bins.

·         There was a proposal for blue bags to be collected more frequently.

·         Suggestions for chewing gum bins were made.

·         It was suggested that wheelie bins could be used for advertising. This could include promoting the use of the MyStreet app to communicate instances of fly tipping.

Priority:

·         Addressing instances of fly tipping, including using the MyStreet app.

Transport – Bakerloo Line, buses, parking

Identified issues:

·         Prepare bid for liveable neighbourhood funding from TfL/GLA, including:

o   Safe cycling – segregated space (Kirkdale as a possible example), low speeds/traffic volumes

o   Ask non-cyclists what it would take to enable them to choose to cycle

o   Ensure pavements are repaired to make walking a viable and safe choice

·         Use CPZs for controlling parking around schools?

·         Lobby for Bakerloo Line extension to Hayes with station at Lower Sydenham

·         Replacement footbridge at Dacres Road/Sydenham Park should be ramped for accessibility for wheelchairs, buggies and cycling

·         Are pedestrian crossing timings on Sydenham Road correct and as designed, and appropriate to allow all people to cross?

·         TfL to be lobbied for bus shelter at the ‘Newlands Park’ bus stop (Stop G), with next bus countdown display

·         Is traffic light syncing on Sydenham  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Councillor Best thanked all those who had participated in the table discussions and explained that the next step would be to incorporate the identified priorities into the ward assemblies’ action plan. A development plan would then be formulated to implement the priorities over the coming year.

The Coordinating Group will work on the ideas suggesed in the café discussions, and bring proposals to a further Assembly meeting.

Those in attendance were invited to join the Assembly Co-ordinating Group in order to get more involved in the Assembly’s work and to assist in the implementation of the Assembly’s priorities. Gerard Assamoi volunteered and was welcomed on board.

Councillor Best referred those in attendance to the circulated written Assembly updates. The following points were noted:

·         Section 106 funds for the Sydenham Centre – it was noted that the proposed work on the Sydenham Centre was due to start imminently and was planned to be completed by the end of March which would greatly enhance the Centre’s facilities for hosting events;

·         Trees purchased from Assembly funds – a number of trees had been purchased from Assembly funds and an update on whether they had been planted would be provided at the next meeting;

·         Homecroft Road planters – Highways had been contacted regarding the planters and the resident group had been informed that the work to install the planters could go ahead;

·         Future of Sydenham Post Office – Councillor Best referred attendees to a statement from the Post Office on future plans for Sydenham PO contained in the written update. The Post Office had stated that they had not yet drawn up a detailed plan for Sydenham PO although they advertised for a retail partner to operate the Post Office. The detailed plan would include arrangements for a six week consultation and opportunity for the public to comment on the proposals;

·         Banners on Sydenham High Street – it was noted that Skanska had been contacted to remove the damaged banners and their proposed timescale was currently awaited.

A question was asked regarding new waste collection arrangements in relation to flats above shops.

Councillor Onikosi stated that the new collection arrangements would not apply to flats above shops. She also clarified the arrangements for new two weekly collections.

Councillor Best thanked those attending the meeting, reminding them that the next meeting was due to take place on Saturday 10 June and would take the form of a marketplace event, with local groups providing information on their services.

The meeting closed at 9pm.