Agenda item
Community information and Question Time
Minutes:
· Forest Hill Society has their AGM on Thursday 22nd October
· Consultation on a CPZ in Forest Hill
During November and December 2015, the council intend to carry out consultation with residents and businesses in the study area where streets are currently uncontrolled and may be suffering from parking problems.
When proposing a new CPZ, there is a need to firmly establish the areas that are most affected by parking pressure. Getting the consultation area right is a fine balance, consulting too large an area (i.e. asking people we know don’t have a parking problem) is a waste of the available budget. Consulting too small runs the risk that people around the edge feel they are excluded.
Finding an edge isn’t straightforward. Therefore CPZ consultations will typically cover a broad area that often extends beyond the limits of what officers might consider as the streets suffering from the highest levels of parking stress. A broad area attempts to deal with the challenge of ‘getting the balance right’ mentioned in the previous paragraph.
It is only after all the data (consultation results + parking occupancy figures) has been analysed that a true picture of what is happening and resident’s options can be understood. The data is analysed on a street-by-street basis, but a recommended zone will also consider the overall results across the recommended area. The analysis usually results in recommendations for a zone to be implemented in a smaller number of streets than were originally included in the original consultation.
As well as asking the primary question “Do you want parking controls to be introduced in your street?”, It is important that we ask the secondary question “ If you answered “No” or “Undecided” to a parking zone but a neighbouring street was in favour of a zone, would you change your mind? (i.e. to avoid the possibility of parking displacing from those streets onto yours?)”. This is an important question if you don’t want a CPZ, as a parking zone in the street next to yours is likely to increase the demand for space in your street.
It’s important to consider this is only a consultation and that no decision has been taken to implement a CPZ.
Another key question will be whether you want the zone to operate for the whole day, which offers more protection, or just part of the day (usually 2 hours), which only deters commuters.
The area that will be consulted is shown below:
Timescales:
Pre-consultation Development & Preparation: 7th September – 6th November
Public Consultation: 9th November – 4th December
Consultation Analysis and Reports: 7th December – 1st March
Implementation will take place during 2016/17 and is dependent on the outcome and scale of any proposed area
· Lewisham Local Community Contributor Card
Lewisham Local 'Community Contributor Card’ will enable people to get discounts at local independent traders and small businesses who wish to support the efforts of those contributing their time for the benefit of the community. This could be volunteering, time banking, befriending, and initiatives that engage neighbours to do something for their community. This is all about enabling the local community to thrive.
A pilot is underway starting in Catford, Crofton Park and Forest Hill. Window stickers are appearing in shops where the card will be accepted.
Community groups and organisations can obtain the card for free, to give to their active contributors
This scheme is managed by Rushey Green Time Bank working in partnership with Volunteer Centre Lewisham
For more information contact joan@rgtb.org.uk, 07486 684810
· Littering and dog mess was raised an issue.
The Forest Hill Society agreed it is an on going, difficult problem to resolve and needs some thought put into. In the past Forest Hill Society have organised litter pick ups with children at Sydenham school. A suggestion for the scouts to get involved was put forward, with the possibility of organising a campaign around it.
Cllr Hilton to find out if street sweepers are being cut in the area as a resident believes they may be.
· A question was raised on whether swimming for 60 plus is to be stopped
Cllr Upex is looking into this as currently it is unknown.
Close
Cllr Hilton thanked everyone for attending.
The next assembly will take place on Thursday 10th December 2015, 7pm at
The Christian Fellowship Centre, 39 Honor Oak Road SE23 3SH