Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor Juliet Campbell, opened the meeting and introduced Blackheath Councillors Amanda De Ryk and Luke Warner as well as Cllr Louise Krupski.

Paul Boulton, Head of Highways and Christian Muncey Senior Programme Manager Public Realm gave a presentation on various topics that included:

·        Traffic Flow in Blackheath Village

·        Speeding concerns on Belmont Hill

·        Speeding concerns near Leegate Shopping Centre

·        Police sirens on Belmont Hill

·        Lee Road - resident concerns of congestion

·        HGVs - resident concerns of inappropriate use

·        TfL’s current position on Kidbrooke Park Road weight restriction:

·        Various bags on Greenwich side of pavement

·        Cutting back street trees

·        General tidying

·        Jet cleaning village pavements

Residents were then given the chance to ask questions.

Street cleansing

Question: When are the collection times?

Answer: You can find collection times and information on the Council website at: www.lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/wasterecycle

Question: Which app should be used for waste issues ie fix my street?

Answer: Preferred use is of the Love Clean Streets app: www.lovecleanstreets.com/reports

Question:  How can residents report issues regarding trees

Answer: Report issues on our website at: www.lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/environment/trees/report-tree-problems

Question: There are concerns around tree care, trees have been removed around The Glebe with no replacements. Are there any plans to replace trees that have been removed with new trees?

Answer: Officers will look to replace trees and investigate why they have been removed, they will also check the location of empty pits. The pit may be diseased which is why it wasn’t re-planted there.

Cllr Krupski added that the Council are currently carrying out a detailed analysis about where the trees are. The Council wants to ensure that there are trees for everyone across Lewisham and they are working with Street Trees for Living and looking into best outcomes. It is not just about planting a tree it is also about maintenance and working with local residents to look after them.

There was also clarification around why we tarmac around pits, the reason is because they are a trip hazard.

Question: How can residents find out about programme/analysis?

Answer: Initially contact the Councillors with more details and they can then best direct you.

Question:  How are trees permitted, is there a consultation before they are planted?

Answer:  Residents or groups in the borough can get more information from https://www.streettreesforliving.org/ or visit https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/environment/trees/how-to-get-new-trees-planted

Question: A clean up on Blackheath village is needed as are more bins as the current ones are overflowing.

Answer: There is currently a bin trial, and the Council will be looking at bins in village.

Question:  A resident raised concerns around broken glass on the Heath. Where can this be reported? There’s also a lack of police in village, and no police presence.

Answer: Litter and other issues can be reported directly to Glendale https://lewisham.glendalelocal.co.uk/get-in-touch

You can also report issues at: www.lovecleanstreets.com/reports

If this is an issue then residents can raise concerns and send photos to local Councillors.

If you have concerns about policing you can contact your Safer Neighbourhood Team https://www.met.police.uk/a/your-area/met/lewisham/blackheath/

Question:  How often are blocked drains checked?

Answer: All gully’s are checked and cleared once a year, use love street app to report a blocked drain.

Traffic and road safety  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

Question: What is the role of the Children and Young People Select Committee in protecting the health of our babies and children, with reference made to the findings of the inquest into the death of Ella Kissi-Debrah.

Answer: Cllr Warner – I would be happy for you to get in touch with me to discuss how, if at all, your concerns could intersect with the CYPSC’s work.

Update: Cllr Warner has written to the resident to reaffirm his openness to having this discussion and suggesting that Cllr Sorba who Chairs the Select Committee is copied in.

Resident Leanna (who specialises in mentoring and youth work) introduced herself as a new resident to the area. Leanna also asked about what engagement was being done with younger people to get them involved in meetings and engagement in the area.

Cllr Warner thanked Leanne for the work she has been doing and also highlighted that there is currently some engagement work happening around Parkside regarding youth engagement. Cllr Warner also welcomed ideas of how youth engagement could be increased in the ward. Cllr Campbell will also follow up contacting Leanne to discuss engagement work in the local area. Leanna also told residents about the local black Caribbean food business Pristine eats on Lee High Road, where Lewisham residents can receive a discount on orders.  Leanna’s contact details: Prstineeatscatering@outlook.com Instagram: @pristineeatscatering @pristineyouth

Next meeting

The next assembly meeting will be held online followed by an in person meeting at a different venue. Dates of the meeting will be circulated once confirmed.

Update: The next assembly meeting will be on Thursday 30^th March from 7pm – 9pm. This meeting will be online and details will disseminated closer to the meeting date.

Councillor contact details

Blackheath Councillors contact details:

Councillor Juliet Campbell:  Juliet.Campbell@lewisham.gov.uk

Councillor Amanda De Ryk: amanda.deryk@lewisham.gov.uk

Councillor Luke Warner: Luke.Warner@lewisham.gov.uk

AOB

There was no other business and the meeting closed at 9pm.