Agenda and minutes

Cllr Maja Hilton, Chair of the Forest Hill Assembly welcomed everyone to the

meeting and gave apologies for Cllr Upex.

She opened the meeting with an invitation for members to join the coordinating

group which plans the assembly and discusses local issues and updates. If

anyone is interested, they should contact her on Cllr_Maja.Hilton@lewisham.gov.uk  or maya.onyett@lewisham.gov.uk

Cllr Hilton read out the following presentation; ‘Dartmouth Road Public Realm Enhancements – Preliminary Design’

This covers the area from Forest Hill station to Forest Hill pools

The key scheme objectives are to:

• Reduce speed to 20mph
• Manage traffic & parking
• Support local economy
• Enhance environment
• Improve sense of arrival in Forest Hill
• Increase pedestrian activity

See attached presentation for designs and update of the Public consultation held between 11th December to 25th Jan 2016.

.

What happens from now?

·         Meeting of key local stakeholders next week to discuss proposals

·         Cellar surveys being carried out March/ April 2016

·         Detail design starts April for 3 months

·         Scheme plans publicised September

·         Construction starts early 2017

·         Estimated 6 month construction period for completion late spring/ early summer 2017

For further information contact: transport@lewisham.gov.uk

Luke Macpherson delivered the ‘Street art at the Horniman and in Forest

Hill’ presentation (see attachment)

·         As part of the Brazilian Summer Festival 2016, the Horniman Museum and Gardens will commission Brazilian artists to create a series of street arts interventions at the Horniman and in the Forest Hill area.

·         Four street artists from Brazil will create murals responding to the

      Horniman collections (e.g. Brazilian wildlife, musical instruments, 

      costumes …)

·         The museum will also create a map of the project (physical or online) to

      link all artworks in the area.

For further information contact:

Luke Macpherson

lmacpherson@horniman.ac.uk

02082918714 (ext 174)

Controlled parking Zone

I know the residents wanted some input on the controlled parking zone within Forest Hill and I appreciate that this is a somewhat emotive topic but as I stated before, I cannot comment on this given it is local authority policy and the Metropolitan Police Service have no jurisdiction regarding parking enforcement and haven't had for a number of years. There are a couple of exemptions and these are vehicles parked in a dangerous position and inconsiderate parking with regards to vehicles preventing someone leaving their drive.

Burglary

I am pleased to say that generally the number of reported burglaries within Forest Hill are still on the decline. That said, we have had a small increase in the northern part of the ward in the area of Horniman Museum. I am pleased to say that a number of residents in this area are taking a lot of personal responsibility around this and contacting their SNT when strangers are seen in the area and I welcome this, may it continue as it assists us greatly. On a good note, although a local resident in this area was shocked to return home to find a couple of individuals trying to force entry to her home though they did not gain entry and made off on seeing the resident.  Thankfully, this resident, though understandably upset, was still able to call police. Officers searched the area and these individuals were arrested.

 Regarding the first phase of MetTrace, the smart water  kit that uses a coded forensic liquid unique to each household, is nearing completion. The MPS are currently on target to visit 1 in 7 homes across London over the next 2 years and It would appear to be a significant deterrent given to date there is a 100% conviction rate at court for any offender found in possession of property marked with MetTrace not belonging to them. Phase 2 of this initiative rolls out in April although presently, I do not know which roads in Forest Hill will be receiving these kits. but residents can visit www.met.police.uk/mettrace for further details.

Personal Safety of School Children in Forest Hill.

The team have and will continue to attend the local schools in support of staff following complaints of motorists acting anti socially. The inappropriate behaviour of some parents has unfortunately placed a lot of children at risk at some of our schools through inconsiderate parking. A number of parents have to date been spoken to regarding this.

On this note, the team would like to extend their thanks to Betina the school crossing lady who covers Fairlawn Primary School who does a great job looking after the children who attend this school and we will continue to support her given previous reports of motorists failing to stop for the children and parents when they use the zebra crossing on Honor Oak Road. Unfortunately, we have also had to speak to some parents about their conduct towards Betina when she  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

·         Wildlife Pond – Friends of Albion Millennium Green

·         Community Cinema

·         Girls Football Fit and Healthy Project, written update sent

·         Shakespeare’s Birthday at the Horniman Museum

·         Wildlife Pond – Friends of Albion Millennium Green

Bruno Roubicek  explained that the Albion Millennium Green is a much loved local green oasis, owned by a very small charity, the Albion Millennium Green Trust.

It works with the volunteer group, Friends of Albion Millennium Green, which organises upkeep and activities on the Green.

There has been a small delay as housing is being built but the pond will be constructed by a team of local volunteers on 15^th August  and finished on 19^th August 2016.

On the 20^th August there will be an event to celebrate: Midsummer Nights Dream, run by Teatro Vivo.

For more information go to www.amgfriends.org.uk

·         Community Cinema

Sarah Hussain explained that they had their first screening, ‘Whiplash’ on 14th February which went really well and felt that there is a genuine need for a community cinema in the area.

A planning meeting will take place on Monday 18th April at 7.30pm to organise the festival and to discuss getting more volunteers involved.

For more information, contact sarah_hussain@outlook.com

·         Girls Football Fit and Healthy Project, written update sent:

Planned project timeline as follows -

·         Pre project work completed, trophies, t-shirts and equipment have been ordered

·         School sessions due to start after Easter.

·         Tournament planned for end of May.

·         Community sessions to run throughout June / July.

·         Initial pre Forest Hill work has also seen 4 girls from Fairlawn school join our club already, so big thank you to Forest Hill Ward.

·         Shakespeare’s Birthday at the Horniman Museum

Michael Abrahams from the Forest Hill Society highlighted that the innovative and playful theatre company Teatro Vivo will take over parts of Dartmouth Road and London road on Saturday 23^rd April to celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday by guiding participants on a treasure hunt of Shakespearean speech and verse as characters, scenes, songs and dances come to life amongst the bustle of the High Street.. 

In the week leading up to this spectacular, Teatro Vivo will be resident at the Horniman, join them from 4pm - 6pm each day to be part of the rehearsal, learn a Shakespearean speech and be part of the final performances. 

Further information can be found  by signing up to the Foresthill society newsletter go to:

www.foresthillsociety.com

No update as did not attend.

·         Feedback forms – agenda items next meeting

Cllr Hilton 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.

CPZ Update

The Council can now confirm that the results of the Forest Hill CPZ were that 78% of respondents were against a CPZ.   A full detailed report will be made available on the website as soon as formal decisions have been made on the CPZ consultations in Brockley and Deptford South.

There was one specific area of concern raised at the eastern end of Thorpewood Avenue, where residents do not have driveways and experience pressure from nearby Dartmouth Road (including pools and library).  We would not recommend a CPZ in such a small section of street, but if this causes any significant concern, officers will work with ward members to see if there is any workable solution for Thorpewood Avenue.

The Gypsy and Traveller sites local plan was raised as there is currently some consultation around this.

Go to:

http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/planning/policy/LDF/Pages/Gypsy-and-Traveller-local-plan.aspx

Consultation will run from Thursday 3 March 2016 to Friday 22 April 2016.

Hamilton Lodge is going ahead and work will start in September 2016

The Forest Hill Society in conjunction with the Forest Hill Traders Association and V22 are putting in a bid for the running of the Forest Hill Community Library . They are looking for volunteers for the library, they have 40 already, if anyone is interested contact the Forest Hill Society: www.foresthillsociety.com

Close

Cllr Hilton thanked everyone for attending.

The next assembly is to be confirmed.