Minutes of the Eighth Annual General Meeting held on 10 May 2008 at Church House, Waterfall Road, N14
Among those present were the Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and some 40 members and guests, including David Burrows MP, Councillors Ann Zinkin and Henry Lamprecht.
Welcome and Executive Report
The Chair opened the Eighth AGM of the Association by welcoming members and guests. The Chair reported on the following:
- Environment: bleeding canker had been detected on the Horse Chestnut trees around The Green and along Cannon Hill. As a result five trees had been felled. The Association would liaise with LBE on the replacement of felled trees, and would monitor the condition of other trees. Cherry trees near the pub were to be planted next season (replacement of SGA sponsored trees).
- Planning: the Committee had reviewed over 20 applications during the year. Cannon Hill Phase I was coming to completion and two further blocks had been allowed, on the site adjoining the Meadway Garage body shop The High street would be the next focus area, with the redevelopment of the Grill Bar site, and the potential for redevelopment of the Auction House site and the cottages opposite.
- Street signage/lighting: the Committee had been working to reduce redundant street signage. Temporary tarmac pavements down Waterfall Road would be replaced when the street lighting was renewed. Lighting would be discussed later in the meeting.
- The roundabout planting was now complete.
- Projects for the future would include work on the Minchenden Oak Garden, to clear, open up and possibly replant it.
- Ground Force Day would take place again in September.
Minutes of AGM 2007
Adoption of the minutes was agreed nem con.
Treasurer’s report
The Treasurer presented the Accounts. In response to questions from the audience he commented that public liability insurance was required for events such as Ground Force Day and the May Fair. Subscriptions had been down for the previous year but had recovered in the current year. The stall at the May Fair had raised £256. The Accounts were agreed nem con.
Election of Committee and Officers 2008/9
Geoffrey Burns had indicated his wish to stand down as Vice Chair. All other members of the Committee and Officers were willing to stand for a further term. Chris Lack had agreed to re-join the Committee. There being no further candidates, the Committee and Officers were re-elected en bloc.
Street Lighting
The Chair commented that there were four main areas of concern with respect to street lighting:
- The treatment of the Conservation Area in general
- Treatment of footpaths
- Use of signage
- Increase in traffic lighting:
A full map for The Green had still not been provided. LBE had pointed out that there was a minimum lighting requirement for footpaths that was currently not met in some areas around The Green.
LBE had stated that the Heritage style of lamp, which had initially been preferred for the Conservation Area, had a lower output which meant that there would have to be a higher density of columns.
The Conservation Advisory Group was pressing for 8metre standards in Conservation Areas. In respect of lamps, it was clear that one single style for all Conservation Areas would not be appropriate, since the Areas themselves were disparate.
A discussion followed, during which one member commented that it would be useful to see a comparison of lamp styles. Another member commented on the inadequate level of lighting between The Green and Mayfield Avenue. Councillors Zinkin and Lamprecht offered to represent the views of residents, once there was a consensus as to desired height of standards and style of lamps.
It was agreed to set up a small group to discuss the options that were available, to consist of the Chair, Tim Whalley, Janet Woollacott, Evelyn Korn, Ellis Korn, Adam Budworth, Emma Budworth, Jeffrey Lever and Penny Berkut.
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Members Question Time
Drive-ins: When Waterfall Road had been resurfaced the drive-ins, which previously had been splayed, had been replaced squared off. This meant that local residents had to swing their cars out into the middle of the road in order to enter or exit their front gardens. Given the speed at which cars drove along Waterfall Road, this gave rise to a death trap situation. Councillors Zinkin and Lamprecht were asked to intervene to request that the drive-ins were restored to their former shape, at no cost to residents.
Buses: When the 298 bus route had commenced there had been an assurance that double-decker buses would not be used on the route, but double-deckers were regularly seen (usually almost empty). SGA would write to TfL to request clarification on the reasons for this. David Burrows commented that TfL were considering introducing bus stops on hail-and-ride routes. This could lead to the introduction of one-way traffic on relatively narrow roads such as Fox Lane, and to an increase in signage. As it could affect the 298 route he offered to take up the matter with TfL.
Cannon Hill Mews: The area behind the shops/restaurants on Cannon Hill Parade continued to be messy and an eyesore. The Councillors were asked to request regular and more frequent cleaning in the Mews.
Community Anchor: A representative of Southgate Community Anchor Forum reported that the organisation had been set up to act as a hub to bring together people for a better Southgate. Meetings would take place on May 20th at St Andrews Church Hall (next to ASDA), 10am-12noon and 7.30pm-9.30pm and May 25th at the Alan Pullinger Centre (next to the Fire Station) 1-4pm, which members were invited to attend.
North Circular Action Plan: This would be displayed in Palmers Green Library during the following week
Petition: David Burrows was sponsoring a petition objecting to a reduction in preschool education budgets, which members were invited to sign.
The meeting ended at 7.15.