Request to reconsider the development of Liddell Road site refused

On Tuesday 21st January a Special meeting of the Council's Childrens, Families and Schools Scrutiny was held to consider a Call In request by West Hampstead Councillors that the Cabinet decision to develop the Liddell Road site to accommodate an expanded Kingsgate School to be funded by the sale of 140 flats and business space. The Ward Councillors John Bryant and Gillian Risso-Gill were supported by three deputations and an audience of concerned local residents.

John Bryant presented the Education case (that should have been the main concern to the CSF Scrutiny):
- No education arguments have been presented by Officers to justify the current proposal for a split school site other than expanding an existing Outstanding School. Alternative solutions to provide extra school places in NW Camden, such as a free school or academy (where Government funding would have been available) have not been considered.
- The move to a 4-form entry from the originally proposed 2 form entry is a recent addition to the proposal for the Liddell Road site without consideration whether the existing Kingsgate site would be able to accommodate 4-form year groups.
- The move from a 2-form to a 4-form entry carries risks however good the current management might be and particularly on split sites.
-Children in all age primary schools gain benefit of having children of different age groups as part of their school community. This would not be possible in a split site school.
-The examples provided by Officers of split school sites in other areas, eg Emmanuel School were not comparable to the proposals for Kingsgate School since all the sites were on the same road.
-If the Council proceed with selling market homes on the site, there will be an estimated profit of £3 million.
- Since the Cabinet decision, the Council has been awarded £6.7 million from the Government to fund new school places. This would mean that the need to fund a new school or expand an existing one by selling market homes would not be needed. Nor would the need to displace the existing businesses as the site is large enough could accommodate both businesses and a school.

James Earl, Chair of the Neighbourhood Development Forum argued that:
- The plan to remove all the existing 25 businesses, resulting in loss of jobs, was against Camden Planning Policies and questioned the suitability of the site for the uses proposed
- The Consultation process was flawed with a very low response rate and the views of local groups had not been included.
- A co-sited school, with sites a walking distance of a mile apart would not be acceptable

Sue Measures, Manager of Sidings Community Centre and Elizabeth Pearson, mother of two toddlers argued:
- The practical and logistical issues for parents of having children at two sites
- The travel issues to Liddell Road and presented photos of pedestrian congestion that morning at the West Hampstead Interchange that parents would have to contend with
- The loss of early years provision in central Kilburn, currently provided at Kingsgate but if moved to the new site would be adjacent to the existing provision at Sidings.
- The consultation with parents was inadequate and misleading, leading to a low response rate

Branko Viric led a deputation of 3 businesses currently trading on Liddell Road
- The proposal will lead to the closure of 25 businesses, many that are unable to afford to move,the loss of jobs, services to local residents, and the loss of rent and business revenue to the Council.
- The businesses will no longer be able to offer apprenticeships to local residents.
- There has been no meaningful consultation or discussion with the businesses by the Council, other than the setting up of an online portal.
- There are no suitable premises available or affordable for the displaced light industrial businesses within Camden . The nearest potential space is in Tottenham, so the local customer base would be lost.
- Alternative sites for a new school in West Hampstead have not been fully explored, eg. 156 West End Lane.
- The pedestrian route between Kingsgate School and Liddell Road along narrow pavements that cannot be widened could be dangerous to young children and parents with buggies.
- The low response rate on the Council's flawed consultation demonstrates a lack of support or awareness.

Cllr Gillian Risso-Gill supported all the above and argued:
- Many of the families whose children currently attend Kingsgate live in the social housing estates around Abbey Road in South Kilburn. Many travel to school by bus with a short walk to the Kingsgate School. There are no bus routes serving the new site and journey times would double by bus and congested pavements through rush hour. This may not be acceptable to parents with toddlers. They may not be in the catchment area of the new school. The only alternative schools would be St. Mary's or St. Eugene de Mazenod, both faith schools and over subscribed.
- Six employment sites have already been lost in West Hampstead recently for housing development which has impacted the local weekday economy.
- No consideration has yet been given to the new housing developments of 380 homes that are under construction in the immediate vicinity of the proposed site in West Hampstead Square, Iverson and Maygrove Roads which will put additional strain on local services as well as traffic and pedestrian routes.
- The proposal for new employment on the new site would not be suitable for the existing light industrial businesses. The new employment space proposed would be office based and may not be attractive to businesses due to Camden's insistence on car-free developments.

News from Cricklewood!

Just received from the busy and energetic people who are making headlines in Cricklewood!

The second Cricklewood Winterfest takes place on 23rd November 2013 from 1pm to 6pm - have a look at http://www.cricklewood.net/events/ for more details on the festival. There's a Spot the Oddity competition running now with prizegiving at Winterfest, a lantern procession for children from Beacon Bingo to Yew Grove and food and gift stalls on Yew Grove , music and light outside The Crown Hotel

We hope you can join us.


CIP Cricklewood Improvement Programme & Cricklewood Town Team
Working together for each other
tel 0208 2088590
http://cricklewood.net
Twitter @cipcricklewood
Facebook page Cricklewood

Emergency!

This is an email we have just received.

Dear Councillor,
You have likely seen the images of the devastation across the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. If, along with so many others, the images in the news have left you feeling powerless, this is your opportunity to help.
Tesco have allowed the British Red Cross to collect THIS WEEKEND (16-17 November) at their stores across London. Would you be able to give some time this weekend to help us raise vital funds? Would you be able to help us spread the word about our collections? Could you share on Twitter? Facebook? Your intranet or website?
We are looking for collectors between 9am-6pm on Saturday and 11am-4pm on Sunday at stores across London. We need your help to raise money for those in crisis in the Philippines. Even just 1 hour of your time could help make a big difference.
I have attached details of all the London Tesco's where collections are taking place, along with a registration form. Please choose the Tesco store you wish to collect at and fill in the attached form by marking an ‘X’ under the time slot(s) convenient for you. Please return the form to challenges@redcross.org.uk. Please do feel free to pass this on to friends, family, colleagues or neighbours and we'll be able to make an even bigger difference.
Alternatively to find out more you can call the Events Team on 0844 412 2877.
Typhoon Haiyan has caused catastrophic damage across the Philippines with up to 90% of buildings in the path of the Typhoon destroyed or damaged and thousands feared dead. A massive humanitarian response is underway. Red Cross volunteers have been on the ground since before the storm hit, helping with evacuation plans and warning communities. Now, they are getting aid to the people who are most in need and preparing to help thousands more.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Kindest regards,
Suzanne Ryder Richardson
Community Fundraising Manager

More trees for the chop.......

......but these trees were not damaged by the recent storm, just by "wear and tear". And much as most of us love trees - from time to time is does become necessaryr to remove them - like this one in Hillfield Road!       

In addition to a list of trees in Ravenshaw/Broomsleigh Street we received recently, we have just had a second list from the Council’s Tree officers.

It seems they recently inspected our local trees and decided to remove some for health and safety reasons. The trees are scheduled for removal this winter by the Council’s term tree contractors. The tree pits will be marked for replanting.

Below is a list of locations and reasons they give for removal of the trees.

Achilles Road (outside 56)                               Cherry                   Basal decay
Agamemnon Road (outside 1 Norman Terrace) Bird cherry           Dead
Ajax Road (side 2 Achilles Road)                   Bird cherry             Basal decay
Ajax Road (opposite 2 Ulysses Road)             Birch cherry            Basal decay
Asmara Road (side 9 Menelik Road)               Cherry                     Dead
Ebbsfleet Road (outside 16)                             Rowan                     Dead
Fordwych Road (outside 188)                          Cockspur thorn        Basal decay
Fordwych Road (outside 137)                          Purple cherry           Damaged crown
Fordwych Road (outside 79)                            London Plane           Basal decay
Fordwych Road (outside 85-87)                       London Plane           Basal decay
Fordwych Road (outside 89)                            London Plane           Basal decay
Fordwych Road (jct Minster Road)                  Lime                         Basal decay
Footpath between Gondar Gdns/Sarre Rd        Bird cherry               Basal decay
Gondar Gardens (outside 1 Gondar House)      Rowan                      Basal decay
Hillfield Road (outside 92)                              Tamarix                     Leaning low over highway
Kingscroft Road (outside 6)                             Cherry                        Basal decay
Menelik Road (opposite 36)                             Birch                          Dead
Minster Road (outside 50)                                Cherry                        Basal decay
Oak Grove (outside 19b)                                  Bird cherry                 Basal decay
Sarre Road (opposite 10)                                 Bird cherry                 Basal decay
Sarre Road (opposite 60)                                 Bird cherry                 Basal decay
Sarre Road (outside 42)                                   Bird cherry                 Dead
Somali Road (outside 8)                                  Rowan                         Dead
Somali Road (outside 4)                                  Bird cherry                  Basal decay
Ulysses Road (outside 24)                               Bird cherry                  Crown die-back
Westbere Road (side of 17 Mill Lane)            Privet                           Dead


The London Planes outside 79, 85-87 and 89 Fordwych Road will have detailed tree removal notices attached due to their size and significance.

For further information about the Council’s tree programme (including tree removal and re-planting plans), log on to http://camden.gov.uk/trees. or contact Colleen O'Sullivan (Aboricultural Officer)
phone: 020 7974 5183 or email:  colleen.o’sullivan@camden.gov.uk

Upcoming Events

Among the many things to look out for in coming weeks are:

11th November 10.45 - Annual Remembrance Day service and wreathlaying by the Deputy Mayor at the War Memorial and also Hampstead's Civilian Memorial both at Hampstead Cemetery in Fortune Green Road

14th November -7.30 Area Action Group for West Hampstead & Fortune Green at the Synagogue Hall, Dennington Park Road - among topics for discussion will be the behaviour of the 139 buses!

30th November 10.00am- 4.00pm Annual West Hampstead Christmas Market on West End Green - crafts, activities, and food
Details  - go to: http://www.westhampsteadchristmasmarket.co.uk/

Clean Camden?

You know how much we've all been grumbling about our dirty streets recently? Well this morning we received this from the Council:


"This week the council has launched the Clean Camden campaign, a new initiative to tackle environmental crime across Camden. The campaign will crack down on those people who continue to litter, dump their waste or unwanted items, or not clear up after their dog. The new education and enforcement team will lead operations across the borough to increase the action being taken to tackle these issues.

The Clean Camden campaign also calls on residents to help us crack down on environmental crime by identifying local enviro-crime hotspots or offenders so we can target our work. Anyone caught committing an offence will be issued with an £80 fixed penalty notice, and flytippers face being prosecuted and fined up to £20,000.

Please encourage local residents to visit www.camden.gov.uk/cleancamden or call 020 7974 4444 for more information or to report a problem or offender."

Great, isn't it - we applaud this initiative even if it does turn us all ito whistleblowers, it's probably in a good cause. But... and it's a big but - this is only half the problem.

Much of the mess on our streets is actually caused by the refuse service (Veolia) and their sloppy habits! Litter left lying about and in this weather blowing down the street both before and after the refuse collection, bins not returned properly and almost worst of all, not properly collected. We're sure it can't just be this area  -  it seems to be Borough-wide. Streets aren't swept - Ok we are aware that with less money to spend, the residential streets don't get cleaned as frequently as they used - but what about the main roads? West End Lane, Mill Lane and Fortune Green Road often look as if there's a refuse strike on and that's before tackling the issue of commercial waste!

But its the collection failure rate that exasperates us all -one of our local residents has only had his brown bin emptied once in four weeks, another never seems to get his ordinary bin emptied, others say their recycling has been missed on a regular basis and so on! And at least two people have told us that the refuse collectors have actually been rude to them when they complained. This is completely out of order!

Until the Labour Council takes its responsibilities seriously and cleans up the Veolia contract, sadly we will continue to have dirty streets in spite of their "Clean Camden" campaign!

News

FORTUNE GREEN AND WEST HAMPSTEAD
AREA ACTION GROUP (AREA FORUM) MEETING
Wednesday 13th November 2013 7.00pm - 9.30pm
Hampstead Synagogue Community Hall, 1 Dennington Park Road, NW6 1AX


Dear resident,

We are writing to invite you to the next Area Action Group (Area Forum) meeting on Wednesday 13th November. The last area action group meeting took place on 2nd July 2013. Copies of the notes of that meeting will be available at the meeting and on We are Camden shortly.

The agenda for the next meeting on the Wednesday 13th November is as follows:

7.00 Opportunity to meet ward councillors informally over tea/coffee

7.30 Start of meeting and introductions:

• Transport for London – 139 bus route and other issues
• Refuse collection and street cleansing – new service launched
• Thames Water – Cllr Moffitt to give verbal update on feedback to date
• Neighbourhood Planning Forum update
• Any other business

All Fortune Green and West Hampstead residents, local employers, employees, local voluntary groups, including young people are invited to attend the upcoming area action group meeting.

This will be a chance for you to get more involved, be kept up to date on what’s happening in Fortune Green and West Hampstead, and have your say.

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 16th November. Meanwhile, please contact Olivia Mensah on the above number or any of us as your local ward councillors if you would like any more information.


With best wishes,



Councillor Russell Eagling Councillor Nancy Jirira Councillor Flick Rea