Sunday, March 16, 2014
March news from Councillor Matt Harmer
Welcome to the latest email bulletin from Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer. You’re getting it because we have communicated on local issues. If you would prefer not to receive these bulletins then you will find a link below that will unsubscribe you.
Firstly – I know – it’s time to talk about CPZs. This Thursday 20 March our Area Forum will meet at 7.30 to discuss the latest on these ongoing sagas. I’ll start by saying that the meeting is open to the public and your attendance is very welcome. It’s at Brentford Free Church, just down Boston Manor Road from the library.
Now, I know that there is a belief in some quarters that installing these things in our local streets is the primary purpose for our existence and that if we can’t find an excuse for introducing them then we would somehow lose magical powers and whither away into little piles of dust. (Mind you, we’ve not tested this for a while so I suppose nothing can be ruled out). Anyway. When we decide that these CPZs are going to be introduced we always ensure that we go back to residents and ask how it went for them. Last year the roads around the Lord Nelson got a CPZ and earlier this year we asked for views on whether it should stay or go.
You can see the results here. To save you a click I can say that of the 67 residents that returned the survey forms, 62 felt that the CPZ had improved the situation on their road. Of course, lots of people didn’t respond and so I suppose it depends on your opinions on CPZs as to whether those who didn’t respond were happy or were so worn down by the whole process that they couldn’t face responding. We also asked a question on whether or not the CPZ should be expanded to Saturday and I’d be interested in hearing your views on that, either in advance or at the meeting. The majority of respondents indicated that they were happy with operational times but a number have asked for Saturdays to be included, perhasps to help with football traffic.
The results of the survey that we have done – at residents’ request, honest – on Whitestile and Windmill Roads and Challis Road/Clayton Cres/Ealing Rd will be known soon and reported to our next meeting on April 17.
But that’s not all for CPZs. We also have results for the roads around Griffin Park. That report can be found here. It will tell you that residents on Braemar Road, Brook Road South, Ealing Rd (w), Grosvenor Rd, Lateward Rd and Clifden Road voted in favour, New Road was tied and Mafeking Avenue against – by quite a long way. So there’s a decision to be made on whether to have all the roads or some of the roads included. A decision that I will be sitting out, living as I do on Ealing Road. Any views on this let me have them and I will pass them to fellow ward councillor and Chair of Thursday’s meeting councillor Mel Collins. There’s a fair bit to get through but Mel’s usually fine about inviting contributions from anyone visiting the meeting so, again, please feel free to come along.
We’ve also got someone from Transport for London along to talk about the A4 and I know that this will attract interest. The Mayor of London has made it fairly clear that he’s not prepared to increase the pedestrian crossing times at the crossings on the A4 and there will be discussion on other suggested changes. Again, you are very welcome to come along. You can see a full agenda for the meeting here. (And please remember that we have other bits of business too so whilst the meeting starts at 7.30, the bit that you are interested in may not come straight away. We’ll try to keep things interesting. And if you arrive before 7.30 there are generally some excellent biscuits available along with the tea and coffee kindly supplied by the church).
That’s enough about roads for the time being. There’ll be a bit more soon but we can have too much of a good thing.
* Funds Found *
Local charity Pathways have contacted me about a new £25,000 one year funding programme HOPES & DREAMS for young people aged between 14 – 21 in Ealing and Brentford. Individuals can apply for the grants as can voluntary and community based groups who work with young people. The aim is to reach out to those who are striving to make something of their lives and the hope is that the grants available will help them realise their hopes and dreams. The first quarter’s funding round is now open; the first quarter’s deadline date is 30 April 2014. Individuals can apply for a maximum of £500 and groups for a maximum of £2,000.
Full details to be found on their website. And if you apply or someone you know applies, please do let me know.
* Waste watchers *
OK, back to roads. As you may know, the management of much of what happens on our local roads – collecting rubbish, resurfacing pavements etc - is taken care of by an organisation called Hounslow Highways, a partnership between the Council, VINCI Concessions and Ringway . And judging by your emails back to me, many of you have views on this. Well, Hounslow Highways is recruiting 20 volunteers from the community to act as independent assessors of Hounslow Highways’ work throughout the wards in Hounslow.
There will be one lay assessor per ward. The assessors will be recruited in March with an induction in early April this year. So if you have thought that you would like to be able to get to know more about how these services are delivered, here’s the chance. You’ll get training and induction and perhaps your very own hi-vis jacket. You’ll be asked to give feedback on how the work is done and get and generally, from my reading, be a critical friend of this really important part of what we try to do. A day a month is asked from each volunteer plus a quarterly visit to local offices. There’s more on this, including how to apply, at Hounslow Highways’ website and you can write for more info at businessmanagement@hounslowhighways.org. Deadline for applying is 31 March 2014.
Finally, please get in touch if you think I can help, either by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033. If you think there is anything that needs addressing please tell me, in particular things that we might have talked about in previous emails and may not have been resolved, please do let me know. Oh, and changes to our council email system may delay things over the next couple of months but hopefully not to any great extent.
In the meantime, thanks for reading.
Saturday, January 04, 2014
Jan 2014
January news from Councillor Matt Harmer
Welcome to the latest email bulletin from Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer. You’re getting it because we have communicated on local issues. If you would prefer not to receive these bulletins then you will find a link below that will unsubscribe you.
This is the first edition in about a thousand years and thanks to everyone – both of you – who asked if they had fallen off the distribution list. I was going to send this about ten days ago because nothing says Christmas quite like an email about parking schemes, planning applications and dog mess but I have been out and about enjoying the, er, glorious weather. Welcome, also, to some new readers – you can relive the past few years at mattharmer.com
So, for old times’ sake, let’s start with CPZs (Controlled Parking Zones for new readers). The latest on this is that we are asking residents on some of the roads around Griffin Park if they’d like to have one. I know the reaction will be a mixture of ‘They won’t give up’ and ‘About time too’. Here’s the story – we consulted on this three years ago, most roads said ‘no thanks’ and we went away. Then a couple of petitions arrived asking us to ask again. So we did. This time, New Rd, Braemar Rd and Brook Road South said they wanted to be in a CPZ, as did Clifden Road and Lateward Road. Other roads – Ealing Rd, Grosvenor Rd, Mafeking Av, St Paul’s Rd, Windmill Rd and Wilkes Rd said ‘No’. The exciting new format I’m sending this in allows be to include graphics so here are those results in full:
So what we’ve decided to do is do more detailed design work on the roads that said ‘Yes’ and let the roads that said ‘No’ know what is happening. Yes, more consultation. I should state at this point that I haven’t been part of any of these decisions and have left meetings that have discussed or made decisions on this issue. That’s because I live on Ealing Road. It sometimes feels strange and frustrating that when there’s an issue that one has personal knowledge and experience of, one has to leave the room but in this case it’s obviously the right thing to do.
One gratifying thing was the high response rate, and there’s plenty more to do on this. I think that we can sometimes spend more time taking a close look at the responses. It’s been suggested that we only ask people with cars and don’t ask people with off-street parking. I disagree with both these points, but can see the argument. Anyway, as always your views are welcome. I can’t promise to make everyone happy but will try to explain the decision-making process and answer any particular points of interest.
And for residents of Popes Lane and Lionel Road, your views on Ealing’s proposal for a CPZ on roads north of Popes Lane – and the northern half of Popes Lane – would be very welcome. You can click here to look at the details. Let me know any views you have. I can’t guarantee that Ealing Council will listen to what we say, but we will put your responses forward.
Oh, and one other thing to do with parking that may be of interest. We are close to being able to allocate particular parking places for people with Blue Badges. At the moment we have marked spaces limited to Blue Badge holders, but people who have Blue Badges also like to park near stations and, in some cases, are preventing residents from using spaces outside their properties. This sounds like a simple thing to do but the administrative hoops that we need to go through are, as almost anything concerning traffic, roads and parking, much more extreme than you would ever believe.
Time now for an A4 update. Transport for London have made it clear that they don’t plan to extend the time available to cross the road at the pedestrian crossings. However some work has ben done and will be done to the lights and the road markings and a couple of recent test drives up and down do seem to indicate that some of the repairs to things like the filters on the lights have made a small decision. We’ve been told that there’ll be changes to what traffic going up/down Windmill Road can do at the A4 junction and my fellow councillors Ruth Cadbury and Mel Collins are asking for more info on this. I’m waiting for confirmation of the next meeting with TfL and your thoughts on what they need to know are always welcome.
In advance of the meeting I’ve been sent some computer-generated images of suggestions on how lighting could be improved. It’s long been a concern of mine that it’s grim enough waiting for a green man under the
M4 at the best of times but when it’s dark – as it is pretty much all the time at the moment – it’s really not a nice place to be. The ideas are interesting, though it concerns me that the lighting might be more of an attempt to illuminate the concrete structures for the pleasure of passing drivers rather than providing some illumination for anyone waiting to, you know, cross the road. Anyway, we seem to be getting somewhere, even if it is at a slower pace than we would like.
There’s a couple of planning things to catch up on. We’ve experienced the frustrations of what we want to happen versus what actually does happen recently. Earlier this year, councillors voted to refuse an application to enlarge a property in Clifden Road following protests from local residents. However, the independent Planning Inspectorate decided that councillors were wrong to do this and the extension should go ahead. Nearby, some trees on the land between Hamilton Road and the railway line seem to have been removed without the necessary permission. We’ll be doing what we can to see that they are replaced – this has to happen in the Spring. Frankly, we’d like to do more on what appears to be an attempt to ready an area of land for a planning application, following a couple of refusals locally (both backed up, happily, by the Planning Inspector). We get a list weekly of new applications and are told if applications are likely to be approved or refused by the council without councillor involvement. If we think that they merit further examination or residents tell us that they don’t like the decision that is being made we can refer the application to a planning committee of councillors. This happened on both the applications described above and on both occasions councillors made a decision that was backed by residents. This isn’t always the case – the application for two houses in Brook Road South on the former garage site is an example of this – but it’s right that the discussions and decisions are held in public.
A couple of major applications are worthy of mention. Firstly, the application to rebuild the area to the south of Brentford High Street has been postponed until the summer pending further work on the transport implications of the scheme. Given how long this has taken so far, I suppose a few more months is something that we can live with. Secondly, the application to build a new stadium for Brentford FC on the Lionel Road site along with development of up to 910 flats was approved. I attended the planning committee meeting that approved this application along with a number of supporters and objectors. I hope that all parties feel that the matter was discussed properly regardless of how they feel about the application. There’s still lots to do on this application, not least sorting out the final design of the flats that will be developed to help pay for the stadium.
Attention will now turn to the future of the Griffin Park site and I’m told that we should start hearing more about this later in 2014. My interest in this will be purely as a local resident as I decided last year not to offer myself to Labour Party members as a candidate in this May’s council elections. That’s not because the football club situation has been resolved, but given that it was concern about the club’s decision to move to Woking and build houses on Griffin Park that got me interested in how decisions of this kind are made it does seem that it marks a suitable place to bow out. Who replaces me is, of course, up to all those registered to vote in Brentford ward but I hope you will understand if take the opportunity to introduce Myra Savin to what we are calling, for the time being, a Labour action team. Anyway, Myra has recently taken retirement from the NHS, lives in York Road and is generally a star. You’ll be hearing plenty more about her, I’m sure.
Finally, please get in touch if you think I can help, either by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033. If you think there is anything that needs addressing please tell me, in particular things that we might have talked about in previous emails and may not have been resolve, please do let me know.
In the meantime, thanks for reading.
Welcome to the latest email bulletin from Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer. You’re getting it because we have communicated on local issues. If you would prefer not to receive these bulletins then you will find a link below that will unsubscribe you.
This is the first edition in about a thousand years and thanks to everyone – both of you – who asked if they had fallen off the distribution list. I was going to send this about ten days ago because nothing says Christmas quite like an email about parking schemes, planning applications and dog mess but I have been out and about enjoying the, er, glorious weather. Welcome, also, to some new readers – you can relive the past few years at mattharmer.com
So, for old times’ sake, let’s start with CPZs (Controlled Parking Zones for new readers). The latest on this is that we are asking residents on some of the roads around Griffin Park if they’d like to have one. I know the reaction will be a mixture of ‘They won’t give up’ and ‘About time too’. Here’s the story – we consulted on this three years ago, most roads said ‘no thanks’ and we went away. Then a couple of petitions arrived asking us to ask again. So we did. This time, New Rd, Braemar Rd and Brook Road South said they wanted to be in a CPZ, as did Clifden Road and Lateward Road. Other roads – Ealing Rd, Grosvenor Rd, Mafeking Av, St Paul’s Rd, Windmill Rd and Wilkes Rd said ‘No’. The exciting new format I’m sending this in allows be to include graphics so here are those results in full:
So what we’ve decided to do is do more detailed design work on the roads that said ‘Yes’ and let the roads that said ‘No’ know what is happening. Yes, more consultation. I should state at this point that I haven’t been part of any of these decisions and have left meetings that have discussed or made decisions on this issue. That’s because I live on Ealing Road. It sometimes feels strange and frustrating that when there’s an issue that one has personal knowledge and experience of, one has to leave the room but in this case it’s obviously the right thing to do.
One gratifying thing was the high response rate, and there’s plenty more to do on this. I think that we can sometimes spend more time taking a close look at the responses. It’s been suggested that we only ask people with cars and don’t ask people with off-street parking. I disagree with both these points, but can see the argument. Anyway, as always your views are welcome. I can’t promise to make everyone happy but will try to explain the decision-making process and answer any particular points of interest.
And for residents of Popes Lane and Lionel Road, your views on Ealing’s proposal for a CPZ on roads north of Popes Lane – and the northern half of Popes Lane – would be very welcome. You can click here to look at the details. Let me know any views you have. I can’t guarantee that Ealing Council will listen to what we say, but we will put your responses forward.
Oh, and one other thing to do with parking that may be of interest. We are close to being able to allocate particular parking places for people with Blue Badges. At the moment we have marked spaces limited to Blue Badge holders, but people who have Blue Badges also like to park near stations and, in some cases, are preventing residents from using spaces outside their properties. This sounds like a simple thing to do but the administrative hoops that we need to go through are, as almost anything concerning traffic, roads and parking, much more extreme than you would ever believe.
Time now for an A4 update. Transport for London have made it clear that they don’t plan to extend the time available to cross the road at the pedestrian crossings. However some work has ben done and will be done to the lights and the road markings and a couple of recent test drives up and down do seem to indicate that some of the repairs to things like the filters on the lights have made a small decision. We’ve been told that there’ll be changes to what traffic going up/down Windmill Road can do at the A4 junction and my fellow councillors Ruth Cadbury and Mel Collins are asking for more info on this. I’m waiting for confirmation of the next meeting with TfL and your thoughts on what they need to know are always welcome.
In advance of the meeting I’ve been sent some computer-generated images of suggestions on how lighting could be improved. It’s long been a concern of mine that it’s grim enough waiting for a green man under the
M4 at the best of times but when it’s dark – as it is pretty much all the time at the moment – it’s really not a nice place to be. The ideas are interesting, though it concerns me that the lighting might be more of an attempt to illuminate the concrete structures for the pleasure of passing drivers rather than providing some illumination for anyone waiting to, you know, cross the road. Anyway, we seem to be getting somewhere, even if it is at a slower pace than we would like.There’s a couple of planning things to catch up on. We’ve experienced the frustrations of what we want to happen versus what actually does happen recently. Earlier this year, councillors voted to refuse an application to enlarge a property in Clifden Road following protests from local residents. However, the independent Planning Inspectorate decided that councillors were wrong to do this and the extension should go ahead. Nearby, some trees on the land between Hamilton Road and the railway line seem to have been removed without the necessary permission. We’ll be doing what we can to see that they are replaced – this has to happen in the Spring. Frankly, we’d like to do more on what appears to be an attempt to ready an area of land for a planning application, following a couple of refusals locally (both backed up, happily, by the Planning Inspector). We get a list weekly of new applications and are told if applications are likely to be approved or refused by the council without councillor involvement. If we think that they merit further examination or residents tell us that they don’t like the decision that is being made we can refer the application to a planning committee of councillors. This happened on both the applications described above and on both occasions councillors made a decision that was backed by residents. This isn’t always the case – the application for two houses in Brook Road South on the former garage site is an example of this – but it’s right that the discussions and decisions are held in public.
A couple of major applications are worthy of mention. Firstly, the application to rebuild the area to the south of Brentford High Street has been postponed until the summer pending further work on the transport implications of the scheme. Given how long this has taken so far, I suppose a few more months is something that we can live with. Secondly, the application to build a new stadium for Brentford FC on the Lionel Road site along with development of up to 910 flats was approved. I attended the planning committee meeting that approved this application along with a number of supporters and objectors. I hope that all parties feel that the matter was discussed properly regardless of how they feel about the application. There’s still lots to do on this application, not least sorting out the final design of the flats that will be developed to help pay for the stadium.
Attention will now turn to the future of the Griffin Park site and I’m told that we should start hearing more about this later in 2014. My interest in this will be purely as a local resident as I decided last year not to offer myself to Labour Party members as a candidate in this May’s council elections. That’s not because the football club situation has been resolved, but given that it was concern about the club’s decision to move to Woking and build houses on Griffin Park that got me interested in how decisions of this kind are made it does seem that it marks a suitable place to bow out. Who replaces me is, of course, up to all those registered to vote in Brentford ward but I hope you will understand if take the opportunity to introduce Myra Savin to what we are calling, for the time being, a Labour action team. Anyway, Myra has recently taken retirement from the NHS, lives in York Road and is generally a star. You’ll be hearing plenty more about her, I’m sure.
Finally, please get in touch if you think I can help, either by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033. If you think there is anything that needs addressing please tell me, in particular things that we might have talked about in previous emails and may not have been resolve, please do let me know.
In the meantime, thanks for reading.
June 2013
June news from Councillor Matt Harmer
Welcome to the June email bulletin from Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer. You’re getting it because we have communicated on local issues. If you would prefer not to receive these bulletins then you will find a link below that will unsubscribe you.
I thought we could start this month with a little competition. When new housing developments are built, they need naming. Ward councillors are asked to give their opinions on names put forward by the developer and our Library Service, who are asked to make suggestions.
Earlier this month I received some suggestions for a small development of (I think) ten flats ina concerted religious building on North Road, next to our beautiful Travelodge. The suggestions were Riverside (it’s not by the River), Trimmer (potentially confusing as Sarah Trimmer Hall is nearby) St George (no good or the same reason), Barge (OK but not very nice-sounding in my opinion), Marquis (there used to be a Marquis of Granby pub nearby so that’s good) and my favourite Chapel (because the building used to be, yes, a Chapel).
But if you can think of a better one, let me know. And there’s a terrific prize, a two bedroom flat in the new development. Actually, that’s not true, but have a think anyway. And if you are wondering why it’s not called Harmer Towers, that’s because that name is going to the new tall building in the Barratt development by the A4 and Ealing Road. And that’s not true either.
*Yellow peril*
I thought the following story might be helpful in terms of the advice and decisions we sometimes have to give and take. Readers of www.brentfordtw8.com (if you’re not, you should be) may have read on the Forum page about anger caused by a proposal to introduce yellow lines in a part of Albany Road. This is the road that goes from Ealing Road, with the excellent Royal Horseguardsman pub on the corner.
The proposals that were being consulted on involved putting double yellow lines in front of the garages there. And the yellow lines were proposed following letters to me and colleagues Ruth and Mel from people who had been denied access to or exit from their garages by people parking and going about their business. One in particular had been shouted at and had the possibility of physical violence only prevented by the intervention of the staff in the kebab shop.
Now, the kebab shop and the chip shop were both cited by one local resident as the reason why these lines were a mistake. Now, I can personally testify as to the excellence of both establishments and have I ever parked in front of the garages to collect my beef and onion pie, small chips and mushy peas? Yes I have. Always, I should say, with great guilt and staring at the car to see if anyone comes out of the garages.
So, what to do. I’m speaking with the resident who was on the receiving end of the threats and hopefully we can resolve this thing without having to put in even more restrictions. But I tell this story as I think there’s a perception that, as councillors, we spend our time wondering to what extent we can control things and generally interfere more with people’s lives. It’s easy to say that councillors should do what residents want – if there was always only one desired outcome then that would be easy, but there never is. And if it wasn’t for the tiny minority of people who lack the ability to treat others with decency then our job would be very much easier.
Anyway, when I finish this I need to reply to an unhappy resident of Braemar Road who is unhappy that we didn’t introduce a CPZ years ago when we had the chance. Anyone want to reply to him on my behalf?
*What’s On*
Just heard about a very interesting-sounding event this Sunday 2 June – a Chelsea Fringe Flower Show at Gunnersbury Park. The website http://www.chelseafringe.com/event/gunnersbury-park-garden-of-surprises/ tells us that the event includes:
> Garden installation trail exploring the park’s historic core
> Live performances from the Hounslow Symphony Orchestra and local folk groups
> Heritage tree walks
> Talks on the history of nursery gardening in the area, the Rothschild gardens and unusual plants of the 18th and 19th centuries
> Family art and craft activities
> Meet “the Rothschild’s Head Gardener”
> Picnics on the lawn as part of The Big Lunch
It runs from 10am to 5pm this Sunday. I wish I’d heard about it earlier, and my colleague Ruth Cadbury has asked that residents around the Park are kept informed. I’m sure that whatever disturbance there will be will be made up for by being on top of a great-sounding event.
That’s not to say that it’s always easy living around events, as people around Griffin Park are feeling (I’ll declare an interest – I’m one of them, though I wasn’t around when the events I’m about to describe took place). The Club hosted two charity events this weekend, both worthy events in themselves, but the organisation wasn’t what it could have been and Monday’s event has attracted complaints regarding noise levels from a number of neighbours – including some who are Brentford season ticket holders.
I’m speaking to the Club and they have admitted that things could have been done better. I still regard them as a good neighbour but, as so often with these things, it’s letting people know in advance that something is happening. Certainly, some afternoons out in the sun weren’t as peaceful as was hoped and if you live near the ground I’ll try to work with the Club to prevent things like this happening again.
And I’m also aware that the Club has had other things on its mind over the past couple of weeks…
*Blocks to be tackled*
Talking of a lack of notice, I think an apology is due to residents of roads north of the A4 who suddenly found themselves under some kind of siege last month. The cause was emergency roadworks to South Ealing Road which prevented traffic from getting across the A4. Whilst a diversion was signposted that took people along Windmill Road, others used local roads to short cut. This caused lots of disturbance to people on roads like Enfield Rd and Whitestile Road.
Councillors received very little advance notice of the works and when emergencies happen, that’s the way it is. But it’s hard to work out what we could have done. Obviously we can’t prevent access to the roads (how happy would you be if you were told that you couldn’t go home) and so i felt that we were a little stuck. But, again, if you have a good idea on this should it happen again then we’d love to hear it.
*Marketing the market*
It’s three weeks now since the new Brentford Market opened. I went down there on Sunday. It’s excellent. You should go. It’s in, wait for it, Market Square, next to what used to be the Magistrates Court.
Finally, please get in touch if you think I can help, either by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033. In the meantime, thanks for reading.
Welcome to the June email bulletin from Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer. You’re getting it because we have communicated on local issues. If you would prefer not to receive these bulletins then you will find a link below that will unsubscribe you.
I thought we could start this month with a little competition. When new housing developments are built, they need naming. Ward councillors are asked to give their opinions on names put forward by the developer and our Library Service, who are asked to make suggestions.
Earlier this month I received some suggestions for a small development of (I think) ten flats ina concerted religious building on North Road, next to our beautiful Travelodge. The suggestions were Riverside (it’s not by the River), Trimmer (potentially confusing as Sarah Trimmer Hall is nearby) St George (no good or the same reason), Barge (OK but not very nice-sounding in my opinion), Marquis (there used to be a Marquis of Granby pub nearby so that’s good) and my favourite Chapel (because the building used to be, yes, a Chapel).
But if you can think of a better one, let me know. And there’s a terrific prize, a two bedroom flat in the new development. Actually, that’s not true, but have a think anyway. And if you are wondering why it’s not called Harmer Towers, that’s because that name is going to the new tall building in the Barratt development by the A4 and Ealing Road. And that’s not true either.
*Yellow peril*
I thought the following story might be helpful in terms of the advice and decisions we sometimes have to give and take. Readers of www.brentfordtw8.com (if you’re not, you should be) may have read on the Forum page about anger caused by a proposal to introduce yellow lines in a part of Albany Road. This is the road that goes from Ealing Road, with the excellent Royal Horseguardsman pub on the corner.
The proposals that were being consulted on involved putting double yellow lines in front of the garages there. And the yellow lines were proposed following letters to me and colleagues Ruth and Mel from people who had been denied access to or exit from their garages by people parking and going about their business. One in particular had been shouted at and had the possibility of physical violence only prevented by the intervention of the staff in the kebab shop.
Now, the kebab shop and the chip shop were both cited by one local resident as the reason why these lines were a mistake. Now, I can personally testify as to the excellence of both establishments and have I ever parked in front of the garages to collect my beef and onion pie, small chips and mushy peas? Yes I have. Always, I should say, with great guilt and staring at the car to see if anyone comes out of the garages.
So, what to do. I’m speaking with the resident who was on the receiving end of the threats and hopefully we can resolve this thing without having to put in even more restrictions. But I tell this story as I think there’s a perception that, as councillors, we spend our time wondering to what extent we can control things and generally interfere more with people’s lives. It’s easy to say that councillors should do what residents want – if there was always only one desired outcome then that would be easy, but there never is. And if it wasn’t for the tiny minority of people who lack the ability to treat others with decency then our job would be very much easier.
Anyway, when I finish this I need to reply to an unhappy resident of Braemar Road who is unhappy that we didn’t introduce a CPZ years ago when we had the chance. Anyone want to reply to him on my behalf?
*What’s On*
Just heard about a very interesting-sounding event this Sunday 2 June – a Chelsea Fringe Flower Show at Gunnersbury Park. The website http://www.chelseafringe.com/event/gunnersbury-park-garden-of-surprises/ tells us that the event includes:
> Garden installation trail exploring the park’s historic core
> Live performances from the Hounslow Symphony Orchestra and local folk groups
> Heritage tree walks
> Talks on the history of nursery gardening in the area, the Rothschild gardens and unusual plants of the 18th and 19th centuries
> Family art and craft activities
> Meet “the Rothschild’s Head Gardener”
> Picnics on the lawn as part of The Big Lunch
It runs from 10am to 5pm this Sunday. I wish I’d heard about it earlier, and my colleague Ruth Cadbury has asked that residents around the Park are kept informed. I’m sure that whatever disturbance there will be will be made up for by being on top of a great-sounding event.
That’s not to say that it’s always easy living around events, as people around Griffin Park are feeling (I’ll declare an interest – I’m one of them, though I wasn’t around when the events I’m about to describe took place). The Club hosted two charity events this weekend, both worthy events in themselves, but the organisation wasn’t what it could have been and Monday’s event has attracted complaints regarding noise levels from a number of neighbours – including some who are Brentford season ticket holders.
I’m speaking to the Club and they have admitted that things could have been done better. I still regard them as a good neighbour but, as so often with these things, it’s letting people know in advance that something is happening. Certainly, some afternoons out in the sun weren’t as peaceful as was hoped and if you live near the ground I’ll try to work with the Club to prevent things like this happening again.
And I’m also aware that the Club has had other things on its mind over the past couple of weeks…
*Blocks to be tackled*
Talking of a lack of notice, I think an apology is due to residents of roads north of the A4 who suddenly found themselves under some kind of siege last month. The cause was emergency roadworks to South Ealing Road which prevented traffic from getting across the A4. Whilst a diversion was signposted that took people along Windmill Road, others used local roads to short cut. This caused lots of disturbance to people on roads like Enfield Rd and Whitestile Road.
Councillors received very little advance notice of the works and when emergencies happen, that’s the way it is. But it’s hard to work out what we could have done. Obviously we can’t prevent access to the roads (how happy would you be if you were told that you couldn’t go home) and so i felt that we were a little stuck. But, again, if you have a good idea on this should it happen again then we’d love to hear it.
*Marketing the market*
It’s three weeks now since the new Brentford Market opened. I went down there on Sunday. It’s excellent. You should go. It’s in, wait for it, Market Square, next to what used to be the Magistrates Court.
Finally, please get in touch if you think I can help, either by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033. In the meantime, thanks for reading.
March 2013
Welcome to the March email bulletin from Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer. You’re getting it because we have communicated on local issues. If you would prefer not to receive these bulletins then you will find a link below that will unsubscribe you.
Well, hello. I know it’s been a long time. Anyway I’m back from holiday, refreshed, and I’ll try and make these updates a bit more regular than they have been. Anyway, welcome new readers and hello again to old friends.
* Ealing Road junction *
Thanks to you if you have written to me about the traffic lights at the junction of Ealing Road and the High Street – where the Red Lion used to be and the MacDonalds is now. Last year some new lights were put in that would keep the traffic moving but still allow people to cross. Without spending thousands of words on what’s there, they include different lanes for people turning left onto Ealing Road from the High Street and people going straight on.
All good ideas, except that drivers don’t seem to be able to know which red light is for them. A couple of times I’ve been driving down Ealing Road and having to brake quickly despite having a green light because a car that should have stopped hasn’t. Now, it’s the driver’s fault if this happens but there’s a problem if it happens a lot and It seems to be. The traffic people at Hounslow have been helpful and Transport for London are on it too. Already a couple of changes have been made to timing and I think this has helped. But please keep the information coming. I’m not saying that we have created some sort of deathtrap and that everything is terrible, but we can do better and we are working hard to do so.
By the way, some small changes have been made to the A4 traffic lights that we have talked about and more are due. If you think this has taken too long I won’t argue with you but I’m glad that things are moving.
* Parking, continued *
Now, shall we talk about parking? OK then. I was presented with a petition last month from residents in Lateward Road who want, you guessed it, a CPZ. So we will consult again. I know that many people think that councillors are obsessed with CPZs and want to impose them. Believe me, that’s not the case. They cause so much division and argument that, frankly, I sometimes wish they’d never been invented. We put them in when a majority of people who respond to our consultations say they want one. And we only consult when we are asked.
So, are the consultation forms going out soon in Lateward Road? As it happens, no. The day after we agreed to consult Lateward Rd, I was told that another petition was on th way from Braemar Road. (It hasn’t arrived yet). Now, CPZs seem to cost around £50,000 to put in (not just the white paint but all the legal stuff that has to be done) and I’m still checking if we have the funds to do many more consultations. (Hopefully this too puts into doubt the idea that they are huge moneymakers).
Do they work? Probably. I cycled down Hamilton Road the other day at 11am. Now, when councillors discussed putting a CPZ in I went with the scheme being monitored from 2pm to 3pm. At 11am I counted room for 16 cars. Cycling back at 4.30 the road was pretty full, maybe one or two spaces. We will survey Hamilton Road residents when the scheme has been operating for a while and if they want longer enforcement then we can look at that. (And Hamilton Road residents will be shouting at their screens for reasons that it’s best not to go into here; all I’ll say is that we’re aware and we want to fix the problem and sort out the payment issues).
From my point of view I suspect that there will be one around Griffin Park before too long. I’m coming up to 17 years on Ealing Road, I know how hard it can be to park up. Furthermore I suspect that we may be looking for evening enforcement. But no-one has asked us to bring in a CPZ and until they do, I won’t support the installation of one. As ever, happy to hear your views.
* Train time *
Some of you will have visited our local Brentford and Isleworth Area Forum meetings, perhaps to listen to us decide on CPZs or planning applications. I’ve been temporarily charged with increasing participation at these meetings and wuld be pleased to receive your ideas on how this might be done. At our next meeting on Thurs 21st March we will be joined by representatives of South West Trains, so if you would like to come along and congratulate them on their uniformly excellent service (or, of course, you have any other views) then you will be very welcome. 7.30 at the Free Church, just down from the library. Please do let me know what would encourage you to come along. On Thursday we'll also be talking about street trees and getting a local policing update and contributions on those items will be welcome too, I'm sure.
* Tax and spend *
You’ll be getting your council tax bill soon. I’m sure you think it’s a bargain and you’ll be happy to pay it. Hmm. Anyway, for many people it will be a bit cheaper and for dome it will be dearer. I’ll explain. In the budget that the Labour group of councillors – of which I’m one – passed in February to be charged in May we included scope to make a cut in the amount collected. A cut of 0.5%. So it’s not going to pay for your summer holidays, totalling around a fiver, but given the reduction of around £60m in the amount that Hounslow receives from central government over the four year life of the council it’s not too bad an achievement.
Should we have done it? Some say no, that we can’t complain about government cuts and then make our own on top. But there’s a very good reason to do what we did – and it’s a simple one. We said we would. In the 2010 council election we made 5 pledges and one of them was a cut in council tax.
* Toy Library latest *
Brentford Toy Library’s been in the news a bit. At the end of last year the Toy Library announced that it would end its operations. For those who don’t know, the Toy Library has run sessions at St Pauls Church for some while and had recently started sessions on the Haverfield and Clayponds Estate. There was understandable anger at this and Brentford councillors received a number of emails asking why the Council couldn’t put money into such a valuable resource. I looked into this a little and, as so often happens, it’s not as simple as that.
One of the Toy Library’s difficulties was finding volunteers. As I understand it it’s necessary to have two play workers present at all sessions who have CRB checks and there is also the job of managing other volunteers. On the question of funding, the Council has provided just over £42,000 since 2007 and this includes £10,000 that was to go towards the new sessions at Clayponds and Haverfield. Brentford councillors asked for that £10,000 to be re-allocated to the Toy Library provision at St Pauls and I’m pleased to say that the service continues to be available on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at St Pauls following this intervention. There is also, until the end of February, the Shop service at the Docking Station on the High Street. There’s new and used toys etc on sale so if toys at good prices would be helpful, please pop in there.
For the Toy Library’s future, well, it’s a test of what used to be called the Big Society. Anyway, if you think that you can help in some way then let me know and I’ll forward your details. There were paid positions available and these may or may not have been filled by now but, either way, I’m sure the Library will keep your details on file. So if you fancy helping as a volunteer or trustee or, well, anything really then please let me know.
* Your road *
Looks like winter is back, roads being gritted. That’s now the responsibility of something called Hounslow Highways and their new website at http://www.hounslowhighways.org/ is a good place to report any problems with street cleaning, road maintenance etc. It marks the start of a programme to replace all the street lights, roads and pavements in the borough that are managed by the Council (in other words, it excludes the A4 and M4 and some roads and paths that Hounslow Homes, who manage the council’s own stock of homes, look after).
There’s a map function on there that will tell you when your road is going have new lights/paths/roadways. Put your postcode in the box on the lower right of the Home page and click the little spyglass. You’ll get taken to a map helpfully showing where you live. Then click on the years and you will see what is scheduled when. I know that we would all like our road sorted out this month but please bear with us. It’s a big job and it will get done, promise.
* RIP *
Finally, a tribute. Whilst I was away I heard about the death of Phil Scarrott. Phil lived in one of the Brentford Towers and did a huge amount of work on behalf of residents there, got involved in the Haverfield, and the Hounslow Federation of Tenants and Residents and all sorts of other things. He was a huge help to many people, including councillors. Most importantly of all, he was a good man and I’ll miss him. Thanks for all your help, Phil.
* Can I help? *
Please get in touch if you think I can help, either by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033.
In the meantime, thanks for reading.
Well, hello. I know it’s been a long time. Anyway I’m back from holiday, refreshed, and I’ll try and make these updates a bit more regular than they have been. Anyway, welcome new readers and hello again to old friends.
* Ealing Road junction *
Thanks to you if you have written to me about the traffic lights at the junction of Ealing Road and the High Street – where the Red Lion used to be and the MacDonalds is now. Last year some new lights were put in that would keep the traffic moving but still allow people to cross. Without spending thousands of words on what’s there, they include different lanes for people turning left onto Ealing Road from the High Street and people going straight on.
All good ideas, except that drivers don’t seem to be able to know which red light is for them. A couple of times I’ve been driving down Ealing Road and having to brake quickly despite having a green light because a car that should have stopped hasn’t. Now, it’s the driver’s fault if this happens but there’s a problem if it happens a lot and It seems to be. The traffic people at Hounslow have been helpful and Transport for London are on it too. Already a couple of changes have been made to timing and I think this has helped. But please keep the information coming. I’m not saying that we have created some sort of deathtrap and that everything is terrible, but we can do better and we are working hard to do so.
By the way, some small changes have been made to the A4 traffic lights that we have talked about and more are due. If you think this has taken too long I won’t argue with you but I’m glad that things are moving.
* Parking, continued *
Now, shall we talk about parking? OK then. I was presented with a petition last month from residents in Lateward Road who want, you guessed it, a CPZ. So we will consult again. I know that many people think that councillors are obsessed with CPZs and want to impose them. Believe me, that’s not the case. They cause so much division and argument that, frankly, I sometimes wish they’d never been invented. We put them in when a majority of people who respond to our consultations say they want one. And we only consult when we are asked.
So, are the consultation forms going out soon in Lateward Road? As it happens, no. The day after we agreed to consult Lateward Rd, I was told that another petition was on th way from Braemar Road. (It hasn’t arrived yet). Now, CPZs seem to cost around £50,000 to put in (not just the white paint but all the legal stuff that has to be done) and I’m still checking if we have the funds to do many more consultations. (Hopefully this too puts into doubt the idea that they are huge moneymakers).
Do they work? Probably. I cycled down Hamilton Road the other day at 11am. Now, when councillors discussed putting a CPZ in I went with the scheme being monitored from 2pm to 3pm. At 11am I counted room for 16 cars. Cycling back at 4.30 the road was pretty full, maybe one or two spaces. We will survey Hamilton Road residents when the scheme has been operating for a while and if they want longer enforcement then we can look at that. (And Hamilton Road residents will be shouting at their screens for reasons that it’s best not to go into here; all I’ll say is that we’re aware and we want to fix the problem and sort out the payment issues).
From my point of view I suspect that there will be one around Griffin Park before too long. I’m coming up to 17 years on Ealing Road, I know how hard it can be to park up. Furthermore I suspect that we may be looking for evening enforcement. But no-one has asked us to bring in a CPZ and until they do, I won’t support the installation of one. As ever, happy to hear your views.
* Train time *
Some of you will have visited our local Brentford and Isleworth Area Forum meetings, perhaps to listen to us decide on CPZs or planning applications. I’ve been temporarily charged with increasing participation at these meetings and wuld be pleased to receive your ideas on how this might be done. At our next meeting on Thurs 21st March we will be joined by representatives of South West Trains, so if you would like to come along and congratulate them on their uniformly excellent service (or, of course, you have any other views) then you will be very welcome. 7.30 at the Free Church, just down from the library. Please do let me know what would encourage you to come along. On Thursday we'll also be talking about street trees and getting a local policing update and contributions on those items will be welcome too, I'm sure.
* Tax and spend *
You’ll be getting your council tax bill soon. I’m sure you think it’s a bargain and you’ll be happy to pay it. Hmm. Anyway, for many people it will be a bit cheaper and for dome it will be dearer. I’ll explain. In the budget that the Labour group of councillors – of which I’m one – passed in February to be charged in May we included scope to make a cut in the amount collected. A cut of 0.5%. So it’s not going to pay for your summer holidays, totalling around a fiver, but given the reduction of around £60m in the amount that Hounslow receives from central government over the four year life of the council it’s not too bad an achievement.
Should we have done it? Some say no, that we can’t complain about government cuts and then make our own on top. But there’s a very good reason to do what we did – and it’s a simple one. We said we would. In the 2010 council election we made 5 pledges and one of them was a cut in council tax.
* Toy Library latest *
Brentford Toy Library’s been in the news a bit. At the end of last year the Toy Library announced that it would end its operations. For those who don’t know, the Toy Library has run sessions at St Pauls Church for some while and had recently started sessions on the Haverfield and Clayponds Estate. There was understandable anger at this and Brentford councillors received a number of emails asking why the Council couldn’t put money into such a valuable resource. I looked into this a little and, as so often happens, it’s not as simple as that.
One of the Toy Library’s difficulties was finding volunteers. As I understand it it’s necessary to have two play workers present at all sessions who have CRB checks and there is also the job of managing other volunteers. On the question of funding, the Council has provided just over £42,000 since 2007 and this includes £10,000 that was to go towards the new sessions at Clayponds and Haverfield. Brentford councillors asked for that £10,000 to be re-allocated to the Toy Library provision at St Pauls and I’m pleased to say that the service continues to be available on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at St Pauls following this intervention. There is also, until the end of February, the Shop service at the Docking Station on the High Street. There’s new and used toys etc on sale so if toys at good prices would be helpful, please pop in there.
For the Toy Library’s future, well, it’s a test of what used to be called the Big Society. Anyway, if you think that you can help in some way then let me know and I’ll forward your details. There were paid positions available and these may or may not have been filled by now but, either way, I’m sure the Library will keep your details on file. So if you fancy helping as a volunteer or trustee or, well, anything really then please let me know.
* Your road *
Looks like winter is back, roads being gritted. That’s now the responsibility of something called Hounslow Highways and their new website at http://www.hounslowhighways.org/ is a good place to report any problems with street cleaning, road maintenance etc. It marks the start of a programme to replace all the street lights, roads and pavements in the borough that are managed by the Council (in other words, it excludes the A4 and M4 and some roads and paths that Hounslow Homes, who manage the council’s own stock of homes, look after).
There’s a map function on there that will tell you when your road is going have new lights/paths/roadways. Put your postcode in the box on the lower right of the Home page and click the little spyglass. You’ll get taken to a map helpfully showing where you live. Then click on the years and you will see what is scheduled when. I know that we would all like our road sorted out this month but please bear with us. It’s a big job and it will get done, promise.
* RIP *
Finally, a tribute. Whilst I was away I heard about the death of Phil Scarrott. Phil lived in one of the Brentford Towers and did a huge amount of work on behalf of residents there, got involved in the Haverfield, and the Hounslow Federation of Tenants and Residents and all sorts of other things. He was a huge help to many people, including councillors. Most importantly of all, he was a good man and I’ll miss him. Thanks for all your help, Phil.
* Can I help? *
Please get in touch if you think I can help, either by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033.
In the meantime, thanks for reading.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Brentford FC fixtures 2012 - 2013
Tuesday, August 21 2012 Brentford - Yeovil Town (19.45)
Saturday, August 25 2012 Brentford - Crewe Alexandra (15.00)
Saturday, September 8 2012 Brentford - Colchester United (15.00)
Saturday, September 22 2012 Brentford - Oldham Athletic (15.00)
Tuesday, October 2 2012 Brentford - Shrewsbury Town (19.45)
Saturday, October 6 2012 Brentford - Crawley Town (15.00)
Tuesday, October 23 2012 Brentford - Coventry City (19.45)
Saturday, October 27 2012 Brentford - Hartlepool United (15.00)
Saturday, November 10 2012 Brentford - Carlisle United (15.00)
Saturday, November 24 2012 Brentford - Sheffield United (15.00)
Saturday, December 8 2012 Brentford - Milton Keynes Dons (15.00)
Saturday, December 22 2012 Brentford - Stevenage (15.00)
Tuesday, January 1 2013 Brentford - AFC Bournemouth (15.00)
Saturday, January 5 2013 Brentford - Leyton Orient (15.00)
Saturday, January 19 2013 Brentford - Tranmere Rovers (15.00)
Saturday, February 9 2013 Brentford - Bury (15.00)
Saturday, February 23 2013 Brentford - Walsall (15.00)
Saturday, March 2 2013 Brentford - Scunthorpe United (15.00)
Tuesday, March 12 2013 Brentford - Swindon Town (19.45)
Saturday, March 16 2013 Brentford - Preston North End (15.00)
Saturday, March 30 2013 Brentford - Notts County (15.00)
Saturday, April 13 2013 Brentford - Portsmouth (15.00)
Saturday, April 27 2013 Brentford - Doncaster Rovers (15.00)
Saturday, August 25 2012 Brentford - Crewe Alexandra (15.00)
Saturday, September 8 2012 Brentford - Colchester United (15.00)
Saturday, September 22 2012 Brentford - Oldham Athletic (15.00)
Tuesday, October 2 2012 Brentford - Shrewsbury Town (19.45)
Saturday, October 6 2012 Brentford - Crawley Town (15.00)
Tuesday, October 23 2012 Brentford - Coventry City (19.45)
Saturday, October 27 2012 Brentford - Hartlepool United (15.00)
Saturday, November 10 2012 Brentford - Carlisle United (15.00)
Saturday, November 24 2012 Brentford - Sheffield United (15.00)
Saturday, December 8 2012 Brentford - Milton Keynes Dons (15.00)
Saturday, December 22 2012 Brentford - Stevenage (15.00)
Tuesday, January 1 2013 Brentford - AFC Bournemouth (15.00)
Saturday, January 5 2013 Brentford - Leyton Orient (15.00)
Saturday, January 19 2013 Brentford - Tranmere Rovers (15.00)
Saturday, February 9 2013 Brentford - Bury (15.00)
Saturday, February 23 2013 Brentford - Walsall (15.00)
Saturday, March 2 2013 Brentford - Scunthorpe United (15.00)
Tuesday, March 12 2013 Brentford - Swindon Town (19.45)
Saturday, March 16 2013 Brentford - Preston North End (15.00)
Saturday, March 30 2013 Brentford - Notts County (15.00)
Saturday, April 13 2013 Brentford - Portsmouth (15.00)
Saturday, April 27 2013 Brentford - Doncaster Rovers (15.00)
July 2012 email
July news from Councillor Matt Harmer
Welcome to the July email bulletin from Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer. You’re getting it because we have communicated on local issues. If you would prefer not to receive these bulletins then you will find a link below that will unsubscribe you.
*Olympics nearly here*
I’m starting with a bit of What’s On this time because it’s something that we won’t be seeing again for a while in these parts. Next Tuesday 24th July we have the Olympic Torch coming through. Now,I know that there’s a fair degree of cynicism about some of this and, yes, I know it was Goebels that started the Torch rally but people I trust from outside London have gone to see the Torch passing through their area and they have enjoyed it more, much more, than they expected.
And tribute must be paid to everyone involved in setting up the events on the High Street that morning. Again, I won’t name them because then I’ll leave someone out and that won’t be right. Anyway, the Torch comes over Kew Bridge at 11am and continues along the road to the Town Centre where you’ll find stilt-walking, jugglers, groovy roller skaters, balloon modellers, walkabout entertainers who will mix and mingle with the crowd and plenty more, including Brentford FC Community Sports Trust (football skills will local children), Parkour free runners (running and jumping demonstration), London Cycling Campaign-Dr Bikes - smoothie maker (cycle the bike and make your own smoothie) and Active 360 (Paddleboarding on Brentford Lock). More at http://www.hounslow.gov.uk/index/leisure_and_culture/olympics/torchrelay.htm
Other than that, I’m not sure that Olympic fever has really arrived yet, though that may be to do with the Arctic weather. My personal feeling is that everything will change once the Games start. I am about to have another go at getting tickets once I’ve sent this so see you at the Handball or Taekwondo or whatever. One serious thing is that we will be light on Police numbers in our area, and I’ve yet to discover if this has been worsened by the poor performance of G4S in getting the on-site security sorted.
But whilst we lose some police, temporarily I hope, we have gained some Army personnel in the area. For the next couple of weeks, there will be three lookout people at all times on top of Boulton House, one of the six Brentford Towers. There’s some extra radar stuff up there as far as I know, but no missiles or anything like that. Even if some people would like there to be.
*Forum help needed*
Now, I need your help. From time to time I have mentioned the Area Committee meetings that we have. These comprise a meeting of all the councillors representing Brentford ward (I’m one of them, along with Ruth Cadbury and Mel Collins), Syon ward, Isleworth ward and Osterley &Spring Grove ward. For the next year I’ll be the exalted vice Chair and have a responsibility that I hope you can help me with.
Attendance at the meetings is poor and I want to get more people along. One of the problems is the disparate content of the agendas. A bit of parking, something about a park, a presentation on a budget, it’s all a bit over the place. We do get people along when we are making a decision on something that affects people directly (residents of Hamilton Road and Westbury Place be aware that we will be discussing controlled parking in your roads on Thursday of this week, usual venue at Brentford Free Church, please do come along) and when there is something that has attracted a lot of attention.
I’m of the opinion that themed meetings might work. Sending a couple of hours on local education provision, for example, might attract interest. Perhaps a looser Question Time format to put us on the spot might work. If you could tell me what would get you along to one of these meetings then I’d be very happy to hear from you. Of course, it does beg the question that getting people to meetings should be our desired outcome. I’ve asked that we have a greater effort to use electronic media to attract attention to our decision making process. As for social media, I think i will resuscitate my Twitter feed for one night and if anyone wants to come and take a look at what is happening then you’ll be very welcome. I’m @CllrHarmerTW8. If you raise a question during the meeting I will raise it and let you all know the outcome.
Oh, and hang on to your hats but we have renamed them Forums. So from now on it’s Isleworth and Brentford Area Forum, IBAF. In t5ime I would personally prefer that we move to a ward-based setup, as I don’t feel willing or able to be part of the decision-making process on issues affecting Isleworth and Osterley, and I imagine that some of the councillor for those areas feel the same. I would also hope that some funding can be moved directly to local forums. This wouldn’t be ‘new’ money (there won’t be any of that for a long time) but rather than having completely centralised decision-making we can move just a little out to ward councillors.
*A4 slow progress*
One issue that did attract people to previous meetings was the A4 and we continue to inch towards some action on this, with my colleague Ruth Cadbury working hard. We now have the support of a couple of London Assembly members, both of whom have committed to put pressure on the Mayor, and the efforts of one resident in particular have been very useful here. Our frustration remains that Transport for London, who control what happens on that road, are barely engaging with theCouncil. One example – last week the timings of red lights up and down the road were changed without any prior notice being given to the Council. Thanks to those of you who got in touch about this – all we can do is try to get them changed back after the Olympics. You can follow progress on Ruth’s website at www.RuthCadbury.com or her Twitter feed at @RuthCadbury.
Anyway, I hope to have some proper news on this is September. I am unhappy and embarrassed that this has all taken so long. Some of the problem is caused by plain dangerous driving and that’s hard to stop but there’s no doubt that there is work that needs done, we have found the funding and it still hasn’t happened.
*Park progress*
Some good news to finish with. Gunnersbury Park has been awarded £320,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund. This money will be spent on putting together a full bid for funding of around £4,300,000 to pay for a full regeneration of many of the features in the park in a project that will add up to around £8,000,000 once other funding is bought in. There’s plenty of work to do to attract this funding. There’s more on this at www.gunnersburyfriends.org . And just to show the strength in depth of local parks, Boston Manor Park has been awarded Green Flag status, demonstrating its continued excellence.
Welcome to the July email bulletin from Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer. You’re getting it because we have communicated on local issues. If you would prefer not to receive these bulletins then you will find a link below that will unsubscribe you.
*Olympics nearly here*
I’m starting with a bit of What’s On this time because it’s something that we won’t be seeing again for a while in these parts. Next Tuesday 24th July we have the Olympic Torch coming through. Now,I know that there’s a fair degree of cynicism about some of this and, yes, I know it was Goebels that started the Torch rally but people I trust from outside London have gone to see the Torch passing through their area and they have enjoyed it more, much more, than they expected.
And tribute must be paid to everyone involved in setting up the events on the High Street that morning. Again, I won’t name them because then I’ll leave someone out and that won’t be right. Anyway, the Torch comes over Kew Bridge at 11am and continues along the road to the Town Centre where you’ll find stilt-walking, jugglers, groovy roller skaters, balloon modellers, walkabout entertainers who will mix and mingle with the crowd and plenty more, including Brentford FC Community Sports Trust (football skills will local children), Parkour free runners (running and jumping demonstration), London Cycling Campaign-Dr Bikes - smoothie maker (cycle the bike and make your own smoothie) and Active 360 (Paddleboarding on Brentford Lock). More at http://www.hounslow.gov.uk/index/leisure_and_culture/olympics/torchrelay.htm
Other than that, I’m not sure that Olympic fever has really arrived yet, though that may be to do with the Arctic weather. My personal feeling is that everything will change once the Games start. I am about to have another go at getting tickets once I’ve sent this so see you at the Handball or Taekwondo or whatever. One serious thing is that we will be light on Police numbers in our area, and I’ve yet to discover if this has been worsened by the poor performance of G4S in getting the on-site security sorted.
But whilst we lose some police, temporarily I hope, we have gained some Army personnel in the area. For the next couple of weeks, there will be three lookout people at all times on top of Boulton House, one of the six Brentford Towers. There’s some extra radar stuff up there as far as I know, but no missiles or anything like that. Even if some people would like there to be.
*Forum help needed*
Now, I need your help. From time to time I have mentioned the Area Committee meetings that we have. These comprise a meeting of all the councillors representing Brentford ward (I’m one of them, along with Ruth Cadbury and Mel Collins), Syon ward, Isleworth ward and Osterley &Spring Grove ward. For the next year I’ll be the exalted vice Chair and have a responsibility that I hope you can help me with.
Attendance at the meetings is poor and I want to get more people along. One of the problems is the disparate content of the agendas. A bit of parking, something about a park, a presentation on a budget, it’s all a bit over the place. We do get people along when we are making a decision on something that affects people directly (residents of Hamilton Road and Westbury Place be aware that we will be discussing controlled parking in your roads on Thursday of this week, usual venue at Brentford Free Church, please do come along) and when there is something that has attracted a lot of attention.
I’m of the opinion that themed meetings might work. Sending a couple of hours on local education provision, for example, might attract interest. Perhaps a looser Question Time format to put us on the spot might work. If you could tell me what would get you along to one of these meetings then I’d be very happy to hear from you. Of course, it does beg the question that getting people to meetings should be our desired outcome. I’ve asked that we have a greater effort to use electronic media to attract attention to our decision making process. As for social media, I think i will resuscitate my Twitter feed for one night and if anyone wants to come and take a look at what is happening then you’ll be very welcome. I’m @CllrHarmerTW8. If you raise a question during the meeting I will raise it and let you all know the outcome.
Oh, and hang on to your hats but we have renamed them Forums. So from now on it’s Isleworth and Brentford Area Forum, IBAF. In t5ime I would personally prefer that we move to a ward-based setup, as I don’t feel willing or able to be part of the decision-making process on issues affecting Isleworth and Osterley, and I imagine that some of the councillor for those areas feel the same. I would also hope that some funding can be moved directly to local forums. This wouldn’t be ‘new’ money (there won’t be any of that for a long time) but rather than having completely centralised decision-making we can move just a little out to ward councillors.
*A4 slow progress*
One issue that did attract people to previous meetings was the A4 and we continue to inch towards some action on this, with my colleague Ruth Cadbury working hard. We now have the support of a couple of London Assembly members, both of whom have committed to put pressure on the Mayor, and the efforts of one resident in particular have been very useful here. Our frustration remains that Transport for London, who control what happens on that road, are barely engaging with theCouncil. One example – last week the timings of red lights up and down the road were changed without any prior notice being given to the Council. Thanks to those of you who got in touch about this – all we can do is try to get them changed back after the Olympics. You can follow progress on Ruth’s website at www.RuthCadbury.com or her Twitter feed at @RuthCadbury.
Anyway, I hope to have some proper news on this is September. I am unhappy and embarrassed that this has all taken so long. Some of the problem is caused by plain dangerous driving and that’s hard to stop but there’s no doubt that there is work that needs done, we have found the funding and it still hasn’t happened.
*Park progress*
Some good news to finish with. Gunnersbury Park has been awarded £320,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund. This money will be spent on putting together a full bid for funding of around £4,300,000 to pay for a full regeneration of many of the features in the park in a project that will add up to around £8,000,000 once other funding is bought in. There’s plenty of work to do to attract this funding. There’s more on this at www.gunnersburyfriends.org . And just to show the strength in depth of local parks, Boston Manor Park has been awarded Green Flag status, demonstrating its continued excellence.
May 2012
May news from Councillor Matt Harmer
Welcome to the May email bulletin from Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer. You’re getting it because we have communicated on local issues. If you would prefer not to receive these bulletins then you will find a link below that will unsubscribe you.
* CPZ D-Day *
We are back to our main event so far this year, the consultation into whether or not residents want a Controlled Parking Zone north of the A4. The results are in and a decision will be made this Thursday.
I can’t put tables in these emails, unfortunately, so I will put the results like this: In Enfield Road the results were 32 in favour of a CPZ / 17 against a CPZ, Avenue Rd 7/6, Eastbourne Rd 32/4, Enfield Walk 1/5, Grove Road 2/1, Whitestile Road 25/31 and Windmill Road 2/7. This totals up to 101 in favour and 71 against. Most of those who replied and were in support of a CPZ favoured operational hours of 10-11am and 3-4pm operating Monday to Friday with single yellow lines on the junctions rather than double yellows. In total, 172 of the 470 properties consulted returned the survey forms, a turnout of 37%.
You can see the full report at http://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=70774 and the results table at http://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=70777
So as you can see, whatever the decision, some people will be unhappy. We decide on Thursday 24th May at the Free Church near the Library on Boston Manor Road. The meeting starts at 7.30 and we are first on the agenda after some unavoidable bits of municipal administration. Please do come down if you can.
* Swingometer time *
37% was around the turnout in the Mayoral elections erlier this month. In Brentford ward, Ken Livingstone was a slightly more popular choice than Boris Johnson, by 1180 votes to 1081. What’s interesting – well, to people like me anyway – is the difference in numbers between people voting Conservative in the GLA election and Conservative in the Mayoral ballot. In the former, the Conservative candidate picked up 753 votes, so many more people voted for Johnston than voted for the Conservative candidate (and winner of the seat) Tony Arbour. The reverse happened with the Labour vote, with 1302 favouring Labour’s Lisa Homan. In Syon ward (which starts at Boston Manor Road and goes west through the Butts and onto Busch Corner) Johnson slightly outvoted Livingstone, with a fairly similar pattern occurring regarding the Mayor contest versus the GLA candidates. You can see the results in full by going to http://www.londonelects.org.uk/im-voter/results-and-past-elections/results-2012 , but don’t all go there at once or we might break the server.
* Jobs wanted *
I thought that the election never really got to grips with things that matter. Councillors are getting more emails than ever about jobs and my ward colleague Ruth Cadbury has been leading on efforts to do what we can to get more people employed.
In these times of worldwide recession and rising unemployment it’s good to know that new jobs are coming to the local area. At the end of April Hounslow gave Sky planning permission to create a media campus on their site at Osterley. Over a 10 year development period the jobs based there will grow from the current 8350 to around 12,000, and the build work will add 2300 more. With the forthcoming disappearance of TV Centre it is good to have an alternative employment source for this skill area and adds to some of the other local facilities in the area. There are a number of broadcasters at Chiswick Business Park and other smaller studio facilities dotted around the area already. What is really good is that Ruth has ensured that there will be a long-term training and apprenticeship programme that goes with this development, and we look forward to BSkyB working with local schools and colleges to deliver this.
There is no doubt that transport to and from the site will present a challenge, but we have agreed a number of measures with Sky where they will limit on-site parking (and, yes, fund local Controlled Parking Zones if needed). They are also funding improvements to Syon Lane station, to local bus services and to the pedestrian and road infrastructure.
In time, we will receive some planning gain payments fom BSkyB and we will be very happy to get suggestions on how they might be used. My colleague Mel Collins has recently helped co-ordinate the introduction of handrails on the bridge that crosses the railway line on Clayponds Avenue and the installation of CCTV on Netley Road, which is something that the residents on that road have been asking for. On Thursday we will consider granting £130,000 to the Steam Museum and whilst it would be improper of me to say in advance what the outcome of that might be, I think it's fair to say that the Steam Museum is something that we are very proud to have in the area. The funding comes from the Great West Quarter development on the corner of the A4 and Ealing Road.
There are all sorts of rules on what this planning gain money can and can't pay for, but your sugestions are always welcome so please do keep them coming.
* Bunting ready *
A quick plug for some of the events taking place to help celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. For those near Griffin Park the Griffin Pub is holding a party that starts at 1pm on Sunday 3rd June. Free food for children and all sorts of entertainment. In the High Street there’s a Market on Saturday and Sunday along with watersports on the canal and archery in The Butts, where there’ll be a Jubilee Lunch on Sunday, and in Boston Manor Park there’s in Alice in Wonderland – themed tea party followed by an open-air screening of the Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland film. I’m sure there is lots more and would suggest you head for www.brentfordtw8.com to see what’s on. And put a note in the diary for the Olympic Torch run through town on the 24th July, along with lots more activity in the High Street.
Planning has started for the Brentford Sports Day in St Pauls Rec on 1st August – an extension of the now-traditional Picnic – and the organisers are appealing for any volunteers or people with ideas on how to make the day even better than it usually is to come forward. Email me and I’ll forward your email on.
* Can I help? *
Please get in touch if you think I can help, either by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033.
In the meantime, thanks for reading.
Welcome to the May email bulletin from Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer. You’re getting it because we have communicated on local issues. If you would prefer not to receive these bulletins then you will find a link below that will unsubscribe you.
* CPZ D-Day *
We are back to our main event so far this year, the consultation into whether or not residents want a Controlled Parking Zone north of the A4. The results are in and a decision will be made this Thursday.
I can’t put tables in these emails, unfortunately, so I will put the results like this: In Enfield Road the results were 32 in favour of a CPZ / 17 against a CPZ, Avenue Rd 7/6, Eastbourne Rd 32/4, Enfield Walk 1/5, Grove Road 2/1, Whitestile Road 25/31 and Windmill Road 2/7. This totals up to 101 in favour and 71 against. Most of those who replied and were in support of a CPZ favoured operational hours of 10-11am and 3-4pm operating Monday to Friday with single yellow lines on the junctions rather than double yellows. In total, 172 of the 470 properties consulted returned the survey forms, a turnout of 37%.
You can see the full report at http://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=70774 and the results table at http://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=70777
So as you can see, whatever the decision, some people will be unhappy. We decide on Thursday 24th May at the Free Church near the Library on Boston Manor Road. The meeting starts at 7.30 and we are first on the agenda after some unavoidable bits of municipal administration. Please do come down if you can.
* Swingometer time *
37% was around the turnout in the Mayoral elections erlier this month. In Brentford ward, Ken Livingstone was a slightly more popular choice than Boris Johnson, by 1180 votes to 1081. What’s interesting – well, to people like me anyway – is the difference in numbers between people voting Conservative in the GLA election and Conservative in the Mayoral ballot. In the former, the Conservative candidate picked up 753 votes, so many more people voted for Johnston than voted for the Conservative candidate (and winner of the seat) Tony Arbour. The reverse happened with the Labour vote, with 1302 favouring Labour’s Lisa Homan. In Syon ward (which starts at Boston Manor Road and goes west through the Butts and onto Busch Corner) Johnson slightly outvoted Livingstone, with a fairly similar pattern occurring regarding the Mayor contest versus the GLA candidates. You can see the results in full by going to http://www.londonelects.org.uk/im-voter/results-and-past-elections/results-2012 , but don’t all go there at once or we might break the server.
* Jobs wanted *
I thought that the election never really got to grips with things that matter. Councillors are getting more emails than ever about jobs and my ward colleague Ruth Cadbury has been leading on efforts to do what we can to get more people employed.
In these times of worldwide recession and rising unemployment it’s good to know that new jobs are coming to the local area. At the end of April Hounslow gave Sky planning permission to create a media campus on their site at Osterley. Over a 10 year development period the jobs based there will grow from the current 8350 to around 12,000, and the build work will add 2300 more. With the forthcoming disappearance of TV Centre it is good to have an alternative employment source for this skill area and adds to some of the other local facilities in the area. There are a number of broadcasters at Chiswick Business Park and other smaller studio facilities dotted around the area already. What is really good is that Ruth has ensured that there will be a long-term training and apprenticeship programme that goes with this development, and we look forward to BSkyB working with local schools and colleges to deliver this.
There is no doubt that transport to and from the site will present a challenge, but we have agreed a number of measures with Sky where they will limit on-site parking (and, yes, fund local Controlled Parking Zones if needed). They are also funding improvements to Syon Lane station, to local bus services and to the pedestrian and road infrastructure.
In time, we will receive some planning gain payments fom BSkyB and we will be very happy to get suggestions on how they might be used. My colleague Mel Collins has recently helped co-ordinate the introduction of handrails on the bridge that crosses the railway line on Clayponds Avenue and the installation of CCTV on Netley Road, which is something that the residents on that road have been asking for. On Thursday we will consider granting £130,000 to the Steam Museum and whilst it would be improper of me to say in advance what the outcome of that might be, I think it's fair to say that the Steam Museum is something that we are very proud to have in the area. The funding comes from the Great West Quarter development on the corner of the A4 and Ealing Road.
There are all sorts of rules on what this planning gain money can and can't pay for, but your sugestions are always welcome so please do keep them coming.
* Bunting ready *
A quick plug for some of the events taking place to help celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. For those near Griffin Park the Griffin Pub is holding a party that starts at 1pm on Sunday 3rd June. Free food for children and all sorts of entertainment. In the High Street there’s a Market on Saturday and Sunday along with watersports on the canal and archery in The Butts, where there’ll be a Jubilee Lunch on Sunday, and in Boston Manor Park there’s in Alice in Wonderland – themed tea party followed by an open-air screening of the Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland film. I’m sure there is lots more and would suggest you head for www.brentfordtw8.com to see what’s on. And put a note in the diary for the Olympic Torch run through town on the 24th July, along with lots more activity in the High Street.
Planning has started for the Brentford Sports Day in St Pauls Rec on 1st August – an extension of the now-traditional Picnic – and the organisers are appealing for any volunteers or people with ideas on how to make the day even better than it usually is to come forward. Email me and I’ll forward your email on.
* Can I help? *
Please get in touch if you think I can help, either by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033.
In the meantime, thanks for reading.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
April 2012 email
Welcome to the April email bulletin from Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer. You’re getting it because we have communicated on local issues. If you would prefer not to receive these bulletins then you will find a link below that will unsubscribe you. Just a quick email this month because I wanted to let as many people as possible know about the events on Saturday in the High Street.
* Happy (nearly) St Georges Day *
Full credit to everyone involved in the organisation of the events taking place around Brentford High Street this Saturday (I won’t name anyone because I will leave someone out and that’s not fair). There’s a Market from 10am to 10pm selling food and drink, arts and crafts and jewellery. There’s a waterside festival with a series of presentations about life and work on the river being held at the classroom at MSO Marine – go down Dock Road, the cobbled road opposite Morrisons. There’s a series of talks from 9.45 to 1.00pm.
On the Piazza (the open area at the top of the steps opposite St Lawrence’s there’s keep fit from 9am to 3pm and from the steps by the Holiday Inn you can try Paddleboarding, Kayaking and Canoeing at various times. On Market Place from 2.30 to 10pm there’s live music from a variety of singers and bands. Brentford Toy Library will be there from 12 midday to 4pm, with 20% off new children’s clothes and their selection of second hand clothes and toys (they are also at the High Street’s Docking Station on Fridays from 12 till 4).
It promises to be something special and you can get more information by going here.
And it will also be worth visiting St Pauls between 11am and 4pm to see the latest exhibition of the emerging proposals for the south side of the High Street (they are also there on Fri 20th). More here.
* Watermans *
One of the things that may be under discussion at the exhibition may be the Watermans. You may have read about various petitions to call for the Watermans to remain in Brentford. This took me a bit by surprise when I first read about it because I hadn’t heard about any plans to move the Watermans anywhere. I’ve asked around, and there aren’t. I’d love to tell you that I will complain resolutely against any plans to move Watermans to Hounslow or anywhere else but it would be a bit of an empty gesture really because there aren't any plans to campaign against.
That’s not to say that there shouldn’t be a debate about what arts provision there should be and where it should be. For many, Watermans means a cinema. For some others, it means the activities that take place in Lampton Park and Gunnersbury Park and elsewhere. What rarely gets mentioned is the Hounslow Arts Trust, the body that runs all this. 19% of their funding comes from Hounslow Council – you can see the details on their website – and so that means that the council is an important partner but not the only partner. For what it's worth, I would guess that the best way forward is to look long-term at finding a future for arts as part of the High Street proposals (and presumably the custom that a cinema could attract would help the restaurants that will hopefully come forward).
I’m sure we’ll talk more about this. I’ve had a few emails, roughly split between ‘move it to the High Street’ and ‘leave it where it is’. You’ll see from the funding that the decision isn’t entirely ours. Anyway, keep the comments coming, they are all helpful, and do try and visit the exhibition at St Pauls.And I may see you at Watermans to see Headhunters in the next few days.
* Reynards Mill *
A quick bit of planning news. In case you hadn’t heard the application to build homes on the site called Reynards Mill on Windmill Road was refused this week. I daresay there’ll be a further application but the decision is the right one and all the local residents who constructively objected are to be congratulated. Next up in that area is the forthcoming consultation on a possible Controlled Parking Zone. Letters should be going out around the start of May and the plan at the moment is to hold a small exhibition at St Faiths. Again, plenty of emails on this, ranging from ‘why haven’t you introduced it yet’ to ‘over my dead body’. One thing I ask – and I’m sure that I don’t need to – is that residents at the exhibition remember that the council staff at the exhibition are only there to show the scheme that us councillors have asked them to. When this happened last time, one or two tempers got a bit frayed. I understand that – it’s a contentious issue – but it’s us you need to be getting angry at...
* History your thing? *
Earlier this evening I attended a meeting of the Thomas Layton Trust, of which I’m a trustee. Layton (1819 – 1911) lived here, played a big part in local life and was a collector of books, prints and all else besides. It’s a big collection, some in Hounslow Library, some at the Museum of London. More info at http://www.thomaslayton.org.uk/http://www.thomaslayton.org.uk/
There are a couple of vacancies for trustees and so if you think you would be interested please let me know. The commitment isn’t necessarily great though, as is usually the case with these things, you can do as much as you want, really.
* Please vote *
I'm sure that everyone is thrilled by the Mayoral election coming up soon. No? Oh dear. I worry that the turnout will be much lower than an important election like this deserves. You may not be surprised to hear that I am supporting the Labour candidates, Ken Livingstone for Mayor and Lisa Homan for the Greater London Assembly. I'm not going to start repeating things that you can read in the candidates' literature but will say that over the last couple of years we have suffered in Brentford because of the reduction in the police numbers on our Safer Neighbourhood Team (I'd say that the set-up introduced by Livingstone of police dedicated to one ward and fairly accountable has all but disappeared) and I have been told by Transport for London people that they would find it difficult to make a case for increasing the time to cross the A4 on foot because of the present Mayor's preference for reducing journey times by car on major roads. Having the new buses and the bikes might be nice but personally i would prefer some imaginative ideas on how we can help more Londoners find decent affordable places to live.
Anyway, please do vote. It matters.
* Can I help? *
Please get in touch if you think I can help, either by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033 and leaving a message. In the meantime, thanks for reading.
* Happy (nearly) St Georges Day *
Full credit to everyone involved in the organisation of the events taking place around Brentford High Street this Saturday (I won’t name anyone because I will leave someone out and that’s not fair). There’s a Market from 10am to 10pm selling food and drink, arts and crafts and jewellery. There’s a waterside festival with a series of presentations about life and work on the river being held at the classroom at MSO Marine – go down Dock Road, the cobbled road opposite Morrisons. There’s a series of talks from 9.45 to 1.00pm.
On the Piazza (the open area at the top of the steps opposite St Lawrence’s there’s keep fit from 9am to 3pm and from the steps by the Holiday Inn you can try Paddleboarding, Kayaking and Canoeing at various times. On Market Place from 2.30 to 10pm there’s live music from a variety of singers and bands. Brentford Toy Library will be there from 12 midday to 4pm, with 20% off new children’s clothes and their selection of second hand clothes and toys (they are also at the High Street’s Docking Station on Fridays from 12 till 4).
It promises to be something special and you can get more information by going here.
And it will also be worth visiting St Pauls between 11am and 4pm to see the latest exhibition of the emerging proposals for the south side of the High Street (they are also there on Fri 20th). More here.
* Watermans *
One of the things that may be under discussion at the exhibition may be the Watermans. You may have read about various petitions to call for the Watermans to remain in Brentford. This took me a bit by surprise when I first read about it because I hadn’t heard about any plans to move the Watermans anywhere. I’ve asked around, and there aren’t. I’d love to tell you that I will complain resolutely against any plans to move Watermans to Hounslow or anywhere else but it would be a bit of an empty gesture really because there aren't any plans to campaign against.
That’s not to say that there shouldn’t be a debate about what arts provision there should be and where it should be. For many, Watermans means a cinema. For some others, it means the activities that take place in Lampton Park and Gunnersbury Park and elsewhere. What rarely gets mentioned is the Hounslow Arts Trust, the body that runs all this. 19% of their funding comes from Hounslow Council – you can see the details on their website – and so that means that the council is an important partner but not the only partner. For what it's worth, I would guess that the best way forward is to look long-term at finding a future for arts as part of the High Street proposals (and presumably the custom that a cinema could attract would help the restaurants that will hopefully come forward).
I’m sure we’ll talk more about this. I’ve had a few emails, roughly split between ‘move it to the High Street’ and ‘leave it where it is’. You’ll see from the funding that the decision isn’t entirely ours. Anyway, keep the comments coming, they are all helpful, and do try and visit the exhibition at St Pauls.And I may see you at Watermans to see Headhunters in the next few days.
* Reynards Mill *
A quick bit of planning news. In case you hadn’t heard the application to build homes on the site called Reynards Mill on Windmill Road was refused this week. I daresay there’ll be a further application but the decision is the right one and all the local residents who constructively objected are to be congratulated. Next up in that area is the forthcoming consultation on a possible Controlled Parking Zone. Letters should be going out around the start of May and the plan at the moment is to hold a small exhibition at St Faiths. Again, plenty of emails on this, ranging from ‘why haven’t you introduced it yet’ to ‘over my dead body’. One thing I ask – and I’m sure that I don’t need to – is that residents at the exhibition remember that the council staff at the exhibition are only there to show the scheme that us councillors have asked them to. When this happened last time, one or two tempers got a bit frayed. I understand that – it’s a contentious issue – but it’s us you need to be getting angry at...
* History your thing? *
Earlier this evening I attended a meeting of the Thomas Layton Trust, of which I’m a trustee. Layton (1819 – 1911) lived here, played a big part in local life and was a collector of books, prints and all else besides. It’s a big collection, some in Hounslow Library, some at the Museum of London. More info at http://www.thomaslayton.org.uk/http://www.thomaslayton.org.uk/
There are a couple of vacancies for trustees and so if you think you would be interested please let me know. The commitment isn’t necessarily great though, as is usually the case with these things, you can do as much as you want, really.
* Please vote *
I'm sure that everyone is thrilled by the Mayoral election coming up soon. No? Oh dear. I worry that the turnout will be much lower than an important election like this deserves. You may not be surprised to hear that I am supporting the Labour candidates, Ken Livingstone for Mayor and Lisa Homan for the Greater London Assembly. I'm not going to start repeating things that you can read in the candidates' literature but will say that over the last couple of years we have suffered in Brentford because of the reduction in the police numbers on our Safer Neighbourhood Team (I'd say that the set-up introduced by Livingstone of police dedicated to one ward and fairly accountable has all but disappeared) and I have been told by Transport for London people that they would find it difficult to make a case for increasing the time to cross the A4 on foot because of the present Mayor's preference for reducing journey times by car on major roads. Having the new buses and the bikes might be nice but personally i would prefer some imaginative ideas on how we can help more Londoners find decent affordable places to live.
Anyway, please do vote. It matters.
* Can I help? *
Please get in touch if you think I can help, either by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033 and leaving a message. In the meantime, thanks for reading.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
March 2012 email
March news from Councillor Matt Harmer
Welcome to the March email bulletin from Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer. You’re getting it because we have communicated on local issues. If you would prefer not to receive these bulletins then you will find a link below that will unsubscribe you. Only one big story this month, about our old friends CPZs.
You may remember that we received a petition last year from residents in Enfield Road asking for a CPZ, Controlled Parking Zone, to be put in on Enfield Road and the surrounding roads. We can’t just put one in without following the proper consultation process and so the first stage of that was carried out in February.
The format of these emails prevents me from attaching the results, but if you want to see them please reply and I’ll send a copy back by email. In short, there was a majority in favour of introducing a CPZ in Avenue Road, Eastbourne Rd and Enfield Road and a majority against in Grove Rd, Whitestile Rd and Enfield Walk. Altogether 184 people responded, with the final tally being 86 in favour, 88 against and 9 not sure.
32 of the fors and 48 of the againsts came from Whitestile Road.
Because of this, my colleagues and I decided on Thursday to go to a second round of consultation. It will give people in those roads the chance to look at exactly how the plans will look, will spaces be lost on corners etc etc. And there’ll be a second round of voting. I know that some attendees to the meeting were unhappy that we weren’t just putting a CPZ in, but I hope on reflection that everyone can see that wouldn’t be right at all.
I have requested that the whole process be completed by mid-May, so that we can make a decision at the next meeting of the committee that decides these things, the Isleworth and Brentford Area Committee, on May 24th.
The results document I can send also includes the results of the questions about hours and days of operation.
For residents of Brook Lane North, we will also be asking residents if they want to be part of the local CPZ following requests from a local resident there. The road is sandwiched between two roads which are in a CPZ.
I know that we won’t make everyone happy, indeed the best we can hope for is making the fewest number of people unhappy. This is why we will make sure that surveys go out to all residents and we will make sure that all decisions will be made, and explained, in public.
* Magistrates Court *
One forthcoming event you may be interested in. We’ve had a letter from the new owners of the Magistrates Court building on the High Street. They propose a restaurant on the ground floor and flats above this. You can go and take a look at the plans on Weds 21st March at 6.30. I can’t go but have asked that the new owners stay in touch. I don’t know what the restaurant will be, and the truth is that we can only give planning permission for a restaurant, we can’ distinguish between restaurant companies (though we can prevent takeaway use).
* St Pauls *
Finally for now, I’ve had some emails regarding the entrance to St Pauls Park. The gates have been opened up to allow easier access for prams and, yes, bikes. No-one defends dangerous cycling but cycling through the park does happen at the moment (including by me) and we want to make it part of a clear route for cyclists. But there is a trial period and if it doesn’t work out, we’ll put it back like it was. Thanks to everyone for the emails for and against.
* Can I help? *
Please get in touch if you think I can help, either by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033. In the meantime, thanks for reading.
Welcome to the March email bulletin from Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer. You’re getting it because we have communicated on local issues. If you would prefer not to receive these bulletins then you will find a link below that will unsubscribe you. Only one big story this month, about our old friends CPZs.
You may remember that we received a petition last year from residents in Enfield Road asking for a CPZ, Controlled Parking Zone, to be put in on Enfield Road and the surrounding roads. We can’t just put one in without following the proper consultation process and so the first stage of that was carried out in February.
The format of these emails prevents me from attaching the results, but if you want to see them please reply and I’ll send a copy back by email. In short, there was a majority in favour of introducing a CPZ in Avenue Road, Eastbourne Rd and Enfield Road and a majority against in Grove Rd, Whitestile Rd and Enfield Walk. Altogether 184 people responded, with the final tally being 86 in favour, 88 against and 9 not sure.
32 of the fors and 48 of the againsts came from Whitestile Road.
Because of this, my colleagues and I decided on Thursday to go to a second round of consultation. It will give people in those roads the chance to look at exactly how the plans will look, will spaces be lost on corners etc etc. And there’ll be a second round of voting. I know that some attendees to the meeting were unhappy that we weren’t just putting a CPZ in, but I hope on reflection that everyone can see that wouldn’t be right at all.
I have requested that the whole process be completed by mid-May, so that we can make a decision at the next meeting of the committee that decides these things, the Isleworth and Brentford Area Committee, on May 24th.
The results document I can send also includes the results of the questions about hours and days of operation.
For residents of Brook Lane North, we will also be asking residents if they want to be part of the local CPZ following requests from a local resident there. The road is sandwiched between two roads which are in a CPZ.
I know that we won’t make everyone happy, indeed the best we can hope for is making the fewest number of people unhappy. This is why we will make sure that surveys go out to all residents and we will make sure that all decisions will be made, and explained, in public.
* Magistrates Court *
One forthcoming event you may be interested in. We’ve had a letter from the new owners of the Magistrates Court building on the High Street. They propose a restaurant on the ground floor and flats above this. You can go and take a look at the plans on Weds 21st March at 6.30. I can’t go but have asked that the new owners stay in touch. I don’t know what the restaurant will be, and the truth is that we can only give planning permission for a restaurant, we can’ distinguish between restaurant companies (though we can prevent takeaway use).
* St Pauls *
Finally for now, I’ve had some emails regarding the entrance to St Pauls Park. The gates have been opened up to allow easier access for prams and, yes, bikes. No-one defends dangerous cycling but cycling through the park does happen at the moment (including by me) and we want to make it part of a clear route for cyclists. But there is a trial period and if it doesn’t work out, we’ll put it back like it was. Thanks to everyone for the emails for and against.
* Can I help? *
Please get in touch if you think I can help, either by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033. In the meantime, thanks for reading.
February 2012
February news from Councillor Matt Harmer
Welcome to the February email bulletin from Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer. You’re getting it because we have communicated on local issues. If you would prefer not to receive these bulletins then you will find a link below that will unsubscribe you.
* Brentford Festival *
You have possibly read that there will be no Brentford Festival in 2012. You can read a statement from Linda Massey, the prime mover behind the event, here: http://www.brentfordfestival.org.uk/BF2012CancelPressRelease.pdf What follows here is a personal view – it’s not a Council statement of any kind. It’s a bit long but it’s not a simple issue.
The organisers appear to have been the victim of the decision taken by the previous Conservative/ICG - led council to give control of our local parks to a private company, John Laing Integrated Services. There also may have been delays in responding to Festival organisers and this is something that we will be looking into further.
As far as I can see, here is what happened. Since the start of the Festival, the organisers have been provided with certain services for free. These include things like signage, setting up and taking down marquees, generators, extra litter collection etc. These services were undertaken by CIP, the not-for-profit organisation set up by a previous Labour administration to run parks, libraries etc in Hounslow.
However, JLIS have made it clear to the organisers that they were going to treat the Festival in the same way that they would treat a private event and set fees that a private event organiser would expect to pay but that a community could never expect to meet. These include not only the fees for providing what used to be provided at no cost to the Festival but also fees for what appears to be an Indemnity/Public Liability contract. This, as I understand it, is protection against being sued if, say, a visitor at the Festival fell, tripped and hurt themselves. The organisers weren't required to undertake one of these in the past, they tell me, as this was covered by the year-round all-purpose agreement that is in place that covers every visitor to every park all year round.
In mid-January the Council agreed to cover at least some of these costs. There seems to have been an objection to the principle of the Council paying these costs given that the Council (which of course means council tax payers) already pays JLIS. I’m all in favour of having principles but being frank, I would prefer that the Council has to pay more money to JLIS and get the event on rather than not pay the money and therefore not have the event.
There was another issue. In the past, CIP provided resources at little/no charge. Signage, some stewarding, set up and take down help. When JLIS took over, a company called Continental Landscapes (containing many of the same personnel) took over as a sub-contractor of JLIS. But from March JLIS will do this in house and will make a charge for services previously provided at low-cost. The Council agreed to cover all these costs for 2012 had the Festival not been cancelled.
And, like I said, the organisers wanted all this sorted out well in advance of the Festival. They set a deadline, it wasn’t met, and they cancelled the Festival.
What happens now? Plainly, we have work to do to get the Festival on in 2013. The work that is necessary to put the Festival on has to come from somewhere and we will do everything we can do find it. We will probably have to work within the contract drawn up by the Conservative/ICG administration, unfortunately, and this will involve John Laing Integrated Services taking money out for themselves/their shareholders. It's another reminder that this is what happens when the private sector comes in to organise public goods. We all know that this happens but it never hurts to remind ourselves that the effects are rarely pain-free. There’ll be a bill to council-tax payers and we have to find funding for this and other events of its kind. I've read on www.brentfordTW8.com tonight of proposals to have a Brentford Picnic on Sunday 2nd September and this seems a very good idea.
One personal thing. In their press release the organisers ask people to contact local councillors to make their views known. And thanks to all those who have. But I do wish that the organisers had got in touch with me to tell me about these problems before making their decision. I'm not guaranteeing that they could have been fixed, but we would have tried very hard. Certainly, at least some of the money had already been found. I have helped the Festival raise bits of money in the past and certainly would have tried had I been asked. As it is, I found out about all this when I read the Chronicle on Friday morning. Most of the organisers know me, I've helped the Festival in a couple of minor ways in the past, and would have tried to do so again. A call to say "We gave the Council a deadline and it's in two days and we've heard nothing" would have been acted on.
And to finish this off for now - the organisers of the Festival do an amazing job. There'll be more festivals and there'll be a need for volunteers to help run it. If you can help, let me know and I'll pass your details on.
+++++++++++++++++My ward colleague (and Deputy Leader of the Council) Ruth Cadbury adds the following:
I have started to get emails implying that the Council could have ensured the festival went ahead this summer. As with everything the truth is more complex. For my part, the organisers didn’t approach me for help when they were considering cancelling the 2012 Festival, due to be held the weekend after the August bank holiday. Nevertheless, because Brentford Festival is such an important event in the community calendar in Brentford, I did what I could as soon as I heard, to see if they would reconsider. In the last week, with 2 fellow Cabinet members (Pritam Grewal - lead on Leisure, and Sachin Gupta - lead on Communities) and officers, we have identified sufficient funds to cover those costs that JLIS are not prepared to cover. We have let the organisers know this, and the offer stands. However I accept that it is entirely within the rights of a community group to make their own decisions.
There is no doubt that it costs money to put on a large event in a public park. The funds for this have to come from somewhere, either from the trading profits, or from the Council, or its contractors. The former are too low if it is to remain a truly community event, the latter was no longer an option once JLIS enforced the terms of their contract. In my view the Council has a duty to cover the reasonable costs of an event that is put on for community benefit, rather than commercial gain. Clearly there can be a fine dividing line, but the overall flavour of the Brentford festival is of and for the local community. Getting that issue right isn’t straightforward; we know we need a Council policy and this is being drafted – and it will be in place in time for events planned for 2013. Meanwhile we are prepared to find funds (within reason) from community and leisure budgets, to cover reasonable requests for local community events already in the calendar for this year.++++++++++++++++++++++
And there's a statement from the Council:
A council spokesman said: “It was disappointing to hear that the Brentford Festival organisers had taken the decision to cancel this year’s event.
“I hope they will reconsider.
“Brentford residents and the London Borough of Hounslow value this event as we do all community events across the Borough. But there has to be a degree of acceptance that with events come costs that have to be covered.
“That said, I do not think this is a lost cause, so myself and local members, along with John Laing Integrated Services, will seek more discussions with the Festival organisers to see if we can find a common-sense solution to the issue.”
* Planning problems *
A series of planning applications have caused controversy in one part of the ward. In Brook Road South and just off Lateward Road you will find garages. The garages are owned by Hounslow Council and managed by Hounslow Homes. They are popular and there is a long waiting list.
Last month, applications were placed with the council to demolish the garages and build houses – one four-bed house on the Lateward road site and two three bedroom houses on Brook Road South. Tenants of the garages are unhappy, as are some local residents concerned about a number of issues including the stress on parking, design, security etc.
As unpopular as it may make me, I support the principle of turning garages into houses. As we all know, councils are under pressure like never before. One of the key pledges that we were voted in on was to provide 2,500 affordable homes. There is a possibility – and at the moment it is only a possibility, nothing has been decided – that garage sites can be developed into housing and those homes either provided as affordable housing of some kind or sold privately and the funds used to develop affordable housing elsewhere.
As for the applications themselves, I have suggested to objectors that they concentrate on key planning policy issues. Because the sites are in what we call a Conservation Area, there are two things to decide – should the garages be demolished, and do the proposed homes preserve and enhance the conservation area. Objectors will be glad to know that I am no part of the decision-making process. The planning committee for the Council will decide on the applications, probably at their meeting on March 26th, and that’s not a committee I’m on. It will then be up for the Council’s cabinet to decide whether to go ahead with the disposal of the garage sites and what form of housing (private, affordable etc) should go on them. I’m not on the cabinet either.
If you want to comment on these applications then you can do so by emailing planningcomments@hounslow.gov.uk
* Alfa Lavel *
An important planning issue over the last couple of years has been the future of the Alfa Lavel site.Following enquiries from Layton Road residents I received the following update from the architects last week:
++++++++++++++++++I am pleased to report that the Alfa Laval project has commenced with some enabling works being carried out including removing the scaffolding to the tower and some minor works to the site internally.
The anticipated start date for the main construction is the end of April, and the contract programme for the first phase (car park, affordable housing, two hotels and the Hyundai showroom) is about two and a half years. Phase two (private housing) may commence towards the end of phase 1, although the office building is problematic.
The final two hotel operators are still confidential and as soon as I can I will release the information.
The affordable housing is all signed up - with affordable housing provider A2 Dominion.
The tenant for the car showroom is all signed up - with Hyundai. We will also be making a planning application in the next few weeks for a temporary screen to the Hyundai showroom as they need some presence on the A4 during the Olympics and beyond as their unit will not be ready until 2013 - and I hope that this is supported.
We are struggling to get a tenant for the office building at this stage and perhaps it will never be let. We are also looking at changing the use of this office building at the corner of Ealing Road where it faces into the scheme into residential.
The private residential market is improving and this phase may well follow on from the first phase.++++++++++++++
There has been an application to allow the larger ads on the side of the Alfa Lavel tower. This is called a retrospective application, applying for something already in place. I have concerns over this – the trouble is, the building is so ugly that perhaps the adverts look better than the building. Your views are welcome.
* Reynards Mill *
Finally, for now, the Reynards Mill application. The planning officer tells me that, in his opinion, the principle concerns are the layout (and its implications of quality of communal amenity space), undersized gardens for the terraced housing, too many north facing single aspect rooms, inadequate on site parking and that the public park should be larger. Planning officers have said that these issues need to be addressed before we can move forward and the likelihood is that addressing these issues would result in a notable reduction in the number of units/building heights at the site.
The applicant is yet to tell us whether they will try and address these concerns and until they do (they have indicated towards the end of the month) the next steps are uncertain.
Thanks to those who have made it this far. Your views are always welcome.
Thanks for reading,
Matt
Welcome to the February email bulletin from Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer. You’re getting it because we have communicated on local issues. If you would prefer not to receive these bulletins then you will find a link below that will unsubscribe you.
* Brentford Festival *
You have possibly read that there will be no Brentford Festival in 2012. You can read a statement from Linda Massey, the prime mover behind the event, here: http://www.brentfordfestival.org.uk/BF2012CancelPressRelease.pdf What follows here is a personal view – it’s not a Council statement of any kind. It’s a bit long but it’s not a simple issue.
The organisers appear to have been the victim of the decision taken by the previous Conservative/ICG - led council to give control of our local parks to a private company, John Laing Integrated Services. There also may have been delays in responding to Festival organisers and this is something that we will be looking into further.
As far as I can see, here is what happened. Since the start of the Festival, the organisers have been provided with certain services for free. These include things like signage, setting up and taking down marquees, generators, extra litter collection etc. These services were undertaken by CIP, the not-for-profit organisation set up by a previous Labour administration to run parks, libraries etc in Hounslow.
However, JLIS have made it clear to the organisers that they were going to treat the Festival in the same way that they would treat a private event and set fees that a private event organiser would expect to pay but that a community could never expect to meet. These include not only the fees for providing what used to be provided at no cost to the Festival but also fees for what appears to be an Indemnity/Public Liability contract. This, as I understand it, is protection against being sued if, say, a visitor at the Festival fell, tripped and hurt themselves. The organisers weren't required to undertake one of these in the past, they tell me, as this was covered by the year-round all-purpose agreement that is in place that covers every visitor to every park all year round.
In mid-January the Council agreed to cover at least some of these costs. There seems to have been an objection to the principle of the Council paying these costs given that the Council (which of course means council tax payers) already pays JLIS. I’m all in favour of having principles but being frank, I would prefer that the Council has to pay more money to JLIS and get the event on rather than not pay the money and therefore not have the event.
There was another issue. In the past, CIP provided resources at little/no charge. Signage, some stewarding, set up and take down help. When JLIS took over, a company called Continental Landscapes (containing many of the same personnel) took over as a sub-contractor of JLIS. But from March JLIS will do this in house and will make a charge for services previously provided at low-cost. The Council agreed to cover all these costs for 2012 had the Festival not been cancelled.
And, like I said, the organisers wanted all this sorted out well in advance of the Festival. They set a deadline, it wasn’t met, and they cancelled the Festival.
What happens now? Plainly, we have work to do to get the Festival on in 2013. The work that is necessary to put the Festival on has to come from somewhere and we will do everything we can do find it. We will probably have to work within the contract drawn up by the Conservative/ICG administration, unfortunately, and this will involve John Laing Integrated Services taking money out for themselves/their shareholders. It's another reminder that this is what happens when the private sector comes in to organise public goods. We all know that this happens but it never hurts to remind ourselves that the effects are rarely pain-free. There’ll be a bill to council-tax payers and we have to find funding for this and other events of its kind. I've read on www.brentfordTW8.com tonight of proposals to have a Brentford Picnic on Sunday 2nd September and this seems a very good idea.
One personal thing. In their press release the organisers ask people to contact local councillors to make their views known. And thanks to all those who have. But I do wish that the organisers had got in touch with me to tell me about these problems before making their decision. I'm not guaranteeing that they could have been fixed, but we would have tried very hard. Certainly, at least some of the money had already been found. I have helped the Festival raise bits of money in the past and certainly would have tried had I been asked. As it is, I found out about all this when I read the Chronicle on Friday morning. Most of the organisers know me, I've helped the Festival in a couple of minor ways in the past, and would have tried to do so again. A call to say "We gave the Council a deadline and it's in two days and we've heard nothing" would have been acted on.
And to finish this off for now - the organisers of the Festival do an amazing job. There'll be more festivals and there'll be a need for volunteers to help run it. If you can help, let me know and I'll pass your details on.
+++++++++++++++++My ward colleague (and Deputy Leader of the Council) Ruth Cadbury adds the following:
I have started to get emails implying that the Council could have ensured the festival went ahead this summer. As with everything the truth is more complex. For my part, the organisers didn’t approach me for help when they were considering cancelling the 2012 Festival, due to be held the weekend after the August bank holiday. Nevertheless, because Brentford Festival is such an important event in the community calendar in Brentford, I did what I could as soon as I heard, to see if they would reconsider. In the last week, with 2 fellow Cabinet members (Pritam Grewal - lead on Leisure, and Sachin Gupta - lead on Communities) and officers, we have identified sufficient funds to cover those costs that JLIS are not prepared to cover. We have let the organisers know this, and the offer stands. However I accept that it is entirely within the rights of a community group to make their own decisions.
There is no doubt that it costs money to put on a large event in a public park. The funds for this have to come from somewhere, either from the trading profits, or from the Council, or its contractors. The former are too low if it is to remain a truly community event, the latter was no longer an option once JLIS enforced the terms of their contract. In my view the Council has a duty to cover the reasonable costs of an event that is put on for community benefit, rather than commercial gain. Clearly there can be a fine dividing line, but the overall flavour of the Brentford festival is of and for the local community. Getting that issue right isn’t straightforward; we know we need a Council policy and this is being drafted – and it will be in place in time for events planned for 2013. Meanwhile we are prepared to find funds (within reason) from community and leisure budgets, to cover reasonable requests for local community events already in the calendar for this year.++++++++++++++++++++++
And there's a statement from the Council:
A council spokesman said: “It was disappointing to hear that the Brentford Festival organisers had taken the decision to cancel this year’s event.
“I hope they will reconsider.
“Brentford residents and the London Borough of Hounslow value this event as we do all community events across the Borough. But there has to be a degree of acceptance that with events come costs that have to be covered.
“That said, I do not think this is a lost cause, so myself and local members, along with John Laing Integrated Services, will seek more discussions with the Festival organisers to see if we can find a common-sense solution to the issue.”
* Planning problems *
A series of planning applications have caused controversy in one part of the ward. In Brook Road South and just off Lateward Road you will find garages. The garages are owned by Hounslow Council and managed by Hounslow Homes. They are popular and there is a long waiting list.
Last month, applications were placed with the council to demolish the garages and build houses – one four-bed house on the Lateward road site and two three bedroom houses on Brook Road South. Tenants of the garages are unhappy, as are some local residents concerned about a number of issues including the stress on parking, design, security etc.
As unpopular as it may make me, I support the principle of turning garages into houses. As we all know, councils are under pressure like never before. One of the key pledges that we were voted in on was to provide 2,500 affordable homes. There is a possibility – and at the moment it is only a possibility, nothing has been decided – that garage sites can be developed into housing and those homes either provided as affordable housing of some kind or sold privately and the funds used to develop affordable housing elsewhere.
As for the applications themselves, I have suggested to objectors that they concentrate on key planning policy issues. Because the sites are in what we call a Conservation Area, there are two things to decide – should the garages be demolished, and do the proposed homes preserve and enhance the conservation area. Objectors will be glad to know that I am no part of the decision-making process. The planning committee for the Council will decide on the applications, probably at their meeting on March 26th, and that’s not a committee I’m on. It will then be up for the Council’s cabinet to decide whether to go ahead with the disposal of the garage sites and what form of housing (private, affordable etc) should go on them. I’m not on the cabinet either.
If you want to comment on these applications then you can do so by emailing planningcomments@hounslow.gov.uk
* Alfa Lavel *
An important planning issue over the last couple of years has been the future of the Alfa Lavel site.Following enquiries from Layton Road residents I received the following update from the architects last week:
++++++++++++++++++I am pleased to report that the Alfa Laval project has commenced with some enabling works being carried out including removing the scaffolding to the tower and some minor works to the site internally.
The anticipated start date for the main construction is the end of April, and the contract programme for the first phase (car park, affordable housing, two hotels and the Hyundai showroom) is about two and a half years. Phase two (private housing) may commence towards the end of phase 1, although the office building is problematic.
The final two hotel operators are still confidential and as soon as I can I will release the information.
The affordable housing is all signed up - with affordable housing provider A2 Dominion.
The tenant for the car showroom is all signed up - with Hyundai. We will also be making a planning application in the next few weeks for a temporary screen to the Hyundai showroom as they need some presence on the A4 during the Olympics and beyond as their unit will not be ready until 2013 - and I hope that this is supported.
We are struggling to get a tenant for the office building at this stage and perhaps it will never be let. We are also looking at changing the use of this office building at the corner of Ealing Road where it faces into the scheme into residential.
The private residential market is improving and this phase may well follow on from the first phase.++++++++++++++
There has been an application to allow the larger ads on the side of the Alfa Lavel tower. This is called a retrospective application, applying for something already in place. I have concerns over this – the trouble is, the building is so ugly that perhaps the adverts look better than the building. Your views are welcome.
* Reynards Mill *
Finally, for now, the Reynards Mill application. The planning officer tells me that, in his opinion, the principle concerns are the layout (and its implications of quality of communal amenity space), undersized gardens for the terraced housing, too many north facing single aspect rooms, inadequate on site parking and that the public park should be larger. Planning officers have said that these issues need to be addressed before we can move forward and the likelihood is that addressing these issues would result in a notable reduction in the number of units/building heights at the site.
The applicant is yet to tell us whether they will try and address these concerns and until they do (they have indicated towards the end of the month) the next steps are uncertain.
Thanks to those who have made it this far. Your views are always welcome.
Thanks for reading,
Matt
January 2012 email
January news from Councillor Matt Harmer
Welcome to the January 2012 email bulletin from Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer. You’re getting it because we have communicated on local issues. If you would prefer not to receive these bulletins then you will find a link below that will unsubscribe you. Just a brief email this month as we are still easing ourselves into the New Year.
* Reynards Mill reckoning *
First off, thanks again to everyone who has been in touch regarding a couple of controversial planning applications – the Reynards Mill site off Windmill Road and the area of open space between Hamilton Road and the railway line.
There’s some news on the first one, an application for 275 homes on the industrial estate. Something we call the Isleworth and Brentford Area Committee – the 12 councillors who represent that area – will be discussing the Reynards Mill application at our meeting next Thursday 26th January. No decision will be made; the purpose is to pass local views onto the council committee that decides these things. However there is one important thing – the format of these local meetings has changed and there’s now an opportunity for residents to address the committee. Not for very long, there’s a five minute time limit and so objectors (and supporters, of course, I’ve had some supportive emails) have to team up.
If you want to come along then please do so. The details are at http://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=576&MId=6837 where you’ll see that the discussion is not first on the agenda, so be prepared to possibly have to spectate on some exciting items about bus stops in Osterley.
The Hamilton Road application won’t be at that meeting as I understand that there is still work to be done on it. It’s attracted much opposition locally – again, hello if you are receiving this for the first time – and I suspect that it will be a while before we get to discuss it.
Regardless of what we think about the application, it’s my personal opinion that they should be decided at the full planning committee that contains councillors who have received at least some training. Of course there are some applications that we would be glad to see the back of straight away but doing things the right way is important.
* Parking progress *
This application is not the only thing that will be giving residents around Windmill Road something to think about. You may remember that, last year, residents raised a petition to seek a further consultation on whether or not their roads should have controlled parking. That consultation will be happening at the end of this month.
I’ve already had plenty of emails on this and if they are any guide the results will be too close to call. I know that very few people will be happy with the result, whatever it is – everyone has an ideal solution and no two solutions are the same. To start with, there are questions on who is eligible to vote – should people who don’t drive get to vote? If you have two cars, do you get two votes? Special dispensation for shift workers?
Anyway, in the first instance there will just be a couple of questions – are you in favour of a CPZ and, if so, what hours/days would you prefer. If there’s sufficient interest there’ll be a second round of consultation on detailed designs. A drawn-out process, yes, but worth doing right. I also want to sort out some unclear rules about whether you can or cannot park partly on the pavement on Enfield Road.
Enfield Road, Eastbourne Road, Grove Road and Avenue Road were the roads down to be consulted, we have asked that Whitestile Road be added. If you haven’t had a letter about all this by Feb 5th please let me know. You have till 20th Feb to reply.
* High Street Happiness *
There’ll be some changes to the High Street following an award of around £950,000 from the Outer London Fund to Hounslow Council. Some of the things coming our way:
A launch event along the Grand Union Canal with the Royal Opera House during the Olympics
Improving access from the Great West Road to Brentford Lock through a new cycling and pedestrian junction via the canal’s towpath and new bespoke signage on the Golden Mile
A project to improve signage in and around Brentford town centre
A bespoke lighting scheme linking up the Great West Road with the towpath, bridge underpass, towpath, Piazza, High Street and Market Place
Development of a new cycling junction outside Holiday Inn
Improvements to entrances to St George’s Piazza, new lighting and signage and bringing empty retail units back into use
Improvements to the north side of High Street, with new street furniture, lighting and further shop frontage improvements
A one year long community programme to develop a spectacular performance for a celebration event in March 2014
In case you are wondering (and I was) St George’s Piazza is the open space just above the High Street opposite St Laurence’s Church and the Holiday Inn. I must have missed the meeting that decided that name (and to be fair it’s not Brentford ward) but anyway. Particular congratulations for this are owing to my ward colleague Ruth Cadbury, who has driven forward this successful bid (which has also netted Hounslow town centre around £2 million)
* Funding call *
A reminder that the Council has funding available for local not-for-profit enterprises. Despite the financial challenges we face I'm pleased that we have been able to keep some funding available for this important sector. Since the last email I'm pleased to have been able to point the Toy Library and Spartans FC in the right direction. As ever, please get in touch if you think your group might qualify.
There's also funding available for one-off street parties and the like to celebrate the St George's Day, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the Olympic Torch Relay or the Olympic/Paralympic Games. Up to £500 is available and if possible we'll help you close the road for the party. Drop me a line if you want to know more.
* Can I help? *
Finally, please get in touch if you think I can help, either by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033. If you’ve called recently and haven’t had a reply, please try again – I think I’ve finally got the phone problem resolved.
In the meantime, thanks for reading.
Welcome to the January 2012 email bulletin from Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer. You’re getting it because we have communicated on local issues. If you would prefer not to receive these bulletins then you will find a link below that will unsubscribe you. Just a brief email this month as we are still easing ourselves into the New Year.
* Reynards Mill reckoning *
First off, thanks again to everyone who has been in touch regarding a couple of controversial planning applications – the Reynards Mill site off Windmill Road and the area of open space between Hamilton Road and the railway line.
There’s some news on the first one, an application for 275 homes on the industrial estate. Something we call the Isleworth and Brentford Area Committee – the 12 councillors who represent that area – will be discussing the Reynards Mill application at our meeting next Thursday 26th January. No decision will be made; the purpose is to pass local views onto the council committee that decides these things. However there is one important thing – the format of these local meetings has changed and there’s now an opportunity for residents to address the committee. Not for very long, there’s a five minute time limit and so objectors (and supporters, of course, I’ve had some supportive emails) have to team up.
If you want to come along then please do so. The details are at http://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=576&MId=6837 where you’ll see that the discussion is not first on the agenda, so be prepared to possibly have to spectate on some exciting items about bus stops in Osterley.
The Hamilton Road application won’t be at that meeting as I understand that there is still work to be done on it. It’s attracted much opposition locally – again, hello if you are receiving this for the first time – and I suspect that it will be a while before we get to discuss it.
Regardless of what we think about the application, it’s my personal opinion that they should be decided at the full planning committee that contains councillors who have received at least some training. Of course there are some applications that we would be glad to see the back of straight away but doing things the right way is important.
* Parking progress *
This application is not the only thing that will be giving residents around Windmill Road something to think about. You may remember that, last year, residents raised a petition to seek a further consultation on whether or not their roads should have controlled parking. That consultation will be happening at the end of this month.
I’ve already had plenty of emails on this and if they are any guide the results will be too close to call. I know that very few people will be happy with the result, whatever it is – everyone has an ideal solution and no two solutions are the same. To start with, there are questions on who is eligible to vote – should people who don’t drive get to vote? If you have two cars, do you get two votes? Special dispensation for shift workers?
Anyway, in the first instance there will just be a couple of questions – are you in favour of a CPZ and, if so, what hours/days would you prefer. If there’s sufficient interest there’ll be a second round of consultation on detailed designs. A drawn-out process, yes, but worth doing right. I also want to sort out some unclear rules about whether you can or cannot park partly on the pavement on Enfield Road.
Enfield Road, Eastbourne Road, Grove Road and Avenue Road were the roads down to be consulted, we have asked that Whitestile Road be added. If you haven’t had a letter about all this by Feb 5th please let me know. You have till 20th Feb to reply.
* High Street Happiness *
There’ll be some changes to the High Street following an award of around £950,000 from the Outer London Fund to Hounslow Council. Some of the things coming our way:
A launch event along the Grand Union Canal with the Royal Opera House during the Olympics
Improving access from the Great West Road to Brentford Lock through a new cycling and pedestrian junction via the canal’s towpath and new bespoke signage on the Golden Mile
A project to improve signage in and around Brentford town centre
A bespoke lighting scheme linking up the Great West Road with the towpath, bridge underpass, towpath, Piazza, High Street and Market Place
Development of a new cycling junction outside Holiday Inn
Improvements to entrances to St George’s Piazza, new lighting and signage and bringing empty retail units back into use
Improvements to the north side of High Street, with new street furniture, lighting and further shop frontage improvements
A one year long community programme to develop a spectacular performance for a celebration event in March 2014
In case you are wondering (and I was) St George’s Piazza is the open space just above the High Street opposite St Laurence’s Church and the Holiday Inn. I must have missed the meeting that decided that name (and to be fair it’s not Brentford ward) but anyway. Particular congratulations for this are owing to my ward colleague Ruth Cadbury, who has driven forward this successful bid (which has also netted Hounslow town centre around £2 million)
* Funding call *
A reminder that the Council has funding available for local not-for-profit enterprises. Despite the financial challenges we face I'm pleased that we have been able to keep some funding available for this important sector. Since the last email I'm pleased to have been able to point the Toy Library and Spartans FC in the right direction. As ever, please get in touch if you think your group might qualify.
There's also funding available for one-off street parties and the like to celebrate the St George's Day, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the Olympic Torch Relay or the Olympic/Paralympic Games. Up to £500 is available and if possible we'll help you close the road for the party. Drop me a line if you want to know more.
* Can I help? *
Finally, please get in touch if you think I can help, either by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033. If you’ve called recently and haven’t had a reply, please try again – I think I’ve finally got the phone problem resolved.
In the meantime, thanks for reading.
Friday, December 23, 2011
November news from Councillor Matt Harmer
Welcome to the November email bulletin from Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer. You’re getting it because we have communicated on local issues. If you would prefer not to receive these bulletins then you will find a link below that will unsubscribe you.
Just a brief email this month to follow up a couple of things that have been of interest locally.
* Windmill Road *
Earlier this year I attended a meeting with residents of Windmill Road and adjacent roads regarding a potential development of homes and flats on the Reynards Mill site - that's the small industrial estate on Windmill Road. The application was subsequently withdrawn following concerns over scale. The applicant has revised the proposals and a new planning application has been submitted. The documents are all online at http://planning.hounslow.gov.uk/Planning_CaseNo.aspx?strCASENO=P/2011/3128 ; the single most useful document is the Design and Access Document at http://planning2.hounslow.gov.uk/AnitePublicDocs/00303961.pdf
The application documents are still being checked; when everything is found to be ok, consultation letters will be sent out by the council's planning department. I don't think any exhibition has been held; though it's important to point out that there is no compulsion to do this. Anyway, take a look and form a view.
* Parking, continued *
Last month I wrote about the research that had been done on Grove Road, Enfield Road, Avenue Road and Eastbourne Road – the streets around the Lord Nelson pub – into whether or not a controlled parking zone would assist residents who are looking to park. Thanks to all those who contacted me to get copies of this report and to those who sent their own thoughts.
The report concluded that the biggest demand for parking was overnight and that during the day there was some capacity, albeit featuring competition between residents and visitors for spaces. There’s more detail, of course, in the report and as before I’m happy to send a copy.
As a result of this, councillors will discuss a proposal to consult residents in those four streets on the principle of introducing parking controls. I expect plenty of angry emails in return but personally I think this is the right outcome. The research came about because of a petition that residents presented to the Council and if these are to mean anything it is right that the process is followed through (of course, there is nothing to stop people getting an anti-parking control petition together but we’ll deal with that if and when it happens).
The meeting is next Thursday the 17th November (not the 19th as I said before) at the Free Church near the library. It starts at 7.30 and the item is sixth on the agenda so hopefully there won’t be too much waiting around. There’s no opportunity to speak as far as I know and I don’t expect any surprises. To be clear, we won’t be deciding to introduce controls, just to ask if local residents think controls are a good idea.
Before we discuss this we will be talking about Layton Road’s parking scheme. We’ll discuss whether or not we should expand the controlled hours in Layton Road to 8pm Monday to Saturday. More information on the meeting and all the papers at http://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=576&MId=6836
On a similar subject, the meeting will discuss proposals to put double yellow lines on various corners of Brook Road South where that road meets Grosvenor Road, Braemar Road, Hamilton Road, Clifden Road and New Road. No-one likes losing parking spaces (and I’ve probably parked on some of them, living as I do on Ealing Road) but it’s being proposed from a safety point of view. This wasn’t done basd solely on what someone behind a desk thought would happen – the Fire Brigade came down, in a fire engine, and tried to drive around the corners. They found them impassable when cars were parked there.
It’ll also keep the dropped kerbs clear – that’s where the pavement slopes down to the road. Talk to people who use motor scooters and wheelchairs about how important this is. And we do take notice of what people reply to us about these things – a lot of spaces were going to go at the bottom of Grosvenor Road, the road that leads to St Paul’s Rec but residents there said this wasn’t required and those proposals are now removed.
* Christmas Lights (1) *
Staying in this area, thanks to all of those who wrote about the longer traffic queues going south on Ealing Road following the introduction of the new junction. In short, it wasn’t done properly and we are pushing for the changes to be made. Drivers and 65 bus users have spoken of long waits to get across the junction whether turning left to Kew Bridge or right towards the High Street.
What there should be is a left turn filter light. Transport for London, who control these things, say that they will put one in. We will keep on at them to do so. One email said it would be done before Christmas, though it didn’t identify which year.
* Christmas Lights (2) *
I’ll leave you with a little bit of What’s On. We have Christmas lights and we will be turning them on next Friday 18th at 4.30pm. The location is different this year- the Market Place. Before then there’ll be an Italian Market so get down there for your seasonal pasta shapes. The Italian Market will also be there on Saturday, and there’ll be a French Market there on Friday and Saturday 9th and 10th December.
The St Faith’s Christmas Fair, sorry Fayre, is always a good event and this year it is on Tuesday 22nd November from 6pm to 9pm. Many local businesses will be there with each stallholder offering something special for Christmas ranging from food & drink, toys & games, jewellery, books and handmade cards & gifts...all your Christmas gifts under one roof! Local choirs including Lionel Primary School, Gumley House Convent School, Chiswick Pop School & Stage Academy, Brentford Belles and St Faith's own choir will be performing throughout the evening. Entrance is free and the Lord Nelson pub will be selling hot food and refreshments. In the past couple of years I’ve had to leave early to get to a council meeting; that’s not the case this year and so I intend to pay full attention to the mulled wine stall.
Check http://www.brentfordtw8.com/default.asp?section=info&page=calendar.htm for more local events.
* Court out *
The website set up by the potential developers of the High Street is now live – it’s at http://www.mybrentford.com/brentford2.0/ and is worth a look. Thanks to those who sent on comments – there does seem to be a consensus about what is and isn’t deliverable, which is good. I’ve had a few emails about the Magistrates Court, asking if the Council would buy it and turn it into a community centre/building of some kind. The honest answer to this is no, I’m afraid. I’ve been in the Court and the costs of converting it into that kind of use would be huge.
We all know that the reductions in central govt contribution to Hounslow Council mean that tough choices are being taken and, because of that, it’s not difficult to make a decision on the Magistrates Court. It’s unfortunate that our local MP is one of the people asking for the council to spend money – your money, of course – on this. As my colleague Ruth Cadbury has pointed out, what we do need to do is use the planning regime to get the car park in front of the building back into some kind of positive use. In the meantime, the last trial is on 9 December, and the building will be auctioned in 2012.
* Two wheels good *
From Monday, work will start on the construction of a cycle lane on the stretch of road between Morrison's and Albany Terrace. There'll be some work to widen the road in places and other improvements, concluding with a resurfacing of the stretch of road. For the next week or two Albany Parade will only be accessible by car from the High Street, so don't let that put you off using the excellent shops and cafes on the Parade.
* Can I help? *
Finally, please get in touch if you think I can help, preferably by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033. In the meantime, thanks for reading.
Just a brief email this month to follow up a couple of things that have been of interest locally.
* Windmill Road *
Earlier this year I attended a meeting with residents of Windmill Road and adjacent roads regarding a potential development of homes and flats on the Reynards Mill site - that's the small industrial estate on Windmill Road. The application was subsequently withdrawn following concerns over scale. The applicant has revised the proposals and a new planning application has been submitted. The documents are all online at http://planning.hounslow.gov.uk/Planning_CaseNo.aspx?strCASENO=P/2011/3128 ; the single most useful document is the Design and Access Document at http://planning2.hounslow.gov.uk/AnitePublicDocs/00303961.pdf
The application documents are still being checked; when everything is found to be ok, consultation letters will be sent out by the council's planning department. I don't think any exhibition has been held; though it's important to point out that there is no compulsion to do this. Anyway, take a look and form a view.
* Parking, continued *
Last month I wrote about the research that had been done on Grove Road, Enfield Road, Avenue Road and Eastbourne Road – the streets around the Lord Nelson pub – into whether or not a controlled parking zone would assist residents who are looking to park. Thanks to all those who contacted me to get copies of this report and to those who sent their own thoughts.
The report concluded that the biggest demand for parking was overnight and that during the day there was some capacity, albeit featuring competition between residents and visitors for spaces. There’s more detail, of course, in the report and as before I’m happy to send a copy.
As a result of this, councillors will discuss a proposal to consult residents in those four streets on the principle of introducing parking controls. I expect plenty of angry emails in return but personally I think this is the right outcome. The research came about because of a petition that residents presented to the Council and if these are to mean anything it is right that the process is followed through (of course, there is nothing to stop people getting an anti-parking control petition together but we’ll deal with that if and when it happens).
The meeting is next Thursday the 17th November (not the 19th as I said before) at the Free Church near the library. It starts at 7.30 and the item is sixth on the agenda so hopefully there won’t be too much waiting around. There’s no opportunity to speak as far as I know and I don’t expect any surprises. To be clear, we won’t be deciding to introduce controls, just to ask if local residents think controls are a good idea.
Before we discuss this we will be talking about Layton Road’s parking scheme. We’ll discuss whether or not we should expand the controlled hours in Layton Road to 8pm Monday to Saturday. More information on the meeting and all the papers at http://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=576&MId=6836
On a similar subject, the meeting will discuss proposals to put double yellow lines on various corners of Brook Road South where that road meets Grosvenor Road, Braemar Road, Hamilton Road, Clifden Road and New Road. No-one likes losing parking spaces (and I’ve probably parked on some of them, living as I do on Ealing Road) but it’s being proposed from a safety point of view. This wasn’t done basd solely on what someone behind a desk thought would happen – the Fire Brigade came down, in a fire engine, and tried to drive around the corners. They found them impassable when cars were parked there.
It’ll also keep the dropped kerbs clear – that’s where the pavement slopes down to the road. Talk to people who use motor scooters and wheelchairs about how important this is. And we do take notice of what people reply to us about these things – a lot of spaces were going to go at the bottom of Grosvenor Road, the road that leads to St Paul’s Rec but residents there said this wasn’t required and those proposals are now removed.
* Christmas Lights (1) *
Staying in this area, thanks to all of those who wrote about the longer traffic queues going south on Ealing Road following the introduction of the new junction. In short, it wasn’t done properly and we are pushing for the changes to be made. Drivers and 65 bus users have spoken of long waits to get across the junction whether turning left to Kew Bridge or right towards the High Street.
What there should be is a left turn filter light. Transport for London, who control these things, say that they will put one in. We will keep on at them to do so. One email said it would be done before Christmas, though it didn’t identify which year.
* Christmas Lights (2) *
I’ll leave you with a little bit of What’s On. We have Christmas lights and we will be turning them on next Friday 18th at 4.30pm. The location is different this year- the Market Place. Before then there’ll be an Italian Market so get down there for your seasonal pasta shapes. The Italian Market will also be there on Saturday, and there’ll be a French Market there on Friday and Saturday 9th and 10th December.
The St Faith’s Christmas Fair, sorry Fayre, is always a good event and this year it is on Tuesday 22nd November from 6pm to 9pm. Many local businesses will be there with each stallholder offering something special for Christmas ranging from food & drink, toys & games, jewellery, books and handmade cards & gifts...all your Christmas gifts under one roof! Local choirs including Lionel Primary School, Gumley House Convent School, Chiswick Pop School & Stage Academy, Brentford Belles and St Faith's own choir will be performing throughout the evening. Entrance is free and the Lord Nelson pub will be selling hot food and refreshments. In the past couple of years I’ve had to leave early to get to a council meeting; that’s not the case this year and so I intend to pay full attention to the mulled wine stall.
Check http://www.brentfordtw8.com/default.asp?section=info&page=calendar.htm for more local events.
* Court out *
The website set up by the potential developers of the High Street is now live – it’s at http://www.mybrentford.com/brentford2.0/ and is worth a look. Thanks to those who sent on comments – there does seem to be a consensus about what is and isn’t deliverable, which is good. I’ve had a few emails about the Magistrates Court, asking if the Council would buy it and turn it into a community centre/building of some kind. The honest answer to this is no, I’m afraid. I’ve been in the Court and the costs of converting it into that kind of use would be huge.
We all know that the reductions in central govt contribution to Hounslow Council mean that tough choices are being taken and, because of that, it’s not difficult to make a decision on the Magistrates Court. It’s unfortunate that our local MP is one of the people asking for the council to spend money – your money, of course – on this. As my colleague Ruth Cadbury has pointed out, what we do need to do is use the planning regime to get the car park in front of the building back into some kind of positive use. In the meantime, the last trial is on 9 December, and the building will be auctioned in 2012.
* Two wheels good *
From Monday, work will start on the construction of a cycle lane on the stretch of road between Morrison's and Albany Terrace. There'll be some work to widen the road in places and other improvements, concluding with a resurfacing of the stretch of road. For the next week or two Albany Parade will only be accessible by car from the High Street, so don't let that put you off using the excellent shops and cafes on the Parade.
* Can I help? *
Finally, please get in touch if you think I can help, preferably by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033. In the meantime, thanks for reading.
October news from Councillor Matt Harmer
Welcome to the October email bulletin from Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer. You’re getting it because we have communicated on local issues. If you would prefer not to receive these bulletins then you will find a link below that will unsubscribe you.
* High Street Hopes *
Stop me if you’ve heard this before but there are signs of life in the possibility of Brentford getting a new town centre.
As you may know, a lot of the land south of the High Street was bought up by the Irish developer Ballymore. Before their proposals ever really saw the light of day the crisis that saw a number of developers across the Irish Sea go to the wall came along and put everything on hold.
Anyway, the developer started making more positive contact earlier this year. The fruits of their work so far will be on display in a shop called The Docking Centre on Brentford High Street later this month.
They’ll be there on Sat 29th October from 11am to 4pm. The Docking Station is about half way along the High Street on the same side as Nat West. I do hope you can go along. Whilst there’s a long way to go, I hope that we can all keep an open mind for as long as possible. Whilst we should have high aspirations we should also recognise some commercial reality – we are very unlikely to get a combination of world-class architecture, stunning facilities and a very low population density – the number of people that will be living on the site. It will be a balancing act between a number of competing claims: excellent housing including genuinely affordable housing, shops that can attract serious tenants, sufficient open space, whatever community and cultural facilities that can survive for the long term, the need/desire to retain any boatyards and other employment-generating space, there’s a lot to consider. There are a number of things that constrain what can be built, not least that it is opposite a World Heritage Site (Kew Gardens).
The application process is fairly long-winded. At present, we are in the pre-application phase, which should and, by the look of it will, include a good amount of pre-application consultation. They then submit a planning application to the council, after which the council seeks responses from various technical and statutory consultees (for example Thames Water, English Heritage etc) and also local residents. All these responses are considered by the council’s planning department before a decision is taken by councillors on Hounslow’s Sustainable Development Committee. That final part is a meeting in public where the votes of councillors for or against the proposals are noted for the public record.
That’s all a long way off, however. In the meantime please try and attend on the 29th. Oh, and there’s also a website www.mybrentford.com which goes live soon, apparently.
* Mind How You Go *
You’ll no doubt be overjoyed to hear that there’ll be an election next May for the Mayor of London. One of the things you’ll be hearing a lot about – assuming anyone’s listening, which I have to wonder – is Police numbers in London. There’ll be various claims about whether there are more police on the streets and better deployed police and so on and very interesting it will be. All I want to offer here is a local perspective.
As a ward councillor for Brentford ward I’m invited to observe the meetings of the Brentford Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) steering committee. The SNT are the local police, the steering committee are a group of local Neighbourhood Watch coordinators and the like who set their priorities.
When the SNT sysyem started in 2006 there were two Police Constables, three PoliceCommunity Support Officers and one Sergeant, who concentrated on street-level work. However we now have one PC, two PCSOs and a Sergeant that is shared between other wards. And rather than concentrate ojn intelligence and crime prevention they now need to work on the crimes that are reported on the Police’s non-urgent reporting number 101.
Does this reduction matter? I think it does. Whilst it plainly makes sense for police resources to be diverted during urgent operations – riotsk as an obvious example – we have lost something in taking the local police off the streets. It takes a long time to earn trust and in some places that trust is disappearing. Our Brentford SNT – Sgt Chris Jones etc etc – are all excellent and I hope that we can preserve and enhance the work that they do for us.
To contact the SNT call 020 8721 2533 or email Brentford.SNT@met.police.uk. They are not an emergency number – that remains 999. For reporting crimes and other non urgent and non local issues use the 101 service. Which is probably enough numbers.
* Parking report *
These emails aren’t complete without talking about parking schemes. Some months ago now we received a petition from Enfield Road residents who wanted a Controlled Parking Zone. To help make the decision, which will be made at the Area Committee meeting on the 19th November at the Free Church near the library, we commissioned a report to study the pattern of parking in Enfield Rd and neighbouring roads. I can’t attach it to this email but if you’d like a copy let me know.
I suspect there’ll be some disappointment amongst the people who worked hard to raise the petition that we aren’t just going ahead with one. I hope that they and others will understand why this is – making decisions by petition just wouldn’t be possible. However the petitions do get things discussed in public and that is the right way of doing things.
* Charity begins in the High Street *
We’ll begin where we started, at the High Street. The Brentford Toy Library will be opening their pop- up charity shop at Docking Station at 12pm on Friday 28th October. The shop will be open every Friday afternoon up until Christmas. They will be selling a mixture of new reasonably priced toys and donated children's clothing and equipment including baby ware and toys for all ages. They are looking for donations and volunteers. You can contact the organisers via www.brentfordtoylibrary.org.uk
* Can I help? *
Finally, please get in touch if you think I can help, either by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033. If you’ve called recently and haven’t had a reply, please try again – BT seem to have been unable to sort out a proper answerphone service. In the meantime, thanks for reading.
* High Street Hopes *
Stop me if you’ve heard this before but there are signs of life in the possibility of Brentford getting a new town centre.
As you may know, a lot of the land south of the High Street was bought up by the Irish developer Ballymore. Before their proposals ever really saw the light of day the crisis that saw a number of developers across the Irish Sea go to the wall came along and put everything on hold.
Anyway, the developer started making more positive contact earlier this year. The fruits of their work so far will be on display in a shop called The Docking Centre on Brentford High Street later this month.
They’ll be there on Sat 29th October from 11am to 4pm. The Docking Station is about half way along the High Street on the same side as Nat West. I do hope you can go along. Whilst there’s a long way to go, I hope that we can all keep an open mind for as long as possible. Whilst we should have high aspirations we should also recognise some commercial reality – we are very unlikely to get a combination of world-class architecture, stunning facilities and a very low population density – the number of people that will be living on the site. It will be a balancing act between a number of competing claims: excellent housing including genuinely affordable housing, shops that can attract serious tenants, sufficient open space, whatever community and cultural facilities that can survive for the long term, the need/desire to retain any boatyards and other employment-generating space, there’s a lot to consider. There are a number of things that constrain what can be built, not least that it is opposite a World Heritage Site (Kew Gardens).
The application process is fairly long-winded. At present, we are in the pre-application phase, which should and, by the look of it will, include a good amount of pre-application consultation. They then submit a planning application to the council, after which the council seeks responses from various technical and statutory consultees (for example Thames Water, English Heritage etc) and also local residents. All these responses are considered by the council’s planning department before a decision is taken by councillors on Hounslow’s Sustainable Development Committee. That final part is a meeting in public where the votes of councillors for or against the proposals are noted for the public record.
That’s all a long way off, however. In the meantime please try and attend on the 29th. Oh, and there’s also a website www.mybrentford.com which goes live soon, apparently.
* Mind How You Go *
You’ll no doubt be overjoyed to hear that there’ll be an election next May for the Mayor of London. One of the things you’ll be hearing a lot about – assuming anyone’s listening, which I have to wonder – is Police numbers in London. There’ll be various claims about whether there are more police on the streets and better deployed police and so on and very interesting it will be. All I want to offer here is a local perspective.
As a ward councillor for Brentford ward I’m invited to observe the meetings of the Brentford Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) steering committee. The SNT are the local police, the steering committee are a group of local Neighbourhood Watch coordinators and the like who set their priorities.
When the SNT sysyem started in 2006 there were two Police Constables, three PoliceCommunity Support Officers and one Sergeant, who concentrated on street-level work. However we now have one PC, two PCSOs and a Sergeant that is shared between other wards. And rather than concentrate ojn intelligence and crime prevention they now need to work on the crimes that are reported on the Police’s non-urgent reporting number 101.
Does this reduction matter? I think it does. Whilst it plainly makes sense for police resources to be diverted during urgent operations – riotsk as an obvious example – we have lost something in taking the local police off the streets. It takes a long time to earn trust and in some places that trust is disappearing. Our Brentford SNT – Sgt Chris Jones etc etc – are all excellent and I hope that we can preserve and enhance the work that they do for us.
To contact the SNT call 020 8721 2533 or email Brentford.SNT@met.police.uk. They are not an emergency number – that remains 999. For reporting crimes and other non urgent and non local issues use the 101 service. Which is probably enough numbers.
* Parking report *
These emails aren’t complete without talking about parking schemes. Some months ago now we received a petition from Enfield Road residents who wanted a Controlled Parking Zone. To help make the decision, which will be made at the Area Committee meeting on the 19th November at the Free Church near the library, we commissioned a report to study the pattern of parking in Enfield Rd and neighbouring roads. I can’t attach it to this email but if you’d like a copy let me know.
I suspect there’ll be some disappointment amongst the people who worked hard to raise the petition that we aren’t just going ahead with one. I hope that they and others will understand why this is – making decisions by petition just wouldn’t be possible. However the petitions do get things discussed in public and that is the right way of doing things.
* Charity begins in the High Street *
We’ll begin where we started, at the High Street. The Brentford Toy Library will be opening their pop- up charity shop at Docking Station at 12pm on Friday 28th October. The shop will be open every Friday afternoon up until Christmas. They will be selling a mixture of new reasonably priced toys and donated children's clothing and equipment including baby ware and toys for all ages. They are looking for donations and volunteers. You can contact the organisers via www.brentfordtoylibrary.org.uk
* Can I help? *
Finally, please get in touch if you think I can help, either by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033. If you’ve called recently and haven’t had a reply, please try again – BT seem to have been unable to sort out a proper answerphone service. In the meantime, thanks for reading.
July news from Councillor Matt Harmer
Welcome to the November email bulletin from Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer. You’re getting it because we have communicated on local issues. If you would prefer not to receive these bulletins then you will find a link below that will unsubscribe you.
Well, the nights are deawing in and the temperature is dropping so the football season can’t be far away. Indeed, the good news is that it starts this Friday. Kind of, anyway – Brentford FC have a friendky with Premier League Stoke City this Friday night the 22nd July.
With that in mind, here is a fixture list for you to cut and paste, print out and stick on the fridge. Start here...
Below are the fixtures for Brentford FC for the 2011-12 season. Bad weather, cup ties and television can change things so call the club first on 08453 456 442 or visit www.brentfordfc.co.uk to make absolutely sure. Saturday games kick off at 3pm and weekday games at 7.45 except where indicated and all games are League 1 unless it says otherwise.
Fri 22nd JULY STOKE CITY (Friendly)
Tues 26th JULY WATFORD (Friendly)
Sat 6th AUG YEOVIL TOWN
Sat 20th AUG LEYTON ORIENT
Sat 27th AUG TRANMERE ROVERS
Tue 13th SEP COLCHESTER UNITED
Sat 17th SEP PRESTON NORTH END
Sat 1st OCT HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
Sat 15th OCT SCUNTHORPE UNITED
Tue 25th OCT STEVENAGE
Sat 29th OCT CHESTERFIELD
Sat 12th NOV FA CUP 1st ROUND – Possible home game
Sat 19th NOV CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Sat 10th DEC HARTLEPOOL UNITED
Mon 26th DEC AFC BOURNEMOUTH (3pm)
Sat 31st DEC MILTON KEYNES DONS
Sat 28th JAN WYCOMBE WANDERERS
Sat 11th FEB OLDHAM ATHLETIC
Sat 18th FEB CARLISLE UNITED
Tue 6th MAR EXETER CITY
Sat 10th MAR SHEFFIELD UNITED
Sat 24th MAR ROCHDALE
Sat 7th APR BURY
Sat 14th APR NOTTS COUNTY
The email format that these bulletins get sent in may have made the list go a bit wobbly - apologies if so. It seems to depend on which browser you use, or something.
* Planning ahead *
Thank you to everyone who has emailed me about the planning application for 315 homes on the Reynards Mill site on Windmill Road. Long term fans of this email will recall that this was the site of the BBC archive. However they have moved and the owners of the site are bringing forward a planning application. Around 80 people and households have contacted me.
One of the frustrations that councillors have is that we are constrained on what we can or cannot say regarding planning applications. If, for example, I was to say here that I thought the application was concerning me on a number of matters including density, design and the respect for the local context then I could be disbarred at a later stage from sitting on the committee that takes the final decision. The same would apply if I felt that the application was a wonderful addition to the street scene.
This is frustrating for us and, I daresay, for you. The process is sometimes given the snappy title quasi-judicial and should be treated in the same way as sitting on a jury – basically, you don’t turn up on the first day convinced that the accused is guilty (or at least you don’t let on).
I have to say that the quality of responses has been very high, nearly all concentrating on solid planning issues. Following a request from Ealing councillors – the site is very close to the boundary with our neighbouring borough – the area being consulted has been expanded and the time extended. And even though there is a ‘closing date’ for responses, this is to fit in with the law and, in effect, our council planning officers will take account of objections pretty much up until the day of the planning committee.
We don’t yet know when that will be but if you have written to the council you will get a letter saying when that committee will be heard. It’s what we call a meeting in public – speaking opportunities are limited but you are absolutely entitled to be there.
* Diary time *
Just a couple of dates to note before I go. On Weds 4th August you are invited to the Picnic in the Park in St Paul’s Rec Ground from midday to 4pm. Bring picnics and playthings and have a great time.
There are two great events to choose from on Sunday 4th September. It’s the traditional date for the Brentford Festival in Boston Manor Park and if you’ve been to this event in the past you’ll know how good it is and if you haven’t, then you are missing something excellent. For one year only it shares a date with the London Mela in Gunnersbury Park. Usually this is in August but with Ramadan taking place in August this year it would plainly be inappropriate to have the Mela during this important festival.
I know that the Mela is not universally popular, particular with residents on streets adjacent to the park, but my personal feeling is that it’s good to see the park used by people across London on this one day. The organisation has improved, I would say, and I hope that you get to try both events.
Other than that, can I wish you a great summer from me and my two Brentford Labour colleagues Mel Collins and Ruth Cadbury. You can spend the summer reading Ruth’s blog at www.ruthcadbury.com and following her twitters @RuthCadbury. Enjoy!
* Can I help? *
As a councillor, my first task is to try and assist residents with problems. Please get in touch if you think I can help, either by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033.
In the meantime, thanks for reading.
Well, the nights are deawing in and the temperature is dropping so the football season can’t be far away. Indeed, the good news is that it starts this Friday. Kind of, anyway – Brentford FC have a friendky with Premier League Stoke City this Friday night the 22nd July.
With that in mind, here is a fixture list for you to cut and paste, print out and stick on the fridge. Start here...
Below are the fixtures for Brentford FC for the 2011-12 season. Bad weather, cup ties and television can change things so call the club first on 08453 456 442 or visit www.brentfordfc.co.uk to make absolutely sure. Saturday games kick off at 3pm and weekday games at 7.45 except where indicated and all games are League 1 unless it says otherwise.
Fri 22nd JULY STOKE CITY (Friendly)
Tues 26th JULY WATFORD (Friendly)
Sat 6th AUG YEOVIL TOWN
Sat 20th AUG LEYTON ORIENT
Sat 27th AUG TRANMERE ROVERS
Tue 13th SEP COLCHESTER UNITED
Sat 17th SEP PRESTON NORTH END
Sat 1st OCT HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
Sat 15th OCT SCUNTHORPE UNITED
Tue 25th OCT STEVENAGE
Sat 29th OCT CHESTERFIELD
Sat 12th NOV FA CUP 1st ROUND – Possible home game
Sat 19th NOV CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Sat 10th DEC HARTLEPOOL UNITED
Mon 26th DEC AFC BOURNEMOUTH (3pm)
Sat 31st DEC MILTON KEYNES DONS
Sat 28th JAN WYCOMBE WANDERERS
Sat 11th FEB OLDHAM ATHLETIC
Sat 18th FEB CARLISLE UNITED
Tue 6th MAR EXETER CITY
Sat 10th MAR SHEFFIELD UNITED
Sat 24th MAR ROCHDALE
Sat 7th APR BURY
Sat 14th APR NOTTS COUNTY
The email format that these bulletins get sent in may have made the list go a bit wobbly - apologies if so. It seems to depend on which browser you use, or something.
* Planning ahead *
Thank you to everyone who has emailed me about the planning application for 315 homes on the Reynards Mill site on Windmill Road. Long term fans of this email will recall that this was the site of the BBC archive. However they have moved and the owners of the site are bringing forward a planning application. Around 80 people and households have contacted me.
One of the frustrations that councillors have is that we are constrained on what we can or cannot say regarding planning applications. If, for example, I was to say here that I thought the application was concerning me on a number of matters including density, design and the respect for the local context then I could be disbarred at a later stage from sitting on the committee that takes the final decision. The same would apply if I felt that the application was a wonderful addition to the street scene.
This is frustrating for us and, I daresay, for you. The process is sometimes given the snappy title quasi-judicial and should be treated in the same way as sitting on a jury – basically, you don’t turn up on the first day convinced that the accused is guilty (or at least you don’t let on).
I have to say that the quality of responses has been very high, nearly all concentrating on solid planning issues. Following a request from Ealing councillors – the site is very close to the boundary with our neighbouring borough – the area being consulted has been expanded and the time extended. And even though there is a ‘closing date’ for responses, this is to fit in with the law and, in effect, our council planning officers will take account of objections pretty much up until the day of the planning committee.
We don’t yet know when that will be but if you have written to the council you will get a letter saying when that committee will be heard. It’s what we call a meeting in public – speaking opportunities are limited but you are absolutely entitled to be there.
* Diary time *
Just a couple of dates to note before I go. On Weds 4th August you are invited to the Picnic in the Park in St Paul’s Rec Ground from midday to 4pm. Bring picnics and playthings and have a great time.
There are two great events to choose from on Sunday 4th September. It’s the traditional date for the Brentford Festival in Boston Manor Park and if you’ve been to this event in the past you’ll know how good it is and if you haven’t, then you are missing something excellent. For one year only it shares a date with the London Mela in Gunnersbury Park. Usually this is in August but with Ramadan taking place in August this year it would plainly be inappropriate to have the Mela during this important festival.
I know that the Mela is not universally popular, particular with residents on streets adjacent to the park, but my personal feeling is that it’s good to see the park used by people across London on this one day. The organisation has improved, I would say, and I hope that you get to try both events.
Other than that, can I wish you a great summer from me and my two Brentford Labour colleagues Mel Collins and Ruth Cadbury. You can spend the summer reading Ruth’s blog at www.ruthcadbury.com and following her twitters @RuthCadbury. Enjoy!
* Can I help? *
As a councillor, my first task is to try and assist residents with problems. Please get in touch if you think I can help, either by replying to this mail or calling 020 8560 7033.
In the meantime, thanks for reading.
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