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.