Information about The Hanger Hill (East) Residents' Association Annual General Meeting
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
HANGER HILL (EAST) RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION
THURSDAY 28 APRIL 2009
7.45PM AT THE CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION
MINUTES
Approximately 45 residents were in attendance.
Simon Reed, as Vice-Chairman and Vicar of the Church of the Ascension, welcomed everyone, especially those new to the building, Councillor Nigel Sumner, the Guest Speaker, Jason Stacey, Leader of Ealing Council, and fellow committee members Valerie Giles (Secretary) and Clive Davis (Treasurer) on the top table.
Apologies for absence were received from Graham Fowler, Catherine Fowler, Margaret Noble and Nicki Shelley.
1. Chairman’s report:
For more than ten years you will have been used to Dr Bob Gurd giving this report as Chairman of the Association. After last year’s AGM Bob indicated to the committee that he wished to stand down from this position and at the end of 2008 we allowed him to do that. The creation of the post of Vice Chair is precisely to allow the business of the Association to continue unhindered in the absence of the Chairman and that is why I am giving this report. Needless to say, much of the work has been done by Bob, and credit is due to him, but more of that anon.
The committee met five times this year and our most regular items of business have been the management of the controlled parking zone, liaising with the Neighbourhood Watch, scrutiny of the Hanger Lane bridgework, and engaging with the Arcadia Centre development in Ealing.
1. Neighbourhood Watch
The new Hanger Hill Safer Neighbourhood Team office at 12 Ashbourne Parade is now open and active and we also welcome the emergence of the Beaufort Road area Neighbourhood Watch group, ably chaired by Saz Vora. The group meet regularly and are always keen to get new members. See Saz later if you are interested in becoming involved. The more local residents who become active the more effective it will be as a deterrent to crime in the area. Updates and contact details appear our Association newsletter. We have tried unsuccessfully to make contact with a group which is trying to get going in Boileau Road but would be happy to help in any way we can.
2. Controlled Parking Zones
The Hanger Hill zone (Zone O) has now been in operation for over 3 years and most people think that it has been a success except in the vicinity of Hanger Lane, most acutely at the top end of Ashbourne Road, where the over-generous provision of business permits continues to cause parking problems for residents.
We have involved Cllr Phil Taylor, the member of Ealing’s Cabinet responsible for parking, who has acknowledged that there is a problem and has undertaken to write to the business causing the problem to point out that business permits should not be used for commuting purposes. A letter went out earlier this month but we understand that in the meantime business permits have again been issued for another year without restriction. We have tried to sort this out for several years and the lack of progress is extremely frustrating. Further help from the Council would be much appreciated.
3. Hanger Lane Bridges
Transport for London have been planning for some time to deal with the bottleneck in Hanger Lane between Ealing Village and Ealing Common by adding a second bridge to increase traffic flow. The original and unimaginative “engineered” design of the bridge parapets has been replaced by a more colourful design picking up the colours of Ealing Village. TfL have also contributed £10,000 of funding for public sculpture in the vicinity of the old retained bridges, which will be part of the landscaped area.
4. Arcadia Centre Development
This Association, like many others, has been monitoring developments closely in order to ensure that local residents have their say. Many people were surprised by the Secretary of State’s call-in of the Arcadia application but it does allow another opportunity to fight this development, which drastically would change the character and appearance of Ealing. The inquiry will be held from 23rd June and will last around a week. The Association will be involved indirectly as part of the Save Ealing’s Centre coalition. It is likely to be a tough fight and SEC may employ a barrister to speak on its behalf in response to high-powered representation from Glenkerrin, the applicant. SEC has already marshalled considerable expertise from amongst its membership. We will continue to ensure that you are kept up to date and enabled to express your views.
This year has also seen the setting up of regular Ward Forum meetings for local people to engage with Council representatives. These have been a helpful opportunity to raise local issues and your committee here has been consulted on how the funding might be used to improve the appearance of the neighbourhood.
Finally, I would like to express our thanks to all the members of the committee who have served this year, and to four people in particular.
Darshak Raja has served on the committee for several years but his commitments now take him away from the area for considerable periods of the year. We are very grateful to him for his work for the committee, in particular encouraging local businesses to support the Association.
Clive Davis has served as Treasurer for the last two years but has personal commitments which mean that he can no longer continue with this role. He has however very generously indicated that he is prepared to continue to serve on the committee and to train any new person prepared to take on the role of treasurer.
Former committee member Martyn Grogan continues to prepare the newsletter and keep the website up to date for us. We thank him for his excellent work but would also be grateful to speak to any of you who might be able to help take this on. Please speak to me afterwards if you would like to know what is involved.
Last but not least we come to our outgoing Chairman, Bob Gurd. As I said at the outset, Bob has chaired this Association for over ten years. I doubt whether he or Moira would want to add up the total number of hours he has devoted to the wellbeing of this neighbourhood and its residents, but having been a fellow member of the Committee for some of those years I can tell you that they are many! I can also tell you that Bob has been a tireless, dedicated, determined and dignified servant of this area. Associations such as this are an important building block in local community but it takes a devoted public-spiritedness to make them work. Bob Gurd has always shown that. Those of you who know him will know his love of art and architecture. In gratitude for his service to this Association and on behalf of us all I would like to present Bob with a gift we hope will help him pursue those interests. Please would you join with me in expressing your appreciation.
Bob thanked everyone and said that it had been a great privilege for him to serve the residents of Hanger Hill East and thanked everyone for their support. He agreed to continue to serve on the committee.
That concludes the Chairman’s formal report. Thank you ladies and gentlemen for your support of the Association and your committee. As we move on to Estate business we will be happy to take questions in that section of the meeting.
2. Estate Matters:
Questions were invited:
Trees – Boileau Road:
Thanks were extended to Nigel Sumner for the trees, which had been planted in Boileau Road. Nigel requested residents water them during the hot weather.
Overhanging branches:
Asked what could be done about this. Nigel Sumner asked to be shown where the particular problem is and he requested that residents take responsibility to ensure that any branches do not encroach onto the public highway.
Rotherwick Hill/Corringway (roundabout):
Many drivers are driving on the wrong side of the road. Meeting agreed that this is extremely dangerous and should be reported to the Ward Police.
20mph Signs:
Is anything being done about increasing the number of signs on the Estate? Nigel Sumner reported that forty 20mph repeater signs have been ordered.
3. Treasurer’s Report:
The Treasurer reported that the excess of income over expenditure is £576.99, although a cheque for £250 has yet to be presented. The main expenditure relates to the newsletter. He reported that there are two sources of income, donations from residents and from film companies. The film companies have been generous this year and Bob Gurd has been very instrumental in obtaining this funding.
4. Appointment of Auditor:
John Gwynne was thanked for acting as Auditor and the Treasurer proposed that he audit next year’s accounts. Agreed. Mr Gwynne was not present but had signified his willingness to do so.
At this point collecting boxes were passed round for donations.
5. Election of 2009/10 Committee:
As only 8 nominations had been received, a ballot was unnecessary.
The committee members would be:
GILES, Valerie Ashbourne Road,
GURD, Robert Beaufort Road
JERJES, Khalid Chatsworth Road]
MARTIN, Margaret Gilbert Court, Hanger Vale Lane
NOBLE, Margaret Boileau Road
REED, Simon Beaufort Road
SHELLEY, Nicky East Close
UPPAL, Inder, Beaufort Road
Simon said that more members are always welcome, the committee meets about 4 or 5 times a year and responsibilities are divided. All that is required is concern for the wellbeing of the area. It is possible to co-opt people onto the committee.
6. A.O.B.
Newsletter Delivery:
Simon said he would be extremely grateful if people would be willing, 2 or 3 times a year, to help with delivery of the newsletter. In particular people living in a flat on the Estate.
Connell Crescent:
It was noted that Connell Crescent does not have a representative on the committee. Agreed that request for a representative should be put in the next newsletter.
Ward Forum:
Nigel Sumner gave a breakdown on how the allotted £40,000 had been spent on trees, hanging baskets, pavements etc. He said that as much support as possible is needed with improving Hanger Hill Park, if a grant is to be obtained, by writing to The Mayor of London. There is no provision for youth in the area. Attention needs to be given to this. A Tree Warden is required for the area. Nigel will email a job description to Simon.
Nigel thanked Simon for chairing the meetings and for being willing to do so again this year.
7. Guest Speaker – Councillor Jason Stacey – Leader of Ealing Council:
Mr Stacey became Leader in 2006. He said it is not the easiest of jobs and it is a question of making choices. People in the Borough were concerned about the:
1. State of the streets, not being cleaned.
2. Safer communities. People did not feel safe, inadequate street lighting, no Police visible.
3. Council Tax, what do you get for your money?
Everything the Council has done has been centred on residents’ concerns. There was a big consultation on rubbish collection. HHERA rejected wheelie bins. Our Recycling rate is now 35% as opposed to 19% in 2006. Graffiti is removed as quickly as possible otherwise this leads to more serious crime.
Crime is falling within the Borough. More PCSOs are visible on the streets.
Trying to keep Council Tax to an absolute minimum. Has doubled in the last 10 years. This year it has been frozen. However, there are more issues coming forward with more pressure coming onto Council Tax e.g. the recession, people are now sending their children to state schools as opposed to private. Need to seriously look at what we deliver. More basic budgets need to be put in place. Planning and transport needs to be looked at.
Questions were invited:
Question:
Impressive summary of what has been done but what is being done about the future of Ealing?
Answer:
Councillor Stacey sees Ealing as tree lined residential streets where people want to move to, as it remains popular. What do we want our Town Centre to be? We have seen the decline of Ealing Town Centre, with closure of many shops over the years. Councillor Stacey said money has been invested in master plans. Do we want Crossrail or do we want people to stop and shop? Lots of developers want to come to Ealing but we need to be careful for fear of it becoming a building site. There are 10,000 people on housing waiting list. Need to try and house these people near transport links and employment.
Question:
No allowance has been made for schools or leisure facilities in the development plans. Buildings are too high and too close together.
Answer:
How high is too high? Whether a building should be 40 stories or 24 is debateable. We need shops and facilities for young people. There will be leisure facilities in the new cinema in Ealing Broadway.
Question:
Parking in Ealing is difficult. Need better parking arrangements
Answer:
The whole of Ealing is in need of re-vamping. There is a complicated one-way system. A very poorly designed Town Centre. Ealing people go to Westfield, Kingston, Richmond or Brent Cross to shop. They do not shop in Ealing because the shops do not cater for their needs. Parking needs to be improved, which is a long-term project.
Question:
Many roads need resurfacing. Potholes caused by road humps, which is very dangerous for cyclists. Some humps are too high.
Answer:
For many years not enough money has been put into resurfacing. Not been helped with the winter we have just had. 8.5 million pounds was invested last year, 6.5 to be invested this year. I prefer speed platforms. Suggest you speak to the Councillors about the height of humps.
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
HANGER HILL (EAST) RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION
THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2008
7.45PM AT THE CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION
MINUTES
Approximately 60 residents were in attendance.
Apologies were received from Councillors Diana Pagan, Nigel Sumner and Anthony Young, John Gwynne (auditor) and John Harrison.
The Chairman welcomed everyone, in particular Police Sergeant Din, Head of the Hanger Hill Safer Neighbourhood team and Councillor Barbara Yerolemou. He also welcomed fellow committee officers, Valerie Giles (Secretary) and Clive Davis (Treasurer) on the top table.
1. Chairman/Secretary's report:
The Chairman reported that 4 committee meetings had taken place throughout the year, which covered the revised Constitution and usual matters - Arcadia Centre redevelopment, speed control measures, CPZs, street lighting and the conservation area review.
Arcadia Centre redevelopment
Although this would not directly affect our area, it is quite likely that if built the 40 storey tower would be visible from the higher parts of the estate. The Association had affiliated to Save Ealing's Centre which campaigned against the development in the centre of Ealing. The proposals received strong criticisms from English Heritage, CABE (Commission for the Built Environment) and the Mayor of London. The developers had been sent away by the Council to rethink their plans - which have not been considered by the planning committee - and it is unlikely that any new plans would appear much before late summer. Residents were advised to be vigilant.
Speed Control Measures
The problem of speeding motorists continues, resulting in several accidents. However, the Council carried out tests in the most affected roads - Beaufort Road and Corringway and considered that the average speeds (20 - 25mph) did not justify installation of further signal actuated signs (like that in Beaufort Road at the junction with The Ridings). Residents were advised to monitor the situation.
Controlled Parking
This has been in operation for over 2 years and has been successful, except in the vicinity of Hanger Lane (Ashbourne Road in particular) where an excessive number of parking permits has been allocated to West Africa House. The Residents' Association had again been in contact with the businesses occupying West Africa House urging them to ask their employees to stagger their parking but our letters have met with a polite but not very helpful response. One company would be vacating at the end of April which would hopefully give some relief from the parking.
The Council was of the opinion that the balance between residents' and businesses' parking at Hanger Green was about right. However, they have agreed to look into doing something about inconsiderate parking at the Ritz Parade end of Connell Crescent caused by absence of double yellow lines.
The West Acton controlled parking scheme (which covers Boileau Road and Hanger Vale Lane) has been in operation for around 18 months and is due for a review. Not aware of any problems.
Street lighting
Beaufort Road and Hanger Green had been relit this year using columns similar to those currently installed but with more modern lanterns with a higher light output than the existing lamps. We wouldn't know until later this year when other roads would be relit on the estate but the programme is due to be completed by 2010.
Conservation area review
The Council's review of the Haymills Estate conservation area was completed earlier this year following consultation with the Association, conservation area panel and residents. The results of the consultation were announced in March and it is clear that it did not raise any major new issues. The current design guide would be replaced by a new conservation area management document which will clarify and update the information in the old guide. It is now available online through the Council's website (see http://www.ealing.gov.uk/services/environment/planning/planning_services/conservation/conservation_areas/consarea_hh.html).
Finally, the Chairman thanked all members of the committee who have served throughout the year and in particular three committee members who were standing down this year:
Martyn Grogan: who has been our vice-chairman - for his help over the newsletter and website and invaluable assistance over the past 18 months or so;
Michael Black: who has been on the committee for many years and additionally stepped into the breach as secretary when Graham Fowler stood down;
Jeremy Evans: who represented Haymills Court interests in place of Sarah Williams who moved away last year.
2. Estate Matters
The Chairman thanked the residents for their support and invited questions, under estate matters:
1. What is happening about Orbit House?
Orbit House, a red brick office block, replaced the Ritz Cinema and has been empty for many months. Planning permission has been obtained to build a couple of extensions at the rear and to function as an aparthotel, believed to be for short/medium stay business people.
2. Rubbish
Rubbish sacks/bins are being put out too early and being put on pavement; black sacks containing food attracts animals which leads to pavement spillages.
Rubbish should be put out late at night or early in the morning.
Food should be placed in special food waste bins. Sacks/bins should be placed on residents' property and not on the pavement.
The Council is prepared to issue notices to people who do not comply. If residents know of any persistent offender(s) they should contact the council on 8825 6000 and someone should come along and look at the situation.
3. Boileau Road - poor street lighting
This is a particular problem near North Ealing Station and is dangerous.
It was agreed that the committee would look into this.
4. Ashbourne Road - Parking
This is a particular problem in Ashbourne Road (Hanger Lane end). Could the Council do something about this?
Councillor Yerolemou said the Council was aware of the problem. Consideration would be given to asking people to park at the end of Ashbourne Road towards the junction with Corringway, where there are no driveways.
5. Vegetation Overgrowth
Excessive amount of vegetation growing over garden walls.
Council written to but no response received. It was suggested that the resident talked to Councillor Yerolemou about the matter.
3. Treasurer's Report - Year Ended 31 December 2007
The Treasurer reported that the excess of expenditure over income of £176.30 was due to some income which would soon be recouped. £100 donation has been made to Save Ealing Centre Fund. The main income comes from advertisers and residents' donations. The Treasurer informed residents' that donations can now be made via the HHERA website using Paypal.
The adoption of the accounts was proposed by Margaret Martin and seconded by Graham Fowler.
4. Appointment of Auditor
The Chairman expressed thanks to Mr John Gwynne (auditor) for his work during the year. He was unable to attend the meeting but had said that he would be happy to continue acting as auditor.
This was approved by the meeting.
At this point, collecting boxes were passed round for donations.
5. Proposed changes to the Constitution:
At the last EGM and AGM suggestions were made regarding changes to the Constitution. These were put to a small Working Party consisting of Margaret Martin, Martyn Grogan and Darshak Raja and endorsed by the committee. Simon agreed to talk through each paragraph.
A question was asked as to why 'age' needed to be included in the nominees' details. The Chairman said that this was a standard requirement that the information was not compulsory.
Graham Fowler suggested an amendment so that one rather than two auditors could be employed. It was agreed to bring this in line with practice as the Association had only ever had one auditor.
The amendments were agreed unanimously except for one resident who voted against.
6. Election of 2008/9 Committee:
As only 9 nominations had been received, a ballot was unnecessary.
The committee members would be:
DAVIS, Clive Boileau Road
GILES, Valerie Ashbourne Road,
GURD, Robert Beaufort Road
JERJES, Khalid Chatsworth Road
MARTIN, Margaret Gilbert Court, Hanger Vale Lane
NOBLE, Margaret Boileau Road,
RAJA, Darshak Corringway
REED, Simon Beaufort Road; Vicar, Church of the Ascension
SHELLEY, Nicky East Close
The Chairman said that the Committee was looking to co-opt a representative from the Hanger Green area.
7. AOB
Marianne Black said that Notices were not being published in the Ealing Gazette and that she had been informed this was a Council decision, to save money. Councillor Yerolemou said the Council had a statutory obligation to publish notices which were going to appear in the Ealing Times. The Ealing Times was not delivered as frequently as it should be. It was agreed that the Committee should look into this.
The Chairman thanked Simon Reed for allowing the Association to use the Church of the Ascension for the AGM and closed the formal part of the meeting.
9. Speaker
Sgt Tahir Din and PC David Traynor of the Hanger Hill Safer Neighbourhood Team spoke about the work of the team and how to protect oneself from the activities of criminals.
VG 0408
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The Hanger Hill (East) Residents' Association
Notice of Annual General Meeting 2008
The Annual General Meeting of Hanger Hill (East) Residents' Association (HHERA)
will be held at 7:45 pm on Thursday 24 APRIL 2008 at the Church of the Ascension,
Beaufort Road, Ealing W5.
Drinks and light refreshments from 7.00 pm.
Agenda
1. Chairman/secretary's report
2. Estate matters (including traffic, parking, etc)
3. Auditor's report
4. Appointment of auditors
5. Proposed changes to the constitution
6. Election of 2008/9 committee
7. AOB
8. Speaker: Sgt Tahir Din, of the Hanger Hill Safer Neighbourhoods Team who
will talk about the work of the team and how you can protect yourself from the activities of criminals.
CLICK HERE to download a copy of the agenda and nomination form for the 2008/9 committee.
CLICK HERE to download proposed draft amendments to the constitution.
DETAILS OF PROPOSED CHANGES TO CONSTITUTION
(Note: With respect to the existing Constitution, deleted words or phrases are shown as a strikethrough and additions are shown in red lettering)
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PROPOSED DRAFT AMENDMENTS
THE HANGER HILL (EAST) RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION
CONSTITUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION (REVISED 1987/1997/2007)
1. The Association shall be called ''The Hanger Hill East Residents' Association'' hereinafter called ''the Association'' or ''HHERA''.
2. Membership of the Association is open to all residents of the Hanger Hill Estate, being the area bounded by Hanger Lane, Western Avenue, the Piccadilly Line between Park Royal and North Ealing stations, and Queens Drive (including Queens Parade). At meetings of the Association any person not named on the published electoral roll may be asked to provide a utility bill not more than three months old as proof of residence and a passport or driving licence as proof of identity. Failure to provide either or both of these documents will render the person concerned ineligible to vote
3. The aims and objects of HHERA are to serve and protect the interests of the residents of the Hanger Hill Estate and to protect, improve and further the amenities of the Estate. It will be a principle always of HHERA to recognise the cultural diversity of the Hanger Hill Estate and its residents, appreciating that all residents, no matter their age, race, ethnic origin, gender, religious or political affiliation or financial position, have something positive to contribute to the Estate and the people living here.
4. The officers of the Association shall comprise a Chairman, a Vice Chairman, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Other posts may be designated by the Committee to serve the needs of the Association as occasion demands.
5. The business of the Association shall be arranged conducted by a Committee elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The Committee shall consist of a maximum of eleven members. Every nomination for the Committee shall be proposed and seconded by a member of the Association and shall contain a confirmation by the nominee that he/she is willing to stand. Nominations shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary at least seven days before the AGM. Unless the Chairman considers it to be unnecessary, an election shall be determined by a paper ballot with the eleven nominees who receive the highest number of votes being elected.
6. The officers of the Association shall be elected by the Committee from amongst their members at the first Committee meeting following the AGM. In the event of any member dying or resigning, the Committee may co-opt another member of the Association to sit on the Committee for the period until the next AGM.
7(a) The Annual General Meeting of the Association shall normally be held in the month of April each year. Three weeks' notice shall be given of the AGM.
7(b) A special meeting An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the Association shall be called if 10 or more members of the Association request in writing a meeting stating the purpose of the meeting. Such a meeting shall be held within 28 days of the receipt of such a request or at a time mutually agreed between the Committee and those proposing the meeting.
8. The Committee shall meet as often as the Committee members deem necessary but this should be at least twice a year. If a Committee member does not attend two meetings consecutively without any apology, it will be deemed that he, or she, no longer wishes to serve, will be automatically retired from the committee and he, or she, will be advised accordingly.
9. At each AGM, all members of the Committee shall retire but shall be eligible for re-election. In the annual elections of Officers and Committee members, all candidates will issue brief but relevant biographies, and these will include their age, and the number of years service they have given, if they have already served as Officers or Committee members.
10. At the AGM, all members of the Association including the Chairman all residences within the catchment area of the Association as defined in paragraph 2 above, shall have one vote. The Chairman shall in the case of an equality of votes have a second, or casting vote.
11. Any member wishing to move a resolution motion at the AGM shall give notice in writing to the Secretary not less than 7 days before the date of the meeting. Emergency motions for matters which arise after the last date (7 days prior), including on the night, will only be allowed for debate at the discretion of the meeting.
12. Minute books shall be kept by the Association and the Secretary shall enter a record of all proceedings and resolutions.
13. All funds raised for or on behalf of the Association shall be applied to further the object and aims of the Association and for no other purpose. The Treasurer shall keep proper accounts of the finances of the association. Expenditure above £100 must be authorised by the Committee.
14. The accounts of the Association shall be audited once a year by two auditors elected at the previous AGM each year. The financial year of the Association ends on 31 December.
15. Any funds at the disposal of the Association should be held in a bank or building society. In the event of the Association ceasing to operate, such funds, archives and any other materials or interests shall be made over to an adjacent residents' association, which will be decided by the Committee, and will not be redistributed.
16. The Committee shall have the power to co-opt for the period until the next AGM up to an additional three members of the Association on to the Committee (subject in addition to the maximum number specified in paragraph 5 above) specifically to aid it with research and implementation of matters that benefit the aims and objectives of the Association.
17. This constitution may be added to, repealed or amended by a resolution at any Annual or special Extraordinary General meeting, notice of which will be as set out in paragraph 7 above, and shall have contained particulars of the proposed modifications.
March 2008
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The resumed AGM was held on Thursday 31 May 2007
at 7.30 pm at the Church of the Ascension.
HANGER HILL (EAST) RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION.
Resumed Annual General Meeting, May 31, 2007
The meeting commenced at 7.30pm. About 135 residents were present.
Apologies had been received from Graham Fowler and Sarah Williams.
The meeting was conducted by the Chairman of the Association, Bob Gurd.
The Chairman opened the meeting by thanking the Rev. Simon Reed for allowing the meeting to be held in the Church, and welcomed Councillors Barbara Yerolemou and Nigel Sumner. He also thanked all the helpers at this and previous meetings and welcomed members of the committee. He went on to explain that the previous AGM was adjourned to give residents the opportunity to vote in a democratic way. Though this was not necessarily a popular decision, he nevertheless felt it was fair and correct. Unfortunately however, residents would now not be given the opportunity to vote because 11 candidates had withdrawn en bloc, in addition to three who had withdrawn earlier, leaving 11 candidates to fill 11 vacancies.
Proposed changes to the constitution by Sanjay Chadha had also been withdrawn, so there would be no discussion on changes to the constitution.
1. CHAIRMAN/SECRETARY'S REPORT
The Chairman reported on the activities of the Association during the previous year Details are set out below.
A vote of thanks to the Chairman for his patience and hard work was passed. The Chairman extended this to members of the committee and to the residents who had supported HHERA.
2. AUDITOR'S REPORT
Copies of the accounts had been previously circulated and the Auditor, John Gwynne, explained that the accumulated balance of funds was £1,430.
A member of the audience asked for an explanation of the £130 received from Granada Television. Bob Gurd explained that when TV crews were filming in the estate he asked for a donation to the Association's funds; he urged residents to do likewise in future.
The accounts were approved on the proposal of Mrs. Marianne Black, seconded by Cllr Mrs Barbara Yerolemou.
3. APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
A vote of thanks was passed to the auditor for his work in the last year. John Gwynne indicated that he was willing to stand as Auditor for the forthcoming year. This was unanimously approved.
4. ESTATE MATTERS - Details may be found on the HHERA Estate Matters webpage.
Planning. The Chairman took the opportunity to explain the role of the Conservation Panel, and mentioned that a review by the Council of the Conservation Area was forthcoming.
Darshak Raja suggested that with the new website the opportunity could be taken to ask residents to vote on the website on Conservation Panel matters. The Chairman agreed this was a good idea, but indicated that this would only allow a small number of people with an interest to vote and therefore could only be counted as an expression of interest. Derek Martin suggested that the website should be used to inform residents that the consultation was taking place. The Chairman commented that the last time our own conservation area was reviewed all residents were individually mailed. It was agreed that the Council should be asked to do so at the next review.
A resident thanked Councillor Yerolemou for the prompt action she had taken regarding planning in respect of a large extension to a house on the estate.
The question was asked whether the government's proposed change in planning application regulations would have an effect on the estate. The Chairman explained that existing conservation area controls would remain largely in place, but it would be necessary to look closely at the detail when the full proposals came out. A major problem was so-called "permitted development" since the Article 4 direction related only to house frontages facing roads, not the sides or rear of properties.
Parking. The Chairman reported that the Hanger Hill CPZ scheme had been in operation for 18 months and a major problem had arisen because a number of businesses were granted business permits and parked in the roads all day every day. The road particularly affected was Ashbourne Road, but several other roads, including Connell Crescent, also suffered. Also there were not enough residents' parking spaces in Hanger Green. A review was carried out last year, but the consultation was extended because many residents in Hanger Green had not participated. There is no more news about the outcome of the consultation, but we had asked to be involved.
Mr. M. Fowler mentioned that indiscriminate parking of mini-cabs in the "stop & shop" and disabled bays near West Acton Station was a problem. The Chairman explained that this was outside our area but in the Garden Estate; nevertheless the CPZ in that area was likely to be reviewed later this year and this issue was one which should be put to the Council directly.
A Boileau Road resident said that the parking restrictions had helped tremendously. The Chairman agreed but noted that changes were likely to be made to the Balcon Court parking arrangements.
The question was asked whether roads on the outskirts of the area could be excluded if the residents so wished. The Chairman explained that everyone had a chance to vote during the original consultation and an analysis had been done road by road. In the end it was decided to have a homogenous zone to avoid the problem of displaced parking.
Street lighting. The Chairman reported that Corringway and Chatsworth Road had new lighting which gave much better illumination. The general opinion was that this was much better than previously. New lighting is scheduled for the rest of the estate within three years.
Corringway/Audley road sewer. The Chairman explained that this was part of the Thames Water flood relief scheme. The main reason why this work had to be done was largely because of front gardens being paved over, often done without planning permission. Residents should be aware that only up to 50% of the front garden could be paved. Councillor Sumner said that porous paving slabs allowed water to sink through
Roads. A vehicle activated sign to remind drivers that they were in a 20 mph speed limit area had been erected in Beaufort Road. There had been plans to erect 2 more such signs in Corringway near the Audley Road junction, but residents nearby expressed reservations about the signs. The Chairman hoped that now they had seen the small sign they would change their minds.
A resident asked if such a sign could be erected in Boileau Road. It was also suggested that bigger signage was needed as you enter the estate because the 20mph signs on the road are not easy to see. The Chairman explained that this was something which had been raised with the Council but would be raised again. A resident suggested that, according to the current Highway Code, the speed limit was 30 mph unless 20 mph repeater signs were visible. A resident suggested that "20 mph" should be painted on the road humps themselves. A resident asked if it was possible to have speed cameras. The Chairman said the Association had been pressing for this for some time, and had tried to get the Police to support us. He understood that the Council had acquired some speed guns and they were likely to be coming into our area very soon.
The Chairman explained that reports of bad pavements in various roads should be made directly to the Council on 020 8825 6000, and in his experience they would be dealt with quickly and efficiently. He agreed that this information should be put on the website.
A comment was made that roads in the estate had been deteriorating over the years and they had not been resurfaced for decades. The Chairman agreed to apply pressure to the Council on this matter, but Councillor Sumner commented that the roads on this estate were not too bad compared with other roads in the borough.
Mrs. Black asked if the "Station Road" sign could be replaced.
5. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE
All the 11 nominees who had agreed to stand for election were introduced as the new committee. The Chairman asked if the meeting would agree to a few other residents of the withdrawn list of candidates being invited to attend committee meetings on those occasions when their services would be helpful, although they would not be full committee members. The meeting unanimously agreed that this was a good idea.
6. CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION
This item had been withdrawn.
7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mrs. Black asked for clarification of the status of Hanger Hill Wood as some people had no idea of its status. Councillor Sumner said that there was no change in its status as a Public Open Space.
A resident asked if Ealing Council was considering wheelie bins for this area. Councillor Yerolemou said that a consultation last year had shown that residents in this area did not want wheelie bins. It was explained that if a resident particularly wanted a wheelie bin they could obtain one from the Council, but they would be responsible for lining the bin with a black sack, taking this out of the bin and leaving the sack out for collection.
The meeting closed at 8.50 p.m.
Michael Black
Secretary
June 2007
THE HHERA 2007/8 COMMITTEE
The members of the HHERA 2007/8 Committee are now available, please click here or visit HHERA Committee 2007/8 webpage. The officers of the Committee, including the Chairman, will be elected by the committee at its first meeting. The results of this election will be posted on the website immediately following the meeting,
HANGER HILL (EAST) RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION
RESUMED ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: 31 MAY 2007
CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS
You will recall that I adjourned the AGM on 19 April to ensure the proper democratic process took place with all residents being given an opportunity to express their opinion and vote accordingly. Unfortunately, residents will not now be given the opportunity to exercise their democratic right because, through no fault of the committee, 11 candidates (Sanjay Chadha and group) for the committee decided to withdraw their nominations en bloc (in addition to three who had withdrawn earlier). This leaves only 11 candidates to fill 11 vacancies so there will be no formal ballot for election.
Second, item 6 has been withdrawn so no discussion will take place on further changes to the Constitution. I'll say more about both these later.
Chairman/Secretary's report
First, I have to report a very difficult year for your committee as a result of unprecedented pressure from a group of residents who you recall tried to move a resolution at the AGM last year. As we reported in the newsletter, we tried over a long period of time to reach an accommodation with the group but unfortunately were unable to do so. We had several meetings with them but they made demands which were completely unacceptable to us which involved forced resignations of existing members of the committee as well as of the conservation area panel.
After I adjourned the meeting on 19 April, discussions took place on two separate occasions in a final attempt to reach some sort of agreement with Sanjay Chadha and his group involving mediation. The first produced no result; and the second resulted in a demand for my withdrawal as a candidate for election to the 2007 Committee, and an undertaking not to stand for chairmanship for a further three years. In return Sanjay Chadha would not stand for election as a committee member and would also withdraw the additional proposed changes to the Constitution. Before your Committee had responded to this proposal, which would have been rejected on the grounds that it was undemocratic, the group withdrew all 11 of its candidates from the election, together with their request for amendments to the Constitution. We noted with interest that the letters of withdrawal were dated before the proposal had been put to us -- so any mediation attempts were clearly doomed before they had even got underway!
Why we have been singled out for attention by a small number of members in an area where residents of all backgrounds, cultures and nationalities have lived peacefully together for many decades? The roots of the problem are simple: a small but highly determined group of residents wanted to take control of the Residents' Association for their own ends and were prepared to employ a variety of means to do so. They created divisions and tensions where none previously existed. The group also spread misinformation such as: the current committee was not democratically elected - it was in 2005; we refused to reconvene the AGM — untrue: we gave residents the opportunity in the autumn newsletter to express a view that it should be; or that the Conservation Area Panel Advisory Committee and/or the Residents' Association decide on planning applications - untrue, as I will explain later. Their "commitments" mentioned in their 'regeneration newsletter' covered all the areas which the current Association has been pursuing successfully for many years.
So where does this leave us? The good news is that there will be no divisive elections and unhelpful discussions tonight about further changes to the Constitution. The not so-good-news is that the group have threatened to set up a new association covering the Haymills Estate conservation area alone - a highly significant fact in itself. We'll have to see whether this happens but I hope that you will continue to give your support to the existing Association which will continue to represent all the areas that the association covers particularly Boileau Road, Connell Crescent, Ashbourne Parade and the many block of flats in the area. A worrying sign of things to come has been the systematic removal of street notices about this meeting - some of them have had to be replaced up to 4 times!
Having said all that, your Association has in the last year made progress and moved forward in other areas, perhaps in part driven by adversity. We have improved communication with all residents by updating the website and encouraging more to register for email updates. Further improvements to this are also planned including a residents' forum where residents can express their views online. We have also overhauled the newsletter to produce a much more accessible and readable version. And, more residents are talking to each other as a result of the events of the last year. The EGM attracted over 300 people - how many residents' associations can boast that sort of turnout?
A thriving residents' association is a crucial part of a vibrant community. Whether serving on the committee or by simply letting the committee know your views about any issue keeps things fresh and alive and most important relevant to those who live on the estate as a whole. To this end, the new committee, I know, have many varied and diverse ideas which will be explored and developed and reported back to the members as a whole in the coming months.
I should like to take this opportunity of thanking members of the Committee for their work during the last year. As you will have gathered, this has been a very difficult time for everyone involved and I am very grateful that they stuck with it - and with me - through this very challenging period. I am particularly grateful to Graham Fowler (who can't be here tonight) who served as secretary for over 11 years. He did a tremendous amount of work for the Association - and the Conservation Area Panel -- in an entirely voluntary capacity for all this time. I very much regret that he felt unable to continue to provide the services when the workload became too demanding as a result of the unprecedented pressures placed upon the committee. But I entirely understand his decision to do so.
I should also like to thank two other committee members who are standing down this year: George Dean who has been a major supporter for many years and in particular for his help over the years with the refreshments; and Sarah Williams (Haymills Court) - who also can't be here tonight - who joined the committee more recently but who is moving away from the estate later this year. I would like to thank them for their help and wish them all the best in the future. Finally, I would like to thank Martyn Grogan, who is a resident who offered his expertise over the last year, particularly for his work on the website and the newsletter. Thanks to him and other residents - John Harrison and Darshak Raja -- who helped on working party with amendments to the Constitution discussed at the EGM last month.
In conclusion…we have to remember that your Committee is simply the guardian of a Residents' Association which was formed 30 years ago with the simple purpose of representing and protecting the interests of the whole of the area, no matter an individual's or group's personal benefit, race, belief, colour, gender or financial means. Over the period since then, ordinary people who have lived here have voluntarily represented your interests to the Council and many other bodies who affect the estate with the aim of ensuring that it stays the area the great majority of us like - it was after all why we chose to live here. We have been successful because the Council takes us seriously, as a representative body for all residents.
Your Chairman is just one in a line of chairmen with that simple belief, and I hope you will ensure that the Residents' Association will continue to represent everyone who lives here, and keeps concentrating on the many issues which we all as individuals think are important and make our neighbourhood special not just one interest that a small group may have.
Robert Gurd
31 May 2007
http://www.hhera.com/userimages/agmegmnotice2007webdownload.pdf