The following concern was raised prior to agenda publication:

“Concerns over cycling on pavements.”

Officers from the Police Safer Neighbourhood team will be in attendance to address any other police issues residents may have.

Sergeant Laden from the Heathfield Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) initiated the item by addressing the concern raised over cycling on pavements.  Sergeant Laden stated that a Community Support Officer was in place at Whitton School to tackle problems of cycling on pavements, truancy and general antisocial behaviour, and added that SNT officers did take action when they witnessed offences.

A resident raised concerns over drunken behaviour at Whitton Station.  Sergeant Laden answered that test purchasing operations were in place to combat underage drinking, and attendees were informed that the Council’s Trading Standards department also investigated such matters.

Sergeant Todd from the Whitton SNT informed attendees that the team were aware of parking problems on the junction of Vincents Road and Nelson Road, and that CCTV cameras were in place to monitor parking.  The situation was however complicated by certain transport requirements within the area.  Councillors stated that they were in dialogue with various parties to ensure a resolution that balanced both residential, retailers’ and transport companies’ needs. 

Sergeant Todd stated that surveys had been undertaken to assess traffic speed on Nelson Road and Hounslow Road.  Councillor Warren responded that parking was no longer permitted on Hounslow Road, and that this had potentially contributed towards an increase in instances of speeding on the road.  Councillor Jaeger expressed some concern that traffic was being monitored on the slower parts of Hounslow Road and added thattraffic speed appeared to have decreased on Nelson Road due to “cushions” being installed. 

One resident stated that there were instances of undue delay by the Council in implementing certain traffic projects.  Councillors responded that they also felt frustrated by delays, but that the Council did have constraints imposed upon them.

One resident added that buses on the 481 route were causing blockages outside the Bishop Perrin School, and that these blockages constituted a hazard.  Sergeant Laden responded that accident statistics in the area were low, and that the road was under TfL jurisdiction.

Residents were reminded about the forthcoming Heathfield Police Liaison Group.

Helen Riley, Community Development Officer from the Richmond Housing Partnership, will attend to discuss this item.

Helen Riley, Community Development Officer from the Richmond Housing Partnership, introduced herself to attendees, and gave an overview of the “Heathfield Working Together” scheme, of the partnerships involved with the scheme and its expected outcomes. 

Discussions were held over youth provision in the area, and problems over core central government funding in securing long term schemes.

The item of Whitton Town Centre improvement was covered under item 4.

Councillor King informed attendees of the following:

“The Council publishes Customer Contact Standards.  With regards to correspondence, customers should receive a response within seven working days of receipt.  Performance against Customer Contact standards is measured regularly.  As an example, the Council conducts a series of mystery shopping campaigns using an external organisation.  In addition, the Council is committed to being assessed against the Customer Service Excellence national standard in customer care to ensure that we continue to improve the level of service the Council provides.

Customer feedback on how the Council is doing against these standards is also encouraged.  This helps in identifying areas for improvement, so that the Council can provide customers with a better and more efficient service.

If customers have concerns, there are several ways in which they can provide feedback:

-                      Tell a member of staff who works in the service that you want to complain;

-                      You can ring, write, send an email, use the Council’s website, fill in a complaint form, or visit one of the Council’s reception areas where a member of staff can help you to fill in a form.

The Council will let you know that we have received your complaint within two working days.  A manager will investigate your complaint, and reply to you within fifteen working days.  If you are unhappy with that response, the Council will tell you how you can appeal.

Further detailed information is available on the website www.richmond.gov.uk/complaints_procedure”

The resident who raised this item on the agenda informed Councillors that the matter was being progressed satisfactorily.

The Council’s Cabinet agreed in September 2008 that at the Autumn 2008 round of Area Consultation meetings, multi-ward ACMs should consider whether they wish to split in future into single ward meetings or continue with current arrangements.

Councillor Coombs informed attendees that discussions were being held to consider how Area Consultation Meetings (ACMs) could be developed, and that one proposal under consideration was to hold single ward ACMs. 

Councillor Cole stated that it made sense for the two wards to continue holding joint meetings.  Attendees stated that there was value in having the joint experience of Councillors at meetings, and that residents of both wards utilised many of the same services.  Concerns were therefore best addressed at joint meetings.

Heathfield Library

Councillor Coombs informed attendees that the Council had agreed to sell the current Heathfield Library site to the Richmond and Twickenham Primary Care Trust (PCT) to enable a clinic to be built on the site.  Councillor Jaeger added that recent discussions had indicated that the PCT would be submitting a planning application for the clinic in the near future.  Discussions were held over the potential siting for Heathfield Library in light of the prospective sale of the current library site.

Parking (Hospital Bridge Road / 481 Bus route)

One resident reiterated the point made under item 1, Police Issues, that the bus stop near to Bishop Perrin School was contrary to the highway code.  Further concerns were raised further to this that there were insufficient buses running the 481 bus route, to which Councillor King responded that discussions were ongoing with Transport for London to try and ensure a half-hourly service.

Whitton High Street

Discussions were held over the condition of Whitton High Street, and residents expressed their anxiety that Heathfield and Whitton were regarded as the ‘poor relative’ of the Borough. 

One attendee detailed the history of the attempts made to renovate the High Street, and enquired as to current status of the former Co-op building.  Councillor Jaeger responded that planning permission had been granted to one retailer to develop the site, but that there had been some issues that had not been satisfactorily resolved.

Crane Park

One resident stressed the need for more litter bins in Crane Park.  Councillors were also informed that the cycle path in Crane Park area was in contravention of the Highway Code.