Monday 19 January 2009

Minutes from meeting on the 19th November 2008

Please see the comments section of this post for the minutes from the meeting on the 19th November 2008
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Pete said...

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

An apology for absence was received from Eleanor Thompson.

2. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 15 OCTOBER 2008

These were agreed as a correct record.

5. MALCOLM SMITH

LVIG welcomed Malcolm Smith to the meeting. Malcolm Smith is the Executive Director for Regeneration at Lewisham Council. His remit includes transport, planning and the management of Lewisham’s property programme e.g. investment in leisure centres. He says he has a keen interest in making Lewisham a better place to live.

Following an earlier meeting with LVIG Malcolm has had people look at the issues raised on street litter and has interceded to ensure Ladywell has lights for its Christmas Tree.

Malcolm took questions from the floor regarding a wide range of issues raised by local people. These included:
• Traffic - Malcolm said that as a cyclist he is aware of traffic but is of the view that it is impossible to reduce traffic. What we need to do is manage the traffic we have and try to make the impact of traffic less evasive by other means e.g. Shared surface - this allows drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to use the same open road area without the traditional crossings, signs and road markings. Such a scheme, of Dutch origin, is being tested in Ashford. Planners hope to force drivers to take more care and regulate their behaviour by increasing uncertainty about priorities and by removing 'clutter' like signs and traffic lights.

• Poor appearance of roads – Malcolm wants to get rid of the guard railings but there are issues to consider – e.g. whether without the railings there will be a trip hazard

• Short stay parking –noted that both residents and businesses were in favour of short stay parking

• Sleeping policemen v Cushions – Malcolm noted that cushions were preferable for Emergency services

4. STREETSCAPE GROUP - UPDATE

Robert had convened a meeting of the Streetscape Group, prior to this Committee meeting to develop some ideas and its report has been circulated and is also available on the blog: it recommends that the Council’s proposed feasibility study takes a broad approach to the issues to be addressed rather than being a narrow highways study.

Malcolm Smith reiterated his support for the removal of guard-railing and it was noted that the Council’s Empty Property Officer, Nick Long, has been pursuing Coral/Coomes in relation to the empty flats above the bookmakers.

Malcolm said that the Streetscape Group could act as a conduit if and when the money is raised for the feasibility study to let the Council know what people want. In the meantime he will get his people to look at things that could be done now outside of that exercise e.g. Guard-railing, Planting, making forecourts and public highways visually more appealing.

Malcolm noted that Heidi Alexander, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Regeneration is very committed to ‘decluttering’ across the borough.

THE PLAYTOWER
This is also under Malcolm’s remit. The Council had arranged a meeting with a number of people to discuss a possible future use, subject to significant external funding, as a youth centre. Tony Rich and Robert attended. It was agreed to discuss the Playtower as necessary outside of tonight’s meeting.

Malcolm Smith left the meeting.
3. LOCAL BUSINESSES GET –TOGETHER 12TH NOVEMBER – FEEDBACK

LVIG held a Local Businesses soiree 12 November, 6- 8pm at Oscar’s Café. A good time was had by all and it proved to be a timely and successful PR exercise. Local businesses left Oscar’s knowing a bit more about their business neighbours and LVIG too. Thanks go to Sian Mclean for organising the event and to Petra Reekers for hosting the evening. Photos of the event, courtesy of Jaime Fox, can be found on the blog

6. LOCALITIES FUND - UPDATE

LVIG did not get funding for the Christmas Tree although did get assistance to pay for the lighting and set up. Robert liaised with Glendale to provide a tree at no charge.

LVIG was successful in getting some funding (around £1500) for street planting with the proviso that there was community involvement in implementing any scheme.

The Committee also noted reports that the Mayor would be contributing another £50,000 to the funding for each ward for 2008/09-2009/10 and it was agreed that LVIG should submit a funding bid.


7. CHRISTMAS MARKET UPDATE

Cynthia gave a brief update on Christmas Market planning to date. A proof of the Market Map was circulated. This would shortly go to print and feature ads by local businesses together with a map locating their whereabouts in Ladywell. Advertising all sold and being used to help fund the costs of Market set up. We are still looking for local choirs. Several people volunteered to distribute Maps at the weekend

8. PUBLICITY ROUND-UP

Lara briefly outlined planned advertising and editorials for the Christmas Market.

9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business of note.

The meeting closed 9.20pm

19 January 2009 at 15:44

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