a) Environment

Problem phone box
The phone box in The Avenue (opposite the station and next to the NatWest Cash machine) is in a very poor state. The box was originally black in colour but has now been painted very poorly in yellow. The paintwork is of appalling quality and has created an eyesore. Given that there is a good (and functioning) public phone on the opposite side of the road, attendees of the last meeting of the Forum voted unanimously that the unsightly box should be removed to leave a much tidier street scene.

PB has consulted council officers and has been told they have no powers to deal with it. PB agreed to try to find out who owns the box so a dialogue can be started to either improve it or remove it.

The Regal - progress to community use
We understand that Gordon Glenday's attempt to open a dialogue with the owners of the Regal has still not met with any success.

Library cuts consultation - Latest
The new library opening hours for Highams Park's Library (officially known as Hale End Library) came into affect on Monday 23rd January 2012. The hours are:

Monday CLOSED
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday CLOSED
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday CLOSED

During the consultation period last year council officers stated that it was hoped that some provision could be made so groups could still use the rooms above the library even on days when the library was closed. In the event, it now seems that no such provision is being made. We understand that groups meeting on Mondays and Thursdays are not being allowed access unless the group is run by a member of Waltham Forest Staff. The reason is one of insurance and responsibility. The library will not be staffed on these days and so groups would need to be provided with a key.

[**** Note from Secretary after the meeting: As at 07FEB12 there seems to have been a change of heart. Responsible organisers of groups wishing to meet on the closed days are now being given access. This is a very welcome development. ****]

Attendees felt that the changeover has been handled very badly. After such a protracted consultation period it is strange that the new hours were implemented with hardly any notice (a day or two at most) and with no advance publicity, causing confusion amongst users.

Views on no library "ebooks" in LBWF
MP advised attendees that many London Boroughs (Redbridge included) offer an "ebook" service to their library users. Under this service, users can download an electronic copy of a book (an "ebook") from the library (via the Internet) to read on a suitable eReader device. The electronic copy of the book is readable for two weeks and is then automatically deleted and becomes available at the library for someone else to download. Many commercial eReader devices are compatible with this service (Amazon's Kindle being a notable exception).

Waltham Forest does not yet offer this service but have stated that they "may consider it in the next financial year".

The meeting discussed the pros and cons of the service:

Pros: A useful service to people who are unable to get to the library (either through time pressure or disability). The ability to change the font size on an eReader makes all titles accessible to people with impaired vision.

Cons: Could reduce footfall in the library and put the building at risk of closure.

A vote was taken. Result: 7 For, none against, remainder abstained.

The people voting "For" acknowledged the potential problem of reduced library footfall but felt that standing in the way of inevitable progress did not seem to be a realistic solution. The meeting has discussed before that residents see the library building as a valuable community asset and, to increase footfall, the library needs to increase its functions in the community outside its present offering.

Shopping centre accommodation refuse collection and recycling
Rubbish bags from shops and premises over shops remains a problem. The bags are left on the pavement for collection because there is no storage space for bags or bins. These bags are being left out at the wrong times and on the wrong days (relative to the scheduled collection times) so they remain for an excessive period of time and (with the help of foxes) can split open. There are also no recycling arrangements for these premises.

This was raised at the last meeting and PB raised it (again) with council officers. Officers were not able to offer an easy answer to this. These older buildings were not designed with any available space to store rubbish or rubbish containers (new buildings are designed differently). Locations for storing suitable containers have been investigated but no locations have been found. So we are left with the need for bags to be left out at the correct times. Officers plan to leaflet the residents concerned to remind them of the arrangements, but a transient population in these buildings means that this needs to be repeated regularly. PB will ask officers how many penalty notices have been issued for not following the rules.

Feedback from New Year Fireworks in the park
Those members who attended the large firework display (in the park beside Highams Park lake) on 2nd January 2012 were very impressed by the event and by the organisation. Around 6,500 attended. It was very enjoyable and there was a very friendly atmosphere.

The only criticism was that a lot of residents did not know of the event until after it had happened.

Members noted that the event demonstrated the park's suitability for sizeable events and perhaps should be considered as a venue for future activities (e.g. Jubilee Celebrations).

There remain questions over the funding of the Firework display. It was understood that the event was to be funded from a dedicated Olympic fund topped up by some sponsorship. However, clear details as to the sponsorship are not forthcoming (despite asking) and attendees expressed concern that general LBWF funds might ultimately have to be used.

b) Planning

Tesco - Update & 106 commitments
This item relates to the development of the Tesco Store and housing on the site of the former C&A warehouse on Larkshall Road.

Building continues.

Concern was expressed by attendees regarding the section 106 monies (S106). These are funds provided by Tesco to mitigate against various aspects of the development (e.g. road changes, and health and education provision for new residents). A S106 contact was drawn up at the time of the planning permission, setting out how the monies were to be spent. This was in the public domain. Since that time, external events have made changes necessary and attendees were concerned that these changes are not necessarily in the public domain. For example, the original S106 made provision for a large sum of money to build an NHS Polyclinic on the site. Central Government changes now mean that Polyclinics are not in favour so how is that money to be spent? Attendees wish to be kept advised of plans and to be able to comment on any proposals. PB agreed to enquire of officers.

PB confirmed that S106 money must be spent in the locality of the development. It cannot be redirected to other parts of the borough, the only exception being education expenditure.

Tesco Newcomers - Welcome Booklet
The Forum is producing a "Welcome to Highams Park" booklet to be delivered to new residents that move into the properties being constructed by Tesco (and also for the new residents opposite, in the development in Larkshall Road). The idea is to inform the newcomers of the various clubs, societies, and facilities in the area to help them quickly feel part of the existing community.

OK and OS are currently working on this project.

Flagpole for the library
The planning application for a 9 metre high flagpole outside the library has been approved by planning committee. This is being funded by Olympic monies.

Town Hall Parking
The council has introduced pay and display parking charges for staff and visitors to the Town Hall complex. Previously parking was free. There is no dispensation for residents or councillors who give up their spare time to attend council meetings. The structure of charges is such that attending the "Fir Tree House Meeting" (referred to in section 8 above) at its normal time of 17:45 would now cost residents close to £4. PB agreed to look at changing the start time from 17:45 to 18:15 to reduce the charge incurred or possibly look to moving the venue off campus.

c) Transport

Noisy 275 Buses
The problem of the very noisy, old, Volvo 275 buses (particularly in The Avenue) will soon be finally (and permanently) resolved. The bus operating company is changing and new buses will be introduced on route 275 in March 2012.

Hall Farm Curve
This refers to a proposal known as "The Hall Farm Curve" which would link the Chingford to Liverpool Street railway line to Stratford via the addition of a short section of track south-west of St James Street Station. This would connect the line to the existing Stratford bound line at that point. The name refers to the disused embankment on which the new track would run.

RG advised attendees that section 106 monies from the Stratford Westfield development may be available to support this project, including the reopening of Lea Bridge Road Station.

New footpath
Work is commencing to build a footpath connecting Walthamstow Central Station to Queens Road Station. The necessary bridge will be finished in May 2012 but the full path will not open for several months after that because it needs to cross the building site in the car park of Walthamstow Central.

Bus link along Wadham Road
The request for a bus route from Highams Park to South Chingford along Wadham Road has been proposed many times (see action list item 384 raised December 2009). RG has raised it at various transport forums (involving transport operators and council officers). The request has been minuted at these meetings and has some good support but no progress has been made. RG agreed to raise it again in writing.

Increase in parking voucher charges
Attendees noted that the cost of parking vouchers had increased. These vouchers are the scratch cards used for parking in the street bays in Highams Park and other shopping areas in the borough.

One attendee commented that this was not necessarily a bad thing since it might discourage long term parking in these bays and leave them free for drive-by, short stay, shoppers using the proposed "15 minutes free" system. The Tesco Car park could be used for longer stays.

Attendees asked where the parking revenue is spent. PB agreed to try to find out.

d) Other

Signal Box
GR (via MP) stated that he will be starting work to push this stalled project forward next week.

Youth Club
Finances and volunteers all OK. Numbers of young people still low. For the first time, next week the club will be promoted at Rushcroft School. To-date only Highams Park School has been approached. Depending on the response, Frederick Bremer School may also be approached. PB offered to assist in making contact, if required, as he is a governor at that school.

The Forum's Website
Website visitor numbers remain steady. The greatest ever daily peak was seen on 2nd January and another peak the next day. It is assumed that this was people wondering what was going on in the park (the firework display mentioned earlier).

The project to expand the function of the Forum's website is progressing slowly, attempting to secure funding.