BLACKHEATH LOCAL ASSEMBLY

MEETING

Tuesday13March 2012 7.30pm – 9.30pm

St Matthew Academy

St Joseph’s Vale, London SE3

Record of Meeting

Item / Actions
1 / Welcome, Introduction & Format of meeting
Cllr Chris Maines, welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the agenda. A few changes to the running order of the agenda was agreed.
2 / Report back on Grants given by the Assembly
  1. Sailing project – Ahoy Centre / St Mathew Academy
It was announced that an apology of absence has been received from this organisation. They have however express a wish to provide feedback at the next Assembly meeting.
  1. Youth Citizenship project – Teachsport
Ros Walker from Teachsport provided a project update on the funding the organisation received from the Blackheath Assembly. It was reported that the project has not yet began due to challenges faced with securing suitable venue for delivery. The young people who will be participating in the project has already been identified. It is envisaged that delivery will commence in the summer months.
3 / Missile Base on the Heath
The chair of the assembly introduced this item. The people at the meeting were told about the information circulating around on a proposal to place air defence missile on the Heath to protect the capital during the Olympic. As a result, Lewisham Council hadinvited two security services personnel ( a senior officer from the Metropolitan Police and a military official) to the Assembly meeting to provide a briefing and take questions from concerned residents. The meeting was told that Blackheath is one of six sites identified as a potential location because of its height over London. One of the other location identified is the nearby Oxleas Wood in Greenwich. A test of the missiles is being planned to take place on the Heath next week.
The exact location identified is opposite Holly Hedge House, an area already earmarked as a base for police operation for the Olympic. It is proposed that the area in question will be fenced off and guarded by unarmed military police. The meeting was told that the decision on the final location is to be taken at ministerial level. If it is agreed, Blackheath would be one of six location proposed site in the capital earmarked for last line of defence against any terrorist attack. It was explained that all local authority affected are being consulted. Concerns were raised about the size of the missiles and its effect on other users on the Heath. Further consultation with residents was promised if Blackheath is chosen.
4 / Blackheath Safer Neighbourhood Team update
Sgt Ruth Willshire gave an update on policing in the ward. The meeting was informed of the intended merging of the Lee Green and Blackheath safer neighbourhood panel. Anyone wishing to join is asked to speak with the team during the break. The crime figures for Blackheath Ward is said to be considerably lower than neighbouring wards in regards to Burglary and Theft from motor vehicle. Some of the activities the team was engaged in to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour in the ward was highlighted. It was mentioned that the safer neighbourhood priorities set by the panel since 2009 remain unchanged. These are Burglary, personal safety, and theft from motor vehicle.
5 / Break and Refreshment
6 / Volunteering Opportunity in Blackheath
  1. Keep Blackheath Tidy (Graffiti removal project)
Margaret Dinkeldein gave a summary description of the works of the group and how people can get involved. The graffiti removal team was drawn from Blackheath Society members who volunteered their time to tackle problem with graffiti and other unsightly mess in their area. Members of the team meets on the first Saturday of each month from 2.30pm onward outside the cab office at Blackheath station.
2. Blackheath Time banking project
The meeting heard from Gill Stoker from the time banking project who explained how the process works in practice. Time banking was described as a means of exchange used to organise people and organisations around a purpose, where time is the principle currency. For every hour participants deposit in a timebank by giving practical help and support to others, they are able to withdraw equivalent support in time when they themselves are in need. In each case participants decides what they can offer.
A distinctive explanations of the different categories of time-bank settings was provided as follows:
Person to person – this is used in the community where resident organise social action using the principle of an hour for an hour. This might typically see a member earning a time credit by doing shopping for an elderly member of the timebank, and then spending that time credit on getting somebody else to provide baby-sitting support at a time when they are busy.
Person to agency – this model might see an organisation using timebank as a toll to achieve their own outcome or goal. In this instance, the timebank might be interwoven into the fabric of the organisation in a way that activities are organised through a system of time exchange. For example, using timebamk to incentivise the giving of help rather than pay professionals to deliver them.
7 / Councillors updates
Station Car Park
It was reported that following the take over of management of Blackheath Station Car Park, Network Rail have introduced a new pricing structure. For instance the hourly parking cost will rise from £1.40 to £2. The soaring price will also apply to those needing annual season tickets. Network Rail has also introduced charges for parking on Sundays and are proposing to close the car park during the Olympic Games.
The changes has prompted the intervention of the MP for the area writing a letter to the chief executive of Network Rail asking him to reconsider the new charges as affordable parking is seen as an essential element to the economic vitality of Blackheath Village. Copies of the letter written by Heidi was available for viewing at the meeting. Response received from Network Rail indicated that the pricing structure at the station is in line with pricing at the other station car they manage. An online petition against the charges has been set up and people at the meeting were asked to support the petition.
Parking arrangement in Blackheath during the Olympic Games
Information was provided on proposal for arrangement for residents, businesses and visitors parking during the Olympic games. It was reported that the Olympic organisers have scaled down on things as they envisaged that less people than originally predicted will now be attending the events at GreenwichPark. Arrangements earlier outlined for coaches parking on the Heath has now been cancelled. Alternative arrangements for road that will be affected by possible closure were provided. Some of the areas affected includesSouthvale Road and Tranquil Vale. It was also mentioned that the details of parking arrangements are still undecided and that people will be kept informed of outcome once a decision has been reached.
8 / Assembly Coordinating group membership
There was an appeal for volunteers to join the Blackheath Assembly Coordinating group membership. The group help plan meetings and take forward the actions and priorities adopted by the Assembly between main meetings. A leaflet outlining the roles and responsibilities of members were distributed at the meeting. Anyone interested in joining is asked to speak with the Assembly coordinator at the end of the meeting.
9 / Declaration of interest
There were no declaration of interest declared at this meeting.