RICKMANSWORTH LOCAL AREA FORUM
THREE RIVERS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Notes of a meeting of the Rickmansworth Local Area Forum held on Wednesday 7 November 2007 at Maple Cross JMI, Denham Way, Maple Cross from 7.30pm to9.20pm.
Present:- CouncillorAnn Shaw OBE (Chairman)
Ward Councillors:-Kemal Butt
Les Mead
Sarah Nelmes
David Sansom
Russell Smith
Richard Struck
Peter Wakeling
CountyCouncillors:-Roy Clements
Barbara LambMBE
Inattendance: Inspector George Holland, Hertfordshire Constabulary
Darren Monk,Tree Officer, Three Rivers District Council
Ami Beeton, Principal Committee Manager and Janet Ide, Committee Manager,ThreeRivers District Council
About 25Members of the public.
1.INTRODUCTION
The Chairman welcomed those present to the Forum. She asked people to write their names and addresses on the envelopes provided if they wanted a copy of the minutes. She invited the Ward and CountyCouncillors present to introduce themselves. She said there was free energy saving light bulbs available at the end of the meeting.
- COMMUNITY SAFETY
The Chairman introduced Inspector George Holland to the meeting and advised that he had come to talk about Community Safety.
Inspector George Holland made the following points:
Car crime had reduced but car parks where cars had been broken into were being specifically targeted by the Police. He urged people not to leave anything on show inside their car and not to move valuables from the car to the boot in the car park where they could be watched. If they did, as part of Operation Tarantula, they would receive a letter advising them against this in the future.
The Three Rivers Community Safety Partnership was in the top 10% of the most effective in the Country.
There had been some distraction burglaries recently. He asked people to stay vigilant and look out for any elderly neighbours.
There had been less Anti Social Behaviour over Halloween and Bonfire night this year with no reports of egg pelting.
There was a new Police Licensing Constable who would be dealing with licensing issues and targeting problem public houses in the district.
In response to a query regarding damage to motor vehicles in Tudor Way, Inspector Holland advised that the Police were working on this problem and had increased the Police presence in the area.
There had been a rapid decline in mini motorcycles partly due to the £125 fine that was issued when one was seized. He added that if they were seized they were automatically crushed.
The Chairman thanked Inspector Holland for attending the meeting.
3.TREES
The Chairman introduced Darren Monk the Council’s Tree Officer. He gave an update on the avenue of trees between RickmansworthPark and the RoyalMasonicSchool. The trees had been topped and lopped in the early 60’s but had not been touched since. There was severe decay due to bad pruning. 28 trees had been taken down leaving 80 remaining. There were plans to remove stumps, to add fresh top soil and replant 14 new Lime trees this year and 14 next year.
He explained that there were several forms of avenue management:
To clear and replant
Plant on an ad hoc selective basis
Do one row on one side of the avenue
Every other one or groups
Three Rivers District Council intended to protect and manage the avenue to retain it as a fine local feature for the future.
He stated that ivy would be removed from the trees adjacent toRiverside Drive and that trees at the Aquadrome had been surveyed.
In response to a question from the public, he stated that trees in the street were the responsibility of the County Council.
It was noted that the Horse Chestnut trees in Rickmansworth were suffering badly and that one such tree opposite the car park at the bottom on Park Road was due to be removed.
4.NEW CAFÉ IN AQUADROME
The Chairman introduced Mrs Trisk-Grove the tenant of the café in theAquadrome. Mrs. Trisk-Grove explained that she and her husband had taken over the café tenancy in April 2005 They had planned to open from April to September. The building was in a very bad state.
They planned to rebuild the café in a different position. Planning permission had been given recently. They hoped the rebuilding works would be complete by next summer. It was intended to construct the building in English Oak. It would be a significant environmental improvement. Freshlocal produce would be served and breakfasts introduced. Sample menus were handed out at the meeting. The existing café would not be demolished until the new building had been completed. There would be a small flat in the roof space as it was considered this residential use would deter vandalism.
A toilet block would be built by the Council and a visitor centre whichwould provide information regarding walks, wildlife etc.
An additional seating area would also be available. Councillor Sarah Nelmes asked whether anglers would be able to buy fishing tickets at the site. Councillor Shaw said as the centre would not be permanently staffed these would still be available from the Council Offices.
5.M25 WIDENING
The Forum discussed the proposed widening of the M25 and the Chairman referred to a recent exhibition and stated that the documentation was available at the side of the room should anyone wish to study it.
She said that the Council were concerned about the loss of mature vegetation, the lighting columns affecting nearby housing, low noise road surfaces, management of the traffic during the construction and a scheme to prevent flooding. All these concerns would need to be monitored.
As Watersmeet was unavailable on a Saturday, the exhibition had to take place on a weekday. Last time widening had been proposed, though not implemented, properties had been purchased to facilitate this, but this time the widening would take place on land already within the ownership of the Highways Agency.
Concern was expressed that no adequate traffic management measures were proposed either during construction or afterwards. The danger was that traffic would flood onto already busy local roads unable to accommodate it. When the Heathrow widening took place significant plans had been put in place relating to speed restrictions, contra flow and traffic management which had enabled traffic to flow more easily and it would be a good precedent for the Highways Agency to follow.
6.LOCAL ISSUES
The Chairman gave the following updates:-
* The passageway leading from the High Street to Ebury Road had now re-opened.
*Waitrose was still on course to open on 15 November. Traffic lights had now been installed and staff would be on hand if there were any traffic problems. A leaflet had been produced on the opening of this store but no reference had been made to a pedestrian entrance. Proposed illuminated signs had been lowered at the request of the Development Control Committee to reduce the impact on views over the town.
*New chairs for Watersmeet had been ordered.
*A Youth Café would be opening at the Baptist Church Hall for 11 to 13 year olds from 7pm to 9 pm. Posters were available for anyone wishing to display one.
*Rickmansworth Residents’ Association had raised the question of flag flying. Government buildings must fly the national flag on a set number of days, ranging from major dates to a list of other dates mostly birthdays of minor members of the royal family.
*Three Rivers was free to chose, and flew the Union on the major dates The Queen’s Birthday, St. George’s Day, Remembrance Day and other special celebrations. The rest of the time other flags, such as the Three Rivers District flag were flown.
Some felt the Union Flag should be flown every day, others that it should be reserved for special occasions or it would lose its impact,
The Chairman proposed that an item be put in the next Three Rivers Times asking for residents’ views. This was agreed.
*The Chairman reported that flag poles could now be erected without planning permission provided the pole was upright.
* The Council would be carrying out a consultation on a car parking control zone in The Drive and the engineers would draw up a plan for comment by local residents.
* In reply to a question it was confirmed that the car park at the MasonicSchoolcould remain open until February 2008.
*Estate Agents Boards. The Council had no control on boards erected on private property.
* The planning systems were to be made ‘simpler’. This could mean less opportunity for residents to comment on proposals.
* It was reported that the station car park sign was not working.
*It was reported by a representative of Friends of Watersmeet that 15 November ‘Amazing Grace’ would be showing at 2pm (Matinee) and 7.30pm (evening) Posters were available for anyone wishing to display one.
Future performances included:-
BollywoodJanuary
Good ShepherdFebruary
Last King of ScotlandMarch
The QueenApril
Over the HedgeFebruary 14 (10 and under)
CHAIRMAN
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