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The
66th annual meeting of the Eastcote Park Estate was held on
20th May 2004 at the Methodist Church Committee Rooms,
Pamela
Gardens, Eastcote
at
8.00 p.m.
The
meeting was chaired by Councillor Scott Seaman-Digby with approximately 30
residents attending.
WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR
ABSENCE
The
chairman welcomed all members of the Estate and allowed Committee Members to
introduce themselves.
Apologies
for absence were received from Margaret Bacon, Peggy Kirke, Hazel and John
Brown, Peter and Janet Stephenson, Greg Tanner.
MINUTES OF THE 65TH
AGM
The
minutes of the 65th AGM were proposed, seconded and adopted as a
fair representation of the previous AGM.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE
MINUTES
There
were no matters arising from the previous minutes.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The
Chairman stated that in November a very successful history evening was held
at St. Lawrence church hall where the guest speaker recreated the memories of
life in the great houses of Eastcote Haden Hall and Eastcote House.
A
children’s disco was also held although there were fewer attendants than in
previous years. The committee will
continue to host the event but have asked people to let them know when they
are interested as soon as possible after the initial invitations are
forwarded in the newsletters.
On
the social front there were plans for a family fun day on 26th
June in the park. Details of the event
were circulated throughout the estate although the response was particularly
poor. As a result of this lack of
enthusiasm and the considerable amount of work that would be required to host
such an event it was proposed that it be cancelled and an alternative event
considered for next year.
As
Chairman of the Planning Committee for the northern borough the chairman has
seen a number of applications both across the estate and in the local area
over the past few months. He said that
it would be something of a conflict of interest for him to comment on
applications within the estate confines but did note the concern among
residents concerning changes to
Bridle Road. Scot noted that developers had submitted
further plans and appealed on their original refusal which was upheld by the
Inspector.
All
residents who have access to the internet can check planning applications by
visiting www.ukplanning.com and
following the links through to Hillingdon Borough and the relevant
roads. Alternatively residents are
encouraged to speak to the planning officers at the Civic Centre who will
show planning application if they are provided with a few days notice on
01895 250111. An evening service is
also available.
The
bulbs planted over the previous years continue to flourish and the Chairman
has passed on his thanks to everyone involved in weeding and watering the
areas during the relevant months.
Particular thanks to Mr. Fitzgerald for cutting the grass on the
island.
If
there are areas on the estate that residents feel are being neglected please
contact the Local Authority Environmental Services Department (01895 556000).
The
Chairman noted that in the age of the internet it would be preferable if as
many people as possible forwarded details of their email address to members
of the committee so that they can be kept up to date on recent
developments. It is obviously far more
cost effective to send out emails as opposed to standard newsletters.
With
regard to the Coach House and walled garden much work has been done by
officers behind the scenes after efforts on our behalf by ward members, Councillors Dan, Payne and
Baker.
Mr.
Stewart Hunt, the Trees Countryside and Conservation Manager, has met with
local people on several occasions over the last few months to help get a
local support group going. This is
important to ensure there is local support to enhance the public use of the
coach house.
Hillingdon
have been exploring heritage lottery funding options and concluded that the
lead-in times are particularly long with no guarantee of success. The officers are waiting for comments from
the local group regarding draft project planning for a grant bid at present.
A
meeting of Eastcote Residents Association is planned for 27th May
and council officers will attend.
Martin had noted that we did not renew our subscription this year
although sees no reason why we would not be welcome to attend the
aforementioned meeting.
Scott
highlighted there is still a problem with youths in park damaging the fabric
of the remaining historic buildings and causing harassment of St.Lawrence
Drive homeowners by stone throwing. He
offered his thanks to the local police who appear to include the park and
coach house on their routes and are making regular visits. Residents are encouraged to contact the
parks patrol on 01895 239241 should there be any problems which need
reporting. Calls are automatically
redirected to officers on-patrol if the office is
unattended. Main hours are
9.00
a.m.-
10.00 p.m.
A
recent prosecution of a local off-licence has also helped to reduce the
incidence of drinking in the walled garden, which itself has reduced
vandalism.
A
new bat box has been positioned in the park to encourage bats and it is
planned that two owl boxes will also be installed over the coming months.
A
tree survey is to be carried out by LBH and they will advise of any proposed
or replacement trees which may be needed in the park.
The
river crossing over to the Case is Altered is in need of attention and Scott
will speak to the Local Authority about this.
Members
who need to speak to the committee Chairman can contact him on
ssd@seman-digby.fsnet.co.uk. Residents are also encouraged asked to
speak directly to their Ward Councillors across Eastcote:
Councillor
Catherine Dann – cdann@hillingdon.gov.co.uk
Councillor
Bruce Baker – bbaker@hillingdon.gov.co.uk
Councillor
David Payne – (Borough Mayor)
ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTS FOR
YEAR ENDING
31 DECEMBER 2003
The
accounts were presented by the treasurer, Martin Hand, from which it was
noted that the additional funding of £2000 last year was paid over to
Hillingdon Council to fund tree planting on the estate. The income was approximately £560, made up
of subscriptions from 87% of homes (219 out of 251 properties). This amount has been relatively consistent
over the years. Monies donated over
and above the subscription of £2.50 was forwarded to
Grangewood
School, which this year totalled
approximately £420.
Public
liability insurance still remains a major expenditure at £195 for 2003. General fund stands at £1,486.
The
accounts were proposed and adopted as a correct and fair record.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Jenny
Buckmaster was unable to be present although her report was presented by
Scott. There are six new members and
the system appears to be working well locally. Residents were warned of two men posing as
police, who were attempting to gain access and burgling properties.
Should
members of the estate wish to visit the crime prevention officers their
office is open on Friday between
9.30 a.m. and
1.00
p.m.
behind Ruislip Police Station.
ELECTION OF COMMITTEE
All
members were happy to stand for re-election and Chris Head also offered his
services to rejoin the committee which was warmly welcomed.
ELECTION OF AUDITORS
It
was proposed that the existing auditors would be retained and the motion was
accepted.
PROPOSALS
Martin
Hand proposed that the annual subscription to the estate be increased from
£2.50 to £3.00 per annum. He noted it
had been six years since the last increase and this only just kept pace with
inflation. For a number of years the
Committee has been subsidised by members undertaking photocopying works at
minimum cost and the extra subscription monies should assist with this. The motion was passed.
It
was noted that last year we gave
Grangewood
School £425 and a letter of thanks
was read out by the Chairman. It was
proposed to adopt
Grangewood
School for the next three years to
enable them to undertake a degree of planning in the knowledge funding was
available. Motion carried and adopted.
The
Chairman recommended that in future Ward Councillors be invited to the
AGM. Again proposed and accepted.
OTHER BUSINESS
A
handout was prepared and passed to all members present concerning the
potential Article 4 direction which would come up in front of the June
Planning Committee. The Chairman
highlighted that this was only at a very early stage and the aim of the
Article 4 direction was only to control certain elements of the visual aspect
of the estate. Examples given were on
the windows, gable dormers or the like.
Residents raised obvious concerns that an Article 4 direction could be
extremely draconian and a high level of liaison with the Local Authority
would be necessary to ensure that it only covered limited elements. Scott confirmed that the residents would be
consulted in detail before any action was taken. Chris Head recommended that a referendum of
all people on the estate be carried out bearing in mind the sensitive nature
of the proposal.
BURWOOD TRIANGLE
The
famous Burwood Triangle was again brought up and residents noted that a
decision was apparently made in the last AGM to cut back the width and height
of the hedge, remove dead plants and treat the honey fungus. The Local Authority was asked to service
this area and Scott confirmed that he would write to them directly to
endeavour to progress this matter.
The
problems with the roundabout at the bottom of the Glen were again raised and
Scott confirmed that he would visit the site with council officers to try and
get some action to be taken with regard to this. The name plate in
Pamela
Gardens was also in poor condition
and Scott would chase the Local Authority concerning replacement of this.
Residents
highlighted that a number of Yew trees had been removed and were in need of
replacement. Scott noted that there
were various dangerous trees in the Park which needed felling and renewal and
he would again speak to the relevant parties.
The
matter of the corner properties at the entrance to
St. Lawrence Drive remained uncompleted
despite being worked on for several years was raised and the planning
enforcement officers would be contacted regarding this.
The
tree replacement in
Burwood Avenue was raised and Steve
highlighted that this was only partially completed. Scott to speak to the ward councillor in
connection with this.
Committee
members put forward a proposal that gardening support would be provided to
less able people on the estate. The
aim was to encourage community service on the estate. Scott also noted that Age Concern provided
similar services and if anyone knew of someone who might benefit from this
they should contact the committee.
The
committee was also looking for a cause to sponsor as a community and the
committee would investigate this as a later date.
WEBSITE
It
was noted that the existing designer and host of the website was extremely
snowed under with business and Chris Head indicated that he would possibly be
interested in assisting with the website.
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