Feltham Park 30 August 2011

The following defect (at the side of 1 Clymping Dene) needs to be repaired in my view:

And the pond is still not looking as good as it should:

Will report all of the above in the morning.

Feltham Arena Meeting

This morning, I met with representatives of Feltham Football Club and representatives of Middlesex County Football Association.  Technical in nature but I thought it was very constructive.

Before the meeting, we paid a quick visit to the Arena.  It was raining and, after speaking with one of the residents, took some pictures that I have since reported to the drainage section.

Odd side 83 and down:

 

I previously reported this on 1167621.  The response was:

“I write with reference to your e-mail regarding Shakespeare Avenue. The Council was made aware of an issue at this location on Wednesday, 20th July following an enquiry from a resident. The Council’s drainage technicians subsequently were in attendance on 21st July and cleansed a number of drains at the location.”

I have reported this again today on 1172363.

Alley behind Harlington Road West shops

A friend and local resident made me aware of more dumping at the side of 102 Harlington Road West.  Here is what I just saw:

I also took at the alley behind the shops (starts from Lansbury Avenue):

Will report the above tomorrow morning.

Feltham Arena public meeting

As indicated in a previous posting, I attended the public meeting.
Everyone who has spoken to me about the issue in the past knows how gutted I am that things have not progressed faster and for that I began with the word, “Sorry”.

It was a difficult meeting for me to face so many nice people that I know and to be certain, in terms of where we are, that I did not deliver a better outcome.  I am old fashioned enough to believe that when you tell the public about your success you must also be humble, honest and acknowledge when success has not been the case.
It was also difficult to engage with some of those who sat at the top table and have said some nasty and vicious things about me.  My feelings probably showed.  The relationship between me and some on the top table will not result in an increase sale of Christmas cards.

I welcomed the attendance and paid tribute to those who put in the hard work of organising the meeting.  I did not count the amount of people but would say that there were 60-70 people there and a majority of these were local residents who care about their local area.

I stood at the back at the beginning of the meeting.  Not long after being shouted at by two from the top table, I was asked to say a few words from the front of the room.  I am grateful for that opportunity.

On the positive side:

• I was able to give some background and my rationale back in 2006;
• I was able to remind people that a stand and clubhouse that had previously caused ASB had been removed;
• I was able to acknowledge that there are learning points all round, especially for me;
• I was able to make the argument that had a major company taken the site, the usage would have resulted in a far greater impact on local residents, especially in Shakespeare Avenue, than a local football club;
• I was able to deal with a comment from the audience that the Environment Agency had been involved and I have never seen any evidence of toxic waste or contamination;
• I was able to deal with some questions from the public.  I was unable to answer some and refused to answer one from the Chair (I do not remember what that was);
• I was asked what I would consider to be a good outcome and my answer was seeing the original vision implemented – many may have disagreed;
• I was able to deal with some of the allegations that had been made against me on the facebook group.

On the negative side:

• The Chair interrupted me on more than occasion, which I thought was unfair and unacceptable;
• One person on the top table heckled me on more than one occasion and only once was he asked to stop;
• I did not get across the behaviour of some but took the decision not to on the basis that it would have digressed from what residents wanted to hear;
• Signatures for a petition were collected.  Having heard the wording, I should have tried to urge caution.  In addition, when I queried why the petition called for the Group to be involved in all discussions but was silent on the local Councillors, the response from the Chair was, “you found your way to here, I am sure you could find you way there” – I doubt whether many heard that but I should have highlighted that straight away;
• I should have asked everyone to consider that were the wishes of at least one on the top table met [namely to kick the current tenants off the site], then there are a whole set of issues and problems that the Council will need to address.

A claim was made on more than one occasion that the tenant has made between 1 & 2 million pounds out of the dumping.  Maybe I should have asked for some figures to substantiate this claim?

The biggest applause of the evening was for the highly respected local historian, Eddie Menday.  What he had to say was very interesting but I was not certain how it was relevant in terms of taking things forward.  Such is the understandable affection people have for him; no doubt my honesty will make me less popular with some.  Sadly, the person who heckled me at the meeting has made a very silly posting on the facebook group this morning, which I decided to address (I have not responded to anything he has posted previously – a read of what he has previousl said will indicate why that is the case).

On Tuesday, members of the cabinet are receiving a presentation from the tenant.  This is terribly important.  There was some concern that none of the Councillors were from Feltham.  I took the view that the wards they represent is not central to coming to a good and considered point of view.  I am sure that they will be professional and considered.  I also understand that a meeting is taking place towards the end of the month with the tenant and someone to discuss funding – I will find out more.

I was asked about the roadmap for making a decision about the future.  I do not think it will be done on Tuesday.  When I know more, I will post on this blog.

One of those who set up the meeting was very kind enough to thank me for coming.  He will know who it is (if he reads my blog) and I am grateful to him.

As the above indicates, my biggest hope that the original vision can be completed.

Former Gate Gourmet Site, Dick Turpin Way

See agenda item 7 of the next SDC agenda.  This is a major planning application at the edge of Feltham North.  Here are some pictures of the site at present:

The report has already been to the West Area Committee for consultation.   On the positive side, I like the idea of investment in the site and in the area.  I also suggested looking at any potential traffic safety improvements as well as not taking for granted the current excellent PTAL rating of 5.  A CPZ already exists in Hatton Green so there would not be a parking impact on those residents.  It is a very large hotel and I can accept that many of those will not have vehicles when staying over but Conferences could generate traffic in an already very busy area.  I was not too keen on the design either but that was just my subjective opinion.

The recommendation is for approval.  If you wish to make comments, here is a link.

 

Things reported earlier in the week

I was informed yesterday that Council contractors have removed the various Fly Posting that I reported the other day.  I was informed that no permission was requested and Fly Posting is indeed illegal.

And, yesterday evening on a walk with my lovely wife, I noticed that the graffit reported earlier in the week had been removed:

 

The untidy overgrowth at the New Road end has been reported.

Couple of other things from last weekend

Both in the alley from Helen Avenue to New Road.

Graffiti

I received an email about offensive tagging at the same location this morning.  I have reported this and the reference number is 1170393.

Overgrowth

At the New Road end.  Too much around the streetlight also:

Will make a Service Request now.

Feltham Arena Meeting

A Public Meeting about the above has been organised for 8pm tomorrow at Southville Methodist Church, which is on the junction of Bedfont Lane and Tachbrook Road.  I hope that attendance is good and would encourage residents to attend.  Clearly, there has been hard work on the part of the organisers who have delivered the posters to local residents (two were put through my door).

Here is a link to the facebook group that was set up to discuss residents concerns.  I plan to attend the meeting and will comment on how it goes after the event.  As anyone who reads the Group will see, I am not exactly popular on it.  However, despite the continued contrary claims of at least one contributor, I have never been afraid to face the music when I am unpopular.  I will also continue to be true to my promise to be honest with residents, even when that makes me less popular.

I am disappointed to see that someone has decided to fly post, something I will not do with the latest leaflet from the Feltham North team of Councillors.  Here are some of the examples:

On the corner of Hounslow Road and Harlington Road West:

On Hounslow Road:

Helen Avenue (near the junction with Harlington Road West):

Outside Feltham Train Station in New Road, Feltham:

On a tree in the alley at the end of Helen Avenue:

Nearby:

Shaftesbury Avenue (near junction with Helen Avenue):

I will of course ask whether permission to Fly Post was given but doubt that this was the case.  I report a lot of Fly Posting, usually related to scrapping cars and the like but I am saddened to see it here when I am in no doubt whatsoever that many of the people involved care greatly about the local area, as I do.