Last Rounds at Norwood Green Police Station?

According to the ‘Asset Management Plan’ report published by the Metropolitan Police in November 2007, police buildings have to be modernised to provide a more accessible, flexible and effective police service. The report claims that proposed changes to police buildings will improve policing by increasing public accessibility, maximising the use of space, providing a modern environment for flexible working, providing a more pleasant environment for the public. It also seeks to encourage more effective joint working through co-location with other agencies such as libraries and leisure centres.

The Property Strategy report by Ealing Council (Oct 2006), on the other hand is more forthright when it states

The police operate from former houses in Hanwell and Norwood Green and more suitable premises are sought in both areas for neighbourhood policing.

The Norwood Green Police Station, a locally listed building, was built in 1889 on the site of the old Manor Farm, and was bequeathed to the police force, on the condition that it should always remain as a Police Station and not be sold off. But all indications are that Norwood Green Police station is in line for the hatchet. It would be interesting to learn how the Metropolitan Police have managed to circumvent this original condition that the building was to always remain with the police force.

We are of the opinion that public bodies such as the Metropolitan police have a moral responsibility to asses the impact of their actions in the longer term, and not just in terms of financial efficiency. The scope of the assesement has to be wider, and include effects such as the potential impact on the quality of life of local residents. While a review of assets and financing to improve service efficiency is a good thing, we hope the pressure to save money is not the overriding factor. If put up for sale, it is likely that the building would be acquired by a property developer to build flats. In response to residents concerns about the possible sale of Norwood Green Police station, Ian Jenkins from the Metropolitan Police has said that

“Norwood Green is highlighted as a premises we would consider moving from once, and if a suitable viable alternative is found which affords accessibility, visibility and improves policing for the community and the Safer Neighbourhood Teams. This proposal could take place, with or without the sale of Norwood Green Police Station”

The West London Neighbourhood Group have also written a response to the Police Estate Management Plan for Ealing which can be read here. Two articles published by Ealing Times can be read here and here. It is imperetive that the Metropolital Police share their vision of alternative policing provision before any moves to sell of Norwood Green Police Station are taken.

 

You can email comments to Ealing police at ian.jenkins@met.police.uk or post them to Ealing Police Station, 67-69 Uxbridge Road, Ealing or by phone on 0208 246 9472.

Southall Short-changed on Section 106 Funding ??

Any new development will effect the area in which it is built, such as increased traffic flow or economic regeneration for instance. In order to mitigate any negative impact of new developments, councils can enter into a Section 106 agreement (under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended), otherwise known as a ‘planning obligation’, with developers, requiring them to provide contributions to offset negative impacts caused by construction and development.

Examples of contributions range from the provision of affordable homes and new open space to funding of school places or employment training schemes. Developers can be asked to contribute towards the costs of providing community and social infrastructure which arises as a result of a new development taking place.

It should be noted that Section 106 agreements are not to be used as a way for the council to share in the profits from a development or as an inducement offered by a developer to gain planning permission.

A scan of recent council minutes and related documents makes for interesting reading on Ealing councils stance and track record with regard to Section 106 Monies for Southall; at the Southall Area Committee meeting of 27/11/07 Mr Twyman asked if Southall Councillors were consulted about Section 106 spend. The majority replied that they weren’t consulted. At the same meeting Mr Virdee stated that with reference to Section 106 funding, there should be improvements for Southall and that the Framework isn’t tangible or addressing the problems the area faces now.

Here is an extract from the minutes of the Southall Area Committee meeting of 23/02/08:

The Chairman [Councillor Dhindsa] introduced the report and explained that there is £91,200 of money from Section 106 agreements available and outlined the recommended proposals and projects in 2.2, including £40,000 for a Southall Car Park Study, £46,200 for Town Centre Improvements and £5,000 for CPZ and Parking Solutions on Montague Waye. The Chairman went on to express concern that he did no think councillors have been consulted on the £1,659,404 already spent or committed to existing projects.

Questions are also being asked whether £20,000 spent on the ‘Festival Lights’ is effective use of the money or simply a waste. Section 106 money being spent on the Borough Apprenticeship Scheme is also under scrutiny by residents.

It is high time our councillors [Gurcharan Singh (Con), Jagdish Gupta (Con), Jarnail Singh Jandu (Con), Jasbir Anand (Lab), Kamaljit S Dhindsa (Lab), Maninder Kaur Keith (Con), Manjit Singh (Con), Mohammad Aslam (Lab), Rajinder Mann (Lab), Ranjit Dheer (Lab), Swarn Singh Kang (Lab), Tej Ram Bagha (Lab), Tejinder Singh Dhami (Lab), Virendra Sharma (Lab), Zahida Abbas Noori (Lab) ] flexed their elected power to ensure Southall does not continue to be short-changed when it comes to section 106 funding.

Some residents have also expressed a concern that Section 106 monies are being misappropriated, such as the money for Business Incubator Units and the Apprenticeship Scheme. We would argue that it is imperative for the council to be transparent about section 106 monies raised and how it is spent. Click here for the latest summary of section 106 monies for Southall.

At a meeting on 13^th November Cabinet asked council officers to suggest projects to the area committees which would be funded by available section 106 funds. Subsequently, a recent report titled “S106 – update and proposals for the allocation of S106 monies” sets out recommendations for the expenditure of the S106 monies and asks the area committee to comment on these recommendations prior to seeking Cabinet approval for expenditure.

We urge residents to ask their councilors what interest they are taking in this matter, and insist that section 106 money be spent with with care to ensure we can enjoy tangible improvements in our quality of life. We would further urge the council to consult with us the residents, rather than allowing officers to implement proposals dreamt up in isolation.

Letter From Southall

Before you ask, no we haven’t been paid off by the council (or councillors), nor have we thrown in the towel.

I suppose the foremost question in people’s minds is why SouthallPride has been inactive for quite some time. Many of you have emailed us with words of support and expressed your desire to see SouthallPride continue with it’s campaign to improve the quality of life for Southall residents.

The fact of the matter is that we have been rather more active at the grassroots level of late, and updating the website has played second fiddle. Coupled with that is the fact that we are a very small team and have to juggle campaign work with the day to day pressures that life throws at us – after all we are not paid council staff or politicians, although sometimes we wish we had their clout and access to resources to get things done! The good news is that we have started working with other individuals and groups in Southall to become more effective in promoting our campaign. It’s certainly feels good to be working with other residents and groups whose goals are similar, and means we are able to support each other and persevere until results are achieved.

As we said, there is much good work being done at the ground level, and we hope to report on some of this in the near future. We would like to say in passing that did you know that each ward has regular ‘Focus Group’ meetings where residents can make their voice heard? Also do not hesitate to let your Safer Neighbourhoods Police team know of any antisocial or illegal activity around your area.

Shake off the lethargy and take the bull by the horns! Would you be happy to live in an area that looked like this?