Agenda item

Councillor Jem Duducu attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillor in support of the petition.  Although not present at the meeting, Councillors Allan Kauffman and Judy Kelly had provided written statements which were read out by Councillor Keith Burrows.  All three Ward Members supported the petition. 

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

• It was noted that residents had been experiencing disruption, noise and traffic nuisance from the Shree Kutch Leva Patel (SKLP) centre for 20 years;
• Although a red route had been implemented and was managed by Transport for London (TfL), this was not enforced and was therefore regularly breached with many vehicles parking along the A40 slip road and across residents' driveways;
• The events held at SKLP were getting bigger each year and attracting a greater number of visitors which impacted on the surrounding residents.  Approximately 4,000 visitors attended the last SKLP event and the next event was imminent but the police were seemingly unaware of it; 
• A committee had been convened two years ago and had comprised a range of people including residents, Councillor Kelly and Council officers.  This group had devised and implemented an action plan which had been effective in reducing the impact that the SKLP had on residents in the locality.  It was suggested that a similar group be convened and an action plan be put together so that residents knew who to contact if there were any issues;
• Petitioners advised that Sarah White had received written confirmation from Ealing that Hillingdon would be permitted to 'police' the site when major events were held at SKLP;
• Inconsiderate parking was a huge issue and often spilled over from Harvey Road to Glebe Avenue.  It was suggested that a parking management scheme be introduced;
• It was noted that the London Borough of Ealing had been contacted numerous times to ask that officers address the issues raised by Hillingdon residents but that no action had yet been taken;
• It was noted that, when the SKLP held major events, the organisation would be expected to abide by health and safety legislation and it was queried whether Ealing would be required to liaise with neighbouring affected boroughs and relevant agencies when considering any associated applications / permission requests; and
• A request was made that whatever action was taken by the Council was repeated annually to ensure that the issue did not return.

Councillor Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised.  Officers advised that they would speak to TfL regarding policing of the red route and would also contact the London Borough of Ealing (LBE) to insist that Hillingdon be invited to any meetings held regarding events at the SKLP as the Council had an interest. 

Councillor Burrows advised that consideration would be given to re-establishing the informal committee that had previously been used to devise an action plan as part of the second resolution.  If the dates of future SKLP events had already been publicised, then it appeared that LBE had already given permission.  Officers were asked to make contact with LBE to ensure that the proper permissions were in place and report back to the Cabinet Member on Monday 19 September 2016.  Consideration would also be given to enforcement of parking restrictions by the Council and TfL.

Ward Councillors would be updated on progress so that they could liaise with residents. 

RESOLVED:  Meeting with the petitioners, the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling:

1.      listened to their request for measures to address traffic nuisance associated with the SKLP Community Centre.

2.      subject to the outcome of the above, asked officers to investigate options to address residents' concerns for possible further future consultation / action.

3.      advised petitioners that the SKLP Community Centre is in the London Borough of Ealing who would be responsible for taking action against possible noise nuisance associated with the Centre.  However, asks officers to contact colleagues in Ealing Council to inform them of the residents' concerns and report back to the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling. 

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

To allow the Cabinet Member to discuss with petitioners their concerns and, if appropriate, add their request to the parking and road safety forward programme.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

These will be discussed with petitioners.