Neil Littman on the topics discussed at the annual general meeting of Winchmore Hill Residents Association (WHRA)

Kate Osamor MP addresses the AGM of Winchmore Hill Residents’ Association (credit Neil Littman)

More than 50 residents attended the annual general meeting of Winchmore Hill Residents Association (WHRA) at Waterhouse Hall last Thursday (7th).

This was WHRA’s first public meeting of the year and was chaired by Ed Balleny and members of the WHRA committee. Other attendees included Edmonton and Winchmore Hill MP Kate Osamor, local councillors Maria Alexandrou and Lee Chamberlain, and Bob Ladell who is chair of Woodcroft Wildspace.

The first half of the meeting covered statutory matters including reports on the events of the year. After the chairs’ welcome address and apologies for absences, Ed Balleny presented a review of activities and issues since the last meeting, followed by voting on the re-election of officers and committee, all of whom were unopposed.

The list of issues included the closure of the café at Grovelands Park due to storm damage, library closures, the ongoing situation with The Green at Winchmore Hill, changes to the frequency of the W9 bus service since a change of operator, antisocial behaviour issues including indiscriminate parking around the local area, licencing applications, the Friends of Winchmore Hill Station initiative, Christmas on the Green and plans for the coming year.

Chair Ed Balleny gave a more detailed presentation regarding the situation at Grovelands Park which has led to the closure of the café and toilets and delays by the council regarding repairs and when the café and toilets are likely to open again, as well as how this is affecting users of the park. In response, Cllr Chamberlain said that discussions have reopened again with the council, but no decisions have yet been announced.

Ed also mentioned that as part of the station partnerships scheme in conjunction with Govia Thameslink Railway, planters would be installed on the platforms at Winchmore Hill Station for the first phase and, following this, a group of volunteers would be filling these containers with plants. A second phase will include additional planters and platform artworks. The local community and businesses were thanked for generously contributing funds to the scheme.

The second half of the meeting continued with an update by Cllr Alexandrou and Cllr Chamberlain regarding the removal of litter bins around Enfield which the council claimed would result in less fly tipping. The view of the councillors and residents was that this would have a negative impact on the area and the scheme should be overturned.

Cllr Alexandrou said that a cabinet report regarding improvements to The Green had been delayed for over two years. The library closures consultation was also discussed and the proposal to build apartments on Ford’s Grove Car Park despite previous assurances that this would remain a local amenity.

Kate Osamor MP, whose constituency expanded to include Winchmore Hill at the July general election, spoke about her roles both in parliament and the community and the issues she is concerned with, including the proposed library closures and the effects on local groups who use them, her involvement (including liaising with mayor Sadiq Khan) with installing additional speed cameras on the A10 where there have been recent fatalities, and her desire to work closely with local residents.

Other subjects covered at the meeting included Bob Ladell updating residents about Woodcroft Wildspace, which has been under threat because of massive increase in rent from the council. Local resident Jillie Sutton also announced the launch of safer neighbourhood teams where the Met Police and partner agencies work together with local communities to identify and tackle issues of concern, with priorities set by the community.

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