Features

Discussing the big issues in Winchmore Hill

Neil Littman from Winchmore Hill Residents’ Association on what was discussed at the group’s recent annual general meeting

WHRA held its AGM earlier this month (credit Neil Littman)
WHRA held its AGM earlier this month (credit Neil Littman)

Winchmore Hill Residents’ Association (WHRA) held its annual general meeting on Thursday, 2nd November, at Waterhouse Hall. The attendance of over 50 residents was good considering that Storm Ciarán was still making its effects felt!

This was WHRA’s second public meeting of the year and was chaired by Ed Balleny and members of the WHRA committee. Other attendees included Conservative ward councillor Maria Alexandrou, community support officers, Luke Lancaster and Michelle Carty from the Metropolitan Police, festival organiser Hugh Humphrey, and Emma Rigby from business network Love Your Doorstep.

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 presented a review of activities since the last meeting including planning decisions, WHRA finances, the development of The Green at Winchmore Hill, anti-social behaviour issues including indiscriminate parking around the local area, and plans for the coming year.

This was followed by voting on re-election of officers and committee, all of whom were unopposed.

Helen Osman from the Friends of Firms Farm presented an update on the community hub being created at the park. The scheme has been further delayed while they wait for Thames Water to make final supply connections. Helen also reported on a Halloween event at the hub which attracted an audience of over 650 adults and children.

President Robert Taylor gave a transport update including mention of the new yellow box and camera at Southgate Circus by the exit from the bus stands. This was followed by an address from Luke Lancaster and Michelle Carty from the Metropolitan Police about local crime stats and how residents could get involved in crime prevention initiatives and reporting incidents.

Hugh, together with Emma, presented proposals for the return of the N21 Festival in June 2024, which last took place in 2018. This was welcomed by the audience.

After a break, the second half of the AGM continued with a ward forum, including an update by Cllr Alexandrou followed by a discussion with the audience. Much of this discussion was taken up with the subject of The Green, which was pedestrianised in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic and has been very popular, but has also brought rubbish collection problems, anti-social behaviour from delivery mopeds, a loss of trade for some of the businesses and noise pollution for people living nearby.

The AGM heard that the council had plans to make changes to minimise some of these issues but was dragging its heels on reporting on the consultation and is still not prepared provide funding. Instead, it is looking to use legislation to allow local businesses to pay for the changes, which has caused a lot of concern about the precedent this sets and the influence of businesses in the process.

Cllr Alexandrou said that improvements to The Green would be implemented following the submission of a report commissioned from local council officers. Various concerns were expressed by the committee and the audience.

Other subjects discussed included new cycle wayfinding signage, the proposed removal of a mobile food unit on The Green and a new pedestrian crossing on Hoppers Road, again subject to funding approval.

A member of the audience brought up the subject of street gulley cleaning. This has become a relevant issue since national reports of flooding from storms and concerns about the effects of global warming. He reported that following his enquiries he was told that the council had brought drain cleaning services in-house. But it would take another three years for the council to meet its targets.


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