In our latest councillor’s column, Highlands ward member Lee David-Sanders welcomes new facilities and homes at Chase Farm
I am really pleased to have represented Highlands for more than five years now. Since our election last May, ward councillors Joanne Laban, Glynis Vince and I have worked hard to ensure residents have a strong voice representing them.
Highlands is a largely suburban ward which stretches from Enfield Chase to Oakwood and contains a large part of Enfield’s precious Green Belt. In the north-east corner is Chase Farm Hospital. For many years we fought to save Chase Farm and we are now fortunate to have a new state-of-the-art hospital building there. While we would have preferred the accident and emergency department retained, there is an urgent care centre with extended opening hours. The work that has been done on Chase Farm is an excellent boost to people in Enfield.
As well as the new hospital, the demolition of dilapidated buildings has made way for quality homes to be built. These homes are by far the best designed new houses that have been constructed in the borough for many years. They are spacious, family-sized homes built to high standards. There are also plans to build a school on the site which I would urge residents of Highlands, as well as neighbouring Chase and Town wards, to look at and send in their views.
As chair of the council’s crime scrutiny panel I am concerned with the rise in crime over the last year. Residents in Highlands have become increasingly concerned with the increase in residential burglary and car theft. Across the borough we have seen a 10% increase in knife crime violence against people. Enfield is the fourth worst London borough for serious youth violence, with neighbouring Barnet ranked among the bottom half.
In January we saw the creation of the North Area Borough Command Unit with the merger of Enfield and Haringey’s policing operation. While it is still early days the new borough commander needs to ensure enough is being done to tackle the serious issue of violence within Enfield.
As Highlands councillors we hold regular ward forums and work with residents’ groups such as the Western Enfield Residents’ Association and Enfield RoadWatch. Our priorities for the year is to focus on crime, defend the Green Belt from development, and hold the Labour administration to account to make sure residents get value for money.
Cllr David-Sanders represents Highlands along with Joanne Laban and Glynis Vince (all Conservative). Surgeries are held at The Olive Tree Café in Chase Court Gardens on the first Saturday of each month.
Call 020 8379 2492
Email [email protected]
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