New Enfield Wash neighbourhood board meets for first time

The diverse group of local residents and politicians have already agreed to invest in new Christmas lights for the area

A neighbourhood board that has the challenging task of spending £20million over ten years has held its first meeting – and now plans to install new Christmas lights along an Enfield high street.

The newly-formed Enfield Wash Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board met for the first time on Monday (21^st) and immediately agreed to help brighten up a mile-long stretch of Hertford Road with lights for this forthcoming festive season.

It’s hoped the Christmas illuminations, stretching all the way from Ordnance Road in Enfield Wash to Green Street in Enfield Highway, will help boost trade for local businesses.

Rick Jewell, a former Labour councillor who now chairs the neighbourhood board, said: “It was great to have the whole board together for the first time and to see the enthusiasm everyone has for making a real difference to Enfield Wash.

“This is a ten-year programme, but that doesn’t mean residents should have to wait years to see anything happening. Getting Christmas lights along Hertford Road is a relatively simple improvement, but it is something people will notice and enjoy.

“Alongside quick wins like this, our job now is to develop an ambitious long-term plan based on what local people have told us they want to see improved.”

Both Enfield Wash and Lower Edmonton were named in March as being among 40 areas around the country chosen to receive £20m each in government cash through its Pride in Place Programme, with Enfield being one of three London boroughs to have two different areas chosen for the scheme.

For each area the funding will be spread over a decade-long period, meaning there will be £2m available for these communities every year between now and 2036.

Earlier this year applications were opened for local people to both apply for the roles of chair and to become members of each board, with a diverse range of people eventually selected to help co-produce long-term plans for their neighbourhoods and “ensure that decision-making is genuinely community-led”.

In Enfield Wash, as well as Rick and Enfield North MP Feryal Clark, the board includes a retired teacher, an IT manager, the founder of a local arts group, a church leader, a childcare provider, an Age UK volunteer and businessperson, plus a youth club leader. In addition, Enfield Council’s director of transport, climate and place, Richard Eason, and two local Labour councillors – Hivran Dalkaya and Ayten Guzel – are also on the board.

Early engagement with residents has highlighted priorities including cleaner and safer streets, improvements to Hertford Road and local shopping areas, tackling antisocial behaviour, better opportunities for young people, improved parks and public spaces, and stronger community facilities.

The board will now build on this feedback as it develops the area’s long-term investment plans while continuing to engage with residents, businesses and community organisations over the coming months to develop its priorities and “ensure the programme reflects the needs and ambitions of the Enfield Wash community”.

Labour MP Clark said: “This £20m investment is a huge opportunity for Enfield Wash, but what matters most is that local people decide how it is spent.

“It was fantastic to see the excitement from board members at our first meeting, and the determination to turn residents’ ideas into solid action.

“Over the next ten years, Pride in Place gives us the opportunity to make lasting improvements to our high street, community facilities, parks and public spaces, and to invest in the things residents themselves tell us matter most.”

More information and updates on progress with the Lower Edmonton Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board have yet to be shared with the Dispatch.

For more information and updates on the Enfield Wash Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board:
Visit letstalk.enfield.gov.uk/prideinplace-enfieldwash

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