In the Chair:  Cllr Anthony Fairclough

The meeting was held in Raynes Park Library Hall, and chaired by Councillor Anthony Fairclough with Chris Edge from the Raynes Park Association (RPA). More than 30 residents attended, as well as three other Merton Councillors, and officers from the council and its partners.

An opportunity to raise any other issue of local interest not covered elsewhere on the agenda.    Kindly email your request in advance of the meeting to: chris.edge@ccedge.com and anthony.fairclough@merton.gov.uk

There were no additional items

•           Rubbish and recycling collections [Claire Walsh, waste team & Veolia rep]

•           Environnemental issues [Cllr David Dean]

•           Planning matters [Kris Witherington]

•           Review on number of Councillors and Ward boundaries [Chris Edge]

•           Town Centre Developments & events [Tony Edwards]

i.          Astro turf and benches on South Side

ii.         Removal of bins on north side

iii.        Bulb planting

iv.        Railway

v.         Improvements and funding available

vi.        Ward allocation scheme suggestions from residents [Anthony Fairclough]

•           Farmers Market [Simon Greig]

•           Summer festival starting 28th June & Christmas Festival [David Hirst]

•           Business issues

i.          Local Business group [Tony Edwards]

ii.         Business rates and LBM Discretion [Chris Edge]

•           Business and residential parking [Chris Edge]

i.          Residential permits

ii.         Business Permits

iii.        20-minute free parking on existing meters on north side

Rubbish and recycling collections

Claire Walsh, Client Officer from Merton Council’s Waste team provided an update on waste collection services. The recycling centre at Wyke Road has been removed, as it was the focus of so much fly tipping. Hopefully this will result in improvements in the area. The team is auditing flats above shops across the borough, including on Approach Road. They are trying to resolve collection issues and ensure residents are putting out waste for collection at the correct time. The website has been improved so it is now possible to renew garden waste collections online and report fly-tips without needing to provide personal information.

Residents asked about charging for garden waste and bulky waste collections, Claire said she would pass on these concerns. Concerns were raised about bins not being returned to properties and lids being left up. Claire said crews are constantly reminded about this but would reiterate the message again. An issue with collections from communal bins on Kingston Road will also be raised with the crew. Claire also said she would monitor the collection from the clothing bank in Waitrose. In response to questions about weeds, Claire said there are four sprays each year, the first in April and the second beginning shortly. In addition, difficult weeds will be dug out. A resident asked what happens to recycling materials once collected. Claire said the relevant data would be made available.

Environmental issues

Councillor David Dean said that in addition to Government action residents could also take action to reduce the impact of climate change. This includes switching to renewable electricity, planting more trees and switching to electric vehicles. A resident asked what plans the Council had to become carbon neutral, Cllr Fairclough said there was a 40% reduction target for 2012-2020 but this is under review. When asked about Planning being used to green the area Cllr Dean said the Council has to work within planning laws and guidelines, and Cllr Fairclough said residents can seek to ensure the new Local Plan does include new environmental commitments.  

Planning matters

Kris Witherington, Merton Council provided an update on behalf of Neil Milligan and the Development Control Team.

557 Kingston Road – Dundonald Church 17/P0763: New church with flats above. The decision letter issued and S106 signed but no progress on site.

559-589 Kingston Road – Manuplastics and land to the west. 16/P1208

S106 signed and planning permission for 99 flats plus commercial floor space issued. 18/P3927 Pre-app for redevelopment of same site but with more flats. This essentially reverts to the first iteration of the earlier application.

South side of Wyke Road. 17/P0609: Construction of three apartment blocks (two three-storey blocks and one four-storey block containing 10 x 1 bedroom flats. Issues have arisen regarding kerbside parking, footway access and accuracy of plans. Further amendments have been tabled deleting one of the blocks to try to provide more parking. Report drafted for review with likely reasons linked to impact on parking, pedestrian and highway safety.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Thursday 19 September 2019 Cllr Eloise Bailey

Thursday 5 December 2019 Cllr Pauline Cowper

Tuesday 31 March 2020 Cllr Adam Bush

Councillor Fairclough thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting

Dates of future meetings: All at 7.15pm in the Library Hall

Thursday 19 September 2019 Cllr Eloise Bailey

Thursday 5 December 2019 Cllr Pauline Cowper

Tuesday 31 March 2020 Cllr Adam Bush.