Agenda and minutes

To note any apologies for absence received.

Received from Bernard Segal (Roxborough Residents’ Association), Brian Kerby (Harrow Agenda 21), Jeannie-Cohen Brand (Harrow College), Councillor Marilyn Ashton, Matthew Westmore (Harrow College), Sanjeev Popat (Boots the Chemist), Suzy Wood (St. Ann’s Shopping Centre).

To agree the minutes of the following meeting as a correct record:

• Harrow Town Centre Forum  - Ordinary meeting held on 26 April 2006.  

AGREED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 April 2006 be confirmed as a correct record of proceedings.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting.

There were no matters arising.

Report of the Director of Strategic Planning.

Graham Jones (Director of Strategic Planning) provided a verbal update in this regard.  He advised that negotiations were continuing with Harrow College and that the funding situation should be clearer by October 2006.  He further advised that the application by Dandara had been recommended to the Development Control Committee for refusal.      

In response to queries, the Forum was advised that Harrow College wanted to replace its two current campuses with a new campus, and that this proposal was included in the bid to the National Skills and Learning Council, which had been delayed until October 2006.  The Director of Strategic Planning also advised that if Dandara’s application was refused, Dandara could appeal, submit another application, join in a partnership with other developers or sell.  As Dandara owned part of the site, any solution would have to include cooperation with them

AGREED: That the above be noted.

Report on consultation, proposed amendments and adoption of Strategy from the Town Centre Manager.

Linda Arlidge (Harrow Town Centre Manager) provided an overview in this regard.  She advised that the public consultation had started on 5 May 2006, not 5 June 2006, as stated in the report.  Regarding proposals for a buskers’ area (project 5.8 in the report), she advised that it was expected that there would be a forty-minute playing session followed by a 20-minute interval. 

In response to a Member’s suggestion that the area between Dixons and the jewellers be used as an activity area for cultural events (project 5.4), the Town Centre Manager advised that this could be discussed at a future meeting when Suzy Wood (Centre Manager, St Ann’s Shopping Centre) would be present.  The Chairman commented that this proposal would have an impact upon retailers and might extend beyond the Forum’s remit.

AGREED: That the report be noted. 

Report of Sergeant Ian Walker and PC Mick Milner.

The Forum received a verbal update from Sergeant Ian Walker in this regard.  Sergeant Ian Walker advised that a breakdown of figures on a street-by-street basis would not be possible for Greenhill Ward.  He informed the Forum that pickpocketing had decreased, residential burglary was low in Greenhill ward, and that leaflets had been distributed regarding theft from motor vehicles in areas where this was a concern.   

In response to a comment regarding the possibility of Police Community Support Officers giving crime-related advice at bus stations, Sergeant Ian Walker advised that this could be looked into, and that posters could also be put up in the area.

AGREED: That the above be noted. 

Report of Gareth Llywelyn-Roberts – Group Manager, Community Safety Services (Urban Living) and Shankar Sivashankar – Service Manager, Community Safety Services (Urban Living).

The Forum received an oral report and a tabled document including a map of the Alcohol Exclusion Zone from Shankar Sivashankar (Service Manager, Community Safety Services, Urban Living) in this regard.

The Forum was advised that the zone should be implemented by the end of August 2006, and that it could be extended Borough-wide by this time next year, although this would depend upon police evidence of Borough-wide disorder.  The Forum was further advised that Hillingdon currently had five alcohol exclusion zones and was looking to extend these Borough-wide, and Harrow would be able to see the effect that this would have. 

The Forum was advised that licensed premises were exempt from the alcohol exclusion zone, but would be required to display notices alerting people that once outside the premises, the zone would be in operation.  The zone would apply to public and private land. All licensed premises selling alcohol and landowners had been sent information regarding the zone.  

Sergeant Ian Walker clarified that when police recorded assaults, they did record whether they were alcohol-related, and advised that within the zone, police would be able to remove alcohol from people they considered likely to cause disorder.

AGREED: That the above be noted.

Update from Steve Rogers, Harrow Business Crime Reduction Co-ordinator (Urban Living).

The Forum received an oral update, a tabled report and a pamphlet in this regard from Steve Rogers (Crime Reduction Co-ordinator, Urban Living).  The Forum was also shown promotional material including stickers with the Harrow Business Against Crime (HBAC) Partnership logo. 

The Forum was advised that the Partnership looked promising and that it was hoped an HBAC Reduction Manager would be appointed shortly. 

AGREED: That the above be noted.   

• Harrow Arts Festival
• Station Road resurfacing works

The Town Centre Manager provided brief updates on the items listed on the agenda:

·         The Harrow Arts Festival had been very successful, with many community groups represented.

·         Station Road resurfacing works would commence on 24 July 2006 and continue until 4 September 2006, and a leaflet on this matter was available. 

AGREED: That the update be noted.

Report of Anthony Wood – Harrow Public Transport Users’ Association.

Anthony Wood (Harrow Public Transport Users’ Association) provided a brief update on transport and access.  He advised that work by London Underground to make Harrow-on-the-Hill Station more accessible was progressing.  He further advised that bus passengers were concerned over a new type of bus blinds, which only said ‘Harrow’.  He commented that it was important that they were more informative while being easy to read, including for those with sight impairments.

AGREED: That the update be noted.  

Please declare any items to the Chairman at the commencement of the meeting.

Course by the Harrow Association of Disabled People

The Town Centre Manager advised that the Association would run a course on Disability Equality Training on 8 September 2006, which could be of particular interest to small businesses.  She advised that a document providing additional information on the course was available.

North West London Chamber of Commerce – new members

The Forum was advised that the Chamber, which was non-political and only received funding from its members, was looking for new members.

Public Toilets

A member commented that public toilets on the ground floor of the St. Ann’s Shopping Centre were in a poor state, and that a representation to re-open the Council toilets on Greenhill Way should be made.  He requested that a report regarding public toilets in Greenhill Way be provided at the next meeting of the Forum. The Town Centre Manager advised that they were currently closed due to technical plumbing problems.    

Date of next meeting:

• 4pm on Wednesday 18 October 2006.

AGREED: To note that the next meeting of the Forum would be held at 4pm on 18 October 2006 at Harrow Civic Centre.

Received from Bernard Segal (Roxborough Residents’ Association), Brian Kerby (Harrow Agenda 21), Jeannie-Cohen Brand (Harrow College), Councillor Marilyn Ashton, Matthew Westmore (Harrow College), Sanjeev Popat (Boots the Chemist), Suzy Wood (St. Ann’s Shopping Centre).

The Forum received the Chairman’s annual report of the activities of the Harrow Town Centre Forum.  The Chairman provided a brief overview and it was

AGREED: That the annual report of the activities of the Harrow Town Centre Forum be approved.

The Town Centre Manager presented the report of accounts for the Harrow Town Centre Forum for 2005-2006.

AGREED: That the report of accounts for 2005/2006 be approved.

One nomination was received for Steve Kent (St George’s Shopping & Leisure Centre).

AGREED:  That Steve Kent be appointed Chairman of the Forum for 2006/07.

(Shall be a Primary Representative nominated by the Council).

One nomination was received for Councillor Narinder Singh Mudhar.

AGREED: That Councillor Narinder Singh Mudhar be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Forum for 2006/07. 

No nominations were received for additional Core Funders to serve as members of the Forum.  The Forum was advised that it was hoped that the vacancies would be filled once the Local Business Against Crime Partnership was up and running.  

One nomination was received for the Director of Harrow Against Business as a Reserve.

AGREED: That the Director of Harrow Against Business be appointed as a Reserve additional Core Funder.   

(One each from Leisure industry; Small retailers; Residents; Business sector and Education).

The Forum was advised that it was hoped that the vacancies would be filled once the Local Business Against Crime Partnership was up and running. In the meantime it was

AGREED: That (1) the North West London Chamber of Commerce try to fill the vacancy for a small retailer; and

(2) the following be appointed:

(Chairman, Vice-Chairman, a maximum of 5 other Forum members plus the Town Centre Manager).

It was noted that the Executive would comprise the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Harrow Town Centre Manager and up to five other Forum Members. It was further noted that there were still three vacancies for which no nominations had been received.  The following were nominated and it was

AGREED: That in addition to the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and the Harrow Town Centre Manager, the following be appointed to the Executive:

(To act in an advisory capacity only).

The following were nominated and it was

AGREED:  To appoint the following to the Promotion and Marketing Sub-Group:

Vote of Thanks

The Forum extended its thanks to the Harrow Town Centre Manger and Chairman for their hard work during the past year.

Religious Representative

A non-voting Advisor suggested a change to the Constitution for the Harrow Town Centre Forum to accommodate the appointment of a representative from the faith community as a voting advisor.  It was agreed that this would be considered at the next ordinary meeting of the Forum.