1.

WELCOME ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN

Bryan Barkes called the meeting to order, welcomed our guests and confirmed the objectives of the Residents’ Association

2.

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The Chairman reviewed the Minutes of the last meeting, and they were approved.

3. 

TREASURER’S REPORT

Income for the year was £335 from some 60 residences plus £81 in bank interest.    Costs were the WURA subscription of £20, website costs of £103, HACAN subscription of £32, one-off voluntary contribution to Merton Community Bus of £25, and the 2008 AGM £216.   The total funds held are £5,095 against £5,077 last year.  

4.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The whole Committee were re-elected.   Bryan Barkes, Clive Hilton and Caroline Hilton were re-elected as Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer respectively.

5.

GUEST SPEAKERS

Our guest speakers were John Stewart, HACAN ClearSkies;  Councillor Richard Chellew;  Adrian Sutherland of Village Safer Neighbourhood Police Team;  and Derek Frampton, Chairman of the Village Safer Neighbourhood Panel and newly appointed Commons Conservator.

John Stewart covered the current Government proposals, HACAN’s response and where HACAN are going in protesting about the Heathrow expansion plans.  Their future challenge is to keep the campaign in the public eye through creative and interesting events.

Richard Chellew told us what was going within Local Government in Merton.  The current administration have implemented over 95% of their election promises.  Richard was pleased to announce that 6th Form provision is well advanced in all of our secondary schools.  Merton has the most improved secondary school in England and Wales, and the borough has also been singled out as the most improved in terms of our GCSE results.  On the downside, traffic both in terms of speed and volume is an increasing problem which will need to be addressed.

Police Sergeant Adrian Sutherland updated us regarding the Safer Neighbourhood Team.  He then answered questions from the floor regarding the relationship and respective responsibilities of the police and the Commons Keepers.  A question was asked regarding night-time helicopter activity and this was explained as generally being in connection with the pursuit of criminal elements.  In response to a question about lawlessness after pub closing times, Adrian did say that we were very fortunate that most Village pubs shut at 11 or 12 at night rather than the later times in Wimbledon Town.   He suggested that if we have problems associated with licensed premises, we should make our protest to the appropriate licensing authority.

Derek Frampton described the role and structure of the Village Safer Neighbourhood Panel.  He said that the Village is in the process of having CCTV installed following an initiative of the Wimbledon Village Business Association together with the Council and the Police.  Derek’s other role is as a newly appointed Conservator in which role he was able to speak quite vociferously against the proposal to install a marquee on Rushmere for a Tennis Ball.  He is now putting a proposal before the Conservators that in future there will be improved liaison between the Conservators and the three Residents Associations most affected by activity on the Common.   Questions were asked about the apparent increased number of fairs to be held on the Common each year which he agreed to investigate.   It was pointed out that the notices to dog walkers appear somewhat dictatorial in tone.  He responded that there is a wide range of dog owners with differing views as to their responsibilities and that more restrictions in other areas have resulted in an increase of walkers on the Common.  It was also stated cycling regulation needs to be reviewed.

6.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The Wimbledon Village Fair will be held on the 20th  June.  

The Council have approached the Conservators with regard to the introduction of kerbs on roads around the Common.  The meeting felt that this would not be a benefit.

Discussion was had regarding an application for a licence for change of use to a restaurant for 9 West Place.  Those who felt that this would have a negative effect were asked to express their views to the appropriate licensing authority.

It was stated that our website is quite excellent.  The meeting recorded its gratitude to Emma Hosking for all her work.  Residents were asked to contribute notices, photographs and items of news to Emma for the website.   The aim is to keep it as active and up to date as possible.

Bryan Barkes expressed our gratitude to Jeff Ward and to all the staff at Cannizaro House for hosting this meeting and all of our Committee meetings throughout the year, and to Susan and the staff of Robert Holmes & Co for their support. He also thanked the Committee and, in particular, the Treasurer and Secretary for their valued support.