Archive for Uncategorized

Edmonton A10 Skatepark – great progress made!

Since March 2021 I have been raising the neglected condition of the skatepark with Enfield Council. This has involved a lot of time and effort including many site visits – but we have now seen significant progress made. It is now looking much better.

  • Area torn up during cemetery expansion resurfaced.
  • New bins installed and regular litter picking of the site.
  • Potholes near ramps repaired.
  • Maintenance works on the trees/bushes/grass.
  • New fencing barrier installed.
  • Planting area created.
  • Graffiti continues to be removed from old toilet building / ramps. Some had swear words.
  • Artist commissioned to work with community and skatepark groups to create artwork on the skatepark ramps / equipment.
  • Also requested benches to be installed.

If anyone has ideas of how we can improve the site further please let me know.

Call for A10 action grows

We continue to press the issue of tackling A10 speeding.

In the last week we received front page coverage in the Enfield Independent Newspaper.

Our call is for average speed 📸cameras network between Southbury Road junction / Great Cambridge Road roundabout like the northern section of the A10.

Please sign the petition. https://www.change.org/p/sadiq-khan-enfield-average-speed-cameras-for-a10-southbury-road-junction-to-great-cambridge-road-roundabout

Edmonton Cemetery footpath

Noticed on my walk a dangerously uneven footpath from the Edmonton Cemetery to the A10. Raised with Enfield Council.

It doesn’t need a sign – it needs fixing!

Motor vehicle crime – Bush Hill Park Ward


The local Police asked me to share with you the Bush Hill Park Ward vehicle crime figures so far this month of February.

Bury Street West is particularly being targeted for Theft of Motor Vehicles for Catalytic Converters. There
was an attempt to steal one in the street, but they managed to remove and steal some parts. Informant saw three males walk off towards the A10 and one of them was holding what appeared to be a catalytic converter. There was also an incident just around the corner in Little Bury Street, again a Catalytic Converter was stolen. Solna Road, N21 has been targeted twice this month they were Theft from Motor Vehicles.

The Bush Hill Park Police advise to park vehicles in a garage (if you have one). If not recommend driveway parking vehicles at an angle, against a wall or fence so that suspects cannot access the catalytic converter.

Suspects have been known to jack up the on street parked vehicles so that they can get underneath. I appreciate not everyone has the option of off street parking.

The local Police also advised of the option to make contact with the vehicle manufacturer to see if they could make the catalytic converter secure and prevent it being stolen.

I have attached an information sheet about catalytic converter theft. Not the best news – but thought it was important to be aware. The information sheets are also quite informative.

Mobile Phone Mast – REJECTED ❌

The 17.5 metre tall Telecommunications Mobile Phone Mast that was proposed in the Bush Hill Park Conservation area (junction of Queen Anne’s Place / First Avenue) has been rejected by Enfield Council Planning Officers.

✅Thank you to everyone who expressed a view – I understand over 90 representations from local residents were sent in.

Firs Farm Wetlands – update

I am actively working with the Firs Farm Wetlands Friends Group and Council to maintain and enhance this wonderful community asset.

*Pavements edging and clearing weeds is ongoing.
*Regular checks and clearing of litter. I spotted some the other day which the Council resolved.
*New padlocks for security gating around the old changing rooms compound.
*Additional litter bins on the way.

The above is not a comprehensive list, but gives you an idea of some good news.

 

Tackling crime in Bush Hill Park – latest CAPE meeting

Last night the latest Bush Hill Park CAPE meeting took place. The CAPE brings together local residents, businesses and the Police to discuss local issues and to prioritize two or three issues local issues to focus on.

Overall crime remained the same for the month of October compared to September with 32 crimes reported. The largest issue continues to be vehicle crime with 15 reported offences last month. Sadly we already know that for the month of November many keyless car thefts have taken place.

A range of other issues were discussed, including; the continued spate of burglaries, dangerous speeding (and accidents) along Halstead Road & Firs Lane, A10 speeding and anti-social behaviour around the Bush Hill Park Station / Firs Farm Wetlands.

It was agreed that the three key issues for this month will be: Motor vehicle crime, Burglary, anti-social behaviour / cars speeding.

 

Keeping Firs Farm Wetlands clean and green

Some good news. We have seen Firs Farm Wetlands blighted by litter and fly tipping.

In response I took action and contacted the Council. As a result the following has happened;

(1) The Council has agreed to conduct a litter pick of the site and keep more regular supervision of the Wetlands. (2) Additional litter bins will be installed around the Wetlands. Firs Park Wetlands are a jewel in the crown of Bush Hill Park and as a local Councillor will always do my best.

Housing Sector – Budget 2017 briefing

The Chancellor pulled the proverbial rabbit out of the hat today with a stamp duty exemption for first time buyers up to £300K. This was part of his promise to fix Britain’s housing market with a package of measures including; investment, planning reform and tax cuts for first-time buyers, as mentioned.

Lets also look at the other announcements today;

      • Government committed to deliver an average of 300,000 homes a year by the middle of the next decade, the biggest annual increase in housing supply since 1970.
      • Since 2010, Government overseen over 1 million new homes being built. Housebuilding is at its highest level since the crash, but housing remains unaffordable for many.
      • Abolishing stamp duty for over 80 per cent of first time buyers – up to £300,000. The exemption will also be available to properties up to £500,000. This means an effective discount of up to £5,000 for a property of £500,000.
      • Investing an additional £15 billion for housebuilding – taking the total this Parliament to £44 billion. To include; £2.7 billion to double the housing infrastructure fund, £1.7 billion to unlock small and strategic sites, £400 million on estate regeneration, £1.5 billion to support SME builders, and provide £8 billion on guarantees – committing a total of £44 billion over the next five years.
      • Helping Local Authorities to deliver new homes – The Homes and Communities Agency will expand to become ‘Homes England’ bringing together money, expertise, and planning and compulsory purchase powers with a clear remit to facilitate delivery of sufficient new homes, where they are most needed, to achieve our goal and to deliver a sustained improvement in affordability.
      • Reforming planning to unlock land for homes. Government maintains to protect our green belt, and make better use of urban land. They will consult on introducing minimum density rules in urban areas and near transport hubs, and expect councils to permit more homes for first time buyers.
      • Getting the skilled workforce in place to construct the homes. Funding to provide £40 million to develop construction skills across the country, so to create skilled jobs and build the high quality homes needed.

  • Driving the housing market will be crucial to addressing the downgrade in the UK’s economic prospects. The OBR cut the projected growth rate for 2017 from 2 per cent to 1.5 per cent. That said the Stock Exchange reacted well, with the FTSE 100 share index rising 0.1 per cent to 7,453.65, its highest close in eight sessions.The Chancellor stated, “Put simply, successive governments over decades have failed to build enough homes to deliver the home-owning dream that this country has always been proud of“. Lets hope this Government can succeed where others have not.

UK – Open for business

ukAs we leave the EU, the message we take to the world is this: Britain has always been open for business. But outside the bureaucratic EU we will, even more so be an outward-looking, globally-minded, flexible and dynamic country we have always been.

This new chapter for Britain presents clear opportunities and challenges. The British uk2economy is fundamentally strong and will continue to be strong as we negotiate our exit from the EU.

In the immediate aftermath of the referendum, there have been some encouraging signs with
the UK being the fastest growing G7 economy this year, business confidence has returned to pre-referendum levels and manufacturing activity in September grew month on month at its fastest 
rate since June 2014.

There has been concern for science and research. Indeed this is an important part of the Cambridgeshire economy where I live. However, Bill Gates has predicted that the UK science and research industry will not be negatively affected by Brexit. The Microsoft founder said he believed there was already a stronger research uk4relationship between the UK and the US, than between the UK and other European Union countries, and that ‘the basic strengths of the institutions that are here and the opportunities that exist will overcome the uncertainties we have’.

Already Countries are lining up to discuss new trade deals with the UK.  For instance the Australian Prime Minister say he would welcome a trade deal with Britain ‘as soon as possible’.

With a period of negotiation with the EU, there may be some adjustment as the economy responds. But we start from a positon of strength and the economy is resilient. The UK is well placed to deal with the challenges, and take advantage of the opportunities, that lie ahead as we make a success of Brexit. The head of the World Trade Organisation says Britain will not face a ‘vacuum or a disruption’ in trade flows when it departs the European Union. Roberto Azevêdo said: ‘We will be working … very intensely to ensure that this transition is fast and is smooth’.

Let us look forward to a post EU future with optimism.