Minutes
Monday 10th June 2024
Harefield Library, Park Lane, Harefield
Current committee members
Chairman Gerard Barry
Secretary Paul Daniels
Treasurer Helen Conchar
Other Members Derek and Gillian Kent, Tina Wane, Ian Costan, Lin King, Tracey, Blake
Guests
Ian Rice (Reform UK)
Apologies
Jane Palmer
Attendance
45 members signed in
Welcome
The Chair, Gerard Barry, welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for attending.
GB mentioned about action points where we will take these on and post them to the relevant source, e.g. LBH, Doctors, HS2 etc and ask them to action & respond by next meeting where possible.
Minutes of the last meeting
Monday 13th May 2024
All had received the minutes and they were agreed as a true copy (proposed by RD, seconded by John Smith) and approved.
Matters arising from the minutes
None
Planning
DK reported that the future re planning in Harefield is a worrying time, there were 100 planning applications in the last 12 months, 90% are homeowners renovating, extending etc. the p/Planning department at LBH are very good and make sure that the applications are legitimate and right for the homeowner & do not negatively impact on the neighbouring residents
TW – on the Broadwater Lake plans she feels it’s a 50/50 split on if its good or bad for the area and suspect this will be a 2-3 year debate on its viability
Home Logik – appearance of the shop is not in keeping with the village and atypical shop frontage with just a “banner” along the front is not acceptable. A Question will be asked of LBH what the plans are for this business and if permanent signage will be erected
Vernon Drive house, planning for 2 x 5 bedroom houses being proposed, are they council houses, will these go to local people? It is understood that the original residents will be returning once the works have been completed
Inspector of development of DK/LBH/LK
It was recommended that we invite a LBH housing officer to attend a future HTRA meeting to discuss housing issues within the village
HMO’s – 9 HMO’s in Harefield which is a lot for a small village, a resident stated that there are 2 in South Harefield that are not on the LBH list. Sanctury Close has 4 of those HMO’s & 1 above the bookmakers on the High Steet.
A suggestion was made to write to the licensing officer at LBH & the conservation officer to get an up to date list of all HMO’s and that they are being used as planned, i.e. not over accommodated.
Health
GK & TB joined the Patient Participation Group 9th July 6pm, spoke to Scott who is the partner practice manager is dealing with the PPG. The surgery have recruited 2 new full time GP’s, 1 starting August & the other in October.
If you have any issues speak to the practice manager but be polite, rudeness will not get you anywhere.
A resident brought up about someone who had a head injury on Friday, was told nobody to see them & was turned away, it was asked “is there not a duty of care at the GP to treat someone with a “potentially serious injury”?
The general feeling from the residents is that the doctors surgery needs to improve in all areas, issues raised re Dr Sanjeevi.
GB suggested those affected to make a formal complaint through the practice & if they get nowhere then refer it further to either NHS England, CQC or PALS.
Police/Roads
Christine asked about a zebra crossing at the duck pond to cross Breakspear Road North for safety reasons, there are regular traffic issues at the top of Northwood Road where the road narrows & nobody gives way and busses cant get though.
PCSO South Harefield commented on Saturday at the Summer Fete “they don’t come out of Ickenham because Harefield doesn’t have any problems”. It is understood that police resources will be placed where most needed and if Harefield has a relatively low crime rate we are going to see less police presence but the feeling is that we are a forgotten village and still need a regular police presence.
There are still issues relating to antisocial behaviour, speeding, car crime, burglaries etc
Neighbourhood watch ward panel meeting Tuesday 6pm HCC- GB & LK attending and will report back. We want local policing back
A question was raised if we could approach Chrysalis for funding for the crossing?
Traffic (Inc ULEZ)
IC reported HGV’s going through village breaking the 10 tonne weight limit by the bridge, the HS2 cameras are not operational real time & have not been working for some time. Harefield being used as a cut through for Ruislip, M25, Northwood, Rickmansworth etc
Action – IC will be addressing these issues with the relevant parties over the coming weeks & feed back at the next meeting.
Environment
The High Street seems to be overrun by food outlets, take aways etc and its impacting on the aesthetics of the village.
Challenge council with the number of take aways to limit these, we could end up with motorcycles clogging up the already limited parking spaces like they do in Ruislip High Street.
Rubbish in village is getting out of hand, the bins are overflowing and are not emptied frequently enough. Householders are putting out rubbish far too early & when it is put out the night before its not in plastic bins so vermin rip it open & everything is all over the place
There have been instances of fly tipping at the green spaces by 47-57 Northwood Road, we don’t know if this is by the residents there but it seems to be very regular and needs to be taken to the household waste site.
TW- concerns about plans to relocate HOAC to Broadwater Lake, this is a triple SSSI and should not develop a site where SSSI exists. LBH have proposed that accommodation, trees, car parks, zip wire, camping, café etc be erected and this will seriously impact the area.
A resident said that the only way to fight this is where local residents get together and petition against this.
TW has provided a link to the planning proposal to object to the development.
AOB
– Small business spotlight Pop up market event at the HCC Tuesday 4th July 6;30pm- in support of Vasculitis UK https://www.vasculitis.org.uk/
– “Joining up Harefield”, do an ABC directory of all services that the village offers and build a compendium for people/businesses of the village. Also, to publicise key events such as D-Day, Anzac day, summer fete’s etc.
– Volunteers work on the 1st Saturday of every month & collect rubbish from 9;30am at the Common, we are asking if anyone would like to help they are more than welcome to
keep the village clean. Well done to those who give up their time every week to do this, its very much appreciated.
– Does South Harefield fall out of the local electoral area? Go to the electoral commission, put postcode in and see where your street falls under.
– Ian Price Reform UK Ruislip, Northwood & Pinner, spoke to the members and praised the community for getting together like this caring about the village. He advised he was willing to stay behind and have a chat with anyone about key matters or take up a discussions at another time.
– Hustings- discussions about calling a hustings with all the main parties to get some assurances from the local candidates that we as a village are not overlooked and we put our points across.
– Harefield Infants & Juniors Summer fete Saturday 29th June 12-3pm
Action Points
LK comment about development & DK said about actioning to LBH
GK/LK- arrange with the Harefield Practice manager to meet with the HTRA and answer some questions.
DK- Challenge council with the number of take aways to limit these.
IC- speak with LBH re the cameras not working and HGV’s passing through village when not permitted.
Next Meeting
Monday 8th July 2024 – 7:30pm
