The Hackbridge, St Helier and The Wrythe Local Committee met on 25 January 2024 to discuss crime and community safety, park improvements, and local funding opportunities. Decisions were made regarding the allocation of remaining funds for community projects and events.

Crime and Community Safety Update

Metropolitan Police Officers provided an update on new staffing arrangements, acknowledging that local officer availability is sometimes impacted by the need to support policing in Central London. They reported progress in tackling motor vehicle theft and robbery, with arrests made and a reduction in incidents. The officers highlighted their work with residents, businesses, and partners to enhance community safety and encouraged local groups to engage with their weekly partnership meetings. Concerns were raised about safety for young men, particularly regarding male-on-male crime after school hours, and officers assured attendees that safety initiatives aim to reach all community groups. The police also reassured residents that Sutton remains one of the boroughs with the lowest crime rates in London, with burglary typically being opportunistic.

Parks and Open Spaces

The Contract Officer for Parks presented an update on the work carried out at St Helier Open Space since the previous meeting. The report detailed improvements made, including the planting of bulbs along Tweeddale Road and the creation of a new path. Future plans include the installation of a shade area for hospital staff and children using the skatepark and playground, as well as a bike rack near the ball court and skatepark. Options for shelters, such as a Big Top shelter costing £7,460 and a Snowdrop shelter for £4,800, were presented. The committee also considered options for all-weather access and lighting, including solar lighting around the skate park and ball court.

Local Updates and Funding

The Community Engagement Manager provided an update on local funding for community projects and events, as well as feedback from the Women's Safety Conference. The Business Development Manager and Community Engagement Manager also presented information on local funding for physical improvements through the Public Realm and Neighbourhood Fund.

It was confirmed that the Events and Community Projects Fund does not allow for the carry-forward of unallocated funds at the end of the year. The committee's remaining funds had been allocated to support underfunded events in other Local Committee areas, including the Carshalton Frost Fair.

Councillors noted that a lighting project on the Wrythe had been delayed to be incorporated into borough-wide lighting projects, which is expected to create economies of scale. An update was also given on the moped barrier project at Watercress Park, with councillors having met with partners, including the police, to discuss options that would meet the needs of all park users and enhance the park's appeal.

The Business Development Manager shared details of projects supported by the My Neighbourhood Fund 2023/24, with the fund set to open for new applications in April 2024. Further information is available via planningobligations@sutton.gov.uk.

Significant changes to the Planning Application process, effective from 1 March 2024, were announced. Residents will no longer receive planning notifications by post and will instead be notified via daily email alerts (requiring sign-up), site notices, advertising on the council's social media channels for major applications, notices in the Sutton Guardian for specific applications, and through a weekly list and application searches available online. A guide on how to register for email alerts was provided, and the Business Development Manager offered assistance to any members or residents needing help to sign up.

Community Showcase

The community group ASKI (Advice, Support, Knowledge, Information) provided an update on their Place At My Table projects. The committee encouraged groups to apply for all available funding sources and suggested that larger groups could support smaller ones with their applications, fostering collaboration and sustainability.

Public Questions

No questions were submitted by the public in advance of the meeting. Officers confirmed that information regarding the completion of a Health Impact Assessment had been provided as requested at the previous meeting. They also stated that no response had yet been received from the Environment Agency concerning the incident at the ERF on 17 October 2023.