This meeting of the West Area Committee will hear applications for funding from the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy, and discuss funding updates in relation to the Community Infrastructure Levy and the Road Safety & Parking Fund. The committee will also consider several issues raised by residents.

Emmanuel Centre

Councillor Nick Mearing-Smith has submitted an application for £175,000 of NCIL funding to contribute towards the replacement of the roof at the Emmanuel Centre in Edgware. The report pack indicates that the centre was constructed in 1978 and contains Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete¹ in the roof of the two main halls on the site. Following surveys, the Church that runs the centre was advised to discontinue use of the smaller hall. The Church is proposing to undertake a three-phase redevelopment of the site to fully repair and enhance the building for community use. The application before the committee seeks funding for the first phase of works, which will involve the complete replacement of the roof of the smaller hall, and a partial replacement of an adjacent roof. The application indicates that the Church has committed to match-funding the requested amount from the council, and that:

Completion of Phase 1 will allow us to make the Dove Hall and the four Classrooms available for community use, and these benefits will be realised during 2025.

The report pack also indicates that the Church is seeking external grant funding to complete the later phases of the work.

Community food growing

Councillor Sara Conway has submitted an application for £69,240 of NCIL funding for a community food growing programme in Childs Hill and Burnt Oak. The scheme proposes to build on a successful pilot scheme which has already seen community food growing initiatives implemented at Basing Hill and Montrose Park. Councillor Conway's application indicates that the project will be implemented in partnership with Incredible Edible Barnet, and will:

build the capacity of local residents to establish and run community food growing projects.

The application proposes to double the number of raised beds available at both sites, with half of the beds being used for community gardening, and the other half being used to provide training on food growing. The application indicates that the scheme will be implemented in accordance with the council's Barnet Food Plan, and that:

Boroughwide, there is a significant demand and interest in community food growing.

All Saints Primary School

Councillor Giulia Innocenti has submitted an application for £88,882 of NCIL funding for a scheme to create a green shield at All Saints Primary School on Cricklewood Lane. The application indicates that the scheme has been designed by the Green Our Neighbourhood community group, and will involve planting a 38m² hedge along the pavement outside the school. The scheme also proposes to install a green wall along the school's fence. The report pack quotes a report from Clean Air Barnet that indicates that:

Cricklewood Lane NO2 pollution is the worst in the borough and that PM2.5 pollution (dangerous small particles crossing the brain blood barrier and which is particularly harmful to small children), the second worst.

The application indicates that the group is hoping to implement the scheme in partnership with the council's Highways Team, and that:

There is good evidence to show that hedge planting between school playgrounds and busy roads protects children from air pollution, almost halving the levels of the most dangerous particulates.

Golders Hill Park

Councillor Nigel Young has submitted an application for £64,965 of NCIL funding to contribute towards the renovation of the play area and sandpit in Golders Hill Park. The park is owned by the City of London Corporation and managed as part of Hampstead Heath. The report pack indicates that the City of London Corporation intends to provide match-funding for the project, which will include making the area accessibility compliant. The report pack indicates that the existing sandpit was closed in November 2023 after the retaining wall surrounding it was deemed unsafe. The application indicates that:

Rather than permanently close this valuable facility CoL have sought grant funding to renovate and improve the play area, including the sand pit, to match funding being provided by the Corporation.

Grahame Park sports programme

Councillor Andreas Ioannidis has submitted an application for £20,000 of NCIL funding for a sports programme in Grahame Park. The application indicates that the scheme will be delivered by Centre of Excellence CIC, and that the money would be used to fund two weekly sessions that:

Provide 40-60 young people with regular access to sports activities.

The application argues that the scheme will provide opportunities for young people in the area and help them to obtain coaching qualifications. It also indicates that the scheme will be implemented in accordance with the Grahame Park Neighbourhood Plan.

CIL & Road Safety and Parking Fund Updates

The meeting will receive a report providing an update on the CIL budget allocations for the West Area Committee, to enable consideration of applications for funding during 2024/25, and an update on the Road Safety & Parking budget allocations for 2024/25 and the status of current schemes.

The report pack indicates that, due to budgetary constraints, the overall budget for the NCIL (Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy) was reduced by 15% in December 2024. The report pack further indicates that the value of the applications for funding that will be considered at this meeting exceeds the remaining budget.

It is recommended that this position should be considered when deciding whether to support approval of any applications for this committee meeting.

Resident Issues

The meeting will consider a range of issues raised by residents.

Speeding on Ravenscroft Avenue

Mr Arthur Goldberg has requested that the issue of speeding on Ravenscroft Avenue be added to the agenda for the meeting, and that he be allowed to speak. The report pack indicates that a Road Safety & Parking application was previously raised by a councillor for a feasibility study on the issue. A consultation on proposals for speed reduction measures at the junctions of Ravenscroft Avenue with Templars Avenue and Wentworth Road has already been completed, but the report pack indicates that:

Having received communication about the recent incidents, Officers have reviewed the original proposals, accident data and undertook a further site visit to review the area.

Speed surveys were carried out during the week commencing 27 January 2025, and the committee will receive an update on the results.

The Oren Development

Mr Freddy Cantor has raised the issue of negative impacts caused by the Oren development, next door to his family home on West Heath Road. The report pack indicates that:

As a result of construction significant construction and cement dust has been deposited on the painted surfaces of our property.

Mr Cantor has requested that the council review the evidence he has provided and demand that the developers pay for the redecoration of his property, and that the developers be issued with an Enforcement Notice.

Neighbourhood Security & Fly Tipping

Mr Searle Kochberg has raised the issue of neighbourhood security and fly tipping on Childs Hill. The report pack indicates that the street has experienced problems with drug dealing and fly tipping under the railway bridge at the Hoop Lane end of the street. Mr Kochberg has requested that the council improve illumination in the area, and that cameras be installed.