The North Cheam, Stonecot and Worcester Park Local Committee met on Tuesday 6 February 2024 to discuss crime and community safety, local services, and community funding. Key discussions included an update on crime statistics, the council's leaf clearing and gully maintenance services, and the allocation of local funding for community projects.

Crime and Community Safety Update

Metropolitan Police officers provided an update on new police staffing arrangements for the local committee area and the wider borough. They detailed ongoing investigations into recent stabbings and violent incidents within the borough, highlighting collaborative efforts with partners to tackle youth violence, including work within schools and updates to police practices. The officers also raised the issue of knife bins, asking for community views on the potential for locating more bins across the borough. Concerns were expressed by councillors and officers regarding the fear generated by recent violent crime. Initiatives to tackle robbery, particularly around school times and on public transport, were outlined, with recent data indicating a reduction in robbery incidents. Joint working between Sutton and Surrey police to combat vehicle theft was also mentioned, with a reported decrease in such offences. Discussions also touched upon burglary data, with an emphasis placed on the importance of accurate incident classification for a better understanding of local crime patterns. The next North Cheam Ward panel meeting was announced for 24 February at 5pm at St Oswald's Church.

Community Showcase: Girls Football Development

Bobby Childs, Head of Sutton United Foundation, presented on the Girls Football Development programme at Goals North Cheam. The discussion covered potential funding avenues to ensure the programme's long-term sustainability and its connections with other local groups. Councillors and attendees acknowledged the valuable work of the Sutton United Foundation and its Girls Development: Wildcats programme.

The Leafing Service and Gully Maintenance

The Interim Head of Waste and Street Cleaning presented an overview of the leafing service and gully maintenance operations. Regarding leaf clearance, it was explained that while most collected leaves are composted, some material collected by mechanical sweepers cannot be composted due to contamination. A balance is struck between composting capacity and the speed of clearance, with manual collection being a slower process. A leafing schedule is available for resident groups, but it is subject to change due to circumstances like severe weather. For flood risk management, drain sensors are in place in some areas, and the gully cleaning programme includes additional visits to known high-risk locations during heavy rainfall, supported by detailed weather forecasts. It was acknowledged that blocked gullies are not always the primary cause of flooding, with drainage capacity, broken gully pots, and blockages from cement or tree roots also contributing to issues. In some areas, rivers and streams are the source of flood risk rather than blocked gullies. Residents concerned about leaf fall or blocked gullies are encouraged to use the council's Report It function.

Local Updates

The Community Engagement Officer 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 shared information on local funding for physical improvements, including the Public Realm and Neighbourhood Fund. The application window for Local Funding and Public Realm Funding was announced as 2 April to 10 May 2024, with groups encouraged to apply. Further details are available at publicrealm@sutton.gov.uk. Councillors discussed the project approval process. A resident noted that improvements at Sutton Common Park, some of which were funded by the Public Realm initiative, contributed to the park receiving a Green Flag award.

The Business Development Manager provided details on projects supported by the My Neighbourhood Fund 2023/24, with new applications opening in April 2024. Information is available from planningobligations@sutton.gov.uk.

Changes to the Planning Application process, effective from 1 March 2024, were explained. A guide on registering for email alerts about new local planning applications was included in the agenda pack. Communications regarding these changes will be distributed over the coming weeks, and attendees were encouraged to share information about the changes using a provided poster. The Business Development Manager offered assistance to councillors, resident groups, or individuals needing help with registration.

Public Questions

Richard Johnson had submitted written responses to questions regarding electric buses on route 151 and the consultation on Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) and Permit Parking Areas (PPAs) in the Longfellow Road area. He was unable to attend the meeting. The Acting Strategic Lead for Education encouraged participation in the consultation for CPZs and PPAs in the Longfellow Road area.