Tag: Tower Gardens Park

Minutes of the Tower Gardens Residents Group Meeting

Minutes

16th October 2023

Venue: Chad Gordon Autism Campus, Waltheof Gardens

Present: Kim, Tanya, Pedros, Karen, Mary, Matthew, Fiona, Friedrich, Angie, Dan, Dayall, Collette, Kate, Owen.
Councillors attending: Anne Stennett, Liam Carroll
Apologies: apologies were received from several residents.

1) Welcome and introduction

2) Discharge of the Committee (including Treasurer’s Report) and election of Chair, Secretary, Treasurer

Karen Loasby (Treasurer, retiring) gave a financial summary. The bank balance at the start of the year was £1641 and at the end of the year it was £1513. The £128 expended has covered meeting room fees, bulbs for planting in public areas, and other expenses.

Fiona Stevenson was re-elected as Chair
Friedrich Ernst was elected as Treasurer
Dan Zwi was elected as Secretary

All votes were unanimous and thanks were given to the committee volunteers.

3) Minutes of last meeting

Matthew Bradby (Secretary, retiring) gave a verbal summary of the Minutes of the last meeting held on 14 June 2023. Karen volunteered to upload these to the Tower Gardens website – https://www.towergardens.org.uk/

4) Matters arising (unfinished business) –
Community Picnic in Tower Gardens was very successful, good partnership with IntoUniversity that lease the building from the Council. Public liability insurance for the park lasts until May 2024.
Spring bulb planting – this is planned for 10 am on 18 November, meet at the Waltheof Gardens roundabout.

Additional subjects raised by resident Ruth by email are listed below.

5) 100 Tower Gardens Road and Citizens Advice Bureau building
100 TG Road – the first floor is rented from the Council by the charity SureStart. The ground floor is vacant.
Citizens Advice Bureau (temporary building on Waltheof Gardens) – the ground around this is now in a dangerous condition.

The Council are undertaking a formal review of their local property portfolio. The meeting suggested that the Council review should be strategic and take most appropriate uses into account. There is a need for local retired people to have a place to meet and socialise.

6) Low Traffic Neighbourhoods – there was a lively discussion about the value of these in Haringey.

  1. AOB

Kate asked if people were welcoming trick or treat visits on Hallowe’en – it is hoped to produce a Google Map for residents.

Crossovers – parking in front gardens in Gospatrick Road – e.g. number 6 and various house numbers between 40-50 near the Roundway. The Council has written to at least one property asking them to desist. Residents feel strongly that front garden parking is very negative for the area and more should be done to stop this occurring.

Issues raised on emails from residents, which were briefly discussed:

Update from Friends of Park re Park Entrance works. Awaiting planning document re planting.
Update from Open House. Successful day. A local resident whom is also an architect provided a guided walk.
Update re drugs users in the estate area. Some properties are known to the police and attracting similar persons to the estate.
Dumping – ongoing issues. Unclear what deterrents other than fines
Update from neighbourhood management requested re status on Veolia re green area maintenance and weeds on streets.
Council update re structural concerns due to lack of maintenance: 1 housing property in Risley Avenue, wall surrounding park, Rear of Rose Supermarket.

Next Meeting

It is planned to hold this in the week of 13 November, focused on fly tipping. Veolia to be invited, perhaps combined with a walkabout on the estate to visit hotspots/residents.

Minutes of the Tower Gardens Residents Group Tuesday 14th June 2023

Minutes

Tuesday 14th June 2023 7 pm Larkspur Close Meeting Room  

Attended by residents, elected committee, and Cllr Ahmed Mahbub
Present: Stephen, Anna, Jace, Colleen, Rohilla, Tanya, Miteh and Leanne, Claudia, Kate, Fiona, Matthew, Valeria, Friedrich, Ruth 

1.     Introductions  

2.     Update from police/neighbourhood watch – police are not attending residents group meetings currently in White Hart Lane, despite our efforts. If you have crime issues to raise, please let Friedrich Ernst know, as he’s attending the Ward Panel meeting on 22 June.  

3.     Update on Councillor Bull’s outstanding work. We discussed these cases, some of which have gone back 20 years. We now understand that there isn’t a separate list for these cases, and no central record of them. There was no handover so all these issues must be raised again/anew in the hope that there is a record of them with LBH staff members/teams.  

4.     Update from Ward Councillor Cllr Ahmed Mahbub Cllr Walkabout – there was a walkabout last week to look at specific instances including subsiding buildings, hedges, fly tipping.  

5.     Privet hedges – these are out of control in many cases and the council is working on a strategy to deal with this, for aesthetic and crime control, safety and pedestrian reasons.  

6.     Parking on public green space – this continues to be a problem particularly at the public green at the corner of Henningham Road and Waltheof Ave. New railings/posts would prevent this.  

7.     100 Tower Gardens Road – this is not being leased by the Council but it appears to have occupants who may be squatters. The building should be brought back into public use for LBH and the local community.  

8.     WEE – the Council will soon start free collections of waste electrical equipment (WEE). Further info to follow.  

9.     Dumping and update on camera request for Turnant Road – Ruth/Cllr Stennett. There is a large burden of proof needed, in order to obtain a camera as these are in short supply. Ruth is liaising by email.  

10. Further discussion about fly tipping – view that the neighbourhood resembles a ‘pigsty’ and wondering how much it costs to collect the daily dumps on all roads in the area. Friedrich has helpfully put up a sign in Gospatrick Road and maybe more signs will help – easier than installing cameras. We need to change local culture which says dumping is alright.  

11. Potholes and pathways – Risley Avenue and Waltheof Avenue – suggested to report the potholes using the mobile phone app and log them. Action: Cllr Mahbub to update on LBH potholes plan.   

12. Pathways – the brick pathways around public green space, e.g. in Risley – these are not maintained. They must be Council property so can they look into this?  

13. Risley Avenue Park entrance – update from Ruth – this project is ongoing to rectify poor quality design and planting.  

14. Tim update – Tim arrived late at the meeting and attempted to gain admission but this was refused by the Committee. It was explained to Tim via a window that his behaviour is rude and threatening and he left. A further discussion concluded with the request that a LBH form be circulated on which any instances of anti-social behaviour are recorded, and forwarded to Chris Patterson, LBH. Action: Secretary to forward this form. They can be returned to the Secretary, or directly to Chris Patterson.  

15. Friends of Tower Gardens Park – picnic on 24th June – an excellent flyer was distributed. Please come along to the event on 24th, 12 midday to 4 pm. 

16. Open House Sunday 17th Sept – organised by Ruth – please support!  

17. Noise nuisance – discussion of a very noisy party last Sunday in Risley Avenue and other similar events that go on very late at night. Recommended to phone 101 (police non-urgent number) and report via the Council’s antisocial behaviour unit.  

18. Illegal pavement crossovers in Gospatrick Road – information was passed to Cllr Mahbub for investigation by LBH.  

19. Low Traffic Neighbourhoods – there was a lively discussion and many views were put forward about the effects of the LTNs and their implementation which was sudden and with limited prior consultation. The experiment is continuing and evaluation is taking place.  

Minutes of Tower Gardens Residents Group meeting: 16 October 2018

Minutes

Present: Mary, Matthew, Friedrich, Claudia, Chris, Anna, Thea, Stuart, Ruth

Cllr Bull, Cllr Stennett

Pauline and Louis (Met Police)

Apologies: Zoe and Karen

MINUTES

Crime

Tower Gardens Park – discussion around policing, council and voluntary action to deter rough sleeping in the park. Up to seven people are known to be sleeping there at the present time, with problems including an aggressive dog, fires, litter and human waste. The meeting agreed that this situation is awful. The homeless people have been offered alternative accommodation by charity Homeless Link but have apparently declined.

Litter Pick – Saturday 27th October at 10 am Tower Gardens Park, Risley Ave entrance – Please Join Us!

Burglaries – four of the five known burglars are behind bars. There is a new service from a company called www.ring.com where you can connect a doorbell to your phone, so that you can answer it from any location.

Bins and Dumping – this is a huge problem – Gideon said the Labour Group in the Council knows it must work harder on this. There is a meeting for Neighbourhood Watch members on this issue, 1 November, 7pm at the Civic Centre in Wood Green. Please attend if you can. There is also a new Facebook group called Tidy Up Tottenham – please join and share pics. Also – please use the mobile phone app to report fly tipping, littering etc. Drugs caravans – there are various reports of different caravans in the area where people may live and engage in illegal activity. People should note details especially exact location to send to the Council — Enforcement Officer details below.
Conservation Officer

There is a new conservation officer called Elisabetta Tonazzi. Matthew has met her and will speak to her about the estate when he can.

Houses of Multiple Occupation

If you know any of these that you think are unauthorised, please pass specific information (i.e. address) on to the residents’ group or the Council.

Open House

Ruth reported this was a success despite the rain and over £100 was raised for charity.

Parking in Front Gardens

This is a big problem and will get worse once the football stadium is built. Please report to the Council. Enforcement officer is
Allison.Pibworth@haringey.gov.uk

Aeroplanes

Some residents have noticed increased numbers of planes over the estate including light aircraft. Gideon may be able to find out more, or suggested contact our MP David Lammy.

Dick Tomlinson – Memorial Tree

It was agreed to plant a tree on the estate in memory of Dick, the much respected late local resident and arboricultural officer who passed away recently. Matthew suggested a space near the roundabout at the top of Waltheof Ave. Matthew to contact Council tree dept to discuss. This is in addition to any other trees in Dick’s memory elsewhere in the borough.

Minutes of Tower Gardens Residents Group meeting: 24 July 2018

Minutes

Tower Gardens Residents Group

Meeting 24 July 2018 at Larkspur Close Meeting Room.

Present: Mary (Chair) Friedrich (vice chair) Matthew (sec), Fiona, Larbi, Collette, Dick, John Brown, Stuart, Thea, Grace, Karen, Ruth, Claudette.
Police: Lucy, Hassan, Simon, Pauline
Cllr Gideon Bull

Summary of Matters Discussed: 

Condition of estate – concerns raised about overhanging trees, and other areas of neglect. Dick said that tree works were coming soon.

Crime – five known burglars are operating in the area and police are monitoring their activities. Action is also being taken against drug dealers on the estate. Dealers are known to police.
There are also problems with bikes being raced down Risley Avenue.
The unmarked caravan parked on Risley Ave has recently moved but there are concerns it is a centre for antisocial behaviour of various kinds.
If anyone would like to find out more about the ‘Smartwater’ please contact Pauline.

Waltheof Gardens – there are no plans to build houses or flats here. There is not enough space. There may be proposals to build new higher quality social/health facilities to replace the existing 4 buildings.

Notice boards on the estate – these have been vandalised beyond repair and the meeting believes they should be replaced.

Conservation issues – the breezeblock extension on Risley Ave jct with Siward Road is awful. The Council has refused retrospective consent as the building does not meet any standards.

2A Risley Avenue – this is an eyesore and cars are parked in the front garden.

Littering and fly tipping continues to be a problem, and there are persistent problems regarding the bins on Lordship Lane that have never been resolved. Re: Homes for Haringey properties.

Tower Gardens Park – Zoe has been instrumental in getting a new friends group together. A friends group is really useful as it can bid for funds. There is now a Facebook page. 

Trees – Matthew has received a street tree pack to help us celebrate the trees on the estate.
Dick has been working with youth centres to help raise tree seeds for future plantings. Important to help increase ecological and amenity value.

Website – Larbi Ernst is liaising with Karen about updating the site.

Open House – this will take place on Sunday 23 September

Date of Next Meeting – Tuesday 11 September

Minutes of Tower Gardens Residents Group meeting: 15 May 2018

Minutes

Meeting of the Tower Gardens Residents Group

on Tuesday 15 May Larkspur Close Meeting Room

Present:

Mary (Chair), Matthew (Sec), Friedrich (Vice Chair), Fiona, Tom, Claudia, Thea, Dick Tomlinson, Zoe, Ruth. Apologies: Councillors, Chiara, Karen.

Meeting of the Tower Gardens Residents Group on Tuesday 15 May Larkspur Close Meeting Room

Present:

Mary (Chair), Matthew (Sec), Friedrich (Vice Chair), Fiona, Tom, Claudia, Thea, Dick Tomlinson, Zoe, Ruth. Apologies: Councillors, Chiara, Karen.

Crime and Antisocial behaviour

Drug dealing with white Audi car parked near the gates of Risley Ave allotments
Caravan parked on Risley Ave near jct with Waltheof Ave, apparently being used for dwelling.
Homeless men sleeping near Turnpike Lane and Wood Green stations – does the Council have staff who are able to help them?

Littering and fly tipping

The whole estate is covered in fly tipping and since the introduction of the charge for green waste bin this has also increased. Fewer than one in ten properties have the new bin.
There is also a lot of dumping at bins, e.g. Gospatrick Road, including food waste, on a daily basis.

Conservation Area Issues

Nairita, the Council’s conservation officer, is leaving to go to a new job. We are waiting for the publication of new Conservation Area Appraisal for Tower Gardens from the Council. Date unconfirmed at present. It is hoped this will reduce the home ‘improvements’ that contravene the guidelines.

Unsafe driving

There is much evidence of unsafe driving including many collisions on the Roundway, Westbury Ave and other local roads. We need more traffic calming measures including cameras and speed traps.

Elections

Cllr Ejiofor is the new leader, replacing Clare Kober.
Councillors asked to provide more information at the next meeting. The meeting congratulated our councillors on their re-election.

Tree Planting

The Council has planted six new trees that we requested on the western branch of the Roundway. Further funding is now available from the Greener City Fund with deadline of 18 June and Matthew has the paperwork.

Tower Gardens Park

This is quite overgrown and not well used and there is a fear of antisocial behaviour including drug dealing. There was a discussion about a need for a strategic review of the park. Dick Tomlinson said that the council was seeking funding to prune the large plane trees. Zoe presented the idea of a friends of the park group.

Upcoming Events

Matthew is opening his garden for the National Garden Scheme on Saturday 7 July.
Ruth is organising the Tower Gardens self guided tour as part of the London Open City/Open House weekend on 23 September.
Please keep an eye on the Tower Gardens Facebook page for updates.

Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday 3 July at 7 pm