Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Ian Dunn, and Russell Mellor.

Apologies were also received from Jackie Groundsell, Helen McConnell, Dr Jonathan Parker, Lorraine McQuillan, Gail Low and Alan Old.

Mr Goy had submitted suggested amendments to the minutes of the previous meeting. Some of these had been accepted. Subject to the implementation of these amendments, the minutes were agreed. The Chairman would sign the revised minutes at the next meeting.  

CSD 18055

The Matters Arising report had been drafted by Stephen Wood, Democratic Services Officer. The Group was asked to review progress on matters that had arisen from previous meetings.

It had been resolved that damaged and chipped kerbs would be repaired or replaced. The report had noted that remedial works had been agreed with the contractor, and that LBB was waiting for the contractor’s programme which would outline when the works would be completed. The contractor confirmed at the meeting that replacement kerbs were now in stock, and that additional resources were being put in place to resolve the issue in the next two weeks.

The Group re-visited the matter of the possibility of a new mini-roundabout being built at the junction of Rectory Road and Blakeney Road. This had been looked at by traffic engineers several years previously, and no evidence had been forthcoming to justify a roundabout going in. The Chairman liked the idea of installing a new roundabout as he felt it would slow traffic and make it safer for pedestrians. Others felt that it would cause more problems than it would solve, and removing the prominent right-turn ‘pocket’ from the bending road could possibly pose a danger to cyclists. It was agreed that the situation should stay as it was, and that no further work would be undertaken to install a mini-roundabout at this location.

The matter of possibly installing an additional pedestrian refuge in Rectory Road was also re-visited. It was noted that some residents had objected to the installation of a new refuge because they expressed the view that it would result in a loss of on street parking space and cause traffic congestion. The Group was informed that recently there had been an accident by The Drive where an SUV had collided with the refuge there. It was agreed that no additional refuge should be installed, and that the matter should now be closed.   

The report had also noted that the street cleaning contractors should be supplied with a storage area for refuse sacks in the vicinity of Thornton’s Corner. Mr Munnelly suggested that a screen could be set up to hide the refuse sacks from sight. The Group agreed that a screen should be erected in the short term, and that the matter should be re-visited at the next meeting. 

The Group discussed the design and colour of High Street signs. It was agreed that any signs pertaining specifically to the High Street, should display the wording ‘Beckenham’ in addition to ‘High Street.’ The colours suggested for the signs were either black and gold or green and white. It was agreed that where possible, signs should be displayed on the side of buildings. The Council had no statutory powers in this regard, and so Mr Oliver had written to ask for permissions.

Some of the signs had a curved design, whilst other signs were oblong. The Chairman asked for a show of hands so that members could express preference for either  ...  view the full minutes text for item 186.

Sarah Niblock remarked that the previous day the granite had been successfully cleaned and looked pink. On the day of the meeting, this appeared to have changed and the granite was now looking grey. Mr Munnelly confirmed that the granite in the vicinity of Beckenham Junction had recently been cleaned by the cleaning contractors, and that the cleaning had made a profound difference—including outside of the kebab shop. The cleaning had been undertaken by jet washing. It was important that the granite be cleaned on a regular basis.

RESOLVED that the matter of the cleaning of the granite remain on the agenda for the next meeting.  

The discussion on this matter is noted under ‘Matters Arising’.

An A3 colour document was tabled which was the Revised Beckenham High Street Improvements Programme. It was noted that the current completion date was 7^th September 2018. ‘Snagging’ would be finished as each stage was completed.

It was noted that the High Street Phase 5 and work around the War Memorial (Phase 8) would both be initiated at the same time on 1^st May 2018. At the Memorial it was proposed to work on one corner of the roundabout at a time. 

Gillian Morphy pointed out that during Phase 5, it would be important to support both standard pedestrian access as well as disabled access. Mr Warner mentioned that an agreement had to be negotiated with Lidl’s with respect to deliveries. A meeting had been arranged with Lidl’s for the following week.

Ms Berg (asking a question on behalf of Jackie Groundsell) enquired if temporary speed restrictions could be enforced. Mr Warner responded that this would require a traffic order. This was something that he could pursue with the Traffic Section if required. An alternative option would be to set up a prominent ‘SLOW’ sign.

Ms Berg asked another question on behalf of Ms Groundsell and enquired if business rates could be reduced whilst the improvement works were ongoing. It was noted that this was a matter for the Valuation Office of the Inland Revenue.  It was also noted that the Group was disappointed with the tree lights on Beckenham Green, and the Chairman commented that they were dim, bland and hardly noticeable.

The Group advised that they were not happy with the effect of the brickwork sign around a tree base in the vicinity of the Green, where the wording, ‘Beckenham Green’ had been incorporated into the brickwork. They felt that this work was ineffective and of poor quality and wondered what could be done about it.

Mr Munnelly suggested undertaking an acid wash and then re-assessing. The Chairman moved to resolve that the green brickwork had been a failure. He suggested that perhaps the green bricks could be painted over or that something else be used to obscure or replace the green brickwork. Mr Warner suggested the use of ceramic tiles.

Councillor Phillips suggested that the officers be given time to go away and to consider practical alternatives. Mr Munnelly agreed with this and suggested that the Design Team reflect and consider options.

Susan Ryall pointed out that the temporary tarmac footpaths in the vicinity of Phase 7 were in a poor state, and asked if they were going to be sorted out. Mr Oliver confirmed that improving the footpaths in this area was part of the scheme.

Mr Goy stated that the 227 bus turning left at Thornton’s Corner entered into the cycle box on the opposite side. The Chairman responded that this matter should resolve itself when two-way traffic was resumed. Mr Goy expressed the view that in the areas where granite had been used for parking bays, the area was knobbly and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 189.

The Town Team had been requested to repeat a successful ‘Bunny Hunt’ that had been arranged over the Easter period. As the event had been very successful, a request had been made for another similar event to be arranged on a suitable future occasion.

The Group heard that two delegates from Tokyo had arrived at short notice as part of a research project looking at how improve town centre security for the night time economy. The delegates were provided with information relating to the Purple Flag scheme, and its associated benefits. Marsha Berg and Jackie Groundsell walked around Beckenham with the delegates on a Saturday night, and pointed out the diversity of the night time economy and the associated attributes of the Purple Flag scheme. Several managers of business premises offered to meet with the delegates to explain how things worked. The delegates were provided with information relating to CCTV, finger printing, systems used by taxi ranks, and how vulnerability training was provided.

Ms Pender informed the Group that perception surveys had been drafted, and 400 responses had been received. Work was also being undertaken on producing a design guide for businesses operating in the Conservation Area. The results of the perception survey were expected to be published approximately two weeks after the meeting. The perception survey covered perceptions of Beckenham as a whole and was not just limited to the night time economy. 

Marsha Berg reported that many surveyed people did not like the larger brick planters on the Green. Mr Munnelly said that the mature tree roots had been found to be more extensive than expected.   

The Group noted that the Beckenham Green canopy designs had been shortlisted to two. The designs would be reported to the Chairman to get his view. The final decision would be taken by the Project Board and the Chairman. Subsequently, the final design would go through a tender process to determine who would undertake the construction of the canopy.

Mr Munnelly pointed out that the funding source for the ongoing maintenance of the canopy would have to be determined. As the Town Centre Team did not have a budget for this, it was hoped that the emerging Business Improvement District (BID) would be able to provide the funding. The Chairman asked who would be responsible for running and organising events. Ms Berg thought that this would be for the BID Company to decide. Marsha Berg relayed complaints from user groups, including long-standing ‘non-profit’ church parades, being charged £250 by new parks contractor IdVerde to use the Green even for two hours.

Mr Goy stated that he did not like any of the two final designs and that the attractive Green would be better off being retained open with only ‘as-needed’ temporary event canopies. He said that the final designs were not those that had been preferred by the Group at a previous meeting. Councillor Sarah Philips responded that one of the final designs was one of the preferred options chosen previously by the Group. Another of the designs that had been preferred initially was later rejected due to design issues—the designs had to be practical.

RESOLVED that a report be brought back to the Group at the next meeting. The report would include information relating to canopy design and maintenance.  

David Wood asked for confirmation concerning how many plaques could be bought? Mr Wood was hoping that 24 plaques could be funded; Mr Munnelly stated that LBB had costed for 12. It was suggested that if additional plaques were required, then The Beckenham Society may be able to provide some extra funding. It was suggested that a meeting take place separately to discuss all of the issues concerning plaques.

It was noted that FM Conway would require notice of how many plaques would be installed.

RESOLVED that a separate meeting take place between Mr Wood and officers to discuss all matters relating to plaques and that the matter remain on the agenda for the next meeting.  

The Chairman agreed that an item pertaining to the David Bowie memorial be included in the next agenda.

RESOLVED that an item pertaining to the David Bowie memorial be included in the next agenda.    

Lorraine McQuillan (Town Centres and BID Development Manager) had provided a written update and requested that it be communicated under AOB. The update was that the Beckenham BID had been announced as successful on 2nd March. It was anticipated that the BID Company would be set up and be operational from June 2018.   

The Chairman requested that Ms Mcquillan attend the next meeting.

The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 7.30pm Thursday 31st May 2018.