Agenda item

CSD 18081

The Matters Arising report had been drafted by the Committee Secretary, Mr Steve Wood, from LBB Democratic Services. The Group was requested to note and comment on matters that had arisen from previous meetings, together with any progress that had been made.

It had been agreed that Councillor Nicholas Bennett would be asked if he would like to be consulted on matters relating to heritage up-lighting. The Group was informed by Mr Stephen Oliver (LBB Senior Planning Officer)  that Councillor Bennett had been consulted. Mr Oliver had sent night time pictures of heritage lighting to Councillor Bennett, and Councillor Bennett was happy with them.

Mr David Wood remarked that the Beckenham Society had not been consulted with respect to the lighting. It was agreed that details of the proposed heritage lighting would be forwarded to Mr Wood.

It had been noted that a fence or screen of some sort would be erected in the short term to screen the refuse sacks filled by the street cleaning contractor in the vicinity of Thornton’s Corner. Mr Oliver stated that this matter had not yet been resolved. The Chairman responded that he wanted a fence or screen to be erected as soon as possible. The Group was informed that the street cleaners worked at emptying bins in the High Street till 9.30pm each night. The Chairman asked who could get on with sorting this out as he regarded the matter as being both important and urgent. Marsha Berg cautioned that any such screen should not encourage behaviour that was inappropriate. 

There was a discussion concerning where the best location would be for the depositing and subsequent collection of rubbish. Councillor Stephen Wells suggested that a possible location could be the storage unit in the corner of St George’s car park.

It was suggested that the best course of action was to speak to the operational foreman of the street cleaners. The Chairman expressed his disappointment that the matter had not been dealt with previously. It was agreed that this was a matter that would come back to the next meeting for an update. It was also agreed to try and resolve and action the issue before the next meeting if possible.

It had been noted that the matter of High Street Signs and the required font, be retained as an agenda item. A suggested sign design and format was displayed to the Group. Mr Oliver commented that the font used on the displayed sign was the same as other signs that were currently being used in Bromley. Some members felt that the word ‘Beckenham’ should be in green, and not black.

Janice Pilgrim expressed the view that the sign had a good clear font which was suitable for partially sighted people. Councillor Dave Wibberley commented that the horse chestnut trees in the sign looked peculiar. The word ‘Beckenham’ on the sign was located in the lower right hand corner—Mr Goy expressed the view that it would be better if it was centralised. Others felt that the black border on the sign was too thick, and should be reduced. The Beckenham shield on the left of the sign was separated from wording on the rest of the sign by a thick black border—there was some discussion as to whether this border should be retained or removed.

The following was agreed:

·  The black border on the sign should be thinner

·  The black border separating the shield from the rest of the wording on the sign should be removed

·  The word ‘Beckenham’ should be retained on the right of the sign and not centralised.

Members noted that with respect to the cleaning of granite, a ‘scrubber’ cleaning machine should be used regularly. It was suggested that a clean using the machine be undertaken just before the next meeting. Jackie Groundsell queried if cleaning using detergents would be undertaken. Mr Oliver responded that the cleaning machine did not use detergent. It used water to create a high pressure steam clean. Mr Wood suggested that with respect to the cleaning of the historic milestone, it may be prudent to consult with the Conservation Officer.

Marsha Berg enquired if the granite that had been laid at Beckenham Junction was going to be replaced. Mr Oliver responded that when considering this matter, note would have to be taken of the disruption that this would cause. Councillor Wibberley wondered why white paving had been laid near a railway station, given its high level of footfall. He said that the paving there would need to be cleaned constantly and this would therefore have revenue implications for the Council. He expressed the view that this was a mistake that needed fixing, and that in his view it would be logical to replace the granite. Mr Goy stated that it was not the purpose of the original design that the paving would require constant cleaning. 

Mr Oliver informed the Group that a new service level agreement was being drafted with respect to cleaning. Councillor Vanessa Allen felt that there was indeed a mistake with the granite, but that the mistake lay with the contractor because they had laid the wrong granite originally. The Chairman asked Helen McConnell from FM Conway if the granite could be replaced. Ms McConnell replied that it was not within her remit on the night to answer the question. Councillor Allen pointed out that the matter was a contractual issue as the requirements of the original contract had not been fulfilled. 

The Chairman requested that another clean with the ‘scrubbing machine’ be undertaken the week before the next meeting on 26^th July. He also requested that the matter remain as an agenda item for the next meeting.

The green brickwork that spelt out the name ‘Beckenham Green’ had been noted as a failure at the previous meeting, and an update had been requested. Mr Oliver informed the Group that various ideas were being looked at, including the use of a type of fluorescent aggregate for the green lettering; it would glow in the dark. He felt that recess lettering would be better as projecting lettering would be more likely to get damaged. Mr Oliver expressed the view that more detailed designs would be required.

Some members of the Group felt that the Beckenham Green wording could just be painted over and ignored and that it would not be a big issue if the wording was just got rid of. Others felt that it was important as it was a gateway into the town and so it was significant. The Chairman mentioned that he had received many letters from constituents expressing discontent with the wording and asked for suggested solutions.

It was agreed that the matter of the Beckenham Green wording should come back to the next meeting.

Lorraine McQuillan (Town Centres and BID Development Manager) updated the Group concerning a possible launch event. The date of September 22^nd had previously been suggested. It was felt that this date was a bit premature, particularly as it clashed with the ‘Open House’ campaign. It was suggested that the launch could tie in with a Christmas event, and by that time the BID should be firmly established. The date for the launch event was not agreed on, but it was agreed that it would not be on September 22^nd.

Members noted the rest of the Matters Arising report.

RESOLVED that:

1- Details of the proposed heritage lighting would be forwarded to Mr David Wood.

2- The matter concerning a fence or screen of some sort to cover the refuse sacks, should come back to the next meeting for an update. It was also agreed to try and resolve and action the issue before the next meeting if possible.

3- Another clean of the granite in the vicinity of Beckenham Junction Train Station is undertaken the week before the next meeting on 26th July. The cleaning to be undertaken by the ‘scrubbing’ machine used by the street cleaning contractors. 

4- The matter of the cleaning of the granite would be retained as an agenda item for the next meeting.

5- The matter of the Beckenham Green wording should come back to the next meeting for an update.