Agenda item

CSD 18146

The Group noted the Matters Arising report that had been drafted by Stephen Wood, Committee Secretary.

Regarding the matter concerning parking, it was pointed out that FM Conway vehicles had been using the scheme parking spaces. This had been occurring at 288 High Street, which was near to the Odeon Cinema. It was agreed that Mr Warner would follow up on this and, if work was finished, arrange for this bay to be opened for public parking.

It was reported that the staff of Hak’s Barbers had been parking outside of their shop, but in doing so had been blocking the dropped kerb. The staff from Hak’s had been parking fully on the pavement, and this was illegal. It was suggested that a photograph of this be taken and sent in to the Council. It was  noted that people were parking in the red-bricked area by ‘Snappy Snaps’ where it was prohibited. The Group felt that parking enforcement was not being undertaken properly. It was suggested that some visits be undertaken to check current levels of parking enforcement.

Mr Munnelly stated that parking contraventions could be reported by calling the Council or by reporting the issues online. It was agreed that Mr Munnelly would discuss the matter with the Head of Parking, and then look at which areas may need to be targeted. It was also mentioned that sometimes there were incidents of bicycles being ridden in a dangerous manner on pavements. It was agreed that if cyclists were acting/riding in a dangerous manner, then a call should be made to the police. It was suggested that the street cleaners could report incidences relating to groups of youth on bikes when they were either acting dangerously, or deliberately dropping their bikes in an aggressive manner to obstruct the pavement. Photographs could be taken and sent in to the Council. If people wanted to report such incidences online they could use the ‘Report It’ portal on the website. 

It was noted that the work relating to a screened refuse sack storage area in front of the former public toilets had been actioned, and a response was awaited from the Neighbourhood Management Team. Assurances were provided that the work would be completed soon. 

It was agreed that the yellow lines in the conservation area should be the thin style and, where this was not correctly done, this would be actioned the following week. 

The Group heard that there was a problem with the ‘no-entry’ sign at Kelsey Square leading into Kelsey Lane and that the sign required re-aligning.

The Group turned their attention to the ongoing matter of cleaning the granite. The Assistant Director for Environment and Neighbourhood Management (John Bosley) attended to provide an update. The Group was briefed that the new Street Environment Contract would commence on April 1^st 2019. The specification in the contract was for dry cleaning only. Any other form of cleaning would be classified as a growth item rather than a price/core item. It would be an additional element if extra funding became available. 

The Chairman and other Group members asked about what had happened with respect to the ‘enhanced cleaning regieme’ that had been part of the project and assurances given at previous meetings. It was clear that things like oil and grease stains would not respond to dry cleaning.

It was noted that the dry cleaning regime in the contract had been agreed by the Executive. The Chairman and Group members asked why the Executive would not agree to an enhanced cleaning regieme in the new contract. Some Group members remarked that they had been mis-led. A dialogue was had concerning different cleaning options and the possibility of re-paving in certain areas.

Mr Bosley thought that it may be possible for Graffiti Teams to undertake a night time clean using a high pressure wash and chemicals. A member of the public suggested the use of baking powder/bicarbonate of soda to clean the slabs at Beckenham Junction. 

It had been resolved at the previous meeting that Mr Ivan Cudby’s proposed designs for the Beckenham Green Planters be taken forward. Mr Cudby brought three dimensional models of his designs to the meeting. It was noted that the main structure would be made from Portland Stone, and the base would be made from York Stone. The Group discussed whether or not a large sign would still be required that identified the area as ‘Beckenham Green’.

There was a mixed response to the designs; some suggested that the designs would fit in better with an alternative location in Beckenham. Mr Munnelly encouraged feedback and comments.

It was mentioned that some of the town signs had been reinstalled, but with the Beckenham motif missing. Mr Munnelly promised to look into this. 

At the previous meeting it had been resolved that the paving to be laid in the vicinity of Odeon Cinema should be urgently reviewed. The review had taken place but a local resident at the meeting complained that the new paving had restricted access to her driveway. A discussion took place concerning this and also about the associated consultation process.

A member declared that businesses in the vicinity of the Odeon had suffered with disruption to their businesses since March, and she asked when the work in the area would end. It was confirmed that the work should be finished in approximately three weeks. The matter relating to the paving that was laid outside of Citygate church was also being dealt with. Mr Warner had been in contact with the Pastor of the church and agreed to finish the work after the traffic islands had been finished. 

A discussion took place about traffic islands, zebra crossings, refuge bays and granite planters in Village Way and any possible linked safety issues. Mr Warner said that he would look into the matter further.

The owner of the cycle shop in Croydon Road complained that deliveries to his cycle shop were being adversely affected. There was no spare space for deliveries. Mr Warner promised that this would be reviewed in November. 

RESOLVED that:

1) The standards of cleaning in the vicinity of Beckenham Junction and Thornton’s Corner is unsatisfactory and needs to be rectified. 

2) Bicarbonate of Soda to be tested as a cleaning agent at Beckenham Junction.