MINUTES OF JAG MEETING WED.14 FEBRUARY 2007
1. Those present: Elizabeth Owen, Doreen Cornish (FWA), Tim Sutton, Nick Berry (Treasurer), Anne Brown, Victoria Hardie, Jonna Lansivuori, Christopher Kayatz, James Middleton, Louise Belson (secretary)
2. Apologies: Garry Turnbull (Chair), Pelle Kraft, Chris van Duuren, Sara Leon (Co-Chair), Lia Litosoletti, Roger Blantern.
In the absence of GT and SL, NB agreed to act as Chairman.
The meeting thanks NB.
3. Previous Minutes of meeting 10/01/2007: approved.
4. Treasurer’s Report: NB has received the record of accounts from CvD and expects to obtain the current record of accounts from departing treasurer within the next two weeks.
5. Invoice from RB for Material Costs in painting pillars to date. LB presented invoice from RB for £126.48 and will pass to GT for payment by JAG. NB asked that receipts be included for the accounts.
6. JAG funds to Allocate:
6.1 Quote from FWA re: pillar/railing repairs at 27Josephine Avenue: DC presented quotes as follows:
1) Railings repair: £995.00. NB requested that the FWA obtain 2 further quotes. LB suggested and DC agreed that she obtain a quote from the original railings contractor. TS suggested another possible contractor and will pass contacts to DC.
2) Back garden party wall repair: £3,600.00. (Total cost £6,300.00 to be shared by the FWA and the neighbouring property owner.) DC reported that since the original damage occurred to the back wall, storm damage had caused further damage and the FWA would need to obtain a new quote. It was possible that the damage might be covered by the property’s insurance. DC said the FWA would pursue this. NB did not think that JAG had agreed to help fund works to the rear of the property. NB asked LB for a copy of the AGM Minutes re funds allocation.
3) Pillars repair. No current quote for the works yet. There has been secondary damage to one pillar (since RB repaired and painted them) and to the railings. DC reports this much more severe damage as having been made by a skip delivery company. It is not known which company. DC asks if anyone has any information please could they inform her.
NB suggested that the FWA file a police report for insurance purposes.
6.2 Update from Graham Lane re: chestnut tree research project. No news as yet. LB said she would check with Graham.
7.Members Attendance at forthcoming Josephine Avenue Steering Group Meeting on 11 April 2007 at 205 Stockwell Road.
TS & LB outlined the work of the JASG. CK, VH, LB and JM said that they would attend.
8. Maintenance of Access road streetlights. RB (via LB) pointed out that since Lambeth are reported as having overspent their budget, no work was likely to be carried out until the next financial year. TS pointed out that in their Public Partnership Agreement of 2005 Lambeth had agreed to upkeep and maintain the lights. Other than light bulbs being replaced when reported broken, this has not been done. TS suggested that raising a public question at a council meeting might best pursue the matter. LB volunteered to do so and requested that TS pass her recent documentation.
9. Use of Josephine Avenue and Appach Road by Heavy Goods Vehicles. AB and LB reported the regular and increased illegal use of the area by very large container trucks (incl. those owned by Carpetright) for short and long-term parking and turning. The drivers move as soon as Parking Attendants appear. NB requested that residents take photos and pass these to JAG.
10. Urban Art Street Trading Licenses. TS reported that Frank Sarkodie, (Street Traders Officer at Lambeth) has agreed to issue an affordable license for UA 2007 but has made no agreement as yet for future years. One third of pitches have been sold for 2007. Residents at 2,12,13 and 39 Josephine Avenue and 1 and 7 Helix Gardens have booked their own railings for their own exhibits.
11. Josephine Avenue Website. CK will discuss with TS the possibility of re-launching the website.
12. Any Other Business:
12.1 Home Security Measures. In view of recent burglaries in the area, CK asked the group if they had any advise for a new resident other than steel grilles.
Suggestions were: Use mortise locks; keep hedges at property fronts low so that they do not provide cover; visibly secure front and rear windows; increase rear garden boundary wall height with thorny plants and/or trellis; double glazing; use lights on a timer switch; ask a community safety officer to visit the property and advise; ask
Fortress Lock & Safe Co.
107 Brixton Hill. 02086746657 to carry out a survey; download info at:
www.crimereduction.gov.uk/burglary/burglary46.htm
12.2 Traffic Management Road Barrier Proposal Residents reported a welcome absence of kerb-crawlers and prostitutes on Josephine Avenue since the Brixton hill road end was closed for gas pipe repair. In relation to the proposed permanent road barrier on Josephine Avenue GS suggested (by email) that Eugene Ochi at the traffic department be informed of this. The use of chicanes and traffic calming measures was discussed. JL reported that she had observed a prostitute on Water Lane end direct a kerb-crawler into Appach Road and observed the driver cruising Appach Road. TS noted that contrary to residents concerns the Avenue had not emptied entirely and some traffic was still using the road.
12.3 Post. EO said that in recent months much of her post had been wrongly delivered. This was also the experience of others present. It was agreed that JAG would write to the PO to point this out. DC pointed out that some houses were unclearly numbered.
12.4 Notice board. TS asked LB if minutes could be posted on the notice board outside 1 Helix Gardens.
12.5 Lambeth Proposals to cut support for vulnerable adults. In response to an appeal from Janet Paske (by email) all present signed an SOS petition opposing cuts in funding. LB will forward to SOS. The Meeting Closed at 9.15
Action:
1. NB: Retrieve remaining accounts.
2. DC: Ask FWA to get 2 additional quotes for railings and quotes for pillars and forward to LB; file a police report.
3. LB: Pursue on-going access road lighting maintenance issue; contact PO; get quote for railing repairs and pass to DC; contact GL; pass AGM minutes to NB; post minutes on notice-board, letter to EO.
4. TS: Pass railings repair contractor contact to DC, Pass access road lights documentation to LB.
5. ALL: Take photos /number plates of heavy goods/container trucks parking/turning in JA and pass to JAG or forward to: ParkingEnquiries@lambeth.gov.uk &/or hillk@parliament.uk
URGENT NOTICE
If anyone has ANY information about the delivery or removal of a skip into the access road on the corner of the south side of Appach Road in recent weeks, please get in touch with the Family Welfare Association
27 Josephine Avenue

Telephone: 020 8671 5414

Email: fwa.brixton@virgin.net
NEXT JAG MEETING
Wednesday March 14 at 8pm
21 Josephine Avenue
Everyone Welcome