MINUTES OF JAG MEETING WED 10 OCT 2007 

Those present: Garry Turnbull (co-chair), Anne Brown, Roger Blantern, Elisabeth Owen, Michael Hastings, Pelle Kraft, Victoria Hardie, Louise Belson (sec), Seamus MacBride, Anda MacBride, Chris van Duuren, Harriet Beaumont, Emma and Adam of Helix Gardens.

The Chairman welcomed all present to the meeting.

1.Apologies received from: Jonna Lansivuori, Chris Kayatz, Tim Sutton, Nick Berry (treasurer), Doreen Cornick (FWA), Diane Martin (TRUST).

2. Minutes 12/09/07. Minutes approved.

3. Treasurer’s Report: No report as NB was not present. 

Costs incurred: Costs of printing ink and paper: £103.33. The meeting approved payment.  

4. Josephine Avenue Traffic Management Proposal: LB reported that funding for the scheme had been obtained by Lambeth Transport and Highways through the London Cycle Network (LCN) and had been supported by the London Assembly, the police and emergency services, the SNT and local councillors. Should the consultation prove positive, installation of a barrier would be in Dec/Jan. Response to the consultation document circulated by Lambeth Transport and Highways had been reported to her as considerable and very positive. 

The meeting was addressed by Adam and Emma of Helix Gardens who expressed their oppositon to the scheme and presented a leaflet outlining their reasons. They felt that a traffic barrier would not prevent prostitution or kerb crawling in the area and did not address the issues. They expressed the opinion that traffic would only be displaced to surrounding streets and local driveways and feared that the Brixton Hill end of the Avenue would become an enclosed and dangerous hot-spot with increased activity. 

Residents living at the Brixton Hill end of Josephine Avenue said that this had not happened during the temporary road closure. Indeed prostitution and kerb-crawling on all parts of the Avenue had ceased.

Adam reported the current use of a stationary white van on the avenue and did not see how the barrier would prevent the future use of stationary vans by punters, pimps and prostitutes. Adam said that money would be better spent on CCTV and on signs warning kerb-crawlers that they would be monitored and prosecuted. 

GT pointed out that signs had been regularly erected and as regularly removed by unknown persons. LB said that the JAG had been informed that the installation of CCTV was being considered by Lambeth and the police. However, the effective placing of CCTV cameras on the avenue remained difficult because of the trees. 

Adam had witnessed activities at the Josephine Avenue end of Helix Gardens and informed the police. He expressed criticism of the police who had stated that they were unable to take any action without evidence.

Garry Turnbull reminded the meeting that during the temporary road closure, there had been some displacement of activity into the surrounding areas but that the crime stats and residents observations had both shown an overall reduction in kerb-crawling and the police had found it much easier to control activities than previously as the Josephine Avenue feeder road were much less shaded and much easier to monitor than the avenue.

Anne Brown stated that at the very least the temporary closure had resulted in less speeding traffic on the avenue. 

Harriet Beaumont expressed her opposition to the scheme. She considered that the proposed road barrier would produce a “dead zone” at that end of the Avenue, that the Avenue was lousily ill-lit and already felt unsafe. She expressed fears of having to walk home through the “dead zone”. She had not previously objected, as although she was aware of the plan, she had never expected that it might actually happen.

Seamus MacBride was concerned that very few or no households in Arodene Road or the other Josephine Avenue feeder roads had been included in the consultation. He had received no response from Lambeth to his enquiries about an overall traffic plan for the area should the barrier be put in place.  He felt there ought to be a unified scheme for the whole area and feared that the “trial” road closure would become a permanent structure without possibility of change even if should it prove to have negative results.

Garry Turnbull reminded the meeting that 2 years ago and at the suggestion of Kate Newham (SNT), the Josephine Avenue Crime Steering Group (JASG) had been formed in order to try to create a unified scheme. It included residents from Josephine, Appach and Leander Roads together with representatives from the police and Safer Neigubourhood Teams  and Lambeth Community Safety and Highways.  The current Josephine Avenue Traffic Control proposal had been originally proposed and developed by the JASG. The group was no longer meeting but he proposed and the meeting agreed that the JAG request that Neil Thurlow (SNT) rebuild the group, involving all as before. 

Roger Blantern queried the inability of the police to assist citizens willing to make a citizens’ arrest or to respond to reports of prostitution and kerb crawing.

Press coverage of the recent major rise in prostitution across the UK and of the importation of girls for the sole purpose of the now hugely profitable trade in prostitution was discussed. The relationship between this and the increase in all night bars and licensed late night alcohol sales on Brixton Hill was discussed. 

Michael Hastings questioned the behaviour of parking attendants whom he had observed canvassing the area for illegally parked vehicles for over half an hour whilst specifically ignoring two of the white vans known by residents to be used solely for prostitution and parked illegally.

Residents reported the existence of a new crackhouse on Leander Road. Garry Turnbull asked that residents report this to the police whose powers now enabled them to ensure its closure.

Elisabeth Owen reported seeing a girl get into a car. In her opinion the girl was clearly a prostitute and the driver a kerb-crawler. She had recorded the number plate. No action had been taken by the police. 

Victoria Hardie criticized the use of Brixton as a trial for the liberalization of drug laws.

Some of those present felt that the confusion this decision had caused had resulted in Brixton becoming seen as the best place to go to buy Class A drugs, so making the existing problem far worse.   

Harriet Beaumont and Emma and Adam left the meeting.

5. Josephine Avenue Carriageway Lighting Maintenance: Roger Blantern again reported that despite numerous visits to Lambeth Transport and Highways and assurances of repairs, the light at 5 JA is still not working. This area of access road is densely shaded and has been unlit since March when contractors/EDF installing new lights on Appach Road accidentally cut the power supply. The latest job reference number is Job No: 2208594 due to be completed by its given deadline which is 2 November 2007. The previous deadline given was the second week in October. No work has been done and no explanation given. RB will continue to make regular visits to the department. LB will pursue on behalf of the JAG. 

LB reported that the JAG has still not received any update on the timing of full repair or replacement of the Access Road lights despite being advised in June by Martin Sachs, Head of Transport and Highways, as follows: “I am asking my interim Lighting PFI Manager, Mike Wilson, to look into the matters raised and to get back to you as quickly as possible.”

Residents advised that the JAG once again ask a public question via our councillors on the issue and in addition this time seek formal legal advice. 

6. Donation to Family Welfare Association. Quotes for repairs to damaged Pillars and Railings.

LB proposed and the meeting agreed that the JAG would donate to the FWA for the purpose of repairing the damaged pillars the total amount donated to the JAG by Urban Art 2007. Her understanding was that this was £1,392.01. She would ask the treasurer to confirm this and present a check to the FWA. LB said that at the previous JAG meeting she had reported the lowest quote for pillar repairs was £1560.00. She hoped this could be lowered a little. She also suggested and the meeting agreed that the JAG ask the FWA Head Office to use the fact ofn the JAG donation to  seek another donation to at least match the JAG’s, so to provide the additional £1500.00 needed to replace the 2 damaged sections of railings. 

Doreen Cornick of the FWA  had reported to LB no further progress on chasing the freeholder’s insurance at the property. 

7. Autumn Street Clean and Chestnut Leaf Clear-Up: The meeting agreed that the Chestnut Leaf Clear Up and Street Clean would be on Sunday 1 December. LB/CvD suggested and the meeting agreed that new tree loppers and secateurs should be purchased by the JAG. LB will reapply for planning consents to prune over-hanging tree branches. Elisabeth Owen will check the diameter of branch permitted to cut without planning consent. Chris van Duuren will arrange waste collection and tools purchase.

8.’South Beach’, Brixton Hill:  Victoria Hardie reported that due to local residents objections and comments the Late Night License Application to 4am had not been granted. The License hours had been limited to midnight. However, the applicant was permitted to re-apply for a further variation to 4am and was doing so. Consequently, residents who wish to comment or object must do so again formally. Regulations relating to licensing applications are confused at the least and make objecting extremely difficult. Officers have stated variously that replies to objection or comment are only given to people living either within 100 meters radius or within 35 metres? Moreover, the time deadlines make it extremely unlikely that neighbours will know of an application or variation to an application before the deadline for comment is past. Applicants are required by law to display their notice of application publicly and upon the premises for 28 consecutive days. In the case of ‘South Beach’ the notice was displayed behind their security shutters and so largely invisible most of the time.  

Residents at the meeting called for a change in the licensing law process.        They felt that the current process was entirely unsatisfactory and entirely un-democratic. They felt their opinions were completely ignored. Residents expressed very strong objections to the increased number of late night alcohol sales licenses issued to premises on Brixton Hill. They felt that the issuing of new or extended licenses in a residential area with existing, serious problems of prostitution and drug and alcohol abuse amounted to active encouragement of serious anti-social behaviour, was dangerous and moreover would increase the amount of time and funding needed to police the area. It represented at best extremely poor and inept planning and at worst and most likely, none at all.

Victoria will post details of “South Beach’ Application on the Newsgroup. The current Application Reference is 07/01952/PRELMY/1125

9. 85 Brixton Hill: Garry Turnbull reported that the current planning application which is now 8 months old has still not been determined. The decision is long overdue and Councillor Toren Smith will ask why as a members question. If the application is rejected the compulsory purchase order will be enacted.

10. Co-Chair: The co-chair has been unwell for some time. Garry Turnbull will contact her to ask her if she wishes to continue.

AOB

11.1 Garry Turnbull informed the meeting that Pelle Kraft is shortly returning to Sweden after 16 years in the UK. The group thanked Pelle for his outstanding contribution over many years to the JAG and to the community. He will be missed.

11.2 The AGM will be in early December and will be be held at the Church Hall again. The date will be decided at the next JAG meeting and Chris van Duuren will make the arrangements

11.3 Roger Blantern requested that a discussion of the possibility of the JAG acquiring charitable status should be put on next meeting Agenda.

Meeting closed at 10.05pm 

ACTIONS: 

RB/LB: Pursue lighting repairs and maintenance. 

EO: Check permitted diameter of branch cut. 

CvD: Arrange chestnut clear and street clean and purchase tools.

GT: Consult with NT re re-setting up of Crime Steering Group.

LB: Pass invoices to NB for payment, letter to FWA Head Office, PP Trees, write and distribute minutes to residents/SNT/Councillors and others.

NOTICES

Please report any activities of kerb-crawlers or prostitutes with descriptions, times, place and registration numbers to the police SNT on 0208 721 2624 or 0208 721 2892

Alternatively, please fill in the attached form and return free of charge to:

Anti-social Behaviour Unit,?2nd Floor,?205 Stockwell Road.?London SW9 9SL

Print out a Form on www.lambeth.gov.uk/Services/CommunityLiving/CrimePrevention/AntisocialBehaviour/AntisocialBehaviourDiarySheet.htm

For emergencies PLEASE DIAL 999

NEXT JAG MEETING

Wednesday November 14 2007

 8pm at 21 Josephine Avenue

You are welcome to take part. 

If you have issues or ideas you would like raised please contact us. 

Everyone Welcome

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