[Friends] LRUF meeting on Monday (12.1.09) + Mins of last meeting (24.11.08)

[Martin Burrows]

Dear Dave,
 
Luisa and I had a meeting with Fran & co of Anne Thorn architects today to
look at their new thoughts on the Lordship Rec Environment Centre.
 
As time is getting short now in terms of cementing our plans for Planners,
Match Funders and the HLF etc. I have suggested that they start their
consultation by presenting their ideas at the next Lordship Rec Users Forum
meeting on Monday - and this they would very much like to do that if that is
O.K. 
 
Can you let us know a.s.a.p. if it could be put on the agenda, - possibly as
part of the update report on the Environment Centre?
 
Thanks,
 
Martin B.
 
  _____  

From: friends-bounces at lordshiprec.org.uk
[mailto:friends-bounces at lordshiprec.org.uk] On Behalf Of dave
Sent: 08 January 2009 18:05
To: friends at lordshiprec.org.uk
Subject: [Friends] LRUF meeting on Monday (12.1.09) + Mins of last meeting
(24.11.08)
 
Lordship Rec Users Forum
Next Meeting -  Monday 12th January 2009 
at 6.30pm in the Broadwater Farm Community Centre.

All organisations concerned to see a better future for the park are invited
to attend.



Minutes of the LRUF Meeting - Monday 24th November 2008
@ the Broadwater Farm Community Centre

Present: Irene Lee and Brian Scott (Friends of Grahame Lee); Martin Burrows
(Back To Earth and FLR); Ray Swain, Dave Morris and Joan Curtis (all Friends
of Lordship Rec);  Michael Loughnane, Paul Ely and Luisa Baker (all
Recreation Services); Michael Bury (BTCV);  Apologies: Helen Steel (FLR and
RS); Caroline Jepson (FLR), Su Jolly (BWF Centre); Anna Thomas (Maze West
Residents Association), Anne Gray (West Green Residents Association)

1.  Minutes of Last Meeting (20th October 2008).

The minutes were agreed with one amendment.  Under item 3.3 (GLA Majors
Priority Parks Award) £1.2 million should have read one to two million
pounds.

2.   New Playground

Paul Ely reported that original budget has now been judged insufficient to
allow the construction of the new playground to go ahead in accordance with
the original design.  Therefore, work will not now start next February as
was envisaged.   The council has asked the architects to redesign elements
of the natural play area and has accordingly drawn up a new timetable with
work now due to commence in May with a view to the new playground being in
use before the start of the school summer holidays in late July.   Luisa
Baker is due to meet with the architects in a few days time to discuss the
new timetable and aspects of the redesign which hopefully will once again
involve liaison with the Natural Play people. The Friends expressed a
certain degree of concern that a playground will not be in use during a
large part of the summer.

It had been noted that the most recent plans for the playground showed
changes to the original design. Concern was expressed that the originally
agreed plan for a ‘desire line’ path between the paddling pool and the play
equipment may need to be re-instated. Paul accepted that changes had been
made and promised to re-investigate the design.  

3.  New Tree Planting

Planting by the Friends will go ahead as planned i.e. on  30th November. The
Friends have secured a grant for this of £500 from It’s Your Community Fund.
As previously requested by Paul, a log will be kept for the benefit of the
HLF of all volunteers assisting in this project.  To this end Luisa will
draw up a template to help log all work carried out by volunteers on Rec
projects.

4.  Tree relocations - Millennium Ring and Moselle memorial plantation

The Forum has been in agreement for some considerable time that there is a
necessity to relocate the Millennium Trees from the south side of the Rec to
the northwest corner.  Paul confirmed that this matter had been discussed at
the Design Team Meeting on 28th October and said that action should be taken
sooner rather than later, ideally by late spring in order to minimise
potential damage.

Dave Morris however pointed out that the Tree Trust were still concerned
over the relocation of the trees, and any potential damage to them that may
happen during relocation. Everyone present hoped we could work with the
Trust over the improvements to the Rec including all the additional tree
planting, the Woodland etc. 

There was, in addition, a brief discussion on the general matter of tree
relocation in the Rec.  Irene Lee voiced the concerns of the Friends of
Graham Lee with regard to the potential removal of up to 50% of the trees in
the memorial plantation as a result of the proposed restoration of the
Moselle river.  FOGL expressed the hope that, as specified in the
Masterplan, every effort would be made to relocate any removed trees to one
particular area and not to have them scattered throughout the Rec.  This
would help to ensure that the memorial plantation would maintain a tangible
identity. Paul added that it was the council’s policy not to lose trees from
its parks.

5.   Back To Earth projects

Martin Burrows updated the forum on the progress of B2E projects in the BWF
centre and the Rec.   Martin said that interest in these projects continues
to grow. The weekly local kitchen sessions and the Food Co-op are going
well, but more volunteers are required to help with the Co-op market days.
A Local Food application, if successful, will result in a more permanent
feature in April, but Martin stressed that he needs a lot more support
applications.

It was decided to discuss the Environmental Centre and City Farm as a
separate item.

6.   Environmental Centre and City Farm

a.  City Farm    As noted at item 2.6. in the minutes of the previous
meeting, and re-emphasised by Paul, the HLF had notified the council that it
does not consider the planned siting of the City Farm by the Lordship Lane
Gates to be suitable. This had led to a great deal of discussion among the
LRUF, Friends and the Council, including meetings with HLF reps. Paul
reported that the HLF had appointed an additional expert advisor to visit
the park and assess the various site options. His strongly held view at that
visit had been that the South East field by Freedom Road was the best
location.

Despite ongoing attachment to the original preference for the front
entrance, Paul explained that a suitable alternative site must be agreed
asap if we are to avoid risking losing HLF support for the whole
regeneration of the Rec. The 2 main alternative options to the main entrance
had been the North West corner of the main field, and the South East field.
The Friends had discussed these sites at length and could not resolve which
in their view was the better alternative. 

We again discussed this matter. Both alternative sites have pros and cons.
However, the NW corner was not directly accessible. Martin agreed to
investigate the possibility of the Council ‘adopting’ the private road
behind the shops and houses.

The SE field location was discussed in much detail.  There were concerns
that the boggy nature of the ground would need investigating and works
costed taking this into consideration. There was also the issue of access
via Freedom Road and the W$ bus route.

b.  Environmental Centre [EC]   In addition to housing the Mothers and
Toddlers Group the EC needs to accommodate an Environmental Education Centre
for schools etc., provide adequate space and free access for the Friends,
plus a café and toilets and possibly a small library and resource base.  The
Friends group were keen for there to be access to the public toilets
directly from the outside (a design issue), and also at times when the
building is unstaffed (a management issue). Paul added that the current
council policy on public toilets is that they will be locked at times when
they are not staffed. Luisa will be liaising with the architects over the
design of the EC.

c.  Both   Paul stated we need to work quickly towards agreement on both the
above sites, taking into account the drainage problems and other key
outstanding points.  He outlined three fundamental issues: 

i.  Capital costs    It is important to generate adequate funding and stay
within budget. £800.000 for EC and £370.000 for the City Farm certainly
presents a considerable challenge.  Martin expressed confidence that match
funding could be raised.

ii.  Space    Concerns were raised by the Friends at the size of the EC
building which will be four times the size of the present. They also were
concerned at the proposed scale of the Farm which was much larger than
originally anticipated. They wanted these facilities to enhance but not
dominate the park. They also were concerned that all the facilities be
practical to manage, and be open to the public 7 days a week. Martin
responded that the scale of the Farm depended upon the location and that the
size could not be determined until the siting of the EC and City Farm is
finalised.  In his view the City Farm, for example, needed to be viable and
attractive to visitors. One suggestion floated was to save space and
management costs by reducing the number of larger animals in favour of
wormeries and aquariums etc, whilst maintaining educational benefits.  

iii.  Maintenance and Running Costs.  This was not discussed in detail, with
the exception of the matter of public toilet management as outlined above.

7.   HLF and the regeneration plans

We also need to remember that planning permission must be secured for any
new developments, and the match funding must be in place.  Paul emphasised
also how important it is to demonstrate to the HLF that there is real
encouragement to increase the level of volunteering and participation in Rec
projects.  The Friends stressed the importance of a good flow of information
to them and the LRUF, and continuing consultation, as part of Rec
development.

We need to raise match funding of £2.4 million in the next 12 months.  The
council is developing a strategy to identify sources of funding, including
from the Council itself.   Paul added that if we get the GLA funding (via
the ‘vote’  see 14 below) it can go to any area or project in the Rec.

8.   Audience Development Workshop

Dave and Paul (and 18 other key partners) had attended a development
workshop under the framework of “Not for the Likes of You” for the
development of increased and more diverse usage of the Rec.  Paul passed
around notes from this workshop, with recommendations.

The Audience Development Plan is an action plan aimed at identifying
interest groups with the principle of getting more people involved in
matters concerning the Rec.  Paul added that he was keen for additional,
concerned groups to get involved in the LRUF.

9.   339 Lordship Lane  Building Site

Luisa has written to Andrew Cusack (LBH Legal Services). She’s awaiting a
response re what legal action is appropriate over problems with encroachment
etc.

10.   Utility Works  Gas and Water

Michael Loughnane reported that bills have been sent to utility companies
regarding unfinished or problematic work they did in the south west corner
of the Rec.

11.   Woodland

Ray Swain told the forum that the Commemoration Event on 16th November
organised by the Friends (for those killed in the WW2 air raid shelter in
the park) had been very well supported with over 70 people attending the
event by the woodland. A report from the Friends giving full details of the
event was handed out at the meeting. There had been speeches from families
of those killed, one of the survivors, reps from emergency and support
services, and the Mayor of Haringey, Alan Dobbie. The Mayor had confirmed
that he would support the planned establishment of a memorial bridge in the
Rec. The Friends launched a fund to help raise money for the bridge
(including a plaque) and there was discussion as to how best to publicise
this, including an article in a Spurs match programme. [Now done!]  

12.   Lake

Mike Bury notified the meeting that the Friends and BTCV had been discussing
the problem of subsidence on the island for some time. BTCV now propose to
rectify the issue by temporarily draining the lake and using the silt to
build up the sides of the island. He said that this could cost £10.000 as
opposed to the previous estimate from Verdant Solutions of £8.500.  The lake
sub group will look into areas of funding.  This work can only be carried
out during the winter months and will not now happen until next winter.

13.   Pedestrian Counters

Poles supporting monitors purely for counting (not photographing!) the
number of pedestrians entering and leaving the Rec have been erected at all
entrances.  Luisa reported that there had been a slight problem with one
sensor which had been pointing in the wrong direction. This is being
rectified. It was agreed to remove the one erected by the entrance to the
woodland as unnecessary clutter. It was agreed that it is important to bring
to the LRUF any future proposals for works affecting areas of the Rec.

14.   Friends of Lordship Rec AGM

This was reported to have been well attended and lively.

15.   GLA Funding

There are two ‘pots’ of money available.  One is for one to two million
pounds, which is subject to a mayoral decision.  The allocation of the other
award, for £400.000, is to be decided by public vote.  Anyone residing in a
London Borough is eligible to vote for any park on the list irrespective of
whether it is in the local borough.  The method of voting will be through
the internet, one vote per person, or texting.  Luisa said that e-mails will
shortly be sent out giving details. It was agreed that she and Dave work
together on this. Votes must be cast by 30th January 2009.

Paul urged maximum publicity throughout the borough, through local
publications and newsletter and all groups involved in events and activities
in the Rec. The Friends had agreed to back this, but were concerned not to
promote ‘competition’ between parks (all of whom no doubt need resources)
they saw it more as a ‘referendum’ demonstrating mass public support for our
efforts and plans for the Rec. Martin expressed the view that an exclusive
internet voting system places poorer areas like Tottenham a disadvantage.

16.   National Conference

Dave, Luisa and Paul had recently attended a National Conference in
Nottingham on the ‘Community in Open Spaces’. It was attended by
approximately 100 representatives from local Councils, but not many
‘friends’ groups.  Dave raised issues about the Rec at the event, and also
the need for greater funding generally for UK’s green spaces.

17.  Next meeting

The date for the next LRUF Meeting was set for 6.30 pm on Monday 12th
January 2009 in the Broadwater Farm Community Centre.
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