Ruislip Lido
Management Advisory Group Meeting (MAG)
Winston Churchill Hall
19th January 2010
MINUTES
MAG Members :
(Chair),
(FoRL),
,
(FoRL)
(FoRL),
(Northwood Hills
Residents Association),
(RLRS), Stuart Hunt (LBH),
Paul Richards (LBH),
(Northwood RA),
(Eastcote residents Association), Cllr John Reilly (LBH),
(DASH),
In attendance: Cllr Ray Puddifoot (LBH), Alan Dalton (LBH), Sean Barr (LBH), Lyn
Summers (LBH), Richard Hutton (LBH)
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Action
, the Chair of the Management Advisory Group,
opened the meeting. He said that the Leader of the Council, Ray
Puddifoot, and Alan Dalton, Interim Deputy Director, Planning and
London
Community Services, were in attendance to present proposed
improvement plans for the Lido and that they would be happy to
respond to questions at the end of the meeting.
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1 Apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr Philip Corthorne (LBH),
(FoRL),
(RWMG),
(Waters Edge).
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Minutes of Last Meeting
Hillingon
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
3 Matters
Arising
2.1 Splash Pad Cleaning
SH advised that site meetings had taken place since the last meeting
and that alternative cleaning materials are now being used. 5%
retention will continue to be held until issues are resolved.
Action
2.2
Circulation of Minutes
DS reiterated concerns regarding the delay in circulation of minutes.
He said that Mary Worrell had advised that she thought about 3 weeks
after a meeting was acceptable. PL advised that Lyn Summers from
LBH would be taking notes at future meetings and that therefore this
issue should now be resolved.
2.3
Lack of response to emails/calls/concerns
DS made reference to the minutes of the 27th October 2009 in relation
to LBH officers not responding to emails and telephone calls. DS
asked Cllr Puddifoot if he would like to respond. PL advised that Cllr
Puddifoot was not in attendance to respond to questions in relation to
MAG issues. PL asked DS to refer concens through the Chair who
would, if necessary, pick up with SH.
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2.4
Current Issues
• Cycle Racks/Bird Recognition Board – currently on hold while
improvement proposals are discussed.
• Waste Bins – will be moved by the Summer.
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4 Management
Plan
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SH gave an update on work undertaken in the previous quarter and
plans for the coming quarter.
• Previous quarter – nothing outstanding. Rangers continue to
monitor ice/snow impact on site
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• Next Quarter – continue to cut back trees, clear paths, install
viewing platform, remove saplings around willow lawn
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• Diary of Events – discussed.
LH asked whether there were any plans to provide food for the wild
fowl during the cold weather. SH advised that the Rangers would
continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and inform relevant
agencies (RSPCA/Swan Sanctuary) of any concerns as and when
necessary.
5 Financial
Report
Report tabled – no concerns.
6 A.O.B
Future meeting dates – PL advised that it is planned to incorporate the
proposed improvement programme agenda into future MAG meetings
as the plans progress. Therefore dates will be discussed and MAG
Members advised accordingly.
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Action
7
Ruislip Lido Improvement Programme Presentation
Cllr Puddifoot, Leader of the Council, explained the background to the
proposed Ruislip Lido Improvement Programme. He said that it was
one aspect of the Council’s Civic Pride Initiative and that over the next
two years the Council will be investing resources to improve and
develop facilities at the Lido.
He said that while making the improvements, the Council will ensure
that it will maintain the ‘look and feel’ of the Lido and preserve the
wildlife and the natural environment.
The Improvement Programme will be considering:
•
Options for increasing car parking facilities within the grounds
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of the Lido are being explored – proposed plan for using scrub
land on the site to provide an additional 200 spaces on land
previously used for car parking.
•
Raising the water at a higher level than in previous years –
proposed plans to increase and maintain the water level by 6 to 8
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inches. Engineers have been asked to undertake a topographical
survey and a flood risk assessment to establish whether
Environment Agency criteria can be satisfied.
•
Identifying areas where fishing facilities can be improved – at
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creating a sustainable approach to fishing which does not impact
on other facilities such as public bathing.
•
New/upgraded toilet and changing facilities – to be installed by
the beach area.
•
Public Bathing – water quality has been tested and has proven
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suitable for public bathing. Installation of demarcation buoys being
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investigated to provide an outdoor swimming area. Beach and
planted areas to be improved.
•
Adult boating and children’s paddle boating – proposals to
provide non-motorised adult boats being explored as well as
children’s paddle boats in a safe contained area.
•
Miniature Railway – discussions to be had with the Ruislip Lido
Railway Group around enhancement of the miniature railway.
•
Woodland Centre – installation of a new Woodland Centre building
being considered
•
Improvements to the current refreshment facilities – review of
current concession site to increase refreshment facilities being
considered - discussions to be held with Ruislip Lido Railway Group
to ensure no impact on their revenue.
•
Improved access to the site with user friendly signage
– to include consideration of bus services via Transport for
London, user friendly signage.
•
Security – review of security to include appropriate CCTV and
staff resources
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Action
•
Contact details – Lyn Summers on 01895 556640 or on
[email address]
Questions from the floor:
Q -
Will the boating proposal include sailing dinghies? A - Sailing is possibly better placed at Hillingdon Outdoor Activities
Centre but sailing dinghies could be a possible option.
Q -
Will the new parking area be closed at night?
A -Yes, and lighting/CCTV will be installed on the car park
access road
Q –
Are there any plans to upgrade the bridleways?
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A - Advice needs to be sought before work can be carried out
in the woodlands but the whole site will be considered.
Q –
How are you sure that the water is good enough to swim in? A – The water is tested on a regular basis and officers have advised
that raising the levels will improve the quality further.
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Q –
The Northwood sewer system overflows in heavy rain and
dispels sewage into the streams which feed the Lido. How
will you prevent this happening?
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A – These issues
will be addressed with the water companies directly.
Q -
Will you charge for car parking? A - Initial views are to make the facility free to residents via the
Hillingdon First Card and charging non residents for parking and
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admission.
Hillingon
Q - Will you be holding a public meeting?
A – This is a possibility as the Programme is developed. In the
meantime residents will be updated via Hillingdon People and
public events like the Cabinet Roadshows.
Q – There are problems already with the pub clientele such as
anti-social behaviour, inconsiderate parking, broken glass,
noise until the early hours, trespassing and litter that need to
be dealt with. Are the Council going to deal with these
now?
A – Protecting residents from anti social behaviour is paramount and
Officers will be working on an enforcement agenda with
appropriate partners to ensure that these issues are investigated
and dealt with.
Q – How are the Council going to deal with car parking problems
that residents of Reservoir and Lakeside Close are already
experiencing such as blocked drives, blocked access for
buses and emergency vehicles
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Action
A – Parking control issues will be investigated and discussed with
residents, Emergency Services and Transport for London to
ensure appropriate solutions.
Q – The existing Rangers are doing a wonderful job. Is it within
the budget to support the existing staff?
A – Appropriate staffing will be reviewed throughout the Improvement
Programme to ensure adequate resources are in place to
maintain and support the increased facilities.
Q - Are you envisaging closing off the gates in the woods?
A - No decisions have been made but all areas will be looked at as
part of the security review.
Q - What will the perimeter be
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and what will be fenced off?
A - The boundary at the beach area already exists. Any changes to
the boundaries will be looked at as part of the security review.
Q – Is this a proposal or a decision – what if we don’t want the
improvements? London
A - The whole of the programme is about improvement and we have
an opportunity to make this an excellent facility for all residents of
the borough. A careful approach is needed and it is obvious from
the concerns voiced this evening that there are major problems
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with parking and anti-social behaviour that we need to fix now but
we have to be clear that this facility is here for all residents and
not just those that live in adjacent roads.
Q – What about consultation?
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A - These proposals are part of an ongoing Improvement Programme
Hillingon
to upgrade much of our Green and Open spaces and water
features. We would appreciate expertise and local knowledge as
we progress and updates to the Improvement Programme will be
published in Hillingdon People
Q – Maintaining the balance of wildlife is a real dilemma – we
don’t want it so full of people that the wildlife is affected so
how will you make sure this doesn’t happen?
A - Appropriate advice will be sought to ensure the balance in respect
of wildlife is maintained.
Q – If boating is provided on a concession basis how will you
control prices?
A - The Council is not proposing these improvements to make a profit
and any provision of service will need to go through a rigorous
procurement, open tender process, before any decisions on
suppliers are made.
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Action
Suggestions from the Floor:
• The four Residents Associations represented on the MAG are
happy to take forward any resident’s concerns.
• The Council should allocate more staffing to the site
• Implement a traffic survey in the summer
• Invitation to Cllr Puddifoot to join a litter picking day to see the
extent of the problem.
• Look at noise and pollution impact from more cars and buses
• Look at putting a barrier up in Lakeside Close
• Limit
numbers
• Segregate the pub clientele from the rest of the site.
• Ensure controls are in place
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The Chair thanked those attending and closed the meeting
Next meeting: 23rd February 2010, 7pm, Winston Churchill Hall
London
Borough
of Hillingon
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