Minutes of Meeting on 2 May 2000:

CRYSTAL PALACE & NORWOOD

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Minutes of meeting held at the Phoenix Centre, Westow Street

Tuesday, 2nd May 2000

PRESENT

Doug Barnes - Chairman (Tamnag Thai)
Christopher Dobb - Temp. Secretary (Upper Norwood Joint Library)

Caroline Streek (Streek's Publicity)
Ian Ward (I W & S A Ward)
Councillor Pat Ryan (London Borough of Croydon)
James Slattery-Kavanagh (Quotes)
Wendy Allen (Phoenix Shoes)
Peter Bernard (Chez Bernard)
Yogi Shah (Macdonalds Discount Stores)
Keith Peraux (Hanover Park)

Guests:
Kevin Carleton-Reeves
Kathryn Kenny (Upper Norwood Community Resource Assoc.)

APOLOGIES

John Elner
David Kerr
Peter Runacres
Geoff Harding

1. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Drinking byelaw

This matter comes down to police enforcement rather than a byelaw. Doug will talk to the 3 police forces about enforcement. It is a particular problem in the evening with youngsters.

Safeways parking

There was a meeting between Legal & General, Safeways (including Regional Manager) and Peter Runacres. Croydon is responsible for putting in CCTV and looking at policing. There are many issues to be resolved before the car park can be used at night. Safeways have no objection to providing facilities to traders if CCTV and other security measures are paid for. The area in front of Safeways is going to be developed into a piazza and the war memorial moved.

Meeting with Lambeth Town Centre Manager for Norwood

There is a policing problem in West Norwood. A regular newspaper called the Norwood Eye is produced by the TCM and is a recommended read.

Crystal Palace Sports Centre

Chamber is going to say that money should be put into centre, so that there is a regional sports complex which will be of benefit to business. Doug to write.

Palace Site

Bulldozers said to be going onto site in September. It seems clear that the development will go ahead. Doug to go direct to London & Regional to find out what is in the development.

South London Chamber

We are a member of this. SLC has a lot of clout. It will have direct contact with new Mayor for London.

Bicycle for Homebeat Officer

It was agreed that there should be a contract for this, to ensure that officer will be up here on a regular basis and that it will used for the purpose for which it is given. Funding also coming from local Agenda 21 and TCMc. It will also be made clear that local business want homebeat officers and see them as vitally important.

2. TRAFFIC SCHEME

A general discussion was held and the following points were raised which will be part of the Chamber's formal response:

• We do not want the kerbs and pavements built out except at pelican crossings.
• More parking required outside 10-18 Westow Street and Westow Hill (near Fairways).
• Bus stop in Westow Hill should be moved or reduced in length to give extra parking/loading.
• More parking needed outside Joanna's and Bradleys and northern section of Westow Hill (around Puzzle pub).
• There must be disabled parking outside the Post Office.
• Ovett Close would be a suitable place for disabled parking bays.
• Parking on Crystal Palace Parade has all been lost along with other commuter parking. There should be parking on at least one side of the Parade.

The scheme must take account of the need for commuter parking. Big employers such as Hanover Park and the accountants, need parking to retain and attract staff.

3. CRIME SURVEY

Matched funding to improve security. Doug will be going to see all businesses in the Triangle and will also discuss traffic proposals with them - any comments will be passed back.

4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

• Minutes for the last meeting (April) are not available yet due to a technical hitch. They will be put in the Newsletter and approved at the June meeting.
• The graffiti is under control and the area is looking better.
• The litter problem has improved since the naming and shaming started. There is now a road sweeper at weekends.
• Vandals scratching windows has become a new problem.