Leader hits the road to listen to residents
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
12/02/2008
Series of neighbourhood consultations begins in North End Ward
A major series of neighbourhood consultation meetings was launched earlier this month when residents in North End ward put Council Leader Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh on the spot.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council held the first in a new series of ‘Leader Listens’ meetings at the Bhavan Centre in Castletown Road, West Kensington.
The series is now being rolled-out to cover every ward in the borough over the next 18 months.
Numerous issues were raised, from traffic management and dog fouling to community safety, anti-social behaviour and service levels to leaseholders. Around 2,000 residents were invited at random to attend, with Cllr Greenhalgh answering questions for nearly two hours.
The council plans to hold the next meeting at in Sands End ward, with a date yet to be confirmed.
“This council is intent on engaging with residents at every opportunity, listening to local concerns and acting upon them,” said Cllr Greenhalgh. “This is a fantastic example of local democracy in action. We discussed a huge range of issues.”
Concerns were raised about traffic management issues in Barton Road/North End Road with particular criticism about the sighting of a pedestrian crossing. The Leader responded by promising a traffic management review in the area.
One resident asked whether a ban on estate agent boards will be extended across the whole borough. When asked to vote more than 50 residents supported a total ban, two a partial ban, while three wanted no ban at all.
Anti-social neighbours in the area were also a major issue, with the Leader promising to take up complaints raised.
Other issues highlighted included the impact of the smoking ban on residents close to pubs, an ‘eyesore’ building at 80 North End Road, cyclists on pavements, the impact of widening the congestion charge and the level of service received by leaseholders.
“We are already acting on many of the issues,” said Councillor Greenhalgh. “For example there are plans to deal with the eyesore at North End Road and we are developing a new deal for leaseholders which should see significant improvements.
“However, events like these are designed to help us learn about other issues that need tackling. That is why it is called ‘Leader Listens’ and this council will both listen and act to put the interests of residents first.”
A summary of the meeting and intended action points will be sent to all residents in North End ward within a month.
