South Kenton and Preston Park Residents Association
SKPPRA
Newsletter Spring 2014
In this issue 4Check your meters 4Carpe Diem 4Fundraising for St Luke’s 4Health Service complaints 4Useful contacts
Special Offer for members only to be launched at AGM
Our AGM 20 May 7pm at The Church of The Annunciation Minutes and Nomination form inside
Good news, information and many tips - all in this issue! Again we have a great variety of articles and information for you. The best news for our Teasurer is that with the support of our advertisers we can now have a 16-page newsletter four times per year! So you see how important it is that you always check out our advertisers if you require a service or need a job done. A very interesting article on what you can do when you have a Health Service complaint and useful information on why it is so important that you check your gas and electricity meters. At our AGM you will hear how SKPPRA committee has dealt with the issues which affect our area and what we has been achieved. A table with information leaflets, more about the “Members only Offer” and Recycle4Charity envelopes (see page 3).
SKPPRA Summer Party 6th July at The Windermere!
For all the latest news visit www.skppra.co.uk
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SKPPRA
Newsletter
Spring
2014
Too good to be true? I have been recycling my inkjet cartridges in the envelopes provided by Recycle4Charity using envelopes which nominate St Luke’s as my charity. When I received information from Recycle4Charity that they had raised £1463.23 via this recycling method I was delighted. One resident, however, expressed doubt saying that this was too good to be true. Quite right, I thought, because there are companies who appear to raise money for charity which is not necessarily true. Always look for a Registered Charity No. To make sure I emailed Pam Russell, Director of Fundraising for St Luke’s. Below is her answer. Dear Trixi, I can confirm that we have to date raised £1463.23 from Recycle4Charity (it has gone up a bit since your enquiry!) We are really grateful to SKPPRA for helping us to raise this amount which will make a real difference to our patients and their families. Best wishes, Pam Russell, Director of Fundraising and Community Relations St Luke’s Hospice Look out at the AGM when you will be able to collect these recycling envelopes. Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. Sir Richard Steele (1672-1729)
HOPKINS ELECTRICAL SERVICES t Complete rewiring t Garden lighting t Fault finding t Certification t Extra points, sockets, lights, phone, aerial t Free Advice Please call now for free quotation Iain Hopkins 95 Bromfield Stanmore Middx HA7 1AG Tel: 01923 591673 Mobile: 07905 205 124 email: iainhopkins@hotmail.com 3
SKPPRA
Newsletter
Spring
2014
Is your energy suppler overcharging you? Gas Meters As a registered GasSAFE engineer I was consulted by a neighbour who had recently changed suppliers and his new bill was approximately 3.5 times higher than previously. After checking all his gas appliances for correct operation I checked his gas meter and noted that it measured gas in cubic meters. Incorrectly the new supplier had assumed that the meter measured in cubic feet. Where this is the case the results of the calculation that suppliers use is multiplied by 3.6. Hence the overcharge. ACTION: Check whether your gas meter measures gas in cubic metres or cubic feet and then check your gas bill. Electric Meters If you are on a dual rate tariff like normal daytime rate and economy 7 or something similar, your electricity meter MUST show the correct time otherwise you may be incorrectly charged on a daily basis for certain parts of your bill. ACTION: Check that the correct time is show on your electricity meter. Payment of energy bills by direct debit. Energy companies love you to pay for your energy at a rate they determine by monthly direct debit. This has resulted in energy companies holding approximately ÂŁ4.7 million pounds of our money. With savers interest rates low at the moment it does not matter so much. However when savers rates increase the interest gained from your savings account may amount to more than the discount you are offered by paying by direct debit. ACTION: Most energy companies give a discount for early payment of bills if you do not pay via a monthly direct debit. Using this method also means that it makes life easier if you intend to move house or suppliers because you do not have to chase money which belongs to you. Frank Treviss, GasSAFE and WaterSAFE Engineer Ennerdale rats take out travel insurance. We also have rats in Logan Road. However, I never lay poison for them. This is because if wildlife eat the rats they too will die. I prefer to trap them using peanut butter. I then dead feed them to the fox at the end of my garden. Is this a contribution to recycling? Frank OK, BUT HOW DO YOU KILL THEM??? Trixi 4
SKPPRA
Newsletter
Spring
2014
Carpe Diem!
Toward the end of the rains in February it was confidently forecast that Sunday 17th would be mild and sunny. Carpe Diem - seize the day! So I took the train to Shoreham-by-Sea to view the new pedestrian bridge across the River Adur to Shoreham Beach. Opened on 13th November by the Duke of Gloucester, it replaces the high-sided iron bridge, built shortly after the first world war, with an elegant glass-walled walkway soaring across the water. At this point the river is used mainly for recreational sailing and there is a colony of houseboats that can be viewed more closely from a footpath. After taking a few photographs of the bridge and sitting awhile on the pebble beach under a midday winter sun I decided to inspect the houseboats. A motley collection! One of them has its number fixed to a WC pan lid; as if to show that the occupants did not observe ordinary conventions. Then it was time to move on. The top deck of the 700 bus to Brighton allows a good view of the long Shoreham Harbour, with small vessels discharging their cargo. Stacks of timber and heaps of aggregate. In past times when we obtained our gas from coal there was a gas works here and the coal would come in by sea. My onward journey to Brighton and then to Rottingdean was to photograph a winter-flowering plant that I have not seen locally and could not identify. It turns out to be a species of Spurge (Euphorbia), an evergreen about 1 metre tall with greenish yellow flowers. I was going to suggest it for the newish winter garden in Battersea Park, designed by Dan Pearson, but in fact it is plentiful in other parts of the park. In Rottingdean the plant is to be found in The Kipling Gardens, a cluster of walled spaces, including a croquet lawn, next to The Elms, the house where Rudyard Kipling wrote some of his best known stories. A tranquil spot and well cared for. (cont. page 13)
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Minutes of the SKPPRA Annual General Meeting held on 23 May 2013 Present Michael Rushe (Chairman), Julia Mitchell (Treasurer), Sagar Patel (Chief Road Steward), Trixi Leschinsky (Editor), David Merrigan (Website Manager), Noel Hehir (Social Secretary); Alfred Tyndale and approximately 50 SKPPRA members. Also present: Pam Russell, Trustee, St. Luke’s Hospice, Metropolitan Police: PCSOs Leah Armstrong, Mark Martin, Brent Council: Richard Hay, Neighbourhood Coordinator, Ken Hullock, Planning Policy, Neil McClellan Planning (Development Control), Cllrs P. Harrison, J Hossain, H. Patel. Apologies for absence were received from Residents Elizabeth Patkai, Donald Leon Soon, Samantha Warrington, Clare Stringfellow, Jane Rickman, Devbai Bhanji, Jim Perrin, Gary Murphy, Senior Planning Officer, Brent Council. Agenda and Minutes of the 2012 AGM and Treasurer’s Report were handed out to the members. The chairman opened the meeting at 7pm welcoming the residents and guests. Minutes of AGM 2012 The Chairman advised a change to the minutes under Pam Russell’s report to read: … funding arrangements for the hospice are 30% NHS and 70% donations. Acceptance of the minutes was proposed by Sagar Patel, seconded by Noel Hehir. Motion carried. Matters Arising None. Reports from Guests The chairman presented a cheque for £200 to Pam Russell, Trustee, St. Luke’s Hospice. Pam thanked SKPPRA for their continuing support. Pam reminded us of the many different services they provide at the Hospice. These range from day care, hospice and home care to complimentary therapy, bereavement and spiritual support. She also was pleased to announce that St Luke’s had won the “Student Placement of the Year” Award. Cllrs P. Harrison and J. Hossain updated residents on the various causes they had responded to, be it rubbish clearance, broken pavements or resolving issues via the MP. Cllr H. Patel announced the opening of the new Civic Centre on 3rd June; the new library will open 17th June. The recent National Census showed the number of Brent residents up by 18% to 311,000, with an ethnic breakdown of 33% Asian, 19% Black, 36% White residents. 8
AGM Minutes 2013 page 2 PCSO Leah Armstrong said that she and Mark Martin were delighted to meet the residents. She was pleased to say that there is little crime in our area. They had received Ward Working funds for crime prevention equipment. They will give SKPPRA the dates for the Street Briefings. These are opportunities to talk to the PCSOs direct and find out or tell them what is happening in our streets. Jeanine Leon Soon who is our liaison with the SNT (Safer Neighbourhood Team) explained that they meet quarterly, discuss local issues and concerns, and pass relevant information to the Police and PCSOs. Ken Hullock explained in detail what groups have to do to achieve Neighbourhood Forum status so they can apply for up to £7,000 to implement what they want to achieve for their area. Neil McClellan explained the relaxation of planning permission restrictions on June 13th (temporary for three years). In response to concerns he explained that whilst they have not got the resources to check effects of every application, residents can contact the Council who will act on complaints. Richard Hay who holds the Ward Working purse string explained that £30,000 is available to spend this year. Welfare reform: they are trying to help, especially young people. Cricket clubs for youngsters, tree planting, Smart Water has reduced crime by 85%. It is up to local areas how they want to spend the money. Chairman’s Report Michael updated the residents on some of the committee’s work over the past 12 months. We have taken the initiative on local planning matters and written to the local authority to be designated as the Neighbourhood Forum for the area. We enjoy good co-operation with other residents associations. In 2012 we also monitored the refurbished houses in Logan Road which were externally insulated by the Resident’s Association with a grant from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DEC). Much committee time has been spent on the planning applications for a proposed Mosque at 128 Windermere Avenue. This application raises issues over parking, traffic congestion, the viability of the adjacent shops, and the condition of the building. We are also monitoring the plans to expand Preston Park Primary School. The membership cards were well received. The summer and Christmas parties had been a great success and will be repeated this year. Particular thanks are due to Noel – landlord of The Windermere for hosting all of these events. Michael praised the work the Road Stewards do and added that Special Awards for long-service had been given to four Road Stewards.
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AGM Minutes 2013 page 3 Unfortunately Samantha Warrington had to resign so we are not only losing a valuable committee member but also a Road Steward. Michael appealed to the residents to come forward to take on a road in their area. They will be given every support as their help plays a vital part in SKPPRA’s success. We are still looking for a Hon. Secretary to join the committee. In the coming year we intend to explore ways where younger members of the community can participate in doing something for the area by, for example, collecting litter in areas outside the public highway. Residents put separate questions to Michael and these were noted and will be discussed and acted upon. Acceptance of the report was proposed by Jeanine Leon Soon, seconded by David Pearson. Motion carried. Treasurer’s Report The financial report had been distributed to all present. Julia explained the figures in detail. The good news is that at the end of the financial year SKPPRA has £600 in hand to use for the benefit of residents. Acceptance of the report was proposed by Jeanine Leon Soon, seconded by Michael Rushe. Motion carried Election of Officers As there were no nominations received the current committee was voted nem con by the members. Elected Officers and Committee Members for 2013/2014 are: Chairman Michael Rushe Treasurer Julia Mitchel Chief Road Stewards Sagar and Roopal Patel Minute Secretary Clare Stringfellow Social Secretary Noel Hehir Website Manager David Merrigan Editor Trixi Leschinsky Committee Members Linda Green, Alfred Tyndale Any Other Business Michael Maurice explained that the traffic congestion around College Road, Grasmere Avenue and Carlton Avenue East made life very difficult for residents in that area, as well as the 223 bus service. A solution must to be found. Christine Coates informed the meeting that the Preston Library Campaign was still very active and the new lead at Brent Council gives a glimmer of hope. The meeting closed at 8.20pm. 10
SKPPRA
Newsletter
Spring
2014
AGM 20th May 2014 at 7pm An important event for the purpose of talking to your committee, making decisions for our area and attending to the business of running SKPPRA for the benefit of all residents. Please stay afterwards for our social get-together, a chat over a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits or perhaps a glass of wine. Please try to be there about 10 minutes before 7pm so that you can be seated and we all are ready for the AGM to start on time. Notice is hereby given that the AGM 2014 for the South Kenton and Preston Park Residents Association will take place at
The Church of the Annunciation, Windermere Avenue on Tuesday, 20th May at 7pm
Nominations are requested for the posts of Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Minutes Secretary, Website Manager, Newsletter Editor, Chief Road Steward, Social Secretary, Committee Members and Honorary Auditors. Please use the form below to send your nomination(s) to Trixi Leschinsky, Editor, 9 Allonby Gardens, Wembley HA9 8QX by 12th May 2014 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------South Kenton and Preston Park Residents Association Nominations for Officers/Committee 2014/15 I hereby nominate (name and address of the person you are nominating) ........................... ................................................................................................................................ for the position of ................................................................................................ Proposed by (your name and address) ........................................................................ ................................................................................................................................ Seconded by (name and address of the person who supports your nomination) ...................... ................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................ Signature of person nominated (to indicate consent) ............................................... 11
SKPPRA
Newsletter
Spring
2014
A Rough Guide to Health Service Complaints Let the person know In the first instance it’s generally best to go back to the person who treated you. Most good professionals will welcome the feedback and the chance to put things right. Be polite, tell them what you were expecting and what you think has gone wrong. Dentists and Doctors surgeries usually have practice managers who will deal with complaints. In a larger NHS trust you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison service. They act as a go between for the patient and healthcare provider. Taking it National If you can’t agree on a solution with your health care professional there are various national bodies that can help. The National Health Service Ombudsman can investigate complaints about NHS treatment if you remain unhappy with the outcome of your complaint. If your complaint is against an individual provider you could try the regulatory body. Bear in mind that these bodies exist to protect the public from unsafe healthcare professionals and cannot intervene in financial disputes. The General Medical Council regulate doctors including all specialists. The General Dental council regulate Dentists and other dental professionals such as Dental technicians and hygienists. The GDC also have a related body called the Dental Complaints Service, this is for private dental patients who want to seek redress from their dental professional. There is also the Nursing and Midwifery Council, The General Pharmaceutical Council and the Healthcare Professions Council which deals with a range of professionals such as Chiropodists, Paramedics, Physiotherapists and more. This is not an exhaustive list of regulators. Regulators all have websites now and will have telephone listings too. A relatively new body is the Care Quality Commission they have powers of inspection and regularly inspect premises where healthcare services are being provided. You may wish to contact them for concerns problems such as unhygienic premises. Clinical Negligence Where you have suffered loss or injury as a result of healthcare treatment that’s gone wrong, you may wish to look at bringing a clinical negligence case. You will need to instruct a lawyer. The Law Society can help you find a suitably experienced solicitor in your area. There are some lawyers out there who can take on cases on no win no fee basis. Be sure to act quickly as there are time limits. CS 12
SKPPRA
Newsletter
Spring
2014
Obituary Philip Tanner January 2014 It is with sadness that we have to report that Philip Tammer of 7 Fernleigh Court has died in Northwick Park Hospital after a fall at home. He was 98 years old, and still lived on his own. Though physically a little frail, he was mentally as bright as a button still. Everyone who knew him is very upset. Peter Cain Carpe Diem - cont. from page 6 Rottingdean village itself is well worth a visit. It is built in a gap between the cliffs. The High Street has very narrow pavements. A helpful signboard describes the various places to see, including the museum in The Grange. Naturally there is a selection of restaurants and cafés. On this occasion my favourite coffee shop, a place of unusual character called Beyond Design, was closed for refurbishment, but I found another, the Open Art Café. There are frequent buses to and from Brighton. My suggestion would be to take the sea front bus, destined for Eastbourne or Saltdean, and return by the hilly route; bus 2 or 2A. This bus winds its way up through Woodingdean, finally emerging at the top of the hill with panoramic views before passing by the racecourse. This is not at all like the Brighton we think we know. DMP 2/3/14
Preston Park Bowls Club opens on 26th April at 2.00pm. Come and try Bowls. Free coaching and the use of equipment is available. Contact Stella 020 8933 9358 or Richard 020 8204 1223. Wembley Art Society meet Fridays from 10am-12 in the Church of The Ascension Hall, The Avenue, Wembley Park HA9 9QL. Car park plus street parking on non-Event days. Visitors £2.00 per session. For details contact Pam Edkins on 020 8904 7574. On the 26th March the first meeting of a new branch of the U3A (University of the Third Age) in Kenton took place. For further information about the U3A go to http://www.u3a.org.uk/u3a-movement.html 13
SKPPRA
Newsletter
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2014
Brent Council contacts* * Please note that the description regarding pavements, roads, etc. are mine because these are the people who replied to my email enquiries. If in doubt, send your question to the department you find on the council website, www.brent.gov.uk. Trixi
Dangerous Pavements Ziggy Gaca, Principal Contract Maintenance Engineer Environment and Neighbourhood Services, Tel: +44(0)20 8937 5183 Road Layouts, Design, Traffic Chris Durban, Team Leader – Design Team Highway and Transport Delivery, Mob: 07920 378698, Tel: 0208 937 5293 Principal Trading Standards Officer, email Winston.Brooks@brent.gov.uk Citizens Advice Bureau, 08444 111 444 for doorstep crime or any consumer protection related complaints and advice. Preston SNT, Wembley Police Station , 603 Harrow Road, Wembley HA0 2HH email: Preston.snt@met.police.uk. Northwick Park SNT - 0208 7333163, Dan.R.King@met.pnn.police.uk
You are all invited to add to this list. SKPPRA Committee for 2013/14 - Officers Chairman, Michael 020 8904 1750, chair@skppra.co.uk Treasurer, Julia 020 8908 0094, treasurer@skppra.co.uk Chief Road Steward, Sagar 020 3371 0259, roadstewards@skppra.co.uk Newsletter Editor, Trixi 020 8904 4795, editor@skppra.co.uk Website Manager, David 020 8904 2387, website@skppra.co.uk Minutes Secretary, Clare, 020 8904 9699, clarestringfellow@btinternet.com Social Secretary, Noel 07791 620219, noel_hehir@hotmail.com Committee members Linda Green, 020 8908 0173, lrg@skppra.co.uk Sean Mendis (co-opted), sean.k.mendis@gmail.com Alfred Tyndale, 07984 160588, 020 8904 3264 14
SKPPRA Road Stewards Spring 2014 1. Allonby Gdns 1 - 16 2. Ambleside Gdns 1 - 47 3. Ambleside Gdns 2 - 48 4. Arnside Gdns 1 - 28 5. Carlton Ave East 131 - 173, 160 - 200 6. Carlton Ave East 175 - 213, 202 - 252 7. Carlton Ave East 215 - 233, 254 - 314 8. College Rd 1 - 22 9. College Rd 23 - 64 10. Coniston Gdns 1 - 25, 2 - 26 11. Coniston Gdns 27 - 51, 28 - 56 12. Conway Gdns 1 - 35 13. Derwent Gdns 1 - 39 14. Ennerdale Gdns 1 - 27 15. Fernleigh Court 1 - 10 16. First Avenue 1 - 32 17. Glendale Gdns 39 - 69, 44 - 56 18. Glendale Gdns 1 - 37, 2 - 42 19. Grasmere Ave 1 - 37, 2 - 50 20. Grasmere Ave 39 - 67, 52 - 100 21. Grasmere Ave 69 - 111, 102 - 140 22. Grasmere Ave 129 -137, 212 - 284 23. Grasmere Ave 113 -127, 142 - 210 24. Logan Rd 1 - 67 25. Logan Rd 2 - 56 26. Longfield Ave 1 - 18 27. Lulworth Ave 1 - 24 28. Montpelier Rise 1 - 21, 2 - 22 29. Montpelier Rise 23 - 47, 24 - 36 30. Montpelier Rise 38 - 92, 49 - 85 31. Rydal Gdns 1 - 37, 2 - 42 32. Rydal Gdns 39 - 69, 50 - 74 33. Second Avenue 1 - 23 34. Third Avenue 1 - 31, 2 - 40 35. Thirlmere Gdns 1 - 41, 2 - 40 36. Thirlmere Gdns 41 - 63, 42 -100A 37. Thirlmere Gdns 65 - 101, 102 - 136 38. Warren Close 1 - 4 39. Windermere Ave 1 - 27, 2 - 52 40. Windermere Ave 54 - 102 41. Windermere Ave 29 - 67, 146 - 194 42. Windermere Ave Flats & Shops 43. Windermere Ct 1 - 24, 25 - 48 44. Woodford Place 1 - 30 CHIEF ROAD STEWARD
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