Agenda item
Matters arising (if any)
Minutes:
Bank at former youth sailing base site
Geoff Johnson (Woolmead Residents’ Association) advised that the condition of the bank next to the marketing centre had worsened since the date of the last meeting. He added that should anyone wish to contact Barratt Homes direct regarding the issue, he could provide them with the relevant email address. The Chair noted that there was an item on the agenda relating to this issue.
Crop Protection Association (CPA) leaflet regarding insecticides
Clive Cohen (London Wildlife Trust) noted that he had advised at the previous meeting that he had liaised with property services to ensure that a CPA leaflet was distributed to libraries and relevant properties and further to this, had recommended to the CPA that they should pursue a similar strategy with other local authorities. As an update on this issue, Clive Cohen informed the committee that the CPA had approached other councils and been successful in distributing the leaflet in this way.
Treatment of invasive species
Clive Cohen queried of Neale Hider (Environment Agency) what the recommended approach was to the treatment of Japanese Knotweed. Neale Hider advised that there were only two herbicide/insecticide treatments for Japanese Knotweed which could legally be used within the United Kingdom in areas within close proximity to waterways or bodies of water. Neale Hider advised that he could forward a written response to this issue to the committee. Councillor Rayner (LB Barnet) sought confirmation that Barnet council’s approach to treating Japanese Knotweed was in accordance with the advice of the Environment Agency. Neale Hider asserted that it was and explained that local authorities were required to submit an application to carry out such treatments. These applications required that the location and date for these proposed treatments were specified. Both Barnet Council and Brent Council had submitted applications as necessary for works that they wished to complete. Clive Cohen reiterated his concern that the chemicals contained within these treatments contaminated the food chain. He noted that the most likely way for this to occur would be via honey bees and queried whether the treatments took place prior to the flowering season. Neale Hider advised that Himalayan Balsam did not require any treatment but added that as it was one of the richest nectar sources in Europe currently. Japanese Knotweed did require treatment as it both spread vegetativley and could cause damage to buildings and other structures. Giant Hogweed also required treatment as it represented both an environmental issue and a health and safety concern. The Chair thanked Neale Hider for his contribution. The committee was asked to forward any further queries regarding this issue to the Chair at cllr.javaid.ashraf@brent.gov.uk; he would then liaise with Neale Hider to follow these up.
Cool Oak Lane Bridge
Geoff Johnson informed the committee that the issue regarding Cool Oak Lane Bridge was on-going. The committee was reminded that this issue related to the use of Cool Oak Lane Bridge by heavily loaded Lorries seeking to access the site which had previously been occupied by Hendon Nursery. The material being carried by these uncovered Lorries was being distributed during transit in the form of dust over the surrounding area. Geoff Johnson added that the problem was now being addressed by Barnet’s Planning department who had issued an enforcement notice to the company using the site. An appeal had been submitted against this notice and was currently being considered by the Planning Inspectorate. The Chair noted that it was suggested at the last meeting of the committee that complaints on this issue should be sent to Barnet Council. The Chair queried of Jenny Warren (Greenspaces Services Manager, LB Barnet) whether she had received any feedback regarding complaints about this issue; Jenny Warren advised that she had not. Geoff Johnson added that there was a weight limit of 7.5 tons for the bridge and there were concerns of the physical damage being caused to the bridge. Judy Shepherd (West Hendon Community Forum) advised that the bridge was of historic value. Neale Hider added that if members of the committee would forward him further details of the materials being transported by the company, he would check these with the relevant team at the Environment Agency. The Chair added that he would liaise with Neale Hider regarding this issue if members wished to email him with any further information regarding this issue. Geoff Johnson added that the dust was detrimental to the health of residents and bird / animal life in the surrounding area and Councillor Julie Johnson had complained about this.
Environmental Impact Survey / Contamination of waterways
It was noted that it had been agreed at the previous meeting that it should be ascertained whether testing of waterways still took place and an update was sought in relation to this. Neale Hider advised that he would address this issue during his verbal report to the committee.
Clive Cohen commented that it was important that the quality of the water was regularly tested to enable any pollution of the waterways, particularly from the Brent Cross Development, to be tracked. Clive Cohen further commented that in previous years there had been a significant pollution issue caused by unmonitored cess pits and faulty household connections in and around Totteridge, Barnet. This was significant for the Welsh Harp area as the waterways in Totteridge flowed into the Welsh Harp. Neale Hider advised that this was an issue for Thames Water to address. Neale Hider further advised that Thames Water had recently conducted an area wide survey of sewers in the Totteridge area, following two incidents which had occurred in this area and which had been reported to them by the Environment Agency. Clive Cohen reiterated that testing needed to be on-going. Neale Hider informed the committee that if they became aware of any pollution incidents they could call the Freephone twenty-four hour emergency hotline number (0800 807060) and these reported incidents would be investigated. If members of the committee had any general queries they could contact the Environment Agency via the general enquiries telephone number (03708 506 506 [Mon-Fri, 8am - 6pm]) or email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk. It was agreed that a letter would be written to Thames Water to obtain an update on this issue.