Notes of meeting 5 February 2003
Present: 16 attending - see attendance sheet Action
1. Introductions
Introductions and welcome to all new members
2. Note of January meeting
Agreed
3. Pedal Power
The latest edition of Pedal Power was distributed. This month it was copied by Peter Millbrook but Hilary suggested that we approach David Moorhouse to see if it can be photocopied by the council. The Cycling Officer for Tower Hamlets currently copies newsletters for the Tower Hamlets group. Barry agreed to speak to David Moorhouse.
4. Greenwich Cycling Strategy and LCN+
Barry and Nick hope to meet with Councillor Brooks before the end of February to discuss our cycling strategy but anyone else who is interested is also welcome to come along. Barry reported that he has let the Tower Hamlets group see our cycling strategy and the Barking & Dagenham group have also asked for a copy.
Four main routes have been prioritised for the LCN+. These are likely to be:
Plumstead - centre (Southbank)
Hampstead - centre
West London - centre
South London - centre via Brixton
£200m will be invested in the LCN+ over the next 5 years. Camden council is currently drawing up detailed designs. Barry suggested that we should allow them to produce the plans first before we make any comments.
5. The Thames Path and Sustrans
Rushton reported that he had not yet received a list of all of the landowners along the Thames Path yet but will chase this up.
Groundwork staff will be walking along the relevant section of the Thames Path on Tuesday 11th Feb. at 11am. Rushton is hoping to be there but anyone else who is interested is invited to come along. They will be meeting outside the front of Alcatel on Christchurch Way.
Frances asked about graffiti along the Thames Path and to whom we should report this. Barry suggested that individuals should contact the landowners and ask them to clean it up.
6. Green Chain Management Plan 2003-8
The consultation document stated that there would be no feedback on suggestions. However Barry had received an e-mail from Greenwich Council thanking him for our comments. Few comments had been received, the main ones coming from local rambling groups who were "pleased that the document did not mention cyclists". Other comments related to poor signposting of the route.
Greenwich Council said that they would change the document to mention cycling and would promote the opportunities for cycling where possible. If money permitted they would try to create extra paths for cyclists where practical. Barry agreed to forward the e-mail to the e-list.
7. Greenwich Community Network
Jason couldn’t be at the meeting but Barry reported that he had received 1 vote (from us) for election onto the Greenwich Community Network. The successful candidate was Anne Hutchinson, a Greenwich councillor. Barry had received a few calls from the press although they had not been used. Despite the outcome it was a good start to get 1 vote and Jason would still be able to attend meetings even though he couldn’t vote. The first meeting is scheduled for the end of February.
Barry had questioned the running of the election with the Electoral Reform Society arguing that there should be proportional representation since there were only 2 groups in the Religious section and 5 in the Environmental one.
8. Planning Issues
The biggest issue is the future of the Dome site. The last chance to view the exhibition will be on 10/11th Feb at the West Greenwich Arts centre from 11-6pm. A public meeting will take place on Mon 10th Feb between 7-8.30pm. Barry agreed to put these details on the e-list. It was agreed that those that could make the meeting agree a list of comments and submit these to the council by the deadline of 17 Feb. They will also e-mail these to the group.
The Thames Path will definitely stay open but Sustrans are anxious to get this improved. There is also the possibility that an East London river crossing will be created, in the form of either a tunnel or bridge.
9. Rides
Barry will put a list of rides for March on the website. Southwark Cyclists have started to organise a number of rides and these will also be added to our website. Tower Hamlets Cyclists have asked if their rides can be included on our list because they have started to organise rides on a regular basis.
Peter Millbrook agreed to lead the Easy Going ride in March and will let Barry have the details ASAP.
i) Bala - Karen S has got a deal with the White Lion Royal Hotel in Bala and has provisionally booked 10 beds (doubles / twins) at £20 per night. Barry agreed to e-mail those who have definitely said that they are coming and then he will e-mail the group. A deposit will be needed now with the balance to be paid later.
ii) International Women’s Festival - Karen Marks explained that we didn’t apply for funding this year although we do have reserves which could be used to run events. Hilary agreed to contact Gulton Fedayi at Greenwich Council to see if it is Hilary too late for events to be included in the schedule of activities for the festival.
iii) LCC grant - Hilary talked about the recent notice in the London Cyclist that mentions LCC’s plans to offer grants to groups to help run Bike2Work events and to groups arranging events focusing on women getting to work, mums and daughters, people from black and minority ethnic groups, gay and lesbian people, and all-ability cycling. Barry agreed to contact Mark Hubbard at LCC for more info.
10. Finances
Karen reported that we currently have a balance of £760 and made a profit of £200 last year. Each time we visit Herne Hill we make a profit of approximately £70 and last year minor profits were also made on the Dunwich Dynamo and the maintenance classes. We have also recently received a cheque for £109 from LCC for distributing TfL’s lorry campaign leaflets. The biggest expense continues to be room hire for the meetings but Barry has now managed to negotiate a 50% discount.
11. Any Other Business
i) LCC Mailouts - LCC is now outsourcing the magazine mailouts, which includes the insertion of borough group newsletters. This means that we will have to get Pedal Power to LCC earlier that before. Barry agreed to give Kate the new deadlines once he knows them.
ii) Constitution - Barry explained that our constitution states that we an independent group affiliated to but independent from LCC. LCC are currently looking at the future of the borough groups and are considering asking us to change our constitution so that we are a subsidiary of LCC, arguing that we cannot be affiliated to them but also independent. LCC will write formally to Greenwich Cyclists outlining their request but Barry said that this is an issue that we should be discussing once we know the implications of any change for both LCC and ourselves. Last year 105 Greenwich Cyclists were members of LCC. Currently there are 145 members, the increase largely being due to the introduction of the cycle maps.
iii) Herne Hill Velodrome - Barry provided an update on its future. 105 people were at the last meeting, of which approximately 10 were cyclists. A planning application has been lodged with Southwark Council but Barry urged everyone to e-mail the council with their comments by the mid February deadline. Please contact him if you need the contact details. It is hoped that an outline plan will be approved by mid March. The £8m bid would provide a covered track new building, lights, low intensity amplification and a new gym. If the velodrome gets
135,000 visitors per year it will survive financially.
iv) Dr Bike
Frances reported that she would be running another Dr Bike session at Goldsmiths College in early March. She would put details on the e-list for anyone Frances
that might be interested.
v) Headway sponsored walk
Xavier mentioned that it was National Head Injury Week at the end of Feb. The Organisation Headway was organising a sponsored walk from Blackheath - Greenwich in recognition of this. Xavier agreed to forward details to Barry to put Xavier on the e-list for those that might be interested. He would also be putting on a display as part of the week, in Deptford and would again let Barry have the details.