Minutes 9th September 2008

Crystal Palace and Norwood Chamber of Commerce

Minutes of Meeting 9th September 2008

Venue: Patrick's in Westow Hill.

Attending: Ray Hall (*chair), Sarah Dacre*, John Greatrex*, Cllr George Filbey, Jane Arte Watt, Don Madgwick, Silke Rudolph*, Mark Mclauchlan (*membership), St Aubyn Waugh, Sadie Waugh, Ahmet Rashit. Gavin Rookledge, Stan Morris (*treasurer), John Cooke, Chris Stewart*, Bradley Millington, Wil Elner (*vice chair), Roger Sorell

*committee of management

Apologies: Andrew Parfitt*, Sue Nagle, Andy Stem and Vivienne Bartholomew

FUTURE EVENTS
Ray reported the events agreed and planned for the next 12-15 months. Each is designed to enable the business community to see its practical value, as well as its relevance to London and to the world stage as we prepare to play our role in hosting the peoples of the world in 2012 and beyond.

2008.
October 14th: Crystal Palace identity & branding led by Audrey Hammond and Ray.
November 11th: Crystal Palace Festival - led by John Greatrex.
December 10th: Crystal Palace Christmas Party 2009.
January 13th: New Crystal Palace in a renewed Crystal Palace Park - led by Ray.
February 10th: My Vision for London & Crystal Palace - led by James Cleverly GLA member for Bromley and Bexley.
March 10th: My Vision for Bromley, South London & Crystal Palace - led by Stephen Carr, Leader of Bromley Borough Council

Ideas for Future Guests
Leader Mike Fisher: My Vision for Croydon, South London & Crystal Palace.
Tessa Jowell MP: My Vision for the London Olympics & Crystal Palace.
Mayor Boris Johnson: My Vision for Ping Pong, London, the World & Crystal Palace

September 27th
Andy is organizing a spontaneous all Crystal Palace event that would follow the "Love our shops" theme. As a taste there would be space for stalls outside the Albert pub, a Jazz band in Church Road, the Alma market & at the White Hart. It would be from 10am. It is advertised in the Transmitter, on the same day as the history exhibition in the Library. John Greatrex will beat the bounds of the Triangle with the actual 1948 Olympic torch.

MAIN SUBJECT
The main purpose of the meeting is to understand difficulties with the One Way System and see how it can be improved in terms of safety and connectivity: to be more people and customer friendly. Chamber member Cllr George Filbey, who has an engineering business, led a presentation and a discussion which was very detailed and constructive. The one way system was introduced because of congestion. One negative effect is the 'race track' that is Church Road. George proposed 3 new pedestrian crossings and was given a mandate from the meeting to seek their implementation.

George also proposed an additional pedestrian crossing in Westow Street and again he was mandated to seek its implementation. Other ideas were tabled: a 20 mph speed limit around the Triangle, the removal of the no left turn from Central Hill into Gypsy Hill, a no vehicle box at eh junction of Westow Street and Church Road, 'show your speed' illuminated signs, chevron signs to require traffic slow down and a wider loading bay by the furniture shop in Westow Street. These other ideas will be reviewed at a future meeting. The discussion then widened and focussed into a car wash in Victory Place that was car clamping and fining drivers. George expressed deep concern for experiences he had heard of. Several members relayed stories corroborating George's concerns. It was agreed that members would email information to George as he seeks to remedy the problem.

George also stressed how important planning applications were and that approved schemes must strengthen the character and community in Crystal Palace and not undermine it. He made particular reference to schemes that were the affordable part of private schemes in e.g. the centre of Croydon. There was a strong debate in support of George's approach. George will report planning issues for discussion as they arise.

Ray thanked George for a very practical and passionate evening that could lead to actual benefit to the Triangle, businesses and customers. Ray also thanked the hosts of the evening, Patrick's, for an exellent venue.

NEXT MEETING
October 14th: venue to be notified: subject "The identity and branding of Crystal Palace".