Local news
Notes from Raynes Park Forum - 9 December 2014
Management of Parks and Other Local Issues
Councillor Andrew Judge, Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration, gave an overview of proposals for the future management of Merton’s parks (a summary note is available here )
In response to questions on the management of Merton’s parks, Councillor Judge explained that outsourcing the management contract will be done on approximately a 25-year basis, to encourage bidding companies to invest in parks; however, break clauses will be included to allow early termination of the contract if the contractor underperforms. In addition to parks, any bidder will need expertise in sports grounds and grounds maintenance.
The Parks contract will be a single one, between both Sutton and Merton; however, each borough will have its own team managing the parks in its area. Current Parks' staff will be transferred over via TUPE to the successful bidder. Consultation on the subject continues, including with Friends of Parks groups.
Councillor David Dean is working on a social enterprise bid with unions, parks staff and Friends of Parks for the contract.
Other local issues
following the sale of 28 maisonettes, at "Raynesfield", Grand Drive, that were police properties, Councillor Judge led a petition which has resulted in a change to policy on the sale of police properties. Any such properties with sitting tenants will now have to be sold to social landlords, giving tenants security of tenure.
A decision has been made to implement a residents’ Controlled Parking Zone in the Cambridge Road area of Raynes Park.
Health
Dr Sion Gibby said the St George’s Hospital had been appointed as the provider of services at the Nelson, which is on schedule to open on 1st April 2015. All 25 GP practices in Merton are forming a federation of practices, which will allow patients to access various services from different practices; they are bidding for government money to provide more services in the borough.
Kingston Hospital’s car park is no longer pay and display, but pay on exit. Customers can also now pay by credit card and there are more spaces. The hospital’s Audiology service has been accredited; and audiology will also be provided at Raynes Park.
A tour of the day unit at Kingston Hospital is being held on 11th February and is open to all.
Ride London
Ride London 2015 will take place, passing through Merton on Sunday 2 August. The format will be the same as Ride London 2014, with hand-cycling, the mass participation event, and the professionals’ race, which the BBC will televise. The proposed route will be the same, with the same road closures.
James Taylor from Ride London and Christine Parsloe, Merton Council’s Leisure and Culture Development Manager explained that they are meeting with community groups in Merton to look at how management of the event can be improved and to fix the problems that occurred during Ride London 2014. This included using a new stewarding company in 2015 and looking at improving access and egress around the route for residents. Communications around the event will commence in the New Year. Leaflets will be distributed to the whole area in the summer, highlighting where access points will be.
The Ride London team is also happy to work in advance with anyone who may need access arranged for specific reasons such as health concerns, a wedding or holidays. There is a dedicated telephone number and email address on Ride London’s website for this.
Current and Anticipated Planning Applications, including the Rainbow Estate
Neil Milligan, the Development Control Section Manager at Merton Council, provided an update on planning applications:
An application has been submitted for the Rainbow Estate. A five-week consultation will be carried out on the application, which is likely to go to committee around April 2015. The council is investigating unauthorised advertising hoardings going up on roads.
Raynes Park Bereavement Service Launch
A free bereavement service has been launched, run by trained volunteers across Raynes Park.
Click here for further details, contact 07914 263420 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
