Residents Association Annual General MeetingThursday 21 March 2013, 8.00pm

Henrietta Barnett School Hall, Central SquareAll residents welcome • Refreshments

Residents Association Annual General Meeting

2012 Annual Report

In June the country celebrated the Queen’s Jubilee and there were street parties across the Suburb. In August Suburb residents also participated in a variety of ways in the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

These events featured throughout the year in our own Suburb News.

The results of the work of our Standing Committees is set out in detail elsewhere in this report and the RA remains grateful to all those Council members and others, who contribute to the process. These activities produce not only events which all of us may enjoy but also contribute to the effective preservation of our built environment, our trees and our green spaces. The Suburb Gallery also had an exceptionally full programme of successful exhibitions and our thanks are due to all involved.

The year had begun in more sombre mood, with the reopening of issues which date back to 2008, and the dispute between the RA and some of its members over the process of granting planning permission for the extensions to the Lutyens buildings which now house the Henrietta Barnett School. After much debate the RA Council agreed to an enquiry into the activities of the RA and its Committees at that time and this was undertaken for us by Professor Margaret Harris, an acknowledged expert in the examination and resolution of disputed issues which from time to time affect voluntary bodies. As part of the process residents, including those involved on behalf of the RA in the initial planning and

decision processes, were invited to give evidence to Dr Harris on a basis of complete confidentiality. The resulting report was published in April, having been accepted in full by the RA Council, and is now available on the RA website.

In our efforts to discover what residents want from their RA, we continued holding Open Meetings so that they could express their views. 2012 meetings included one with our MP Mike Freer, and another to meet candidates for the GLA elections. We discussed the Harris Report with Professor Harris and two meetings (with senior officers from Barnet) were devoted to Road and Traffic issues including the contentious issues of parking and controlled parking zones. Thanks are due to RA Council member, Richard Wiseman, for his expert chairing of these events.t A separate ‘local’ consultation was held with residents living near Annemount School in respect of the school’s planning application to enlarge their premises.

In all the above, the RA is especially aware of our dependence on residents with a range of experience and qualifications who willingly volunteer their time for the achievement of all we are able to do in the name of the Association. At the March 2013 AGM we will again be re-electing officers and members of the RA Council. We need new blood to carry on our work effectively both to serve on the RA Council and its committees and to undertake work on special projects. If you want to know more do talk to me or other members of the RA Council to find out more about what is involved.

I would also like to say a big thank you to David Lewis, who stood down as Vice Chairman of the RA after seven full years in office, for his advice and support since

Chairman’s Report

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I became Chairman in March 2009. It is good to know that he continues to serve on the RA Council.

In March 2012 we were pleased to welcome Jonathan Seres, newly elected as our Vice Chairman. His support has to me and to the overall organisation been generous and helped in effectively opening up new avenues of working.

Under its constitution the RA is a multi-purpose organisation. This can be a very flexible as well as demanding way to work but, however hard we try, the best results are not always achieved by doing everything ourselves! So, from time to time, the RA plays a major role in getting new initiatives off the ground before they are able to stand on their own feet.

Firstly our community library. After the closure of the Market Place library by Barnet council on 31 March 2012, it was re-opened by volunteers on 17 April after an RA working group had negotiated with Barnet since the previous August. The resulting Garden Suburb Community

Library is now an independent charity, but the RA continues to take a close interest in its well being. All of us in the Suburb have cause to be grateful to the initial volunteers who were all RA members who responded to calls for help via Suburb eNews and the HGS (email) Lists.

The viability of this small but vibrant library remains entirely dependent on a hard working team of local volunteers. Visitor numbers continue to rise.

The HGS Heritage project also reached a new stage in 2012. It has benefitted greatly from help from the RA in seed funding and people support and is now established as a separate charitable company with trustees, members and observers from leading Suburb organisations. The final aim is to have a Heritage group which includes a reception centre, Suburb archives, and a Suburb museum. Premises are being sought and a campaign with the Archive Trust is planned to collect Suburb artefacts and memorabilia before they waste away.

JANET ELLIOTT

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Financial Report for the year ended 31 December 2012

NOTE FROM THE TREASURERThis is my second year as treasurer and we continue to refine the financial controls of the RA.

You will see that expenditure was well within budget for 2012 resulting in a

healthy surplus, and the Gallery also did well enabling it to accrue for display boards which will add value to its future activities.

JEREMY CLYNES – Treasurer

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

INCOME 2012 (£) 2011 (£) Subscriptions 32,012 32,803Donations 29 224Admin fee from Fellowship 1,455 1,468Bank interest 46 23Garden Suburb Gallery surplus 128 176

Total 33,670 34,694

EXPENDITUREPrinting, stationery and communications 2,179 3,151Room & hall hire 2,598 2,700Honoraria 5,410 6,493Publications 668 773Events 4,248 7,328Suburb tree planting 3,250 1,650Sponsorship Proms at St Jude’s 2,750 2,750Allotments – water & gate - 2,700Tony Mandelson bench - 2,300Notice boards 1,102 -Independent enquiry 1,919 - Other expenditure 1,439 1,982Bank charges 18 21

Total 25,581 31,848

Surplus for the year 8,089 2,846

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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2012 – 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (a) The accounts have been prepared on an accrual basis. (b) Members’ subscriptions have been reconciled with the sums actually received during the year. 2. INTEREST: Interest has been received net of tax. 3. The Council, on advice, considers that tax liability will be immaterial.

HONORARY ACCOUNTANT’S REPORTI have examined the accounts prepared by the council for the year ended 31 December 2012. This examination comprised a review of the accounting records kept by the Association and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes a consideration of any unusual items or discrepancies in the accounts and seeking explanations from the Council concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

CURRENT ASSETS 2012 (£) 2011 (£) Cash at bank and in hand 10,228 18,512Balance on deposit 77,701 65,011Stock held at Gallery 442 442Debtors 3,606 3,992Share in Orchard Housing Society 1 1

Total 91,978 87,958

Less current liabilities (16,890) (20,209)

Net current assets 75,088 67,749

REPRESENTED BYAccumulated fund brought forward 40,416 38,320Surplus for the year 8,089 2,846Tony Mandelson Memorial Fund 95 95Dr Joy Edelman Legacy 1,488 1,488Centenary fund 25,000 25,000

Total 75,088 67,749

COLLECTION FOR FELLOWSHIPReceipts 12,560 12,444Less RA costs (1,455) (1,444)

Total 11,105 11,000

GARDEN SUBURB GALLERYIncome 10,253 12,509Expenditure (10,125) (12,333)

Surplus for the year 128 176

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would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. On the basis of my examination I have concluded that the accounts have been extracted correctly from the accounting records and are sufficiently supported by underlying documents and explanations provided to me by the council.

PR HARTLEY – Chartered Accountant PO Box 27075, London N2 0FZ

ALLOTMENTS

In the spring we were told there was a drought. By June we had a monsoon. But even so, allotment holders, whose plots were not flooded, surprisingly produced some magnificent crops.

The new water supply for the Asmuns Place site, funded by allotment rents, the Trust and the RA, was completed.

The Phyllis Young trophy was won by Gill Read on the Orchard South site.

We have a small waiting list but if residents would like more information, please contact Pia Duran on 8458 2300.

PIA DURAN – Chairman

CONSAM

The year has seen a number of changes to the committee’s membership. Unfortunately Alan Jacobs has retired after many years service and Judith Chaney has departed to concentrate

on the tree survey. We’re very sad to see them both go and thank them for their great efforts over the years. On a brighter note we’ve a number of new members: Louise Scheuer brings with her knowledge of Suburb matters; we’re very glad to have Max Petersen rejoin with his CAAC experience and, lastly, Jonathan Rowley – a trained architect – has joined and also represents the RA on PPC.

Committee Reports for 2012

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Consam members continue to work with Barnet and the Trust on street-scene issues. Rosalind Josephs and Jeremy Clynes have reported and progressed various matters including paving, damaged street furniture and bench repairs/replacements. Rosalind is currently liaising with the Trust and Barnet regarding the damaged Meadway Gate pergola. Additionally Tony Ghilchik’s extensive work to ensure the Suburb street lighting replacement was completed this year to the great satisfaction of the vast majority of residents.

Jonathan Seres, with help from others, is mid-way through preparing some information on energy conservation in Suburb properties for completion next year. These will aim to help house-holders conserve energy while complying with general planning and conservation area regulations.

In terms of engaging with the planning functions, Consam supply three committee members to PPC and two sit on the CAAC. We also continue to make representations to Barnet and other agencies on applications on behalf of the RA. Specific examples in 2012 include objections to the redevelopment of 21 Temple Fortune Lane, the partial demolition of 31 Ingram Avenue, the Chandos Lawn Tennis Club and Annemount school. We were very glad to see the first two of these applications rejected and a degree of moderation applied to the latter two. Additionally we’ve reported unplanned development (a dropped kerb in Brookland Rise, installation of plastic windows in Asmuns Place) to the Trust, Barnet Planning Enforcement and local Councillors as required.

Consam is also contributing to the overall review of Committee terms of reference following the recommendations of the Harris Report.

JOHN SELLS – Chairman

EvENTS

The AGM took place in the Free Church. Seating arrangements, health and safety compliance, sound equipment, food and drinks all are meticulously planned in advance to enable the meeting to run smoothly.

Just one Events Committee task. The distribution of posters to the RA notice boards throughout the year is another.

A further routine job is that of collecting events for Suburb News. Events compiles listings of activities sent by local organisations and the edited text will duly appear on the What’s On page.

In April, the Committee arranged a hustings of the GLA candidates for the constituency of Barnet and Camden – in the Free Church Hall – before a small but very enthusiastic audience. All the parties but one were represented. Brian Coleman (Conservative) declined. Richard Wiseman took the chair.

Lutyens’ great-granddaughter, Jane Ridley was principal speaker at the Michael Rowley Memorial Talk in May in the Friends’ Meeting House. This annual event – in memory of a popular and eloquent RA and Trust Council member – attracted a big crowd. Ms Ridley portrayed the great architect from a personal, rather than a professional, viewpoint.

A spell of wet weather presented an ill-omen for the Summer Picnic in July. Happily, the day turned out to be fine and dry. Central Square provided a festive venue for the coloured check-covered tables under the trees. The children were enthralled by the delightful clown entertainer, A quality jazz group lent just the right atmosphere and the traditional Punch & Judy show and a conjurer amazed everyone. There was praise for the high-quality of the Cultural

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Diversity Exhibition held in the Free Church, which added to the experience of the picnic afternoon. Exhibits from many countries of the world helped to illuminate our understanding of their distinctive cultures.

Sadly a projected increase in costs led the Executive Committee to seek Council’s agreement to the cancellation of the popular New Year party in St Jude’s and fireworks. Many regular attendees were understandably disappointed but there are hopes that it will be possible to resurrect the event in future years.

DAVID LITTAUR – Chairman

GARDEN SUBURB GALLERY

The Gallery enjoyed another successful year in 2012 with eight interesting exhibitions in addition to the regular sales of pictures, ceramics, books and cards – all the work of local artists.

The special exhibitions included Shirley Talerman’s botanical watercolours; a trip down memory lane for Ed Zanders and his sister with work by Beth Zanders their artist mother; marvellous still life photographs by Mary Davis; Roger Scopes joined forces with his daughter, also a watercolourist; powerful oils were shown by Monica Winner; Kay Graham and Barbara Jackson combined to delight and sell enough to, once again, contribute generously to the Hospice; Frances Bildner knocked us out with colourful abstracts and Gift Time at the Gallery rounded off the year with Kochi Okada’s exotic jewellery and Rachel Dein’s wonderful tiles.

Thanks to the volunteers who keep the Gallery open for residents to enjoy. If you would like to join us, please call 8455 9132.

RICHARD WAKEFIELD

LITTER TEAM

A party was held at Fellowship House on 5 July as a thank you to all those litter pickers who have helped over the years to keep the Suburb clear of litter. Unfortunately several people were unable to

attend but those who did enjoyed meeting others – many of whom did not know each other. It was a wonderful opportunity to bring the community together.

At present there are 108 litter pickers but it would be helpful and appreciated if other residents could occasionally pick up litter outside their property or on their walks. Should it be excessive Barnet Council will come along and clear it.

ROSALIND JOSEPHS

MEMBERSHIP

For some years now annual membership has remained steady at around 2000. We are grateful for all our supporters for providing the membership income which enables the Residents Association to

continue its work on behalf of all residents of HGS. However, there is always room for more and an increase in our membership would also increase our influence with LB of Barnet on your collective behalf.

As I reported last year, the number of members paying by standing order continues to grow and this method (which reduces administrative time and costs) is particularly popular with new residents. If you have not yet changed to this method of payment, it

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would be much appreciated if you could consider doing so for 2013 onwards

Some of our mailings – such as for the Annual Report – are done by post but residents who volunteer to deliver the Suburb Directory are greatly appreciated (one or two half days maximum of your time would be all that is needed). Contact me at ramembershipsec@hgs.org.uk or by telephone on 8455 2191.

Finally, may I again say a very big thank you to Steve Morris, who continues to maintain both the HGS website and the hgslist.

JANET ELLIOTT – Membership Secretary

PUBLICATIONS

The email newsletter Suburb eNews is now appearing regularly for those members who provide us with their email addresses when renewing their membership. It is proving useful for

informing and reminding people of upcoming events and activities. Please let us know if you are not receiving it and would like to do so.

Suburb News continues to appear four times a year and, thanks to Lorna Page with her team of over one hundred volunteers, is distributed free of charge throughout the Suburb. We owe thanks to the efforts of Richard Wakefield who continues to find the advertisers needed to ensure Suburb News, the Directory and the eNews are not a drain on the RA’s purse. We are grateful for their support which allows us to continue publishing.

The Suburb Directory – behind its now customary pictorial cover – continues to be a handy guide which provides residents

with useful local information on a wide range of subjects. It too is delivered free of charge and, as is the case with Suburb News, is easily consulted online by means of the website.

Please visit our website www.hgs.org.uk if you have not already done so. It provides a comprehensive coverage of the Suburb with a wide range of links to other organisations. Our continued thanks are due to Steve Morris for his stewardship of the site and the hgslist email forum.

TERRY BROOKS – Chairman

ROADS & TRAFFIC

2012 was a less disruptive year on our local roads following completion of the Henlys Corner works at the end of 2011. The new junction scheme mostly seems to operate smoothly with generally much shorter queuing

times for motorists and more negotiable crossing routes for pedestrians. The only persistent problem at the junction appears to be for eastbound traffic during the evening peak where tailbacks to Golders Green Road remain commonplace.

Within the Suburb both Barnet Council and Transport for London have continued to pursue aggressive enforcement policies against motorists. Over the course of the year the R&T Committee helped many RA members successfully fight unreasonable parking tickets and in particular we have helped residents record notable successes in a number of alleged dropped kerb and pavement parking cases. Less welcome is the fact that many residents continue to report dissatisfaction with the Council’s payment parking systems in Temple Fortune and the shopping street continues

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to show signs of stress which may in part be attributable to the cost and awkwardness of the Council parking schemes.

In the Market Place TfL have again exhaustively used their CCTV camera to target the poorly designated north side loading bay where tickets have been issued to shoppers and residents at the rate of more than 2,000 per year. During 2012 the R&T Committee helped three such motorists take a test case to independent adjudication and the result – obtained in January 2013 – was an emphatic victory which established that TfL did not have satisfactory signage arrangements in place beside the bay. Other motorists who have appealed against loading bay parking tickets will now almost certainly have these quashed. Following pressure from Barnet & Camden’s London Assembly member Andrew Dismore, TfL have now erected a second sign beside the loading bay which goes some way towards improving its visibility.

Residents should be aware that TfL has also used the camera to allege ‘distance from the kerb’ offences against motorists waiting to pull into parking spaces in the Market Place. We helped defeat one such allegation during 2012 and we are of the view that TfL would be mis-using the legislation if they were to pursue other similar cases as this law is designed to be used against motorists who have left their cars either double parked or parked in the middle of the road. Nevertheless residents should try to complete parking manoeuvres as quickly as possible in the Market Place and would be advised to drive on rather than wait if a departing car takes longer than thirty seconds to pull out.

There are strong hints from the Council that the Temple Fortune Controlled Parking Zone will be extended along Hampstead Way and perhaps into some other nearby roads during 2013. This may solve the

displaced parking problems which Hampstead Way residents have had to endure after traffic arrangements became distorted following the introduction of the CPZ in 2006 but the consequences may include the further displacement of traffic deeper into the Suburb. An enlarged CPZ is also likely to add to the difficulties for Temple Fortune businesses whose workers and customers may find it harder still to park. Although any such extension is likely initially to involve a restriction of only one hour per day the effects on business are typically felt for an additional period either side of the restriction and as we have seen elsewhere in the Suburb there are no guarantees that the controlled hours will not be increased at a later date.

GARY SHAW – Chairman

TREES & OPEN SPACES

The RA has continued to match Barnet’s spend on replacing missing trees. Once again, however, the combined funds were not quite sufficient to fill all the recorded gaps. Amongst these replacement street trees

the elm – a variety resistant to Dutch elm disease planted at the corner of Temple Fortune Lane and the Finchley Road – now has a fine plaque declaring ‘This Elm Tree Planted In The Year 2012 By The Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents Association Commemorates The Diamond Jubilee Of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’.

On Willifield Green we arranged for an oak sapling – intended as a replacement for an ancient oak which had to be felled in the crescent at Temple Fortune Lane – to be planted near a dying chestnut so that it can replace the chestnut in a year or two’s time.

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One of the beauties of the Suburb is the way Raymond Unwin planned the road layouts to retain many of the old hedgerow oaks as features of the area and we continue to oppose vigorously any applications to fell a healthy survivor of these oaks – the most recent example being one on the Asmuns Place Allotments. We are working with the Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust in their project to do a survey and create a database of significant trees – other than street trees – in the Suburb. One of the objectives is to identify all the surviving ancient oaks marked on Unwin’s map and other protected trees to add weight to future opposition to applications (usually by an insurance company) for their removal.

We continue to play an active part in the management of Hampstead Heath. The wet weather delayed completion of the works by the National Grid on the Heath Extension but the City will ensure the area is fully reinstated.

Towards the end of the year we were consulted by Barnet over plans to change the plantings in Central Square and, whilst against proposals to grass over the bedding displays, we would support replacing them with a more economical display of well-designed beds of shrubs and perennials, along the lines of the changes made by the City to their annual flower beds in Golders Hill Park. We are very dissatisfied with Barnet’s care of Northway Gardens and are exploring ways to improve the poor condition of the garden. We are also giving our support to a group of mothers with young children in their exploring the possibility of renewing the toddlers’ playground at the western end of Northway Gardens through their own planning and funding effort.

The Bigwood Action Days were continued during the year with three Saturday morning sessions in the spring and another three in the autumn. Walkers through the wood have been rewarded with seeing the

dormant wild flower seeds come to life in the glades that were coppiced last year by the enthusiastic group of residents, including families with young children, working under the direction of the Barnet Tree Officer. Six small glades have now been created; six donated nesting boxes were placed on old oaks; several sapling oaks were planted and a number of wild service saplings have sprung up in the new

Chairman ................................. Janet Elliott

vice Chairman .................... Jonathan Seres

Hon Secretary ............................................

Hon Treasurer ...................... Jeremy Clynes

Secretary ..................... Rosemary Goldstein

Simon Abbott ......................................2012

Peter Beesley........................................2010

Douglas Blausten .................................2010

Tony Brand ..........................................2012

Terry Brooks .........................................2011

Alan Brudney .......................................2010

Charles Gale ........................................2012

Tony Ghilchik .......................................2012

Colin Gregory ......................................2012

Stephanie Hurst ...................................2011

Eva Jacobs ............................................2011

Rosalind Josephs ..................................2011

David Lewis MBE .................................2012

David Littaur ........................................2009

Max Peterson .......................................2012

Judith Samson .....................................2009

John Sells* ...........................................2012

Gary Shaw ...........................................2011

William Sowerbutts ..............................2010

Rev Ian Tutton .....................................2009

Richard Wakefield ................................2011

Richard Wiseman .................................2009

*co-opted during 2012

Officers and Council 2012-13

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glades. The wet weather also encouraged the spread of bramble and ivy which were removed with relish. We will be continuing these Saturday morning sessions during 2013 with the next ones on 23 February and 6 April. Come and join us – we meet at 10am by the Memorial gate at the top of Temple Fortune Hill.

TONY GHILCHIK – Chairman

The101st AGM of the Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents Association will take place in the Henrietta Barnett School Hall, Central Square, NW11 on Thursday 21 March 2013 and will start at 8.00pm.

The business of the meeting will be:

1. To receive apologies for absence

2. To approve the minutes of the last AGM

3. To receive and approve the annual report and accounts for 2012

4. To elect officers and Council members for 2013/14

5. To consider the suggested annual subscription for the membership year 2014. No change is recommended

6. To appoint an honorary accountant

8. To appoint Honorary Life Members

9. To present Alexander Stuart Gray awards for 2012

10. Any other business

The following have been nominated by the Council as officers for 2013/14:

Chairman ................................. Janet Elliott

vice Chairman ....................Jonathan Seres

Hon Secretary ...........................................

Hon Treasurer ......................Jeremy Clynes

The following member, co-opted in 2012, is nominated for election to council

.....................................................John Sells

Notice Of Annual General Meeting Thursday 21 March 2013

The following members of Council have resigned, retire or retire by rotation.

Those marked * offer themselves for re-election.

..............................................Simon Abbott

...............................................Peter Beesley*

........................................ Douglas Blausten*

.............................................. Alan Brudney*

...............................................David Littaur*

................................................... Eva Jacobs

............................................. Judith Samson

............................................ Rev Ian Tutton*

........................................ Richard Wiseman*

Any member may propose members (who have been in membership for at least two years any preceding membership as an Associate member included) for officer posts and for Council vacancies.

Nominations must be in writing, have the consent of those being nominated and be signed by a proposer and a seconder who are members of the Association.

They should be received by the Secretary, Rosemary Goldstein, 1a Church Mount N2 0RW by 11 March 2013.

After formal business there can be a general discussion and questions from the floor following which we hope you will stay for refreshments.

JANET ELLIOTT – Chairman

FRONT COVER PHOTO (TOP) NIGEL SUTTON