Sutton North residents had their say and learnt about a range of initiatives at a well-attended Sutton Local Committee meeting on 14 March.  Chaired by Cllr Marlene Heron, the committee considered:

• The ‘Sutton Plan’. Not to be confused with the Local Plan which sets out planning policies, the ‘Sutton Plan’ will set out how the Council will work with the NHS, Police, other public, private and voluntary sector partners to improve Sutton as a place to live and work.  We recognise that public sector budgets are reducing across the board and it is only by working more closely together that these budgets will go further.  Residents raised a number of questions including the lack of affordable housing.
• Citizens Advice Sutton (formerly the CAB) told us about the Advice Link Partnership (ALPS), the new integrated information advice service for Sutton they are running together with Sutton Carers and Age UK Sutton, giving us some telling stories of the benefits their service brings. It was felt this should be given wider publicity.
• The Sutton Green Toilet Block. Talks have continued for many years with the Lady of the Manor, who owns the title to Sutton Green, about refurbishing the toilet block, possibly as a café.  The opportunity for a local business to take this forward will shortly be advertised, and here is a chance for those who want to see the Green thrive to get involved and give support.
• Community reports. Representatives of residents groups reported on their activities, including:
  • Development of a marked trail in Collingwood Rec
  • Chaucer Gardens Easter Fair on 15 April
  • Prince Regent nominated as an Asset of Community Value
  • Sutton Garden Suburb residents also looking at ACV for their allotments.
• Area improvements. Among the schemes reported on were:
  • Litter bins outside Greenshaw are on their way and will be there when the works to the school are complete.
  • Ranfurly Road scheme for pavement parking
  • Oakhill Road pedestrian warning signs now in place
  • Consultation soon to start on extending hours of residents parking around the new Sainsbury’s
  • Noticeboards and litter bins for Rosehill Park now in place
• New waste collection. The meeting received a presentation from Council officers and Veolia (the new contractor) on the new arrangements.  Residents split into smaller groups and had the chance to have their individual concerns addressed.  All residents should have now received a leaflet, and the delivery of the new boxes has started.  These will contain additional instruction on what goes in each bin.  Further information is here.

The new scheme will save £10.3m over the life of the new contract, at a time when the Council budget is being cut by 50%.  Also it will encourage recycling and reduce the waste that goes to landfill.

The new service is bound to need a little time to settle in.  Any problems please call 8770 5000.  The Council’s inquiries team is being expanded and briefed to deal with queries.

• Public Question Time. As always there was a good range of questions from the public:
  • What about the possible move of the Courthouse doctors’ surgery to Robin Hood Lane? Every GP surgery is a private business and the Council has no say as to where they are sited. It is up to the doctors, not the Council.
  • When will the bus countdown be put up inside Sutton station? It is already there, but placed a bit high up.
  • When will the access audit be done for the bottom part of the High St? It has been done.
  • Are there plans for a pedestrian crossing in the High St near the junction with Burnell Road? This is being looked at.
  • We need more majestic trees in the High St!

The next Local Committee is on Tues 6 June at 7pm at the Salvation Army, Benhill Ave.  Do try to come along to catch up on what’s happening in our area.