Meeting overview
The first Forest Hill attracted about 100 people from all over the ward on the evening of Tuesday 20 May 2008. Formally opened by Cllr Philip Peake who chaired the meeting, a cross section of the community attended including a 47% representation from BME groups and 33% disabled representation. The average age of attendees was between 35 and 54.
Over 80% of the people who attended the meeting agreed that the meeting was well organised, they learnt more about local issues in Forest Hill ward and felt that they were given the opportunity to discuss issues of importance to them.
Some of the positive quotes received from the feedback forms completed by participants are as follows:
- "An excellent start, very well organised."
- "Very well organised, issues discussed benefits the local council and the people."
- "An excellent start to which I hope will be a really effective pressure group to get things done - at last."
What we agreed
There were a number of issues which came out of the assembly, which will help to inform the priority plan for the ward. The top nine issues in order are as follows.
| Bad points about living/working and playing in Forest Hill |
Numbers |
% |
| Shops/pubs/restaurant improvement |
52 |
23.64 |
| Traffic issues |
38 |
17.27 |
| Dirty streets and flytipping (no 11) |
32 |
14.55 |
| Lack of community centre |
27 |
12.27 |
| Lack of youth provision |
24 |
10.91 |
| Public transport |
12 |
5.45 |
| Crime |
11 |
5 |
| Highways |
10 |
4.55 |
| Parking |
10 |
4.55 |
In terms of issues raised on the night, the current decline of Forest Hill shopping area featured high on the list of issues raised. The lack of variety of shops and empty shops were all of great concern to both traders and residents. A dedicated town centre manager was suggested as one of the solutions, as well as identifying funding streams to develop the high street to make it a more attractive and viable place for business.
Another issue raised on the night was parking. Attendees felt the red route and the lack of parking is another reason for the decline of the Forest Hill shopping area.
What's happened
An interim co-ordinating group comprising 10 people of mixed gender and ethnicity was established at the end of the meeting. The group chaired by Cllr Peake will examine issues raised at the meeting in more detail on the 1 July and plan the next assembly meeting which will be held in September.