your church street ward zine april 2016

“I want to know what is going on?

What is happening and when is it happening?

How can I get more involved in local matters?”

If you live, work or study within the Church Street Ward, then this Zine is for you; brought to you by the Church Street Ward Neighbourhood Forum. We created this Zine to help address some of the questions, rumours and uncertainty about the proposed developments in the area. We also want to tell you about the upcoming Annual Meeting on 5 April and the draft Neighbourhood Development Plan policies that came out of the Urban Room at 99 Church Street last Autumn.

The Forum is run by local people for local people. We exist to improve the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of the Ward. The Forum is your voice to address local issues and promote opportunities. It also organises community activities and events, and helps to promote networking for residents, businesses and social clubs.

The Forum is only as strong as we all make it – we need you to get involved and make your voice heard. Have a look at this Zine and see what we are up to. Anyone can get involved – no experience is necessary and everyone is welcome.

The Neighbourhood Forum is not part of the Church Street Futures Plan or Westminster Council. We do regularly communicate with these stakeholders but the Forum is an independent organisation, with independent views and independent statutory rights.

− INTRODUCTION

HAVE YOUR SAYCITY OF WESTMINSTER COLLEGETUESDAY 5TH APRIL 6-8PM

Come to our Annual General Meeting (AGM) to discuss and find out about:

• The Neighbourhood Forum’s activities over the past year. • Farrells’ local community initiatives on architecture and

planning.• The Local Projects Shelf at the Church Street Library, by

the Serpentine Galleries.• The Showroom’s film-making and local history projects.• Create Church Street - the community arts fund, from the

Futures Plan Arts & Culture team.• The Neighbourhood Development Plan and draft policy

themes.• Proposed developments in the neighbourhood, including

the Futures Plan, West End Green and the ToppsTiles site. • Upcoming community celebrations, events, local clubs,

societies and facilities.• Opportunities to get involved.

Meet your neighbours and enjoy free refreshments in the award-winning City of Westminster campus building.

Please spread the word to your friends, neighbours and colleagues - we are all volunteers and here for the Church Street community – we want to meet you!

CHURCH STREET WARD

DO I GET A SAY?IS MY VOICE HEARD?IT’S MY AREA TOO!

MADE UP OF RESIDENTS, WORKERS, BUSINESS OWNERS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS

OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED IN 2014

THE FUTURES PLAN AND POTENTIAL

DEVELOPMENTS MEAN CHANGE FOR THE AREA

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

FORUM

PRODUCING A NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN

(GENERAL PLANNING POLICIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF

LAND IN THE WARD)

WE NEED YOU TO HELP FORM THE POLICIES THIS SUMMER

TO THEN VOTE ON THE PLAN THIS AUTUMN

WESTMINSTER COUNCIL UNDER A LEGAL DUTY TO

BRING POLICIES INTO FORCE

INDEPENDENT OF WESTMINSTER COUNCIL

The Church Street Ward is a community of communities where multiculturalism works. A global crossroads constantly changing and providing a home for the broadest range of people and livelihoods. With a history of new arrivals fitting in with its inner London vibe and that most democratic and human-scale of spaces, a street-market that exists at its heart.

The Church Street Ward Neighbourhood Forum is where increasing numbers are finding their voice to shape the part of the neighbourhood that matter to them – and there is space for everybody. We are Church Street and we care about improving this special place.

– WE ARE CHURCH STREET

Population 10,565

37% of households earning less than £20,000 per year

53% of residents born outside UK

90% feel people from different backgrounds

get on well

“Minority groups need to be included more in decision making (for example police work/neighbourhood development), and offeredthe right training and salary so we can tackle societal issues effectively.

Utilise different social groups’ insights into different social issues.”

– WE ARE CHURCH STREET

*compiled from Westminster City Council’s 2015 ward profile for Church Street

15.9% unemployed

4,719 residential properties

56% live in social housing

− THE URBAN ROOM

Farrells (internationally recognised architect planners, based in Hatton Street) published a report in 2014 examining the future of architecture and the built environment. The ‘Farrell Review’ engaged with a wide range of people, industries, institutions and agencies.

One recommendation from the review was that: “every town and city should have an Urban Room, for exploring our past and planning the future”. With the Church Street Ward moving through the beginning stages of the Futures Plan and other major developments, setting up an Urban Room seemed like a logical and necessary decision.

“a little collaboration

and co-ordination

will go a long way”Sir Terry Farrell

The Urban Room opened on 99 Church Street and proved to be a fundamental move in attempting to bring the community and many agencies involved in the renewal programme together under one roof. With very little time and resources, it was decided the space should stand as a blank canvas – offering residents, businesses and entrepreneurs the chance to host events or simply pop in for a chat about the area. One key criteria from the offset was that the Urban Room must be a space for people to freely express their views on the Ward’s future, past and present.

,

The Neighbourhood Forum, PDT, Community Champions and partners

host the Urban Room at 99 Church Street

SEPTEMBER 2015

ACTIVITIES

WORKSHOPSDEBATES

COFFEE MORNINGSTABLE TENNIS

ARTS & CRAFTSLINE DANCING

CAPOEIRA

− THE URBAN ROOM

Providing this free space allowed many local individuals and residents to express a variety of thoughts and feelings. All who stopped by the Urban Room had something to share, be it a story, an enlightening quote or a good joke. The room encouraged interaction between groups that many said they neither had the opportunity nor reason to interact with beforehand.

There were some truly memorable, emotional and constructive conversations about the area’s future and how local communities in general might best address some of the issues that currently face society today.

The space itself was greatly appreciated. With a rapid decline of spaces offering people the time to just simply be in each other’s company and learn a little more about each other was a topic discussed regularly. The Urban Room was a welcome offering to this community.

All feedback and comments gathered in the Urban Room are now helping to inform the Neighbourhood Development Plan for Church Street. The community’s frustration over the lack of information on the Futures Plan and other developments was duly noted, and more information will be released soon by Westminster Council.

The Forum would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who made the Urban Room happen. To those who voluntarily hosted activities, attended events, contributed to the material on display, and all who took an interest in the room and Church Street Ward’s future.

“Just believe in yourself! I believe

in this room. Together we can

change the world!”Local resident

OVER

VISITORS

COMMENTS ABOUT:

CHURCH STREET’S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT & PARKINGLOCAL PLANNING HERITAGE NIGHTLIFE

OFFICE SPACE RETAIL SPACE GREEN SPACECRIME SAFETY COMMUNITY FACILITIES

HOUSING THE MARKET LOCAL ECONOMY

Communication is key. Redevelopment inevitably means change, places may be closed, changed, and even privatised. We must support each other to make sure we influence that change in the way that we want it. We are social beings and this movement is yours.

By joining the Forum we will support you in taking issues, ideas and concerns forward - rather than depending on outside forces to make all the decisions that ultimately have the biggest effect on you and your neighbours. We have the power and just as much right to the development process as all the other stakeholders involved.

JOIN US ON THE 5TH APRIL WHERE WE WILL DISCUSS THE PROPOSED POLICY THEMES PUT FORWARD IN THIS ZINE.

ALL COMMENTS AND DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN USED TO HELP INFORM THE NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN

− URBAN ROOM

“Blessing to the Urban Room

from the urban shamans”Local resident

“I think this room is about making

the area a better place”Local resident

− HOW TO USE YOUR ZINE

This publication has been created to communicate the key themes that emerged from the Urban Room. Alongside offering a range of activities the Forum also collected a number of comments from the community.

Those comments have helped us to shape a number of draft policies. These will eventually be taken forward to create a Neighbourhood Development Plan for the Ward. It will be for the community by the community. It will have to be taken into account for any future development in the area.

At present the policy themes are drafts. We now need your input to help shape them. We have collected them into 5 main themes and the comments that helped to inspire them are displayed on the surrounding pages.

At the end of the policy section you will find a blank cut-out page. This is for you to write any notes, feedback, comments and suggestions on. What do you think about the proposed policies? Do they represent your needs? Have we missed anything out?

Fill out the page and drop it into the Neighbourhood Centre at 88 Church Street, or bring it with you to the AGM on April 5th.

You will find the Forum’s Charter at the end of the publication.

− THE NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Planning, the process through which urban development is controlled by a local government authority. It is necessary to get involved where possible with the planning system; as it is an important tool through which we can affect the way our area changes and grows in the future.

‘We are all urban planners’

A Neighbourhood Development Plan is a community-led framework for guiding the future development and growth of an area. It may contain aims, planning policies, proposals and a vision for improving the area / providing new facilities, or allocation of key sites for specific kinds of development.

Based on your comments from the Urban Room and other recent community engagement activities, we think there are some local issues and opportunities that are not currently covered by Westminster Council’s City Plan or the Futures Plan. We intend to form policies to address these. So far we have identified some general policy themes. These will be worked up into formal policies that the community must vote on, so your views are important.

The themes can be grouped under five headings:1. Placemaking in the Church Street Ward2. Development sites and affordable housing3. Community, public realm and heritage4. Enterprise, employment, creative industry

and retail strategy5. Transport and parking

“Why do people moan about stuff

but do nothing about it?”

Come to the AGM April 5TH to discuss the polices


Do you hold strong views on any of these themes? Are you passionate about making Church Street Ward a better place to live and work? Are you concerned about the type and amount of development in the area? Have we missed something important?

Please get in touch:Email: [email protected] [email protected], or drop into the Neighbourhood Centre at 88 Church Street.

Local resident

“Make the arts and antiques shops

a special policy area to protect them”

“A space for local artists! There needs to be

studio space for artists in the area

and space to showcase their work”

“It's nice that they are improving the

area, but keep it affordable to poorer

people”

“Protect local shops, regulate their rents

so they would not be forced out

when the environment is improved”

“What planning is in place for public

service infrastructure (GPs, schools etc.) for new residents?”

“The market should be protected”

Urban Room comments



CD

A

B

M

K

J

I

H

G

E

F

Neighbourhood development mapDevelopments planned for the neighbourhood


Information is based on public documents and is assumed correct. However, the Forum cannot guarantee its accuracy

A: Futures Plan Phase 2Redevelopment of Council-owned buildings. Details to be released Summer 2016

B: 382-386 Edgware Road (#Venture 382) Extension and conversion to 9 homes (none affordable)Developer: Graham Family TrustArchitect: Studio Map

C: West End Green Mixed use development of 652 homes (126 affordable)Developer: Berkeley HomesArchitect: Squire & Partners

D: The Green SpineHigh quality open space from Lisson Street to Fisherton Street

E: Cosway Street Residential redevelopment (scope to be confirmed in 2016)Developer: The Futures Plan, Phase 1 site

F: Christ ChurchRedevelopment of Grade II* listed church to a table tennis centreDeveloper: Greenhouse SportsArchitect: Latitude

G: Tresco House Conversion of offices to 33 homes (none affordable)Developer: Longulf Trading (UK) LtdArchitect: Darling Associates

H: 2 Ashbridge Street (former depot)Redevelopment to provide 38 homesDeveloper: Pocket LivingArchitect: Haworth Tompkins

I: Tresham CrescentRedevelopment as a Community BuildingDeveloper: The Futures Plan, Phase 1 site

J: Lisson Arches New sheltered housing development of 59 homesDeveloper: The Futures Plan, Phase 1 site

K: Luton Street Mixed use development of 146 homes, sports centre and community space (57 affordable)Developer: The Futures Plan, Phase 1 site - Londonewcastle and Bouygues Development Architect: Flanagan Lawrence

L: Orchardson StreetNew building with 3 ‘show homes’ for social rent, designed with community involvement (all affordable)Developer: Westminster Community HomesArchitect: Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios

M: 466-490 Edgware Road (Topps Tiles)Redevelopment of petrol station and 76 homes (47 affordable)Developer: AlmacantarArchitect: Farrells

L

− PLACEMAKING IN THE CHURCH STREET WARD

Placemaking is the phrase used to describe the planning, design and management of public spaces.

“People are being isolated and

there is no community.”

“It would help to have a place where languages could be exchanged.

I would like to learn Arabic and can teach English.

Language barriers are a big problem in this area.”

“Community means togetherness. Each group sticks to their own kind.

Challenging that is important because by meeting other

people you learn about life from other perspectives,

people seem to be narrow minded on all sides.”

− PLACEMAKING IN THE CHURCH STREET WARD Urban Room comments

PROPOSED POLICY THEMES:

Placemaking needs to be at the heart of the Neighbourhood Development Plan. This will enable us to assess future development proposals on how they enhance our neighbourhood. This doesn’t just mean how something looks or what it is used for - it includes ensuring that the social, economic and environmental impacts directly benefit the local community.

This is not about ‘gentrification’ or benefiting some people over others. It is about ensuring that we create the conditions to promote the best outcome overall for a sustainable community in the face of intense development and population pressures. Come to the AGM April

5TH to discuss the polices

− PLACEMAKING IN THE CHURCH STREET WARD

“I’d like activities and events in the evenings.

Something to bring life to the area at night”

“Projects and spaces where the community

can work on cohesion”

“Something socially constructive should be done

with all the empty shop spaces on the high street”


“Open a community run supermarket - create local jobs,

and profits can go towards local development

(fill in the Council’s cuts)”

“Improve the appearance of the market”

Urban Room comments

− DEVELOPMENT SITES AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Affordable housing describes the housing provided to those eligible whose housing needs cannot be met by the housing market. Affordable housing can include social rented, affordable rented and intermediate housing. The term ‘affordable’ can often be applied loosely to housing as rents/sales prices can be charged up to 80% of the market value of a property.


Given the uncertainty outlined above, we have to be realistic about what can be achieved through a Neighbourhood Development Plan if the law changes, but our objectives are to:

1. Ensure that the Futures Plan is delivered according to the proposals voted on by the local community, and challenge any future delays to the programme.

2. Maximise affordable housing for a range of occupier types (social rented, affordable rented and intermediate housing). We will aim to identify a minimum level of affordable housing in developments.

− DEVELOPMENT SITES AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING

“Regeneration projects are pricing people out. They are not

solving the housing crisis. Poor people can't afford to buy

those new homes, no matter how much they want to believe

they are 'affordable'. They are just making developers richer

because only investors and wealthy people can buy them.

We don't want that. We want projects that invest in local people,

provide truly affordable housing and keep our community together.”


The government is currently in the process of passing a housing bill which will have a big impact on the housing that a local council like Westminster can provide to its citizens. This is a problem that will affect people across London not just in Church Street. It is currently unclear as to what the new housing bill will mean for social housing in Church Street.

3. Seek to encourage refurbishment / retrofitting of existing housing stock where possible. This will be more environmentally sustainable, reduce physical and social disruption from redevelopment, and enable occupiers to remain in their existing homes and maintain stable communities.

Local resident

“Affordable housing for my parents”

“We need more housing. There is a problem with

overcrowding (three people in one bedroom)”

“Need to provide decent and affordable

accommodation for all - working / not working /

young / old / single people / families”

− DEVELOPMENT SITES AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING Urban Room comments

“They should be more fair with who they put into

houses. There is a lot of bias towards newcomers

rather than longer standing residents”


Public realm refers to the publicly owned spaces; be it streets, pathways, open spaces, parks, as well as any public and civic building or facility.

− COMMUNITY, PUBLIC REALM AND HERITAGE

“More trees and green space”

“A community art wall for painting and decorating”

“Open the community centre back up for elderly people”

“Creative spaces for young people”

“More play areas for children like Venice Sports”

− COMMUNITY, PUBLIC REALM AND HERITAGE

The spaces and places around us can affect how we feel about our neighbourhood. They can make us feel happy or sad, proud or repulsed, stressed or relaxed, safe or threatened. With focused policies, we can regain control over the public realm, making it nicer for everyone.


1. Identify ‘assets of community value’, and apply for statutory protection where relevant. This could include community centres, pubs, parks, sports facilities, and others.

2. Prepare a retail strategy for the Church Street Ward that reflects the type of shops that local people want. To also plan to protect and promote the Arts and Antiques sector, and facilitate better market facilities for traders and customers.

3. Identify a ‘greening’ strategy throughout the neighbourhood based on community-led initiatives like urban gardening. Community-owned gardens will be better maintained.

4. Undertake a heritage survey of the Ward, to ensure that examples of our rich social history are appropriately managed and protected

5. Build on the Church Street Arts and Culture Strategy to identify opportunities for those businesses and organisations to thrive – and choose to remain within Church Street Ward.

Urban Room comments


− ENTERPRISE, EMPLOYMENT, CREATIVE INDUSTRY AND RETAIL STRATEGY

We are proud of our independent shops, traders and businesses. We have an entrepreneurial local economy, which is something very special to find in central London. We also have a large and diverse creative sector that hosts many community activities. A Neighbourhood Plan can’t directly create jobs but it can help provide space to encourage enterprise and employment. Additionally, we continue to strive for better training and employment opportunities for local people.


1. Ensure offices, studios and workspaces provided in new developments reflect the characteristics of the local economy and our strong spirit of enterprise, not simply a fashionable use that ‘ticks a box’.

2. There are vacant shops on Church Street, a struggling retail environment on Bell Street and Lisson Grove, and intense competition for space on Edgware Road. We will prepare a retail strategy for the Church Street Ward that reflects the type of shops that local people want. We will try and coordinate this with our neighbouring wards.

3. Help the shop-owners and stall-holders to plan for better facilities to enhance their businesses, e.g. van storage, loading areas, toilet facilities, customer parking and security cameras.

4. Engage with developers at an early stage to maximise opportunities for local employment.

5. Build on the Church Street Arts and culture strategy to identify opportunities for those businesses and organisations to thrive – and choose to stay on Church Street Ward.

“Local jobs for local people”

“Proper three year apprenticeships in plumbing,

carpentry, bricklaying and painting - skills for jobs”

“Workshops for locals starting businesses”


− ENTERPRISE, EMPLOYMENT, CREATIVE INDUSTRY AND RETAIL STRATEGY

YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE FORUMOver a quarter of our community is under the age of 22 and half our Ward’s population is under 35. Add to this the young people who come to school or college in the area, and it’s easy to see that young people are hugely important to the neighbourhood and its future. But they don’t often get asked what they want. We are working hard with local youth organisations to change this.

The Diary Room was a dedicated space inside the Urban Room for members of the community to come and record their thoughts and feelings about the local area and its future. Paul Campbell and Justin Shadrach from Working with Men (WWM) visited the diary room to share their ideas on how to create local employment opportunities by involving marginalized groups in the redevelopment. “There are often programs where people are offered jobs but they are short term or the offer of a job is presented as a promise in order to populate courses for funding. Young people in this area need long-term work and real opportunities. We need a strong commitment to working with particular groups in the area. Not just one off initiatives. Setting up a training centre or working with local colleges to offer additional courses, followed by employment, will enable young people to play an active role in the redevelopment process and be a part of local change. The view of many in the community is that businesses and corporations are looking to push out the working classes. It can feel like much of the new developments are targeted at the wealthy and do not appear to be for the “poor minorities”

Working With Men is a specialist award winning charity supporting positive male activity, engagement and involvement. WWM has expertise working with boys and men who are socially or economically disadvantaged, marginalised or isolated. The aim of the Ventoring Project (VP) is to increase confidence and self-esteem and provide opportunities for jobs, training and education for all those that engage with the service. ‘We aim to provide pathways towards a life away from criminality and to re-integrate those young people who come to us disengage from mainstream society. In addition, we help these men to sustain effective relationships with key agencies and projects beyond our initiatives. We want to work closely with relevant stakeholders to insure that both the men that we work with and those directing development in this area get the opportunity to work with each other. Please get in touch if you wish to discuss any of the points raised further”.

CONTACT PAUL CAMPBELLEMAIL: [email protected] PHONE: 07806 335475

Justin Shadrach and Paul Campbell in the Diary Room

− TRANSPORT AND PARKING

Church Street has great public transport but its central location gives rise to problems such congestion, pollution, ‘rat-runs’, double parking and accidents. These can only improve with a neighbourhood-wide strategy and effective enforcement. Several complex projects are under consideration that will affect the area, e.g. the Baker Street Two-Way project, Cycle Superhighway and Cycling Quietways


1. To continue working with Westminster Council and the Highways Agency to drive a coordinated transport and parking strategy across the Ward. Particular attention will be paid to parking for commercial businesses.


What do you think about the proposed policies? Anything missing?Tell us what is important to you or what we should include?Use the space below, cut out the page and drop it in to the Neighbourhood Centre

ADD YOUR THOUGHTS, COMMENTS, IDEAS, FEEDBACK, DRAWINGS ETC. HERE:

NAME

EMAIL

We are looking for 21 committee members, including a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson.

No experience is required – just a passion for the neighbourhood and a commitment to uphold

the Aims and Objectives of the Neighbourhood Forum. Turn over to complete the form.

POSTCODE

Cut out this page and post it to the Neighbourhood Centre at 88 Church Street NW8 8ET

or bring it to the AGM on 5th April 2016

alternativly please email to [email protected] or sara@[email protected]

Application Form for candidates to the Management Committee

Full Name: Email:Phone number: Address:

Please circle which apply to you:

• I live in Church Street Ward• I work / study / serve in Church Street Ward• I have a different involvement in Church Street Ward (please specify below)

Please circle which position(s) you are applying for:

• Management Committee Member• Chairperson• Vice-Chairperson

In no more than 200 words please describe (i) your reasons for applying, (ii) your knowledge, experience and commitment to Church Street, and (iii) any previous involvement in Church Street community life. (iiii) Additionally, if you are applying for the role of Chair or Vice-Chair, please provide details of your relevant stills and experience. Thank you.

1. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES1.1 The Church Street Ward Neighbourhood Forum is established for the express purpose of promoting and improving the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of Church Street Ward. Specifically it aims to:

• Make the environment green, attractive, safe and clean;• Promote the commercial vitality of the area, in particular Church Street Market (shops and stalls);• Promote employment opportunities for residents;• Ensure decent and affordable housing for all;• Promote better health for all;• Ensure good educational opportunities for all;• Ensure good recreational opportunities for all;• Promote the arts;• Promote inclusivity;• Promote community involvement in the development of policies.1.2 The Forum aims to carry out neighbourhood planning for Church Street Ward in consultation with the local community and the City of Westminster.1.3 The Forum provides a space for public debate and information sharing. It aims to bring together a wide range of different interests, from people living in the ward to those delivering services, to discuss issues and problems and suggest solutions. Forum meetings aim to be as open and inclusive as possible.1.4 The Forum will promote information flow between Forum members and the wider community.

2. MEMBERSHIP2.1 Membership is open to:

• Individuals who live in Church Street Ward (resident members);• Individuals who work in or serve Church Street Ward (whether for businesses carried • Out there or otherwise);• Church Street Ward Councillors.

2.2 Applications for membership of the Forum should be made using the prescribed form and include contact details. Applications may be delivered by post, in person or by electronic mail to the address at the end of this document.2.3 Any dispute about eligibility for membership will be passed to the Management Committee for resolution.2.4 All Forum members must adhere to the Equal Opportunities Policy.

3. FORUM MEETINGS3.1 The Forum will hold an Annual General Meeting and at least one other meeting each year.3.2 Meetings of the Forum will take place at times and in venues accessible by all members.3.3 Fourteen days’ notice will be given of meetings of the Forum. Notices and agenda will be publicly available in both electronic and printed form.

− CHURCH STREET WARD NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM CONSTITUTION 2015


3.4 Members of the public will be welcome to attend meetings of the Forum.3.5 The Chair of the Forum, or in her/his absence the Vice-Chair, will preside. If neither is present the meeting will choose another of its members to preside.3.6 The quorum for the Forum will be eleven members, including at least six resident members.3.7 At the Annual General Meeting the Forum

• Will receive a report from the Management Committee on its activities during the past year.• Elect a Chair and a Vice-Chair, who will be ex-officio members of the Management Committee. At

least one of them has to be a resident member of the Forum.• Elect any other officers it deems appropriate.• If judged appropriate, confirm an organisation to act as agent for the Forum.• Elect 19 other members of the Management Committee, ensuring that residents form a majority,

that it includes at least one Ward Councillor and that it is broadly geographically and ethnically representative of Church Street Ward.

• If judged appropriate, set a membership fee.3.8 Decisions will be made by consensus. Should a consensus not be possible all members present may vote, except that a member who has a conflicting personal, family or financial interest may not preside, vote or participate in discussion. A simple majority on a show of hands will decide. In the event of a tie, the person presiding will have a second and casting vote.3.9 Minutes of each meeting of the Forum will be publicly available in both electronic and printed form within 21 days of the meeting.

4. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE4.1 The Management Committee will be responsible for all the business of the Forum except for that prescribed in this Constitution to the Forum itself.4.2 The Management Committee will comprise 21 voting members, including the Chair and Vice-Chair, elected by the Forum at its Annual General Meeting. If the Forum fails to elect 21 members, the Management Committee may appoint extra members up to the designated number, ensuring that residents form a majority, that it includes at least one Ward Councillor and that it is broadly geographically and ethnically representative of Church Street Ward..4.3 The Management Committee will meet at least four times a year at times and venues accessible by all members.4.4 Seven days’ notice will normally be given of meetings. Notices and agenda will be publicly available in both electronic and printed form.4.5 Members of the public will be welcome to attend meetings of the Management Committee.4.6 The Chair of the Forum, or in her/his absence the Vice-Chair, will preside at meetings of the Management Committee. If neither is present the Management Committee will choose another of its members to preside.

4.7 The quorum for the Management Committee will be seven members, including at least four resident members.4.8 In the event of a resignation or persistent non-attendance without good reason, the Management Committee may appoint a replacement member of the Management Committee.4.9 The Management Committee may co-opt non-voting members.4.10 If an agent is appointed to whom functions of the Forum are delegated or contracted, then at least one representative of the agent must attend each meeting of the Management Committee in a non-voting capacity.4.11 Members and officers of the Council and representatives of other bodies may be invited to Management Committee meetings to provide advice or to observe.4.12 The Management Committee may prescribe the procedure for nomination to the Forum Annual General Meeting for membership of the Committee. 4.13 The Management Committee may itself submit nominations for election to the Management Committee to the Forum Annual General Meeting. Election will however remain the responsibility of the Forum, which can reject nominations from the Management Committee.4.14 Decisions of the Management Committee will as far as possible be by consensus. Should a consensus not be possible all members of the Committee present may vote, except that a member who has a conflicting personal, family or financial interest may not preside, vote or participate in discussion. A simple majority on a show of hands will decide.4.15 Minutes of each meeting of the Management Committee will be publicly available in both electronic and printed form within 14 days of the meeting.4.16 The Management Committee will submit a report on its activities to the Forum Annual General Meeting.

5. FUNDING5.1 The Forum may raise money by applying to grant-awarding bodies, either alone or in partnership with similar organisations, through levying a membership fee if judged appropriate, and through other fundraising activities.

6. PARTY POLITICAL ACTIVITY 6.1 The Forum will not affiliate to any political party or any organisation associated with a political party.

7. CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION7.1 Changes to the constitution may only be agreed at the Forum Annual General Meeting or at a special Forum meeting convened for this purpose. Proposed changes must be set out with the notice of the meeting. A two thirds majority of those present and voting is required for a change. The person presiding does not have a second or casting vote in this instance.7.2 The Forum will have an initial lifespan of five years.


Created by Voist for the Church Street Ward Neighbourhood Forum.

Content copyright © Voist ltd. 2016

BE PART OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENTPLANJOIN US ON 5TH APRIL CITY OF WESTMINSTER COLLEGETUESDAY 5TH APRIL 6-8PM

CONTACT US

ONLINE: mapifychurchstreet.co.uk

TWITTER: @cswnf #lovechurchstreet

EMAIL: [email protected] or [email protected]

POST: Neighbourhood Centre, 88 Church Street, NW8 8ET

your church street ward zine april 2016

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