Wimbledon Civic Forum
Executive Committee report to Annual General Meeting
7 December 2004

1. Summary

1.1. Wimbledon Civic Forum continues as a low income low expenditure organisation which reacts to topical issues, and is there for community and residents associations to give them more voice, communicating via the web site and the Bulletin.

1.2. Key issues going into 2005:

- Electromagnetic radiation - power lines and mobile phone masts. Still a lot of concern about this, and our forum on 14 September 2004 raised as many questions as it answered.

- Licensing and public order. Following two previous forum meetings and representations to the council, the Act is now coming into effect and there is concern at the effect on Wimbledon Town Centre and the Village.

- Urban design - green spaces in Wimbledon
A recent Business forum identified this as a key concern, with areas such as South park gardens, part of a Lottery Fund bid, Central Wimbledon landscape for example outside Centre Court, and other areas such as the Rush in Merton Park.

- The X list - buildings to be replaced - continuing interest in identifying eyesores and buildings for redevelopment.

- Healthcare provision - further steps towards a new Nelson hospital, subject of a forum in February 2005.

2. Update.

2.1. In previous reports we have identified tasks for the forum, and we update you as follows:

- Youth Forum. Memu has been established, with our support.

- Community participation in Local Government has continued, through Health forums
community plan, meetings re licensing, and representation on the design panel

- Forums held in 2004 were:

5 February 2004 -Wimbledon Area Forum*
1 March 2004 - Obesity and Food
22 April 2004 - Faith Schools
22 April 2004 -Wimbledon Area Forum*
10 June 2004 - Urban Design
1 July 2004 - Wimbledon Area Forum*
8 July 2004 - Plough Lane redevelopment forum
9 July 2004 - Transport Forum
14 September 2004 Radio Masts

* Area Forums are held by LB Merton and supported by WCF.
Thanks to all who participated in these forums.

2.2. Other activities included
7 September 2004 Land Disposal (design Competitions) Bill - support to our MP in drafting a bill springing from concerns over Atkinson Morley development.
participation in Arts Centre steering group
Representations regarding licensing

2.3. Communications.
The web site at www.wimbledoncivicforum.org.uk continues to be well used, as is our bulletin board
The printed newsletter, The Bulletin was issued in the Summer and another will be issued just before Christmas

2.4. Future forums planned are:

Health Needs and Provision in Wimbledon -Wednesday 23 February 2005 6.30 pm - Drake House

Licensing Forum - March 2005

Refugee Forum - April 2005


3. Finance.

The Hon treasurer will update on the reporting year and also our current finances.
The Forum continues to operate on a low income low expenditure basis, with no expectation of future Lottery funding.

4. People.

4.1. The executive committee currently consists of:
Marcus Beale (chair
Ken Wilshire (vice chair)
Tony Tsoukkas (co-opted)
Colin McDermott (Hon Treasurer)
All have indicated their willingness to stand for the coming year.

4.2. Liz Webber is helping with administration (seconded from MBA)
We are still searching for an Hon Secretary.

4.3. More volunteers are needed, we are pleased to welcome a number of new members of the Forum during the past year.








Marcus Beale
Chair Executive Committee
7 December 2004