Welcome to my latest Community Update.
If you have friends and family who are interested in receiving local updates, please do pass it on or they can sign up to receives updates on the front page of this website.
Queen’s Speech
Last week, the Queen’s Speech set out this Government’s programme and will allow the promises set out in the Conservative manifesto to be enacted.
I spoke in the Queen’s Speech debate in the House of Commons, which you can read here.
South Wimbledon / High Path Estate Regeneration Plans.
Also last week, Circle Housing Merton Priory (CHMP) announced their latest regeneration plans for the High Path Estate, including an indication of the formal offer they would make to all residents.
The plans lay out a development of social and private housing to be developed in phases over the next decade, with a park through the middle of the Estate. I have held two open meetings with local residents and several meetings with the Residents’ Association (HPRA) and individuals. CHMP’s plans should only proceed with the approval of local people so I shall be meeting with the HPRA again soon.
Furthermore, the quality and timeliness of repairs provided by CHMP remains a major concern. A recent incident highlights why local people are enraged by CHMP’s mismanagement; a number of residents received letters telling them that they were to have new kitchens and upgraded bathrooms and then were even asked to remove items from the kitchens. However, these letters had been sent in error, leading to many people being inconvenienced.
I have spoken to both the Managing Director and Chief Executive of CHMP about this incident and the ongoing issues with repairs. Whilst CHMP claim the repair service is improving, there is clearly more to do. I am pleased to say that Deborah Upton (CHMP Exec Director) has agreed to meet representatives of local residents with me in the near future.
Mucky Merton
Thank you to all of you who recommended places that need cleaning. I am compiling a complete list of the sites that you and local councillors have identified and will be presenting them to Merton Council.
In addition to holding Merton Council to account and seeking considerable local improvements, I will be holding a number of Community Clean-up Mornings between now and the end of the year. The first of these will be in Trinity Ward on Saturday 13th Junewhere I shall be joined by ward councillors James Holmes, Charlie Chirico and Abdul Latif, meeting at Garfield Recreation Ground, on Garfield Road starting at 10am for about an hour and a half.
Dates for your diary
Saturday 13th June
Community Cleanup Morning - join me and local Councillors from Garfield Recreation Ground, Garfield Road from 10am to help clean up Mucky Merton
Holy Trinity School Fair - in South Park Gardens opening at Midday
St Mary’s Merton Park Summer Fair - held in the grounds of the Church Hall from 11am-3pm
Bishop Gilpin Seaside Splash Summer Fair – from 12.30pm-3.30pm
Sunday 14th June
Watch Dragon Boat racing in Wimbledon Park - held to raise money for Shooting Star Chase from 12pm-4.30pm
Saturday 20th June
The Priory School Fete - grand Opening at midday
Dundonald Church Silver Jubilee Day - cake cutting ceremony at 2pm in Dundonald Park
Friday 26th June
Armed Forces Day Big Brew Up - in Queen Alexandra Court from 11.30am-3pm
Saturday 27th June
Armed Forces Day Parade and Flag Raising – at Merton Civic Centre from 10am
Wimbledon Guild Annual Summer Fair - Wimbledon Common, with various events starting at 9.30am and the Grand Opening at 11.00am
All Saints' Primary School Summer Fair - 11am-2pm (Leyton Road/East Road site)
Sunday 28th June
Wimbledon Park Primary School Summer Fair – from 12pm-3pm
Monday 29th June – Sunday 12th July
Saturday 4th July
Joseph Hood Primary School Summer Fete - Midday onwards
Thursday 9th – Saturday 11th July
Lantern Arts Centre are holding a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. For tickets and more information, please visit www.lanternarts.org
Thank you so much for all those who submitted their events and dates for this issue of my community update.
You can follow me on twitter @S_Hammond or on www.facebook.com/stephenhammond.net