Minutes from the local ward councillors

We held South Acton Ward Forum last Wednesday, 7th November. We received reports from the police, the park ranger, the envrio-crime officer and the anti-social behaviour manager. ARK, the developer of the new academy primary school on the Priory site, gave a presentation. Among the topics discussed were the traffic proposals for Gunnersbury Lane, the pond in Heathfield Gardens, a tree to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee, progress on Acton Town Hall and swimming baths, the Olympic Legacy and dogs and litter in South Acton Recreation Ground and Springfield Gardens.

Many of the councillors attended the afternoon Remembrance Service we always hold at Acton Care Centre on the Sunday before the main services. The extension to the original Passmore Edwards cottage hospital was built as Acton's war memorial. Some of us attended the memorial at Acton High School last Friday morning. Most of us attended the services at Ealing and Greenford yesterday morning. As immediate past mayor and mayoress, Pauline and I attended the service at Southall War Memorial, which was much more informal that the other two. We were made very welcome and we were very impressed by the large number of young people present who were not attached to uniformed organisations. We had only two problems: we did not know there are two St John's Churches or that I was expected to speak.

Work has begun on Acton Town Hall and baths. As far as I know it is on schedule for March, 2014.

A fortnight ago I spoke at a meeting about the regeneration of Acton and the development of The Oaks in particular. The meeting was held in the new West Three Art Gallery beside The George & Dragon in the High Street. The gallery has been open for about a month now and it is a tribute to the work put in by Acton Community Forum, the arts forum and local artists. Please visit it and keep it going.

The annual Christmas Market and Acton Shopfront Competition is being held again. The market will be on the Mount on Saturday, 8th December. Clap your hands and jump for joy: we have found a tree.

I have been up to the café in North Acton Plaiyng Fields several times recently. There is quite a range of activities organised by Acton Community Forum.

I am hoping we will soon have gates installed at the Billington Mews and CCTV outside CAPE. Dark nights has increased the problems with anti-social behaviour around there and Woodlands Park.

We have two anniversaries coming up next year. It will be Ealing's tenth year as a Fair Trade borough and the fair trade group are planning a celebration with other groups such as co-ops and churches who share their aims. The other one is the thirtieth anniversary of West London Trades' Union Club. We will be holding a celebration around May Day.

Best wishes from your South Acton Labour Councillors,

Joh Gallagher john.gallagher@ealing.gov.uk 020 8993 0017

Yvonne Johnson yvonne.johnson@ealing.gov.uk 020 8993 4166

Mik Sabiers mik.sabiers@ealing.gov.uk 07867 538646

12th November 2012