minutes

Minutes

MINUTES

OF THE 50TH MEETING OF THE NOTTING HILL GATE IMPROVEMENTS GROUP

HELD 25 MARCH 2004 AT 7.30 PM

AT 223-225 WESTBOURNE GROVE (JOHN SCOTT’S HOME)

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Fiona Fleming-Brown, Andrew Pilkington, Willoughby Wynne.

2. PRESENT Those ticked in the distribution list below.

3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING The Minutes of the last Meeting of 4 December 2003 which had been distributed by way of our website were confirmed, approved and signed as a correct record.

4. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Tuesday 13 July 2004 at 7.30pm at 233-235 Westbourne Grove.

5. APPOINTMENT OF NEW PROJECT LEADER AND FUTURE OF NHIG JS, in some despair, implored members to consider those who might be interested in taking over this fascinating assignment.

6. FUNDRAISING £500 was received from Paul Weiland Film Co who had been making a publicity film in Westbourne Grove.

7. PROJECTS REPORT

a) Nadim Karam, Carnival Elephant It was reported that David Marshall had inspected the insurance file as previously requested and approved the insurance with Royal & Sun Alliance in the figure of £1M. Considerable discussion took place concerning the introduction of paving stones with bobbles to act as a warning to pedestrians in the vicinity of the sculpture. It was agreed that Nadim Karam should investigate the most appropriate way of installing such bobbles/studs.

b) 4 Columns Mosaic This was scheduled for early completion (now completed) and the Meeting was shown and approved a modest recognition for David Game House for which they have kindly agreed to contribute £5,000.

c) Eco Halo Funds of an estimated £1M are still being sought for this.

d) Tree Line (David Ward) The 9 Dawn Redwood for which NHIG had collected £10,000 have now be planted and should make a very significant addition to the “Greening of the Gate”.

e) Build-ups at Newcombe House The excellent planting scheme by Graham Swinburn of Dwarf Cypress trees with neat Box surrounds was much praised and considered by all a great improvement.

f) Campden Hill Towers James Rolleston reported that this block is to be decorated shortly and the Meeting expressed the strong hope that some interesting colour scheme would be incorporated.

g) Coronet Cinema The lease of the cinema in the hands of Panton Films is on the market for sale. Currently the most likely buyers are the Kensington Temple for use as a church. The Meeting discussed this at great length and felt strongly opposed to a change of use that would result in a loss of a much loved cultural feature of the area. A full and frank discussion took place with Ali Fadjady and Nadine Meyer, members of the congregation, who had attended following viewing of this meeting on the website.

h) Tree of Life Sculpture Drawings of this exciting sculpture were distributed to the Meeting and it was reported that costs were £125,000 and that a guarantee from Land Securities for £60,000 and the Grainger Trust for £15,000 had already been received and Members were exhorted to disseminate information and the need for funds for this scheme.

i) Colour Scheme for United and Astley House (Maggie Baynes) An exciting colour scheme by Maggie Baynes for these 2 buildings was distributed and discussed by the Meeting. Members approved this and it was anticipated that the effect would be just as rewarding as Maggie’s scheme for David Game House.

j) Art Print Project with Royal College Of Art (TN) Toni Newman reported that she had received sponsorship of £5,000 from Johnny Sanderson (£1,000 already received which will be used for promotion of the Print Project). 9 artists have submitted excellent images and the intention is to aim for 10-12 which, it is proposed, would sell for £5,000 for a set or £500 each with a print run of 25. The Meeting congratulated Toni on her achievements to date and after a discussion it was agreed that she should receive a 10% fee of the net profit achieved by NHIG.

8. FINANCIAL POSITION See statement attached. .

9. OTHER MATTERS .

a) West London Trams Proposal It was agreed, after discussion, that this was not feasible and not to be encouraged.

b) Excessive number of Estate Agents JS considered that there were far too many estate agents (A2 use of proposed A1 shops) and that this was having a serious effect on the tenant mix of NHG. His enthusiasm was not shared by the Meeting.

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS There being no further matters the meeting concluded at 9.45pm.

DISTRIBUTION (* = by invitation)

Toby Ackroyd	Petra Brown ü	Rob Brown	Christopher Buckmaster	David Campion ü
Fiona Fleming-Brown	Rita Laven *	Frank Leiberman ü	David Marshall ü	David McHugh ü
Robert Meadows	Peter Mischon ü	Adam Moy ü	Toni Newman ü	Dez O’Neil
Andrew Pilkington *	James Rolleston *ü	Robina Rose ü	John Scott ü	Anne Stoker *
Amin Taha *	Maria Vlotides	Iain Wilcock	Willoughby Wynne	Ali Fadjady* ü
Nadine Meyer* ü