Despite all the turmoil in various parts of the world, life goes on in Streatham Vale, and the SVPOA continues to work on your behalf to preserve, protect and hopefully improve the Vale Estate. The reports of the committees explain in detail the varied interventions that have been made on environmental issues and social issues. The Allotment Committee has continued to host The Horticultural Show, Allotment Open Day and several BBQ’s to provide friendly and informal events where we can all come together. I would also like to thank Denise Gilmour for serving as the Membership Secretary for many years. It was decided that, now we have the new digital Topics, the role of Chief Road Steward could be combined with that of Membership Secretary.
We all want to live in a safe and happy neighbourhood. Attending Safer Neighbourhood meetings provides a chance to express concerns on anything from noisy neighbours to shoplifting. I have attended several of these during the year, not only to make sure our views are heard. I am afraid that the frustrating answer is often that the funding and manpower is not available to do anything! This was the gist of the reply I got when I raised with the Councillors the poor condition of the pedestrian crossings on the Vale, in particular the crossing at the end of Farmhouse Road. There have been many occasions when people have had to suddenly dash for safety when a car or bike has not slowed down. I myself saw a car speed down the road, overtake a stationary van waiting as people crossed the road. Luckily, the pedestrian darted back and avoided injury. Others have not been so fortunate. At least the Council can’t say they did not know about the problem if and when funds become available.
As you are all no doubt aware, the Controlled Parking Zone has not been brought in to force because of funding constraints. We will be watching for a new date for the CPZ to start as we are still aware that some of our local businesses could be adversely affected and seek to avoid this happening.
At the risk of repeating myself, your community needs you. We have vacancies on the Executive Committee. It is not an onerous commitment as we have eleven meetings a year. We then try to spread the load between us taking on particular topics where we can help. It is helpful to have people from all areas of the Vale. We still need Road Stewards to deliver some copies of Topics and to deliver introductory information about the SVPOA to people who move in to the Vale. Of course, it is open to any resident to contact us with information about either worrying and pleasing things that are going on in our community.
I hope to see you all at the AGM and hear what you have to say about life in Streatham Vale.
Juliet Mitchell
Chair
SECRETARYS REPORT TO SVPOA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Unfortunately, the Association has been without a Secretary for the last year so there is no report. Please do consider putting yourself forward for this extremely vital role for 2026.