Holland Park Residents Association AGM minutes, Monday 16th June 2025
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE HOLLAND PARK RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION HELD AT 6.30 p.m. ON MONDAY JUNE 16TH 2025 AT THE ECOLOGY CENTRE HOLLAND PARK
1. Welcome, introduction and apologies
1.1 (The running order was varied to accommodate various parties. Therefore these Minutes do not sequentially follow the Agenda running order.)
1.2. John Cowdry [JC], Chairman, welcomed Councillors Aarien Areti [AA], Lucy Knight [LK] and Johnny Thalassites [JT]; Committee Member Judy de Haas [JdH]; and all HPRA members (attendance as per register).
1.3. JC presented apologies from Joe Powell MP, the Holland Ward Police (PC ELenko Rizov), Committee Member Vanessa Bartulovic [VB] (attending the Kensington Society AGM), and members Sue Prag, Andrea Ruggeri, Antoine Abdini, George & Geraldine Thomas, Betina Kunzl, Emma Kamen and Amal Hallak).
2. Future of the HPRA in doubt; new Chair needed urgently
2.1. JC steps down as Chairman as at the end of this meeting because of other personal commitments. If no new Chair can be found soon, the HPRA may have to be dissolved (after about 28 years) and the assets (contents of bank account) distributed. VB has, in the absence of anyone being elected to the role, agreed to act as interim Chair; JdH has also agreed to stay on the committee but only in a supportive role (having served on the Committee for 20+ years, including 10+ as Chair).
2.2. JC suggested the Chair role could provide overall leadership, and several volunteers could take on specific roles within the HPRA Committee. While no one role is generally very demanding, currently dealing with traffic matters is proving to be fairly time-consuming. In the past, in addition to traffic, planning issues have been central.
2.3. Volunteers came forward at the meeting for Finance (Mr Amal Pramanik), Membership (Ms Jaana Tarma), and non-specific role/s (Mr Phil Lipton), but not for Chair or Traffic (or specific others, like Secretary).
2.4. The meeting resolved by a unanimous vote (after being proposed by Sir Peter Michael) that JC would continue to manage the HPRA bank account after this evening until it can be handed on pursuant to HSBC’s KYC formalities relative to the new ‘treasurer’ having been completed.
2.5. JC will send an email to the full membership appealing for a volunteer as Chair and warning of the risk of dissolution.
3. Policing – Safer Neighbourhood Team (Holland Ward), and security
3.1. Background data: can be found at www.met.police.uk (in the Search block, type “Holland”).
3.2. Holland Ward team: The current team is listed at the web address above (a Sergeant – Alexander Purnell, two Constables – Charlotte Wall and Elenko Rizov; and a PCSO – Roshane Wint). The meeting was told that only one Constable (PC Elenko Rizov) is fully in place currently, who was on leave at the time of the AGM.
3.3. Statistics: Recent Ward-wide statistics are available at web address above, and the Holland Ward total was 824 from May 2024 to April 2024. See table below for specifically Holland Park:
| Crime Holland Park | May 2024 to April 2025 |
| Burglary | 2 |
| Drugs | 2 |
| Theft from person | 2 |
| Other theft | 2 |
| Violence / sexual offences | 4 |
| Criminal damage / arson | 1 |
| Possession of weapons | 1 |
| Public order | 1 |
| Antisocial behaviour | 12 |
| Vehicle | 3 |
| All other crime | 0 |
| Total | 30 |
3.4 Neighbourhood Watch: none in place currently. There was a Neighbourhood Watch at one point, JdH advised, but it was little-used. A member suggested that a neighbourhood WhatsApp group be set up (Committee to action).
3.5 JC outlined “best practice” security procedures for persons, buildings and vehicles.
3.6 CCTV: the Council is investing in this; canvass Councillors about getting this on our streets?
4 Councillors’ Forum
4.2 As a reminder to members, our Ward Councillors are as follows (Committee Memberships sourced from Council website):
4.1.1 AA, currently Deputy Mayor, on Licensing Committee, Planning Applications Committee, Planning Committee; elected 2018. The meeting was told of his interest in Environment, Planning and Transport (cllr.aarien.areti@rbkc.gov.uk);
4.1.2 LK, Chair Adult Social Care and Health Select Committee; on Licensing Committee and Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and Inner West London Mental Health Services Reconfiguration Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee; elected 2022 (cllr.lucy.knight@rbkc.gov.uk); and
4.1.3 JT, Leadership Team Committee and Administration Committee; elected 2018. Lead Member for Environment and Planning. The meeting was told of his interest in Planning (with the effect of the Olympia development on local parking demand in his portfolio) (cllr.johnny.thalassites@rbkc.gov.uk).
4.2 Discussion: the Councillors said RBKC was the only London Borough to balance its budget. Surgery: first Saturday of each month (Council website says first Tuesday of each month). Other Councillor comments are under relevant headings.
5 Matters arising from Minutes of 2024 AGM
5.1 None noted.
5.2 Members were reminded of the agreed minute-approval process, namely that draft Minutes would be posted (as “Draft for Approval”) on the HPRA website ASAP after the meeting with notification of posting being given to members. If no objections from meeting attendees were received within a period of a month, the minutes would be taken as approved and the website updated accordingly.
6 Presentation of 2024 Accounts
JC presented the accounts in his capacity as acting Treasurer. The account summaries were handed to all attendees. The HPRA finances remain healthy. There were four filming events (2 in the Mews), but none so far in 2025 – probably because the film industry is quiet. HPRA has a “strongly worded letter” it sends to film companies, to protect the privacy of residents as far as possible. Ideas for recipients of donations are welcome (send to VB).
7 Issues affecting residents
7.1 Traffic calming measures (including Holland Park Traffic Action Group – “HPTAG”, of which HPRA is a member):
7.1.1 The ideas of HPTAG members and its Traffic Consultant, about how best to prevent commuter traffic from using our residential streets as a cut-through / ratrun, were all rejected by the Council, including JC’s suggestion of returning our area to a cul-de-sac (as it was decades ago). Discussions, including with our Councillors, are on-going notwithstanding the disappointing response from RBKC officers during a meeting in January. Seeking to find sensible interventions that might help reduce the volumes and speed of traffic on our streets.
7.1.2 HPTAG needs resources and volunteers, who can be introduced via VB to member Antoine Abdini who is the driving force behind HPTAG.
7.1.3 JT spoke about vehicle volumes and noise in Holland Park but is against introducing Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) which essentially distinguish between local and non-local vehicles, mainly because of the knock-on effects on adjacent areas.
7.2 TfL’s Holland Park Roundabout (HPR) cycle-infrastructure proposal:
7.2.1 TfL resolved after its 2024 consultation to proceed with its proposal to put a cycleway across the middle of the HPR. Construction, however, remains subject TfL getting the approval of Hammersmith & Fulham Council (which is the owner of the land on which the roundabout is built).
7.2.2 JC analysis: there is an East-West TfL cycle route across much of London, with the missing stretch being Holland Park Avenue. Although TfL denies that its current HPR proposal has anything to do with that, JC and the SOS group (see below) are sceptical.
7.2.3 JC thinks implementation of the cycleway across the HPR:
7.2.3.1 essentially ignores the fact that there is existing cycle infrastructure around the HPR (an underpass and wide pavements/cycle paths on the north side); and wide pavements/cycle paths on the south side;
7.2.3.2 ignores the fact that there was only one slight cycle accident during TfL’s 3-year reference period;
7.2.3.3 would not improve cycling conditions for cyclists, nor indeed for any other road users;
7.2.3.4 would put the local shops at risk; 7.2.3.5 would dramatically increase traffic on our streets;
7.2.3.6 would not promote use by cyclists of the existing and longestablished “quietway” cycle routes that are an available alternative in local back streets.
7.2.4 Independent data analysis commissioned by the Save our Streets (SOS) group, of which HPRA is a member, found the decision was not supported by TfL’s own data, and SOS is trying to persuade TfL to reverse its decision to proceed with its proposed cycle infrastructure. Our Councillors support local objections to TfL’s plans for the HPR.
7.2.5 Members are encouraged and urged to continue to voice their objections. All details can be found on the SOS website, here: https://sos10.co.uk/. CC our MP Joe Powell (joe.powell.mp@parliament.uk). There is a ‘send objection button on the SOS website.
7.3 Membership update:
7.3.1 Current: circa 120 members (up by just two in 2024) out of circa 450 eligible households.
7.3.2 Reminder to all members encourage contacts to join (try a “whole house challenge”)! Word of mouth is superior to leaflets, which are estimated to have a hit rate of 1 in 100.
7.4 Filming update: see under 6 above.
7.5 Security issues: see under 3 above.
7.6 RBKC controlled parking hours consultation:
7.6.1 Status: currently an informal consultation by the RBKC about extending controlled hours in advance of the Olympia entertainment facility being open (as visitors may walk 15 minutes from their cars). Hammersmith & Fulham Council is increasing controlled hours, so traffic may spill over into RBKC. Proposals for residents’ and pay-by-phone spaces: Saturday extend controlled hours from 1.30pm to 10pm; Sunday extend from 4pm to 10pm.
7.6.2 HPRA suggestion: try an incremental approach, to introduce controls if there is found to be a problem after Olympia’s opening. Members can register their views here: Extending parking controls near Olympia – Kensington and Chelsea’s Consultation and Engagement Hub – Citizen Space
7.7 Illegal cycling (on pavements / shooting through red traffic lights, etc)
7.7.1 Safer Neighbourhoods Forum: issue has been raised, but police point to a resource issue and closure of the Notting Hill Police station (which the Council has offered to buy).
7.7.2 Solution?: JdH suggested a petition, and AA suggested getting the Police to have more frequently “blitzes” in the area. The Councillors meet e-bike companies regularly to discuss their “educating” their customers; and abandoned bikes are confiscated and released on payment of a fine (50 per week; aiming to double).
7.7.3 Members encouraged to register a complaint with the Met Police each and every time they see an infringement. Email the Holland Safer Neighbourhood Team at: holland.snt@met.police.uk.
7.8 Council waste and recycling service.
7.8.1 Background: Claire Secord (CS) of the RBKC Waste Team spoke following an invitation from member Jennie Kettlewell. CS joined RBKC a year ago from Merton Council, and she covers 10 wards and is one of two staff managing the Suez contract. Street sweeping is being rescheduled to follow waste collections.
7.8.2 Resource issues: she is seeking a comms budget to tell residents about the rules and procedures, and resource for emptying pole-mounted waste-bins at the weekend, not only on weekdays. Concerned members should lobby Councillors. Dog-fouling and refuse-collection -notices are not permitted on streetpoles as they would clutter the streetscape (current RBLKC policy).
7.8.3 Members encouraged to engage with all residents in their villas, and with managing agents, to try to make sure that all residents are aware of bagging and disposal of garbage protocols and requirements.
7.8.4 Reporting: use the “report a problem” link at the top of the Council website home page, which sends messages direct to Suez (rather than the Council). Fly tipping reports go to the Council Street Enforcement Team (one or more officers per ward). There is a wastecontracts@rbkc.gov.uk email address.
8 Election of Residents’ Association Committee
8.1 In the absence of any volunteers or nominations, VB and JdH were re-elected until the next AGM, with VB as acting Chair. See item 2 above.
8.2 For additional committee member selections, see Item 2.3 above.
8.3 A vote of thanks to JC as a “superlative Chairman” was moved.
9 Approval of date of next AGM
Monday, 15th June 2025 suggested and approved, subject to checking it does not clash with the Kensington Society AGM. Members should diarise.
10 Any other business
10.1 Algerian Embassy:
Being painted outside. No update on a sale since a buyer withdrew several years ago due to the RBKC not approving some of the renovations that that buyer had wanted to implement.
10.2 Visitor parking permits:
RBKC does not issue visitor parking permits because, uniquely, it has Borough-wide parking permits (which could be abused)
ACTION POINT CHECKLIST
| Reference | Item | Responsibility |
| Item 2.5 | Email membership with appeal for new Chair volunteer | JC |
| Item 3.4 | Set up neighbourhood WhatsApp group | Committee |
| Item 3.6 | Canvass Councillors about CCTV for our streets | Committee |
| Item 6 | Ideas for donations from HPRA funds | Send to VB |
| Item 7.1.2 | Volunteers to join Holland Park Traffic Action Group | Introduction via VB |
| Item 7.2.5 | Register complaints about TfL’s HPR cycleway proposal | Members |
| Item 7.3.2 | Existing members to recruit new members | Members: refer new members to VB / JT |
| Item 7.6.2 | Comment on RBKC consultation on parking-controlled hours | Members, via link above |
| Item 7.8.2 | Lobby Councillors for additional pole-mounted waste-bins | Members |
| Item 9.1 | 2026 AGM: check no clash of dates (HPRA/Kensington Society) | VB |