About Us
We are Southgate District Civic Voice (SDCV), a not for profit organisation run by volunteers. Our main area of interest includes: Southgate, Southgate Green, Cockfosters, New Southgate, Oakwood, Palmers Green, & Winchmore Hill. An area loosely based on the old Southgate Municipal Borough, abolished in 1965 to form part of the London Borough of Enfield.
Founded in 1962 as Southgate Civic Trust, in response to the threat to demolish the Georgian cottages on Southgate Green and dissatisfaction with official planning procedures. This fight contributed to the creation of Southgate Green conservation area. In 1993 the Trust’s name was changed to Southgate District Civic Trust to better reflect our area of interest. Then in 2018, marking our continued ability to evolve and speak up for our local community, we became Southgate District Civic Voice.
Since the creation of the Southgate Green conservation area, SDCV has been involved in the creation and management of more local conservation areas, such as Winchmore Hill, Vicars Moor Lane and Highlands Hospital. Currently, we represent the Southgate Circus conservation area on the Enfield Environment Forum. Ours is a living and growing area and Southgate District Civic Voice aims to secure its future, by promoting improvements and actively campaigning to protect it. We support those features of social, economic and physical change that enhance our local community life.
We hold regular meetings to discuss relevant planning applications, including major local developments as well as meetings on local history, forthcoming publications, open meetings and not forgetting social events. Regular updates are issued via our E-news, Facebook or Twitter, plus members benefit from receiving our quarterly newsletter.
Southgate District Civic Voice works with other local organisations and residents’ associations, as well as Enfield Council, local and national authorities, central government and MPs on local planning, environmental and social issues.
We have representatives on Enfield Council’s Environment Forum, Friends of the Parks, Ward Forums and other local groups. Southgate District Civic Voice is a member of Civic Voice the national charity for the civic movement in England and is represented on their Regional Forum. It is also a member of the London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies.
Our Working Groups
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee, including Officers, are elected at the Annual General Meeting to develop and deliver the Southgate District Civic Voice vision, to build relationships with stakeholders, and to manage our performance including recruitment and retention of members.
Chair | Graham Davis |
Vice Chair (elected by committee) | Jane Maggs |
Treasurer | vacant |
Secretary | vacant |
Membership Secretary | John West |
Publicity Officer | vacant |
Newsletter Editor | Colin Barratt |
Committee Members | Jane Maggs Elaine Tyler |
President | vacant |
Vice President | Chris Howell |
Environment & Planning Group
Chaired by Graham Davis
The Environment & Planning Group (EPG) meet on a monthly basis to review, and comment on issues in the local environment that fall within our remit for consideration. This includes planning applications, conservation, listed buildings, green spaces, natural habitats for flora and fauna, resource sustainability and healthy living.
The EPG's aim is to help make our part of Enfield a better and more sustainable place to live.
A member of the EPG represents SDCV on the London Borough of Enfield Environment Forum, which meets monthly and is particularly focussed on issues around the green belt, conservation of the borough and public transport.
Membership
Southgate District Civic Voice is supported by donations and subscriptions, with all work done by volunteers. If you share our vision or have a concerned interest in the local environment, planning, heritage, regeneration, business, or civic pride – why not consider becoming a member. The annual subscription is £15 per household, although additional donations are always welcome.
To join online click here
For other ways to join click here.
Constitution
Southgate District Civic Voice was founded in 1962.
Our constitution is reviewed on a regular basis and any amendments agreed at the Annual General Meeting. The constitution document was last reviewed and approved by members on 27th April 2019.
The full document can be seen here.
Privacy Policy
Southgate District Civic Voice takes all reasonable steps to ensure that personal data collected is treated confidentially.
For full detail see our Privacy Policy.
Heritage
Heritage covers a wide area, but members promote an awareness and appreciation of our rich historic past and heritage, through research, guided walks, and local history publications.
Local History Group
Chaired by Colin Barratt
Meetings are arranged twice a year, usually with a speaker on a topic of historical interest. Open to all members as well as visitors.
Publications Sub-committee
Chaired by Richard Purver
Meets at regular intervals to promote and produce publications related to our local history and heritage. These have included books, walk guides, postcards, DVDs and five editions of the award-winning local history bulletin Oakleaves. They have also taken the lead in arranging local blue plaques to commemorate the poet James Leigh Hunt, writer and artist Henrietta Cresswell, actress Dame Flora Robson, wildlife photographer and author Oliver Pike and the 150th anniversary of the Great Northern rail line from Wood Green (Alexandra Palace) to Enfield. A current list of available publications can be found here.
Talks, Walks, Fairs and Other Community Events
A range of events are organised throughout the year. The highlights are our Spring and Autumn Open Meetings, where we have a speaker on a topic of interest and relevance to our area. These meetings are open to all, free to members, but with a small entrance fee for non-members.
We also take part in a range of community events in the area, including fairs, festivals and celebrations. Meetings are arranged on specific subjects to highlight or discuss our response to developments, consultations or other changes in the area.