January 2026 AGM
We have now held the second DOPOC AGM (January 2026) and have recruited two new Committee members. Thanks for all your support as always!
Our focus now will be on working with the Paddington Old Cemetery Liaison Committee to achieve the best outcomes for DOPOC.
AGM Minutes:
Dogs of Paddington Cemetery (DOPOC) second AGM
Saturday 17th January 2026, 14.00-15.30, Kilburn Arms, Willesden Lane
Present Committee members: Eleni Chalmers (Chair), Christine Maggs, Bertrand Pierson, Eric Schneider, Dasha Sobornova, Cordelia Uys
DOPOC members (dog): Judith Russell (Linus), Kate Doyle (Boris), Rahel Walsh (Grace), Fiona McBride (Aslan) Apologies: Anita, Susanne, Fiona Leahy, India
1. Welcome to DOPOC AGM (Chair, Eleni Chalmers)
Eleni invited everyone to introduce themselves and their interests. We have 222 members. We have only been a group for 18 months and now we are formal stakeholders with Brent on the POC Liaison Committee. We are being listened to now and our biggest achievement is not being ignored!
2. Reports from the Chair (Eleni)
2a. Brent's POC Liaison Group (Eleni)
We are the only Brent cemetery liaison group! We have a quarterly meeting with Councillor Promise Knight (Cabinet Member for Customer Experience, Resident Support and Culture). The Liaison Group includes FOPOC, DOPOC, Tennyson Road residents, Hooper’s Yard residents, the POC lodges, Historic Buildings, Conservation, Brent trees and Brent enforcement. Grave owners are “represented” by Michelle O’Connor, who started the petition to ban dogs off lead. We made it clear that we do not recognize her as the representative of the grave owners, many of whom like dogs and enjoy the company of their owners. O’Connor didn’t attend the Liaison meeting but sent a 3-page letter that was not considered in full. Aside from O'Connor's letter, the Committee did not express any anti-dog sentiments - including Mandy Bramner, the official who is responsible for cemeteries and is a dog owner herself. Brent are very keen to make more burial space here (this is a national problem) but FOPOC believes it won’t be financially viable. Brent say there will no new mounds. Overall, the session was collaborative with everyone displaying a willingness to reach a balanced outcome with Brent fiscal requirements being balanced by community and conservation needs.
Brent wish to harmonize rules for all Brent cemeteries, stating that the PSPO cannot be altered for one cemetery. This does not seem credible as POC already is exceptional. How can we change this? Perhaps through an agreed code of conduct, “To work with DOPOC towards an agreed dog walking protocol”. The Liaison Committee has a genuine interest in conservation. The cemetery is quieter now which is acknowledged but it is probably optimal now and we wouldn’t want it any quieter.
Enforcement officers can only enforce what they see.
Our Alerts group has been very effective. Brent tell us to Phone 101 if we see anti-social behaviour but it is more effective to report problems on the
1 police website https://www.met.police.uk/contact/af/contact-usbeta/contact-us/report-crime-incident-suspicion/ where they can use and analyse the information. Fiona advises "Click on the most appropriate link and follow the instructions to complete the form. It’s a bit clunky and long-winded the first time you do it, but you will get a crime reference number and if there is a repeat of the incident this can be used to link it to the previous report". (Action: web link shared through our WhatsApp group).
2b. Update on Tiverton gates (Eleni)
Tiverton is the closest official off-lead space to POC. Self-closing gates were ordered because dogs had been getting out through open gates. Sanjay (Rumpole's owner) has been campaigning. Three self-closing gates were installed but the main gate was deemed too expensive to fix. It is now being looked at by the Corporate Director for Environment. A second small gate, inside the main one, is being considered. There are currently petitions underway seeking to change free parking hours and to provide lighting after dark.
2c. October PSPO consultation (Eleni/Chris)
DOPOC made a submission to the PSPO consultation in October 2025. Unlike the consultation of 2023, this survey was balanced, not biased, with no encouragement of anti-dog responses. We responded to relevant questions such as Dog fouling – which obviously must be picked up – with strong affirmatives, but for most of the questions (e.g. flying drones; use of a megaphone around town centres) we had no opinion. We reiterated our views on POC and why we go there. Our submission was acknowledged.
2d. Local elections in 2026 (Eleni)
We are not a political organization but as individuals we can have local electoral influence. The local elections are on 7 th May, affecting the wards around POC. Eleni suggests that DOPOC members should challenge the candidates for Councillor positions about their views on supporting us. For example, an email question could be: Do you support expanding green space for off-lead dog walking? And if so 'How will you materially support this?' We could ask candidates to give us a short statement for our website or Instagram account. Actions: 1. Share this with the membership through the AGM record (Chris). 2. Committee members to write to candidates (all; completed)
Discussion noted that Anthony Molloy (Labour) has been very supportive, having attended our last AGM and helping Rahel. Fiona Mulaisho (standing as Lib Dem candidate) has a dog.
3. Working with FOPOC on biodiversity and litter (Chris/Eric)
Under FOPOC's guidance, vegetation on the wildflower meadow was cut by POC staff. However, the cut vegetation was left, which is a serious problem for biodiversity. In early autumn, three DOPOC members (Chris, Eric and Fiona) did 2-3 days clearance work with FOPOC under the leadership of Lloyd and Andy. The results are encouraging and regeneration is underway already.
The question of the wet conditions and mud at the bottom of POC was raised. Can DOPOC encourage use of gravel or bark chippings to help with the impassability? The actual problem is caused by an old stream but this cannot be addressed. Action: contact FOPOC to see if we can help (Chris/Eleni; completed).
4. Social media (Cordelia Uys)
We have 307 followers on Instagram, and the membership is quite stable. This is considered good for a small local group. Our account shares lovely photos e.g. those posted on our WhatsApp can be used. Action: remind the group to share interesting, useful (even negative) material (Cordelia; completed)
5. Guidance on DOPOC WhatsApp groups (Eric/Eleni)
It was agreed that the statement in our Constitution applies: “All members of the group agree not to use language and behaviour inciting discrimination or violence, and language and behaviour advocating hate. Anyone contravening this or breaking the equal opportunities policy or advertising for commercial gain may be removed from the group.”
The AGM therefore considered that that as long as posts are not rude and do not break our constitutional rules, they are welcome. These include local interest items involving dogs, e.g. lost dogs; advice needed; free equipment; requests for help; general POC or green space info.
Alerts group: The Alerts group works really well and we should continue to use this group ONLY for time sensitive updates on POC enforcement / security concerns. All membership of the Alerts group is contingent on membership of the DOPOC Community Group. Membership of the latter is simply through joining the main WhatsApp group. Notifications can easily be silenced if activity is too intrusive. We thank Eric for his constant work in keeping this tidy and aligned with its purpose. Action: To ensure that all are DOPOC members, send a message to the Alerts group to remind them (Eleni; completed).
6. Confirmation of Officers for next year and consideration of other nominations (Chris)
Officers of DOPOC for 2026 are confirmed as follows:
Chair: Eleni Chalmers
Secretary: Christine Maggs
Social media: Cordelia Uys
Treasurer: Eric Schneider
Legal adviser: Dasha Sobornova
Community advisor: Bertrand Pierson
Two general committee positions were filled: Fiona McBride and Kate Doyle were both proposed by Chris, seconded by members, and accepted.
7. AOB
7a. History of dogs in POC. Members of DOPOC, Jennifer and Eric (owners of Bonnie) have lived in the same house since 1979. Action: Ask what they remember (Eric; completed). Result: Brent made two attempts at banning dogs from POC, the first after the takeover in 1985, the second in the mid-nineties. The residents' campaigns of opposition were spearheaded by Dawn, Eric and Phillip who still lives in Torbay Rd.
7b. Judy suggested that Cordelia could invite photos and information on particular themes that she can use for Instagram. People can also publicize our posts. Action: Write to WhatsApp group (Cordelia; completed).
[The meeting closed at 15:20]