Minutes of the Last Meeting

Minutes of Meeting held 28th April 2009 in
St Josephs Parish Centre

Present: S Adamson, K Wilson, M Stanger, E Lardner, T Hall, D Norman, J Surtees, Cllr P Dixon, L Ranton, B Smith, A Tumman, K Wilkinson, A Robinson.

Apologies: J Hickman, M Carr, F Beardow.

Chairmans Report
A Robinson opened the meeting by explaining the minutes of the previous meeting.
A letter had been received from A Calvert, Traffic and Road Safety Manager acknowledging receipt of our petition. He stated a report regarding the issues raised should be completed before the end of May 09.
A reply to our request under the Freedom of Information Act for information regarding the statistics gained from the Public Consultation Exercise regarding the hospital parking issues had been received from E Harrison, Performance Development Assistant. She stated that all information (except that considered to be exempt) would be provided by 14.5.09.

The Meeting agreed that following further incidents of car damage, dangerous and inconsiderate parking the situation was continuing to get worse. The increased traffic warden presence seemed to have been only temporary. The meeting was informed that traffic wardens did not have the complete authority to deal with all traffic violations. We were advised to telephone the police regarding parking problems as they occurred and each time obtain an incident number, thus adding to the police statistics. The telephone number for the whole of the south side of the river was 03456043043. Kate to place this information on the website.

The meeting also agreed to a suggestion that residents be advised that they were also entitled to address their complaints about parking issues in writing to the Chief Executive of the Council. This information also to be put on the website.

The meeting was also made aware that Asda’s planning application to add a second floor to their store at Grangetown had been refused because of lack of parking provision.

It was also reported that local shops and business had expressed concerns because their businesses were suffering through customers could not being able to park anywhere near.

Blog Update
Following the recent article in the Echo there had been a huge increase in numbers interested in the website. The majority of the views expressed were mainly favourable. The meeting agreed the photos were a good idea.

Any Other Business
The meeting heard that apparently problems had occurred with the demolition of the old Kayll Road block as there could potentially be bats in the building. Further surveys and assessments were to be carried out, thus delaying demolition for the moment.

A suggestion was made that residents should apply for reduction in Council Tax as the parking problems were impacting on the selling value of our properties.

Cllr Dixon stressed that we should put together a plan of what we want from the Council in order to help solve the parking problems.

The committee agreed that the next meeting should be a Public Meeting to be held in St Mary Magdelene Church Hall on Tuesday 2nd June at 7.0pm.
Council, Police and SRH Trust representatives are to be invited to attend, also Cllr Jim Blackburn.
The Echo to be informed, flyers and posters to be distributed.

The meeting closed at 8.10pm

Update: Public Meeting

Cllr Paul Watson (of Pallion Ward and leader of the Council) has confirmed that he will attend the meeting on Tuesday 2nd June. See below for more details.

This is an opportunity for residents to put their ideas for Residents Parking schemes to Cllr Watson ahead of the council meeting at which the result of the public consultation will be discussed.

Don't forget the comments he made on his own blog recently about how "your comments, ideas and suggestions are all very welcome".

We also hope to have news on the Hospital proposals as well - it looks likely that the application will go before the planning committee on the afternoon of the 2nd.

Public Meeting: Tuesday 2nd June, 7pm

The BPMRA are holding a Public Meeting at St Mary Magdalene's Church Hall, Wilson Street, Millfield at 7.00pm on 2nd June.

Representatives from the Council, the Hospital and the Police have been invited to attend along with Cllr Jim Blackburn, the portfolio holder for Planning & Transportation.

The aim of the meeting is to debate the residents parking schemes, ahead of the Council's meeting to discuss the proposals.

All residents and local business owners are welcome to attend to show that we are still fighting for a reasonable solution to the parking issues.

Reporting

We are regularly hearing reports of abusive behaviour towards residents by people from the hospital who are trying to park their cars. Cars are often being damaged and the amount of inconsiderate and dangerous parking is increasing, not to mention the increased volume of traffic. The traffic wardens were spending a bit more time in the area, but this presence seems to have tailed off again.

There are some circumstances where traffic wardens have no powers and the police can be contacted. For example if a parked vehicle is causing an obstruction, such as blocking your drive or yard and if you can't get your own car out you can call the police.

Telephone the local police on 03456 043 043 to report such illegal parking. Ask for an incident number to ensure that your complaint is logged on the system and so that you can follow it up if necessary.

All residents are also entitled to complain to the Chief Executive at the Council about the parking issues. You can write to:
The Chief Executive
Sunderland City Council
Civic Centre
Burdon Road
Sunderland
SR2 7DN

In addition, local business owners who are being affected by the current situation can also voice their concerns in the same way.

Good News

Barnes Park was recently awarded a Heritage Lottery grant to restore and redevelop the park. Changes are to include restoration of historic features such as the canon, bandstand, railings and gates along with regeneration of the lake, a sensory garden and a new games area. Security of the park will also be improved making it a space that residents and visitors of all ages can enjoy.

Congratulations to the City Council, the Friends of Barnes Park and all those other people involved in securing the funding.

The BBC Wear website has more information on the plans and the history of the Park here.

It sounds like it will be a great place to escape to!

Public Meeting

We hope that the next meeting of the BPMRA will be a public meeting with representatives from the Council, the hospital and local councillors attending.

The provisional date for this is Tuesday 2nd June.
Details will be posted soon confirming date, time and venue!

Update on the the Hospital plans:
Over 120 letters of objection have been received by the council planning department and it would seem that most, if not all, are based on the lack of parking. However, it is a different group of residents which look like they have delayed the plans: Bats.

There is a chance that bats are roosting in the Kayll Road block and being a protected species this means that the building can't be demolished without investigating the bats and possibly providing a new home for them.

The hospital were hoping that planning permission would be granted quickly so that work could begin this month but it is now going to be decided in June at the earliest.