January Meeting: Tuesday 10th

Happy New Year to you all. After a successfull 2011 for the Residents Association we kick off 2012 on Tuesday 10th at 7pm in St Mary Magdalene's Church Hall.

2011 was a successful year for the Residents Association. In December the Parking Management Scheme was launched to tackle the parking issues around the hospital and we will continue to work with the Council to ensure that any problems with the scheme are resolved. In addition many residents have been put in touch with the appropriate authorities to help solve problems they were experiencing.

The monthly meetings provide a friendly forum and are usually attended by local Councillors, Council staff and local police officers. Anyone living in Barnes, Pallion and Millfield are welcome to come along.

Items on the agenda this month include updates on the cafe/restaurant in St Luke's Terrace, car parking at the Sunderland Royal Hospital and the pilot Parking Management Scheme launched last month. Your comments on the effects of the scheme in your area will be welcome.


Minutes of the last meeting held on Tuesday 1st November 2011 at 7.00 pm
in St Mary Magdalene's Church Hall.

In the absence of Susan Adamson and Linda Ranton, Susan Rackstraw took the chair.

2. Matters arising from the Minutes
Abingdon/Barnard Streets - Potholes and Traffic: We've written to retailers asking them to request HGV drivers make their deliveries via the main roads once the right turn is reinstated. We've also written to the Chief Executive requesting that Abingdon and Barnard Streets be returned to the standard they were before the right turn restriction was introduced. Ken advised that at a meeting he'd attended a council official said these streets were on the list to be done early next year.

Shackleton House: Linda is still in correspondence with the PA to Julie Elliott MP about the future use of this building. However, Susan reported that recently she'd been passing and noticed lights were on. On seeing someone leaving the building, she'd enquired if it was still in use and was told people are still working there, although their numbers are dwindling.

Committee/Cabinet Decision-making: We've received a detailed reply to the points raised in our letter to the Chief Executive. Our complaints were not upheld but we'll write again asking if an evening survey of the parking in St Luke's Terrace was undertaken, including parking in residential side streets. It was noted that although planning permission has been granted for change of use to restaurant/café, work on the premises doesn't appear to have started.

3. Crime/Anti-Social Behaviour Reports
PC Hood gave his report for the periods 20 Sept–18 Oct 2011 and 14 Sept–12 Oct 2011. Maps showing each of the 7 geographical areas covered had been prepared by Kate and shown on the screen. Susan thanked her for all her work.
PC Hood reported that as Christmas approaches, the theft of pedal cycles is increasing. He invited anyone who owned a pedal cycle and would like a lock, to let him have their name and address and he would try to supply one. He also reminded us not to leave shopping and mobile phones on view in cars and to wipe off marks left by sat-navs when removing them from vehicles. For crime prevention advice, PC Hood can be contacted by phone on 03456 043043 ext 69191 or by email at Kevin.hood.2580@northumbria.pnn.police.uk.

St Mark's Road speeding traffic: PC Hood has requested training on speed cameras to tackle this problem. Cllr Dixon reported that plans have been devised to widen the kerb but doubts were expressed about their effectiveness. Requests for speed humps in the past have been declined.

Compliment on Police Response: A resident reported that, acting on advice given at our meetings, she'd contacted the police regarding an incident in her neighbourhood. The police responded immediately and were able to take the names of those involved.

4. Parking Management Scheme – Hospital Area
We wrote to the Hospital in August and as we've had no reply we'll write again. Susan reported that the hospital now have 3 parking rates and have said that as it's cheaper to park there than in town people are using the hospital car park instead. PC Hood offered to bring this up at a future security meeting. Cllr Dixon advised that the new Pallion Health Centre has 15-20 additional parking spaces. The car park is barrier-controlled and you need a token from the receptionist to exit. Parking problems in Wilson Street caused by contractors should ease now that work is complete.

We've asked Ken Heads for a working group meeting so that we all know what's happening before the PMS starts on 1st December. Cllr Dixon advised everything has been approved; a press release has been prepared, signage will be in place and information packs are being sent to residents . He added that no enforcement action will be taken during December. Kate advised that objections to the PMS are available on the Council's website.

5. Waste and Recycling Collections
At our September meeting Cllr Paul Watson, leader of the Council, asked if we could let him have our opinion on what is important to us regarding our refuse collection service and our priorities for the coming years. In order to provide him with feedback, a survey was distributed to all residents attending the October meeting. In total 16 surveys were returned. Kate collated and analysed the data supplied and produced a Powerpoint presentation illustrating some of her findings. Her report concluded that:
• Residents are satisfied with the waste collections as they are currently.
• Recycling is considered to be important to residents.
• All those residents taking part in this survey recycle their waste to some extent.
A full report is available on request. A resident wondered if the Council would sell a sub-divided recycling box for use in the house, which would help when it's not convenient to go to the bins outside. Cllr Dixon advised that as the cost of landfill is going to increase ten-fold, we'll have to recycle a lot more. Also, the Beech Street waste collection site is now much improved. Residents felt there is confusion about what can be recycled, especially plastics.

7. Blog and Facebook Update
Following a vote at the last meeting, we've closed our Facebook site. Kate advised that there is still the facility to post comments/have discussions on the Blog.

8. Any Other Business
Millfield Bulb Planting: In October, Cllr Dixon and residents planted 2000 bulbs ready for spring and afterwards retired to the Mountain Daisy for coffee at the invitation of the Manager.

Delivery of Advertising Literature: A resident was concerned that those delivering booklets/leaflets were leaving them sticking out of letterboxes, signalling the house could be empty. It was agreed this was a problem and a number of solutions were offered, not necessarily very effective. PC Hood offered to speak to those making deliveries when on patrol.

Empty Home Security: PC Hood suggested we notify our neighbourhood police before going on holiday. They will check the house during our absence and items in letterboxes will be dealt with.

9. Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday, 10th January 2012 at 7.00 pm in St Mary Magdalene's Church Hall. No meeting in December.
The meeting closed at 7.55 pm.