The working group is made up of representatives from the Residents Association, council officers involved from traffic and highways and Councillors from all three wards. We are keen to involve local business owners in the ongoing discussions about the scheme so that the needs of their businesses are met, for example to protect the shopping areas on Chester Road and Hylton Road which are a valuable resource for all of us. If you are a local business owner or know of someone who would be interested in joining us, get in touch or come along to one of our meetings. We are a friendly bunch just wanting to improve our local area.
Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 1st May 2012
1.
Welcome and Apologies: Susan
welcomed Bill Blackett, Fiona Burrell, Michael Fascia, and David Lynn, officers
of Sunderland City Council and presented apologies from M Adamson, J Hickman, E
Lardner and Cllr L Scanlan.
2.
Matters arising from the Minutes:
Brookland
Road: Area Response
Manager Bill Blackett apologised for the recent delay in collecting leaves. This was due to an oversight but was dealt
with promptly when the matter was brought to his attention. He advised that the problem regarding the grass
verges is city-wide and to replace them in concrete/tarmac would require
funding. Also, the Council have a policy
to keep the city as green as possible. The Pallion Walk and Talk will take
place shortly and Brookland Road will be on the itinerary.
Linda reported she'd written to the
Council on 18th April regarding the verges. She's received a reply from the Highways
Department stating that parking issues should be alleviated when the parking
scheme is introduced and "it would therefore seem prudent to wait until
the scheme is implemented and monitor the condition of the grass verges rather
than carry out any works at this time."
3. Crime/Anti-Social Behaviour Reports: David Lynn, the
Council's Anti-Social Behaviour Officer dealing predominantly with privately
owned properties, advised he is currently working on cases relating to youth
disorder in Pallion. A resident reported
that an elderly lady has been threatened and is afraid to leave her home. David advised that leaflets have been
circulated in the Neville Road area recently and is aware of some problems but
possibly not this particular issue. He
asked that his telephone number, 561 7886, be given to the lady concerned and
he'll talk to her in strict confidence. A
24-hour phone line is also available to report any issues to the Council – 0300
1000 101, or to the police on the non-emergency number of 101. Only by reporting problems can 'hot spots' be
identified for extra attention.
Susan
commented that there seems to be a pattern of solving one problem, only for
another to take its place. We need the
Pallion PACT meetings to keep in touch.
A
problem with loud music from an apparently empty property in Duncan Street was
also reported. This was noted by Fiona
Burrell, the Council's Empty Properties Officer.
Kate
gave a Powerpoint presentation she'd prepared based on data supplied by PC
Kevin Hood over the last 12 months. This
information in graph and chart form showed the spread of crime over the
area. Anti-social behaviour was the
biggest problem, followed by theft from cars.
Although there was no clear pattern for the other categories or areas, warmer
weather appears to encourage more crime.
Mark Greenfield thanked Kate and congratulated her on her
presentation. Kate will make this available
to be viewed on the blog. Susan
commented that the multi-agency approach to crime and anti-social behaviour appears
to be working in our area.
4. Environmental Issues The
issue of bins being left out in back lanes and set on fire was raised. Cllr Dixon reported that since Michael Fascia's
team tackled this problem in the Millfield area, such fires are now a rare
occurrence. Michael, an Environmental
Enforcement Officer, advised this work will be replicated in Pallion. He's hand-delivered 'softley worded' Section
46 letters to addresses in Neville Road and subsequent checking revealed no
bins had been left out. He'll start on
the Eastmoor Road area soon. Landlords failing
to carry out necessary works to secure and clear yards will be served a formal
Section 92 notice requiring them to do the works.
Fiona
Burrell advised that Pallion has around the average number of empty properties for
the city which she's targeting to see what help can be given to get properties
occupied again. Barnes area has slightly
increased numbers but is still below city-average. Fiona reported there are new government
schemes offering loans and help to bring empty, run-down properties up to standard
for sale or to let although it is difficult to persuade some owners to make
improvements.
5. Parking Management Scheme –
Hospital Area:
Working Group Meeting: The
next meeting is on 22nd May. Susan
advised we'll press for a date for the consultation and a timescale. Progress has slowed right down, with the date
for implementation being pushed back and back.
Residents want Phase 2 to be included in this year's funding.
A
resident commented that there are parking problems around the university too,
as well as the bottom end of Sorley Street.
Cllr Dixon advised there are a number of locations where residents would
like a parking scheme but he's been informed it will be at least another 2
years for any other area is considered. The
next parking scheme will be the area around the Stadium of Light. It was felt that this area is only affected on
match days and should not take priority over areas experiencing the problem
every day.
Linda
reported she has e-mailed Cllr Paul Watson regarding his statement that "a
recent survey indicated that on-street parking had decreased not only in the
streets affected by the scheme but also in some of the adjacent streets, which
has provided additional kerb-space parking". This quote has appeared twice in The Echo. Residents disagree with this statement and
wondered if Cllr Watson was misquoted or if it was slip of the tongue and it
was felt that if he wasn't misquoted, it doesn't bode well for the scheme being
extended. Cllr Watson's response is
awaited.
Proposed Hospital Multi-Storey Car
Park Susan has written to the hospital for details and is
awaiting a reply. She circulated a
newspaper article showing income from hospital car parking. Sunderland receives over £600,000 pa. from
parking charges.
6.
Treasurers Report In
Elizabeth's absence, Susan presented her report.
7.
Blog Update Kate
is continuing to update the site with the Minutes, contact details of various
agencies and information about the parking eye situation.
8.
Any Other Business
ABC
Street Road Surfaces
At Mark's request Susan
has written to the Council about the potholes in this area. Barnard St and the top of Ewesley Rd now have
a new surface but Abingdon St and the bottom of Ewesley Rd must wait until next
year despite its condition. Individual
pot-holes have been filled-in, not solving the problem. Mark suggested ringing the Council as soon as
another hole appears in Abingdon St.
Susan will write to the Council again.
8.
Date of Next Meeting Due
to the Bank Holiday on 5th June, our next meeting will be on Tuesday,
12th June 2012 at 7.00 pm in St Mary Magdalene's, Upstairs
Room. Beryl with notify the Echo regarding
the change of week.
The meeting closed at 8.15 pm.
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