Annual General Meeting: Tuesday 7th august

Our next meeting will also be our AGM. Held as usual in St Mary Magdalenes Church Hall, Wilson Street at 7pm, all are welcome to join us.

The agenda and minutes of the previous meeting will be posted here a few days before the meeting.

Meeting Minutes

We are meeting Tomorrow, Tuesday 3rd July, 7pm at St Mary Magdalene's hall. The agenda includes crime and anti-social behaviour, environmental issues, an update on the parking management scheme plans and transport users issues. All welcome.

Minutes of the last meeting, held on Tuesday 12th June:

1. Welcome and Apologies:                                        Susan welcomed Fiona Burrell, Empty Properties Officer, and PC Kevin Hood.  Apologies were received from L. Ranton; Council Officers: B Blackett, M Fascia and D Lynn;  Councillors: L Scanlan, A Wilson, R Atkinson, M Essl,

 

2. Minutes:  Amendment to the Minutes of the meeting held on 1^st May 2012: H Izacks to read H Izaks.

 

2. Matters arising from the Minutes:  Condition of Roads: Abingdon Street and St Gabriels Estate: A reply dated 21^st May has been received from the Council's Highway Asset Management team which:

• acknowledges residents' concerns about the condition of the streets. 
• says that resurfacing or patching is based on location, traffic volumes and condition
• advises that this year's programme includes the surfacing of Ewesley Road and Priory Grove from Chester Road to Belmont Road. 

Sorley Street residents reported that there are potholes 5" deep in their street.  Susan agreed that some streets are deplorable. Her reply to the letter points out that some streets are now dangerous.

 

3. Crime/Anti-Social Behaviour Reports:              PC Hood reported that PACT meetings covering combined areas of Millfield, Deptford and Pallion will resume shortly.  Pallion residents advised that there will be a Pallion PACT meeting at 5pm on 11^th July at Pallion Action Group.

Kevin gave his report for the periods 27 March-24 April and 24 April-22 May 2012 and thanked Kate for her Powerpoint presentation last month.  

Kevin advised keeping garden furniture out of sight to prevent theft.  A scheme has been introduced whereby second-hand shops on Hylton Road are logging thumb prints as identification.   

Fiona Burrell reported that an empty Brady Street property has now been boarded up.  The Duncan Street property mentioned last month is now occupied. 

Fiona also advised that owners pay no Council tax on empty properties for the first 6 months, but thereafter pay the full amount, raised from 50% in April 2012.  Landlords are interested in selling but are finding this difficult at the moment.  The Empty Properties team have been granted government funding to purchase empty, run-down properties and bring them up to standard for managed letting.  Sunderland has a credited landlord scheme where properties are inspected and landlords are required to vet tenants.

 

4. Environmental Issues:              A Sorley Street resident reported the problem of tipping in the back lane.  This includes furniture, tyres and toys and is creating disgusting smells.  Cllr Kay advised that Michael Fascia is aware of it.   PC Hood added that the police have an on-going operation and are reporting these matters to the Council.

Susan has been asked to raise the matter of increased dog fouling on St Gabriel's estate.  Residents from all areas agreed –dog fouling is a big problem.  Susan will ask if more bins can be provided. 

 

5. Parking Management Scheme – Introduction of Phase 2         

Working Group Meeting: Susan reported that the meeting on 22^nd May had been productive. 

• Council officers had produced a draft plan showing blocks of potential streets to be included in the next phase, including the ABC streets.  
• Only residents within the blocks will be asked to vote.  Voting principles will be as last time. 
• Susan had proposed that abstentions and empty properties be voided rather than counted as ' no' votes and was supported in this by Cllr Wilson.  However, the officer had advised that any changes to the voting criteria would require a policy decision taken by our elected representatives.  He suggested instead that, if a vote is close, a panel could look at the circumstances of individual streets. 
• The officers are keen to extend the scheme as soon as possible, hopefully before the end of this financial year.  They are aware that building the multi-storey car park will create further disruption.

A resident asked if we could have the opportunity to see the consultation documents before general circulation.  Susan will make this request at the next Working Group Meeting on 27^th June.

Proposed Hospital Multi-Storey Car Park Susan has received a letter dated 28 May from the Hospital's Chief Executive advising that:

• funding has been agreed. 
• It may be built on the Kayll Road car park but the exact location has yet to be finalised.
• local residents will be involved in the consultation process. 
• it will be managed by hospital staff.
• it will create around 400 additional parking spaces, but no firm decision has been made.

PC Hood reported that he's heard today that 460 additional spaces would be created and will be in line with the Education Building.

 

6. Treasurers Report                       Elizabeth advised that due to an incorrect email address, our Community Chest application has not been dealt with.  She has since reapplied.  In the meantime, we still have funds.

 

7. Blog Update                                  Kate has uploaded some of the information contained in her presentation.  She'd welcome any issues/photos to include on the blog.

 

8. Any Other Business

BPMRA Newsletter:                        Susan circulated draft copies of the Newsletter for comment and asked for volunteers to deliver it.  The Treasurer asked that we acknowledge that we are partly supported by a grant from Sunderland City Council's Community Chest.  PC Hood asked if his email address could be added for anyone wanting confidential advice, and his telephone number: 101 ext 66119 (Millfield and Deptford).

Tyne & Wear Public Transport Users Group:  Helmut Izaks reported he's been appointed to the group which lobbies Nexus and the Passenger Transport Executive about all forms of public transport.  The group feels bus users should have a greater role in deciding how to deliver services and that Nexus officers and councillors on the Integrated Transport Authority are entitled to become partners with the bus companies to deliver services.  They've issued a card for disabled travellers to show drivers to take account of their needs.  Nexus Community Relations Officer James Hird is willing to attend a meeting to explain their work.  Helmut also advised that foliage on the metro line between Pallion and Millfield will be cut back soon to stop rubbish.  If anyone has any problems with transport, he is happy to talk to them.  Susan suggested this be an item on the Agenda. 

 

8. Date of Next Meeting               Tuesday, 3^rd July at 7.00 pm in St Mary Magdalenes Church Hall.

The meeting closed at 8.00 pm.