September Meeting: Tuesday 4th

Apologies for a lack of posts recently. A lot has been happening with the Resident's Association, come along to our meeting Tomorrow Tuesday 4th September at 7pm in St Mary Magdalenes Church Hall (this month in the upper room) to find out more. The agenda includes a follow up on the issues raise last month (see minutes below), crime, anti-social behaviour and environmental (e.g. waste and dog fouling) issues, update on phase two of the residents parking scheme and the hospital multi-storey car park.
All are welcome.

Last months meeting included our AGM and election (or re-election) of the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Many thanks to Susan, Linda, Ann and Elizabeth for all their hard work.

Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 7th August:

1. Election of Officers/Treasurers Report

A Clarkson and D Rutter counted the votes cast and announced the following were elected in accordance with the constitution: Chairman – Susan Adamson; Vice-Chairman – Linda Ranton; Treasurer – Elizabeth Lardner; Meeting Secretary – Ann Tumman.

The Treasurer's Report for the year to 31 May 2012 was circulated and accepted. The Chairman thanked the councillors for the grants received.

2. Matters arising from the Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd July 2012 were agreed.

Traffic Congestion – Cleveland Road/Ewesley Road: We've written to James Newell and are awaiting his response. Cllr Watson said that stationary traffic is a Council issue and moving traffic is a matter for the police.

Construction of Road Build-outs for Bus Boarders: Residents said that some roads aren't wide enough to accommodate build-outs. They suspect bus companies are looking for a reason not to run some routes.

Cllr Watson advised that the Council have applied for a government grant to do this work. Five local authorities in Tyne & Wear are trying to develop a public group which would own and run the bus routes, or issue the routes to bus companies to run. Loss-making routes are subsidised by Councils while profits are kept by the bus companies.

3. Crime/Anti-Social Behaviour Reports
Cllr Kay advised that Millfield councillors have a map identifying clusters of anti-social behaviour, houses in disrepair or multi-occupation in their area. They are trying to predict or pre-empt problems by having measures in place.

A resident reported a recent incident around the RAOB club in Millfield where an old lady was terrified by young boys one night, and wondered if the community police were still patrolling the area. Susan advised that Pallion Partners and Community Together (PACT) will meet on 15th August at 7pm at Pallion Action Group, whilst the Millfield meeting will be held on 8th August at 7pm in St Mark's.

A Ewesley Road resident reported seeing a man sat on a neighbour's back yard wall. When confronted he jumped on to a waiting lorry. Pallion residents have seen similar incidents and have given vehicle registrations to the police. A Priory Grove resident inadvertently left her car unlocked on the drive and by next morning the glove compartment had been ransacked by an opportunist thief.

A recent visit by gypsies to the Pallion area was discussed. It was felt the police could have taken more control.

4. Environmental Matters
Dog Fouling and Litter: Residents said that signs aren't enough. St Gabriel's estate is a mess, as is a stretch of road along the metro line between Pallion and Millfield. More dog bins are needed. If there are no bins, people can't use them. More litter bins are needed in the Sorley Street, Brunton Terrace, and Chester Road area and in Pocket Park, while those that exist need emptying more often. Cllr Watson advised that it is national public policy not to have someone cleaning up after us but to promote responsible citizenship. More education and fines are needed.

Walk and Talk Tours: Cllr Scanlan advised these will resume in September in all areas and councillors would welcome suggestions for areas to walk around. Pocket Park was proposed.

5. Parking Management Scheme – Phase 2
Susan reported that a working group meeting was held on 1st August. Ken Heads had circulated draft leaflets to be sent to residents at the end of August. We've suggested some amendments to simplify the information but the presentation is good. The voting period will be the whole of September. There will be 3 consultation days and we will be involved in them. The Council are seeking an 80% response rate. Another meeting is planned for 5th September.

Cllr Kay asked if abstentions would be counted as a NO vote again and Susan confirmed this is the case. He added that there are 300+ known empty properties in Millfield, some of which will be in the voting area. Susan advised it is intended that a panel of ward councillors make the final decision on which streets are offered parking permits.

Hospital Multi-Storey Car Park:

• Susan reported that the hospital has told Street Scene that over 300 parking spaces will be lost while the multi-storey is being built. However, the Residents are looking to have the PMS in place before building work starts.

• Cllr Watson said we should not make the hospital inoperable by implementing the scheme before the proposed multi-storey is complete, although he didn't actually know when that would be.

• Susan explained that the Council's Street Scene officers will be meeting the hospital to help and encourage them to organise staff car sharing, metro passes etc. She said the hospital should be sorting out the problem, not impacting further on the residents. The PMS has forced the hospital into deciding to build a multi-storey. This delaying tactic was predicted.

• Linda pointed out that our PMS is for only 2-hours a day - 1 hour morning and afternoon - 5-days a week, which won't prevent hospital patients and visitors parking. Residents have sympathy with the visitors. Staffs at hospitals with all-day parking restrictions manage to find a way of getting to work.

• A resident advised that the existing Park and Ride scheme starts too late and finishes too early for it to be used by many hospital staff working long hours.

• Cllr Watson said that if this problem goes to the politicians on the Planning and Highways Committee for a delegated decision, as it should, they will be persuaded by the argument that a delay of 6 months before implementation of the PMS would be sensible. They will make an evidence-based judgement on why Phase 2 shouldn't go ahead.

• Susan commented that as the hospital hasn't even submitted a planning application yet, they have nothing to lose by waiting to see how far the PMS is extended before starting work.

• Linda thought that as the hospital is run as a business, it should be treated as a business. Instead of asking for the scheme to be delayed for 6 months they should be asking what they can do to help their staff and patients.

• Linda added that residents should not be asked to 'back off'. The Council made a mistake in the past concerning hospital planning permission. They should now rectify their mistake by supporting the residents and saying the PMS will go ahead as planned.

• Cllr Watson said if the hospital demonstrates that the public interest is best served by a delay of 6 months, he believes that the Planning & Highways Committee will be sympathetic to the hospital. He added we need to talk to the hospital and listen to their arguments.

• The residents doubted whether the hospital will listen to them. However they agreed to await the Street Scene officers report and to try once more to get the hospital to come along to a meeting.

8. Any Other Business
Mosque – St Mark's Road: Phil Pike has attended a recent Council meeting and made representations regarding the mosque. Many people were unhappy with the outcome of that meeting. Phil is determined not to let the matter lie and has done a lot of ground work. If anyone wants to know what he's doing, he can be contacted at Pike.2@virginmedia.com.

Replacement Dustbin: A Bexley Street resident has asked the Council 3 times for a replacement bin without success. Cllr Scanlan offered to help.

Pallion Inn: Can it be confirmed that the Inn will become a Tesco Express? Residents are concerned about the parking. The councillors have no knowledge of any plan.

Potentially Dangerous Property – Percival Street: A resident reported that workmen have identified that there is nothing to support the roof purlins in an adjoining property. Cllrs Watson/Scanlan will take this up with Building Control.

Tree Roots – Brookland Road: A resident reported that roots are lifting a flagstone. An engineer called 6 months ago and promised to check in 6 months. He hasn't returned despite a phone call. . Cllrs Watson/Scanlan will investigate.

Council Neighbourhood Help Line: Susan has had reports of poor service from 0300 1000 101 staff who seem to be ill-informed. Cllr Watson said staff will be given more training as the Council intend to migrate more services to this number. At the moment staff are still on a learning curve. He will do a 'secret shopper' exercise.

Subsidence: Bexley Street: A resident has reported this but it has not yet been actioned. Cllr Scanlan will pursue this matter.

Free Insulation/Central Heating Repairs: Cllr Kay circulated Sunderland Age UK leaflets for anyone wanting a grant from this scheme which will end this year.

Hearing Dogs for the Deaf: K Wilkinson reported that Soroptomists International are doing a charity walk in September. You can take your dog along. He will follow up with more information.

Distribution of Newsletter: S Rackstraw will co-ordinate their issue to volunteers.

9. Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday, 4th September at 7.00 pm in St Mary Magdalene's Parish and Community Hall, Upper Room.

The meeting closed at 8.40 pm.