Minutes of July Meeting

Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 2nd July 2013 at 7.00 pm
St Mary Magdalene's Church Community Hall
Including the Annual General meeting

Annual General Meeting

The officers were re-elected, Susan Adamson, Chair; Linda Ranton, vice chair; Elizabeth Lardner, Treasurer; Kate Wilson, secretary.

Elizabeth circulated a copy of the Association’s accounts for the previous twelve months. The majority of the expenditure is on meeting room hire and printing newsletters. She suggested a need to renew and update equipment and to consider how to stay viable financially as our current income relies on community chat grants, the latest of which covers the working group room hire but not the regular meetings. Elizabeth will also look into other grant sources. Susan thanks Elizabeth for her hard work.

 Crime/Anti-Social Behaviour

PC Kevin Hood gave crime reports for the period 2/6-30/6 highlighting that overall crime is low. He gave a reminder to keep front doors locked as there have been walk in burglaries where people have been outside in the back and the front door has been unlocked. 
The have been unreported thefts from gardens and Kevin urged that all incidents are reported. They are often able to recover property but if it has not been reported it can't be returned to the owner. The 03456 number is being phased out and replaced by 101. This can be used to report all non-emergencies. Police work on statistics and can only act in areas where they are aware of problems. 
Helmut reported an email scam which looks like a tax rebate but is a hoax.
David Lynn, anti-social behaviour officer, sent apologies but can be contacted on 561 7886 to report antisocial behaviour, noise problems etc. 

Parking Management Scheme

The working group met in June to update on the scheme. There had been delays due to legal advice being needed. The traffic regulation order is to be published on the 5th July with a three week consultation period. A planning and highways meeting is scheduled for mid-August after which works will start straight away. The scheme will be up and running before the works start on the multi storey car park. The problem will spread so we will keep pushing for expansion of the scheme however the hospital will want people to use the car park. The hospital are also demolishing the laundry to provide more parking spaces and extending park and ride services.

 Nisa store, Cleveland Road

The planning application has been resubmitted with shorter opening hours and a statement that smaller delivery vehicles will be used. The applicant has arranged a petition in favour while there are two petitions against, one arranged by the Spar and one from Annette and James. A number of residents will speak at the planning meeting. Cllr Essll reminded residents that the committee can only consider planning issues such as traffic, parking, risk of anti-social behaviour, noise, litter and safety. A letter of objection is to be submitted on behalf of the residents association.

Any Other Business
Susan reported that instead of newsletters, notices advertising the association would be placed in local shops. She has also contacted the Federation of Residents associations, to join forces and share experiences with others within similar issues. 

Susan and Linda are to meet with Community News and will be included in the next issue. 

Alison and Nichola described the work of Groundwork North East. This is an 18 month environmental charity working in partnership with councils, residents groups and the fire brigade tackling arson in Hendon and Millfield. They are seeking community champions and spreading the word via residents groups. They gave a presentation,  highlighting the problems and ask that people report such issues and ask that residents spread the word. 

Helmet updated on the transport users group, in particular bus services 18, 19 and 99, metro ticket mavens and he circulated Bridge cards to those who need assistance with traveling on public transport. The next meeting is on 30/7/13 at the civic centre. 

Residents complained about the state of the back lanes of Brinkburn and Ormonde Streets and Mount Road by the school. Cllr Essll said that an engineer will take a look and if dangerous something will be done. 

Regarding Libraries, Kayll Road will remain open but hours may be reduced as part of the cuts.

Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday 6th August at 7.00pm in St Mary Magdalene’s Church and Community Hall.
 
The meeting closed t at 8.30pm.