Minutes: September Meeting

Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 3rd September 2013 at 7.00 pm
St Mary Magdalene's Church Community Hall

Matters arising from the Minutes

Nothing not covered elsewhere.

Crime/Anti-Social Behaviour
Kevin Hood was not present to update on crime in the area.
Cllr Price mentioned that there had been problems in the city centre.
A resident described problems in a private rented property in Percival Street with people drinking in the street and bad language. This can be at any time of the day. Linda will raise the issue with Kevin.
K Wilkinson has heard reports of underage drinking by groups in Barnes Park during late evenings and at weekends. Cllr Price offered to mention this to Cllr Atkinson who is Councillor for Barnes.
Cllr Price asked if anyone was aware of drinking in the pocket park but no one has seen anything. M Greenfield suggested looking for evidence in the form of broken bottles, cans etc. Glass is a problem in Barnes Park and in some streets. At recent Shakespeare in the Park events, police were moving groups of young drinkers on before the performance could start.

 Parking Management Scheme

Regarding issues raised at the last meeting, residents permits have to be at the address where the car is registered and BS had informed him of this. The visitors pass can be used or car can be parked in a drive or garage. K Wilkinson described how there are a lot of scare stories where people haven't seen the scheme in operation or misunderstood how it works.

 Following permission for the scheme being given last month, works to get the scheme up and running been done quickly. Residents in other streets are now asking when they can be included and streets which previously voted no are keen to vote for a scheme. Cllr Kay stated that people hadn't realised what the scheme involved and that there is no deception involved and they will be keen to vote future phases. The scheme has also made hospital take notice and do something to alleviate the parking problems. Cllr Price said that part of success has been in the patience that residents had shown in developing the schemes and that is may be the case for future phases. E Lardner informed the meeting that traffic wardens patrolling every session and are very amenable. 

 The situation regarding visitors was clarified in that they can park on Saturday and Sunday without a permit. During the week a scratch card can be used as an alternative to the visitor permit and these are suggested for example for workmen. They are easy to obtain and cost £10 for ten cards. 

The scheme starts on 16th September. Enforcement will be soft to begin with for two weeks then the scheme will be in full operation from 1^st October. 

K Wilkinson stated that the planning committee meeting had great turn out, James Newell was great and after objections it went straight through. Objections were from shops and Cleveland road.

Treasurers Report

E Lardner, mentioned last month the need to stay viable and she has been successful in getting funding since then. The Association has always managed on grants without having to ask for funds from residents. 

Any Other Business

A Rafferty informed the meeting that the sold sign on the shop on Cleveland road has been taken down, the windows boarded up and hedge cut. It isn’t known who had bought it although there are rumours.

Cllr Price said that Cllr Essl asked him to inform the group that an appeal against the planning refusal has gone in. Cllr Essl will update the next meeting. It does however seem rare for council to get decisions wrong and appeals often fail. The appeal is that the recommendation to refuse went against highways and environmental comments but the chief officer has right to go against any comment. Residents cannot also lodge an appeal, it goes to planning adjudicator and that decision is final. B Price stated that it is better if objections come from the public rather than Spar who have a commercial interest. 

Residents thanked Councillors for their support for the PMS phase 2 and Cllr Price acknowledge the hard work done by the officers.

Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday 1^st October, 7.00pm in St Mary Magdalene’s Church and Community Hall.

Linda thanked everyone for coming and the meeting closed at 7.40pm.