Monday, 2 December 2013

Minutes: November 2013

Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 5th November 2013 at 7.00 pm
St Mary Magdalene's Church Community Hall
 
Matters arising: Cleveland road: Planning application has gone to appeal and objectors have had letters. Susan has written on behalf of the Residents Association and Annette was going to send photos. M Essl meeting with officer on Monday to finalise the council response which has to be in by the 15th. The objection will be as strong as possible. It should be decided in twelve weeks but is likely to take slightly longer and the Council will find out as soon as the decision is made. Mr Singh won't be able to re appeal but will be able to put in further applications. There is also an application for 4 houses on the site, but it is unknown whether this is to convert bakery or demolish and rebuild.
 
Crime/Anti-Social Behaviour
Kevin has sent apologies but has sent crime figures to Susan. He will provide antisocial behaviour statistics at the next meeting. He has emailed the other teams in Barnes, Pallion and Millfield after Susan passed on concerns about parking. It was reported that disabled people have difficulties accessing the church hall because of parking. Kevin says that there have been reports of accidents but the problem is that minor accidents won't be reported. Cllr Essl will find out if Diamond Hall is on the list to be visited by the camera car which has been successful around Richard Avenue.  Kevin wants to remind people that coming up to Christmas, there has been an increase in burglaries. Property should not be left visible in cars, and house doors should be kept locked. Opportunistic burglars are trying doors in case they're unlocked. 
There have also been reports of a white van driving up and down lanes with people looking over walls. Suspicious vehicle registration numbers should be reported to the police.
There are also concerns about bins being left out as they can be used to climb over walls. There was also a warning not to put personal information in the bins as there have been reports of people going through bins.
 
Parking Management Scheme
People are reporting problems from streets not in the scheme. Mr Bentley has emailed with problems and he has spoken to Ken Heads who reassured him that they are monitoring the situation. Those streets will be included in the next consultation but this is not going to happen quickly. Ian Kay reported that there won't be any further consultation until the impact of the new car park is known.
Corners and junctions are bad and getting dangerous. Cllr Essl stated that the local councillors will continue to support the scheme but it is difficult when other Councillors are concerned about the hospital. Phase two was small enough so that the hospital didn't object formally as this could have made it difficult to pass phase two and this also wants to be avoided in future. 
Cllr Kay is meeting Claire Dodds about improving signage for the hospital park and ride scheme. This meeting will cover those issues which would have been included in the Transport Users Group meetings which have been cancelled.
The problem with the PMS remains that residents not affected by parking voted against having the scheme but the problem is now being pushed out into these streets. 
Cllr Kay reported that in Millfield the scheme seems to be getting to the periphery as there is only so far that people will walk e.g in John Candlish Road, parking problems are from people using the metro station and not the hospital. It was noted that hospital staff have recently started parking in Arlington Street in Pallion. We will keep monitoring and pushing for the scheme to move out. Improving the park and ride will encourage people to use it and Nexus are not opposed in principle to the 700 bus going through hospital.
 
Treasurers Report
The community chest has been great and community first has given grant for the rent for a year. We should be viable for five years. Susan thanked Elizabeth for her hard work.
 
Any Other Business
Newsletter: Susan asked for volunteers to distribute the next newsletter.
 
50+ forum: Lots of courses relating to health and wellbeing are available. MP Sharon Hodgson is holding listening event regarding the Social care system at Age UK this Friday. 
 
Cllr Kay reported on the proposals to close Sunderland Central Fire Station which is in Millfield ward. The Fire Authority is consulting on this and are seeking honest opinions. The concern is that if Sunderland Central closes, the area will have to rely on cover from Farringdon and Marley Potts and response times would be longer. Susan will email details of the consultation to the distribution list.
 
Susan solicitors letters sent to residents leaseholders in parts of Barnes from High Barnes Estates, asking for notification if alterations have been made and proposing a moratorium where all outstanding approvals will be considered as a single retrospective application. They are asking for two cheques. Current advice is that if they want to survey property then they should pay for it and residents are advised not to send payment. Councillors are aware and are trying to sort something out. Previously, ignoring a similar letter was followed by offer to buy freehold. 

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