BSACC monthly meeting 04 November 2009 - 7.30 pm in the Lounge, Broadgreen Centre, Salisbury Street.
1. Welcome and Housekeeping
2. Apologies for absence
3. Confirmation of the minutes – 07 October 2009 meeting
4. Matters arising from these minutes
5. Community Police report
6. Guest speaker: -
7. Correspondence: Kevin Leakey
8. Treasurers report: John Phillips
9. Chairs report: Karen Leakey
10. Vice-Chair/'Twenty is Plenty' report: Derek Sutton
11. Youth report
12. Broadgreen History Project: Kevin Leakey
13. Broadgreen Community Plan: John Taylor
14. Shrivenham Road/ Cockram Court report
15. Neighbourhood Watch report
16. Ward Councillors report
17. B.O.N.D. report.
18. Any Other Business
Next Meeting: Wednesday 02 December 2009 – 7.30 pm start in the lounge at the Broadgreen Centre.
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Broad Street Area Community Council meeting minutes - 2nd September 2009
PRESENT: Chair Karen Leakey, Vice-Chair Derek Sutton, Secretary and Archivist Kevin Leakey, Treasurer John Phillips, John and Vi Clark, Karen Coulthard, John and Pam Freegard, Kate Johnson, Alan Jones, Cluniford Mason, Rebecca McIntosh, Pam Montgomery, Peter Newson, Val Purvis, Madge Sutton, Ros Timlin.
ALSO PRESENT: John Taylor - Broadgreen Community Plan, PC Diffin, PCSO Bird, Councillor Derique Montaut,
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: John Banville, Celia Cotton, Kath Cridland, Elizabeth Grady, Kath Jones, Mike and Lindsay Ponting, Evelyn Mason, Sue Osbaldstone, Roy Townsend, David Webb, PC McIntyre, PCSO Turner, Angela Clack – Swindon Core Strategy, Tim French, Nazma Ramruttun.
CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES – 5th August 2009 meeting.
These Minutes were confirmed and signed a true record. Proposed Derek Sutton and seconded by Val Purvis.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE AUGUST MINUTES: None.
COMMUNITY POLICE REPORT – PC Diffin: Made enquiries into the Old Town 20 mph zones, and it has been funded by £80k of 106 monies.
Problems with Rosebery Street/Bathurst Road and accidents, there have been no recent complaints so it is possible this may be isolated.
ASB - For the whole of August there was only one case of anti social behaviour, so either everyone is behaving or it is not being reported. It was put to the Police that it is more likely that people are not reporting it because it is too much hassle trying to get through on the phone. PC Diffin responded by saying it could also be because people might want to keep things private or they might not like the Police, he went on to say that if people email or leave a phone message for the BG Police Team they will get back as soon as they can, The most important thing is by reporting in the problem or crime, it is logged and the logs are checked every day, this also shows that there are problems, if they are not reported then it looks like there are no problems or crimes happening. The Chair gave out a file to everyone present a file with Police and Council contact details because it seems that many residents are not reporting in problems, we as residents have to also take our responsibilities seriously and if we continue to not report problems, will we keep our 2 PCSO’s?
Litter - An update from the council – they have cleared Alexander Road and seem to be on top of the problem now. The council are doing the best they can within the budgets that they have, but if people continue to keep fly-tipping then it cannot be resolved easily.
Speeding – not been a lot of it, but yesterday gave out a section 59 notice to a young man who was driving in Salisbury Street like a lunatic, this means if he is caught again doing this in the next 12 months then he will have his car taken away.
Car parking on football days is causing a problem once again, so the parking department are sweeping the area on match days.
The Police team now have a post at St. Josephs School and will be working more from there now, as it is more central.
There is a big drive to upgrade Neighbourhood Watch and have a Neighbourhood Coordinator; Karen Leakey has volunteered to take on this role.
A number of problems were brought to PC Diffin’s attention: Cars are turning across County Road to go down Elmina Rd, Broad St, Bathurst Rd etc. and nothing seems to be done about it Ans: We have drug dealers and prostitution in the area so we have to prioritise what we do, can it be justified putting the PCSO’s on this problem? Cycling on the path is still a big problem. Ans: There appears to be a need for education as many of the people doing this are from the ethnic groups in the area. The Chair said she would contact the leaders of various groups to see if they will speak to their communities about this. People are parking in alleyways and causing obstructions. Ans: The Police were not aware of this, this is why it is so important to report problems in every time it happens, it might be worth asking Cllr. Montaut if the Council could put DY lines in all alleyways, as the ones that have them already don’t seem to have problems. Cllr. Montaut said that he would ask but not confident it would happen, as realistically the SBC engineers do not want to put in something that is un-enforceable. The Chair asked if he would take this forward as there seems to be evidence that DY lines work in the alleyway. He replied that people expect an immediate response to a local bureaucratic system that grinds on very slowly with its discussions, it’s right that we continue to place demands on it but it’s a very long winded process. Whilst councillors might be able to raise this at a more strategic level, unless there’s a ground swell of opinion saying we are not going to tolerate this within the community it weakens the case to be able to get it changed.
GUEST SPEAKER – HM courts: Unfortunately no one from the Courts turned up.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Sent:
· Father Leslie – email (sent 05 Aug) with attached 2nd letter (originally sent via post 9 June) asking for info about his proposals for the Broad St. Trust.
· Problems with fish sales at shop in Broad St, fruit and veg storage – Chair had meeting with Louise Doughty from SBC food safety. Chair to report back.
· Rod Bluh – ideas about areas behind white hoardings – open it up - green it over – use for an open air market
· Southbrook Inn – Bob and Tina Downing - thanks for the loan of the marquee for the street athletics.
· Overgrowing brambles etc at rear of Stratton Bank (STFC) – Chair to report back.
· Community Garden – what areas can be used? – Chair to report back.
Received:
· Rod Bluh – Asked relevant officers to investigate our ideas for regen. areas, and will reply again when there are more details as to if it is feasible.
· Father Leslie – 17 August – email - So far I have had two positive responses from two of the Trustees, and I have just written to Mrs McCue to get a response from her. If she is in favour then the plans we have will be passed unanimously, and we can proceed along the lines previously discussed
Vice – Chair Derek Sutton requested that if the meeting agreed, we should send a letter of thanks to the McCue’s for the continued work they are carrying out at the Lunch Club. This was agreed.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
S/09/1488 - 124 - 125 Broad Street - Installation of roof lights and insertion of new window in rear elevation - Application Pending Consideration
S/09/1305 - 148 Rosebery Street - Erection of a single storey rear extension - Application Pending Consideration
S/COND/08/2201 - Land At Aylesbury Street - Discharge of Conditions from planning application S/07/0298
S/COND/08/1890 - Land At Aylesbury Street - Discharge of conditions 11 and 12 from planning permission S/07/0298
S/09/1092 - 110 Rosebery Street - Erection of a single storey rear extension - Application Granted – Delegated
TREASURERS REPORT: Proposed by Pam Freegard and Seconded by Derek Sutton
With regards to the letter sent to former Treasurer Richard Coates by recorded delivery, concerning the satisfactory accounts showing the outstanding monies owed to him, which could very well be around £1000. No reply has yet been received, nor has the letter been returned and Richard has not contacted any of the Officers about this matter, therefore it has to be assumed that Richard is in receipt of the letter and has chosen not to act upon it. John P proposed that the accounts be audited to the end of September as they are, allowing the BSACC to apply for funding for other projects in the pipeline.
CHAIR REPORT:
· Chris Hunt has informed us that Education Dept. have replied and they are happy for the two area’s – in front of their entrance and in front of the hut, to form part of the community garden – A meeting will be arranged to sort this out further.
· Had a meeting with Louise Doughty last week from the food safety team regarding the storage of food in the area and the following information has been passed over –
Question: What are the storage of fruit and vegetable laws, and also the storage and sale of fish, as fish is being stored in polystyrene boxes and sold on the shop curtilage next to the pavement. When the fish defrosts – the oil leaks onto the street and drains. There have been many complaints regarding smell. Rubbish from businesses in area is also not always stored in a healthy or responsible way
Reply:
The fruit being sold from the front of shops – fruit being displayed outside is very low risk and little can be done about this.
The shop had an inspection recently. Officers will be returning.
If the thoroughfare is blocked it is a problem and we must inform the highway department – goods can only be sold on own curtilage of premises.
All perishable goods must be refrigerated.
There are 4 fruit and vegetable food standards in the 1990 act – it is then covered by European Law – which has set regulations.
8522 deals with premises – hygiene/walls/floors etc.
2006 Eng Reg deal with the temperature control – raw fish and meat fall out of this scope.
The 8522 reg can then be used perishable food = micro bacteria growth.
An SBC Officer is going to visit shops to find out how they are selling fish – if its frozen – it should be kept frozen and if it’s defrosted on the street and advertised as fresh – then it’s being sold under false pretences.
The smell of the fish can be dealt with as a statutory nuisance – the enforcement pollution team would deal with this.
· Andy Reeves from the Com Hire Team has been working with us regarding the BG Centre etc – he has passed over three dates when the centre is going to be used for parties - I will be sending out an update to residents living in the near area. Andy is putting up dog fowling signs at the green area, and signs are also to be put up about the noise coming from the centre. The caretakers have been given more empowerment to deal with problems at BG.
· Attended a Street Athletics de-brief meeting on 27 August, they are coming back next year – this is fantastic news.
· There will be a community Cricket day next year – PC Diffin has set this up and Doug (Imrie) is setting up what will hopefully be annual Athletics event. To fund these things I hope to arrange an auction for the young people. I have spoken to Doug/Lindsay/William/Ruston and John Taylor and they are on board to help and take part.
· Had a 40 minute meeting on 1st September with Rod Bluh, Brian Mattock and John Taylor: Asked how talks are going with STFC – RB replied that they have been approached and they will not allow any green space to be built on etc – the same as previously. The new people at the club are better to work with and are working on plans. Asked for written permission for young Goan people to be able to play Volleyball at the County Ground Ext.
Showed them photo’s of the brambles at CG etc – Brian Mattock is going to have a meeting with Martin Buckland regarding this. Showed photo’s of the Pond area and asked that it be cleaned up – Kevin found some Ariel photos of the area – we requested some of the bushes be taken away to open the area out a little – so it will be safer and can be used by more people.
Relayed the real concerns about Broad Street being used as a major road in the future – it is in the CAAP as a major alteration. RB looking into this.
Asked about the green area at the end of Medgebury Road - can we use it as a community garden. BM will look into this. RB will also look into us having use of the green area at the top of Manchester Rd and County Rd.
Asked about the BG Centre rebuild and if SBC and BSACC could work together to secure funding for this – RB will look into MUSE and where they are and if we can work together.
Requested that the following SBC departments be thanked for their tireless work with our community: Lifestyle unit – Doug, youth team and Lindsay, Enviro. Enforcement team – Richard Palacio, the community hire team and the BG caretakers.
· Mark Walker has invited the BSACC to have a promotion stand in the Town centre on the 3rd Oct. as SBC Central Cluster is having an engagement event. Volunteers for the event were requested.
· I Had a meeting with Jo Osario regarding Carfax St surgery – basically it was about filling in a questionnaire –feed back was promised.
· We will be having a meal at Jury’s Inn on 18th September.
VICE-CHAIR REPORT: Nawaz in Broad Street are not storing their rubbish properly, when it was windy recently it was blowing into the street, the smell and flies are also very bad – The Chair said that SBC Officers will be revisiting this shop shortly.
Mrs Sutton has written a letter to the Adver concerning the terrible state of the County Ground extension.
Twenty is Plenty: The hope is that ’20 is plenty’ will go ahead as planned in the Core Strategy, where it is proposed that 20mph speed limits will eventually happen in all residential areas, but it will probably take a long time. Cllr. Montaut said he has a meeting planned later this month with a senior traffic engineer to discuss 20 is plenty
YOUTH REPORT: Sent in by Lindsay Poole Broadgreen Youth Worker
Skeetz youth club has been continuing over the summer holidays with steady numbers and some success in encouraging a large group of Afghan young people into the sessions and working with the young people to share the space and resources appropriately! We are also getting some young women into the session, which is really positive, and we are fast outgrowing the small room at the community centre! There was not a large take-up for an organised ice skating trip and so we have decided to postpone if until after Ramadan. Like last year, we shall be closed during Ramadan - the first 2 weeks will be staff holiday and team meeting and then the final 2 weeks we shall undertake 'outreach' in the area and especially focus on building our relationships with the young people who hang around at the County Ground. We shall then we open every week until Christmas when we usually close for one week.
The young people have expressed an interest in doing another art project so we are looking for opportunities to do a community mural of some description - please get in touch if you have any ideas.
Youth workers were present at the Street Athletics event and supported the team with getting evaluation forms completed...all the young people who we spoke to felt it was an excellent event, despite the poor weather and hope that it becomes an annual event!
BROADGREEN HISTORY PROJECT: We will be having a Committee Meeting before the December BSACC meeting. Plan to visit the Library next month to have a guided tour of the Local Studies Collection.
The Coat of arms that was on the demolished bus garage building was to be saved, what happened to it? – No reply from Rod Bluh, Steve Wakefield thought it might be at commercial services at Cheney Manor, so we emailed Bill Fisher – he did not know where it was, so is investigating it.
Golden Lion statue – moving to Bridge St. As part of the Canal Walk regeneration the Golden Lion was going to be moved further down towards the Murray John building in front of Faith Shoe Shop. This seemed a ridiculous idea, as moving it there would have placed it far outside of the context of its historical location. Following a suggestion put to Peter James of the New Swindon Company www.newswindon.co.uk and councillors by Kevin, suggesting that it might be a better idea to move it just around the corner into Bridge Street - as that was closer to its original location - above the Golden Lion Pub, It was decided this would be a sensible idea and this is where it is going to be relocated.
Took along the collection of ‘Then and Now’ photo’s for residents of Cockram Court to see. This was very successful and brought back many memories to the residents. Keith Watts gave Kevin a number of Victorian GWR engine photos.
Monthly request - if anybody has any old photos or events of the area– VE day celebrations, Queens silver jubilee, street parties, fete’s etc then we would be happy to scan them to add to the archive.
BROADGREEN COMMUNITY PLAN: The BSACC could assist SBC with the delivery of Connecting People Connecting Places (CPCP) through our community plan, and following the meeting with Cllrs. Bluh and Mattock it would seem they are looking forward to the launch of our community plan for that very reason.
It is proposed that we have a smaller batch of good quality documents of the finished plan printed for people like the Leader of the Council etc, and a larger amount of good quality summary leaflets.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT: Problems with inconsiderate parking by visitors to the area during Ramadan – parking on double yellow lines and in alleys has been rife. The community Garden has also been used as a car park.
The neighbourhood watch signs at the south end of Gladstone St. should be put up soon.
SHRIVENHAM ROAD REPORT: Lorries are still driving down Shrivenham Rd from the Magic Roundabout, unaware that it is a dead end.
COCKRAM COURT: Karen, Kevin and John T visited Cockram Court recently. The history group photo’s were shown, as well as info about our community plan. John was able to arrange an interview for ‘Central Voices’ with 2 residents.
WARD COUNCILLORS REPORT: Councillor Montaut commented that the 40 minute meeting the Chair had with Leader of the Council, Rod Bluh, was very good and said that Cllr. Bluh was very receptive and listened to people and communities, although he was under great pressure financially to be able to do things. The Chair pointed out that we didn’t expect the Council to come up with everything.
Cllr. Montaut has been appointed to the New Swindon Co. (NSC) as a Director. Much of what he has to deal with is confidential foe example having to deal with developers’ contracts. He recently had a 3-hour one to one meeting with the Chief Executive and underlined the concerns the BSACC have and the need for the NSC to engage with us and improve the area through 106 monies.
Work on Union Square is expected to start in January, but it’s all down to money and Govt. finance. There should be around 40 sheltered housing units on the site.
The Chair said we have given you a clear remit as Councillor to chase 106 monies from the regenerations for Broadgreen, as a Director of the NSC is this not a conflict of interest? Other residents agreed, as what the NSC wants may be very different to what we want. Cllr. Montaut said the council had appointed him on the Board and as such he would try to influence what happens in our direction to improve this area. Once at a senior level in the Council, you get put on various boards. He is also on the Fire Authority and has recently been in talks about the closure and moving of Drove Road fire station.
An Indian take-away in Moredon is looking to raise some money for charity by donating the profits from 2 nights takings, Cllr. Montaut put it to the meeting that he could put forward the BSACC for this. It was felt that whilst it was a nice thought, we would have to decline the offer, as the take-away was not in this area.
B.O.N.D: No report this month
ANY OTHER BUSINESS: The Core Strategy is out for consultation and can be viewed in libraries and road shows they are organising.
Polystyrene fish boxes are not being disposed of properly 97-11 shop) – they blow around and are put back the next day by a resident – is there anything that can be done to stop them?
Meeting closed at 9.35 pm.
ALSO PRESENT: John Taylor - Broadgreen Community Plan, PC Diffin, PCSO Bird, Councillor Derique Montaut,
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: John Banville, Celia Cotton, Kath Cridland, Elizabeth Grady, Kath Jones, Mike and Lindsay Ponting, Evelyn Mason, Sue Osbaldstone, Roy Townsend, David Webb, PC McIntyre, PCSO Turner, Angela Clack – Swindon Core Strategy, Tim French, Nazma Ramruttun.
CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES – 5th August 2009 meeting.
These Minutes were confirmed and signed a true record. Proposed Derek Sutton and seconded by Val Purvis.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE AUGUST MINUTES: None.
COMMUNITY POLICE REPORT – PC Diffin: Made enquiries into the Old Town 20 mph zones, and it has been funded by £80k of 106 monies.
Problems with Rosebery Street/Bathurst Road and accidents, there have been no recent complaints so it is possible this may be isolated.
ASB - For the whole of August there was only one case of anti social behaviour, so either everyone is behaving or it is not being reported. It was put to the Police that it is more likely that people are not reporting it because it is too much hassle trying to get through on the phone. PC Diffin responded by saying it could also be because people might want to keep things private or they might not like the Police, he went on to say that if people email or leave a phone message for the BG Police Team they will get back as soon as they can, The most important thing is by reporting in the problem or crime, it is logged and the logs are checked every day, this also shows that there are problems, if they are not reported then it looks like there are no problems or crimes happening. The Chair gave out a file to everyone present a file with Police and Council contact details because it seems that many residents are not reporting in problems, we as residents have to also take our responsibilities seriously and if we continue to not report problems, will we keep our 2 PCSO’s?
Litter - An update from the council – they have cleared Alexander Road and seem to be on top of the problem now. The council are doing the best they can within the budgets that they have, but if people continue to keep fly-tipping then it cannot be resolved easily.
Speeding – not been a lot of it, but yesterday gave out a section 59 notice to a young man who was driving in Salisbury Street like a lunatic, this means if he is caught again doing this in the next 12 months then he will have his car taken away.
Car parking on football days is causing a problem once again, so the parking department are sweeping the area on match days.
The Police team now have a post at St. Josephs School and will be working more from there now, as it is more central.
There is a big drive to upgrade Neighbourhood Watch and have a Neighbourhood Coordinator; Karen Leakey has volunteered to take on this role.
A number of problems were brought to PC Diffin’s attention: Cars are turning across County Road to go down Elmina Rd, Broad St, Bathurst Rd etc. and nothing seems to be done about it Ans: We have drug dealers and prostitution in the area so we have to prioritise what we do, can it be justified putting the PCSO’s on this problem? Cycling on the path is still a big problem. Ans: There appears to be a need for education as many of the people doing this are from the ethnic groups in the area. The Chair said she would contact the leaders of various groups to see if they will speak to their communities about this. People are parking in alleyways and causing obstructions. Ans: The Police were not aware of this, this is why it is so important to report problems in every time it happens, it might be worth asking Cllr. Montaut if the Council could put DY lines in all alleyways, as the ones that have them already don’t seem to have problems. Cllr. Montaut said that he would ask but not confident it would happen, as realistically the SBC engineers do not want to put in something that is un-enforceable. The Chair asked if he would take this forward as there seems to be evidence that DY lines work in the alleyway. He replied that people expect an immediate response to a local bureaucratic system that grinds on very slowly with its discussions, it’s right that we continue to place demands on it but it’s a very long winded process. Whilst councillors might be able to raise this at a more strategic level, unless there’s a ground swell of opinion saying we are not going to tolerate this within the community it weakens the case to be able to get it changed.
GUEST SPEAKER – HM courts: Unfortunately no one from the Courts turned up.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Sent:
· Father Leslie – email (sent 05 Aug) with attached 2nd letter (originally sent via post 9 June) asking for info about his proposals for the Broad St. Trust.
· Problems with fish sales at shop in Broad St, fruit and veg storage – Chair had meeting with Louise Doughty from SBC food safety. Chair to report back.
· Rod Bluh – ideas about areas behind white hoardings – open it up - green it over – use for an open air market
· Southbrook Inn – Bob and Tina Downing - thanks for the loan of the marquee for the street athletics.
· Overgrowing brambles etc at rear of Stratton Bank (STFC) – Chair to report back.
· Community Garden – what areas can be used? – Chair to report back.
Received:
· Rod Bluh – Asked relevant officers to investigate our ideas for regen. areas, and will reply again when there are more details as to if it is feasible.
· Father Leslie – 17 August – email - So far I have had two positive responses from two of the Trustees, and I have just written to Mrs McCue to get a response from her. If she is in favour then the plans we have will be passed unanimously, and we can proceed along the lines previously discussed
Vice – Chair Derek Sutton requested that if the meeting agreed, we should send a letter of thanks to the McCue’s for the continued work they are carrying out at the Lunch Club. This was agreed.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
S/09/1488 - 124 - 125 Broad Street - Installation of roof lights and insertion of new window in rear elevation - Application Pending Consideration
S/09/1305 - 148 Rosebery Street - Erection of a single storey rear extension - Application Pending Consideration
S/COND/08/2201 - Land At Aylesbury Street - Discharge of Conditions from planning application S/07/0298
S/COND/08/1890 - Land At Aylesbury Street - Discharge of conditions 11 and 12 from planning permission S/07/0298
S/09/1092 - 110 Rosebery Street - Erection of a single storey rear extension - Application Granted – Delegated
TREASURERS REPORT: Proposed by Pam Freegard and Seconded by Derek Sutton
With regards to the letter sent to former Treasurer Richard Coates by recorded delivery, concerning the satisfactory accounts showing the outstanding monies owed to him, which could very well be around £1000. No reply has yet been received, nor has the letter been returned and Richard has not contacted any of the Officers about this matter, therefore it has to be assumed that Richard is in receipt of the letter and has chosen not to act upon it. John P proposed that the accounts be audited to the end of September as they are, allowing the BSACC to apply for funding for other projects in the pipeline.
CHAIR REPORT:
· Chris Hunt has informed us that Education Dept. have replied and they are happy for the two area’s – in front of their entrance and in front of the hut, to form part of the community garden – A meeting will be arranged to sort this out further.
· Had a meeting with Louise Doughty last week from the food safety team regarding the storage of food in the area and the following information has been passed over –
Question: What are the storage of fruit and vegetable laws, and also the storage and sale of fish, as fish is being stored in polystyrene boxes and sold on the shop curtilage next to the pavement. When the fish defrosts – the oil leaks onto the street and drains. There have been many complaints regarding smell. Rubbish from businesses in area is also not always stored in a healthy or responsible way
Reply:
The fruit being sold from the front of shops – fruit being displayed outside is very low risk and little can be done about this.
The shop had an inspection recently. Officers will be returning.
If the thoroughfare is blocked it is a problem and we must inform the highway department – goods can only be sold on own curtilage of premises.
All perishable goods must be refrigerated.
There are 4 fruit and vegetable food standards in the 1990 act – it is then covered by European Law – which has set regulations.
8522 deals with premises – hygiene/walls/floors etc.
2006 Eng Reg deal with the temperature control – raw fish and meat fall out of this scope.
The 8522 reg can then be used perishable food = micro bacteria growth.
An SBC Officer is going to visit shops to find out how they are selling fish – if its frozen – it should be kept frozen and if it’s defrosted on the street and advertised as fresh – then it’s being sold under false pretences.
The smell of the fish can be dealt with as a statutory nuisance – the enforcement pollution team would deal with this.
· Andy Reeves from the Com Hire Team has been working with us regarding the BG Centre etc – he has passed over three dates when the centre is going to be used for parties - I will be sending out an update to residents living in the near area. Andy is putting up dog fowling signs at the green area, and signs are also to be put up about the noise coming from the centre. The caretakers have been given more empowerment to deal with problems at BG.
· Attended a Street Athletics de-brief meeting on 27 August, they are coming back next year – this is fantastic news.
· There will be a community Cricket day next year – PC Diffin has set this up and Doug (Imrie) is setting up what will hopefully be annual Athletics event. To fund these things I hope to arrange an auction for the young people. I have spoken to Doug/Lindsay/William/Ruston and John Taylor and they are on board to help and take part.
· Had a 40 minute meeting on 1st September with Rod Bluh, Brian Mattock and John Taylor: Asked how talks are going with STFC – RB replied that they have been approached and they will not allow any green space to be built on etc – the same as previously. The new people at the club are better to work with and are working on plans. Asked for written permission for young Goan people to be able to play Volleyball at the County Ground Ext.
Showed them photo’s of the brambles at CG etc – Brian Mattock is going to have a meeting with Martin Buckland regarding this. Showed photo’s of the Pond area and asked that it be cleaned up – Kevin found some Ariel photos of the area – we requested some of the bushes be taken away to open the area out a little – so it will be safer and can be used by more people.
Relayed the real concerns about Broad Street being used as a major road in the future – it is in the CAAP as a major alteration. RB looking into this.
Asked about the green area at the end of Medgebury Road - can we use it as a community garden. BM will look into this. RB will also look into us having use of the green area at the top of Manchester Rd and County Rd.
Asked about the BG Centre rebuild and if SBC and BSACC could work together to secure funding for this – RB will look into MUSE and where they are and if we can work together.
Requested that the following SBC departments be thanked for their tireless work with our community: Lifestyle unit – Doug, youth team and Lindsay, Enviro. Enforcement team – Richard Palacio, the community hire team and the BG caretakers.
· Mark Walker has invited the BSACC to have a promotion stand in the Town centre on the 3rd Oct. as SBC Central Cluster is having an engagement event. Volunteers for the event were requested.
· I Had a meeting with Jo Osario regarding Carfax St surgery – basically it was about filling in a questionnaire –feed back was promised.
· We will be having a meal at Jury’s Inn on 18th September.
VICE-CHAIR REPORT: Nawaz in Broad Street are not storing their rubbish properly, when it was windy recently it was blowing into the street, the smell and flies are also very bad – The Chair said that SBC Officers will be revisiting this shop shortly.
Mrs Sutton has written a letter to the Adver concerning the terrible state of the County Ground extension.
Twenty is Plenty: The hope is that ’20 is plenty’ will go ahead as planned in the Core Strategy, where it is proposed that 20mph speed limits will eventually happen in all residential areas, but it will probably take a long time. Cllr. Montaut said he has a meeting planned later this month with a senior traffic engineer to discuss 20 is plenty
YOUTH REPORT: Sent in by Lindsay Poole Broadgreen Youth Worker
Skeetz youth club has been continuing over the summer holidays with steady numbers and some success in encouraging a large group of Afghan young people into the sessions and working with the young people to share the space and resources appropriately! We are also getting some young women into the session, which is really positive, and we are fast outgrowing the small room at the community centre! There was not a large take-up for an organised ice skating trip and so we have decided to postpone if until after Ramadan. Like last year, we shall be closed during Ramadan - the first 2 weeks will be staff holiday and team meeting and then the final 2 weeks we shall undertake 'outreach' in the area and especially focus on building our relationships with the young people who hang around at the County Ground. We shall then we open every week until Christmas when we usually close for one week.
The young people have expressed an interest in doing another art project so we are looking for opportunities to do a community mural of some description - please get in touch if you have any ideas.
Youth workers were present at the Street Athletics event and supported the team with getting evaluation forms completed...all the young people who we spoke to felt it was an excellent event, despite the poor weather and hope that it becomes an annual event!
BROADGREEN HISTORY PROJECT: We will be having a Committee Meeting before the December BSACC meeting. Plan to visit the Library next month to have a guided tour of the Local Studies Collection.
The Coat of arms that was on the demolished bus garage building was to be saved, what happened to it? – No reply from Rod Bluh, Steve Wakefield thought it might be at commercial services at Cheney Manor, so we emailed Bill Fisher – he did not know where it was, so is investigating it.
Golden Lion statue – moving to Bridge St. As part of the Canal Walk regeneration the Golden Lion was going to be moved further down towards the Murray John building in front of Faith Shoe Shop. This seemed a ridiculous idea, as moving it there would have placed it far outside of the context of its historical location. Following a suggestion put to Peter James of the New Swindon Company www.newswindon.co.uk and councillors by Kevin, suggesting that it might be a better idea to move it just around the corner into Bridge Street - as that was closer to its original location - above the Golden Lion Pub, It was decided this would be a sensible idea and this is where it is going to be relocated.
Took along the collection of ‘Then and Now’ photo’s for residents of Cockram Court to see. This was very successful and brought back many memories to the residents. Keith Watts gave Kevin a number of Victorian GWR engine photos.
Monthly request - if anybody has any old photos or events of the area– VE day celebrations, Queens silver jubilee, street parties, fete’s etc then we would be happy to scan them to add to the archive.
BROADGREEN COMMUNITY PLAN: The BSACC could assist SBC with the delivery of Connecting People Connecting Places (CPCP) through our community plan, and following the meeting with Cllrs. Bluh and Mattock it would seem they are looking forward to the launch of our community plan for that very reason.
It is proposed that we have a smaller batch of good quality documents of the finished plan printed for people like the Leader of the Council etc, and a larger amount of good quality summary leaflets.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT: Problems with inconsiderate parking by visitors to the area during Ramadan – parking on double yellow lines and in alleys has been rife. The community Garden has also been used as a car park.
The neighbourhood watch signs at the south end of Gladstone St. should be put up soon.
SHRIVENHAM ROAD REPORT: Lorries are still driving down Shrivenham Rd from the Magic Roundabout, unaware that it is a dead end.
COCKRAM COURT: Karen, Kevin and John T visited Cockram Court recently. The history group photo’s were shown, as well as info about our community plan. John was able to arrange an interview for ‘Central Voices’ with 2 residents.
WARD COUNCILLORS REPORT: Councillor Montaut commented that the 40 minute meeting the Chair had with Leader of the Council, Rod Bluh, was very good and said that Cllr. Bluh was very receptive and listened to people and communities, although he was under great pressure financially to be able to do things. The Chair pointed out that we didn’t expect the Council to come up with everything.
Cllr. Montaut has been appointed to the New Swindon Co. (NSC) as a Director. Much of what he has to deal with is confidential foe example having to deal with developers’ contracts. He recently had a 3-hour one to one meeting with the Chief Executive and underlined the concerns the BSACC have and the need for the NSC to engage with us and improve the area through 106 monies.
Work on Union Square is expected to start in January, but it’s all down to money and Govt. finance. There should be around 40 sheltered housing units on the site.
The Chair said we have given you a clear remit as Councillor to chase 106 monies from the regenerations for Broadgreen, as a Director of the NSC is this not a conflict of interest? Other residents agreed, as what the NSC wants may be very different to what we want. Cllr. Montaut said the council had appointed him on the Board and as such he would try to influence what happens in our direction to improve this area. Once at a senior level in the Council, you get put on various boards. He is also on the Fire Authority and has recently been in talks about the closure and moving of Drove Road fire station.
An Indian take-away in Moredon is looking to raise some money for charity by donating the profits from 2 nights takings, Cllr. Montaut put it to the meeting that he could put forward the BSACC for this. It was felt that whilst it was a nice thought, we would have to decline the offer, as the take-away was not in this area.
B.O.N.D: No report this month
ANY OTHER BUSINESS: The Core Strategy is out for consultation and can be viewed in libraries and road shows they are organising.
Polystyrene fish boxes are not being disposed of properly 97-11 shop) – they blow around and are put back the next day by a resident – is there anything that can be done to stop them?
Meeting closed at 9.35 pm.
Monday, 5 October 2009
AGENDA - BSACC monthly meeting 07 October 2009
BSACC monthly meeting 07 October 2009 - 7.30 pm in the toddlers room, Broadgreen Centre, Salisbury Street.
1. Welcome and Housekeeping
2. Apologies for absence
3. Confirmation of the minutes – 02 September 2009 meeting
4. Matters arising from these minutes
5. Community Police report
6. Guest speaker: PC McIntyre and DCI Capstick
7. Correspondence: Kevin Leakey
8. Treasurers report: John Phillips
9. Chairs report: Karen Leakey
10. Vice-Chair/'Twenty is Plenty' report: Derek Sutton
11. Youth report
12. Broadgreen History Project: Kevin Leakey
13. Broadgreen Community Plan: John Taylor
14. Shrivenham Road/ Cockram Court report
15. Neighbourhood/Street Watch report
16. Ward Councillors report
17. B.O.N.D. report.
18. Any Other Business
Next Meeting: Wednesday 04 November 2009 – 7.30 pm start in the lounge at the Broadgreen Centre.
1. Welcome and Housekeeping
2. Apologies for absence
3. Confirmation of the minutes – 02 September 2009 meeting
4. Matters arising from these minutes
5. Community Police report
6. Guest speaker: PC McIntyre and DCI Capstick
7. Correspondence: Kevin Leakey
8. Treasurers report: John Phillips
9. Chairs report: Karen Leakey
10. Vice-Chair/'Twenty is Plenty' report: Derek Sutton
11. Youth report
12. Broadgreen History Project: Kevin Leakey
13. Broadgreen Community Plan: John Taylor
14. Shrivenham Road/ Cockram Court report
15. Neighbourhood/Street Watch report
16. Ward Councillors report
17. B.O.N.D. report.
18. Any Other Business
Next Meeting: Wednesday 04 November 2009 – 7.30 pm start in the lounge at the Broadgreen Centre.
Monday, 7 September 2009
Broad Street Area Community Council meeting minutes 5th August 2009
PRESENT: Chair Karen Leakey, Vice-Chair Derek Sutton, Secretary and Archivist Kevin Leakey, Treasurer John Phillips, John and Vi Clark, John and Pam Freegard, Kate Johnson, Kath Jones, Rebecca McIntosh, Pam Montgomery, Val Purvis, Ros Timlin, David Webb.
ALSO PRESENT: John Taylor - Broadgreen Community Plan, PCSO Turner, Councillor Derique Montaut, Sarah Chalmers - Health Centre, Tim French, Brian Jones.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: John Banville, Celia Cotton, Karen Coulthard, Kath Cridland, Elizabeth Grady, Alan Jones, Mike and Lindsay Ponting, Cluniford Mason, Evelyn Mason, Sue Osbaldstone, Madge Sutton, Roy Townsend, PCSO Bird, PC McIntyre.
*The August meeting ran from 6.00 to 7.10 pm followed by a Community Plan and community engagement drop in session. This was advertised around the Broadgreen area.
CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES – 1st July 2009 meeting.
These Minutes were confirmed and signed a true record. Proposed Pam Freegard and seconded by Val Purvis.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE JULY MINUTES: None.
COMMUNITY POLICE REPORT – PCSO Turner: Not much has changed as far as the 3 priorities are concerned.
With regards to the drinkers that congregate in the recess at the rear of Manchester Road, the police are working very closely with the Open Hands Church, who are looking to put up a fence to eliminate the problem. It was reported that the drinkers continue to cause a problem and a wheelie bin has now appeared in this recess and is full of beer cans.
The cctv van has been in the area, and although some groups think they are being watched, PCSO Turner made assurances that it was only there to target the drinkers.
Last month the speeding in Broad Street survey results were published, the police are working as best as they can to get the speed limit reduced. If residents see speeding cars, then please try to get the registration number and pass it on to the police
It was requested that because of our ‘20 is plenty’ campaign the Broadgreen Community Police team talk to the Old Town team and find out what their approach to 20 mph is.
The Chair thanked PCSO’s Turner and Bird for attending the Street Athletics and the Goan Festival.
GUEST SPEAKER – Sarah Chalmers, Swindon Primary Care Trust, re Carfax Street Health Centre:
When the wider redevelopment of the town centre happens, the heath centre area will be redeveloped. Until this happens the present centre will remain open and will not close until the new building is operational. There are no diagrams or plans to show at the moment, but the new health centre will be on the old police station site and all the current available services will remain. There are no plans to alter the GP’s either.
The PCT are talking to people that use the centre, to see what would make things better for them in the new building, for example clear signs and notices not hidden behind plants etc.
Questions:
Q: If you go to the onsite chemists, and it doesn’t seem to matter what time, there are drug addicts wanting their prescriptions and people can feel intimidated by them – you can also be pushed down the queue with the drug addicts taking preference.
A: It is intended for the chemist to move with the health centre, this problem will be taken back and passed on to the chemists.
Q: When is the Health Centre likely to move?
A: Initially we believe in 2013, but as we are in a recession that is very likely to slip further. In the mean time, it is planned to paint the current Centre and spruce it up.
Q: Will the new build be a stand-alone building or will it be part of a larger complex?
A: It will probably be built into a mid-range hotel, but will have it’s own entrance as will the chemists. There will also be disabled parking.
Q: Is there only going to be disabled parking?
A: At the moment, yes. Negotiations are being held to see if more general parking spaces can be included but it will probably be restricted to 40 to 50 spaces due to planning legislation, this may include staff parking.
Q: At the moment there is very little space for people with wheelchairs and pushchairs etc to get by people stood in queues especially if there are people in the queue with walking sticks, will the new building have more space?
A: This is all being looked at in the plans.
Q: Can the doctors and treatment rooms be on outside walls of the new building, then patients will be able to get plenty of light and fresh air.
A: This is part of the plans; it is good for patients well being plus it is also environmentally good for the buildings carbon footprint.
Q: On a wider point the BSACC has for a number of years been working extremely hard to build bridges and form partnerships with various groups and agencies, so far the most difficult one has been with the PCT. Part of the community plan is to identify partners that might be able to help solve problems in this area, for example the PCT could help with a health road show here. Some of the Broadgreen Centre has been taken over by the PCT because of swine flu, and yet no one was informed of this, it would be good to have more communication.
A: The PCT is now working with the council; I (Sarah Chalmers) would be the logical point of contact. Email contact was given over to BSACC.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Received:
Form from Highworth Library to update details on community info database.
Email re. the proposed Hilton Hotel at the former Paragon Laundry Site - ‘After giving the matter careful consideration, and taking additional advice on the likely viability of residential development the site in the short or medium term, Mr Gill has made the decision to proceed with the application for a hotel. This was submitted earlier this week’.
Email re 33 Rosebery St planning – Louise Moore – Enforcement. Re. 33 Rosebery Street - the owner has now nearly finalised the plans (retrospective) - he has been seriously ill and is going into a home until middle of September to be cared for. On 15th Sept Louise has a meeting with him - when he is due to put an application in.
If this does not happen by the end of September then SBC will take enforcement action (if the development manager agrees)!
A further letter has been sent to back up the emails to Father Leslie regarding the Broad St. Trust and what he is proposing to do with it. No reply as yet.
Sent:
To PC Diffin: The road markings along Bathurst Rd are really bad and nearly worn away at the Rosebery St junction. Recently a car smashed into two other cars on the corner of Rosebery and Bathurst.
The Community Council is taking this up - would the Police be able to back us on this?
Also a number of residents have asked that Gambia Road could be shut off to incoming traffic - this is used as a rat run when County Road is busy - is this something you could support?
Reply: I am aware of the problems in Rosebery Street and I feel that there needs to be a meeting for the residents of the area to voice their views re speed issues and options open to resolve the issues, it will need Highways to attend to explain what options are available.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
S/09/0567 - Jury's Inn - Construction of temporary car park for hotel use - Application Granted – Delegated
S/09/1068 - Union Square - Request for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Opinion for proposed development - Application Received
S/09/1335 - Former Paragon Laundry, Aylesbury Street - Partial demolition and erection of 118no. bedroom hotel and associated works - Application Pending Consideration
S/COND/09/0839 - 48 Manchester Road - Discharge of Conditions from planning permission S/08/0542
TREASURERS REPORT:
Proposed by John Clark and Seconded by Derek Sutton
The Treasurer read out a letter sent to former Treasurer Richard Coates and reported to the meeting that despite trying to contact him on numerous occasions, seeking to have the accounts book back from his time as Treasurer, he has been unable to do so.
Therefore John Phillips proposed that we send a letter via recorded delivery stating that unless we receive immediately the full statements and receipts that shows exactly how much money is due to him, then we will draw a line under his accounts and assume that he has forfeited his money, starting new accounts with the balance currently in our bank account. The proposal was seconded by Pam Freegard and carried unanimously by the meeting.
CHAIR REPORT:
· Thank you to all who helped and came along to the Big Lunch, through this the BSACC were able to engage with the Chinese and Bengali schools that use rooms at the Broadgreen Centre on Sundays.
· Thanks to all who helped at the Street Athletics, the finals will be held in Manchester on the 25th September. It is hoped they will come back to Broadgreen again next year.
· The Chair proposed that the BSACC hire a room at a later date and show the film that some of the young people took of the event. This was agreed to.
· The BSACC had a promotional area at the Goan Festival, despite the pouring rain a number of our members volunteered to man the area, so thanks to all those involved.
· We intend to work more with the young people in this area. Some of Goan youngsters already play volleyball and are looking to set up a girl’s football team.
· The Chair recently had an article about the concerns surrounding SBC’s ‘Connecting People Connecting Places’ featured in the Link Magazine.
· It might be a good idea to have a rolling chair; this would give people the opportunity to see if they might like to become the BSACC Chairperson one day. There are 3 people that have expressed an interest in doing this. –The Vice-Chair, Derek said that he had been thinking about this and Karen is our Chair, and he couldn’t see any reason to change this system or why it should happen. Maybe it should be shelved until we have asked SBC if we can do this. – Ros asked if it was not against the Constitution, should the idea be barred? It would simply give people the chance to try it out. The Chair pointed out that come the next AGM, she would have held the post for 3 years and technically should step down. – We will try and find out how we stand legally on this point.
· The Police can put on Terror Training if there is any interest. Much interest was shown about this. – Police to be contacted for a possible date in September.
· We have some money that we have fund raised; it is proposed to spend some of it on a gazebo or marquee and a BSACC banner to advertise ourselves at events.
VICE-CHAIR REPORT:
The Chair has donated a camera to be used by the BSACC, if anyone wants to borrow it to record BSACC events etc that would be ok.
There is still an Alsatian that is put out onto the Broadgreen Centre play area to use as a toilet.
Dog mess in the area is on the increase, it seems owners are not scooping it up. It would be good to have notices in the area, but not if they are not policed. The Chair said this area has its name down for a dog bin, but we are on a list and will have to wait.
A shop in Broad Street is selling fish and the customers are crowding around the shop, blocking the path and stopping customers from going into the adjacent shop. – This has been reported to Louis Doughty a health inspector with SBC. A stiff letter has been sent to the shop proprietors.
Twenty is Plenty: A Children’s Art Competition has been running to find a design for a ‘Twenty is Plenty’ poster. 3 drawings were put forward to be judged, and a drawing of a lollypop lady was chosen. The winner will receive an art box.
BROADGREEN HISTORY PROJECT: No report this month
BROADGREEN COMMUNITY PLAN: Last Friday, John Taylor attended a Turkish meeting, at which surveys were handed out.
There are currently 113 replies to the youth survey from Secondary Schools – these will be turned into priorities.
As well as advertising tonight Community Plan and engagement meeting around this area, we also told people about it at the Goan Festival, and Father Toomey was going to announce it before Mass on Sunday – it was hoped this would encourage the Goan community to come along tonight.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT: No report this month
SHRIVENHAM ROAD REPORT: The overgrown shrubs at the County Ground Extension have still not been cut back; neither have the brambles at the back of Stratton Bank. – This will be reported at the Tasking Meeting. Prostitutes are being picked up from Shrivenham Rd. Lorries continue to go down Shrivenham Rd, not knowing it is now a dead end.
WARD COUNCILLORS REPORT: The problems with dog mess is a borough wide one, Cllr. Montaut said he continued to call for more bins, but to no avail. Residents should continue to push for more. Ros asked could this not be pushed as a health and hygiene issue? Cllr. Montaut said it could be, but not much point unless the purse strings are opened up.
The proposed use of the old laundry in Aylesbury Street is of great concern, there seems to be more and more hotels and very little low cost housing. He hoped that residential developments would continue to be an issue for the BSACC as well as councillors.
B.O.N.D: No report this month
ANY OTHER BUSINESS: With the regenerations now on hold, could the white boards around the areas not be taken down and the areas grassed over and used for sport or even a weekly market? Rod Bluh to be contacted.
The Mosque in Broad Street is being extended at the back do they have planning permission? Yes they do, although the time limit has nearly run out.
The BSACC now have a new website: www. broadstreetcc.btik.com
The barriers in Station Road have disappeared.
Cars are parking on double yellow lines, at either end of an alleyway in Alfred Street, who should be contacted about this? Councillor Montaut said he would take this up and PCSO Turner said take details of the cars, report it to the Police and they will come out.
Meeting closed at 7.10 pm.
ALSO PRESENT: John Taylor - Broadgreen Community Plan, PCSO Turner, Councillor Derique Montaut, Sarah Chalmers - Health Centre, Tim French, Brian Jones.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: John Banville, Celia Cotton, Karen Coulthard, Kath Cridland, Elizabeth Grady, Alan Jones, Mike and Lindsay Ponting, Cluniford Mason, Evelyn Mason, Sue Osbaldstone, Madge Sutton, Roy Townsend, PCSO Bird, PC McIntyre.
*The August meeting ran from 6.00 to 7.10 pm followed by a Community Plan and community engagement drop in session. This was advertised around the Broadgreen area.
CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES – 1st July 2009 meeting.
These Minutes were confirmed and signed a true record. Proposed Pam Freegard and seconded by Val Purvis.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE JULY MINUTES: None.
COMMUNITY POLICE REPORT – PCSO Turner: Not much has changed as far as the 3 priorities are concerned.
With regards to the drinkers that congregate in the recess at the rear of Manchester Road, the police are working very closely with the Open Hands Church, who are looking to put up a fence to eliminate the problem. It was reported that the drinkers continue to cause a problem and a wheelie bin has now appeared in this recess and is full of beer cans.
The cctv van has been in the area, and although some groups think they are being watched, PCSO Turner made assurances that it was only there to target the drinkers.
Last month the speeding in Broad Street survey results were published, the police are working as best as they can to get the speed limit reduced. If residents see speeding cars, then please try to get the registration number and pass it on to the police
It was requested that because of our ‘20 is plenty’ campaign the Broadgreen Community Police team talk to the Old Town team and find out what their approach to 20 mph is.
The Chair thanked PCSO’s Turner and Bird for attending the Street Athletics and the Goan Festival.
GUEST SPEAKER – Sarah Chalmers, Swindon Primary Care Trust, re Carfax Street Health Centre:
When the wider redevelopment of the town centre happens, the heath centre area will be redeveloped. Until this happens the present centre will remain open and will not close until the new building is operational. There are no diagrams or plans to show at the moment, but the new health centre will be on the old police station site and all the current available services will remain. There are no plans to alter the GP’s either.
The PCT are talking to people that use the centre, to see what would make things better for them in the new building, for example clear signs and notices not hidden behind plants etc.
Questions:
Q: If you go to the onsite chemists, and it doesn’t seem to matter what time, there are drug addicts wanting their prescriptions and people can feel intimidated by them – you can also be pushed down the queue with the drug addicts taking preference.
A: It is intended for the chemist to move with the health centre, this problem will be taken back and passed on to the chemists.
Q: When is the Health Centre likely to move?
A: Initially we believe in 2013, but as we are in a recession that is very likely to slip further. In the mean time, it is planned to paint the current Centre and spruce it up.
Q: Will the new build be a stand-alone building or will it be part of a larger complex?
A: It will probably be built into a mid-range hotel, but will have it’s own entrance as will the chemists. There will also be disabled parking.
Q: Is there only going to be disabled parking?
A: At the moment, yes. Negotiations are being held to see if more general parking spaces can be included but it will probably be restricted to 40 to 50 spaces due to planning legislation, this may include staff parking.
Q: At the moment there is very little space for people with wheelchairs and pushchairs etc to get by people stood in queues especially if there are people in the queue with walking sticks, will the new building have more space?
A: This is all being looked at in the plans.
Q: Can the doctors and treatment rooms be on outside walls of the new building, then patients will be able to get plenty of light and fresh air.
A: This is part of the plans; it is good for patients well being plus it is also environmentally good for the buildings carbon footprint.
Q: On a wider point the BSACC has for a number of years been working extremely hard to build bridges and form partnerships with various groups and agencies, so far the most difficult one has been with the PCT. Part of the community plan is to identify partners that might be able to help solve problems in this area, for example the PCT could help with a health road show here. Some of the Broadgreen Centre has been taken over by the PCT because of swine flu, and yet no one was informed of this, it would be good to have more communication.
A: The PCT is now working with the council; I (Sarah Chalmers) would be the logical point of contact. Email contact was given over to BSACC.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Received:
Form from Highworth Library to update details on community info database.
Email re. the proposed Hilton Hotel at the former Paragon Laundry Site - ‘After giving the matter careful consideration, and taking additional advice on the likely viability of residential development the site in the short or medium term, Mr Gill has made the decision to proceed with the application for a hotel. This was submitted earlier this week’.
Email re 33 Rosebery St planning – Louise Moore – Enforcement. Re. 33 Rosebery Street - the owner has now nearly finalised the plans (retrospective) - he has been seriously ill and is going into a home until middle of September to be cared for. On 15th Sept Louise has a meeting with him - when he is due to put an application in.
If this does not happen by the end of September then SBC will take enforcement action (if the development manager agrees)!
A further letter has been sent to back up the emails to Father Leslie regarding the Broad St. Trust and what he is proposing to do with it. No reply as yet.
Sent:
To PC Diffin: The road markings along Bathurst Rd are really bad and nearly worn away at the Rosebery St junction. Recently a car smashed into two other cars on the corner of Rosebery and Bathurst.
The Community Council is taking this up - would the Police be able to back us on this?
Also a number of residents have asked that Gambia Road could be shut off to incoming traffic - this is used as a rat run when County Road is busy - is this something you could support?
Reply: I am aware of the problems in Rosebery Street and I feel that there needs to be a meeting for the residents of the area to voice their views re speed issues and options open to resolve the issues, it will need Highways to attend to explain what options are available.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
S/09/0567 - Jury's Inn - Construction of temporary car park for hotel use - Application Granted – Delegated
S/09/1068 - Union Square - Request for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Opinion for proposed development - Application Received
S/09/1335 - Former Paragon Laundry, Aylesbury Street - Partial demolition and erection of 118no. bedroom hotel and associated works - Application Pending Consideration
S/COND/09/0839 - 48 Manchester Road - Discharge of Conditions from planning permission S/08/0542
TREASURERS REPORT:
Proposed by John Clark and Seconded by Derek Sutton
The Treasurer read out a letter sent to former Treasurer Richard Coates and reported to the meeting that despite trying to contact him on numerous occasions, seeking to have the accounts book back from his time as Treasurer, he has been unable to do so.
Therefore John Phillips proposed that we send a letter via recorded delivery stating that unless we receive immediately the full statements and receipts that shows exactly how much money is due to him, then we will draw a line under his accounts and assume that he has forfeited his money, starting new accounts with the balance currently in our bank account. The proposal was seconded by Pam Freegard and carried unanimously by the meeting.
CHAIR REPORT:
· Thank you to all who helped and came along to the Big Lunch, through this the BSACC were able to engage with the Chinese and Bengali schools that use rooms at the Broadgreen Centre on Sundays.
· Thanks to all who helped at the Street Athletics, the finals will be held in Manchester on the 25th September. It is hoped they will come back to Broadgreen again next year.
· The Chair proposed that the BSACC hire a room at a later date and show the film that some of the young people took of the event. This was agreed to.
· The BSACC had a promotional area at the Goan Festival, despite the pouring rain a number of our members volunteered to man the area, so thanks to all those involved.
· We intend to work more with the young people in this area. Some of Goan youngsters already play volleyball and are looking to set up a girl’s football team.
· The Chair recently had an article about the concerns surrounding SBC’s ‘Connecting People Connecting Places’ featured in the Link Magazine.
· It might be a good idea to have a rolling chair; this would give people the opportunity to see if they might like to become the BSACC Chairperson one day. There are 3 people that have expressed an interest in doing this. –The Vice-Chair, Derek said that he had been thinking about this and Karen is our Chair, and he couldn’t see any reason to change this system or why it should happen. Maybe it should be shelved until we have asked SBC if we can do this. – Ros asked if it was not against the Constitution, should the idea be barred? It would simply give people the chance to try it out. The Chair pointed out that come the next AGM, she would have held the post for 3 years and technically should step down. – We will try and find out how we stand legally on this point.
· The Police can put on Terror Training if there is any interest. Much interest was shown about this. – Police to be contacted for a possible date in September.
· We have some money that we have fund raised; it is proposed to spend some of it on a gazebo or marquee and a BSACC banner to advertise ourselves at events.
VICE-CHAIR REPORT:
The Chair has donated a camera to be used by the BSACC, if anyone wants to borrow it to record BSACC events etc that would be ok.
There is still an Alsatian that is put out onto the Broadgreen Centre play area to use as a toilet.
Dog mess in the area is on the increase, it seems owners are not scooping it up. It would be good to have notices in the area, but not if they are not policed. The Chair said this area has its name down for a dog bin, but we are on a list and will have to wait.
A shop in Broad Street is selling fish and the customers are crowding around the shop, blocking the path and stopping customers from going into the adjacent shop. – This has been reported to Louis Doughty a health inspector with SBC. A stiff letter has been sent to the shop proprietors.
Twenty is Plenty: A Children’s Art Competition has been running to find a design for a ‘Twenty is Plenty’ poster. 3 drawings were put forward to be judged, and a drawing of a lollypop lady was chosen. The winner will receive an art box.
BROADGREEN HISTORY PROJECT: No report this month
BROADGREEN COMMUNITY PLAN: Last Friday, John Taylor attended a Turkish meeting, at which surveys were handed out.
There are currently 113 replies to the youth survey from Secondary Schools – these will be turned into priorities.
As well as advertising tonight Community Plan and engagement meeting around this area, we also told people about it at the Goan Festival, and Father Toomey was going to announce it before Mass on Sunday – it was hoped this would encourage the Goan community to come along tonight.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT: No report this month
SHRIVENHAM ROAD REPORT: The overgrown shrubs at the County Ground Extension have still not been cut back; neither have the brambles at the back of Stratton Bank. – This will be reported at the Tasking Meeting. Prostitutes are being picked up from Shrivenham Rd. Lorries continue to go down Shrivenham Rd, not knowing it is now a dead end.
WARD COUNCILLORS REPORT: The problems with dog mess is a borough wide one, Cllr. Montaut said he continued to call for more bins, but to no avail. Residents should continue to push for more. Ros asked could this not be pushed as a health and hygiene issue? Cllr. Montaut said it could be, but not much point unless the purse strings are opened up.
The proposed use of the old laundry in Aylesbury Street is of great concern, there seems to be more and more hotels and very little low cost housing. He hoped that residential developments would continue to be an issue for the BSACC as well as councillors.
B.O.N.D: No report this month
ANY OTHER BUSINESS: With the regenerations now on hold, could the white boards around the areas not be taken down and the areas grassed over and used for sport or even a weekly market? Rod Bluh to be contacted.
The Mosque in Broad Street is being extended at the back do they have planning permission? Yes they do, although the time limit has nearly run out.
The BSACC now have a new website: www. broadstreetcc.btik.com
The barriers in Station Road have disappeared.
Cars are parking on double yellow lines, at either end of an alleyway in Alfred Street, who should be contacted about this? Councillor Montaut said he would take this up and PCSO Turner said take details of the cars, report it to the Police and they will come out.
Meeting closed at 7.10 pm.
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
AGENDA - BSACC monthly meeting 02 September 2009
1. Welcome and Housekeeping
2. Apologies for absence
3. Confirmation of the minutes – 05 August 2009 meeting
4. Matters arising from these minutes
5. Community Police report
6. Guest speaker: HM Courts
7. Correspondence: Kevin Leakey
8. Treasurers report: John Phillips
9. Chairs report: Karen Leakey
10. Vice-Chair/'Twenty is Plenty' report: Derek Sutton
11. Youth report
12. Broadgreen History Project: Kevin Leakey
13. Broadgreen Community Plan: John Taylor
14. Shrivenham Road/ Cockram Court report
15. Neighbourhood/Street Watch report
16. Ward Councillors report
17. B.O.N.D. report.
18. Any Other Business
Next Meeting: Wednesday 07 October 2009
2. Apologies for absence
3. Confirmation of the minutes – 05 August 2009 meeting
4. Matters arising from these minutes
5. Community Police report
6. Guest speaker: HM Courts
7. Correspondence: Kevin Leakey
8. Treasurers report: John Phillips
9. Chairs report: Karen Leakey
10. Vice-Chair/'Twenty is Plenty' report: Derek Sutton
11. Youth report
12. Broadgreen History Project: Kevin Leakey
13. Broadgreen Community Plan: John Taylor
14. Shrivenham Road/ Cockram Court report
15. Neighbourhood/Street Watch report
16. Ward Councillors report
17. B.O.N.D. report.
18. Any Other Business
Next Meeting: Wednesday 07 October 2009
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Broad Street Area Community Council meeting minutes 1st July 2009
PRESENT: Chair Karen Leakey, Vice-Chair Derek Sutton, Secretary and Archivist Kevin Leakey, John and Vi Clark, Karen Coulthard, Stella Edwards, John and Pam Freegard, Kate Johnson, Alan Jones, Cluniford Mason, Pam Montgomery, Val Purvis, Madge Sutton
ALSO PRESENT: John Taylor - Broadgreen Community Plan, Councillor Derique Montaut, PC Diffin, Tim French and Katherine.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Treasurer John Phillips, John Banville, Celia Cotton, Kath Cridland, Elizabeth Grady, Kath Jones, Mike and Lindsay Ponting, Rebecca McIntosh, Evelyn Mason, Jean Norris, Sue Osbaldstone, Ros Timlin, Roy Townsend, David Webb. PC McIntyre, PC Sheikh
CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES – 3rd June 2009 meeting.
These Minutes were confirmed and signed a true record. Proposed Pam Freegard and seconded by Val Purvis.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE JUNE MINUTES: None.
COMMUNITY POLICE REPORT - PC Diffin: The Police have been working with the proprietors of the Shop at 147 Manchester Road, because of the drinking problems that seem to have been connected with the shop. As a result of this, in the last two weeks they have increased their price of alcohol and are also refusing to serve drunken persons. The alleyway behind the shop that has for a long time been a focal area for street drinkers is now clear of the associated rubbish and the drinkers have moved on to another area of Swindon to do their drinking. The bus stop in Corporation Street is also clear of drunks. The Police will continue to monitor this area, but it seems to be clear at the moment. – Kate reported that she had found the problems continuing. PC Diffin said this conflicted with what the Police team had been told and witnessed for themselves. However if they had just been patrolling at the wrong time, and missed the drinkers then they requested that whenever there is a problem, could it be reported in because times can then be logged and patrols altered to suite and the logs will provide the proof needed to justify the patrolling of this area.
The Chair reiterated that any crime, no matter how small should be reported; as there was a fear we might lose another member of our Police team.
Speeding – As there is a wish for 20 mph speed limits around the area, speeding will continue to be a priority.
Litter – There are still problems around the area, but SBC are doing their best with their limited budget.
The structure of the Neighbourhood Police Teams (NPT’s) across Swindon have altered from today (01 July) - they will all now consist of a Beat Manager and 1 or 2 PCSO’s and they will not deal with long term problems. The NPT’s work will now be aimed at community engagement. Response teams made up in the Central area, of 5 Police Officers, will deal with crime. It is unclear what sort of impact this will have, but it could be looked upon that there were now 5 extra Police Officers in the area.
Jane Dudley from the Neighbourhood Safety Team is currently undertaking a survey – anyone that fills one out will receive a ‘DNA Marking Kit’
A number of concerns were then directed at PC Diffin:
Because of the removal of caretakers at the Broadgreen, do the police still have easy access to the building to get to their office?
They cannot always get in, but the decision to move the caretakers to another site had been taken from above and was part of the swine flu strategic planning being put in place and was a bit of a ‘hot potato’.
The Chair said that we had tried to contact the Primary Care Trust (PCT) about the proposed usage, but they were very secretive about it.
Councillor Montaut said that he had raised this along with other issues connected with the Broadgreen Centre but he believed that the reasons for moving the caretakers was as a cost cutting exercise to reduce the numbers, and also because the council are looking for community groups to take over the running of community centres.
There was an incident in Salisbury Street recently where the fence at the back of a property was set on fire; a man was caught at the scene, although he denied setting the fire. He was quite abusive to residents, but said he lived at the bail hostel in Rosebery Street and was due in court on arson charges, so he couldn’t be connected to this fire; a short while later there was also a fire at the back of the hostel – the problem is, we had been reassured by Clearspring who rent the property, that this was not a bail hostel and any one that put in there would only have committed low level crime, is this the case and are the Police told who is living at the property?
It is not a bail hostel in the technical sense; people living there have normally just come out of prison. Arson is a low-level crime and the Police would not be notified who is in there unless there was a problem- sometimes you get a bad egg. The arson is being investigated.
GUEST SPEAKER – Councillor Derique Montaut on being a councillor: Councillor Montaut explained that now was not a good time to talk about being a councillor, when nationally MP’s are getting a kicking and people say they only see their councillors at election times.
There are good and bad in all Parties and he has represented 3 Wards to date and they have all been different. It is not the electorate who decides who will be their councillor, rather the Party to whom the prospective candidate has to prove through interviews etc that they are the right person to be put forward.
Once elected there is much hard work to do and it takes up as much time as you afford to give it. Ward casework is very important as is meeting with community groups; it is a privilege to represent people but councillors should remember they are accountable and can easily be thrown out.
Casework is very important and it is the councillors who can help people cut through the council’s bureaucracy. Councillors are also uniquely placed to bring about change in their local areas, by linking up community groups with decision makers, and using network effectively, Councillors can empower local people to have a real say and how communities is run and developed.
As part of the opposition Party in Swindon, one of the very important jobs is that of scrutinising how the council is run, and the decisions made by the Cabinet, Cllr. Montaut as Leader of the Labour Group therefore has 2 Scrutiny Officers working with him, to aid this very important job.
If a councillor is not up to standard then Cllr. Montaut believes the electorate has a moral obligation to vote that person out of Office, this is an important aspect in a democratic system.
There is a tremendous amount of reading involved in being a councillor, as councillors need to be up to speed on policies etc. Many people think that they can report a problem and pass the responsibility to a councillor and it will be sorted out, but Councils and Councillors have to work within a framework set down by Central Government and this can very often place limitations on what can be achieved.
When local communities raise issues with their Ward Councillors, the political groups discuss them. Often on policies, things have already been decided and if people leave problems until it is too late, then the groups may very well turn around to that Councillor and say ‘sorry about that, but you’re party to this group and we’re not going to go along with you’ and you will have to abide by that and the groups will, will be placed on you. So do not expect at the last minute to raise issues after key central issues have been determined. In other words Councillors have got to come in at an early enough stage to put the case forward to their groups to be able to get the support, if not they can expect the groups whip to come into play.
So it’s not a straight forward situation, it’s a complex one and a councillor can spend as little as a few hours a week on their councillor work or can spend as many hours as they are prepared to give. I don’t suppose it’s unusual to give up 60-70 hours a week to be able to do the job properly.
Finally, there are changes in the pipeline for Local Government and Wards in the future. Central has some 9 to 10,000 residents and three councillors, but Ward boundary changes are currently being discussed and this might mean for example this area might become part of the same Ward as Gorse Hill and there might only be one councillor.
CORRESPONDENCE: A letter has been sent to back up the emails to Father Leslie regarding the Broad St. Trust and what he is proposing to do with it. No reply as yet.
Informed the parking department of the parking problems in - Broad St, Corporation St (Lagos St), Manchester Rd and Station Rd and invited them to a future meeting.
Received an invite to attend a Sustainable Communities forum/ conference on the 24th July
Overhanging hedge at the side of children’s centre in Gladstone St. – The work has now been carried out.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
· S/09/0470 - 151 - 153 County Road - Erection of a first floor rear extension - Application Refused - Committee Decision*
· S/09/0469 - 149 County Road - Change of use from residential dwelling (C3) to house in multiple occupation (Sui Generis) and single storey rear extension. - Application Refused - Committee Decision
· S/08/2397 - Former Paragon Laundry, Aylesbury Street - Enclosure of land (following partial demolition of buildings) for use as car parking in conjunction with remaining buildings. Making good openings arising from demolition including new roller shutter door - Application Granted – Delegated.
· S/LBC/08/2392 - Former Paragon Laundry, Aylesbury Street - Partial demolition of buildings and making good of resultant openings, to include new roller shutter door - Application Granted – Delegated
· S/09/0062 - 26 Medgbury Road - Erection of two storey/single storey rear extension - Application Invalid - Delegated. – sent letter saying it was granted?
· S/09/1010 - 86 Manchester Road - Conversion of first floor from offices to 1 no. flat and change of use of ground floor from Class B1 to Class A2 (Financial and Professional Offices) and erection of single storey rear/side extension. - Application Pending Consideration
· S/09/1092 - 110 Rosebery Street - Erection of a single storey rear extension - Application Pending Consideration
*151-153 and 149 County Rd were both looked at by the planning committee, Kevin spoke on behalf of the residents against the applications and the committee decided to refuse both applications on grounds of over-development, detrimental to amenity of neighbours, which will lead to an over concentration of HMO’s in area that will further erode the character of the area, contrary to DS6 and H15 of the Local Plan 2011. There is a possible new owner for both properties who, if he purchases them, wants to convert them into flats rather than HMO’s.
We have now met with the owners of the old laundry site in Aylesbury St. and it looks likely that they intend to continue with their application to build a hotel instead of flats on the site. This is mainly on financial grounds, as it would seem that there is still money to be made from hotels. They went away knowing that we felt the better option was for housing, as it was in a residential area and we were very concerned that if the proposals did not work out as a profitable concern as a hotel, it might make an ideal bail hostel.
33 Rosebery St – the garage at the back has been converted into flats, enforcement were looking into it and they said on the 31 March that they were expecting an application to go in the next 6-8 weeks - that was 13 weeks ago. Contacted the Officer and she has been off for the last month we were promised however that it is being chased up right now.
TREASURERS REPORT: Although the Treasurer John Phillips was not at the meeting, an interim financial report was put forward. Proposed by Derek Sutton and Seconded by John Freegard.
The Chair explained to the meeting about the difficulties we have been having, obtaining the up to date books concerning the financial situation of the BSACC from the former Treasurer Richard Coates. Unfortunately, despite it now being some 10 weeks since Richard resigned and many promises of the delivery of the books, this has not happened. Assurances were made by both the Chair and Vice-Chair, that there are no financial irregularities other than the fact we actually have too much money in our account, due to the fact Richard did not replace the cheque book when it ran out, and had for some time been paying bills from his own personal account. We now have a chequebook, but until Richard returns the up to date accounts and any bills etc he is owed monies for, we cannot have our accounts audited, and Richard cannot claim back any monies owed to him.
CHAIR REPORT: Fire Station Open day Saturday 4th July 10 – 4 help for tabletop sale etc.
The Big Lunch 19/7/9 1-4 pm – closed Gladstone Street – food – entertainment
Required. Will be fund raising for Drove Road Fire Station 50 year anniversary.
Donations welcome.
Street Athletics 29/7/9 1-4pm ALL young people welcome.
Goan Festival 1st August at the County Ground Ext. We will be running a under 5’s play area and are able to have a promotion stand for BSACC/History project/BG Community Plan - Any volunteers welcome. We have a meeting with Ruston tomorrow about this.
Through fund raising at 3 events this year, we now have £285. It was proposed that we should give John T £35 towards the Swindon Voices project, because John gives out a photograph and a CD recording of peoples interviews to all those that have spoken. This was agreed by the meeting.
It was also proposed to use some of the money to reinstate the Broadgreen ‘Outstanding person’ award and possibly an Outstanding Young Persons award. This was agreed by the meeting.
Clair Collins from HMCS has been invited to attend a future meeting and also request a tour of Swindon Court.
Spoken to Bob Johnson to arrange a meeting about the visible file – so we can become an accredited community group. Will be advantageous to do this.
PC Q Sheikh has sent info for young people about the Swindon Migrant and Refugee community.
Having received complaints about the BG Breakfast club – the Chair has been invited to their AGM next week.
John P has kindly volunteered to Chair the community garden group and will be holding a meeting in the very near future. Volunteers for the committee were requested.
Drove Road Fire Station:
If you have a community event that you may like the fire brigade to attend – they need at least 1 months notice.
They have a plan for community outreach work for all 4 watches and they must attend over 60 events a year. They have agreed to attend the following: The Big Lunch – Green Watch, Street Athletics – White Watch and the Goan Festival – Blue Watch.
With regards to the alleged ‘Bail Hostel’ in Rosebery Street, the Chair has met with the Police and Clearspring about this and reassurances have been made that it is not a bail hostel. Wendy Niblett from Clearspring has said that a private landlord rents the property to Clearspring but only low category offenders are placed in there. They sign a contract of behaviour to be good in the house and the local community.
Problems with hirers of the Community Centre have been reported from residents in Salisbury Street. It would seem that a number of parties have recently been held there and they have gone on until after midnight, with very loud music playing.
The next meeting will be from 6-7pm, followed by an open evening for people to drop in and meet us. Sarah Chalmers will be attending the meeting to talk about the replacement Carfax Street Health Centre.
BROADGREEN HISTORY PROJECT: The history project is coming along well – we visited St Josephs School as part of their community cohesion day - past present and future – and put on 3 workshop presentations to 3 sets of students. Much was learnt, not least the fact that there was a need to present the historic pictures a little differently next time - the young people might then stay awake! Luckily the Deputy Head was impressed though, as she used to live in Broadgreen 20 years ago.
Roger Trahurn from the Library came along to the first workshop and offered help from the Library, where they have a wealth of historical documents, books maps and photos. He also offered the history group the chance to take a tour of their local studies and family history section, so we could see what they have. This will be arranged during the coming months.
It is hoped that we will be able to put the old images of Broadgreen that we have collected so far, into small album, and also put them on to Power Point presentation so they can be shown as a slide show from a computer.
Finally, the monthly ask - anybody who might have any old photos of the area, and of events that may have been held– VE day celebrations, Queens silver jubilee, street parties, fete’s etc
VICE-CHAIR / Twenty is Plenty REPORT: Derek has been Vice-Chair for 2 months now and things have been great. He also wanted to inform the meeting how much work Karen and Kevin do behind the scenes.
Twenty is Plenty: Derek was pleased in some respects that the council have decided to put a 20 mph limit in Old Town, because he believes in the future, when we take our campaign forward, they will not be able to say there is no need for 20 mph limits in a residential area.
BROADGREEN COMMUNITY PLAN: John spoke of the Swindon Voices slot he does on Swindon 105.5 and noted that many of the people he had interviewed said they would like to see 20 mph limits in this area.
The surveys are now coming in and Churchfields will be picking theirs up tomorrow, the info gathered so far will give plenty of interest for the Council and Police to look at.
The outreach work we did at St. Josephs was the most successful we have done yet, and in the feedback report, Broadgreen had many mentions.
Illustrations of the preliminary results of the surveys to date were passed around and they showed a range between 85 and 99% positive to the 8 subjects on the forms, with 44 other suggestions being put forward to improve the area. The steering committee filtered down the 44 suggestions to the 5 top priorities – new community facilities with more family events, extend the S4L and 3 equal 3rds - more Police, houses to remain as homes not converted to HMO’s and free collection of big pieces of rubbish. This shows how we need to prioritise; there will be more suggestions on the youth survey when they are analysed.
At the next BSACC meeting, John will bring along both lists of suggestions and people will be able to ID what they want. From this we will be able to identify which Agencies would be able to take the lead to sort out the issues.
The Broadgreen website has been revamped - www.broadstreet.ik.com
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT: A manhole cover in Broad Street was exposed and a resident fell over it, the problem was reported and should have been fixed immediately, unfortunately it hasn’t. Councillor Montaut took the details and was going to take action on it.
There has been much noise reported coming from the Broadgreen Centre, after 11pm.
A van that is for sale is constantly parked in the area, with a concessionary parking permit on, it has not been booked, but other people cannot get concessionary permits.
SHRIVENHAM ROAD REPORT: The overgrown shrubs at the County Ground Extension have still not been cut back; neither has the brambles at the back of Stratton Bank. Councillor Montaut said the council are morally obliged to sort this out, he has tried but it should be brought up again at the tasking meeting.
WARD COUNCILLORS REPORT: Residents parking continues to be a problem with the price increases being too much, he felt it might be good to raise another petition in this area and also it might be a good idea to invite the lead member on this to a future meeting to explain why the increases are needed.
Councillor Montaut was at a Goan AGM meeting to which 200 plus people attended, he felt it was ok for people to have and operate their own ethnic groups, but they also needed to join in as well.
B.O.N.D: No report
ANY OTHER BUSINESS: lights at Broadgreen being left on until after midnight.
What’s happening with the seats in the community garden?
The children’s play area County Ground - when is it going to be rebuilt?
There is a wheelie bin at the back of the Manchester Rd alley it is in the little alcove at the back of the Open Hands Fellowship building, the drinkers are using this and it is full of beer cans – can this be removed?
Meeting closed at 9.15 pm.
ALSO PRESENT: John Taylor - Broadgreen Community Plan, Councillor Derique Montaut, PC Diffin, Tim French and Katherine.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Treasurer John Phillips, John Banville, Celia Cotton, Kath Cridland, Elizabeth Grady, Kath Jones, Mike and Lindsay Ponting, Rebecca McIntosh, Evelyn Mason, Jean Norris, Sue Osbaldstone, Ros Timlin, Roy Townsend, David Webb. PC McIntyre, PC Sheikh
CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES – 3rd June 2009 meeting.
These Minutes were confirmed and signed a true record. Proposed Pam Freegard and seconded by Val Purvis.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE JUNE MINUTES: None.
COMMUNITY POLICE REPORT - PC Diffin: The Police have been working with the proprietors of the Shop at 147 Manchester Road, because of the drinking problems that seem to have been connected with the shop. As a result of this, in the last two weeks they have increased their price of alcohol and are also refusing to serve drunken persons. The alleyway behind the shop that has for a long time been a focal area for street drinkers is now clear of the associated rubbish and the drinkers have moved on to another area of Swindon to do their drinking. The bus stop in Corporation Street is also clear of drunks. The Police will continue to monitor this area, but it seems to be clear at the moment. – Kate reported that she had found the problems continuing. PC Diffin said this conflicted with what the Police team had been told and witnessed for themselves. However if they had just been patrolling at the wrong time, and missed the drinkers then they requested that whenever there is a problem, could it be reported in because times can then be logged and patrols altered to suite and the logs will provide the proof needed to justify the patrolling of this area.
The Chair reiterated that any crime, no matter how small should be reported; as there was a fear we might lose another member of our Police team.
Speeding – As there is a wish for 20 mph speed limits around the area, speeding will continue to be a priority.
Litter – There are still problems around the area, but SBC are doing their best with their limited budget.
The structure of the Neighbourhood Police Teams (NPT’s) across Swindon have altered from today (01 July) - they will all now consist of a Beat Manager and 1 or 2 PCSO’s and they will not deal with long term problems. The NPT’s work will now be aimed at community engagement. Response teams made up in the Central area, of 5 Police Officers, will deal with crime. It is unclear what sort of impact this will have, but it could be looked upon that there were now 5 extra Police Officers in the area.
Jane Dudley from the Neighbourhood Safety Team is currently undertaking a survey – anyone that fills one out will receive a ‘DNA Marking Kit’
A number of concerns were then directed at PC Diffin:
Because of the removal of caretakers at the Broadgreen, do the police still have easy access to the building to get to their office?
They cannot always get in, but the decision to move the caretakers to another site had been taken from above and was part of the swine flu strategic planning being put in place and was a bit of a ‘hot potato’.
The Chair said that we had tried to contact the Primary Care Trust (PCT) about the proposed usage, but they were very secretive about it.
Councillor Montaut said that he had raised this along with other issues connected with the Broadgreen Centre but he believed that the reasons for moving the caretakers was as a cost cutting exercise to reduce the numbers, and also because the council are looking for community groups to take over the running of community centres.
There was an incident in Salisbury Street recently where the fence at the back of a property was set on fire; a man was caught at the scene, although he denied setting the fire. He was quite abusive to residents, but said he lived at the bail hostel in Rosebery Street and was due in court on arson charges, so he couldn’t be connected to this fire; a short while later there was also a fire at the back of the hostel – the problem is, we had been reassured by Clearspring who rent the property, that this was not a bail hostel and any one that put in there would only have committed low level crime, is this the case and are the Police told who is living at the property?
It is not a bail hostel in the technical sense; people living there have normally just come out of prison. Arson is a low-level crime and the Police would not be notified who is in there unless there was a problem- sometimes you get a bad egg. The arson is being investigated.
GUEST SPEAKER – Councillor Derique Montaut on being a councillor: Councillor Montaut explained that now was not a good time to talk about being a councillor, when nationally MP’s are getting a kicking and people say they only see their councillors at election times.
There are good and bad in all Parties and he has represented 3 Wards to date and they have all been different. It is not the electorate who decides who will be their councillor, rather the Party to whom the prospective candidate has to prove through interviews etc that they are the right person to be put forward.
Once elected there is much hard work to do and it takes up as much time as you afford to give it. Ward casework is very important as is meeting with community groups; it is a privilege to represent people but councillors should remember they are accountable and can easily be thrown out.
Casework is very important and it is the councillors who can help people cut through the council’s bureaucracy. Councillors are also uniquely placed to bring about change in their local areas, by linking up community groups with decision makers, and using network effectively, Councillors can empower local people to have a real say and how communities is run and developed.
As part of the opposition Party in Swindon, one of the very important jobs is that of scrutinising how the council is run, and the decisions made by the Cabinet, Cllr. Montaut as Leader of the Labour Group therefore has 2 Scrutiny Officers working with him, to aid this very important job.
If a councillor is not up to standard then Cllr. Montaut believes the electorate has a moral obligation to vote that person out of Office, this is an important aspect in a democratic system.
There is a tremendous amount of reading involved in being a councillor, as councillors need to be up to speed on policies etc. Many people think that they can report a problem and pass the responsibility to a councillor and it will be sorted out, but Councils and Councillors have to work within a framework set down by Central Government and this can very often place limitations on what can be achieved.
When local communities raise issues with their Ward Councillors, the political groups discuss them. Often on policies, things have already been decided and if people leave problems until it is too late, then the groups may very well turn around to that Councillor and say ‘sorry about that, but you’re party to this group and we’re not going to go along with you’ and you will have to abide by that and the groups will, will be placed on you. So do not expect at the last minute to raise issues after key central issues have been determined. In other words Councillors have got to come in at an early enough stage to put the case forward to their groups to be able to get the support, if not they can expect the groups whip to come into play.
So it’s not a straight forward situation, it’s a complex one and a councillor can spend as little as a few hours a week on their councillor work or can spend as many hours as they are prepared to give. I don’t suppose it’s unusual to give up 60-70 hours a week to be able to do the job properly.
Finally, there are changes in the pipeline for Local Government and Wards in the future. Central has some 9 to 10,000 residents and three councillors, but Ward boundary changes are currently being discussed and this might mean for example this area might become part of the same Ward as Gorse Hill and there might only be one councillor.
CORRESPONDENCE: A letter has been sent to back up the emails to Father Leslie regarding the Broad St. Trust and what he is proposing to do with it. No reply as yet.
Informed the parking department of the parking problems in - Broad St, Corporation St (Lagos St), Manchester Rd and Station Rd and invited them to a future meeting.
Received an invite to attend a Sustainable Communities forum/ conference on the 24th July
Overhanging hedge at the side of children’s centre in Gladstone St. – The work has now been carried out.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
· S/09/0470 - 151 - 153 County Road - Erection of a first floor rear extension - Application Refused - Committee Decision*
· S/09/0469 - 149 County Road - Change of use from residential dwelling (C3) to house in multiple occupation (Sui Generis) and single storey rear extension. - Application Refused - Committee Decision
· S/08/2397 - Former Paragon Laundry, Aylesbury Street - Enclosure of land (following partial demolition of buildings) for use as car parking in conjunction with remaining buildings. Making good openings arising from demolition including new roller shutter door - Application Granted – Delegated.
· S/LBC/08/2392 - Former Paragon Laundry, Aylesbury Street - Partial demolition of buildings and making good of resultant openings, to include new roller shutter door - Application Granted – Delegated
· S/09/0062 - 26 Medgbury Road - Erection of two storey/single storey rear extension - Application Invalid - Delegated. – sent letter saying it was granted?
· S/09/1010 - 86 Manchester Road - Conversion of first floor from offices to 1 no. flat and change of use of ground floor from Class B1 to Class A2 (Financial and Professional Offices) and erection of single storey rear/side extension. - Application Pending Consideration
· S/09/1092 - 110 Rosebery Street - Erection of a single storey rear extension - Application Pending Consideration
*151-153 and 149 County Rd were both looked at by the planning committee, Kevin spoke on behalf of the residents against the applications and the committee decided to refuse both applications on grounds of over-development, detrimental to amenity of neighbours, which will lead to an over concentration of HMO’s in area that will further erode the character of the area, contrary to DS6 and H15 of the Local Plan 2011. There is a possible new owner for both properties who, if he purchases them, wants to convert them into flats rather than HMO’s.
We have now met with the owners of the old laundry site in Aylesbury St. and it looks likely that they intend to continue with their application to build a hotel instead of flats on the site. This is mainly on financial grounds, as it would seem that there is still money to be made from hotels. They went away knowing that we felt the better option was for housing, as it was in a residential area and we were very concerned that if the proposals did not work out as a profitable concern as a hotel, it might make an ideal bail hostel.
33 Rosebery St – the garage at the back has been converted into flats, enforcement were looking into it and they said on the 31 March that they were expecting an application to go in the next 6-8 weeks - that was 13 weeks ago. Contacted the Officer and she has been off for the last month we were promised however that it is being chased up right now.
TREASURERS REPORT: Although the Treasurer John Phillips was not at the meeting, an interim financial report was put forward. Proposed by Derek Sutton and Seconded by John Freegard.
The Chair explained to the meeting about the difficulties we have been having, obtaining the up to date books concerning the financial situation of the BSACC from the former Treasurer Richard Coates. Unfortunately, despite it now being some 10 weeks since Richard resigned and many promises of the delivery of the books, this has not happened. Assurances were made by both the Chair and Vice-Chair, that there are no financial irregularities other than the fact we actually have too much money in our account, due to the fact Richard did not replace the cheque book when it ran out, and had for some time been paying bills from his own personal account. We now have a chequebook, but until Richard returns the up to date accounts and any bills etc he is owed monies for, we cannot have our accounts audited, and Richard cannot claim back any monies owed to him.
CHAIR REPORT: Fire Station Open day Saturday 4th July 10 – 4 help for tabletop sale etc.
The Big Lunch 19/7/9 1-4 pm – closed Gladstone Street – food – entertainment
Required. Will be fund raising for Drove Road Fire Station 50 year anniversary.
Donations welcome.
Street Athletics 29/7/9 1-4pm ALL young people welcome.
Goan Festival 1st August at the County Ground Ext. We will be running a under 5’s play area and are able to have a promotion stand for BSACC/History project/BG Community Plan - Any volunteers welcome. We have a meeting with Ruston tomorrow about this.
Through fund raising at 3 events this year, we now have £285. It was proposed that we should give John T £35 towards the Swindon Voices project, because John gives out a photograph and a CD recording of peoples interviews to all those that have spoken. This was agreed by the meeting.
It was also proposed to use some of the money to reinstate the Broadgreen ‘Outstanding person’ award and possibly an Outstanding Young Persons award. This was agreed by the meeting.
Clair Collins from HMCS has been invited to attend a future meeting and also request a tour of Swindon Court.
Spoken to Bob Johnson to arrange a meeting about the visible file – so we can become an accredited community group. Will be advantageous to do this.
PC Q Sheikh has sent info for young people about the Swindon Migrant and Refugee community.
Having received complaints about the BG Breakfast club – the Chair has been invited to their AGM next week.
John P has kindly volunteered to Chair the community garden group and will be holding a meeting in the very near future. Volunteers for the committee were requested.
Drove Road Fire Station:
If you have a community event that you may like the fire brigade to attend – they need at least 1 months notice.
They have a plan for community outreach work for all 4 watches and they must attend over 60 events a year. They have agreed to attend the following: The Big Lunch – Green Watch, Street Athletics – White Watch and the Goan Festival – Blue Watch.
With regards to the alleged ‘Bail Hostel’ in Rosebery Street, the Chair has met with the Police and Clearspring about this and reassurances have been made that it is not a bail hostel. Wendy Niblett from Clearspring has said that a private landlord rents the property to Clearspring but only low category offenders are placed in there. They sign a contract of behaviour to be good in the house and the local community.
Problems with hirers of the Community Centre have been reported from residents in Salisbury Street. It would seem that a number of parties have recently been held there and they have gone on until after midnight, with very loud music playing.
The next meeting will be from 6-7pm, followed by an open evening for people to drop in and meet us. Sarah Chalmers will be attending the meeting to talk about the replacement Carfax Street Health Centre.
BROADGREEN HISTORY PROJECT: The history project is coming along well – we visited St Josephs School as part of their community cohesion day - past present and future – and put on 3 workshop presentations to 3 sets of students. Much was learnt, not least the fact that there was a need to present the historic pictures a little differently next time - the young people might then stay awake! Luckily the Deputy Head was impressed though, as she used to live in Broadgreen 20 years ago.
Roger Trahurn from the Library came along to the first workshop and offered help from the Library, where they have a wealth of historical documents, books maps and photos. He also offered the history group the chance to take a tour of their local studies and family history section, so we could see what they have. This will be arranged during the coming months.
It is hoped that we will be able to put the old images of Broadgreen that we have collected so far, into small album, and also put them on to Power Point presentation so they can be shown as a slide show from a computer.
Finally, the monthly ask - anybody who might have any old photos of the area, and of events that may have been held– VE day celebrations, Queens silver jubilee, street parties, fete’s etc
VICE-CHAIR / Twenty is Plenty REPORT: Derek has been Vice-Chair for 2 months now and things have been great. He also wanted to inform the meeting how much work Karen and Kevin do behind the scenes.
Twenty is Plenty: Derek was pleased in some respects that the council have decided to put a 20 mph limit in Old Town, because he believes in the future, when we take our campaign forward, they will not be able to say there is no need for 20 mph limits in a residential area.
BROADGREEN COMMUNITY PLAN: John spoke of the Swindon Voices slot he does on Swindon 105.5 and noted that many of the people he had interviewed said they would like to see 20 mph limits in this area.
The surveys are now coming in and Churchfields will be picking theirs up tomorrow, the info gathered so far will give plenty of interest for the Council and Police to look at.
The outreach work we did at St. Josephs was the most successful we have done yet, and in the feedback report, Broadgreen had many mentions.
Illustrations of the preliminary results of the surveys to date were passed around and they showed a range between 85 and 99% positive to the 8 subjects on the forms, with 44 other suggestions being put forward to improve the area. The steering committee filtered down the 44 suggestions to the 5 top priorities – new community facilities with more family events, extend the S4L and 3 equal 3rds - more Police, houses to remain as homes not converted to HMO’s and free collection of big pieces of rubbish. This shows how we need to prioritise; there will be more suggestions on the youth survey when they are analysed.
At the next BSACC meeting, John will bring along both lists of suggestions and people will be able to ID what they want. From this we will be able to identify which Agencies would be able to take the lead to sort out the issues.
The Broadgreen website has been revamped - www.broadstreet.ik.com
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT: A manhole cover in Broad Street was exposed and a resident fell over it, the problem was reported and should have been fixed immediately, unfortunately it hasn’t. Councillor Montaut took the details and was going to take action on it.
There has been much noise reported coming from the Broadgreen Centre, after 11pm.
A van that is for sale is constantly parked in the area, with a concessionary parking permit on, it has not been booked, but other people cannot get concessionary permits.
SHRIVENHAM ROAD REPORT: The overgrown shrubs at the County Ground Extension have still not been cut back; neither has the brambles at the back of Stratton Bank. Councillor Montaut said the council are morally obliged to sort this out, he has tried but it should be brought up again at the tasking meeting.
WARD COUNCILLORS REPORT: Residents parking continues to be a problem with the price increases being too much, he felt it might be good to raise another petition in this area and also it might be a good idea to invite the lead member on this to a future meeting to explain why the increases are needed.
Councillor Montaut was at a Goan AGM meeting to which 200 plus people attended, he felt it was ok for people to have and operate their own ethnic groups, but they also needed to join in as well.
B.O.N.D: No report
ANY OTHER BUSINESS: lights at Broadgreen being left on until after midnight.
What’s happening with the seats in the community garden?
The children’s play area County Ground - when is it going to be rebuilt?
There is a wheelie bin at the back of the Manchester Rd alley it is in the little alcove at the back of the Open Hands Fellowship building, the drinkers are using this and it is full of beer cans – can this be removed?
Meeting closed at 9.15 pm.
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
AGENDA - BSACC monthly meeting 05 August 2009
1. Welcome and Housekeeping
2. Apologies for absence
3. Confirmation of the minutes – 01 July 2009 meeting
4. Matters arising from these minutes
5. Community Police report
6. Guest speaker: Sarah Chalmers
7. Correspondence: Kevin Leakey
8. Treasurers report: John Phillips
9. Chairs report: Karen Leakey
10. Vice-Chair/'Twenty is Plenty' report: Derek Sutton
11. Youth report
12. Broadgreen History Project: Kevin Leakey
13. Broadgreen Community Plan: John Taylor
14. Shrivenham Road/ Cockram Court report
15. Neighbourhood/Street Watch report
16. Ward Councillors report
17. B.O.N.D. report.
18. Any Other Business
Next Meeting: Wednesday 02 September 2009, in the Toddlers Room at 7.30pm
2. Apologies for absence
3. Confirmation of the minutes – 01 July 2009 meeting
4. Matters arising from these minutes
5. Community Police report
6. Guest speaker: Sarah Chalmers
7. Correspondence: Kevin Leakey
8. Treasurers report: John Phillips
9. Chairs report: Karen Leakey
10. Vice-Chair/'Twenty is Plenty' report: Derek Sutton
11. Youth report
12. Broadgreen History Project: Kevin Leakey
13. Broadgreen Community Plan: John Taylor
14. Shrivenham Road/ Cockram Court report
15. Neighbourhood/Street Watch report
16. Ward Councillors report
17. B.O.N.D. report.
18. Any Other Business
Next Meeting: Wednesday 02 September 2009, in the Toddlers Room at 7.30pm
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