Minutes of meeting April 2007

Awaiting contact from Mike CaineNEWTOWN AREA RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

HELD 26 April 2007 AT WESLEY ROAD CLUB AT 8:00PM

Attending: Fran Markotic, Claudia Huwald, Drew Thomas, Mark McLauchlan, Graham Hedley (TTC), Douglas Chisholm, Nicola Horrell, Sharon Draper, Joan Whalen, Lesley Webb, Maryrose Mantle (TTC), Andrew Holt, Paula Hayden, Mike Caine (PCSO), Mary Beer, Kay Pearce, Jan Cauby, Mary Carter

Apologies: Lisa Etherton, Steve Cladingboel , Colin Spanswick

FM chaired this meeting, minuted by DC

FM welcomed the newcomers. The minutes from previous meeting were approved.

Recycling bins - GH said that Graeme Lawes would be continuing to collect the survey forms this week. He had already summarised those already collected from 4 streets, and FM quickly summarised the various remarks that had been made in answer to the questions as follows:
Generally speaking, people were upset at the new rules regarding the green bins, and wanting weekly collections of grey bins; to be able to put cardboard and plastics in the recycling boxes as well as newspapers, bottles and cans; wanted a local bring site (i.e. recycling collection point);
We await Graeme’s further response when all the survey sheets had been collected.

FM asked if graffiti was still being painted locally, and Mike Caine confirmed that the police are monitoring the “artist” – JW said there had been graffiti on the church wall and in the car park. There has also been some done on the building on corner Gloucester/Avenue Road.

FM advised that TCAF were holding a meeting on Monday 30th April regarding the potential changes in the Councils – County wants to merge with the 4 District Councils into a Unitary Authority: only North Wilts is in favour to preclude being absorbed into Swindon Council, the other 3 would prefer a shared services solution.
FM advised that NARA had received a Civic Certificate for services to the community at the Town Gathering on 19th April, when she and CH had attended to receive a £300 cheque, granted by the Town Council.

CCTV – FM read out a report regarding the use of mobile CCTV cameras and why it would be an expensive option for Trowbridge, as well as the dangers of using dummy cameras. She advised that several CCTVs would be put in place in due course, one possibly at the junction of Newtown & Gloucester Road.

Migrant Workers Group – FM summarised the previous concerns raised about the immigrant workers hanging about on the streets and advised she had now met Sylvia Zukowska, who would be willing to speak with them, provided we could give an address for them. They do not mean to be intimidating, but are not permitted to smoke in their bedsits and so use the streets. Unfortunately, that does result in a fair bit of litter. MC showed us forms we could fill in to detail any concerns we had and the PCSOs would also be willing to do what they could to assist.

West Wilts Show – Previous advice to the contrary, there WILL be a marquee for Residents Associations’ and other community groups at the West Wilts Show (Thursday 26- Saturday 28 July) and the meeting agreed it would be worthwhile to have a stand for the Friday and Saturday. MM confirmed it is a good way of advertising ourselves as in spite of the newsletters we deliver 3 times a year, some people still don’t know we exist, or where to go. NH volunteered to attend the stand on 27th, DT volunteered his mannequin as an eyecatcher and along with MM will help to prepare posters etc; FM, DT, MM will attend the stand on 28th. Further arrangements will be organised at next meeting – VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED to man the stand on Friday 27th.

PCSO Mike Caine [ awaitng contact ] introduced himself and spoke about what he and his colleagues were able to do – mostly they will deal with minor offences (under-age smoking and drinking, mini-motor bikes, littering, etc) He confirmed there were now 7 teams covering Trowbridge. He advised that he would be holding a surgery once a month at College 2:00-5:00pm. He also advised that there was to be an Open Display Forum to meet all the new PCSOs at the Civic Hall on 9th May 5:30-8:00pm. With regard to local criminal activity recently, lead and copper from buildings is being stolen. A member mentioned dog fouling, and MC told us how difficult it was to do anything about it, because although the fine is £80, he has to catch the dog in the act! He also confirmed that Trowbridge Police Station would be closing its doors to the public and only assisting by telephone.

Newsletter – MRM confirmed that the Town Council would be happy to print the newsletter for us. [Many thanks.] Topics suggested were: Update on the survey; West Wilts Show, Garden Fiesta with judging in early July. NB – we need prizes, and this year will not be asking people to put a flyer in the window – entry is automatic. Possible car boot sale in Wesley Road Club car park for September; PCSOs; possible litter picking day; tidying away wheelie bins and suggestion that people attempt to keep the pavement area in front of their gates clean, rather than relying on Council road sweeper.
JW suggested that we should try and get the newsletter translated into Polish – MM knows someone who might be able to do this and it was considered a good idea.

GH gave us a telephone number to call when street drains were blocked and causing flooding, which is
0800 23 23 23

AOB – GH asked that we mention wheelie bins in the newsletter – see above.

The meeting closed at 9:20pm

If you see anyone flytipping, contact Graham Lawes on 01225 776655 or email on glawes@westwiltshire.gov.uk as soon as you can, so that the tipper may be caught and, given sufficient evidence, prosecuted.

NEXT MEETINGS: THURSDAY 24 MAY 2007
THURSDAY 21 JUNE 2007
THURSDAY 26 JULY 2007


ALONG WITH THESE MINUTES IS A POSTER FOR THE NEXT MEETING. IT WOULD BE MOST HELPFUL TO NARA IF YOU WERE ABLE TO PUT IT IN A FRONT WINDOW (only needs to be a week or so before the meeting ) SO AS TO ADVERTISE OUR EXISTENCE AND ENCOURAGE NEW ATTENDEES.