Minutes of meeting April 2008

Newtown Area Residents’ Association – Minutes of meeting Thursday 17th April 2008


Attendance: Fran Markotic; Mark McLauchlan; Claudia Hodds; Drew Thomas; Doug Chisholm, James Taylor, Emma Glover (WWDC); Cllr Clive Blackmore, Cllr Graham Hedley (TTC); Mary Carter, Joan & Eddy Smith, Stewart & Eunja Palmen, Emily Wood, Sharon Draper, Maryrose Mantle (TTC); Sue Gibbs, Hilly Prendergast, Brian Francis, Mary Beer, Steve Cladingboel, Joe Thomas

Community Spotlight 2008
Maryrose Mantle opened with news on the Community Spotlight event on the 28th and 29th June 2008 in Trowbridge Park. There will be Veterans’ Celebrations occurring at the same time. There will be a stand for the Neighbourhood Partnership and NARA has been asked to contribute the following to go alongside contributions from the other Residents’ Associations: Photos of good and bad aspects of Newtown; Contact details of NARA members; Issues and Achievements; Any interesting old photos of Newtown. Suggestions for photos were voiced – photos of bins left out on Newtown; photos of the Front Garden Fiesta; churches and schools; table top sale; terraced houses. Hilly Prendergast said that her daughter would probably be able to take some of the photos for us.

Recycling
We were lucky to have Emma Glover, Recycling Support Officer for West Wiltshire County Council, at this month’s meeting. Emma was present to provide an educational talk on recycling. She said that all residents of West Wiltshire are taxed for every tonne of rubbish which goes to landfill. She said that the Waste Review of December 2007 highlighted the following 4 main improvements:
1.There are now additional recycling sites throughout West Wiltshire.
2.There is more investment in recycling education.
3.The council is investing in better tailored solutions for different areas.
4.The council plan to deliver participation surveys, with the help of Residents’ Associations, by the end of August/start of September.
Emma brought several sources of information to do with recycling and these were taken up at the end of the meeting. She said that textiles, shoes and empty aerosol cans can also be put into the black recycling boxes, which most people were not aware of. There is to be a new mini-recycling centre for plastic bottles and cardboard at The Ship Inn at the end of Newtown. Apparently, no new signs will be put out on the road for this. Emma asked us to add the details to the next newsletter so that people become aware of the new site. She said that an outcome of the new Unitary Council process should be kerbside collection of cardboard and plastic bottles, but that this was a long way off at present. Emma said that we should email her with any brainwaves that we have and that she is open to the idea of separate meetings to discuss recycling issues. Emma’s telephone number is 01225 776655 ext. 134
Email is emmaglover@wiltshire.gov.uk

Parking issues
From June 2008, there should be 3 Traffic Enforcement Officers for Trowbridge. West Wiltshire County Council apparently want to see how effective the officers are before they think of introducing a residents’ parking permit scheme.

The Police Enquiry Office in Trowbridge will reopen from Monday 28th April from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.

18th April will see another Blues & Zoos at the Snooker Club in St. George’s Yard, off Silver Street from 7pm – 9.30pm. This was a great success the last time it was held. Residents encouraged to support it and get your kids to participate.

All were asked to keep an eye out for kids getting in to Wesley Road Methodist Church. They are getting in somehow. Any incidents to be reported to the police.

There has been an increase in the number of vagrants and homeless in Trownbridge, mostly Polish. They have been taking food from the allotments and there has been an increase in flytipping by them. Jackie Nicholas of Community Health and Kathy, the Migrant Worker are involved in trying to combat the problem.

Table Top Sale
This is to take place on the Sunday afternoon of the 8th or 15th June 2008 at the Wesley Road Club. The cost will be £2 - £3 per table or pitch and reservations can be made in advance. Bring own table. The bar will be opened for us. Posters to be distributed to the schools. Mark and Bryan to liaise to create flyer. Maryrose Mantle said that she could get the flyers photocopied and get it into the Wiltshire Times. Usual suspects to post them around Newtown – Sharon and Emily will do Avenue Road, Stuart and Eunja will do Wingfield, Mark & Drew will do Gloucester Road, Newtown, West Street and Westbourne, Fran and Mary Beer to do Bond Street, etc.

Front Garden Fiesta 2008
We will discuss this further on the 22nd May but prizes have still to be found, of a value between £15 to £20.

Drains
CLARENCE. The suction truck has to do about 100 drains a day and if the drains are obstructed in one street, they will usually miss out the entire area and carry on to their next site. The council is going to try and get cones put down in 2 streets in Newtown so that the drains can be cleared.

The Skate Park is to be officially opened on 18th April 2008. Professional skaters will attend and there will be music and refreshments.

Action for Neighbourhood Tasking Group: Letter from NARA to John of Gaunt and Clarendon Schools to tackle the litter dropped by their students.

Next meeting will take place on Thursday 22nd May 2008.

Email for PCSOs: collegeandnewtownnpt@wiltshire.police.uk
Telephone: 0845 408 7000
Our Police and PCSO team are:
PC 2212 Jo Bagg
PCSO 6142 Mike Caine
PCSO 6163 Maria Badder

Fran Markotic, NARA Secretary & nominal Chair: 01225 710457 fran.jason@btinternet.com