MINUTES 23 October 2008

Attendees: Fran Markotic (chair), Claudia Hodds (minutes), Di Marshall, Clive Blackmore (Cllr), Graham Hedley (Cllr), Sue Gibbs, Teresa Hubbs, Brian Francis, Drew Thomas, Bill Williams, Hilda Williams, Mary Carter, Mary Beer, Hilly Prendergast, Sharon Draper.

Apologies: Mark McLauchlan, Karen Tate, Jo Bagg (PC), Maria Badder (PCSO).

The minutes of last month’s meeting were approved without amendment.

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Chair’s Report
Fran gave an overview over NARA’s activities in the year ending 31st March 2008 (including Community Spotlight, car boot sale, Front Garden Fiesta, newsletters, participation in local groups), guest speakers and developments in the NARA area (e.g. new mini recycling bring site at the Ship Inn)

Police Report
In the absence of PCs / PCSOs, Fran read Jo Bagg’s report about recent problems in the area:
Suspicious callers offering to do work for high sums of money. Residents are reminded to be vigilant and ask for ID before admitting anyone into their property.
Ongoing problem with males drinking and urinating in several alleyways. They were moved on from alleyway near school but have moved elsewhere. Police continue to work with Polish Club to try to solve this issue. Please report any problems to police so they can build up geographical knowledge of problem areas.
Vehicle damage in Gloucester Rd area. Police looking at setting up neighbourhood watch scheme – further details will be given at next meeting.
Blue and Zus disco for under 16s at Snooker Club at Halloween for all children.

Neighbourhood Tasking Group Report
Drew and Sue fed back details of the three last meetings. While Sue will not be able to continue representing NARA in the Neighbourhood Tasking Group, Drew will continue in this position.

Treasurer’s Report
Claudia presented the audited Treasurer’s Statement for the last financial year (2007/08) and gave an overview of financial activities in the current financial year, including the current balance.

Election of Officers
Fran Markotic (chair), Drew Thomas (vice chair), Mark McLauchlan (secretary) and Claudia Hodds (treasurer) stepped down from their posts.

Chair – Fran Markotic re-elected unanimously.
Vice Chair – Drew Thomas re-elected unanimously.
Secretary – Mark McLauchlan is not standing again and no volunteer came forward.
This position will remain vacant and will be up for vote at the next meeting.
Treasurer – Claudia Hodds re-elected unanimously.

AOB

Front Garden Fiesta –all prizes have now been distributed. Maryrose Mantle very please with planter. Sharon took and emailed photos of some of the winning gardens to the Shaw Trust, who had donated the planter.

Trowbridge Discovery Day (Sun 2nd Nov) – Mary B. and Hilly P. will go at 10.30 to set up.

Community Area Future Meetings – Di Marshall will go to Neighbourhood Partnershhip Meetings on Mondays, Hilly P. will go to some of the meetings on Thursdays.

Parking (see minutes 25 Sep) – Clive B. put case about single yellow line at the top of Park St (near Frome Rd) forward to WCC. Its removal has been added to list but according to Sharon will take at least 6 months as it has to go to court, and in order to save cost the council put forward bulk applications. Current yellow lines were put in place 30 years ago, so if anyone has any issues with their locations, contact Andy Wyatt or Joanna Neale at WCC.
Motorbike parked on pavement in Gloucester Rd is dangerous as people have to step onto road to get around it. Hilly P. will contact the police about this.

No entry sign in Gloucester Rd – staff from John of Gaunt’s School have been spotted going through this in the wrong direction, without slowing down. Question was raised if this sign is even necessary.

Fighting between school children – Clarendon School finishes at 2.30pm, John of Gaunt’s at 3.00. Clarendon pupils wait for JoG to finish, interschool fighting occurs.

Yellow Pages – Sharon advised that there is a free phone number that people can ring if they do not want to receive the printed Yellow Pages in future: 0800 671444. Try www.yell.com instead.

Planting scheme– volunteers needed on east side of Newtown road to allow poles for hanging basket to be put up in their front gardens – please contact Sharon Draper. Amber Project (on Bythesea Rd) is looking for new projects – they might be able to do the Bethesda Church project.

Multiple occupancy – this usually means that more than 6 adults live in one house. GH reported that WWDC identified 7 places in the NARA area, e.g. 1 in Bond St and 2 in Gloucester Rd. They are looking at the facilities in these properties to establish if e.g. a second bathroom is needed etc. It is often difficult to get hold of the landlord. If anyone knows of such places, please email Graham.

West Wilts Show 2009 – NARA received invitation to participate in the residents association area in the Civic Hall on 23/24/25 July 2009 (TTC will not have a marquee this time) for £15 / day. It was decided that we will not take part.

Litter picking days – these were previously discussed but are now no longer necessary as the council has organised regular litter picking in the area.

Pedestrian crossings in NARA area – CH asked if other members felt that these are not set very well as pedestrians have to wait a long time for traffic to stop when cars are approaching the crossing, and when there is no traffic (= when the lights are not needed in the first place), they change immediately. Meeting did not think this was a problem, but councillors advised that Highways Dept. in WCC is responsible for pedestrian crossings if CH wanted to raise this.

Old Rectory / 65a Newtown – Teresa works for Craegmoor Healthcare, who run both these properties as care homes for adults with autism and learning difficulties. She and some of the residents are going to attend NARA meetings from now on to find out what’s going on in the community. The residents would like to participate in NARA activities, e.g. car boot sales and delivery of newsletters. Members of the community can use space in the premises of the Old Rectory and space is also available in their allotment – please contact Teresa on 777728 or old.rectory.dcc@craegmoor.co.uk if you are interested or have any issues with these care homes.

Guest speakers – pls let Fran know your ideas re: who we could invite to future NARA meetings.

Christmas Party – it was suggested to organise a joint Xmas meeting / carol singing tour around NARA area. To be discussed and planned at next meeting.

Next meeting will take place on Thursday 20th November 2008.

Thereafter: 18 December 2008 22 January 2009

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 is NARA Chair: 01225 710457 fran.jason@btinternet.com