Minutes from 21.02.2007

Minutes from meeting of 21.02.2007
Attending: Fran Markotic, Joan Whalen, Drew Thomas, Mark McLauchlan, Graham Hedley ,Steve Cladingboel, Paula Hayden, Brian Francis, Douglas Chisholm, Derek Adams (CERA),
Carole Manning (PCSO) and colleagues
Apologies: Claudia Huwald, Justin Hodds, Jeff Osborn, Sharon Draper, Nicola Horrell,
Steve Cladingboel kindly agreed to chair this meeting, as no volunteers for the post had yet come forward. After introducing himself and reiterating NARA’s purpose, he introduced Derek Adams, Chair of College Estate Residents’ Association, who was to give us a talk on revitalising our Association.
Matters arising:
West Wiltshire Show – Derek Adams advised that there was not going to be a dedicated tent this year for residents’ associations. Mary Rose Mantle has further information .
Wikipedia – we now have an entry on the Web – see http://newtownarearesidentsassociation.blogspot.com/
Many thanks to Mark for doing this. Pictures will be added in due course.
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BFop Tips for Recycling – Brian put together an excellent small poster, detailing such tips as buying reusable shopoing bags, buying concentrated products which use less packaging in the long run, etc. We hope to print this up and deliver along with the next newsletter. BF also said he could get this translated into Polish. Thank you Brian. MM mentioned that the Council had also put through doors some leaflets on the subject, though others had not received this (at least, not recently). JW mentioned that the Wiltshire Real Nappy Network (www.wiltshirewildlife.org) had a scheme to encourage use of cloth nappies which can be washed and reused. The scheme offers £15 refund against a voucher from the Network. It is also possible to get a 2nd black box from Hills Recycling, but they will take extra bottles and cans which are in a plastic bag next to the box. Information from the TCAF meeting on 12th February advises that cardboard and plastic bottle recycling centres are to be opened in several places, e.g. Tescos, in the near future.
Litter Picking Day… DA advised that WWDC can help organise this and provide tools, however if this is to be a specific event, a Risk Assessment on health and safety would have to be done and committee members organising the event would have to have a police search (CRB) done on their past . The Town Council (Mary Rose Mantle) can apparently help to get a CRB done for no charge. He also reminded us that we would need to identify a location where people can bring the full bags, and for a registered First Aider; and mobile phones to ensure communications between organisers on the day itself. It was suggested that we make it a Family Learning Event and possibly advertise it ahead of time through the Wiltshire Times by doing a stunt – e.g.litter picking in fancy dress.
We should get local churches and schools involved, as well as the Labour, Conservative and Wesley Road clubs. And if possible a festive end to the day. The PCSOs would also be willing to attend. PH also suggested an item in the newsletter, reminding residents that they are allowed to take responsibility for keeping their own frontages clean and tidy.
Dells problems – the meeting heard that one of the reasons that problems have arisen in the vicinity of the builders is that the owner himself is not at all well, and may be suffering from dementia. The business is being run by his manager, who would appear not to have any interest in creating a good relationship with residents nearby. Unfortunately, there are no laws or planning regulations that have been broken and neither council can bring any “muscle” to bear in this matter.
PCSOs and the future – Carol confirmed that there are now (or shortly will be) 8 PCSOs for Trowbridge and they are due to be on the streets by April. They will operate in Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPT) comprising a Beat Manager, a PCSO and neighbourhood volunteers. Their remit will be to go round knocking on doors to find out what residents’ issues actually are and to produce a report from which they will be able to specifically tackle those concerns. Often it is not “crime” as such, but litter, graffiti, speeding vehicles, etc. Carol said that the trial run on Seymour Estate had brought many benefits and improved the estate enormously and the PCSOs can give on the spot fines to litterers.
IF YOU WISH TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE NPT, send an email to Julie.Higdon@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk who will take you through the vetting process.
Parking Wardens – yellow lines will have to be repainted at some point and the PCSOs will be assisting a new team of parking wardens, in due course (2008). DA advised that the government is allowing councils to bring in residents’ parking permits next year. This has been discussed previously in a meeting – generally speaking we are not in favour, given the narrow streets, the likelihood of other people using the space anyway and the impossibility of stopping that – unless there are enough parking wardens who can issue enforceable tickets.
Graffiti - SC raised the issue of a graffiti sprayer who seems to have moved into the area and started spraying walls. It appeared that that very night, the manager of Wesley club confronted a youth about to spray and took his cans from him. The PCSOs would look into this. There has also been a spate of damaged walls – be sure to let the police know if this happens to your front garden wall.
Grants – Many thanks to Claudia Huwald who has successfully applied to the Town Council for a £300 grant, to assist with printing costs for newsletters, etc. Final approval has yet to be given, and if OK, a cheque will be presented at the Annual Town Meeting at the Civic Hall on 19th April. DA also advised that grants were available through Bridge House in Devizes – e.g. for a photocopier rather than funds.
How to invigorate the Association – Derek Adams has been Chair of CERA for some 3 years, when it was began following a disastrous revamp of the Estate under the “Homezones” government scheme. The revamp divided the community, so the association was formed and is now a powerful voice in the community, drawing on average 50 people for each meeting. Thus it was a common interest that brought the community together and the association has been successful in getting further remedial work done to the tune of £1m. Therefore, DA suggests we find a project we can win and that we should not be hesitant in “blowing our own trumpet” in doing so, i.e. getting newspaper coverage. The same goes for any events we may create (like the proposed litter picking day) and he suggested a summer fete, which MaryRose will be happy to assist with in regard to any licensing required for such. At such a fete, we could raise money for the association – table top and car boot sales, side shows, etc. Free entry but take round donation collecting buckets during the event. He suggested that we get the local Polish community involved, particularly the long term residents, and ask the Polish Club if they would send a representative to our meetings in the future. Advertising on local church notice boards, as well as the Labour and Conservative clubs, in local shops and takeaway premises would also help. DA also volunteered his assistance and said that Seymour Ward would also be happy to be involved – a venue might be Stallards Field. DA will send us a booklet of information about the requirements of such an event. He also volunteered to mentor anyone who volunteers to be our next Chairperson.
Many thanks to Derek for giving up his time to guest at our meeting. His talk was very informative and we can only hope that all our members can do their bit to advertise NARA – maybe bring along a neighbour next time.
And talking of next time, we are pleased to advise that Graham Lawes, Operations Manager, Commercial Services at West Wiltshire District Council will be attending on 22nd March to talk about rubbish, recycling and responsibility, which is the issue that is most pressing to NARA at present. (SC volunteered to chair this meeting, but it will be for the last time).
Attached with these minutes is a poster – PLEASE WILL YOU PUT ONE IN YOUR FRONT WINDOW to advertise the meeting
Finally, FM asked the meeting if anyone would be interested in going to the Trowbridge Community Area Futures meetings – there are several theme groups which meet every 2 or 3 months. At present FM and CH go to the Neighbourhood Partnership and the Community Safety meetings, but other themes are Economic Regeneration, Education, Health, Housing and Built Environment, Culture, (see their website www.BA14culture.co.uk which should be up and running by 1st April) ,Transport, Environment incl countryside. She will get details of meeting dates and advise in due course. If anyone is interested in attending a theme group meeting, please contact Fran on 710457 or email her at fran.jason@btinternet.com . They normally take place at 6:00pm either at the Town Council offices, or at the Civic Hall.
The meeting closed at 9:30pm
NEXT MEETINGS: THURSDAY 22 MARCH 2007
CHAIRPERSON.
PLEASE CAN EVERY ONE GIVE THIS SOME CONSIDERATION TO BEING OUR CHAIR AND IF YOU WANT TO DISCUSS WHAT IS INVOLVED, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT STEVE (751796, evenings)