Grays Central Community Forum

Open Meeting

Tuesday June 9^th , 2009

Attended: Ursula Garwood, Vivienne Wright, Geoffrey Nathan, Kingsley Edore, B. Monk, C. Keeble, Ross Bannister, Claire Bannister, Colin Baker, M Curran, E Cunningham, Irene Lewsey, Gerry Calder, Lee Dowman, Steve Veitch, Yash Gupta, Natalie Warren, Lynne Evans, Jean Dexter.

Apologies: Cllr Harris, Cllr Kent.

Meeting opened at 7.30pm, All welcomed.
Apologies: Cllr Gupta, Cllr Harris
Agreed minutes of last meeting

Matters arising:

· Bark chippings are completed and in place. Thanks to the volunteers who have completed the project.

· Bar and Bus funding in process, Bus at location as of this evening. Cheque posted to representative tonight

Presentation by Denise Shaw – Thurrock Contact and Connect

The talk made the meeting aware of the need to connect with over 75’s living in the area who may need more help to stay safe and well in their homes. This programme is there to help that process. We were asked, as a community group, to spread the word and encourage as many of our community to join, as possible.

AOB Item

MIND Garden Project

The meeting discussed the maintenance of the Herbert Brookes Memorial Gardens being completed by the group from Mind. Two representatives, Lynne Evans and Lee Dowman attended the meeting. The group do work in the borough for other organisations.

MIND will do an assessment of the site and send to the forum.

Natalie Warren states that other forums are funded for gardens.

LE and LD left the meeting.

Discussion about why Thurrock are not maintaining the site. RB to try to find out from Cleaning and Greening.

Forum Guidelines

Visit from Natalie Warren to revisit the guidelines for running forums.

Meeting discussed the various things that need to be adhered to. Discussed the need to increase the promotion of the meetings, particularly the AGM’s.

We need to publicise the work that the forum does more.

Garden Furniture for Piggs Corner Complex.

Report that the furniture has been delivered. It was noted that there are other funding pockets available for sheltered accommodation and in future to suggest trying these areas first.

Chairs Report

a. Funding for Playscheme looks to be approx £40,000. Meeting at the park on Sat June 20^th, 12 – 3pm .

b. GN will have meeting to discuss progress. There will be a display of equipment that could be put into the park. Entertainment will be laid on

c. GN has put a request in to the Viola Trust for additional funding of £20,000 for Hathaway Road Park.

d. GN has attended a range of meetings, including volunteers week.

Correspondance

Letter of thanks from Piggs Corner Complex.

Finance and Funding

Update from Ross.

Any Other Business:

a. Group discussed making the ‘Clock Shop’ a heritage project.

b. Police report: Kingsley discussed the ‘Get Sheducated’ project and provided leaflets. Also long discussion on the drunks in town, the lack of benches because of them and the subsequent removal of benches but still drunks. Kingsley indicated that the police are limited in their response if no harm is being done. Group discussed the possibility of making the centre of Grays a ‘No Drinking Area’.

c. Discussed the need for the chair to ensure that committee members and the group receive all relevant information to ensure smooth and proper running of the group.

d. Poster will be updated to correct email address.

e. Gerry Calder attended the meeting on behalf of the Over 50’s club and invited any interested parties to attend if they wished. Second Monday of month at the Beehive at 9.30am. Gerry did put a verbal request for funding to help with a day out. He was asked to put forward written details of request.

f. Discussed the Carnegie and Boatman’s clocks and possibility of getting them restored and put back on display in Grays Town.

Next Meeting:

Tuesday July 14^th , 2009 7.30 pm

Meeting closed at 9.30pm