Grays Central Community Forum

Open Meeting

 

Tuesday February 10th, 2009

 

Attended: Ross Bannister, Claire Bannister,  Ursula Garwood, Vivienne Wright, Colin Baker, Geoffrey Nathan,  Kingsley Edore, Jean Dexter, M Lovelock, P. Winter, G.Gambier, I.Lewsey, B.Monk, M.Curran, E. Cunningham, W.Mayo.

 

Apologies: Cllr Kent, Steve Veitch, Cllr Harris

 

 

  1. Meeting opened at 7.26pm, All welcomed.
  2. Apologies: Steve Veitch, Cllr’s Kent and Harris
  3. Agree minutes of 13th January.

 

 

  1.  Matters arising:

a.     Bark Chippings - Liaise with Janet(beehive), Tuesday’s at gardens. Ross to speak with Luke Love . Jean to give Janet’s number to Ross and Ross to speak to Luke Love.

b.     Keys for Rest Gardens- To be collected from Moira and relocated to committee members, ( Ross and Claire and Geoffrey) and spare set at the ‘library’.

c.     Airey Neave complex- money has been deducted by TBC - £543.00

d.      Rest Garden Sign - £1302 – taken from account.

 

  1.  Presentation form LINK – Gordon Gambier

 (See attached presentation sheet)

GG introduced LINK to the meeting.

People can enrol to enable everyone to be informed. The forum can add a link to LINK through its web page. The first public meeting will be in the very near future, possibly in March, and possibly held at the Beehive Centre. Contact details via Gordon Gambier and email. Web site to be set up in the near future.

   

  1. Items for discussion

a.     Report on Quotations for Hathaway Road Park pathways and play equipment. The meeting discussed the suggested paths, the proposed fitness equipment and dog mess. Mr. Woodford discussed the issue of Dog Owners being responsible . GN to speak to TBC. RB showed the equipment choices and the group discussed and voted on their best choice.

The forum does not have sufficient funds available for both the pathways and equipment and the group decided that the paths should be the priority.

The decision made to put to bid for paths and equipment and to prioritise paths for this funding session and the equipment for the next.

GN informed the meeting that he had attended the Thurrock Association of Forums working group meeting where the forums agreed to a 25% cut in funding for next year. The reason for this was that not all forums are spending their money. It was decided that all forums budgets will be reduced.

 

 

  1.  Chairs Report

a.     Playbuilders Report:

Playbuilders funding aimed at 8 – 13 yr old. The results of the questionnaires sent out were that Grays Park option was the preferred location given by the children. Further information about equipment and play spaces will be sought in March. Next consultation will ask about equipment requirements.

b.      GN attended the Holocaust Memorial Event at the Herbert Brookes Memorial Park.

c.     GN attended lots of meetings

d.     GN would be interested to know of any traffic issues and to have any information passed to him.

 

  1. Correspondence:

Letter of thanks for the money for the Craft Club from Alison Baker

Ross read news about the Art project at the underpass in Grays. 

 

  1. Finance and Funding

Update given by Treasurer

 

Forum has accepted quotes for the paths. Bids to be put in.

 

 

 

  1.   Any Other Business:

a.     Over 60’s club- Stanley Lazell Hall

Mrs Winter put forward a request for the forum to help fund the purchase on new whist tables. The current tables are very old and are not particularly stable. They would like the sum of £ 280. This would match fund a donation from Grays public purposes and recreational charity.

The forum agreed funding for this project.

 

 

 

 

 

b.     Piggs Corner

The request was to help with funding for an outdoor table, some parasols and chairs. Discussed the request. The group have asked for a quote on the costs and to bring to the next meeting and asked that the complex try to get some match funding.

 

c.     Kingsley asked the group if there were any issues that they would like to raise. Kingsley was asked about the bad parking around the ward. The problem may need to be dealt with by either the council ( bad parking) or police. Kingsley said that when he was out and about he would try to deal with any issues that arise. If there are any obstructions then he would contact the council. Group discussed lighting in the park. There needs to be consultation with the residents and consideration over what to put in place and the needs of the local community. Lighting at Piggs Corner. It was agreed that this issue should be raised with the management of the complex.

 

 

 

  1.  Meeting closed 9.05 pm

 

 

  1. Next Meeting:

 

                   Tuesday March 10th. 2009