Grays Central Community Forum

Open Meeting

Tuesday January 12^th , 2010

Attended: Geoffrey Nathan, Ross Bannister, Claire Bannister, Yash Gupta, Ursula Garwood, Colin Baker,Jean Dexter, J.Kemp, D. McGoldrick, K. Robson, A. Robson, Hilary Locke P. Faulkner, A. Winterflood, C. Keeble, Cathy Kent, Joe O’Neill, Carol Spencer, Gavin Bennett, Carl Morris.

Apologies: Steve Veitch, Irene Lewsey, P. Harris, J. Kent.

1. Meeting opened at 7.30pm, All welcomed.

2. Apologies: Steve Veitch, Irene Lewsey, P. Harris, J. Kent.

3. Agreed minutes of last meeting

4. Matters arising:

Photos of the opening of the playground equipment in Grays Park do not appear to have been published. Will request copies from the photographer for the web site.

5. a) Adult Keep Fit Equipment See 5c

b) Licensing Procedures: - Gavin Dennett outlined the licensing procedures for the granting of licences and procedures for appeal.

The appeal against the granting of the 24 hour licence at Gracelands in Clarence Road will be held on Tuesday February 2^nd, 2010 at 7pm.

Gavin highlighted the type of evidence that needs to be produce that would stand the test in court.

DMcK stated that it was difficult to report incidents at times due to the lack of an out of hours service of the Environmental Health service. The incidents are reported to the police.

The meeting discussed procedures for initial granting of licences and what appeared to be areas that can lead to information not being available for all interested parties to see, particularly the posting of the requests for a licence. The group put forward suggestions that they felt could be helpful to the process.

A report back at the next meeting will be made on the outcome of the appeal on the 2^nd.

CB left at 8.05pm

c) Peter Faulkner of HAGS speaking about playground equipment.

HAGS works as a partner with TBC and as such have the contract to install equipment in the parks. Peter stated that that they can install equipment that we have selected from RSS ( they are part of the same group as HAGS) or they can suggest equipment that they can supply that is comparable. The meeting decided after some discussion to delegate the final decision to the Chair, treasurer and secretary. To report back to next meeting.

6. Chairs Report

a. Funding request from Ward Avenue Allotments for £600 to help purchase of gates to entrance. AGREED

b. Strategic Planners- CD’s available . Question raised about trips around Thurrock highlighting development plans. This is a Development Corporation event and the DC needs to be contacted directly.

c. Thurrock Play Network have invited the forum to fund some play network days in the summer holidays. The cost is £725 per day. Agreed to discuss at the next meeting..

7. Correspondence

None received.

8. Finance and Funding

Update given by the Treasurer.

9. Any Other Business:

a. MIND are doing a good job in the Rest Gardens. They have not yet billed the forum.

b. The sign in the Memorial park looks good. Group happy with the outcome.

c. There is a Let’s Dance event on the 20^th February. There is a £2 admission charge for the all day event.

d. The meeting discussed the need for the Holocaust memorial building in the rest gardens to be refurbished and for the shutters to be opened more often. It was agreed by the group that the opening and closing of the shutters can be placed on the council list. RB to send an email with this request. This will enable the seating and rest area to be available to residents and people who would like to sit in the gardens.

e. Request to be put forward for the possible re-siting of the Dog Bin as it spoils the aesthetics of the entrance to the gardens.

f. Request to be made to Steve Starr for more bins to be made available at various locations in the forum area.

g. It was noted that the Grays Park was closed. There was no evidence as to why. Andrea to investigate.

10. Next Meeting:

Tuesday February 9^th, 2010 7.30 pm

Meeting closed at 8.45 pm.