Grays Central Community Forum

Open Meeting

 

Tuesday April 13th, 2010

 

Attended: Ross Bannister, Claire Bannister, Ursula Garwood, Vivienne Wright, Geoffrey Nathan, J. Kemp, Andrea Gull, K. Robson, A. Robson, C. Keeble, J. Swinnerton, J Angus, E Sanni, L. Wood

 

  1. Apologies: Colin Baker, Jean Dexter, Cathy Kent, D. McGoldrick

 

  1. Meeting opened at 7.30pm, All welcomed.
  2. Agreed minutes of March 9th. Add Yash Gupta’s to the minutes

 

 

  1.  Matters arising:

 

a.      Clarence Road Licence Update:– 24 hour licence revoked. Shop required to stop selling alcohol after 11pm. 21 days There is a possibility that the owners will appeal. Sign outside still stating 24hour but has been lowered from original height. Shop is still allowed to be opened for 24 hours. The shop is required to challenge anyone less than 25 years of age, have an anti social policy in place. Currently only one licensee, all assistants are required to have licences. The situation in the area appears to be calmer. 

    

b.     Rest Garden Refurbishment- All refurbished and a good finish to the shelter. Requested a quote for a new gate for the gardens. Possibility that funding could be raised from Thurrock Council.

 

c.     Grays Town Park – Children’s play area is being used. Meeting concerned by the lack of decent toilet facilities available to Park users. Council contact who may be able to help is Andy Murphy. Yash would write a letter to the leader of the council regarding the situation and what the council are proposing to do to improve it.

  1. Items for discussion

a.     Bradleigh Avenue Trees. – Liz Woods attended and discussed the situation regarding the condition of the trees in Bradleigh Avenue. Liz informed the meeting that some of the Horse Chestnut trees are slowing dying. There is a programme to replace the trees with trees that are not affected by this specific disease. Liz discussed the range of trees that could be used. Yash suggested that direct consultation should take place with the residents of Bradleigh Avenue. There is a not- for-profit trial available that could possibly be applied for that treats the trees. The meeting agreed that it would a good idea.

The meeting then discussed the trees in Hathaway Road VW and Liz Woods agreed to meet up, inspect and assess the situation in the road.  

b.     Planters –

Planter has not been moved yet as the equipment is controlled by a different department. Andrea will speak to Luke Love and Ross will speak to Neil. Theobalds Avenue Planter appears to be in good order at present, and we will monitor.

c.     Discussion at meeting with regard to the changes to the Quarry Hill Infant and Junior Schools.

d.     Hathaway Road Park Project-  Anglia Water have not yet reinstated the grass to a satisfactory standard. Steve Starr in charge of clean up. The Adult Keep Fit Equipment is due to be installed w/b 19th April. GN to monitor progress.

 

  1.  Chairs Report

No meetings attended.

 

 

  1. Correspondence:

None received.

  1. Finance and Funding

Lyn Gittings has requested that we need to spend the money allocated to the forum more quickly and not leave until the last minute.

We have been allocated a budget of £8,000 for the financial year. We need to have spent or allocated half of the money by October. The money must be spent on genuine community needs.

 

  1.   Any Other Business:

a.     Play network day booked for August 5th.

b.     Ward Avenue Allotments Open Day  – August 8th.

c.     Thanks to John Kent and Carl Morris for their help regarding the ‘Gracelands’ Licence.  

 

  1. Next Meeting:

 AGM       Tuesday May 11th  , 2010    7.30 pm

 

 Any Closed Issues to be discussed at the end of the open meeting.

 

11. Meeting closed 8.45pm