Grays Central Community Forum

Open Meeting

 

Tuesday July 14th , 2009

 

Attended: Vivienne Wright, Geoffrey Nathan, Kingsley Edore, Ross Bannister, Claire Bannister, Colin Baker, M Curran, E Cunningham, Irene Lewsey,Steve Veitch, Carol , Angela Winterflood, Jean Dexter.

 

Apologies: Ursula Garwood, Mrs B Monk, Cllr Harris, Cllr Gupta.

 

1.     Meeting opened at 7.30pm, All welcomed.

2.     Apologies: Mrs B Monk, Ursula Garwood, Cllr Gupta, Cllr Harris

3.     Agreed minutes of last meeting with one change to item 6

4.     Presentation by Angela Winterflood: ‘ Play in the Park’

Angela explained the scheme to the meeting. The park is a year 2 site and some consultation has already been completed. GN attended.     A 'Day in the Park' event ran on Saturday, June 20th to publicise the proposal. The team are liaising with Quarry Hill and will consult with other schools from September.  RB asked question about the toilet facilities and if they were to be refurbished. Angela informed us that a bigger bid was being considered via the Lottery/ Heritage Fund and that hopefully more improvements, including the toilets, could be completed in the park.

Discussed the use of wardens in the park and the need for manned parks? Grays Park manned Monday till Friday.

 

JD arrived 7.50 pm

 

5.      Matters arising:

·        Memorial Rest Gardens. – Cllr Gupta – contacted TBC re maintenance of the Rest Gardens. Indicated that the grass cutting would be twice a year. After discussion, Steve Star has said that the grass would be cut every three weeks on a rota and tidy borders twice a year. The forum have asked that the work includes tidying up.

·        The meeting agreed to fund MIND to maintain borders for the year in addition to the TBC work at a cost of £375.

·        Discussed colour for background of the sign in the Memorial Gardens. The meeting agreed to get a price for Green Plastic with Gold to highlight wording.

·        Posters: GN requires more posters to send out.

·         

 

6.     Items for discussion

a)     Over 50’s Bid. The meeting agreed that a donation of £50 will be forwarded to the Over 50’s Club. The meeting agreed that the group is accessed by lots of forums and they could approach the other forums if more funding was required.

 

7.     Chairs Report

a.     GN meeting with the Viola Trust to discuss and consider bid for Hathaway Road Park. GN to report back next meeting. Bid to include Adult Gym Equipment & Picnic Tables. Suggested visit to Dilkes Park in South Ockendon to see their installation in September.

b.     Ngage AGM at the Beehive July 30th at 6.30 pm.

c.     GN has attended TAF meeting and has nothing to report. 

 

 

8.     Correspondence

a)     DoE money all sorted and found by Rachel Baker

b)     Bar ‘n’ Bus. Letter of thanks received.

 

9.     Finance and Funding

An update was given by the Treasurer.

 

10.   Any Other Business:

a.     Any funding received from Viola will need a 11% match fund on any award.

b.     No message as yet on the whereabouts of ‘the benches’. Discussion moved to the ‘drunks’ and what could be done about them. KE stated that unless there is a problem there is nothing that the police can do. Suggestion made about making Grays a ‘No Drinking Zone’. A request needs to be put forward. KE to speak to the Officer from Grays Town Centre and invite to the next meeting.

c.     Playday reminder Tuesday August 11th. Hathaway Road Park.

 

d.     Tuesday July 21st, KE will be at Piggs Corner to talk to the residents about Cold Callers.

 

e.     Discussed the Grays Central Planters in forum area. Piggs Corner residents will maintain. The forum will fund supplies- £40. JD will ask MIND to maintain the planter in the Rest Gardens within the funding already agreed.

 

11. Next Meeting:

 

Tuesday September  8th  , 2009    7.30 pm  

 

 

 

Meeting closed at 8.48 pm