Grays Central Community Forum

Minutes of Open Meeting

Tuesday June 8th 2010

Attended: Claire Bannister, Ross Bannister, Ursula Garwood, Geoffrey Nathan, Colin Baker, J. Kemp, D. McGoldrick, B. Monk, C.Kent, J. Payne, A. Robson, J. White, K.L. Collins, A.M. Brister, S.Bloss, Yash Gupta, V. Wright, J. Dexter, A. Gull, K. Edore.

Apologies:  John Kent, Ken Robson, Mike Stone

1.      Meeting:    Opened at 7.30pm

2.      Apologies received as indicated above.

3.      Minutes Agreed for May 11th meeting.

MIND will continue their work  in the Rest Gardens.

Toilets in Grays Park only opened during weekends when park keeper is present.

4.      Matters arising:

a)    Clarence Road: Licensed only till 11pm. Uproar has quietened down however there is still lots of traffic. It was agreed to ascertain what the legal shop opening hours actually are and TBC Planning were to be asked. It was also agreed to request TBC  Trading Standards to ask police to do a test buy at the shop. Contact name: Dave Wright.

b)    Rest Garden Gate:  RB spoke to AW prior to last meeting. AW still looking into it. AW to advise on a weekly basis.

c)    Hathaway Road Park:  Site fencing still on site- It needs removing.   Grass cutting. When does this occur? Liz Woods, TBC Tree Lady meeting regarding the Park.

d)    It was noted that the toilets in Grays Park are only opened during weekends when park keeper is present.

e)    Forum Planters: Still being organised, ie. Moving the planter.  L.Love stated that it is the Forums responsibility to move it.  Will ask Travis Perkins if they would like to help.

 

5.      Items for discussion:

a.    AGM:   Masonic Hall booked for July 13th 2010. Publicity for the meeting will include message in the Gazette, leaflet drop and posters.

Jonathan Catton to do a presentation for the meeting.

b.    Payment for use of Church Hall.

The forum has been using the Baptist Church Hall for its meetings for a long time and has used the venue at no cost to the forum. The meeting has agreed that in future the forum will pay £25 per session to the Church.

c.    Community Clean Up Day.  Sue Bloss, the Environmental Education and Promotion Officer explained the idea. It is sponsored by the council and they supply free gloves and bags.  The volunteers would target a specific area to clean up and make it a community event.

 Discussed the clearing of the Gulleys in the area; Unclear of policy or cleaning schedule, it appears there is no policy. Sue Bloss may be able to sort out some Gulley cleaning.

Discussed the issues with the rubbish, litter and lack of cleanliness of parts of Grays. It appears that whenever anything needs to be cleaned it is someone else’s problem and nothing gets done. How can we improve the quality of living in Grays if the blame is always placed on someone else?

Suggestions:

 Prosecution of people needs enforcing?

Alley Gating Orders to be made on alley ways where there needs to be some constraints on access.

Forum could hire a van to do a rubbish collection day in collaboration with the council.

Community Payback scheme can be used in negotiation with the council to help with particular jobs. The community workers would be supervised. Youth projects to do litter pick up campaigns.

6.      Chairs Report:

a.    Nothing to report

7.      Correspondence:

a.    Letter from Airey Neave Complex. Thanks for the Patio furniture. They are currently looking for funding to help purchase a Pool table for some of the residents to use. The residents will need to approach the council in the first instance as it is a council owned complex.

8.       Finance

a.    Discussed web support funding of £52

b.    Treasurer to have 2009-2010 Accounts Audited. Finances were discussed.

 

9.      AOB:

a)    KE Reported that there had been a spate of burglaries in Grays North and East. These have quietened down a little but the police are still concerned with residents leaving windows open.

b)    Request for funding

Residents of Clarence Road are requesting help to fund a sign or droppable pillar for the end of the alleyway behind Clarence road. Taxi’s, cars and vans use it as a cut through. The meeting discussed the situation in detail. It was agreed that any proposal will need to be discussed with all affected residents to ensure consultation has been made.

c)    Additional pathway in Hathaway Road Park. To be discussed at next meeting to get clarification of requirements.

d)    Ward Avenue Allotment Association are holding their Open Day on August 8th from 11am. All are welcome. There will be produce for sale on the day.

e)    UG requested a list of what can and cannot be funded by the Forum

f)      Grays Park is a no drinking zone. If anyone seen then residents should call 0300 333 444.

g)    Cathy Kent to find out the policy regarding Park Wardens.

h)    Rest Gardens – The grass has been cut but a poor quality job. It looks very messy.

i)       Dukes Avenue- Review the area with the possibility of installing a Forum Planter.

10.   

Next Meeting:         AGM:             Tuesday July 13th

Meeting closed 8.55pm.