WILFORD COMMUNITY GROUP

 

Minutes of the Committee Meeting

held on Monday 16TH March 2009

at Wilford Social and Bowls Club

at 7.30 pm

 

 

Present:           Roger Steel (RS                      Vice Chairman

                                    Sheila Atherton (SA)                Treasurer

Bill Roughton (BR)

                                    Stephanie Taylor (ST)

                                    Frank Wakelin (FW)

                                    Josie Foster (JF)

                                    Chris Allsopp (CA)

                                    Ed Armstrong (EA)

                                    Daniel Atherton (DA) - young people’s rep.

 

The meeting was also attended by Elaine Stenson (Neighbourhood Management Team) and Terry Maber and Sophie Brown (residents).

 

In the absence of Brian Hardy, the meeting was chaired by Roger Steel.

 

 

 

Action

1.

Apologies:  Brian Hardy (BH), David Boulton (DB), Josie Foster (JF)                                

 

2.

Matters Arising from the Minutes of the last meeting:

  • Funding strategy – no progress on this due to cancellation of meeting in February.  Elaine reminded the group that we need to decide what projects, if any, we want to try to fund.  It was suggested that the next meeting of WCG should include agenda items on whether it wants to pursue funding and, if so, what for?
  • Neighbourwood Watch in Vernon Avenue - progress unknown.  C/f
  • Tree pruning at rear of Vernon Avenue – council rep, Ann Murphy, will visit.  Elaine had found documentary evidence that it is the responsibility of NCC to carry out this task
  • Nottingham in Bloom – Elaine had been surprised that no one had taken up the offer of starter packs of plants and compost.  BR agreed to ring Caroline Elmhirst to express an interest and would email all to let them know the outcome.   RS wondered if DB could advertise this offer on the noticeboards?
  • Recycling bins at the Co-op – these will probably be returned from the Maypole site shortly but Elaine said it is not a top priority hence the delay
  • Bird boxes on village green -  FW suggested WCG could apply for funding for these, but NCC need to give permission to put them up.  SA suggested that local schools might make the boxes
  • Suspension bridge – RS said that repairs are imminent and the bridge will reopen after the marathon in September 2009
  • Stepping stones across Iremonger’s pond – BR reported that makes changes to them is outside the remit of the pond group.  Wilford residents would need to make a case to the Environment Agency.  However, the EA is reluctant to replace the stepping stones with a solid path because that might encourage motorbike users and also it would cost several thousand pounds.
  • Missing/damaged wooden posts around village green –we could raise this with local councilors or decide it is another items we could try to fund.  Planters might be an alternative idea but ES pointed out that local people would need to look after them
  • Noticeboards – DA to open them and rearrange items etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DA

3.

A453 widening:  FW had attended a meeting about this and had learned that widening will begin at the Farnborough Road traffic lights and extend to the M1.  A 40% increase in traffic expected.  He is expecting an answer to his question about possible increased congestion on Wilford Lane in a month’s time.  Many at the meeting were concerned about the impact of widening on local traffic, noise levels and potential chaos during the widening process.  ES pointed out that our concerns should have been raised during the consultation period which has now ended.  RS once again raised the issue of a filter light at the top of Main Road and 30mph speed limit signs on the road up to the mini roundabout under Clifton Bridge but we know we can’t make any progress on this unless there are serious accicents at the junction.

 

4.

Bowls Club Finances:  ES did not have any up-to-date information but she knows that Councillor Andrew Price is looking into possible ways of funding the club and comparing it with other funded community facilities.  RS had attended the club AGM when a new committed had been elected and made plans for increasing social activities at the club e.g. Sunday lunch and a Wednesday coffee morning – all run by volunteers.  Terry Maber asked whether local residents were aware of the possibility of losing the club?.  SA said club members had distributed leaflets.  DA commented that the bowls club is perceived as a facility for older people and wondered if it could alter its image to attract younger people?  ES requested WCG to work with the club committee to support continued opening and wider use.

 

5.

Bader Road:  ES reported that the broken sign had been replaced and immediately damaged again.  Two new ones had been ordered and would appear in the next 3 months, but this is not a priority action. 

ES asked whether WCG would support the development of cycle paths in the area and in particular it was mentioned that there is an obvious route from Bader Road to Emmanuel School but the route is gated under the old bridge.  RS thought residents of Bader Road should be asked whether they would support a cycle path. The area committee might support cycle paths.

 

6.

Spring Clean:  ES reported that our identified “grot spots” are now part of the programme, although not confirmed yet.  The entrance to the Old Vicarage close to the Ferry is not part of the programme.  ES asked if anyone available to help clear it up on 29 April?  BR and ST offered.  The Bee Bank has been cut back already.  ES is looking around the area to see what still needs doing and whether volunteers could help.  She said that one area of work in which community members have been involved will be chosen for publicity.  RS asked DA to raise at school the issue of litter on the footpath to the rear of Vernon Avenue.  RS again mentioned the need for stones and netting under the ‘pigeon bridge’.  ES will asses it.  Others had noticed litter on the slip road leading up to the A52, on the toll bridge and under the arches.  It was also noted that someone had been sleeping there.

 

7.

Scarf Walk:  ES had asked for grass to be planted.  This would cost approx. £17,000.  Councillors are investigating.  c/f this issue.  ES had also asked the NCC legal section to investigate the possibility of adopting footpaths.

 

8.

Street Lighting:  ES reported that councilors are looking into lighting along the path behind Vernon Avenue.  DA said that as head of the student council he had spoken about the issue to Councillor Andrew Price and he will continue to work to resolve it.

 

9.

Any other business:

  • BR enquired why only one small part of Main Road had been re-surfaced?  No one knew
  • Paul Owen had contacted ES about fencing around the allotments.  She said NCC was hoping to replace at least some of it.  ES wanted the opinion of the allotment committee
  • ES drew attention to a funding surgery to be held on 18.3.09 for which appointments can be made
  • ES mentioned that volunteers are wanted to help with a mental health forum.  DA will put posters on the noticeboards.
  • ES informed the meeting of a family week beginning 25 May 2009.  A picnic beside Iremonger’s Pond was suggested and BR will raise this at the pond group’s next meeting.  He thought it might be possible to make fishing lessons available too.
  • ES asked that a monitoring form be completed by everyone at each committee meeting so that NCC can see what sorts of people are participating.
  • ES mentioned a ‘Memory Walk’ to be held on 30 May 2009.  This is a 10km cicular walk from Notts Forest ground in aid of the Hospice.

 

 

 

The meeting closed at 9.20 p.m.

 

Chairman………….Brian Hardy

 

Date……………….20th April 2009