WILFORD COMMUNITY GROUP

 

Minutes of the Committee Meeting

held on Monday 20 April 2009

at Wilford Social and Bowls Club

at 7.30 pm

 

 

Present:           Brian Hardy (BH                     Chairman

Roger Steel (RS                        Vice Chairman

                                    Sheila Atherton (SA)                Treasurer

Bill Roughton (BR)

                                    Stephanie Taylor (ST)

                                    Frank Wakelin (FW)

                                    Josie Foster (JF)

                                    Chris Allsopp (CA)

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

Elaine Stenson (Neighbourhood Management Team)

Allan Wadley CPO for Wilford, Silverdale and Clifton

                                   

Several local residents also attended the meeting

                                   

 

 

 

Action

1.

Apologies:  David Boulton (DB), PC Nigel Brown                        

 

2.

Matters Arising from the Minutes of the last meeting:

  • Neighbourwood Watch in Vernon Avenue – Josie’s efforts had produced 27 interested residents and 3 on Coronation Avenue.  Police extremely grateful to her for the work done.
  • Recycling bins at the Co-op – no change
  • Missing/damaged wooden posts around village green –  no progress.  BH to approach Councillor Andrew Price to see if he can help.
  • A453 widening – it was noted that the consultation period had not ended as believed at the last meeting.  There is some concern that the roadworks will cause traffice chaos and greater congestion at the roundabout at the end of the A453.  BH to raise with councillors.
  • Bowling Club Finances -  3 local conservative councilors have made a donation of £2,500 from their remaining 2008/09 funds to help the club keep going.  Area 9 committee hopes to be able to continue to support it and to seek funds elsewhere.
  • Bader Road cycle paths – John Leigh (Public Rights of Way Officer) will probably get these opened up but the plans will take 1ft off the Klondyke Alllotments.  It was reiterated that local opinion should be sought.
  • Big Spring Clean – a litter pick has been organized by local residents for 25 April.  One resident of Holly Ave. has undertaken litter picking off her own bat. RS asked DA to speak to students at Emmanuel about the problem of litter along the paths.  We wondered where the extra bin promised to Wilford had gone?  Again, the issue of netting under the ‘Pigeon Bridge’ was raised and Elaine said she has this in mind as a longer term project.  She will keep it in the minds of officials.
  • Scarfe Walk – was declared “an eye sore” by WCG members.  Work will be done there but councilors are currently challenging the quotes that have been received.
  • Lighting for footpaths near school – ES said that Councillor Price was addressing this through the school and finding out how much they could contribute towards the cost.
  • Trees at rear of Vernon Ave. – Anna Murphy from the council had assessed the site and says the trees are in a satisfactory condition and don’t need pruning.  Local resident, Vicky Frost, says they have grown too high and restrict light but because the tram works are coming Anna will not take any action.  In any case this is not council land.  Elaine will try to find out who to contact at Network Rail so WCG can write to them and ask how they intend to manage this land.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BH

 

 

 

BH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

c/f

3.

Dog fouling, grafitti, litter:  BR reported that he has experienced a serious problem with dog fouling for many years on the footpath behind his house and has tried to challenge dog owners who do not clear up.  He also pointed out that fouling is considered when Nottingham in Bloom judges make their assessment.  Community Protection Officers have operation Amita in place and are trying to catch culprits early in the morning and very late at night.  The project is starting to work and there is a £50 fixed penalty that can be imposed.  Bill stressed the importance of local residents working through the right channels to tackle such problems because we can make a difference if we work together.  The CPOs are also pushing for another camera at the top of Main Road.  Committee members wanted WCG to write to Area 9 to put their case.

 

BR said that bins are needed at the bottom of Bell Lane and by the sewerage plan.  Elaine will raise at the Neighbourhood Action Group.

 

NB  Allan Wadley drew the attention of the meeting to the fact that Charles Moore is our dedicated CPO on Fridays and Saturdays and Allan supports him.  Laura Walters is the team leader.  Allan wants Wilford to be the first ‘no cold calling’ area in Nottingham. Elaine is liaising with Trading Standards to arrange an information day in Silverdale on a date to be arranged. It will be in Silverdale because they have the highest local level of reports of cold calling. BH agreed to promote the day in due course.

 

As Allan was present, a local resident reported to him that a house in Vernon Ave. was empty and had been broken into.  Allan agreed to go and have a look and board up if necessary.

 

4.

Fundraising Strategy:  there was an inconclusive discussion about whether or not WCG wants to get involved in funding/grant applications.  Elaine suggested we make a ‘wish list’ but we would need to be sure there is enough enthusiasm in the group to sustain any projects.  RS suggested a joint meeting with the Bowls Club.  BR suggestged a 1 hour brainstorming meeting.  Help is available if we wanted to pursue any ideas but the Groundworks worker has to be paid out of the grant.  BH not keen on this idea.  BR and ST agreed to work on progressing things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ST/BR

5.

Nottingham in Bloom:  BR had submitted 2 applications for plants etc. one for the Pond and one for WCG with a maximum of £200 available.  There are 3 pockets of interest:-  the stile/footpath area, Holly Avenue and Ruddington Lane.  The applications have been acknowledged.  Delivery would be in mid May when we will also be informed of the judging date.

 

6.

Iremonger’s Pond:  following  clean-up sessions the area looks immaculate and then deteriorates again but is generally pleasant.  The group is charging £15 pa for fishing permits, £5 for junior associates.  Many congratulations to the group for an excellent job.  The area is being used by more people and looks great.  The only problem is the recurring litter left mostly by anglers.  The group is planning possibly to involve offenders community pay-back in keeping it cleared.  There is to be a picnic at the Pond on Sunday 31 May 1.00 p.m.  BR will invite Area 9 reps.  The picnic is in Family Week.  BR reported that a total of £23,000 has been spent on the area with another £4,000 to come.  £300 needed annually to cover insurance will be raised by the group.

 

7.

Dorothy Boot Homes:  it was noted that these are now known as Dorothy Crescent.  There was some discussion about whether this was the most appropriate name.  WCG not sure if they have right to influence the name.  Some did not like it.   RS to find out if we can do anything.  Might be worth approaching the developer to see how they chose the name.

There was considerable concern that residents are already in some of the flats but no car parking facilities at all have been provided. This was likely to cause some access difficulties around Holly/Vernon Avenue.  BH agreed to ring the planning department.

 

 

RS

8.

Any other business:

  • Following a request from Elaine, DA agreed to raise at the school council the issue of young people’s needs.  This kind of issue is part of the extended schools programme.
  • FW drew the meeting’s attention to a ‘handyman’ service offered by Age Concern.  One local resident had found the service “brilliant”.  FW distributed handouts.
  • RS had received the full report on the tram enquiry and saw that no recommendations had been made as a result of local input.

 

 

 

The meeting closed at 9.55 p.m.

 

Chairman………….Brian Hardy

 

Date……………….18th May 2009