RICHINGS PARK RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 16 May 2005

At Richings Park Sports Club

PRESENT: Alan Oxley, Daphne Wood, Matthew McEvoy, David Coppen, Paul Lake, Alan Barrett, Graham Young, Maureen Worrall, Brian Phillips, Wendy Morris, Maureen Atkinson.

ABSENT: Susie Davies, Margaret Wilkins, Tony Connolly.

The Chairman welcomed Maureen Atkinson, who is willing to represent Somerset Way in place of Pene Hamilton.

The Vice Chairman offered congratulations to the Chairman on his election as County Councillor , and this was echoed by the rest of the committee.

Election of officers – The current officers will stand for 2005/06, but it was suggested that Wendy Morris might like to consider the position of Chairman next year. We will be looking for a replacement Treasurer and Secretary also next year.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING: were agreed and signed.

MATTERS ARISING:

Graffiti – some areas had been cleared. Cable boxes, Council signs still to be done.

Potholes and sunken drains – Alan Oxley, in his new capacity as County Councillor, will reiterate all problem areas and asked for a full list so that he could put pressure on County.

Planning – 14 Old Slade Lane and 65 Wellesley Avenue – extensive demolition occurring.

Land at 3 North Park – refused permission to build dwelling at rear of house.

DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS:

Monday, 20^th June 2005 (apologies David)

Monday, 25^th July 2005 (apologies Wendy)

PLANNING:

7B North Park - rear conservatory

8 Syke Cluan – 2/s side extension, rear conservatory, summerhouse

97 Bathurst Walk – 2/s side extension, front & rear dormer windows OBJECT A.O.

45 Syke Ings – part 2/s, part 1^st floor rear extension

N.B. 27 Syke Ings – building works beyond planning permission A.O.

63 Richings Way – ugly red advertising board on frontage A.O.

Stables Old Slade Lane – motor spares business and caravan appeared A.O.

28 Wellesley Ave – Paul spoken to B.L. re French doors on balcony

7 Richings Way – original enforcement order on garage – been given conditional

permission while disabled person living at address

Land at station between ticket office and Wellesley Court car park – Alan has spoken to Trustee, Mike Crowther, and is going to see if the Residents Association can seek ownership of this land, with the back-up of the Parish Council. A.O.

TREASURERS REPORT: Current balance stands at £4,602.

A.O.B.

Graham – had received the SBDC consultation document which was extremely difficult to understand. Alan will follow this up. A.O.

Alan B – up-dated us on 106 Thorney Mill Road. Reported thick grey smoke emanating from Bardons chimney recently. He met up with the factory manager who agreed there is a serious problem. The road needs scraping off near the Tower Arms end. David Coppen is willing to join the Bardons Liaison committee to represent the Residents Association.

Paul – suggested residents might like to fund new trees to plant on verges, to discourage parking etc. However, Highways are not encouraging any re-planting on verges. Trees are overhanging footpath on main road of Richings Way.

Matthew – commented on damaged footpaths between 59 and 69 Bathurst Walk and the new In and Out driveways for 61 and 63 (?with permission)

David – had downloaded a copy of the Local Plan to which he would respond on behalf of the Residents Committee.

He reported overgrown evergreen trees on footpath beyond the ticket office. D.C

Daphne – had been contacted by a resident of one of the Linden Homes in Richings Place. She thought that a tarmac surface in place of the current gravel on the private road would be more suitable. Could it be looked into? A.O.

She was trying to get hold of the new police phone number to instigate some speed checks with a mobile camera, but had no luck so far.

The meeting closed at 10 p.m.

AO/DMW

19.5.05.