7th March 2013
/Minutes of a Meeting of the Garrison Residents’ Association Committee held at the Clockhouse on 7th March 2013
Present
John Dowell (Chairman)
Chris Coomber (Hon Treasurer)
Adrian Walker (Hon Secretary)
Matthew Brittain
Michael Kennedy
Ian Dally
Jonathan Hunnibal
Apologies
Barry Spinks
Clive Austin
James Robinson
Minutes
Minutes of the GRA committee meeting held on 29th January were approved.
Matters arising
Road Cleaning/Care Group/Cory/SBC
John Dowell said he had still not received a schedule for road cleaning from Nationspaces. Ralph Syme promised JD a copy would be sent prior to the meeting but none had arrived. JD also asked Ralph Syme why the clock tower quadrangle had not been swept as part of Care Group’s cleaning schedule and RS replied the Care Group had forgotten. Jonathan Hunnibal pointed out that gullies on the site had not been attended to and JD said he would refer it to Nationspaces. JD informed the committee that the Horseshoe grassed areas would be levelled and re-seeded.
Leisure Complex
There was no further news on this from C&M even though the deadline for a positive response from interested parties had passed.
Gunnery Drill Shed estate charges
JH said he would be sending documents the following day to Greg Ketteridge, MD of C&M to assist him in assessing estate charges to be paid by B2C, which were now two years overdue.
Gunnery Drill Shed renovations and planning enforcement
JD asked Chris Coomber to assemble the available information on alleged breaches of planning restrictions and uncompleted renovation works to be sent to the appropriate authorities. JD said a number of residents had recently complained about the number of vehicles parked outside the Drill Shed, goods being unloaded and uncompleted renovation works. JD suggested the enforcement authority should be notified with a copy to Essex County Council.
Parking
Mr. Rob Tinlin, CEO of SBC had replied to JD’s letter expressing concerns about the new Heritage Centre, saying he had passed the letter to the appropriate department for comment.
Outstanding service and estate charges
Since November 2012, when Nationspaces began their efforts to collect arrears, the sum had reduced from £66,000 to a current level of £34,000.
Gunners' car park- Barge Pier Road access
The Council has agreed to fit a gate to the car park following complaints about anti-social behaviour in the this area,
West Gate
JD reminded the committee this issue had been raised in 2010 and there was still a reluctance to claim responsibility for upkeep of the area, which consists of the strip of land behind the Evolve premises and the patch of grass adjacent to it. JD’s enquiries lead him to believe the area is owned by C&M and if so there will be no one to manage it when C&M leaves the site next year. JD had suggested to a ward councillor that SBC should take over the site.
Advance notice of any other business for discussion
Meeting between GRA officers and C&M
This was covered at the previous committee meeting and reported in the subsequent minutes. JD had written to Greg Ketteridge requesting a date for the next meeting.
Treasurer’s report/membership & Neighbourhood policing update
CC provided the latest GRA accounts, which show a balance of £622.55. He reported there had been 91 crimes reported in the ward, ten of which were on the Garrison.
There has been some further restructuring of the Neighbourhood Police team; priorities are burglary and high visibility patrols. Police have said they would like more Neighbourhood Watch Schemes on the Garrison; any residents interested in establishing schemes should contact Adrian Walker at the Clockhouse, 54 Chapel Road, 07714 706842 or email adriancw@gotadsl.co.uk.
Heritage Centre
We are awaiting a full response from our letter to SBC, which raised a number of concerns about the approved plans.
Website
Ian Dally said a number of news items had been posted.
AGM 2013-03-15
An approach will be made to Hinguar School with a view to holding the next AGM in their hall.
Any other business
We are advised Sainsbury’s has acquired the commercial premises opposite Hinguar School, to be used as a Sainsbury’s Express. We await their planning application details but understand they propose 16 car parking spaces allocated and the company will employ 20 staff. Opening hours will be 7am to 11pm. JD pointed out that together with the Heritage Centre, Evolve, SET, Hinguar School and Gunners’ Rise, a supermarket could add yet more problems of traffic and parking. Furthermore, entrance to the car park would be directly opposite the school entrance on a narrow road and only feet from an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing
Gunners’ Rise
A resident from the new development has been in correspondence with C&M over poor construction issues, with particular regard to roof tiles being blown off. C&M has expressed its concern and is considering changing the type of tile being fitted.
There being no more business, the meeting closed at 9.20pm.