PRESENT: Chair Karen Leakey, Secretary and Archivist Kevin Leakey, Muhammad Chaudhry, John and Vi Clark, Kate Johnson, Alan Jones, Kay Malko, Cluniford and Evelyn Mason, William Murray, Madge Sutton
ALSO PRESENT: Councillor Derique Montaut, Mark Walker SBC, NPT Sgt. Diffin, PCSO Bird, Tim French
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Vice-Chair Pam Freegard, Treasurer John Phillips, John Freegard, Rebecca McIntosh, Beryl Phillips, Val Purvis, Ros Timlin
CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES: – 06 April 2011 meeting. These Minutes were confirmed and signed a true record. Proposed by Kay Malko and seconded by Muhammad Chaudhry
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MARCH 2011 MINUTES: None
WARD COUNCILLORS REPORT: Councillor Derique Montaut.
Cllr. Montaut thanked the Community Council for the last year; which he said had been a challenging but enjoyable working relationship and also informed the meeting that he would not be seeking re-election as the Labour Group leader.
Dumping of rubbish and low-level crime in the area continue, if re-elected as Councillor, he will be talking with the NPT to see what could be done.
Due to the fact that Cllr. Montaut passed information to the Adver about an English Heritage report that slammed SBC about the work it carried out to temporarily repair the Mechanics Institute, and EH’s subsequent withdrawal of a grant for £211k, he has been taken to Standards. What the outcome might be was unknown as in 30 years as a councillor this was the first time it had happened. With regards to the future of the Mechanics, many years ago the then Labour controlled council were offered it for £1 but had turned it down because of the cost of renovation, and over the years various plans had been put forward but had not stacked up, therefore it was probably too late for commercial use as it would now cost a good £30m to put right.
The Whalebridge underpass will probably be closed around November time. Matters raised at the public meeting have been passed to Council Officers, but much of what is going to happen is confidential and Officers could not even tell Councillors. 8.10 pm: Cllr. Montaut left the meeting
GUEST SPEAKER: Mark Walker SBC updated the meeting on the CCTV.
The cameras have been up for 6 weeks and there have been no major issues in the camera locations but there have been a few requests for information concerning criminal damage and theft. As there have been no new instances of flytipping, the questions now were, have the cameras stopped people from dumping, or are they located in the wrong place? The cost of fly tipping problems in Broadgreen is around £100k a year, twice as much as other areas and this money could be better used elsewhere, therefore there was a need to educate residents. When evidence has been gathered they will prosecute anyone caught and offenders names would be put in the Adver. The courts can give out unlimited fines for fly tipping.
A few points put to Mr Walker - Firstly there is a general feeling that catching people and hitting them in their pocket is the best way to educate people about this problem, secondly it is not always Broadgreen residents that do the dumping and thirdly rubbish is often dumped on the curtilage at the rear of peoples properties by other people that do not actually live there.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Received –
- Notification that the Council’s Core Strategy consultation has been extended until 6pm on 16th June 2011.
- Insurance renewal for 2011-2012
- Telephone conversation with Chris Hitchings – Forward Swindon – Director of Development - The temporary alternative crossing points at Whalebridge will have to be completed before the work on infilling the subways can commence. This would probably in the middle of May.
PLANNING –
S/11/0331 - 126 Manchester Road SN1 2AF - Change of use from dwelling/ shop (class C3/ A1) to club/ shop (sui generis/ A1) - Application Refused - Case Officer, Mr Tom Buxton.
Turkish workings men club open between 9.00am and 3.00am Monday to Sunday
S/11/0331 cont. It was reported by a number of residents that tables, chairs and a drinks vending machine had already been placed in these premises. The Secretary requested that residents keep an eye on the situation and report back to the next meeting.
S/11/0330 - 126 Manchester Road SN1 2AF - Change of use of rear part of ground floor from Class C3 (restaurant/café) to Class A1(shop). Application Granted - Case Officer, Mr Tom Buxton.
Must not be used outside the following hours:-
09:00 - 18:00 Monday - Saturday, 10:00 - 16:00 Sundays or Bank Holidays.
S/11/0387 - 117 Manchester Road SN1 2AF - Conversion of first floor to 1 no. flat and erection of first floor and single storey rear extensions - Application Granted - Case Officer, Mr Rob O’Carroll.
TREASURERS REPORT:
Proposed by Cluniford Mason and Seconded by Kate Johnson
NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE TEAM REPORT: NPT Sergeant Diffin
Despite the problems with the CPS not prosecuting car owners that are illegally parked in alleyways, they have recently put a case through for prosecution.
Special Constables are to look at the parking problems in the Shrivenham Road and Pavilion Close area on football match days. The Police have suggested that the park and ride could be used and there are lots of other places to park – Cricket Ground, St. Josephs School and even the public car parks in the town centre, which are much cheaper than the County Ground car park that is operated by STFC on match days. The Chair asked if the Adver could not put the message out of where to park, before next season started.
There will soon be a new NPT Sergeant and SGT. Diffin will revert back to Beat Manager. To save the need for the new Sergeant to visit all the different area group meetings, one big meeting with all group Leaders, where problems could be brought to the table was being considered, although the local NPT would continue to go to meetings in their area. It was felt by the meeting that this would be a good idea, as it was something a number of residents groups had already talked about because of the similar problems we all shared, but it had not been actioned as yet.
Sgt. Diffin has brought the owners of the dog that had been worrying young people at the Broadgreen games area and the young people together to sort out the problems. It seems that the young people had called the owner names, as they were scared of the dog and the dog owner had reacted to it – it was agreed to keep the dog out of the area, and stop name-calling. This seems to have broken the ice and if it happens again, they will have to talk around the table once more.
With regards to dog fouling, SBC Licensing Officer Lionel Starling has sent the following info:
We have no power to serve Fixed Penalty Notices in Swindon. The core legislation is to be reformed we are told. Prosecution under the old Act would at best mean around a £25 fine. Last time it was a conditional discharge. Per case, cost would be around £1000 and the Magistrates do not award those costs to the Borough, as they should do. Fouling in the town centre is random and infrequent so surveillance is not a practical remedy. In reality, we have no resources to speak of, in any event. Public notices are an option, which we often use elsewhere but in the town centre that would run counter to our policy of driving out clutter. If we were to break those rules with stickers, they would be about something more important than dog mess. Through another forum I am trying to get CCTV records of fouling, If that is possible. (there are no volunteered reports of fouling, so it is not registering with operators as something significant). From that, I am looking to do a ‘name and shame’ in the Adver with the stills. That would have a major impact well beyond the town centre. Depending on the CCTV feedback, I would hope to have a week of heightened alert for CCTV operators to pick up on the fouling. Long term, we cannot make everything a priority for them. Adding it to their list permanently would be tokenistic in my view. A consultation on ASB reforms has been launched. Just changing the definition of litter to include dog mess would be a huge step forward and cut out acres of red tape.
3 priorities -
Anti-social behaviour: There has been an overall reduction, but there are still some hotspots.
Speeding: Due to other issues, the Police have not had the opportunity to look at this in the last month.
Fly tipping: Problems still continue but sorting this out is now council led.
Two Problems reported by residents: 1 - rats are being seen around the area again – Sgt. Diffin said this was why it was imperative that residents reported problems to the council. 2 – two sarsen stones have been taken from the green area at the end of Medgbury Road – Sgt. Diffin wondered if they had been moved in connection with the Whalebridge works.
Sgt. Diffin was asked about a recent fracas at the Broadgreen Centre involving young people. He explained that the problem had arisen over usage of the play area by two different groups – Asian and Afghan young people – baseball/cricket bats had been used and four people were taken to hospital with low-level injuries, but they have all now agreed to keep the piece. It seems there has been ongoing friction between the groups over the last five or six years as the Afghans had had problems adjusting to life here, including in school as it is believed that many are actually over the age of 18 but claim to be younger. The play area usage has now become the centre of a turf war. The Mosque elders are looking to see what the problems of integrating the Afghans in to the area are and how they could be resolved, possibly by setting up an Afghan Association and one group using another area to play football etc.
It was asked if the people involved actually lived in this area, as people that didn’t live in Broadgreen often caused problems here? SGT. Diffin said that many of the Asian young people did not live in Broadgreen but came here to meet as they had previously lived locally before moving elsewhere to live. Most of the Afghans did live in the area as the County View Guest House and area in general was viewed as an immigration place because of the close proximity to the Town Centre and transport links.
8.35 pm: Sgt. Diffin left the meeting.
CHAIR REPORT: There have been a number of problems with dogs in the area recently; the Chair is going to contact the dog warden to see what can be done within the law.
It is still hoped to reinstate the Broad Street Trust; the Chair has spoken to John Phipps of VAS about it.
We continue to keep a close eye on the situation concerning altering the Broadgreen Centre in to a school, which would mean the loss of community facilities for this area.
There is still no news on what impact the alterations to Whalebridge will have on the Broadgreen Area.
HISTORY REPORT: Kevin has been invited to attend the next meeting of the Swindon & District History Network, which is hosted by Swindon Central Library - Local Studies Dept. It is a new group that was only set up last October.
The idea is to give an opportunity for local history and family groups or societies and individual historians, to meet on a regular basis, work together, share resources and exchange ideas, promote events, and discuss projects amongst other things.
It was asked if Montague Burton had opened the old Burtons building on Bridge/Fleet Street corner, as there was a plaque on the wall about it. – Kevin is to look into this.
SHRIVENHAM ROAD REPORT: The brambles overgrowing Stratton Bank at the County Ground still need cutting back.
NEIGHBOURHOOD/STREET WATCH REPORT: Nothing to report.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Tim talked about the recent CHAF meeting which was poorly attended - Bob Johnson reported that the Broadgreen Centre was going to be have some new planting and painting, undertaken by the Care taking Team and the disabled parking is to be improved.
Meeting closed at 9.15pm.
Residents association for the Swindon Town Centre located, "Broad Street Area Community Council." And general stuff related to that.
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Wednesday, 4 May 2011
MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 04 MAY 2011
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