PRESENT: Chair Karen Leakey, Vice-Chair Pam Freegard, Secretary and Archivist Kevin Leakey, Treasurer John Freegard, Vice-Treasurer Madge Sutton, Muhammad Chaudhry, John Clark, Vi Clark, Paul Izquierdo, Kate Johnson, Cluniford Mason, Rebecca McIntosh, Bob Walter
ALSO PRESENT: PC Kuklinski, PC Carter, PCSO Evans, Tim French, Councillor J Wright, Councillor B Wright
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Alan Jones, Kay Malko, Evelyn Mason, William Murray, Ros Timlin, Mark Walker SBC Town Centre Locality Lead, Frances Barrone SBC
The following issues and points were reported
It was reported that:
- The car-part shop in Lagos Street had closed and was being converted possibly into a grocer shop. Did it need planning permission?
- A shed at the rear of a property in Manchester Road had been demolished and replaced with a bigger one, it had been lined and painted inside, which was possibly to be used as living accommodation
- ‘White’ vans from shops were constantly being parked in alleys and resident parking bays causing problems for residents.
- Multiple complaints were made about the state of the alleyways – fly tipping and obstruction by vehicles.
- Rats were being seen at the temporary park between Fleming Way and Carfax Close.
- The 1930’s signpost in County Road had been in a state of disrepair for many years. Last year the Community Council made requests to Councillor Montaut and Mark Walker that it be re-painted, unfortunately no progress was made. However, at the September Locality Meeting, Bob Walter suggested this might be a worthy use of the extra days environmental works available to councillors from SCS, and no councillors objected to the repainting of the sign.
POLICE
PC Kuklinski introduced herself as the new Vice Officer and informed the people present how the Police would be tackling the prostitution problems. There were 17 known prostitutes, 6 of whom were active but only around 3 or 4 were working each night. The Police were still working with a number of agencies to deal with the problem. The legislation covering street prostitution had changed. Full legislation here -
www.cps.gov.uk/legal/p_to_r/prostitution_and_exploitation_of_prostitution/
There was little information about the kerb crawlers, but many were from outside of Swindon. The Police planned to target them and their actions.
To report non-emergency problems, please telephone the Police on 101.
PC Kuklinski can be contacted via her email address – louise.kuklinski@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk
CORRESPONDENCE
Received –
· Notice from Charity Commission that our annual return is now ready for completion.
· Primary School places in town centre –
A Diversity Impact Assessment has been undertaken, which has identified the need to engage with faith groups. Because of this, a questionnaire regarding the religion people practice has been delivered to homes in the area.
Drop-in session for questions regarding this issue will take place at the Broadgreen Centre – 15 October 2012, 6pm to 8pm.
PLANNING
S/ADV/12/1257 - Advertisement Consent - Workshop To The Rear Of 1 - 8 Manchester Road SN1 2AB - Display of 6no. fascia signs, 1no. free standing sign and 1no. directional sign (Retrospective) - Application pending consideration - Case Officer - Mr Rob O’Carroll
S/ADV/12/1387 - Advertisement Consent - Tesco Superstore Ocotal Way - Display of various signage in relation to new 'click and collect' facility - Application Pending Consideration - Case Officer – Mr Tom Buxton
S/COND/12/0807 - Variation of Condition Application - Former Paragon Laundry Aylesbury Street – Discharge of conditions 2,3,4,5,7,9,10,11,12,13,16and 17 from planning permission S/08/2397 for the enclosure of land (following partial demolition of buildings) for use as car parking in conjunction with remaining buildings. Making good openings arising from demolition including new roller shutter door - Conditions Discharged - Case Officer - Mr Rob O’Carroll
S/COND/12/0809 - Variation of Condition Application - Former Paragon Laundry Aylesbury Street - Discharge of conditions 2,3,4, and 5 from listed building consent S/LBC/08/2392 for the partial demolition of buildings and making good of resultant openings, to include new roller shutter door - Conditions Discharged - Case Officer - Mr Rob O’Carroll
S/12/1395 - 114 Graham Street SN1 2EY - Erection of a single storey rear extension - Application Pending Consideration - Case Officer – Mr Tom Buxton
S/12/1139 - 49 Manchester Road SN1 2AG - Change of use from retail (Class A1) to Hot Food Takeaway (Class A5) and installation of external flue to rear - Application refused - Case Officer – Mr Tom Buxton
TREASURERS REPORT - to 3rd October 2012: John Freegard
HISTORY REPORT:
Kevin had spoken to Ian Piper, Chief Executive of Forward Swindon, about incorrect and misleading historical information in the Town Centre Master Plan document. Unfortunately Mr Piper was unaware that this info was in the document, but noted the inaccuracies.
The ‘offending’ paragraph -
The County Ground,
…………at the abutment with the railway there are large plots of land, which are in residual retail use or abandoned shunting heads and sidings where the original Rushey Platt station on the M&SWJ railway set off to connect to Swindon Town. This is now used for car parking.
The area referred to is the Transfer Industrial Estate, to the north of Tesco. Although there were at least two different proposals in the 1800’s to run this railway line into Swindon Station via routes that crossed the Broadgreen Area, all were rejected, however the Transfer Area never formed part of these proposals.
The final chosen and constructed route did commence at a station called Rushey Platt, but this was just south of the Wootton Bassett Road railway bridge and did indeed connect to Swindon Town Station, which was in Old Town.
Saturday 6th October 2012 9.30am to 4.00pm – Central Library are hosting a celebration of Swindon’s industrial and manufacturing past – many of Swindon’s history groups will have displays.
Between the 9th and 22nd October 2012 the Central Library will be hosting the ‘Back to Black and White’ exhibition -
Young People exploring 70 years of Swindon through photographs and digital art. Back to Black and White explored the lives of young people past the present, and is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
NEXT MEETING -
DROP-IN Wednesday 05 December - 6.30pm to 8.00pm, in the lounge
