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, Kate Johnson, Cluniford Mason, Ros Timlin, Bob Walter
ALSO PRESENT: PCSO Bird, PCSO Rogers, Frances Barrone SBC Town Centre Locality Facilitator, Councillor J Wright
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Paul Izquierdo, Kay Malko, Rebecca McIntosh, Evelyn Mason, Mark Walker SBC Town Centre Locality Lead, Councillor B Wright
CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES: 02 January 2013 meeting. These Minutes were confirmed as a true record.
The following issues and points were reported
What was happening with ‘Little Vegas’ and the Portuguese shop in Manchester Rd? – The Police reported that ‘Vegas’ had both an alcohol and gambling licence and the Portuguese shop an alcohol licence.
There has been an increase in dog mess on the paths of the area.
Street drinkers were often seen drinking in the area, particularly in alleyways.
CORRESPONDENCE
SENT
Charities Commission return – completed online
Thamesdown Transport re bus problems parking Manchester Road
RECEIVED
Invite BSACC to attend ‘Are you fit for Plan Preparation’ – Planning Aid Event on 14 March 2013, 9.30 – 3.30
PLANNING
S/12/1741 - 13 Lagos Street SN1 2BU - Erection of a single storey rear extension - Application granted - Case Officer - Mr Edward Snook
S/12/0895 - 86 Manchester Road SN1 2AJ - Retrospective change of use from B1(Business) to A1(Shops) and erection of single storey rear extension, and changes to previously approved scheme (S/09/1010) works - Application Refused - Case Officer – Mr Tom Buxton
PLANNING APPEALS
S/12/0894 - 48 Manchester Road SN1 2AG - Change of use from shop (Class A1) to restaurant / cafe (Class A3) – an appeal has been made to the Planning Inspectorate and will be decided at a hearing.
– Appeal withdrawn November 2012
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 - an appeal has been made to the Planning Inspectorate and will be decided at a hearing.
– Appeal dismissed 22 January 2013
TREASURERS REPORT - to 06 February 2013: John Freegard
POLICE UPDATE
Sector Priorities 12 November 2012 to 05 February 2013
Town Centre ASB – 166 patrols
Broadgreen Parking issues – 109 patrols – 27 warning notices – 5 Fixed Penalty Notices
28 other patrols for attempted robberies, 28 Nov to 03 Dec
Broadgreen Police report – 01 Jan to 31 Jan 2013
All crime down in the area except drug related offences, which have increased because of a number of stop checks and plain-clothes patrols.
Prostitution – Numerous sex workers (prostitutes) are still on cautions and being actively targeted. This has seen a reduction in generic stop checks of sex workers (prostitutes) in January and those on cautions were actively engaging with other partnership agencies.
Kerb crawlers were being actively targeted and joint partnership operations were taking place.
Following information received, a drug warrant was carried out. Drugs were seized and a person arrested. An eviction process was now underway with Police evidence supporting SBC.
ASB – A male street drinker was arrested, charged and dealt with by the Court for breaching his ASBO by drinking alcohol in a public place.
Parking – Warning messages placed on vehicles. Drivers requested to move vehicles. Discussions had taken place with SBC to consider road changes in Manchester Rd. to assist with council enforcement. All Swindon officers were being encouraged to target the area for illegal parking.
HISTORY REPORT:
At the February drop-in there was a small display of images and history connected with the building recently burnt down in Lagos Street. It had opened as an aerated water factory by Niblett & Co in 1902 and taken over by J R Bown around 1912. The Bown’s name can still be seen on the end gable. It remained as Bown’s soft drink manufacturers until c1959 when it was used by Leese. Ing & Co, for the same purpose. From the 1980’s to around 2010 the building was used as a car spares shop and was being converted to a grocers shop when the fire happened.
An image of Elm Villa, which was in Wellington Street, was also displayed.
