PRESENT: Chair Karen Leakey, Vice-Chair Pam Freegard, Treasurer John Freegard, Secretary and Archivist Kevin Leakey, Diana Banner, Muhammad Chaudhry, John Clark, Vi Clark, Paul Izquierdo, Kate Johnson, Cluniford Mason, Imtiyaz Shaikh, Madge Sutton, Ros Timlin, Pat Townsend, Roy Townsend, Bob Walter, Robert Williams
ALSO PRESENT:
Frances Barrone – SBC, Bob Wright – ward councillor, Tim French, Kathryn Hawke
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Mohammed Khan, Kay Malko, Evelyn Mason, Rebecca McIntosh, Ishmael Stevens, Mark Walker – SBC Town Centre Locality Lead, Julie Wright – ward councillor, PC Atkinson - Broad Street Area Beat Manager, PCSO Millarvie, PCSO Rogers.
MEETING MINUTES, 02 JULY 2014: Confirmed and seconded
MATTERS ARISING from the 02 July minutes : none.
NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE TEAM REPORT
There was no Broadgreen NPT representation present at the drop-in.
COUNCILLORS REPORT: Councillor B. Wright reported on the following issues –
SBC licensed property landlords – some properties in the area were being let to large groups, but did not have the right level of facilities for the size of families that occupied them and were of poor quality.
Some landlords were looking to spend as little as possible to get the maximum return. Broadgreen and Eastcott were suffering with this problem.
SBC only recognised around 900 properties as HMO’s although it seemed there was far more homes being shared than that.
Landlords made profits by renting to large groups that would tolerate poor conditions. They were not called HMO’s as family members or friends etc shared the property.
A council motion was put forward to improve conditions of homes, the answer was – conditions could be improved but they did not want to bring this scheme in, as the thought was it could lead to landlords charging more and some people losing their homes. As there were no alternative homes to move to, because there were not enough other properties, it would mean more house sharing leading to standards in homes going down.
In Oxford a scheme called licensed HMO’s had been adopted, what was agreed in Swindon was a housing strategy with some of the things requested but not all. SBC were looking for good landlords.
The Order to close Fleming Way was granted, a year ahead of schedule. If Corporation Street was not opened up with the additional bus lane, then there would be a lot more pressure on Manchester Road and Broadgreen. When the Regent Circus development opens, there would also be an impact from both shopping and entertainment traffic, including delivery lorries.
Questions asked -
Could Manchester Road be resurfaced? Potholes were filled, but were sinking again within a few weeks and yellow clay filled water was squirting out when driven over. Although reassurances had been made that there was a solid base underneath the tarmac, it seemed that when repairs had been made in the past, the base had not been sufficiently repaired.
Cllr. BW – Some main roads were repaired as part of a rolling program, but some bad ones in residential areas, not at the top of the priority list, did not get done. There was a change in policy from a quick fix to a far longer solution and a new standard for potholes; the Officers responsible for the contractors should ensure that the quality was good enough that they did not have to come out again.
Concerns that some of the SBC Officers were not doing their jobs properly, e.g. traffic problems created by new Whalebridge junction etc, but were still in their positions.
Cllr. BW – SBC did not run everything or have the money now; the Whalebridge alterations were shared with Muse, a private company, and to enhance their portfolio i.e. the land now occupied by the walk-in centre and the bus station, removal of the roundabout and road alterations would give the message that the only people wanted in town, were the shoppers, and any traffic crossing town was not wanted. This had caused a huge increase of traffic on County Road and because of the future developments, and to help protect the area, Manchester Road had been made a clearway. The Home Zone signs would be put back and speed limits reduced so there were no benefits to driving through the area.
Was a traffic study of Manchester Road and County Road undertaken before changes were made to Whalebridge?
Cllr. BW – Did not know if a study was done originally, however it would not have made any difference as the consultation period for the alterations was only 1 day, there were no details and it was said it was going ahead because there was a million pounds to spend. Since the junction had been altered a traffic study had been carried out on Manchester Road.
Lorries delivering to shops in Manchester Road were unloading in side streets and reversing back on to the main road. Cllr. Wright said the unloading bays on side streets had now been removed, as shop owners were not happy with them there, so there were now new unloading bays in Manchester Road. It was suggested that if people saw this happening they should call councillor Wright. Cllr. Wright said no, and explained that you should not call your councillor immediately, as they were not there to act as the council, but it should be reported to the council first. For example, with parking issues it was a Parking Dept. problem, and only if - there was no proper response, Officers failed to do what was wanted, were unavailable or let you down, should you contact a councillor, as it was their job to support residents in their actions or when the council did not act against a complaint.
CORRESPONDENCE
SENT –
2 letters to Mr. Azim Khan requesting that he forward his concerns about the BSACC, that he had spoken to the Chair about, following the July meeting, and also offering him and interested members of the Mosque to meet with BSACC Officers and Committee to discuss the issues.
RECEIVED –
Email from Swindon Citizens Advice Bureau - a poster advertising the Home Visit Service, which was now operational and available to anybody, who met the relevant qualifying criteria.
Email charities Commission – annual return reminder
PLANNING –
S/LDP/14/0880 - 85 Salisbury Street SN1 2AW - Certificate of lawfulness (Proposed) for the erection of a single storey rear extension - Application Granted - Case Officer - Mr Edward Snook
S/14/1258 - Gypsy Lane Footbridge At Land To The North Of Copse Avenue - Prior Approval application for the replacement of the footbridge - Application Pending Consideration - Case Officer - Rhian Morris
S/PRIORH/14/1252 – 3 Alexandra Road SN1 1DR - Prior Approval Notification for the erection of a single storey rear extension measuring 5.4m (from original rear wall), 2.55m (maximum height) and 2.35m (height to eaves) - Application Pending Consideration - Case Officer - Mr Edward Snook
S/14/0864 - Tesco Superstore Ocotal Way - Part change of use from shop to restaurant (Class A3) and community room within existing store - Application Granted - Case Officer - Mr Tom Buxton
S/14/0959 - Change of use of part of car park to hand car wash and valeting operation including the erection of an office and canopy - Case Officer - Mr Tom Buxton
TREASURERS REPORT - to 06 August 2014: John Freegard
The monthly Treasurers report was distributed to all Members present.
The following issues, points and information were raised and discussed
The need for a crossing at Fleming Way to Halford’s. Cllr. Wight said this had been requested 3 or 4 times.
Street drinkers in the area.
General ASB.
Prostitution problems growing again, impacting on people, particularly late at night.
Manchester Road was a clearway now, but there were still plenty of parking issues.
Drop-in closed 8.00pm
