Agenda29th

NACRA

Newtown Area Community and Residents Association

Monthly Committee Meeting

Date: 15th June 2009

Venue: Strings

Time: 18:30 hrs

Present: Janet Farrow (Chairman) PRESENT

Julie Greening (Sec) PRESENT

Bill Ritter APOLOGIES

Dave Witts PRESENT

Jane Lucking (Treasurer) PRESENT

Steve Tandy (Minuets Sec) PRESENT

Angie Thompson APOLOGIES

John Lucking PRESENT

Peter Aldridge PRESENT

TBCllr John McCloy APOLOGIES

CCllr Vernon Smith PRESENT

TTCllr Tina Brookes PRESENT

TTCllr Andy Smith APOLOGIES

Graham Dawson PRESENT

AGENDA

1 Minutes from last meeting

2 Matters arising

3 TRI – Tewkesbury Regeneration Initiative

4 Any Other Business

1 Janet welcomed all present. Janet then went on to congratulate Vernon Smith on behalf of NACRA on his election as a Gloucestershire County Councillor. Janet then asked if the minutes from the last committee meeting were a true record of that meeting – the committee agreed

2 Matters arising from the last minutes.

The committee had received a letter from Martin Hayes from Gloucestershire Orchard Trust stating that the tree scheme had been closed, he would let us know if there are any other similar schemes operating.

Rob Hainsworth from TBC would like to arrange a site visit if we proceed with another scheme to check location of underground pipes and cables etc. Janet has updated him.

It was thought that 10 trees would be too many and that 5 would be a better number. It was also thought that fruit trees would not be a good idea as this would give ammunition to some youngsters to throw the fruit. Peter Aldridge stated that the ‘Tree warden Scheme’ might be of some help and that he would look into it and report back to the committee.

The matter of ‘dog fouling’ in the area was discussed. Dave Witts had sent a poem written by a child about dog mess, to the echo. Other children were going to be asked to write poems, one stated that they had counted 84 dog poo’s on the way to school.

Janet stated that the flower borders in front of Knights Way had been planted and the committee’s thanks should go to John McCloy and his team for all their hard work – it looks great. The entire flower beds had been sponsored by different local companies, and the £100 donated by the Tewkesbury Major’s Fund will be put towards the autumn planting.

The next NACRA Open Meeting has been fixed as Tuesday 15th September 2009 at 7.0pm (prompt) at Tirlebrook Primary School.

A preview of the next NACRA Newsletter was presented by Julie Greening and Dave Witts. Dave had negotiated to get 850 copies for £90 which is an excellent price. The committee gave a big thank you to both Julie and Dave for their hard work. As soon as they are printed they will be distributed via the distribution list.

Vernon Smith then went on to tell the committee about the work he is to get involved as a County Counsellor. He told us of the work to start in July to stop the flooding in front of Morrison’s. Also the county are to survey Holham’s Road and Ashchurch Road. Graham Dawson asked that any flood work, the funding should come out of the ‘Flood Residence Fund’

3 Regeneration of Tewkesbury was next discussed. Julie, Dave, and Janet had attended the opening meeting. Dave stated that the agenda had 8 headings to cover the full programme. The next step is to have a meeting with all concerned parties, and Tewkesbury Borough Council to get cooperation with all councils involved. Dave Witts has been co-opted onto the ‘Branding Team’. He stated that he would email a copy of the proposals to the Minutes Sec which he has done and if anyone wants a copy either email Dave Witts or Steve Tandy. There was some talk about trying to bring the festivals into the town centre and the use of the vineyards and the ham were discussed, it was stated that there should be no negatives into ideas put forward and everything could be possible.

There is a committee set up to look at the problem of parking in the town and a representative is required from NACRA. Angela Thompson was not at this meeting and she had put her name forward as the NACRA rep. It was thought that if Angela could not make the meeting there should be a back up rep and Tina Brookes and Graham Dawson put their names forward.

Vernon Smith stated that ditches, the Tirlebrook and the Carrent Brook should be under the Lower Severn Drainage Board’s responsibility. He said that it would need 5 to 10 years of funding and work to bring them into suitable condition. He went on to say that now he has been elected as a county councillor, he would be available for consultation and help during the daytime.

4 Any other business –

Janet, Julie, Dave and Peter had been to a meeting at the Playing Field in Walton Cardiff Lane to discuss what kind of scheme the children wanted. The younger children (up to 12 years) would have an updated play park, the older children then came up with some different ideas. There were lots of ideas from 5-a-side football pitch, skateboard course to a caged Mugger. It was hoped that Tewkesbury Town Council would remove the nettles and that Severn Trent would remove rubbish from alongside their pumping station. Tina is going to hold another open meeting when interested people could come along and discuss what is required at the play area. She would get a copy of some other play areas that have been proved to be successful with design. Let’s hope people come along and give constructive positive ideas to her. Tina stated that the funding from Play Partner Scheme had been successful.

Julie Greening stated that some people are still not getting the NACRA emails she sends out and will try again with those concerned.

Peter Aldridge stated that the Industrial Estate there had been no grass cutting etc and that the County Council and Highways Dept should be approached about the problem. J9 committee should also get involved and an email should be sent to Les Buchanan to inform him of the problem.

It was stated that a Public Services event in London, that two free tickets were available for 25th June.

Next NACRA meeting Monday 20th July at Strings 7.00pm