Community Participation Group Meeting 9th April 2003

Written 05/05/03

A meeting of the CPG was held at the Glade Infants School on Wednesday 9th April 2003 at 7.00 pm.

Attendees:-

Appologies:-

William Harvey, Mr & Mrs Gostling

MINUTES

1) Matters Arising - Vince McCabe queried the re-election terms for the CPG, and the Chairman stated he would deal with this under Item 6 later in the meeting.

2) Home Zone Workshops - Guy Parfect reported on the design workshops for the Home Zone streets held on 10th and 11th March. Joe Marchant the Urban Designer from Lacey Hickey Caley led the workshops - receiving ideas from residents for the design of their streets. The residents and officials in attendance were impressed with the sessions. Drawings should be available for more workshops in early May (10th May suggested as possible date).

Ron Black asked if residents who do not attend the workshops will have to be bound by the choices and decisions of those who do participate - the reply confirmed that ultimately they would be bound by the choices and decisions of those who do participate.

Vince McCabe suggested a list of dissenters could be compiled so they can be targeted to attend the next workshops, possibly with the use of laminated posters in the streets.

3) External Funding Opportunities, 4) Constitution, 5) Name Change - these three items were taken together as they are all inter-dependent. The Chairman reported on the funding meeting. At that meeting attended by the Chairman, Secretary, Andy Enkinsmith (WSCC), and Richard Fishlock (Arun DC), Richard Fishlock advised that there is no shortage of funding available for special projects but the best route is to identify a "unique project or need" first then apply for funding from as many sources as support that type of project.

To obtain funding in this way way a group needs to be 'legally recognised'. This will require a change of name for the CPG to something which represents the area or the purpose of the group and which is readily identifiable with it's purpose just by it's name. The group will also require a proper constitution, and Vince McCabe offered to arrange a supply of sample constitutions from similar organisations for CPG to consider.

6) Reports from CPG Members - The Chairman opened this item by referring to the earlier question from Vince McCabe which related to the re-election terms of the CPG "officers". It was agreed to extend the term of office for the "officers" from six months to 12 months to maintain continuity, etc.. The Chairman offered a draft constitution for consideration. It was also stated that an Article of Confidentiality should be included in the document. Two members reported on a possible meeting venue and a possible Social Event venue.

The first report was from Ron Black - this related to the suggestion of the CPG holding a social event to bring the residents together. The Newtown Social Club could be available. The charges raised by the Club for this type of event are: - deposit £75 to cover breakages, etc., £45 for the hire of the premises, food , etc., extra at cost. This event could include competitions, childrens activities, etc., and could also include prizes.

Dave Benham reported that the Rugby Club could be made available free of charge for CPG meetings. Guy Parfect suggested that if the CPG should proceed with the social event it would be a good idea to link it with the publication of the draft plans. Guy volunteered to investigate this possibility with the design team and see if any of them would be available on a Friday evening.

7) 20 mph Programme - Kirsty Routledge and Guy Parfect reported that designs for the 20 mph scheme will commence during April/May with a plan incorporating ideas to be sent out to residents accompanied by a questionnaire shortly afterwards, but this will not be as detailed as the Home Zone plan. An exhibition is planned for June. The measures applied will be prioritised by the survey statistics, etc..

8) Next Steps - An in-depth survey is to be carried out in the area around the Home Zone to record drains, lamp posts, etc.. Concept designs to be displayed in June. Low Speed Zone questionnaire to be distributed in June. Low Speed second presentation will be in the Autumn with final Home Zone designs - with contruction of both to commence in Spring 2004.

Vince McCabe suggested that social housing owners should be required to improve the visual appearance of their properties in the affected areas to the same schedule as the Home and Low Speed Zones project to enable a total improvement of the tone of the area.

9) A.O.B. - Dave Benham asked whether street reps. could be introduced to their streets, with common information supplied to pass on, and information packs to distribute to new residents. It was agreed that this would be followed up.

Ron Black suggested ID cards should be supplied for committee members and street reps.

Susan Gallant asked whether it would be possible for CPG meetings to be held on a day other than Wednesday as normally other commitments prevent her from attending Wednesday meetings. The Secretary suggested that this also may be a contributory factor to the low attendance at CPG meetings, and that it may be worth trying an alternative day to see if attendance did in fact change. It was agreed that the Secretary should establish which other day the school hall was available and arrange a meeting accordingly.

10) Date of Next Meeting - In accordance with the committee's wishes noted in the preceding Minute the next meeting will be on Friday 23rd May at 7.00 pm in The Glade Infants School hall.

Return to Home Zone Page