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Minutes - 2009
BLACKTHORNS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION (BCA)
MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: 27 JULY 2009
Held at Blackthorns C.P. School
1. Apologies for absence: (households not represented)
Richard and Lorelei Hilson (8), Heather Rowe (31), Jean Parmenter (56), Caroline Cook (30 Pickers Green)
2. Minutes of Last Meeting:
The Minutes of the meeting of 22 July 2008 were agreed unanimously by the Meeting and signed by the Chairman.
3. Matters Arising:
The Chairman reported that, in accordance with the Minutes of the last Meeting, Bill Mann had been co-opted to serve as Treasurer.
4. Membership:
The Secretary reported that at the beginning of the Association's year there had been 28 member households. Subsequently, 2 new households had joined and 2 had relinquished membership.
5. Environmental Issues:
a) Refuse Collection
On occasions, the times of waste collection had coincided with the school run, exacerbating the traffic and parking problems. Additionally, damage had been caused to grass verges, and potentially to pavements, as the collection vehicles avoided parked cars. Following representations from the Committee, Mid Sussex District Council's Cleansing Services have asked SERCO to avoid these times – at present the arrangement appears to be working well.
b) Culvert Survey and Stream Maintenance
Members of the Committee, together with Alec Fruin, met with representatives of the Environment Agency on site on 14 November 2008 .
i) Subsequently, a successful CCTV survey of the culvert was carried out which showed a little silt near the Appledore end, but no action is currently needed.
ii) To address our concerns about the culvert grills becoming blocked, the E.A. plans to improve the entrances and exits in 2010. This will include the possible removal of the downstream grill.
iii) The waterlogging of Janet Wade's garden (No 47) remains an issue and the E.A. are still investigating the cause and possible remedies.
iv) Alec Fruin had referred to the difficulty in contacting the E.A.'s Duty Officer as only a central control telephone number is available. However, the E.A. have said this is the system to be used in an emergency.
v) The Committee remains concerned that, at the annual clearance, the cut vegetation is not being removed but merely dumped on the stream banks. Although already raised with the E.A. it will be discussed again with them at the next meeting.
vi) It was agreed the E.A. would meet on site with BCA annually.
vii) In July 1998, E.A. wrote to all Residents whose properties backed onto the stream (Blackthorns and West Common Drive ) reminding them of their responsibilities and outlining the severe penalties for dumping waste in the stream. A Riverside Owners' Guide was also issued at or about the same time. The Secretary has asked the E.A. to provide updated versions of both items for distribution.
c) Drains
Geoff Johnson (36) and Des Adams (38) expressed some concern that damage was being caused to tarmac around curbs when road/drain cleansing was carried out. This will be monitored by the Committee.
d) Traffic Study Group
The Chairman reported that Blackthorns was on the ongoing Study Group list concerning traffic management. Mike Nichols said the School has a traffic management plan; for example, “walking bus” is included in the travel plan. Neil Armstrong wondered about over use of cars, Mike Nichols suggested this was a national problem perhaps due to wider catchment areas.
Alec Fruin referred to an occasion when a car drove with all four wheels on the pavement behind walking schoolchildren. He also referred to a recent occasion when two coaches parked in tandem in Blackthorns, one with engine running. This again concerns the issue of the timing of arrival of coaches. Mike Nichols, who is a Governor, will raise this with the School.
Other comments and thoughts mentioned during discussions were Residents' Parking Permits (would require a Traffic Regulation Order), applying yellow lines on corners to prevent parking there, yellow lines at the entrance to Blackthorns, providing refuges at the entrance to Blackthorns to facilitate driving past parked cars and Residents allowing school runners to park in their drives.
6. Ashton Healthcare:
Work on the Care Home has not yet begun, but the Chairman indicated that problems will become apparent when construction starts. For examples, some issues have still to be resolved, for examples drainage of surface water, and what will happen to water used to clean wheels of lorries. Parking of works vehicles is a reserved issue for the Council. Ruth Schofield, Head Teacher of the school, has not been consulted or told of any arrangements.
Nigel Fletcher suggested that the grass verges will need protection – ideas included planting trees and restricting parking in Blackthorns Close.
Neil Armstrong had met Mr Shookeye of Ashton Healthcare regarding the height of trees and Mr Shookeye had been very keen to reduce their height as wanted. There is still concern about the height of some deciduous trees. David Walters (20), requested BCA to enquire of Ashton Healthcare regarding future tree management at the rear of properties, on behalf of residents located at nos 20, 22, and 24. WSCC, previous owners of the site, had in the past periodically trimmed excessive tree heights. A letter from BCA will carry more weight than an individual approach.
7. Neighbourhood Panel:
The Vice Chairman attended a Neighbourhood Panel meeting in April where he was able to meet police at “beat” level. Points from that meeting include:
a) There are parking problems everywhere in the area!
b) The number of break-ins and anti-social behaviour is not as high now as in the past.
c) Operation Crackdown is intended to address anti-social driving.
d) Parking on the pavement verges in Appledore Gardens has been approved.
e) The Police feel that while they give information to Neighbour Watch groups generally, they get no feedback of intelligence from those Groups. Relatively, there is more crime in rural areas although “Farm Watch” works very well.
Mike Nichols has agreed to continue to attend these meetings. The Panel is not a substitute for Neighbourhood Watch – the Committee will seek to extend active participation in that scheme to the whole Road rather than just to the West Common end which is now represented by Geoff Wagger (No 37).
The Meeting expressed its gratitude to George Savage who has retired from the role of Watch Co-ordinator after a number of years.
8. Website:
The Chairman advised that our Association's website is up and running and, in reply to a question from Alec Fruin, confirmed that the Committee will consider making it interactive.
9. Financial Report:
The Treasurer presented the Accounts for the year to 30 June 2009 and distributed copies to Members present. He recommended that, in order to build up a small capital base, the initial Membership fee of £5 per household should become an annual subscription. This was proposed by Margaret Molloy, seconded by Nigel Fletcher and passed unanimously.
10. Re-Election of Officers:
Proposed amendment to BCA Constitution: Add:
3f) Committee Office holders, provided they are willing to continue, shall be confirmed in Office en bloc, at each Annual General Meeting, by the attending membership voting their approval. Alternative names for Office, who must be members of BCA, may be proposed by at least 2 BCA members, provided the names of candidate(s) and Office position(s) are notified in writing to the Secretary, for inclusion on the Agenda, by 31 st May preceding the Annual General Meeting.
Adoption of the amendment was proposed by Nigel Fletcher, seconded by Alec Fruin and passed unanimously.
The membership unanimously approved confirmation in office of the current Officers.
11. Any Other Business:
Alec Fruin raised the subject of consultation about the proposed floodlighting for the all weather pitch at Oathall College , the possible traffic impact on Blackthorns and the flood risk in heavy rain. Colin McFarlin, a former governor of the College, gave the background to the proposals and explained the changes since a previous lighting application.
a) The pitch is for use of the school as some games are outside school hours and a grant is available for floodlighting.
b) Depending on planning permission, the latest finishing time is 9 pm as now.
c) Additional car parking has already been built at the school.
d) The pitch is being moved further away from houses and extra banking and baffling is being provided.
e) New floodlights have been improved so that light spillage is not visible more than 50 yards away.
f) There should be no impact on Blackthorns.
The meeting was attended by 25 members.
John Richards
Secretary, Blackthorns Community Association
14 August 2009