Minutes from the open meeting of Digbeth Residents Association (DRA) and Neighbourhood Watch on Monday 14th October

2013 at 6pm in the Old Crown restaurant. 1. Roll Call and Apologies Present: John Gordon, Jo Smith, Gary Poyner, Tracey Pickering, Peter Snape, Phil Bates, Joe Holyoak, Lisa Zdravkovic, Richard Trengrouse, Gail Maynes, Lucy Cattell, Kieran McInerney, Adam Robins, Phil Burrows, Pamela Pinski. Apologies: Kate Gordon, Gabi Butler, Val Woodward, Ian Winkles, Anna Pendlebury, Adrian Sprocket, Richard Luffington, Rosie Pocklington, Robin Powell. 2. Approval of Minutes a. The minutes from the June 2013 meeting were approved as accurate and correct. b. The minutes from the August 2013 meeting were approved as accurate and correct. c. The minutes from the September 2013 meeting were approved as accurate and correct. 3. Police Report and Neighbourhood Watch News The Digbeth Policing team reported that all types of crime are decreasing in frequency in Digbeth when compared to the Ladywood West and East area, except for vehicle crime. 4. Community Safety and the Custard Factory The Digbeth Police have secured funding to hold awareness-building sessions on personal safety. It was agreed DRA will help with promotional costs to support the Polices efforts. 5. Talk About Local Conference Pamela attended this conference on 28 September. The report is available online. 6. Bordesley Park Area Action Plan This document proposes a tram route through Digbeth and onto Bordesley. John Gordon intends to raise this with Cllr Tahir Ali at the next Digbeth (Business) Forum meeting. 7. Local Environmental Issues Planning applications for shisha lounges and venue licences were discussed. Concerns with car parks and litter on the High Street/canals were raised. DRA will support positive action. 8. Eastside Park and The Woodman The last HS2 Community consultation meeting took place in September. Joe Holyoak attended on behalf of DRA and reported that moving to the Hybrid Parliamentary Bill still left lots of question marks over the future of Eastside City Park and the building process. 9. End of Year Get Together and Community Awards Nominations Decembers meeting will include a get together; community award nominations were invited. 10. Any other business None. 11. Date and Time of Next Meetings The next committee meeting will be held on Monday 11th November 2013 at 6pm in the Old Crown restaurant, High Street Digbeth. The next open meeting will be held on Monday 9th December 2013 at 6pm in the Old Crown restaurant, High Street Digbeth.