Digbeth Residents AssociationMinutes of Meeting

Paragon HotelDigbeth3

August 20097pmPresent

Adam CrossleyChair and Digbeth ResidentPC Phil BatesDigbeth Neighbourhood Officer PC Kate OllisDigbeth Neighbourhood Officer Approximately 28 Digbeth Residents

Apologies

Sgt Gary ChantreyDigbeth Neighbourhood SergeantJean spoke about a new enterprise on Cheapside at the Old Post Office. Will be aspace where people can get back to work, community Café / Ironing. Should be openin next 2 weeks – Café will have sandwiches / muffins / Tea / Coffee etc.A fundraising event will take place on 26

September to raise money for the project;will be a fun French themed evening. People need to raise the issues of what theyneed in the area, e.g. Dentist / Healthcare etc…The Raise the Roof event on Saturday was a success, no complaints. The only noise problem seemed to be from the taxi drivers beeping there horns at 5:30am. Rod fromRainbow said the firms that were making the noise are ones form outside the city, asthe Rainbow have there own taxi firm they use and it’s the out of City Cabs turning upand plying for hire. Rod has put a complaint in already. Phil will again speak withthe Police Taxi liaison. Next subject was the application for change of use for the building on Alcester Streetat Cheapside. Originally meant to be Luxury Apartments with parking however nowlooking at cheap hotel/hostel with no parking. Residents don’t believe that there isthe infrastructure to accommodate this and worry about the parking in the area whichis already a problem and also the traffic. If it becomes a hostel is there a need? Thereare already two in the immediate vicinity.If people want to complain then they can do so by letter or by email, one per person aseach letter/email is equal to one objection no matter how many signatures. Objectionsneed to be in by 5

August, and can ask for 3 minutes to attend speak at the meeting,so each person should request to appear personally at the committee meeting.Both the Businesses and Residents in the area appear to be against the proposal.You can see it atwww.birmingham.gov.uk/planningapplications Application Reference is C/02504/09/FULResidents can put themselves on the consultees list for Digbeth and they will then benotified about all plans in the area.