Dukinfield East Residents Association

Meeting held on 24th July 2012 Present: David Bottomley John Heywood Angela Carr Steve Fisher Kathy Inglis Ben Buckley Ruth Madden John Bevan (DB) (JH) (AC) (SF) (KI) (BB) New Charter (RM) T3SC, ruth.madden@t3sc.org

Guests:

Apologies:

Preamble to Meeting: JH confirmed that there were sufficient members present to form a quorum, under the rules of the constitution. The meeting, therefore, proceeded to the agenda. Review of previous meeting on 4th July. BB: Daniel Hawthorn (covers Gorse Hall area up to Booth close) was unavailable for this meeting but hopes to come to the next. Residents Garden BB: Fencing has been erected. Regarding the remaining plot, the individual who was interested in it has now declined, so the area has now been fenced off and cut back. In the interim, the owner of the land bordering Meadway has agreed to install a gate at the end of his garden to allow access, once a month, for maintenance purposes but not as a right of way. Eventually, access will be via residentss property. BB: He has spoken to Shaun Ellam about the long-term future of the residents premises when he leaves and believes that turning it into a community hub would be an option. The building could be used for DERA meetings, Homewatch meetings, training young people in gardening skills, police surgeries and by other community groups. This would also overcome the problem of access to the gardens, if turned over to the community. BB: Has spoken to local residents about at reinstating the path between 139 & 141 Chester Avenue. They are in agreement so long as it is retained as an open area. Prices are being obtained for putting in a new path, and landscaping/planting to reduce the bogginess of the land; trees are one option. Action BB

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JH asked about access to the 106 money, to replace the play area lost from Yew Tree Lane with a new play area in the circle area. This money will have been paid to the council by the developers. SF has agreed to chase up the council to find out what has happened to this money. Action SF The Yew Tree Shop Area BB: JHs letter to Shaun Duddy about the shop bins prompted a reply directly to BB; they are going to remove the existing bins and replace them with the new, larger capacity bins that will be completely enclosed, with side access for depositing litter. The railings around the trees will be removed, but the posts will remain. The shops are now being managed by Ian Prichard. New Charter are now considering screening off the residents bin by planting the area (Green Charter). BB will, together with Ian Prichard, discuss the plans with Mr Blenkinsop (Bakers shop) and, hopefully reach agreement on the proposals. Action BB JH asked about the small triangle area at the top of Kingsway / Chester Avenue. BB is going to get the sign removed and plant with bushes. Action BB Passageway between Chester Avenue & Cheetham Hill Road (opposite Kingsway) still requires tidying and the hedges to be cut. BB had asked Green Charter to cut the hedges but this had not yet happened. Action BB Review of public meeting 27th May. Distribution of leaflets was reviewed; a primary area and 3 zones were agreed. The primary will always be leafleted and zone 2, 3 & 4 will alternate. Depending on time/resources, we will distribute to the primary and all zones if possible. Printing of leaflets: JH is to investigate printing & distribution via the college. Action JH BB believes that Linda Whyatt would be prepared to handle some printing and distribution. JH will ask her about what contribution New Charter is prepared to undertake. Action JH JH asked BB about getting Lindas help filling in the community chest application form for 1000.00 towards the minibus project. BB suggested that Yvonne Campbell would be a better contact on these forms. KI is to complete the application documents and forward to YC. Action KI

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KI mentioned an area of land encircled by Tennyson Avenue, which is a cut through between Broadbent Fold School and Shelly Rise, as a possible community centre/shop. SF, under the Localism Act, suggested we look into Neighbourhood Forum. Action SF Funding Opportunities etc. Ruth Madden addressed the committee. KI asked about Community foundation for running cost seed fund RM advised we need to have a break down of running costs before we can apply; stationary, printer, toner cartridges, computer, laminator, digital recorder etc. Action JH & DB On applying for funds for specific projects, providers will need to know: who we have spoken to; how we have established the need; references in minutes from public meetings; questionnaires we have handed out asking what people regard as issues; what feedback have we received ( RM advised that 15-20% feedback was typical); if a similar service is provided locally, can we show we are better value; if other groups are interested in contributing to a project, how much would they contribute and is there confirmation in writing? Any project needs to be planned and its progress monitored. RM will forward more information. Action RM RM brought funding guides for various sources; these guides are all available on the T3SC website. Also, Awards for All (awardsforall.org.uk) is a lottery grant scheme source of funding. If DERA wanted to build anything (play area etc.,) the organisation would require a lease, and would also need to consider public liability insurance. RM suggested we approach Tameside executive leader Kieran Quinn and suggest we would like someone from the council to attend our meetings and give us advice on how best to proceed with our plans. Action JSH After closing the AGM meeting, RM suggested we circulate a questionnaire and discuss any additional ideas put forward, then formulate a five-year plan. Action: All Committee Members We can contact T3SC if we need any help filling in funding applications and for prechecking any forms before we submit them.

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RM will send the funding bulletin to JH and he will circulate. Action RM/JH RM advised that we require separate chairman & secretary. To be addressed following the AGM meeting. Action: all Committee Members RM requested a copy of our constitution, equal opportunities policy & code of conduct. Action JSH Annual General Meeting For the AGM leaflets need to be delivered 21 days before the meeting (by 22nd August). Layout of poster for the AGM: double sided, agenda, rules for voting, motions, list of achievements, projects etc. JH will send details about AGM to AC Action JH/AC Generic posters, A3 laminated, for displaying in Shops & Libraries. Action AC Generic business cards. Action JH Web Site The domain name dukinfieldeast.org.uk has been purchased (2 years) and a host provider has been arranged. John Bond will setup an interim site. Action DB Update report on Time Banking SF has been put on the mailing list; he will forward PDFs to everyone. Action SF Map of the area indicating who owns what has been provided by Linda Whyatt (LW). We are awaiting LW to explain the colour coding. Action JH Code of conduct A revised code was distributed. This was agreed subject to without a written apology being changed to without an apology. Action JH

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Investigation of Lottery funding, JH agreed to investigate. Action JH KI Ashton Quality Cars has offered a 12 seat minibus for 5,000, an 07 model, but no disabled access. JH expressed caution when buying a relatively low-cost vehicle. Mileage and history need to be considered, otherwise expensive repair and servicing costs may be incurred. It was agreed that we should not limit the target to 5000, but obtain the maximum amount of funding possible by, say, New Year, and then investigate what vehicles are available. JSH may approach Premier Motors to assist in assessing a possible purchase. Application for Ward Funding. Claire Reynolds was invited to the public meeting, but, was unable to attend, JH will send her minutes and ask if any cash available. Action: JH Dukinfield Forum & collaboration/merger possibilities. This is still ongoing, meeting to be arranged for 20th August. Action: KI Any Other Business SF advised that there was funding available for empty properties under the localism act, SF is looking into & will report. Action SF SF is to arrange a meeting with Beazer Persimmon to discuss the land. Action SF Ask RM about auditing of accounts. Action DB

Date of next meeting 7.00pm, Monday 6th August, Astley Sports College

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