5th Aug 2015

/

Minutes of a meeting of the Garrison Residents' Association held on August 5th 2015 at The Clockhouse 54 Chapel Road

Present

  • Viv Byczynski (Chair)
  • Chris Coomber (Hon Treasurer)
  • Adrian Walker (Hon Sec)
  • Daniel Puddick
  • Jonathan Hunnibal
  • Michael Kennedy
  • Tom Rae
  • Helen Parke

Apologies

  • Matthew Brittain 
  • Cliff Marshall
  • Ian Dally
  • Richard Spence
  • Phil Coombe
  • Jamie Robinson
  • Viv Jones

Minutes

Minutes of the two previous GRA meetings: 3/6/15 and 16/7/15 were agreed and approved. 

Matters arising

The GRA had sent a letter to Rob Tinlin at SBC expressing concern at the delayed handover of SGMCL to the residents, and to the future status and ownership of the coastal defences and banks in front of Mess Road and the Outlook apartments. Peter Geraghty, SBC Head of Planning and Transport, replied stating that handover would take place in the autumn, following the expected completion of the S106 works by C&M/Avant. His comments concerning the coastal defences and banks were considered by the committee to be somewhat ambiguous and it was agreed to consider them, take a view and respond appropriately. 

Included in PG's response was a schedule of all the S106 works with a progress report. There were some questions raised about these by members, including the issue of who should be responsible for locking and unlocking the court gates and the Heritage Centre car park. 

Action: Viv Byczynski agreed to find out from SBC.

Action: Chris Coomber agreed to scan and circulate copies of the schedule to all committee members for their information. 

Agreement on topics and responsibilities

A decision was taken at the previous GRA extraordinary meeting to improve communication and efficiency within the committee through a system of defined responsibilities allocated to individual members. Following this, VB produced a draft flow chart setting out suggested main topic areas and responsibilities involved in operating the GRA. Cliff Marshall had also e mailed suggested topic areas in his absence.

Action: VB to update flow chart based on discussions and for further comment.

•Garrison chapel: Adrian Walker went over the recent meeting with SET trustees and their partners and said a letter had been sent to them and to the Lottery Heritage Enterprise Scheme setting out objections to the proposed change of use to a wedding/party venue. 

•Action: Adrian Walker agreed to try to discover the identities of all the SET board of trustees and to oversee opposition to the chapel change of use.

•Heritage Centre VB pointed out that SET was on the Management Board for the Heritage Centre, along with, Southend Borough Council, The Wildlife Trust and the Shoebury Society, although not the GRA. She suggested if the GRA was also a member, we could ensure the residents could influence the fate of the Heritage Centre and it could also help us refocus attention on the Heritage Centre as a community venue with the potential to seek public funding.

•Action: Helen Parke and Daniel Puddick agreed to investigate the possibility of this.

•Drill Shed: VB had sent a report to SBC enforcement officers drawing attention to the continuing breaches of planning restrictions at the site. AW had also sent a letter to SBC complaining about the poor state of repair and renovation of the building. VB said it was likely that SBC enforcement officers would meet with the owners of the Drill Shed who would agree to comply with the decision notice or appeal against the enforcement action. 

•Action: VB will continue handling matters relating to the Drill Shed.

•New development in Gunners' Park: it was suggested that a fighting fund be established to help finance opposition to any further unwelcome applications for development of the site. Michael Kennedy suggested a levy be imposed on residents through the estate charge.

•Action: Cliff Marshall to continue monitoring the situation.

•Action: VB agreed to investigate how soon a planning appeal had to be lodged. (post meeting note: within 180 days or by 4 January 2016)

•Primary Care Centre for Shoebury: VB had a call from Harry Chandler, Chair of Shoebury Residents' Association saying this issue had come alive again. He sent VB a report prepared by SRA investigating suitable sites in the area. These included: the redundant sorting office in George Street; the clinic in Delaware Road; the old cottage hospital in Ness Road; Gunners' Park North, even though this would still be on a flood plain. VB suggested we should discuss whether the new centre would be something Garrison residents wanted. Chris Coomber said he understood the Primary Care Trust had run out of cash, but VB said a Kate Halliday was exploring the project on behalf of the developers and wanted to meet the GRA committee for discussions.

•Action: CC to lead on this.

•Flood protection: Action Cliff Marshall will take charge of this issue.

•Traffic and estate management: Action Jonathan Hunnibal will take charge of these.

•Website and notice board: it was suggested notice boards be erected to improve communications between GRA and residents. Sites suggested included Sainsbury's and the railings near the North gate. The current website is in process of modification by Ian Dally, and Daniel Puddick agreed to work with Ian on the notice boards and the new website.

•Action: Jonathan Hannibal to investigate if he can obtain notice boards free of charge

•Action: DP to contact Ian Dally.

Fowler & Spenceley update

An update of actions had been circulated previously.

Jonathan Hunnibal said he thought F&S was doing a satisfactory job so far.

Parking controls

•There was a discussion on the matter of parking on the Garrison. F&S had that evening delivered letters to all residents explaining the legally enforceable ban on residents' commercial vehicles parking on site, since previous requests have been largely ignored. It was agreed to ask F&S to investigate the viability of enforcement of parking controls. 

•Action JH

Any other business

Half marathon

Michael Kennedy said he would meet with organisers of the event to discuss matters of concern, including the route, signage and organisation.

Local Councillors

VB said a meeting had been arranged with local ward Councillors to discuss matters relating to The Garrison.

Hinguar School

VB proposed writing to the Headmistress, who is also lead trustee of the chapel, to discuss future use of the school for GRA meetings, in the light of recent developments concerning the chapel.

Action VB

Treasurer's report

CC reported there had been no change, other than 1pence earned in interest, since his last report and total funds stood at £212.72.

There being no further business the meeting ended at 9.20 pm.