13th May 2024

GARRISON RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE MEETING

At 3 The Pavilions, Magazine Road on 13th May 2024 at 7.30 pm

Present: 

  • Cliff Marshall Chair

  • Pam Dewey Secretary

  • Pam Deakin

  • Damion Beech

  • Darren Munsey

  • Richard Spence SGMCL

  • Robert Fowler Fowler and Spencely

  • Jessica Taha.  see note below

  1. Apologies

Apologies were received from Chris Coomber, Daniel Puddick, Ian Hucker, Nick Kenney, Peter Melville, Michael Stiers (F & S). We had understood that Jess was standing instead of Karim but she was in fact substituting. It was explained that we do not accept substitutes but allowed Jess to stay. 

2.  Minutes of the Previous Meeting

These were accepted. 

3. Matters Arising

Letter to residents regarding parking  and cleaning of Westgate - see below

Cantel - Robert emailed Customer Services, no reply to date

SGMCL agreed granting a sum to Voluntary Maintenance Group, depending on the sum

Bins - although agreed to replace them they had not arrived. Pam Deakin said she would write to Judith McMahon about the bin by the Pavilion. 

4. Cliff explained the roles of SGMCL and GRA and how GRA’s remit had changed to being a conduit between residents and SGMCL and encouraging the social side like the picnics of the last 2 years. SGMCL work closely with Fowler and Spencely. It was suggested that information about the change of roles to be added to the letter he was writing to residents. Jess volunteered Karin to make a video about this. 

5.     A discussion about parking restrictions ensued and it was decided to get an independent risk assessment before contacting residents. Details of previous surveys and public services being blocked from attending residents were requested. The appointment of NPC was queried and it was explained that previous experience with this company had been satisfactory. 

ACTION:  Robert to arrange an independent risk survey and to check these numbers

The budget had been increased in certain areas. The delay in the update of annual service accounts was explained and Robert said 3 years’ worth of accounts were about to be signed off. 

ACTION: Robert to explain the delay in service charge accounts on FB.

The date of the next meeting with Belway has been requested by EBRA. That has not been fixed as they are still negotiating with the council and the meeting will be fixed once discussions are over. 

ACTION: Secretary to contact EBRA. 

6. A walkabout with Nick, Ian and Michael took place to look specifically at Westgate and replanting. Tom Casey, tree surgeon, is doing further work involving 2 trees with TPOs, which are checked every 6 months. Gunners Rise the rotting posts will be replaced with treated timber posts. The box hedging destroyed by moth in Magazine Road has gone. Historic England has been contacted regarding the clock tower. Robert’s draft parking letter was discussed including the rationale for limiting parking. Robert stressed that there is no cost to GRA if we decide after the trial not to go with the scheme. Cliff mentioned the Highways Act which has to be adhered to on adopted as well as unadopted roads. Motorhomes were discussed especially in Mess Road. The Wetsuit outlet carpark was mentioned as being used as storage rather than parking. Double yellow lines were discussed and it was agreed these are unsightly in a conservation area. We were reminded that the parking restrictions refer to the unadopted roads only, we have no legislation concerning adopted roads, which are the Council’s responsibility.  Duty of care and general health and safety guidance were discussed and further advice is being sought by Robert. 

We discussed the numbers on the committee and residents on the waiting list who wished to join the committee as well as ideal numbers for discussion at committee level. 

ACTION: Chair to consider for next meeting.

AOB

We briefly discussed the numbers on the committee and residents who wished to be represented. It was suggested that a sub committee to deal with social events might be formed. 

The meeting closed at 21.35

Thanks to Pam Deakin for hosting. 

The next meeting will be scheduled after the risk survey has been taken but pencil in Monday  1st or 22nd July.                   Venue to be advised but likely to be the Shoebury Hotel.