Chairman’s Report GRA AGM 29th November 2021
/Chairman’s Report
GRA AGM 29th November 2021
Opening:
Councillors, Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen Good Evening and welcome to this the 2021 Annual General Meeting of the Garrison Residents’ Association (GRA).
1: Apologies
2. To approve the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Monday 30th November 2020
3. Consider any matters arising
4. To receive Chairman’s report:
We are now in the 2nd year of the pandemic and despite the limitations it has brought your committee have continued to be actively involved with the appointed managing agents, Fowler & Spenceley, seeking to ensure that the Garrison site and infrastructure continue, within the budgetary constraints, to be maintained and where it has been possible, improved.
This activity has included physical inspection of the common areas and courtyards seeking to identify problem issues at the earliest opportunity. Through our managing agents we have maintained a dialogue with Southend Borough Council regarding those areas within the Garrison which remain the responsibility of the council for example the Cricket ground and its buildings the Tennis Courts, Coastal path, and many of the trees which line Garrison roads.
Throughout the year members of your committee have engaged with our local councillors on several issues of concern some of which are still ongoing including the work commenced on the Cricket buildings the New Barge Pier Road car park and Coastal path between Rampart Terrace and Mess Road.
Development Matters
Further development of the Gunners Park area adjacent to New Barge Pier Road remains a concern. As you may be aware although planning permission was granted building work has not commenced and the site has now been offered for sale. Both the GRA and Shoebury Residents Association remain alert to any planning changes that may be attempted by the current owners or any future developer. Concerns regarding the movement of traffic in the vicinity of Campfield Road and at the junction of Ness Road remain. Both the GRA and Shoebury Residents Association raised concerns during the planning application for Lidl and will continue to monitor and where necessary highlight issues to ensure that our roads remain safe.
Handover of Shoebury Garrison Management Company Ltd.
At last, some good news however I will defer to our managing agent for the latest update regarding the final handover of SGMCL suffice to say that a board of resident director’s has been empanelled in preparation for the takeover and they will be the guardians of the Garrison giving direction to the activities of the appointed managing agents within the confines of the Memorandum and Articles of Association (Mem & Arts) of Shoebury Garrison Management Company Limited.
That said the work of the GRA is not complete. Whilst the board of Directors for SGMCL can only be drawn from owner shareholders the population of the Garrison is diverse with many people renting their homes. They too need a voice in how the Garrison develops, to lobby on their behalf ward councillors, Southend Borough Council, and other organisations. That voice is the GRA. If you are a Garrison resident, you are automatically a member and although donations are gratefully accepted there is no membership fee. Further information can be found within the pages of our website at: https://www.shoeburygarrison.com
Carriage & Wagon Shed – aka Heritage Centre
The Shoeburyness Coastal Community Team whose membership includes members of your committee set up a Community Interest Company as part of an ongoing plan to improve Shoeburyness. The CIC then began what have unfortunately proved to be protracted negotiations to lease the Carriage & Wagon Shed. Happily, I can report that those negotiations are almost complete, and preparations continue with all the heritage items ready to move into the building. The café element of the development will require additional time before being ready to open however the hope is that the centre will open no later than Easter 2022 a little earlier if all things go well.
Other Matters
Earlier this year the postponed Estuary Festival mounted by the artistic company Metal took place with exhibits in Gunners Park and East Beach. The exhibits certainly provoked conversation and interest however the launch was somewhat muted with many residents not realising that the festival was underway. The pandemic did not help the cause and it is to be hoped that any future festival will be better publicised.
Finally, I would again like to thank my committee colleagues for their time and energy throughout the year with my particular thanks to our secretary Pam Deakin without whom there would be no record of our enterprise. A reminder of the Salvation Army Carol concert at the Clock Tower on 12th December and that completes my report for the year.
Question
Q: Tim Locke, Gunners Rise
Please can I ask for an update on the Gunners Park car park barrier security?
Recently the concrete blocks were removed and two posts installed by the gate - which were then taken out a couple of days later leaving no additional security other than the new padlocks.
A: After the last traveller incursion, the New Barge Pier Road carpark barrier security was upgraded - the cost of which was met by Councillor Wakefield. This made the barrier security the strongest in the Borough and meant that the only way through was to cause Evidential Criminal Damage. Before the works were undertaken as a temporary measure, blocks were put in place to prevent access to wide vehicles this width restriction caused concern to a lot of visitors with large SUV cars and local residents fearful that emergency vehicles could not pass through.
Following the security upgrade local councillors requested that the blocks be removed but this was not immediately actioned however following the appointment of a new officer the blocks were removed. Carpark security measures are not yet complete and there is a request for CCTV to be put into place overlooking the entrance and additional CCTV to view New Barge Pier Road to help prevent the ASB of bad driving. The Barrier has already prevented somebody trying to cut their way out of the car park, they failed due to the ceramic rod that has been inserted inside the bottom barrier. Note: The barrier was repaired the same day.
Draft resolution to be proposed for approval at the 2021 AGM of the Shoebury Garrison Residents’ Association
Community Assets
This Residents’ Association:
(i) notes that the tennis courts in Mess Road continued to be intensively used during the year both by residents of the Garrison and by the wider community of Southend-on-Sea;
(ii) records its appreciation of the hard work and generosity of residents of the Garrison during the year in maintaining the Courts to an exceptionally high standard;
(iii) observes that the works regularly undertaken by residents of the Garrison have included removal of vegetation growing through the playing surfaces; mechanical and chemical cleaning of playing surfaces; regular sweeping and removal of leaf debris, litter and graffiti and maintenance/replacement of court "hardware";
and
(iv) observes that without the aforementioned care and attention by residents of the Garrison the tennis courts would not be safe for playing tennis and would not be fit for purpose.
Proposed by Cliff Crisp.
Seconded by Cliff Marshall.
Given the number of people online it was not considered appropriate to put this to a vote but agreed that it will be placed on record withing the meeting minutes.