Pleasant Residents Association

Minutes of meeting 13^th November 2013

Present: Dave Heal, James Pocklington, Gary Dray, Di Dray, Sylvia Scott, Eileen Howard, Brian Shaw, John Prior, Betty Pinfold, Heather Rolfe, Patrick Purves.

Apologies:Cllr John Hough, Cllr Sarah Dodds, Brenda Nutt, Alan Beadle.  Sylvia Scott gave apologies for the next meeting.

·         Minutes of the last meeting read and agreed

·         James had raised the issue of fences on the Newmarket Development with Metarsis

·         Some discussion of issues on the development at the junction of Monks Dyke and Little Lane.  Workers had made a very deep hole in the courtyard affair, and this was being looked into.w

·         Discussion of the impact on local planning applications of the supposed empowerment of local people in setting criteria for development.  Evidently the spate of applications resulted from the absence of a local core strategy, meaning anyone can apply for anything and get it on appeal if refused at ELDC level.

·         Eileen Howard raised very serious concerns about traffic on Watts Lane.  After discussion, including insurance aspects and a report from Patrick coupled with advice, it was agreed we would approach Lincolnshire County Council as Police and Highway authority to highlight consistent traffic offending (use as a through road) and the major hazard resulting from the lack of effective signage and speed controls, e.g. chicanes and effective speed humps.  This was to be implemented and followed up as necessary.  James reported Metarsis had promised to fill in the potholes.

·         James also reported that the broken streetlight on Little Lane was being repaired, and that the Police were monitoring the activities on Mount Pleasant.   The bus route on Church Street was still under review.

·         There were discussions of the attitude of Traffic Wardens towards leniency versus strictness.  Some residents felt this was uneven and strong words were expressed.  Sleaford was an example of this, apparently, but fortunately is over an hour’s drive away.  Our local warden was accused of sneaking around doing his job properly, which was unacceptable.  Patrick spoilt it a bit by reminding all present that parking on a prohibited zone was risking a fine, and if you didn’t get one you were ahead of the game.  This view appeared to be unpopular.

·         Brian reported he had met the Vicar and there were likely to be changes in our meeting venue, but of an up-to-now unspecified nature.

Meeting closed at 8.45pm approximately, with mutual expressions of goodwill and amity.