Pleasant Residents Association

Minutes of meeting 12^th February 2014

Present:  John Prior,  Dave Heal, James Pocklington, Brian Shaw, Sylvia Scott, John Hough,Sarah Dodds and Patrick Purves.

Apologies:  Brenda Nutt, Gary Dray, Di Dray

·         Minutes of the last meeting read and agreed

·         Arising – We had had a reply from Lincolnshire County Council about Watts Lane.  The letter asserted that the authority had no power to put speed limitations on highway, which was obvious nonsense.  Patrick was to respond in strong terms.

·          The Association agreed to put signs at the ends of Watts Lane along the lines of “Residents and authorised vehicles only – number plate monitoring in place”.  Later in the year we would need volunteers to monitor number plates and photograph and report offenders.

·         Buses –Sarah reported she had a meeting on Monday of the bus Round Table and would feed back information at the next meeting.  John had seen a bus on Mercer Row.  A precedent had been set, granted that the bus struggled to get past a loading bay.

·         The AGM was agreed for the April meeting

·         Dave mentioned Little Lane was filthy, with litter and rubbish.  A new dog owner was also allowing a dog to foul the pavements.  Sarah suggested contacting the District Council about the rubbish and the one Dog Warden we have.

·         Dave also mentioned Little Lane being resurfaced, and the impact on traffic flow.  This was discussed.

·         Sylvia raised the topic of plastic recycling.  The Council guidance was contradictory and misleading (“The Messenger”).

·         Brian mentioned a number of items. 

A) we should revive the children’s Christmas party.  Sarah suggested a summer one as well. 

B) we should encourage bulk buying of electricity and gas.  Sarah mentioned that if anyone could not join  onlne she could help.  It was agreed it was not for everyone. 

C) Re a neighbour struggling to get a UK work permit.  John suggested contacting our MP. 

D) The Police HQ response to a neighbour’s consternation and upset following a tragic death on Mount Pleasant.  This had been dismissive and cavalier.  All agreed this should be the subject of a formal complaint.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8:40 p.m.

Pleasant Residents Association

Minutes of meeting 8^th January 2014

Present:  Neal Overton,  Kevin Scott, John Prior, Liz Beadle, Brenda Nutt, Di Dray, Gary Dray, Dave Heal, James Pocklington, Brian Shaw, Eileen Howard, Angela Stephenson, Sylvia Scott, John Hough and Patrick Purves.

Apologies:  Mick Kingswood and Sarah Dodds

·         Minutes of the last meeting read and agreed

·         Arising – We had had a reply from Lincolnshire County Council about Watts Lane.  There was a correction to Patrick’s earlier advice, as the County Council no longer directly provides policing.  Their letter was inadequate to address the liability issue, and a strong reply was authorised.

·         There was a discussion about the ownership of land vs rights of way over it, whether public or private.

·         Buses – James reported the bus route and parking enforcement were being reviewed in the round following strong representations by the public and the Town Council.

·         There was a discussion of the national and local Blue Badge disabled parking arrangements, in which the distinction between District Council owned car parks and adopted highways was highlighted.

·         Those who attended the pantomime and quiz night expressed appreciation of the events.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8:20 p.m.

Pleasant Residents Association

Minutes of meeting 11^th December 2013

Present: James Pocklington, Brian Shaw, Eileen Howard, Mick Kingswood, Keith Scott, Brenda Nutt, Dave Heal, John Prior, John Hough, Liz Beadle, Neil Overton, Sarah Dodds.

Apologies:  Sylvia Scott gave apologies at the previous meeting ; Di Dray for self and Gary Dray

·         Minutes of the last meeting read and agreed

·         Arising – future meetings might be on the other side of the Hall in a few months.

·         John Prior reported on the meeting recently relating to the Cattle Market.  It was notable how many developments had been absorbed into the Town since the late 1970s.  If permitted, the Cattle Market would probably be developed in 2017-2018, and would take into account public consultation and the question of whether a cattle market was needed.  There was a lively discussion of planning policy generally.

·         Sarah Dodds reported on a recent meeting feeding back complaints of inconsistent parking enforcement to Mick Phoenix.  Issues were aired about disabled bays; it was confirmed the official policy is that the rules should be enforced consistently and strictly.

·         John Hough reported that Lincolnshire County Council is reviewing speed limits.  There was a survey online, or a form, due in by 9^th February 2014.

·         Eileen Howard reported that someone had kindly filled in the holes in Watts Lane and tamped them down.  Patrick reported on the letter sent to Lincolnshire County Council Legal Department, and the lack of a response.

·         The Quiz Night and Social was to be held on Friday 20^th December at 7.30 with a raffle.

·         Discussion of road markings ensued.  John Hough reported the County Council had agreed to review the whole picture.

Meeting closed at 8.30 pm approximately.

Note – added to assist members in identifying which Council to contact/discuss

The Councils do these things:-

County Council – Highways, Education, Policing, some others.

District Council – Town Planning, Arts (except possibly ELDC) Public Health, Council Tax and Business Rate Collection, Waste Collection, Licensing (drinks, entertainment), some others.

Town and Parish Councils – gathering opinion, input into local Planning Applications, vetting licensing and other matters going before District and County Councils, a deceptively important Local Government force, with additional ceremonial and granting functions.

Yrs. R. Cratchitt,

Clerk to the Association.

Happy New Year everyone!

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.

Minute of  a meeting of the Pleasant Residents’ Association

MINUTES

11^th September 2013– 7.30 pm

Present:-

Chairman James Pocklington Di Dray                        Eileen and Eric Hammond                  Mick Kingswood

Sylvia Scott     Brian Shaw      Betty Pinfold

Apologies were received from Gary Dray, Neil Overton, Dave Heal,Brenda Nutt, Sarah Dodds, John Hough

Minutes of last meeting – circulated, read and approved,

Arising from minutes–

Old Browns Garage Site ­– James had written to the Co-Op as planned.  Stephen MacDonald had replied as Regional Acquisitions Manager, stating that Co-Op was only a tenant of the development but was wiling to meet and discuss concerns and suggestions with our organisation.  Eileen Howard mentioned the raised frontal part of the proposed shop and drainage issues.  It was agreed that residents would monitor activity as the site was developed.

Mount Pleasant Development –this had been turned down by Planning as too intensive, inadequately drained and not providing 3% affordable housing.

Farm Smell  Sylvia reported on the continuing problems.  Mick mentioned the slurry is apparently agitated late in the evenings

Hanging Baskets some were still going strong.  They would be stored up when finished, and replanted in the Spring.  The Association had won Silver Gilt in the Louth in Bloom judging that day.  This was excellent news and a tribute to Residents and the organisers, a vote of thank was proposed by Patrick, seconded Sylvia and unanimously approved for Brian and James, who blushed fetchingly.

Events- the quiz is on 27^th September, and the Pantomime and Christmas party were discussed, with a date of 20^th December mooted..

Subsequently the meeting closed at about 8:10  pm

Minute of  a meeting of the Pleasant Residents’ Association

MINUTES

14^th August 2013– 7.30 pm

Present:-

Chairman James Pocklington            Brenda Nutt         Linda Scott            Dave Heal              Gary Dray              Sylvia Scott Neal Overton                Sarah Dodds         Patrick Purves      Eileen Howard      Mick Kingswood  A Hammond         RHammond           Tracey Ruddock and John Andrews from Louth XSports

Apologies were received from, Brian Shaw, Eric Howard, Di Dray, Betty Pinfold and John Hough

Minutes of last meeting – circulated, read and approved, except  that R Scott was not Richard, but another R Scott, what are the odds?

Skate Park – a presentation by Tracey and Andrew was considered.  Much progress had been made, it would be a set of rubberised ply low-noise obstacles in an insured publicly accessible area near the Multi Use Games Area at the Leisure Centre; the group was constituted to meet the need exemplified by young and grown up skate boarders and BMX enthusiasts currently cycling to Grimsby to use facilities there, or being hounded off schools and car parks in Louth.  This would be a terrific asset.  Sarah Dodds volunteered to receive any enquiries,.  The group needed to raise £100,000 but had some European funding to assist with this.  Other sites suggested by Dave  e..g. the former Cattle Market and Tedder Hall Car Park were impractical due to the ground works required.

Some concerns about noise, supervision, safety etc were covered and Dave and Tracey then left with their sandwich board.

 Arising from minutes–

Lowered footpaths – Dave Heal mentioned he had continued tor raise issues with  Traffic Wardens, the Police etc over the issue of obstruction.  Sarah Dodds recommended reporting occurrences of pavement parking as they arose.  It was a Police matter.  The Warden stopping his scooter on yellow lines was technically a traffic violation.

Parking – the decision by ELDC to stop all free parking was clogging the streets.  The bus route was still up Church Street, and Eileen Howard reported that the resulting compression of the surface was causing blowback in the drains at the elderly flats.  Dave Heal’s son’s mother-in-law had lived on Church Street and lorries used to interrupt the electrical supply.  Overflow traffic would worsen the problems on Watts Lane.

Farm Miasma – Sarah Dodds gave advice on how to report occurrences of the smell from the PigFarm.  Apparently the animals were being moved but the slurry pit was still in use.  There was a real prospect of improvement soon.

Dog Mess -   Sarah reported that one of the two District Dog Wardens had been made redundant, so now there was one.  Effectively the service was suspended for the foreseeable future.

Street Cleaning – Dave reported it had been the customary cock-up. (note – this is an 18^th Century musket reference and not an indecent expression)  However, the great majority of residents had co-operated with leaving the roads clear which was appreciated by the meeting.

Old Browns Garage Site ­– James had written to the Co-Op as planned

Watts Lane-  Dave Heal mentioned the situation at Humberstone and how it might affect this issue.  Patrick Purves reported that none of the even numbered properties on Watts Lane was recorded as owning part of the road bed. Eileen Howard reported a serious problem with the Ambulance Service not being able to find Watts Lane. 

Proposed developments  R Hammond mentioned the storm water run-off recently, which added to concerns about the impact on amenity and infrastructure which might result from more building..  Sarah Dodds explained that there were some civil engineering issues about underground watercourses in the Monks Dyke and Aswell Hole areas, which were being passed from one Council to another in the customary game of Local Authority Badminton.  At any rate something was being done about it, and the engineers were on the case.

Subsequently the meeting closed at about 8:50  pm

Minute of  a meeting of the Pleasant Residents’ Association

MINUTES

12^th J
10^th July 2013– 7.30 pm

Present:

Chairman James Pocklington            Brenda Nutt         Linda Scott            Dave Heal              Gary Dray              Sylvia Scott Neal Overton  E Overton Liz  Beadle             Sarah Dodds         John Hough           Patrick Purves      Di Dray PCSO Dean Warrilow           Mick Kingswood  Richard Scott

                A Hammond

PCSO – Since Dean Warrilow’s time was precious, the usual order of proceedings was varied to give him the opportunity to introduce  himself and the role of PCSO.  Our local one is Kerry Foster, and they work on a neighbourhood watch basis, emailing direct to Kerry on Lincs Alert – www.lincsalert.co.uk Alerts are sent out about anything untoward seen or heard, and a reference number issued.  The site advertises property and bike postcoding, dog microchipping events etc.

Liz Beadle was prompted to mention 3.00 a,m. doorbell ringing of vulnerable elderly people.  Dean would pass this on to the Night watch.  Dave Heal mentioned parking on lowered kerbs  - the response was that this is only a Police matter if it constituted obstruction.  In response to other questions he made the point that the Police cannot in all common sense be swarming all over our area for fun.  If required they will turn out.  The key was public involvement and an understanding of what is and is not an offence.  Phone 101 and you will get results.

There followed a good-natured debate on “hotspots”, the old days, clips round the ear, scrumping, our Dad etc.  The meeting was then allowed to proceed.

Apologies were received from Alan Beadle, Brian Shaw, Eric and Eileen Howard

Minutes of last meeting – circulated, read and approved. Arising –

Development – 82 Mount Pleasant – Sarah Dodds had spoken to Michelle at ELDC as the application had been called in.  The plans had been redrawn to keep the road off other people’s land.  The Architect, KPW in Leicester, had been contacted and refused to discuss with residents.  John Hough offered further valuable guidance on timing and procedure, as did Sarah Dodds..

Development – Newmarket – James Pocklington reported he was still setting up a proposal to the Co-Op.  There was discussion over how many houses would form part of the mini-macromarket.

Youth provision –Sarah Dodds had raised the matter of locking the grounds after 10 pm when the Centre closed, after the fence adjoining the Leisure Centre was being used as a football target late at night, with much noise on the wire fencing.   Later she reported the Skate Park plans were going to Manby that Friday.

Weed spraying – Gary Dray mentioned the apparent inability of the Council’s annual sprayer to get past 42 Mt. Pleasant (Joby’s house).  John Hough confirmed it would be a contractor doing it, (presumably with one hand in his pocket?)

Boundary Commission – amid much consternation Sarah Dodds explained the very Byzantine efforts to change Ward boundaries.  The meeting felt the Council had more pressing issues to occupy its limited intellectual capacity and RESOLVED (nem con) that it should be formally asked, nay, instructed, to abandon this project immediately. (Prop Sylvia Scott, seconded everyone)

Street Cleaning James Pocklington reported street cleaning is due again and a route and Sunday were to be set, during School holidays.  Teh suggested dates were 28^th July or 4^th August, cleaning Mount Pleasant, Little Lane, Robinson Lane and Bramley Close

Fag ends –Di Dray requested a container for cigarette ends be placed outside the Hall.  James would request Vicar Stephen to raise the issue.

Flyers – James had some to deliver and sought volunteers.  After minimal hesitation the job was allotted.  Volunteers were also sought for Homestart, helping families in difficulties.

Subsequently the meeting closed at about 8:50  pm