Wilford Community Group

Minutes of the Committee Meeting

held on Thursday 13th September 2007

at Wilford Social and Bowls Club

Present: Brian Hardy (BH) Chairman

Roger Steel (RS) Vice Chair

Dave Boulton (DB) Secretary

Sheila Atherton (SA) Treasurer

Stephanie Taylor (ST)

Frank Wakelin (FW)

Bill Roughton (BR)

Diane Moore, Community Landscape Artist, and Don Bulmer, Community Development Officer kindly attended the meeting and the Chairman welcomed them and various other local residents to the meeting.

		Action
1	Apologies Chris Allsopp (CA), Josie Foster (JF), Ed Armstrong (EA)
2	The meeting began with an excellent presentation by Diane Moore about Iremonger’s Pond. Diane explained what had been discovered so far about the pond and made some suggestions about where to go from here. Many thanks to Diane for this informative session. It was followed by a lively discussion about the possible effects of digging a channel between the pond and the river and how the WCG might contribute its ideas about the pond to the Environment Agency. Some people were opposed to any channel being dug because it was feared it would cause a dramatic fall in the water level in the pond and adversely affect fish and other living creatures there. John Wood preferred a stepped system to maintain water levels in the pond. It was noted that the 25 year Anglers’ Lease has run out so no one is responsible for cleaning up rubbish that is currently spoiling the area around the pond. Some wanted a fence round the pond and others had ideas for footpaths. Diane agreed to help the WCG communicate its ideas to the Environment Agency and to this end a small steering group was suggested in order to do the work and keep the committee informed of ideas and progress. The following people volunteered to be part of the group: Diane Moore, Bill Roughton, Stephanie Taylor, John Wood (angler and ex-water bailiff), Richard Shepherd (as a consultant), Bob Atherton, Julian Taylor (Angling Development Board) ST will arrange the first meeting. Don Bulmer asked to be kept informed. BH requested that this issue is on the next area 9 committee agenda in November.
3	Matters Arising from Minutes of Committee Meeting on 26 July 2007 a. Ed Armstrong pointed out that he was there, although his name did not appear on the minutes. Apologies to Ed. b. Damage to road surfaces. DB had chased up this work. The road sign on Main Road is still damaged and no news yet of when it might be repaired. BH told the meeting that he had raised the matter of inadequate road surfaces at the last Area 9 meeting. These will be mended in due course. Grange Close has already had some work done. Darren Tattersall at NCC might be able to help. c. Litter bins, ST still to pursue with DarrenTattershall d. Barriers at rear of Vernon Avenue – not erected yet. Various people at the meeting had heard motorbikes recently which it is hoped the barriers might prevent.	ST
4	NET – BH had attended a meeting last week about the public enquiry in November. Josie had contacted a barrister in London about possible representation at the enquiry later this year. He had advised that it is better for the group to speak for itself. Wilford’s evidence is likely to be heard mid to end of November. The last scheduled date is 10 December. The Chairman of the enquiry will make site visits but will not take evidence during visits. On 9 October proof of objections will be issued and available in libraries etc. More than one person may attend to present evidence which can be in power point or overhead format. It was noted that the tram stop is to be moved from the south to the north of Wilford Lane. RS will be attending the hearing as a local resident with an interest in the Rugby Club and Rotary. There may be evening meetings in Wilford village but everyone will be notified in avance.
5	Area 9 Meeting - BH reported that an effort is being made to allow some Section 106 money to be spent in Wilford. Almost £1m has been spent already but none of it in Wilford. BH awaits a response on this. In relation to the library – the Area 9 committee sees this as the only City connection with Wilford. There is a possibility that it could be improved with more and better space available. £5,000 has been granted from the Area 9 committee budget to assess usage of the library. £4,000 is for 4 extra opening hours per week and to assess which are the most popular. £1,000 is for promotional work. In October it will be possible to lobby councillors at the library. It was noted that the West Bridgford and Wollaton libraries are closing so it could mean more people using Wilford.
6	AOB a. BR informed the meeting that training courses that may be relevant to committee members are available. b. 2 children had been robbed at knife point on Victoria Embankment (not Wilford area) and there had been a burglary in the village last week. Some wondered whether crime in our area is really decreasing? DB had exchanged emails with PC Nigel Brown about a run of burglaries. Nigel had supplied the following burglary figures for Wilford: July - 1 August - 3 Sept - 3 There were a total of 17 crimes of any kind (including shed break-ins) in July, 12 in August and 13 in September – less than last year. On Monday of this week 2 prolific burglars had been arrested red-handed in Ruddington Lane which should help. c. Various residents complained about a deterioration in the postal service recently. Deliveries are often very late. We were told that as of October 2007 deliveries will be one hour later than now due to EU regulations. No one was sure what this would mean!

The meeting closed at 21.50

The next meeting is at The Wilford Bowls and Social Club on Monday 15^thOctober 2007 at 7.30 p.m.

Approved……Brian Hardy…….(Chairman)

Date……15^th October 2007…………..