Wilford Community Group

 

Minutes of the Committee Meeting

held on Monday 21st January 2008

at Wilford Social and Bowls Club

 

 

Present:            Brian Hardy (BH)                    Chairman                     

Roger Steel (RS)                  Vice Chair

                        Stephanie Taylor (ST)

                        Frank Wakelin (FW)

                        Ed Armstrong (EA)

                        Bill Roughton (BR)

                        Diane Moore, Community Landscape Architect

                       

           

 

 

Action

1

Apologies

Dave Boulton (DB), Sheila Atherton (SA), Chris Allsopp (CA), Josie Foster (JF)

 

 

     2

Matters Arising from Minutes of  Committee Meeting on 17 December 2007

 

- Beebank Vegetation:  a reply had been received from the Environment Agency stating that vegetation had been cleared on the river side to expose stone pitching.  This allows an Asset Inspector to assess the structural state of the flood defence.  Work was not undertaken at a time to disturb bird nesting.  A grass covering had been left to improve the appearance of the bank.  They insist that removal of this vegetation has no impact on the speed at which the river flows and does not affect the flood risk.  A fence on the top of the floodwall is one measure that attempts to prevent unauthorised access.  It was agreed that a copy of the letter received should be sent to the resident on Main Road who had raised concerns about the clearance.

 

- Pork Farms Ammonia Tanks:  response to letter still awaited.

 

-  Untidy area at rear of Co-op:  no progress on this yet.

 

- NET Public Enquiry:  RS had written to the Inspector giving evidence of    flooding.  He had also had no response yet to his suggestion of using spare land just off Wilford Lane as a construction yard.  He had taken some photos of the land and wants the Inspector to consider them.  It was suggested RS should  speak directly to DB to discuss how to progress this idea.

 

-  Litter bin still required at south end of Bee Bank.

 

- Dorothy Boot Homes:  It seems Eastern European residents are back and a security company car is regularly parked at the front of the homes.  RS had by chance met the director of the development company involved and reported that there is a planning application to renovate the building and make a car park at the rear.    Access to such a car park is already available, apparently.  Members of the WC had not yet seen the application recorded

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DB

 

RS

 

 

 

 

 

RS

 

ST

 

                                                

3

 

 

 

 

 

Iremonger’s Pond:  Diane said that WCG needs to decide what roles and responsibilities WCG is prepared to take on based on information collected already.  The forthcoming meeting of members of the Steering Group with Jenni French (Conservation Officer for NCC) on 24.1.08 will be important in helping the group decide what to do next.

Diane stressed the importance of undertaking visits to other pond sites to see how they have coped with issues such as vandalism, funding etc.  BH asked whether we are looking to alter the structure of the pond but Diane said that the steering group and other interested people should see what others have done.  WCG needs to work with the City Council who own the site to decide how to organise the future management of the pond.  BH pointed out that at the recent Area 9 meeting there was concern that the site had been derelict and needed cleaning up.  Area 9 would consider an application for funding at some point.

Diane felt membership of the Wildlife Trust would be helpful too and she is to invite a speaker from the Trust to come and speak to WCG soon.

 

O

4

Area Committee Update:  the report on performance in the City of Nottingham last year had commented on excellent services for young people.  However, the Wilford Youth Club building is now derelict so there is nowhere for young people to meet legitimately in the area. There was concern that there have been a number of crimes recently around Wilford, including a robbery and attempted robbery at the Co-op.  The police had been invited to tonight’s meeting but no one was able to attend to comment on this.

 

 

5

Library:  there will be new, extended opening times from 11 February 2008.  There have been some difficulties in securing staff for the previously suggested times but arrangements are now in place that will secure the usual staff team. 

Opening times will be Mon 2-9, Weds 9.30-1, 2-7, Fri 9.30-1, 2-5, Sat 9.30-1.

 

6

Summer Event:  FW had been asked by a local resident if one would be happening this year.  Nothing is planned

 

7.

Any Other Business: 

1.       Farnborough School in Clifton had received a very good OFSTED report and is “outstanding overall”.

2.       It had been noted that in some places there are planning application notices on lampposts regarding compulsory puchase of land for the tram route (despite the fact that permission has not yet been granted for it to proceed).  It was felt that this was not a very satisfactory way of informing the public.

3.       Diane reminded the group that the History Society meets every 2nd Monday of the month at Carter Hall.

4.       Diane will arrange some site visits to other ponds and see who would like to go.

 

 

The meeting closed at 20.30

 

The next meeting is at The Wilford Bowls and Social Club on Monday 18th February 2008                        at 7.30 p.m.

 

 

Approved………Brian Hardy…….(Chairman)      Date……18th February 2008…………….