Minutes - October 2011

Surrey Gardens TRA General Meeting
Minutes
18 October 2011

In attendance: Tony (Chair), Marcus (Vice-Chair), Megan (Secretary), Cath (Treasurer), Andrew, John, Melissa, Brian

Apologies: Jenny

1. Chair opened meeting

2. Chair’s Report:

a. Tony reported that he has contacted Tim Norris to commission the remedial work on the animal statues in Lorrimore Gardens as agreed at the last TRA meeting. There has been no response to date

b. As agreed at the last meeting, Tony followed up with the Housing Office (Suzanne Matthews) to report that the lay-by area on Lorrimore Rd is, once again, being used as a dumping ground. The housing office has stated that an environmental enforcement team will clean the area and continue to monitor

c. The Housing Office informed Tony that Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) are currently being completed in the area. The prime focus will be communal areas used for storage. Residents and tenants have received letters informing them of the assessments and have been requested to remove items stored in communal areas by 31 October – this will be followed up in November by the Housing Office

d. Tony put Cath in contact with the Housing Office to reclaim the insurance for the park

e. Tony reported that his Stage II complaint to the Council is still outstanding. Tony to chase

f. Tony reported that the feedback on the Heritage signing has been consolidated and will be provided to the project team. Tony reported that as part of the consultation for the masterplan for Pasley Park, there is discussion over a possible name change for the park back to Surrey Gardens. Tony will work with the project team to consider how the Heritage signing might be able to work around this

3. Treasurer’s Report:

a. Cath reported that the accounts for the year are complete and are just awaiting independent audit

b. Cath reported that we are currently owed £1,900 in insurance money from the Council. Cath has emailed the Housing Office to chase and will follow-up

4. Any other business:

a. John noted that the new housing on Lorrimore Road is ready for the bricks to be put up and that no consultation on these bricks has taken place as had been agreed. Tony will follow-up with the planning officers again

b. Andrew reported that a new organisation currently called the Walworth Society will be meeting on the 22nd of November (location tbc). The purpose of the group is to preserve local history, promote the community, provide input to planning, etc

c. Tony reminded the meeting that the AGM is approaching fast. Tony will be standing down as Chair this year. New committee members will be required if the TRA is to continue

d. Cath noted that there is now no pay parking on Lorrimore Road and the parking shop is closed so it is very difficult to access parking visitor permits (as you must be at home when they are delivered). Tony will raise the issues with the council and see if there is any way of booking a specific time for delivery of visitor permits

e. John noted that the hinge is coming off one of the gates to Lorrimore Gardens. Tony is already looking at getting a potential supplier to strip and repaint the gates so will include this in his work request

f. Brian noted that the gardeners accidentally knocked 3 bricks out of the wall of Lorrimore Gardens. Some local children have since knocked more of the bricks out. Tony will raise with Susanne Matthews at the Housing Office and see if it can be fixed

5. Next meeting – the AGM will be held on Tuesday 29th November 2011, 7.30 pm in St Paul's Church, Lorrimore Square

a. This is, by far, the most important meeting in the TRA calendar. Tony requested that everyone do their very best to attend, as unless 15 adults who live in the area come along on the night a new committee cannot be voted in and our funding will be at risk Drinks and snacks will be provided on the night, so it should be a fun evening too

b. The AGM will be leafleted as well as advertised on the website and via e-mail. Tony will arrange for a Housing Officer to attend

6. Thanks from the Chair and close