NEWGATE ACTION GROUP
The Community Forum of the Newgate Lane Urban Renewal Scheme
website: www.the-nag.org.uk e-mail: community.spirit@the-nag.org.uk

Dear resident,

Please find enclosed the agenda for the next meeting together with the minutes from the previous meeting. Your support at the next meeting would be most welcome, however, if you cannot attend, the minutes will be available to view and/or download from the NAG website.

Invitation to attend the next meeting

Date: 6.30pm Tue 16^th July 2002

Venue: 110 Newgate Lane

AGENDA

1. Welcome, introductions and apologies

2. Minutes of 11^th June 2002 meeting (enclosed)

3. Reports and updates

a. Jackson’s Park

4. Any other business

5. Date and time of next meeting

I look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

Yours sincerely

Michelle Ward
Chairperson, Newgate Action Group

Have a question for the next meeting?

Use the space below to remind yourself of questions or comments you wish to raise at the next meeting. If you can’t make it to the next meeting you can submit questions from the ‘Contact Us’ page on our website or you can leave comments in our online forum. www.the-nag.org.uk

Minutes of the meeting of the
Newgate Action Group
held 6.30pm on Tuesday 11^th June 2002 at Newgate Lane Social Club

1. Attendees

Ian Lilliman (Secretary)	Resident
Pat Gallagher	Resident
Gary Jones (Vice Chairman)	Resident
Mrs E Henshaw	Resident
Mrs J Lissaman	Resident
Ron Carlin	Resident
John Pickering (Treasurer)	Resident
Mr & Mrs Gunn	Resident

Jonathon Dix	Groundwork Ashfield & Mansfield
Councillor Barbara Nestor	Mansfield District Council
Councillor Malcolm Sage	Mansfield District Council
Samantha Raggart	Mansfield District Council
Peter Thom	Notts Highway’s Department

2. Apologies

Michelle Ward (Chair)	Resident
Caroline Beastall	Resident
Ann Norman	Resident
Rosemary Banks	Resident
Margaret Wheat	Resident
Allan Wallace / Eileen Heaps	Poetic Pictures, Newgate Lane
Councillor Jim McGuigan	MDC
Mr & Mrs Adamson	Resident
Janet Smith	Resident
Courtney Nangle	Mansfield CVS

3. Introductions

3.1. Due to problems entering 110 Newgate Lane, an impromptu meeting was convened upstairs in the Newgate Lane Social Club. Michelle Ward (Chair) was unable to attend so Gary Jones chaired the meeting. Everyone was welcomed to the meeting.

4. Previous Minutes

4.1. Minutes of the meeting of 14^th May 2002 were agreed to be a true record.

5. Reports & Updates

5.1. Jackson’s Park Progress Report

5.1.1. Jonathon Dix and Samantha Raggart provided an update on the Jackson’s Field Renewal. The play arena is expected to be erected next Thursday. The group reported sightings of several youths pulling the fencing down and entering the works area, some of which had been seen on top of the youth shelter, and advised Jonathon to pass this on to the contractors so that security can be improved. Local residents will maintain an eye on the site and keep Groundwork informed through the group meetings. Due to several changes to the park, the completion date has been moved back. Therefore the current proposed opening date is set for 3.30pm, Friday 12^th July.

5.1.2. Handrail – Concern was raised over the unfinished handrails, particularly along the path adjacent to the children’s playground. Action – Jonathon Dix

5.1.3. Decorative Circles on Footpath – Concerns were also raised over the decorative circles along the oval footpath. The gaps between the bricks have not been filled in with mortar or tarmac and are at great risk of being vandalised in a similar manner to the ill-fated mosaic. Jonathon Dix said he would speak to the contractors to ensure they were filled in. Action – Jonathon Dix

5.2. Traffic Issues – Peter Thom from the Highways Department gave his responses to questions submitted to him by Michelle Ward (Chair).

5.2.1. Skerry Hill Traffic Lights – The new signals at the junction of Carter Lane/Skerry Hill and Eakring Road currently run in 3 stages – Skerry Hill & Eakring Road; Carter Lane & Little Carter Lane; all round pedestrians. If the junction was changed as requested 2 additional stages would have to be introduced, causing longer queues on all approaches. Traffic lights have to provide a compromise between pedestrian safety and maintaining the flow of traffic and in this case, the period for pedestrians is actually longer that normal. It must be noted that the traffic lights were installed as a part of the Safer Routes for Schools Scheme and the Green man time has already been increased above that recommended nationally. Peter Thom assured the group that the junction would be monitored and altered if required.

5.2.2. Eakring Road – Although the junction of Normanton Drive and Eakring Road is indeed a difficult junction for motorists, records have not shown this junction to have an accident problem. When reviewed recently, it was noted that cars were parked in the correct manner with none parked on the hatch markings. The County Council receive many requests for changes to junctions but has to give priority to those with a known problem. In summary, the junction layout will only be revised if it becomes an accident hotspot (as per Carter Lane/Skerry Hill junction).

5.2.3. Vehicle’s Blocking Footpaths – Several residents raised the issue of vehicle’s (and non-vehicles such as trailers and caravans) parking on the footpaths or grass verges. Peter Thom said that this was a particularly difficult area to tackle and could be described as more of a nuisance than an actual offence. Vehicle’s (and non-vehicle’s) parked inappropriately for long periods could ‘possibly’ be classed as an abandoned vehicle and suggested that the Council be involved in its possible removal.

5.2.4. Junction of Ratcliffe Gate/Newgate Lane – Peter Thom reported that this particular junction is indeed a problem for people crossing the road, and recognised the problems of pedestrians when stood on the Newgate Lane side of the road that creates a ‘blind-spot’ to traffic travelling up Ratcliffe Gate from the town centre. However installing proper crossing lights could severely disrupt the flow of traffic. Peter Thom suggested that a bid be submitted to have a pedestrian crossing installed.

5.3. Anti-Social Behaviour – Following a report from local residents about the use of an air rifle by a council tenant on his property, the tenant has been reprimanded by the Police and Council representatives.

5.4. Drains on Rock Hill – John Pickering reported that the drains between the end of Redcliffe Road and the new properties on Rock Gardens are blocked with debris from the construction site and require cleaning. Action – Barbara Nestor

6. Any Other Business

6.1. Beat Bobby – Once again residents raised the issue of a lack of Police presence in the area despite the promise of two beat bobbies. The group recommended that the local beat officer be asked to attend future meetings wherever possible to update tenants on crime issues affecting the renewal area. Action – Ian Lilliman

6.2. Opportunist Thieves Warning – Ian Lilliman reported another recent case of a person attempting to steal a handbag from a property on Mill Street. This had occurred minutes after the owners returned to their property and had left the rear door open due to the hot weather at the time. The resident tackled the male intruder and he fled empty handed. This has been occurring all over the renewal area and residents are warned never to leave doors wide open, gates unlocked etc unless absolutely necessary.

The local beat bobby will be asked to attend the next meeting to provide an update on this situation.

6.3. Doggie Bags – Bags for clearing up dog waste can now be obtained FREE OF CHARGE from the Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road; County Contact, Regent Street; Housing Office, Sandy Lane or from your local vets.

The meeting ended at 7.30pm.

Next Meeting 16^th July 2002 at 6.30pm, 110 Newgate Lane