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. 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 26th Nov 2002

Venue: 110 Newgate Lane

 


AGENDA

1.     Welcome, introductions and apologies

2.     Reports and updates

a.      Renewal Scheme

3.     Any other business

4.     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 15th Oct 2002 at 110 Newgate Lane

1.      Attendees

Michele Ward (Chair)

Resident

Ian Lilliman (Secretary)

Resident

Gary Jones (Vice Chairman)

Resident

John Pickering (Treasurer)

Resident

Samatha Raggart

Mansfield District Council

Jonathon Dix

Groundwork Ashfield & Mansfield

Sue Adamson

Resident

Neil Adamson

Resident

Barbara Miller

Resident

PC Paul Atherley

Mansfield Police

Councillor Barbara Nestor

Mansfield District Council

Councillor Malcolm Sage

Mansfield District Council

Councillor Lorna Carter

Mansfield District Council

 

2.      Apologies

Ann Norman

Resident

Andy Sissons

Resident

PC Paul Atherley

Mansfield Police

Dave Clay

Resident

John Gunn

Resident

May Gunn

Resident

Caroline Beastall

Resident

 

3.      Introductions

3.1.   The meeting began at 6.30pm and all were welcomed by Michelle Ward.

4.      Previous Minutes

4.1.   Minutes of the meeting of 17th Sept 2002 were agreed to be a true record.

5.      Reports & Updates

5.1.   Jackson’s Park Progress Report

5.1.1.             Park Signage (No Dog Fouling) – Samantha Raggart confirmed that ‘no dog fouling’ signs were in the pipeline and would be placed around the park after consultation with the local Dog Control Officer. Action – Samantha Raggart (MDC)

5.1.2.             Park Signage (No Through Road) – The ‘no through road’, sign has been poorly positioned resulting in vehicles still trying to exit Mill Street by the access road. Samatha Raggart said she would look into having it moved a few yards along the access road. Action – Samantha Raggart (MDC).

5.1.3.             Children’s Playground – Samantha Raggart brought along large colour 3D plans of the proposed new children’s playground for the group to review. The children’s playground is to be replaced, using funding from an organisation called WREN, who utilise funding acquired from the business landfill tax to support environmental projects. The funding available amounts to £38,000.

Two quotations were received for the project (from Record Playgrounds and Wicksteed Leisure). Equipment was selected by the companies to offer excitement and stimulation to children aged between 5 and 12 years. After consultation, it was decided to opt for the plans submitted by Wicksteed Leisure.

It was noted that the plans only incorporated 1 bench for adults to sit whilst their children played. It was suggested that, during works on Beresford Street, the two benches be removed and re-sited in the playground. This would make good use of existing resources and improve the park’s facilities at minimal additional costs. Samatha Raggart said that this might be difficult, as the council would prefer for the playground to be constructed and finished by one single company. The group agreed that placing the (removed) benches into the new playground would be a good idea. Action – Samantha Raggart (MDC).

6.      Housing Issues

6.1.   Housing Renewal – Michelle Ward said that she was still collating information on properties that require urgent works, particularly to roofs.*

*For those at the Council who might be reading this, there are a number of residents whose properties are in need of urgent works, such as roofs that have come to the end of their serviceable lives. These residents cannot afford to replace their roofs and cannot access any grants or other funding. Although these properties would normally be attended to under the urban renewal scheme, they are many years away from having the work done and under normal rules can only be attended to under block repair criteria.

It must be noted that a number of these properties are in good repair and really only need their roofs replacing to bring them to A1 condition. And some of these properties are adjacent to one another and so could be attended to on a ‘group’ basis.

So if anyone out there is reading this who can help, please get in touch with our group.

7.      Cold Callers – Electricity and Gas Sales Persons

7.1.   Michelle Ward warned all residents to be on the look out for a number of utility sales people who are using fraudulent tactics to encourage residents to change over their gas or electricity providers

NAG THINK THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT ISSUE, WE HAVE INCLUDED THESE TACTICS ON THE LAST PAGE – PLEASE PASS THIS SHEET AROUND TO WARN NEIGHBOURS, ESPECIALLY THE OLD AND INFIRM WHO ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO THESE KIND OF TACTICS


8.      Any Other Business

8.1.   Vandalised Footpath – It was reported that one of the stone circles may nave suffered some vandalism. Jonathon Dix said he would investigate.
Action – Jonathon Dix (Groundwork Ashfield & Mansfield).

8.2.   Vandalised Tree – One of the newly planted trees on Jackson’s Park has been snapped in two. Jonathon Dix said he would arrange a replacement in due course.
Action – Jonathon Dix (Groundwork Ashfield & Mansfield).

8.3.   Flooded Play Arena – Several residents reported that the play arena suffers from large puddles of water after rain. Councillor Malcolm Sage commented that this should not happen. It is known that a number of drain holes are drilled into the surface but these may be blocked. More drain holes may be necessary. Jonathon Dix said he would look into it.
Action – Jonathon Dix (Groundwork Ashfield & Mansfield).

8.4.   Bins on Jackson’s Park – Bins were reported to be overflowing, having not been emptied for at least a couple of weeks. Samatha Raggart said she would look into why they had not been emptied. Action – Samantha Raggart (MDC).

8.5.   Overgrown Tree on Beresford Street – Again, it was reported that the large tree situated at the Rock Street end of Beresford Street needs urgent pruning. The tree obstructs light severely to number 23 Beresford Street and the braches also hit the same property in high winds. Samatha Raggart said that inspection of the tree had been arranged for the following week.

 

The meeting ended at 8.30pm


Next Meeting Tue 26th November 2002, 6.30pm, 110 Newgate Lane



FUTURE MEETINGS

December – No meeting
14th January 2003, 6.30pm, 110 Newgate Lane

 

ALERT TO ALL RESIDENTS

A number of utilities sales persons are active in the area promoting the benefits of changing your gas and/or electricity supplier.

Please note that some unscrupulous sales persons are using fraudulent tactics to entice you to ‘sign on the dotted line’. Some of these tactics are shown below.

“I’m from energywatch/Transco/Ofgem/the government and I want to tell you about special energy deals or discounts you are entitled to.”  These organisations do not supply or sell gas or electricity and they do not employ sales representatives who will call at your home uninvited. Transco would only ever call at your home unannounced in the event of a gas emergency.

“I know my I.D. card says I’m from a supplier with a different name to your own but we’re all part of the same company now.” This may or may not be true. If in doubt, check with your existing supplier or energywatch.

‘I’m from your existing supplier and I’m here to give you a cheaper pre-payment meter key, token or card.” If your existing supplier wanted to issue you with a new key, token or card, they would inform you by post. If you are being offered a new key on your doorstep by a sales representative, they are probably not from your existing supplier at all.

Tactics being used by sales representatives to trick consumers into signing include:

“I’m here to read the meter – please sign here.” There is no need to sign for a meter reading.

“Sign here so we can send you further information about the prices we offer.” There is no need to sign for further information.

“Sign here to say I visited you today or else I’ll be in trouble with my boss.” You don’t need to sign to confirm the salesperson’s visit.

“I won’t get my commission unless you sign.” Sales representatives are usually only paid commission if you agree to switch supplier.

“This deal is only available today. You’ll lose out if you don’t sign now.” Do not be pressurised into signing on the spot. Take plenty of time to properly consider any deal you are offered and shop around.

 

If you are having problems with your current supplier, you can contact Energywatch, the independent gas and electricity consumer watchdog on 08459 06 07 08

e-mail: enquiries@energywatch.org.uk      |     website: www.energywatch.org.uk