Minutes of the meeting of the Newgate Action Group

Minutes of the meeting of the
Newgate Action Group
held on Tuesday 16^th October at 110 Newgate Lane

1. Attendees

Michelle Garden (Chair)
Ian Lilliman (Secretary)
Janet Smith
Max Banks
Rosemary Banks
Ian Rose
Dave Ashley
Barbara Nestor
Malcolm Sage
Pete Riley
Ron Carlin
David Clay
John Pickering
M. Mycock
P. Mycock

2. Apologies

County Councillor Winterton
Ann Norman
Gary Jones

3. Previous Minutes

3.1. Minutes of the meeting of 11^th September 2001 were agreed to be a true record.

4. Matters Arising

4.1. Councillor M. Sage reported that No. 2 Gladstone Street had now been boarded up and the owner contacted with regards to it being repaired and made good.

5. Reports & Updates

5.1. Quality Street – The Pocket Park has now been completed, except for the planting which will take place in November. Comments have been mixed, particularly the concrete spheres. It was mentioned to Ian Rose from Groundwork that the allen-bolts securing the spheres appear to require tightening, as teenagers have been witnessed trying to undo them with a bicycle toolkit. For those of you reading this who are unaware of what the Quality Street scheme is – Quality Street is an initiative designed specifically for the improvement of Newgate Lane. Started by Stewart Rickersey of the Chad Newspaper, the scheme is designed to inject funding into the Lane to carry out building improvements to encourage new businesses into the area. This scheme runs in conjunction with the Newgate Lane Urban Renewal Scheme and does not utilise funding provided for the Renewal Scheme. Official opening of the Pocket Park has been set for 11am 20^th November 2001.

5.2. Traffic Issues – It was reiterated by PC Pete Riley that the parking problems on Carter Lane (outside the shops) and outside the Carlo’s Wine Table were the responsibility of the Traffic Warden’s department. Paul Chad of the traffic warden’s department will be invited to a future meeting to see what can be done to rectify the situation.

5.2.1. Montague Street One-Way System– At the last meeting, traffic was reported to have been seen travelling down Montague Street in contravention to the one-way system. It transpired that drivers entering Montague Street were unaware it was a one-way system because of poor signing. Many of the vehicles were apparently visiting the car accessory shop/pet shop and then turning around to exit via Skerry Hill. The highways department will be contacted to improve the signs.

5.2.2. Untaxed Vehicles – A list of untaxed vehicles was presented to the group to pass on to the traffic wardens department.

5.3. Jackson’s Field – Ian Rose from Groundwork brought the group up to date with the current position of the Jackson’s Field renewal. A planning application has been submitted to the Council’s planning department (Application No. 2001/972/ET) and this is now available to view at the Civic Centre on Chesterfield Road. Comments were mixed about the choice of youth shelter. Discussions revealed a genuine concern for public safety because of the centre panels, which were solid in construction, restricting visibility. It was agreed that mesh panels should be installed to allow occupants to be seen at night. Ian Rose stated that the youth area would have four lights of anti-vandal construction to ensure the area was sufficiently lit. Although there were concerns that the manufacturer of the youth shelter had ceased trading, investigations have revealed that the company has been taken over and the shelter can be supplied as planned.

5.4. Crime Update – PC Peter Riley gave the group an update on current Police activities that, for obvious reasons, cannot be reported here. Once again, residents were urged to be vigilant and to report anything suspicious to the police on 01623 420999.

6. Any Other Business

6.1. It was reported that the footpath leading from Mill Street to Rock Hill was cluttered with litter and leaves and requires cleaning. The relevant body will be contacted to ensure it is cleaned.

6.2. The grit bin at the top of Bolsover Street was reported to be empty and requires refilling ready for the winter season. Once again, the relevant department will be contacted to rectify the problem.

6.3. A number of residents reported that the trees at the (Rock Hill) end of Redcliffe Road were dangerously overhanging the road and are in need of pruning. The group also commented that that particular area was unlit at night and would greatly benefit from the installation of a street light.

6.4. Many questions were asked regarding the position of the housing renewal and the renewal scheme in general. Many were concerned that the scheme would end without their area/property receiving attention. Don Smith will be contacted to answer these questions and the answers will be made available at the next meeting.

6.5. Cllr Malcolm Sage stated that the aerial erected on the top of Scrooge’s is a cell phone mast belonging to Orange Communications and has full planning permission.

The meeting closed at 8pm

Date and time of next meeting - 6.30pm on 13^th November at 110 Newgate Lane.

In September, a meeting was held at Newgate Lane School to discuss the changes that will occur to the ward boundaries at the next local elections and the formation of the ‘South Area’. The meeting was held at very short notice and therefore only a few members of NAG were able to attend. Below is a short summary of the meeting.

The summarised minutes of the 1^st Inaugural meeting of the
South Area Assembly held at Newgate Lane School
on Tuesday 20^th September 2001

1. Attendees

S Biddle	Chairperson	Cllr Henshaw	MDC
Ian Lilliman	NAG (Secretary)	David Addison	Sth Mans. Comm. Assoc.
Jeremy Regan	MDC	Bill Pearce	MDC
Mick Quigley	Portland College	Peter Clarke	MDC
Andy Peacock	NCC	T. Wooley	Tenants & Residents Assoc.
Cllr K. Allsop	NCC/MDC	D. Elliot	Tenants & Residents Assoc.
Cllr S. Taylor	MDC	M. Cotton	Tenants & Residents Assoc.
Cllr G. Taylor	MDC	P. Smart	Warden
Chris Collinson	MDC	W. Carr	U.D.C.
Cllr J. Allin	MDC	Nic Heppel	Elliot Mathers Solicitors - 2010
Cllr E. Wright	MDC	M.E. Beardall
Cllr A. Haynes	MDC	J. Beardall	Ravensdale Tenants & Residents
Clr B. Nestor	MDC	Helen Chelskey	Mansfield Welfare Rights
Mitch Stevens	MDC	E. Palmer	Neighbourhood Watch
Cllr P. Moss	MDC	J.A.Smith	Neighbourhood Watch
Sgt Walker	Mansfield Police	F.C. Smith	Neighbourhood Watch
PC1637 Childs	Mansfield Police	Cllr Mackenzie	MDC
Cllr D. Hales	MDC	C. Smith	Park Area Residents Association
Cllr R. Smith	MDC	Tom West	Labour Party Member
Cllr G. Kane	MDC	Lorraine White	Waverley Lodge Business Centre
C. Cllr C. Winterton	Notts County Council	Cllr S. A. Higgins	MDC
A.K. Beardall	Mans Woodhouse T & R Assoc.	Cllr Beastall	MDC
Mrs R. Launders	Chair, Manor Ward T & R Assoc	Mr R. Launders	Manor Ward T & R Assoc
Chris French	Newgate Lane School	W.R. Biddle	Newgate Lane T & R Assoc
Mr R.P. Goad	CEO, MDC	Martin Thurman	Works Manager, MDC Technical
Michelle Garden	NAG (Chair)

2. Apologies

Peter Meadows	MDC	Mr I. Herrod
C. Cllr J. Bosnjak	Notts County Council	Mrs Cantrell
Sharon Clancy	CVS	Vince Boyd

3. Presentation – “What’s it all about” by Richard Goad

3.1. The South Area Assembly has been formed to assess the needs of the community. Mansfield District Council aims to be a ‘listening’ Council. There will be a big change to the Council and not as many committees.

4. Objectives

4.1. The key objectives of the South Area Assembly are:

1) to make recommendations on the delivery of services and statutory bodies.
2) encourage self-help groups, employment community initiatives & enterprises.
3) act as a channel for groups and Council select groups.
4) request reports for communities.
5) be a consultee about issues and voice opinions about change.
6) control grants available to the community.

4.2. The assembly will also act as an engine to power activity and to bring together statutory agencies with local organisations to address local issues and concerns.

5. The Five Area Assemblies

5.1. Warsop

5.2. Mansfield Woodhouse/North Mansfield

5.3. South Mansfield

5.4. West Mansfield

5.5. East Mansfield

Each assembly will have wards with 10 councillors, with 6 in Warsop.

6. Who Will Be Involved? – District Councillors, County Councillors, Police, Primary Care Trust Representatives, Businesses, Local Organisations and under represented groups, such as young people.

7. What Will They Do? – Tackle issues and local collective concerns. Act as a consultative mechanism. Act as a means of informing the statutory bodies of local concerns.

8. How Often Will the Assembly Meet? – The assemblies will meet six times per year, 2 of which will be open meetings. Meetings will be held in the evening and a question and answer session will be held at the beginning of each meeting. All meetings will be minuted and made available as a public record.

9. Are There Any Rules? – The normal rules of meetings apply. However, the meetings will not be used as a vehicle for personal criticism or attack. Meetings will endeavour to be fair and non-discriminating to any sector of the community. A set of guidelines will be made available.

10. How Do The Assemblies Fit In With Other Bodies? – The assembly will provide a direct line of communication to the district council via a chairperson, a cabinet and a co-ordinator. Similar arrangements will be sought with other statutory bodies.

11. Will The Assembly Have Any Money To spend? – A small budget from MDC may be available this year but definitely next year.

12. What Do I Get By Involvement? – A voice on local issues and concerns. Ability to influence what happens locally. A source of information and involvement in consultation as to what is likely to happen locally.

13. Summary – Your forum and you will benefit from participation. You’ll get answers and actions. Be at the forefront of local information. Individual residents can pose a question for the agenda and via the MDC councillor receive a personal reply.

Martin Thurman, General Works Manager MDC Technical Department, made a further presentation,

Mr Thurman introduced the meeting to a new initiative entitled the Pride in Neighbourhood Scheme (PIN). Consisting of 2 men and a street-cleaning machine, the PIN team will operate 6 days a week, working to deal with litter hotspots and fly tipping. The South Area will be tackled on Thursdays only. The machine is equipped with pressure cleaning facilities to tackle graffiti. Landowners will be targeted to clean up their land. Areas deemed to be a health hazard would be addressed sooner.

A date for the next meeting of the Area Assembly has not yet been set but Nag members will be notified via the newsletter when a date has been set.

NAG Questions/Comments Reminder

Use the space below to remind yourself of questions or comments you wish to raise at the next meeting

Michelle Garden (Chairperson) Newgate Action Group 40 Bentinck Street, Mansfield, NG18 2QQ Tel. 01623 479038

Michelle Garden
(Chairperson) Newgate Action Group
40 Bentinck Street, Mansfield, NG18 2QQ Tel. 01623 479038