Minutes of meeting held
At Lansbury Complex, Lansbury Gdns, Tilbury
Thursday 6th December 2012
Present: Apologies:
Dan Ryan Cllr Liddiard
Ron Eacott Cllr Okunade
Colin Elliott R I Barnard-Hill Polly Billington
Terry Brown A R Barnard-Hill Jack Doodes
June Brown P Lawrence Cllr Baldwin
M Arnell J Merrigan Rita Copeman
Debbie Quick Lorraine Fugl Claire Harvey
Annie O’Brien Jill Bacon Pastor Abraham
R Coombes Ray Smith Les Morgan
J McGregor M McGregor
Shola Okonue PCSO B Freeman
APS D Goodrum
1.Welcomes and apologies- Noted.
2.Minutes of last meeting – Minutes of last meeting read and agreed.
3.Matters arising – Cllr Worrall gave feedback on the success of the U Choose Event. Three organisations were awarded money for projects in Tilbury, Thurrock Mind, One Community and the Tilbury Riverside Project (TRP).
4.Police Update – PCSO gave the monthly figures:
Assaults, down 7
Burglaries, down 8.
Criminal damage, up 4
Theft down 1
Robberies up 1
Racial incidents up 2
PCSO asked if there were any questions. Barney raised an issue at Wellington Road Flats. As the external doors do not lock people are sitting on the stairs smoking and drinking. PCSO reported that they are aware of the issue and have contacted the Council. Barney also still has concerns regarding dogs running loose on the Daisy Field. PCSO reported that this would be a Community Protection issue.
June reported on two incidents of youths throwing stones at the 99 Bus resulting in windows being smashed last Saturday and Monday between 5-6pm. June reported that Chelmsford Police had been contacted but asked if this could be looked into.
Ray raised concerns regarding vehicles speeding in Dunlop Road. PCSO reported that the Police would take the Speed Gun to the area. Cllr Worrall reported that there is also a problem in Melba Gardens with motorbikes. PCSO reported the Police will follow these issues up but asked if residents could contact the Police to report similar issues in order to get an incident number.
Colin asked if there were any updates regarding the Leisure Centre Fire. PCSO reported that the Fire Service were still investigating.
Another concern was raised regarding vehicles “shooting” the lights at Calcutta/St Chads Road. PCSO will pass this to the Traffic Division.
5.Speaker –.Alli Stanford from Thurrock Council introduced herself.
Alli reported that extra clear Recycling bags would be available for residents if their Blue Bins were full following the Christmas period. The bags can be collected from Libraries, the Housing Offices and some local Supermarkets.
Alli reported the Council would also be hosting an Amnesty for waste electrical and electronic equipment. If residents contact the Council after Christmas on 01375 366071 stating what they have to collect and leave in a bag outside their home a free collection will be made on Wednesdays throughout January. After this time items would cost £10 each for collection or could be taken to the Civic Amenities Depot. Alli also gave out tags with the Christmas Collection dates on for those who hadn’t had one attached to their bins.
Alli reported that the Council would also be working with Ikea for the free disposal of real Christmas Trees if residents couldn’t fit them in their Brown bins. Trees can be left in designated areas at Ikea from 6th-12th Jan, 11-3pm and 7th-11th Jan, 10-6pm.
Alli reported that 33,000 bins are collected everyday in the Borough and crews have 30 seconds to empty and put the bin back to the property so she appreciates that bins are not always put back in the appropriate places but will take back any concerns that residents have regarding this. Ray asked if crews rush to finish rounds so they can go home. Alli reported this is being looked into.
Unfortunately, our second Speaker Mr Kevin Sadler from the Gateway Academy had not made the meeting.
6.Chairs report – Barney gave feedback on the presentation and speech he gave at the recent Council Planning Meeting. The application regarding the Leisure Centre was declined. Barney reported that it would have been good to have a little more resident support and he would be happy to pick anyone up if there is a similar meeting in the future and people have transport difficulties.
Cllr Worrall reported that the applicants would have the option to appeal the decision. Colin reported that he has made an application under the Freedom of Information Act for some of the outstanding questions the Forum have around the Leisure Centre and land to be answered.
Barney reported that he had also attended the Gateway Academy Pupil of the Year Event last week to present the Certificates and Vouchers donated by the Forum. It had been a thoroughly enjoyable evening and he had met some great young people.
7. Funding Applications – None had been submitted this evening.
8.Local Office update – Bill reported that he was attending on Claire’s behalf as she was on leave. Ray raised an issue on behalf of a local resident who needs fencing replacing. Bill reported that he was aware of it and will be following up.
Bill gave some feedback on the Street Reps meeting that had taken place in Tilbury yesterday. Bill was also aware that a Community Safety Zone Action meeting had been held at Tilbury Police Station to which the Street Reps should have been invited so Bill will follow up to make sure they are invited to the next one.
Bill was also able to report that CCTV had gone up at Wellington Rd flats and a Consultation had gone out regarding improvements there.
Bill reported that the Company Mears had bought out Morrison and the Morrison contract with the Council ends on the 31st January 2013.
Bill reported that the 3 gulleys raised previously by Jack have now been cleared.
June fedback that the bench and plaque for Pat Moores, had been put in on Wednesday, and went well. Ray asked if there was any update regarding Cameron’s bench. June reported that Cameron’s mum now has Claire’s contact details and Bill will also follow up.
Barney had a number of questions for Housing which Bill was happy to take away and feedback on (see attached), however one was around the plans for the old St Chads School site and the capacity at the Gateway Academy.
Cllr Worrall reported that she had been on the Gateway’s Board of Governors but had stood down as was not in favour of the recent addition of a Free Junior School when there are not enough Secondary places. Cllr Worrall has tried to champion places at the school for Tilbury children but some do have to travel out of the Town and as the Council have £20 million of cuts to find over the next 3 years funding for school buses is not a possibility.
Both Lorraine and Jill who were present at the meeting and work at the Gateway were not in a position to answer all the concerns but were aware that the rules over child admittance were the same countrywide. They felt the advantage of Free Schools was that all children will be learning at the same level but they are not assessed for admittance to the school. They were also aware that Secondary numbers had increased and that they will be increasing again next year and this is something that Mr Sadler is working to improve and increase, looking at having 2 extra classes per year. The Gateway also provides Vocational courses for those that struggle academically. Lorraine and Jill are happy to take back all the concerns to Mr Sadler.
Barney and Ray then raised concerns regarding letters sent to Council Tennants regarding a rise in rents. Bill took on board that some residents had found these letters stressful and would be looking at holding a Housing Surgery at Asda. Ray asked if something could be put in the Gazette to explain the changes to residents. Bill to take back.
Bill also reported that there would be changes to the Housing Benefit, which will see 100% of the Benefit money going to the tenant. Bill reported that Rent and Welfare Officers would be out working with tenants on both these issues.
Bill also reported that the Council have a new Director of Housing, Barbara Brownlee and she is keen to see more Housing staff out in the Community. Barbara is also keen to see the Health of Staff and residents improved.
One resident then raised concerns regarding wood dust coming from the Docks.
Action: Bill to contact Environmental Officers
Bill also reported hat the Council are looking to allocate 200 homes per year for the next 5 years as Social Housing in Thurrock with improvements to the Priority and Monitoring systems attached to this.
Bill reported that there would also be a new Client Contract Manager looking at improvements to Contract Services.
Bill reported that he was sure that Barbara would be happy to attend one of the Forum meetings.
Action: Debbie to contact Barbara to invite.
Ray also raised concerns regarding the building works taking place at the Off Licence in St Chads Road.
Action: Bill to look into
June asked to give thanks for all the support given by the Housing Office and the donation to the Christmas Lights.
9. AOB –. June reported from the Bus Users Group meeting that the Council are promoting the 99. June has also asked for Bus Shelters at the stops at the Gateway Academy.
Annie reminded people about the Christmas Lights switch on in the Square tomorrow staring at 4.30pm. Also the TRP will be holding their AGM at the Cruise Terminal Tues 11th Dec at 3pm.
Jill reported that the Gateway are holding their Christmas Concert Mon 10th Dec 7pm entry is £2 and she also has some Directories of forthcoming events which she will leave at the back for people to take.
10.Next Meeting – Thursday 3rd Jan,7pm, Lansbury Gdns Tilbury