MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 24 FEBRUARY 2003

Paul Huxley opened the meeting at 6.40 p.m.

ITEM ONE – APOLOGIES

Apologies were made on behalf of Veta Gordon, Janette Pilkington, Sonia Cubrillo, Kath Yarwood, Vincent Walsh

ITEM TWO – MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

The minutes were agreed as a correct record by Kath Warrington, and seconded by Sharon Gleave.

ITEM THREE – MATTERS ARISING

Electricity cards – We believe that Spar are going to be doing these soon, no official information has been received on this matter.

Damaged grass verge on Redbrook Road – This was by raised B.C.A. at the Area Board meeting over 12 months ago and is now being considered for repair along side other jobs in the area when the ‘Minor Works Minibus’ goes around in March. The Council are currently looking at how to address the damage to grass verges borough wide but this is expected be a massive project and very costly. It is also being considered at Council level that some of the income from the proposed sale of land on the Estate could possibly be used to fund this work. B.C.A are currently building up a portfolio of photographs of verges and pavements that we feel need attention and in May agencies who’s responsibility it is will be walking round the estate looking at these areas.

Park and Youth Centre refurbishment – as far as we know this is still on target for work to commence in February.

Brooks Drive – the work on the hedges will commence in the next couple of weeks. There has been a problem with the rubbish that was collected in the last clean up, which was left in the drive and was not removed. In future, arrangements need to be made for this to be collected when the work is done.

Gates on Redbrook Road – these are still being left open, someone is cutting the locks as they are replaced. There was a fire on the field at the weekend.

Noticeboard – the one in the chemist is currently at Paul’s house waiting to be programmed with various messages.

Shutter painting – the question was raised as to whether all the shutters were going to be painted. Paul explained that it is a dreamscheme project, and that hopefully they will all be done. The next one to be done will be the chemist shop. It was felt that this was a worthwhile project, as it makes the area look better, and to date the painted shutters and wall have not been subject to any further graffiti, as it gets painted out as soon as it is done.

Development around the shops – amended plans were on display at this meeting. There has been considerable improvement in what has been proposed, further to a previous meeting where several concerns were raised. Enquiries have been made about the land at the rear of the pub, but IVHA felt that it was too costly. Ray Bowker expressed an interest in seeing figures for how much the brewery wanted for this piece of land that is currently not used. He also asked when these proposals were going to be put to the Council, as we need to get this redevelopment moving. The response from Alan Bailey on behalf of IVHA was that funding for the surgery was ok, but there was a problem with funding for the housing so they are not ready to proceed at present. The question was raised as to where the cars and contractors will park whilst the bungalows are being built. Also, could the benches be relocated, perhaps in Brooks Drive? Could the trees be uprooted and relocated also? It would appear to be too late to raise this at the next Partnership meeting as the contractors are supposed to be on site next week. There is a problem in that no one at the meeting has seen the plans for this area; the redevelopment was passed before the B.C.A was established. Paul is to request a copy of the plans for this bungalow development for the next B.C.A and Partnership meetings.

ITEM FOUR – NEW PARK AND YOUTH CENTRE

This was covered in Item 3

ITEM FIVE – NEWSLETTER ITEMS

The next edition of the newsletter is due out in 7 – 10 days, if you have any articles please submit them.

ITEM SIX – BROOMWOOD PARTNERSHIP REPORT

The minutes for this meeting have not been made available for us to discuss due to staff holidays. One item that was discussed was on proposed land sale and redevelopment. Plans are to be presented at the next Partnership meeting. We will request a presentation of this at the next B.C.A meeting.

ITEM SEVEN – DOG BINS

There has been a request for a bin at the top end of Brooks Drive and it was agreed that we should raise this at the next Area Board meeting. One has been proposed at the entrance to the Community Woods, which everyone supported.

ITEM EIGHT – DEVELOPMENT AROUND THE SHOPS

This has been covered in item three.

ITEM NINE – AREA HOUSING PANEL REPORT

There has not been a meeting since our last B.C.A meeting.

The Minor works minibus is due to tour the area on Wednesday 12th March. The Redbrook Road grass verge is one of the areas up for consideration, so it is vital that we have representatives on this bus. Sharon Gleave, Joe Statham and Joan Lloyd gave their details to Marie Toboni as they are interested in attending this tour.

ITEM TEN – TRAFFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD PARTNERSHIP

There has been no meeting since our last B.C.A meeting. The dates of the next meetings are March 27, April 24 and May 22. Time – 6.00 – 8.00 p.m. at Trafford Town Hall, (Room 7X), Talbot Road, Stretford. Transport is available if people require it.

ITEM ELEVEN – ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

Traffic problems following diesel spillage on Friday last. Concern was expressed at the lack of information given to people about the traffic problems and lack of buses. The idea was put forward that we need Police cars with loudhailers to transmit recorded message. However, it was pointed out that due to the wide area of the problem this was not necessarily feasible.

Portakabins – Marie spoke to the contractors about the problems. The portakabins that are not being used are to be removed. The grass verges will be put right where the lorries have damaged them. The wardens have been asked to clean this area. It has been suggested that we invite the warden to the next meeting to that he can inform us of what he does on the days he is on the estate, and also ask him for a map showing the area that he is responsible for, as we are uncertain as to his role at present.

Comment was made that the caretakers who clean the communal flats on Redbrook/Hartford are doing a fantastic job.

An off-licence chain has made enquiries about taking over the old Booze-busters shop but if the new plans for the redevelopment proceed then this shop, we believe, is to be offered to the hairdressers, as that will be demolished. Paul has informed the Management Agency about this, they were unaware that this was proposed, which was why they were attempting to let it.

Kathy Yarwood sent a letter to the meeting which she asked to be read out, copies of this were given to Alan Bailey (IVHA) and Marie Toboni (TMBC). The letter read as follows:

I have not yet received replies from TMBC or IVHA. After numerous telephone calls to Ed Barber (TMBC) I find I have now been passed over to Mr Khan (TMBC). He tells me my current problems are due to IVHA turnover of staff.

Speaking to Alan Bailey a few days ago he tells me:- (A) My files have been “delved into” so something must be happening, (B) He can’t find any of my previous complaint letters, and I should photocopy them all and forward to him, (C) I will not be getting the 12 month defect inspection, and will have to take the route of going through the normal repair service.

The 12-month defect inspection was in place for the contractor to put right and pay for any problems caused through refurbishment. I cannot now envisage IVHA picking up the tab for the contractors misdemeanours.

If all my neighbours in the Wates properties have been afforded the 12-month defect inspection and have had the opportunity of having matters rectified, and I have not, that is discrimination.

Also, if IVHA do not file letters, or lose them, that is incompetence.

And because of this incompetence I as a registered disabled person have to suffer the consequences on a daily basis.

Yours sincerely

K S Yarwood.

ITEM TWELVE – DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next meeting is 24 March.

The meeting was closed at 7.30