Minutes of May 2008
CLOUGH HALL RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD AT HOLLINWOOD SHELTERED HOUSING on 13/5/08 at 7:30pm
Present :-
COMMITTEE :- G Sutton, B Collis, C Brammer, M Moore, C Brough, T Dale.
GUEST SPEAKERS:- Mr Philip Knight (Staffs Wildlife Trust), PC Dave Woodward.
COUNCILLORS:- Clr A Brookes
RESIDENTS:- 45
TOTAL ATTENDANCE:- 54
APOLOGIES :- Kath Viles, Gina & Frank Gibson, C Poole, Mrs T Evans, Mrs K Knapper, Mr J Gallacher, Mrs J Gallacher, Clr S Burgess, Clr D Richards, Clr P Crank, Clr L Griffiths,
Rev Paul Howard, Paul Fisher.
The Chairman opened the meeting and thanked everyone for attending, but especially Philip Knight and PC Dave Woodward.
He first explained that brochures from Is It Fair? - an independent organisation campaigning against the way in which Council Tax is currently collected - were available for residents to collect later, and that leaflets on protecting the home were also available - these have been obtained by Clrs Denis Richards and Silvia Burgess, who have delivered some directly to homes.
Quiz Night tomorrow evening at the Cricket Club - 8pm start, refreshments will be available. Money raised to go to CHRA funds and to be put towards the purchase of a microphone and speakers.
Clough Hall School - today was the last day of the computer course, which has gone well. It is hoped that another will be organised later in the year.
The School has also asked if anyone would be prepared to give up 3 consecutive mornings to give a talk in school assemblies (10 - 15 mins).
A Summer Community Fete is planned by the School; this will take place on the 14th July and money raised is to be shared between different charities. Residents were urged to attend.
CHRA website is now live, but not quite complete. Several organisations have requested links to the website, which will also include information on local history. The website address is
St Martin's Church, Talke is to hold a Quiz Night on July 7th at 7:30pm in the Church Hall. Anyone interested should contact Rev Paul Howard.
Following a walk at Parrot's Drumble last Saturday which was very well supported, the Church is organising another walk round the Macclesfield Forest on Sunday June 15th, starting at 12pm from the Church or 1pm from the Visitor Centre - for information ring 01782 782348 or email paulhowards510@uwclub.net
The Chairman then introduced PC Dave Woodward.
PC Woodward spoke about the recent burglaries in the area; he explained that
- There has now been a total of 75 burglaries, which cover a wide area around Kidsgrove and include 19 in the Clough Hall area.
- 4 people have been arrested, and some of them have been charged.
- The rate of burglaries has decreased dramatically since arrests were made, but as yet there is no direct link.
- Entry to premises has been mainly through insecure windows and doors; residents were encouraged to lock any open windows in the vent position.
In response to questions from residents, PC Woodward said that
- Cameras could be placed in a property if a repeat burglary had taken place there.
- The number of burglaries so far this year has exceeded the number expected in the whole of a normal year, and this issue is therefore a top priority for the police.
- The police stock of window alarms has been used up.
- There has been no particular time when the break-ins have occurred - they have happened at all hours all over the Kidsgrove area; in the great majority a window has been smashed or a door forced. There have been several repeat burglaries, but no violence has been used; personal property has been quickly grabbed and taken.
- An alarm system should always be used if one is fitted at the property; he asked residents to check a property should an alarm go off then call the police if necessary, but should this be during the night not to investigate the rear of a property but to notify the police immediately.
- Residents should not leave personal property easily available in the house, eg on a counter in the kitchen.
- The next issue of Kidsgrove News will explain that the elderly/vulnerable in Aspire properties will have door chains fitted which have a lock/key; this will enable relatives to gain access should they need to.
Graham thanked PC Woodward, and emphasised that residents were responsible for securing their own properties. He suggested that CHRA could help to fund window alarms, and explained that he has requested a meeting with the Chairman of the Police Authority to discuss police resources; he has requested this meeting as a member of the public, not as CHRA Chairman, and hopes that the meeting will take place in the near future.
Philip Knight then gave an interesting and informative talk on ‘Gardening for Wildlife'. He gave residents many ideas on how to encourage wildlife into their gardens by providing food sources and habitats for them, and by being more relaxed in their approach to gardening. He also provided information sheets for residents to take, and the plant examples he used to illustrate his talk were quickly snapped up at the end of the evening.
Graham thanked Philip for a most enjoyable talk, and then reminded residents that the next meeting (on the subject of ‘Council Tax - Is it Fair?') will be held on Thursday May 22nd at Clough Hall School; this will be a joint meeting with the 50+ Forum and will start at 6:30pm, when tea and biscuits will be available.
Graham Sutton ( Chair - Clough Hall Residents Association )