Minutes of November 2005

CLOUGH HALL RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

Minutes of Meeting held at Butt Lane Community Centre.

Tuesday 29^th November 2005 at 7.30pm.

PRESENT :- Graham Sutton( Chairman),Michael Moore(Vice Chairman) Kath Viles (Secretary) Correna Gallacher (Treasurer) Brian Collis, John Gallacher. Laura Sutton.

Guests : Clr Silvia Burgess(Town Mayor Kidsgrove) Clr John Evans

Paul Howard (Rector St Martins Talke) PC David Woodward

Tina Evans(Secretary Talke Residents Ass. PCSO Colin Stepney

Residents : 44 Apologies : None

Minutes of Meeting held 18^th October 05, were circulated and accepted as a true record.

WELCOME/INTRODUCTION and THANKS

The Chairman, Graham Sutton, opened the Meeting and thanked Residents for attending.

Special thanks were given for all the help and support during the past few months, to Clr Mary Maxfield, Silvia Burgess (Town Mayor), Clr John Taylor, Police Inspector Sherratt, PC David Woodward and PCSO Colin Stepney, Talke Pits Residents Association-in particular Tina Evans, Rev Paul Howard, Volunteers for Litter Picking, Mark Smith-Westmorland Avenue for his help in collecting litter. Thanks also to the Committee, Guest Speakers, Phil Hopkins Neighbourhood Watch, M Reedman and Marilyn Canning's-Clough Hall School.

Thanks to SuPrint-Paul & Sue Fisher for their help in printing our leaflets. Mr & Mrs Kelly (Park Stores) for Raffle Prizes and donations.

All volunteers for leaflet distribution. Everyone who has donated food for tonight's buffet.

CHARITY DINNER - Fifth on Fourth Restaurant - Date has been arranged for Thursday 26th January - now fully booked.

P.C. David Woodward - Gave an interesting talk in respect of Speed cameras.

PCSO Colin Stepney - Informed Residents of a deal with the owner of PMF Kidsgrove who would offer a discount of 10% for any vehicle security for any Clough Hall Resident, on the issue of evidence of their address. Signs also erected on lamp posts, in Clough Hall, on behalf of Newcastle Safer Community Project regarding safety issues in respect of vehicles.

Strata Windows. Brian Collis distributed envelopes containing laminated card, offering 30% discount off products from Strata for members of Clough Hall Residents and ‘free post' envelopes to register with Strata Windows.

Progress to Date. - Chairman highlighted the Associations progress to date:-

Pathways in the Woods- behind Football Club-resurfaced.
Over hanging trees from the Park - all pruned back to free the footpath-Clough Hall Road.
Car Boot Sales in the Park-Our actions have helped to stop these.
Drains in the Park - all replaced and cleaned out.
Laser Speed Checks - Police action after talks with CHRA.
Police Consultative Committee - Meeting went well and hope similar meetings can be arranged in the future.
Green Grant-£250 worth of Kit has been received from the Borough Council.
Clough Hall School - Sub Committee formed - 3 pupils from the school nominated to join our Committee. Intergenerational Monitoring - More volunteers are required - half a day a week. Sensory Garden - help needed with this project.
Westmorland Unit - Meeting took place at Kidsgrove Library 22^nd November - poor turnout. A monthly Surgery for Residents to raise concerns, will now take place. The next Surgery is 18^th January 2006 - 1500 hrs - Butt Lane Community Centre - needs more Residents to attend.
Funding - Chairman highlighted the expenditure of the Association - £70/£80 a month to cover - room hire, printing, telephone calls, postage Etc. Two private donations have been received, plus, transfer of £180 from an old Neighborhood Watch Fund. Also received Local Members Initiative Grant of £500. Possible link with Talke in respect of joint Fund Raising activities.

Looking forward to 2006.

Chairman advised that he hoped Membership could be increased during 2006 - to help deal with the many issues/problems.
Friends of Bathpool - Peter & Hazel Hammond on this Committee and will feed back information to us.
We hope to arrange trips for children and Senior Citizens next year, funds permitting.
We are hopeful of seeing improvements in respect of the Unit at Westmorland and at Clough Hall School next year.
Chairman pointed out that our AGM would take place on 28^th July 2006, and we will be looking to expand the Committee from 7 to 9.

At this point Chairman closed the Meeting, wished all Members a Happy Christmas and then declared the Bar/Buffet open.

NEXT MEETING - Tuesday 17^th January 2006