MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE LADY BAY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION HELD IN ALL HALLOWS’ CHURCH FRONT HALL ON WEDNESDAY 19TH OCTOBER 2005 AT 8.00pm.

 

 

 

Number present: 53, including Cllrs Cooper, Tiplady & Blount.

 

 

 

The Chairman welcomed everyone present.

 

 

 

The Chairman then gave a short report:

 

 

 

Chairman’s Report. A Christmas event is to be held at the Nat Water Sports Cent, 20,000 people expected over 30 days. Is planning permission required? Hopefully if it is conditions will be put on it so that vehicles do not use Trent Boulevard to reach the venue.

The pavement at the junction of Holme Rd & Mona Rd has been levelled out to allow easier use by child cyclists, people in wheelchairs & those pushing pushchairs. However, the Cheshire Homes are now leaving Holme Lodge so use by wheelchair users will be reduced.

10 Acre Field gate; this has now been mended but it is locked. There used to be a “kissing gate” allowing access for pedestrians onto the field. The County Council have been contacted about this.

Land next to Lady Bay School; this area has been allocated some money from the County Council’s “Building Better Communities” scheme. We are also hoping for improvements to be made around the 2 entrances to 10-Acre field from this scheme, the 1 mentioned earlier & the other at Holme Rd/Adbolton Gr. junction.

The Chairman then introduced Cllr Barrie Cooper: his parents had a business on Fleeman Gr. so he has childhood links with Lady Bay. Further to the chairman’s report there may not be any money available from “Building Better Communities” as yet. There are 6 wards in the county division WB Cent & South. Contact Cllr Cooper for issues in Lady Bay, Gamston & Abbey wards & Cllr Cox for Edwalton, Melton & Trent Bridge. Further inf. can be found on the Notts County Council web site.

The Chairman thanked Cllr Copper & introduced our guest speaker; Jon Beresford from the pressure group NAIL

 

Eastcroft Incinerator. Jon last spoke about the incinerator at a LBCA public meeting 3 years ago; this is an update. The acronym NAIL stands for Nottingham Against Incineration & Landfill. The organisation has expanded from 6 to 500 members. At the moment at Eastcroft there is a small clinical waste incinerator which burns low level radioactive waste as part of its load. There are 2 municipal incinerators that burn 150,000 tonnes of waste per year. Nottingham City recycles 8% of domestic waste. The company that runs the incinerator, Waste Recycling Group (WRG) wishes to increase the amount burned per year to 250,000 tonnes. The “clean” technology of fluidised bed combustion will not be employed, instead, the technology will be the same as that used in the ‘60s.  WRG applied to be the company that deals with waste from Notts. County Council but a company called ONYX won the contract. This means that, in order to keep the incinerator going, waste will have to be brought in from Lincolnshire, Leicestershire & Derbyshire. Studies show that 80% of domestic waste can be recycled yet WRG have no plans to segregate the waste. Atmospheric pollution from incinerators includes ash that can fall on growing food crops that are then eaten. Many emissions are toxic, including dioxins, the most carcinogenic substances known. Twice a year emissions from Eastcroft are tested for the amount of dioxins, once by WRG, once by the Environment Agency. The results of the Environment Agency test this year showed dioxin levels 900% more than “acceptable” levels. These dioxins can travel very far e.g. they have been found in the bodies of polar bears in the Arctic. There are links with various medical problems such as higher rates of child mortality, birth defects, heart disease, respiratory disorders and cancers in people living nearby incinerators. In order to expand, Eastcroft needs permission from the Environment Agency as well as planning permission from Nottingham City Council. Leaflets about the NAIL campaign are available & there is a petition against expansion to sign at the back of the room. Letters objecting to the proposal should be sent to Mike Senior, Planning Officer at Nottingham City Council. There is more information and a sample objection letter on the NAIL web site.

 

Questions & Comments:

 

Dorothy Bell made several points: Eastcroft incinerator heats housing in St Ann’s, the Broadmarsh shopping centre & the tax offices so energy is obtained from burning the waste; is the clinical waste incinerator more modern than the one that burns domestic waste? Why is the expansion not using the latest technology?  

 James Strawbridge mentioned that the city wish to develop the land east of the River Trent does the presence of the incinerator cause planning blight?

A resident suggested that much of the domestic waste produced is a result of unnecessary packaging.

The secretary mentioned that Rushcliffe achieves 47% recycling over the whole borough, more than 50% in the areas with blue bins, e.g. Lady Bay.

 

The Chairman thanked Jon & introduced Dan Patterson, Treasurer of FIELDS  

 

 

FIELDS Accounts & Report. Dan presented the accounts, copies were available on the chairs, there were no questions & they were proposed by the chairman, seconded by the secretary & accepted unanimously. Dan then gave a report:

 

The 4^th Trent crossing at Lady Bay is no longer a threat, so Simpkin’s Farm, grade 2 listed building, remains safe. We are awaiting the inspector’s decision on Rushcliffe Borough Council’s (RBC) local plan; the County Council wishes to develop the land east of Lady Bay, owned by the county, with 1,000 houses, RBC wants housing on a site in Edwalton, both are in greenbelt. The decision is expected in Jan. ’06. We should not be complacent, as recently campaigners lost a similar argument with the Gedling local plan regarding county council owned farmland that has now been allocated for housing. At the RBC local plan enquiry much emphasis was made of the propensity for the Lady Bay site to suffer from flooding.

On Mon. 24^th Oct the E.Mids Assembly will launch the E.Mids regional plan. This will replace regional planning guidance. The launch is at Melton Mowbray & starts at 2pm with a lunch at 12pm. Consultation meetings will be held at the Council House on Thurs. 10^th Nov & on Mansfield Rd on Weds 23^rd Nov. FIELDS needs people to attend these events; please see Dan if you would like to help. Further details are on the FIELDS web site, which is linked to the Lady Bay web site.   

The plan to build playing fields off Regatta Way has been passed, however, RBC’s planning conditions have not yet been followed so works may not begin until May ’06.

 

Dan then introduced Alan Bell of FIELDS:

 

Park & Ride. There is a plan to construct a park & ride site at Gamston junction, the county council has decided that this should now be on the Lady Bay side of the A52. If built it will be very visible, although the original site on the other side of the road would be even more noticeable. The county council is waiting to see what happens at the junction before their plans are submitted. This will probably be in 2015.

Greenies’ Field. There is a good veg crop this year, potatoes, chard, carrots & beetroot. There are 8 active members who gather in the field on Sun afternoons to dig, plant etc. Anyone who would like to join please contact Paul Olejnik, secretary, whose ‘phone No. is in the newsletter.

 

Questions & Comments:

 

Fran Tristram asked how traffic approaching the city would reach the proposed park & ride site – it will be on the wrong side of the road!

 

The Chairman thanked Dan & Alan & introduced Phyl Boustead, LBCA Treasurer:

 

Treasurer’s Report. Phyl drew people’s attention to the accounts, she explained that the main increase in income was from advertising in the newsletter & thanked all our advertisers. Thanks were also given to Sylvia Wilkins, who had found a cheaper printing company for the newsletter, & the chairman, who has found a better deal on insurance.  However, printer ink cartridges for the secretary’s printer are expensive. FIELDS pays most of the insurance.

 

 

Questions & Comments:

 

A resident asked why it was necessary to have public liability insurance.

Phyl explained that it was needed at events e.g. gardens open days & public meetings. Also for volunteers working for LBCA & FIELDS.

 

 

 

The Chairman thanked Phyl & proposed the accounts, Alan Bell seconded them & they were accepted unanimously.

 

 

 

Election of Committee. Phyl Boustead & Sue Blount were nominated as treasurer & secretary respectively. There are 2 committee members from affiliated groups, Don Read from Neighbourhood Watch & James Strawbridge from FIELDS. There are 10 more spaces on the committee. Lawrence Geary, Sylvia Wilkins, John Finney, Peter Hammond, Susan Tiplady and Richard Fitzgerald would like to stand again, Simon Anthony, Elspeth Young & Rod Bailey volunteered from the floor. All the above were proposed by Alan Bell, seconded by Fran Tristram & accepted unanimously. The next committee meeting is on Mon 31^st Oct at 8pm at 135, Trent Boulevard.

 

 

The Chairman introduced Don Read of Neighbourhood Watch.

 

 

Neighbourhood Watch Report. A neighbourhood watch stall is a regular feature at the farmers’ market in W. Bridgford, shed alarms, security lights, personal alarms, UV marker pens, data link kits & next of kin cards are available at the stall.

 

 

Don introduced Insp. Norman England, Local Area Commander for Rushcliffe North:

 

Crime Issues. Insp. England lives in Compton Acres. This is his 2^nd public meeting in Lady Bay, the 1^st, a “Citizen Focus” meeting, was on Weds 7^th Sept. Both meetings have had an excellent turn out. In Lady Bay residents’ concerns are the lack of police officers “on the beat” & the increase in violent crime. Lady Bay now has a beat manager, Adrian Bradshaw, as there hasn’t been one for some time. The idea of having a “beat surgery” did not go down well so instead a “walking surgery” has been implemented, the public are informed when police officers will be “out & about”, so that residents may discuss issues with them, of course officers are making patrols at other times too!

Simon Anthony commented that the “walking surgery” times were available on the Lady Bay web site.  

In the last 2 weeks crime has dropped by 43%. Recently, Rebecca Bell, Police Community Support Officer, has delivered 600 leaflets on how to prevent shed break-ins, following a spate of such crimes in certain areas of Lady Bay. Another name to know is Vicky Beaumont, who is from the Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership.

Please mark your valuables: if the police can’t prove items are stolen then they have to be returned to the suspect.

Better street lighting might be needed in parts of Lady Bay; residents could lobby the council

Of the crimes committed in Lady Bay 67% of victims are residents, 70% of detected perpetrators live in Lady Bay/W. Bridgford. In the last 3 years from Apr- Apr there were 509 crimes in ‘03-4, 368 in ‘04-5 & 276 so far this year. There has been a reduction in car crime on Forest match days. The detection rate was 12% in ‘03-4, 13% in ‘04-5 & 4% so far this year. Most crimes are shed break-ins, auto crime & burglary. Violent crime has increased by 50%. From 1^st Jan ’04 there have been 78 violent crimes, an average of 3.2/month. 41 of these were cases of actual bodily harm including 4 police officers assaulted by 1 drunken woman. There were 6 common assaults & 2 public order offences (swearing or using threatening behaviour). There were 8 cases of harassment (usually a domestic crime) & 13 robberies. Boosebusters was robbed in Sept & again in early Oct, in the latter case the thieves were armed. The perpetrators are in custody, they are believed to have been committing similar offences over the whole county. 3 cases were grievous bodily harm, including the attack on the group of people returning from Pappas restaurant & an incident where a local resident had a brick thrown in his face, insufficient evidence was available to take the suspected perpetrators to court. Some “Happy Slappers” have been caught. There was 1 racial offence. 25 violent incidents occurred inside dwellings, 3 in other buildings e.g. shops/pubs, 50 were outside. Of the 44% of violent crimes that were detected 18 (83%) of the perpetrators were Lady Bay residents, 10 were from other parts of W. Bridgford & 6 were from outside the area. Most victims of violent crime are 21-25 year old men; most perpetrators of violent crime are 17-21 year old men. Rushcliffe is the safest place to live in Nottinghamshire. The police work in partnership with other organisations to reduce crime; partners include the fire & ambulance services, RBC & the county council, the latter mainly as a local education authority. If a violent perpetrator continually re-offends he/she may be prevented from living in the ‘boro. A support network is provided, including anger management classes.

Insp. England stated that he would report back in 2/3 months, probably in Jan ’06.

 

Questions & Comments.  

 

Cllr Cooper asked whether people were wary of reporting crime or suspicious incidents.

Simon Anthony asked whether it was acceptable to call 999 rather than the local police if you see something suspicious.

Fran Tristram suggested that some people do not report crime because, from previous experience, they feel the police will not help.

Rod Bailey suggested updates could be put in “Wot’s Wot?”

Fran Tristram suggested that a community post box could be put up for people’s questions & comments, this was an idea brought up at the meeting in Sept.

A resident of Holme Rd asked whether CCTV cameras could be set up on Holme Rd as criminals could escape onto the open fields unseen. Also, why is the car park on the Hook left unlocked at night? There have been dubious activities there.

A resident of Pierrepont Rd pointed out that CCTV cameras used to check traffic speeds in daylight could be used to look for crime at night. A traffic camera caught the violent incident involving the people leaving Pappas, committed on Radcliffe Rd last year, but the footage was poor as the camera took pictures of the road, not the pavement. Could they point in a different direction at night?

Lawrence Geary suggested that dummy CCTV notices are put up, Don Read did this in the past & it was effective in reducing crime.

Phyl Boustead asked why W. Bridgford Police Station appeared to be empty.

Fran Tristram stated that a receptionist is needed at W.Bridgford police station, there is no need to have a police officer on the front desk.

Fran Tristram asked whether there had been any problems at the W.Bridgford Royal British Legion Club.

Simon Anthony suggested that residents report any trouble from pubs/clubs.

Lawrence Geary asked if we should be suspicious of door-to-door salesmen selling dusters etc.

Simon Anthony asked whether the smell of cannabis being smoked should be reported.

A resident asked whether alcohol was a factor.

Dan Patterson asked whether crime figures were available.

Fran Tristram asked whether it was true that Pricewise store had had an armed robbery.

A resident asked whether bikes were available for patrol officers to use, as suggested at the Sept meeting.

Fran Tristram asked what “smart water” was.

The Chairman thanked Don & Insp. England.

 

AOB. Cllr Cooper stated that he was unable to save the ‘20s lamp standards on Holme Rd & Woodland Rd. He will discuss the provision of better lighting, the setting up of properly marked bus stops for the W.Bridgford bus  & the replacement of missing street trees with the appropriate county council officers.

A vote of thanks was given to Sylvia Wilkins for an excellent newsletter.

Residents from Greenacres mobile homes site thanked LBCA for delivering a newsletter to the mobile homes, most other organisations forget them. They also wanted to make sure that the new W. Bridgford bus to be run by Nottingham City Transport (NCT), taking over from Dunline, will still stop at Greenacres. NCT may be running the service from Nov, hopefully the, at present, unreliable service, will improve & we will be able to understand the timetable!

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Meeting closed: 10.20 p.m.