Tuesday 21st April 2009 Weston-super-Mare In Bloom

WESTON-SUPER-MARE TOWN COUNCIL

WESTON IN BLOOM WORKING PARTY

HELD ON TUESDAY 21st APRIL 2009

AT GROVE HOUSE

Meeting Commenced: 1.00 p.m. Meeting Concluded: 2.30 p.m.

PRESENT: Richard Knowles (Chairman), Roger Brown (North Worle LAT), Cynthia Filer & Bert Filer (Weston Horticultural Society), Bev Tucker (Town Centre Partnership), Jenny Gosden, Cllr Cleland, Michaela and Christine (Alasia Cafe’ Restaurant)

Kareen Williams arrived at 2.13pm.

IN ATTENDANCE: Rafika Aissaoui (Community and Leisure Officer), Paul Saturley (Taunton Deane) and Cllr Mrs Priestman.

1. / Apologies for Absence
Received from Councillors Mrs Priestman, Mrs Willis, and Mrs Howell, Steve Townsend, and Joan Thompson.
2. / Declarations of Interest
There were no Declarations received.
3. / Notes of the previous Weston In Bloom Working Party Meeting held on the Tuesday 24th March 2009
That the Notes be accepted and signed by the Chairman.
4. / Basket Up Date Bideford Road and Dartmouth Close
Richard Knowles confirmed that the baskets were now located on Bideford Rd and Dartmouth Close but unfortunately one of the baskets had been targeted by vandals and turned over.
Members expressed their concern and disappointment at the vandalism. Rafika suggested that we monitor the baskets to see whether they are targeted again, if so then Members should consider the relocation of the Baskets.
RECOMMENDED: That Richard Knowles and Bert Filer visit Nathan Bennett (Blacksmith) and find another way of reinforcing the baskets to the ground and for the basket to be reinstated.
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5. / Community Show Update
Rafika gave a brief show update and asked which Members will be available to tend to the Weston In Bloom Workshop
RECOMMENDED: Bert and Cynthia Filer confirmed they will be there to give a helping hand. Richard Knowles agreed that he will be available once the judging of the planters was over. Jenny Gosden also volunteered her time and Councillor Mrs Priestman also volunteered to help.
Rafika confirmed that Weston College students are helping with the organisation of the Show and asked Members who have not handed in their CRB forms, to return them to Rafika as soon as possible.
6 / Sea Front Planters Up Date
Rafika confirmed that she had discussed all the matters with Rachel Lewis from North Somerset Council, with regard to the relocation of the planters, it was also confirmed that the Sea defence work is slightly behind schedule and that they would only need to move six of the original thirteen planters in the next month at no cost to the Weston In Bloom Working Party.
RECOMMENDED: upon notification from (North Somerset Council) Rafika to liaise with Bev Tucker and Steve Townsend to relocate the planters in The Italian Gardens.
7. / Milton Brow- Milton Rise –
Roger Brown re-iterated his view that the Working Party should look at this area again.
Members were all agreed that the area was in a bad state of affairs and Members were concerned about vandalism in the area, and that the area is only small.
Roger suggested whether we could raise the pavement platform, to prevent vehicles turning onto the area. Rafika explained that the costs involved would be excessive.
RECOMMENDED: Rafika to discuss this issue with North Somerset Council to see if there was a solution.
8. / Big Lamp Corner Planter Update
Richard Knowles confirmed that the planters on Big Lamp Corner have been positioned and filled with compost and are all ready for the start of the planting on Monday 11th May 2009.
9. / Grove Village
Richard Knowles welcomed both Michaela and Christine from Alasia’s Cafe’ Restaurant. And asked them if they would like to bring anything to the attention of the Working Party Members, Michaela suggested putting up some baskets outside the shop fronts in Grove Village and possibly a few herb baskets.
Richard Knowles confirmed that these were all in hand and were ordered some time ago.
Michaela also discussed a healthy eating project called the Big Brunch that is being organised by The Eden Project which runs from 12th July 2009 – 19th July 2009. The project tries to get as many people to sit down and eat lunch all at the same time.
RECOMMENDED:
Rafika to receive a report from Michaela and put it to the Members of the Working Party.
10. / Hanging Baskets- Paul Saturley (Taunton Deane)
Richard Knowles welcomed Paul Saturley and enquired as to how the plants were progressing Paul confirmed that they were growing nicely, Members also enquired about the herb baskets and Paul confirmed that they were also growing well. Paul assured Members that everything was going to plan.
11. / Boat Re-planting
Members agreed that the plants would be delivered on 8th May and two members were required to help.
RECOMMENDED: Richard Knowles and Bert Filer to arrange for two helpers. All the Planting starts on Monday 11th May 2009. Members discussed the painting of the boats.
RECOMMENDED: Roger Brown to paint the Boats along with the Train in Alexandra Parade.
12. / Portfolio Update
Bev passed around the second stage of the Portfolio, and discussed how she was working to develop it.
Other Projects
Richard discussed the five planters that were to be located in Worle.
RECOMMENDED: Rafika to produce some plaques that represent Weston In Bloom for all our new and existing projects.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting
Signed…………………………….. Dated……………………..

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