10 January 2011 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Chair’s report for AGM
Attendees: Luke, Celia, David, Laura, Jon, Tom, Jim B, Nicole, Allen
Apologies: Jim, Emma, Cllr Helen Morrissey
1) Working with others
We have developed and maintained links with
l London Borough Southwark
l Maintenance team (Nina Chantry and contractors Quadron)
- have improved relationships with Nina Chantry
- still having issues with turf damage by trucks; need all to gather evident (photos) of trucks entering and leaving tracks
- ACTION: Luke to circulate Nina’s email so that all evidence can be emailed to her directly
l Parks dept
l Southwark Friends of the Earth
l Community Action Southwark
l Wider community
- do we use more signage to engage; use targeted projects
l Four successful events during year
Things we could aim for in 2011
l Widen membership/input to FoNRP to ensure more diverse input
l Schools
l Developing ongoing input – cf Eco Team at Robert Browning
l Regeneration
l Constructive input to consultation on Stead St development – including construction period
l Wider community
l More events!
- engage with Southwark community sports teams to add park on their sport sites
- will there be any Olympics contributions in Southwark we can use
ACTION: Luke to investigate community sports team
l Awards for All bid (awaiting news) – if rec’d, April start
l Market
- engage with Westmoreland antique dealers to set them up in the park
ACTION: Luke to email counsellors and cc Des Waters to investigate possibilities
l Other possibilities (T&RAs? Market?)
2) Funding sources
Funding issues during 2010
l Finalising final remit for Cleaner Greener Safer funding of £21,500 for planting, play equipment and display boards (managed via Southwark)
l Playbuilder funding for natural play equipment (managed via Southwark) now completed (including snaggings)
l CGS path improvements completed
l Tree lighting underway
l Wednesday afternoon Play Ranger sessions
ACTION: Luke to confirm if they are completed
Funding sources we can aim for in 2010/11
l Awards for All – need for action if we are successful, and also if not!
l Community Spaces – play ranger funding
- Placemaker Funds – begin application for spring
l Others?
- Emma has forwarded on list of possible grants
*What do we need funds for? Projects?
3) Enhancing the park
What we’ve done:
l Water, litter-pick and weed on a rota basis, and look after plantings – though more could be done!
l Delineate the Brandon St plantings with knee boards
l Plant more bulbs
l Obtain a lock-up for some tools on Browning Estate
l Train the climbing plants on the girders
l Strengthen the wildlife hedge
l Continue to look after East St planters
What we need to do:
l Provide two “interpretation boards” providing information on key features of the park (including the community orchard, the wildflower meadow/ wildlife hedge)
- Jeremy has taken over CGS account, Deborah MacKenzie only approved 1 board (A2)
- can we use the public arts further? Find someone to organise and incorporate schools & local community? Possibility to create a new project for this (eg. Add plates inside the meadow with species) Can we use London College of Communications as well?
ACTION: Jon to follow up with Deborah for reasoning behind decision
ACTION: Luke & Tom to draft up briefs for artist to begin work on boards (Orchard board – apples & blossoms; Meadow board – seasonal circle, species)
l To provide picnic tables/seating space
l Use Tom’s outline designs to think about coherence of the park as a whole and establish a longer term plan
-idea to hold a “party”, advertise everywhere to have drop in’s to add their ideas for the park in 1, 3 and 5 years for their vision; refreshments provided!
- we need these future plans for a bigger picture
l Basketball hoop
-add table tennis table?
- Jeremy has a 2nd hand hoop
ACTION: Luke to find out costs of installing hoop
l Need to make a plan for orchard and beds
l Mayor’s Safer Parks Awards -due 31 Jan
-went over 2006 survey – do we hold a dog show to educate dog owners?
ACTION: Luke to draw up questionnaire
ACTION: Jon & Allen to go around and get surveys completed for evidence
4) Protecting the park
What we’ve done:
l Persuaded liberal democrat and labour groups not to build on the park
l Raised issue of changing designations from “housing land” back to OOS, or better BOL
l Opposed using OOS area next to Crown for housing
What we need to do:
l Continue to push for improved designation for the park as BOL, based on SINC recommendation
-need status of park from council in writing; waiting for inspector’s report
-contact Simon Bevan to help us?
l Monitor and respond to relevant planning applications
l Engage with Stead St development
- opportunity for 106 money
- we need a big picture to get a grant – assessment – case for 106
- can East Green Links help?
ACTION: Tom to ask Crampton St. group about their journey with 106 money and circulate Arnold Circus report
ACTION: Luke to investigate the developer; Tom to speak to them about their ideas for 106
l Work with Green Links to expand and improve linkages to the park from wider area
Election of FoNRP committee 2011
Chair: Luke
Deputy Chair: Jon
Treasurer: Allen
Secretary: Laura
Reminder – work day Saturday 29 January 10:30-13:00
a) priority to continue weeding the orchard
b) preparing sections by digging for the new bare root whips (to be planted later)
Next meeting – Monday 31 January 19:00 67 Balfour St
(**bring ideas for our ‘Saints Day’ event on 12 Feb)