RAVENSWOOD RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF THE RRA PUBLIC MEETING

HELD AT 7.30 PM ON THURSDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2008

AT GAINSBOROUGH SPORTS CENTRE, IPSWICH

Present:Ginny WaterworthChairperson

Mary EagleSecretary

Jacqui HorsteadGeneral Committee Member

Nick NealeGeneral Committee Member

Apologies:James GibsonTreasurer

Becca MacroGeneral Committee Member

Sue AndrewsGeneral Committee Member

Richard TollGeneral Committee Member

Guests:Councillor Quinton

Councillor Knowles

Safer Neighbourhood Team

Naomi Hayes

Safer Neighbourhood Team
Ginny welcomed PC Smye and PCSO Charlotte Williams to the meeting who were attending in place of Inspector Richard Lane who unfortunately had a prior commitment. The Safer Neighbourhood Team explained their role and Residents had the opportunity to ask questions/raise concerns. Residents from Bonny Crescent raised their concerns about the increase in ASB incidents. This had led to a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme being launched on 11 December 2008. Residents were encouraged to report any suspicious or anti-social incidents to the police, to enable them to build up a picture of when and where these take place. In addition any ASB can be reported on line. It was noted that there had been issues in relation to the toddler play area and concern was expressed about another play area planned for the Green. A resident of Bonny Crescent detailed an aggressive incident between a gang of youths and another resident that had recently occurred. PC Smye again reminded residents to report these incidents. Residents were aware of a new play area planned for the Green and expressed a strong view that they would prefer this not to go ahead until the ASB incidents had been fully investigated and resolved as it was thought that another play area would only exacerbate the problems further. In the interim the Safer Neighbourhood Team would target their patrols to focus on Bonny Crescent and the Medical Centre/shops and speak to outreach youth workers.
Naomi Hayes – Planning Officer for Suffolk Coastal District Council
Ginny welcomed Naomi to the meeting who is currently studying for a masters degree and her dissertation was on public art. She asked residents for their views on the art work on Ravenswood and how inclusive public art was for regeneration schemes. The majority of art on Ravenswood had not been subject to vandalism although the Propeller had been the subject of some graffiti and damage from youths using their skateboards and bikes on it. It was noted that the brief to artists should include instructions on durability and location so that the art was designed with this in mind.
Ravenswood Charity Christmas Cards.
Mary and Jacqui explained to Residents that together with Richard they had established a social sub committee to look at ways to raise funds for the RRA. The sub committee had met several times and agreed its purpose as follows:
‘To generate a sense of community spirit by involving residents in social events;
And to raise money to:
  • assist the RRA to continue its work,
  • help local charities and the Ravenswood primary school,
  • provide for future events’
A brainstorming session had generated lots of ideas including arranging a family fun day with Ravenswood Community Primary School - Summer 2009 (to build on the success of the event a few years ago). It was agreed to pursue smaller events to start with to develop experience and contacts in the event/ marketing field. The first event involved asking Ravenswood Community Primary School children to design Christmas cards based on ‘A child’s view of Christmas’ It was agreed to donate all monies to EACH (East Anglia Children’s Hospice) and use it as an opportunity to raise the profile of the RRA as a Social Committee. Mary and Jacqui had secured sponsorship for printing and stationary (provided by Five Castles Print and the Co-op). The 8 designs had been chosen by Councillor Bill Quinton and John Cocker – Director Five Castles Print and were available for sale at the school, Co-op and Ipswich Building Society. In addition information was on the Ravenswood web page. Mary and Jacqui welcomed ideas from Residents on other fund raising ideas and thanked them for their support.
Updates
Urban Chic – Greenways Shops
A hairdressing salon run by Simon opened on 1 December 2008
Community & Children’s Centre
Becca had attended a recent meeting and it was anticipated that the centre would be open next summer 2009. Plans had been drawn up for alterations as a result of Sure Start taking on the lease for the nursery as well as the community centre building and this had been the cause of some of the delays.
Annual General Meeting
It was proposed to hold the AGM on 26 February 2009 at 7.30 p.m. at Gainsborough Sports Centre.
On behalf of the Committee we would like to wish you all a Happy Christmas and New Year. / ACTION

ME 15.12.2008