This Letter Is to Update You on All That Has Been Happening Duringrecent Months

Autumn News Letter 2016

from

Mary Temperton

01344 426191

Dear Resident,

This letter is to update you on all that has been happening duringrecent months.

Shops:

I started the last Newsletter with “How we all celebrated the action on the shop site and the completion of the foundation footings etc! Then- dismay- all work stopped and all contractors left the site.” – Since then… Nothing!

At the July Full Council meeting, I asked the following question:

“I am asking this on behalf of every resident of Jennett’s Park. What is the Council doing to make the developers honour their commitment to provide a shop on Jennett’s Park as promised in the planning agreements?”

In response Councillor Turrell, the Executive member responsible for Planning, explained that the construction had stalled because of a business dispute over which the Council had no influence. There was currently no statement from Persimmon Homes and Redrow Plc about when it would restart. Councillor Turrell explained that the Council’s powers were limited to enforcing planning conditions and the only sanction available to them would be to cease the construction which would be counter-productive. He confirmed that he would continue to pursue both developers to commit to a delivery date.

I then asked if both developers were building elsewhere in the borough and whether any lessons had been learned to prevent a repetition of this mess. I was assured, lessons had been learned and ‘planning agreement conditions had been tightened and were closely monitored’.

I will keep up the pressure but share all your frustration. If only the JP planning agreements had been enforced in the past!

Country Park – Peacock Meadows:

Contractual adjustments delayed the start of grass cutting at a crucial time.The Head of Parks & Countryside has now resolved theseissues. The grass has been cut to 75mm and once further cut to 50mm, a normal monthly cutting regime will be established, including the mown grass paths.

A height barrier is to be installed at the access to the park. This will enable legitimate users to access the car park, whilst providing significant deterrent to vehicles likely to undertake unauthorized activities such as fly-tipping or overnight stays. The lockable height bar can be opened for larger maintenance vehicles, emergency vehicles etc. The concrete blocks that now bar the access will be removed. If the lock is forced/broken to gain unauthorized entry, then this is criminal damage and enables the police to be used to evict under the criminal prosecution laws. Without the barrier, when no damage is caused with unauthorized entry, then bailiffs would be required to utilize the land owners' rights of the council to enforce eviction. This is more time consuming and very much more costly.

Play Areas:

The damaged play equipment at Guillemothas been reported several more times. The temporary fence is also to be repaired and the surfacing on the footpath link finished.

The Osprey play area was closed following vandalism to the safety surface, resulting in trip hazards. This has been repaired but the gates close faster than the recommended ROSPA timing and have to be replaced. The replacements should arrive soon and the park can be reopened.

Bus Lane and Resurfacing:

The bus lane and gate are still to be installed as part of the phase three work which started 02.04.16. The gate will prevent traffic from both JP and Great Hollands, using the bus lane as a through route, to the A329M, connecting the M3 and M4, and avoiding Twin Bridges roundabout.

The replacement for the block paved carriageway in Fulmar Crescent will commence in early October and should take 4/5 weeks to complete.

Speeding:

Following concerns from residents about speeding on the roads of JP, Helen, our PCSO, and I are doing regular speed checks in JP at different times of the day. Most cars are driving within the speed limit and all slow when they see us!

Litter Picks:

Only myself and the Scout Leader Andy Gorman turned out for the litter pick on September 10. After two hours of picking, we both agreed the area is much better than it used to be - so well done everyone for taking your rubbish home. I will organize another in November, meeting at the Community Centre at 10.00am on the Saturday morning. It will be publicized on the Facebook page.

Resident Management Companies:

Following the meeting in April, when resident directors were elected to run the management company of land parcels H18/H19, their names have still not been registered with Company House.The present management agent is ’awaiting confirmation that the management lands have been transferred by the developer into the name of the respective management companies.’Mike Haines is back advising me and will help resolve this with Persimmon.Another land parcel, built by the same developers at the same time, has already been successfully transferred to the management of resident directors who can now consider retendering their management agency agreement and take control of the quality and cost of the service.

Easthampstead Park School:

As a Governor of EPCS, I am delighted the recent Ofsted inspection recognized it as a “good” school. I am there very frequently and see this for myself.

Thank you for your e-mails. Thank you for stopping to say hello and sharing your news.I really enjoy being your Councillor and am working hard to get things done and to make a difference

Mary Promoted and published by Mary Temperton of 35 Southwold RG12 8XY Printed by Kall Kwik 9 Sterling Gate Bracknell