Contact address: Len Orpin 3 Waverley Gardens, Grays Essex RM16 2TJ
Tel: 01375 374613
Email:
Website.
STIFFORD COMMUNITY FORUM OPEN MEETING
VENUE, BAPTIST CHURCH HALL, PREMIER AVENUE, SOCKETTS HEATH
GRAYS, ON MONDAY 18thMAY, 2015 AT 7.30p.m.
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INTRODUCTION
Len Orpin as chairman of the Forum welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Rachel Farmer and Graham Snell.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
Minutes of the meeting held on 15th March wer agreed.
SPEAKER
Kerry Coker from Therapy for You was booked to speak but never arrived.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE LAST MEETING
COMMUNITY HUB OPENING
\Len reported that the Hub had a soft opening last week on Wednesday morning and Thursday afternoon. He said it went quite well and that the office and computers were set up and refreshments were available. He said there were not many residents and it was felt that we needed more advertising and Len said there would be more leaflet drops around the area. Len asked if David Atkins from CAB could volunteer but he said he was not insured to do this. David reported that the funding for the CAB had been cut and he cannot see it surviving on the exising funding
WATER MAIN LEAK AT CRAMMAVILL STREET
This has now been repaired
FLOODING AT TREACLE MINE ROUNDABOUT
This is still ongoing and seems like a very major repair.
BUILDING AT CRAMMAVILL STREET
Len reported that a resident at the last meeting reported that residents had received letters over planning on the old church site in Crammavill Street. This had been looked into and there are no plans at the Council for this site
MATTERS ARISING
FRIENDS OF BLACKSHOTS
It was reported that new equipment will be in place by July in the play area. This group had applied for funding from Asda for fencing around this area. Litter picks were still going on and last Tuesday, with the help of more volunteers, there was a pick along the path that leads to the allotments - with great results. Joy Redsell said that as mentioned before there were plans to move the playgroup and the sports pavilion to the old Council yard on Blackshots and this would then have all the clubs together working as one for funding.
COMMUNITY BUILDER REPORT – TERESA O’KEEFE
Teresa reported that the knitting and crocheting classes are still going well and that residents are asking for sewing machine classes. She reported that a group called Dancing for Fun has been set up on Wednesday in the Parish Hall costing one pound which includes refreshments. She said she had been asked for car maintenance classes and IT classes and was looking into this. She reported that she had organized a litter pick at Blackthorn park. She said she had spoken to the youngsters over Blackshots and they wanted a place to congregate and perhaps a youth club.
TALKING FRIENDS
This was project run by Age U.K. who had approached Headon Hall but this has been rejected by Sue Kane.
EVENTS
Brain Injury Afternoon Tea at the Beehive on Friday 22nd May 1 to 4 p.m.
Seabrook Rise Community Day Thursday 28th May all day.
Thurrock 100
It was reported that the first 10 mile walk in this scheme will start on 16th July.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Joy Redsell said yellow lines will be put in place along the service road on the South side of Lodge Lane.
Residents were concerned about grass cutting – whether this is going to be done anymore and if so when. One resident said they are cutting by don’t seem to have any programme as they will cut one avenue and leave others., Joy said that residents should come to more Council meetings and raise the issue. A resident said it seems that its up to the residents to take on this job.
NEXT MEETING MONDAY 20th JULY AT HEADON HALL
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MATTERS ARISING
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
NEXT MEETING MONDAY 15th JUNE AT HEADON HALL