Dukinfield East.

Residents Association.
Affiliated with New Charter Housing Trust Group

Committee meeting held on 15th June 2015

Present:

John Heywood
Kathy Inglis
Linda Whyatt
Simon Blomeley

(JH)
(KI)
(LW)
(SB)

Chairman,
Secretary,
Resident Involvement Officer
Neighbourhood Coordinator for Gorse Hall, New Charter.

Apologies

David Bottomley
Angela Dickson
Arnold Hodgkinson
Khadeja Begum

(DB)
(AD)
(AH)
(KB)

Treasurer
Committee Member
Committee Member
Neighbourhood Coordinator for Yew Tree Estate, New Charter.

Preamble to Meeting:
JH noted that there were insufficient members present to form a quorum, under the rules of the constitution. The
meeting, therefore, proceeded to the agenda, but no votes were taken.
Review of Previous Minutes
Gorse Hall Park Play Area
As noted in the previous meeting, Councillor Dave Sweeton had forwarded an email from Nicola Marshall from The
Parks Department of TMBC. Basically, she was saying that; if the project were to go forward it would need the
involvement of residents to physically assist with the establishment of certain play features and then their ongoing
maintenance. JH proposed that the members of the Friends of Gorse Hall (TFGH) should try to get their residents
involved and DERA would work with the Residents of the Tennyson Avenue estate where ex-committee members
resided.
It was agreed, at that time, that DERA would work with TFGH and, in turn, New Charter would support DERA
particularly with fund raising as the play area would benefit the Gorse Hall neighbourhood. Various examples of play
equipment and costings had been sent by TMBC and the next stage was be to contact TFGH to see if they wished to
proceed with the project and then arrange a meeting to discuss options. Since the last meeting, JH had sent
numerous emails to Christine Clough, the Secretary of TFGH to arrange a meeting. However, there had been no
response. Only that day had he managed to phone Christine, who explained that she had been on holiday and was
catching up with her backlog of work. She would get back to JH as soon as possible,
Lyne Edge
LW felt that it would be difficult to progress the Lyne Edge garden project, since few local residents had expressed
interest and, in the meantime, due to a lack of parking spaces of the road, the area was being used for additional
parking. JH felt that, if the Gorse Hall project were to go forward there would be enough for DERA to cope with,
anyway.
Dukinfield Festival
The next planned event is the Dukinfield Partnership Festival on the 4th July. DERA is to participate demonstrating
how to design and build flower baskets, using materials supplied by New Charter; the finished items to be sold at an
economical price (say 5 each) the money raised to go to DERA general funding. KI expressed interest in supporting
this initiative, along with family members who had a keen interest in gardening.
Mel Kearns, (MK) Regeneration Officer for New Charter is organising the event which will be attended by GMP, TMBC,
Fire and Rescue Service etc.
KI queried whether private business could attend; she will contact MK about this.
DERA to deliver leaflets advertising the event alongside their public meeting publicity.
General
Loxley House on Birch Lane have moved from council run to community run. However, KI expressed the opinion that
they were charging far too much for the use of rooms and facilities and it was, therefore, unlikely to be well utilised.
JH had no further update regarding bins for dog mess around the Gorse Hall / Macauley Close area. He will follow up
with Dave Sweeton.

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KB had previously advised that there was to be a weekly multi agency meeting which is taking place, attendance by
invitation only. SB is to enquire whether community organisations would be eligible. The Community Gathering has
yet to be arranged.
KB: The notice board at the shops still needs to be replaced. LW to progress with KB.
Mini Bus
KI updated the meeting regarding the appalling mistreatment of the minibus by Astley Sports College (ASC) pupils
such as breaking a seatbelt, removing the rear cover of a seat and refilling the space with empty cans and crisp
packets, burn-marking a seat and writing graffiti, plus leaving assorted litter in the vehicle.
The minibus facility had been withdrawn from ASC and the vehicle was then securely parked at Trinity School site,
Stalybridge. They were to be allowed use of the bus FOC for offering this facility written into a special agreement.
In the meantime, the bus had been safety checked and passed without any major issues and few Amber Warnings.
An estimate was obtained for repairs to the damage caused to ASC and cleaning, totalling 399. KI had written a
strongly-worded letter to the Headmaster regarding the issues and their liability for repair costs, delivered by hand,
that evening.
KI had modified the original minibus terms to reflect the change in the law whereby green copies of licences are now
cancelled.
KI advised of six possible additional bookings between June and August.
The insurance would be due again in August, last year costing 1414 including interest charge for paying by
instalments. LW suggested that New Charter might be able to contribute funds when the time comes.
Accounts
Balance on the accounts was 1,700.23, Money was still to come from N.C. 165 for Minibus Tax, promised the
following week.
New Charter
JH remarked on the improved appearance of the shopping precinct due to the flower gardens and thanked KB for her
efforts.
Suggestions for developing a large grassed area near Sandringham Drive still to be considered.
Public Meeting 29th June
We agreed on a new approach for this meeting, whereby attendees would be split into small groups and circulate
amongst invited guests who would update them on latest developments in their area of expertise and then answer
questions.
Guests committed to attend are:

Karolyn Schofield
GMP
Sangita Patel
TMBC
Dave Sweeton
TMBC
Representatives from New Charter and DERA.

PCSO
Neighbourhood Project Officer
Councillor

Leaflets to be designed and printed ready for distribution from Thursday 25th June.
JH to contact AD ref projector.
AOB
KI advised the meeting of a youth scheme over the next 12 months whereby young people were trained to sail a ship
at sea. KI would like DERA to participate and she would champion the project, driving the minibus etc., as
appropriate; email details to follow.
Date of next meeting
Public Meeting: Monday 29th June. .

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