Crossgate Community Partnership: Minutes

Minutes of the meeting, 6th June 2023

1. Attendance: Roger Cornwell (in the Chair): Joan Adams, Emma Backhouse, Gillian Banks, Robert Banks, Ann Evans, Chris Hugill, Margaret Jefferson, John Knowles, Sheila Knowles, Brendan McKeown, Maeve Minns, Pat Mussett, Jean Rogers, Alan Shearer, Ann Stokes, Nicholas Toes, Rachel Toes, Judi Webb, Sarah Wilkinson, Joe Witherspoon.
Cllr Esther Ashby, Cllr Susan Walker.
2. Apologies for absence: were received from: Lesley Aers, Morag E. Crichton, Vicky Mattless, Simon Priestley, Christopher Ramsden, Malcolm Reed,
Cllr Victoria Ashfield, Cllr Carole Lattin
Cllr Liz Brown, Cllr Richard Ormerod.
3. The minutes of the May meeting: were approved as a correct record.
4. Noise from The Angel pub: Brendan McKeown, who lives very close to the Angel in Neville Street, gave some background history: the Angel has long been a music venue, and there has been a degree of disturbance on the past, but this year has been particularly bad especially in summer when there is music in the garden. He has a diary recording disturbances. Margaret Jefferson, also a near neighbour, confirmed that she had never heard the noise as bad as i had been in the last week, with the bass notes booming constantly: on Bank Holiday Monday this had continued from morning until 2.00 am. Robert and Gillian Banks from Allergate live far enough away that they could not immediately identify where the music was coming from. There was a consensus that the problem was caused by music in the garden: this was clearly audible from several streets away, but not from directly in front of the pub.
Cllr Esther Ashby commented that this sort of problem could be resolved by bringing the parties together, as had been dome in the case of the Woodman at the top of Claypath Bank.
Cllr Susan Walker asked for evidence to be sent to her, so that she could put it before the Parish Licensing Committee. Roger and Susan would consult over how to progress this issue.
5. 4 Nevilledale Terrace and 1 Beechcrest - unauthorised works: a) 4 Nevilledale Terrace has been bought by the director of a property company, and builders had been observed replacing sash windows with uPVC. Planning Enforcement had issued a stop notice, but internal work seemed to be continuing.; b) 1 Beechcroft: Cllr Liz Brown had already notified Planning Enforcement that this property was being divided into flats. Maeve Minns reported that neighbours had been told when it was sold that the purchasers intended to live there themselves: this does not appear to be the case. She was unhappy about the changes being made in close proximity to the school. On addition, trees had been removed. The meeting instructed Roger to write on our behalf to Planning Enforcement, saying how seriously we regarded this.
6. The community garden at the end of Lawson Terrace: Susan had been attempting to talk to residents in this area about Perkies Park, but found that they wanted to talk to her about converting this small patch of land into a community orchard. She thinks that land is owned by Network Rail. The Parish will fund the project, and clearance will begin in September, after the nesting season.
7. Reports from County Councillors: a) A written report from Richard Ormerod praised the installation of new communal recycling bins across large parts of the City; there has been a significant increase in recycling and places like the Atherton Street area were now much cleaner (though not perfect): Ann Evans commented that there was indeed a substantial accumulation of rubbish around the bins in Atherton Street. The report also explained how contamination is being tackled, as DCC is refusing to take recycling bins filled with nappies, dog waste, food etc. A number of people questioned the effects of not emptying bins of contaminated waste, which therefore remained on the street indefinitely: this was particularly unsatisfactory in the case of communal bins, where the entire street was penalised for ione household's misdemeanors.
Jean Rogers regretted the absence of County Councillors at the meeting. In particular she asked whether there is anything we can do to enable Cllr Ormerod to attend, if not every meeting, at least occasionally: his written reports are valued, but it might also be useful for him to hear the meeting's response to them.; b) A message had been received from Liz Brown that the Licensing Policy issued under the Licensing Act 2003 was due for review and would be consulted on. We should look out for the consultation and make our views known.
8. Reports from Parish Councillors: a) Esther clarified that her name had been attached in error to the written report from Cllr Victoria Ashfield.
The recent AGM of the Parish Council had elected officers: Cllr Alan Doig continues as Chair, but Susan replaces Liz as Vice Chair.; b) Susan invited all members to the formal opening of the Merryoaks Community Hall, to be held on June 11th.; c) Cllr Carole Lattin's written report was noted.; d) Toria's written report was discussed. It was pointed out that, in addition to being a solo report, this was inaccurate in describing Alan Doig's motion as having been defeated: it was in fact withdrawn.
9. Date of next meeting: The next meeting will be held on Thursday 6th July 2023.