8th March 2021

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GARRISON RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

COMMITTEE MEETING

HELD ON 8th MARCH 2021

ZOOM MEETING (following Covid-19 rules) 7.30 P.M.

Logged in:

  • Chris Coomber  Hon. Chairman

  • Phil Coombe     Hon. Treasurer

  • Pamela Deakin  Hon. Secretary

  • Robert Fowler

  • Michael Stiers

  • Cliff Marshall

  • Richard Spence

  • Peter Farrington

  • Daniel Puddick

  • Jason Britchford

  • Jonathan Hunnibal

  •  

1  Apologies

Apologies were received from Pam Dewey

2.   Minutes of AGM 2020

Minutes of the AGM of 30th November 2020 were agreed; to be formally signed off at 2021 AGM

3.     Cart & Wagon Shed Update

  • The Cart & Wagon Shed is completed.

  • The CIC is waiting for the lease to be finalised at Southend BC

  • The café is due to open in early Spring. Organisation for transfer of documents from the late Major Hill’s archive is under way.

  • There is concern about lack of communication with Garrison residents regarding intended opening hours and usage: Chris Coomber will contact John Budge.

4.     S106 Handover Update.

  • Richard Spence, Fowler & Spenceley and Avant Homes have had no further news from Southend BC

  • Robert Fowler has arranged for prospective directors to meet as soon as completion is notified.

5.     Report from Managing Agents, Fowler & Spenceley. 

Michael Stiers presented the report from the managing agents.

Landscaping:

  • The usual seasonal maintenance has continued.

  • Replacement of 4 trees in Gunners Rise has been completed.  The fifth tree will be replaced soon.

  • Chris, Michael and Peter arranged a walk-round inspection of the site.

Horseshoe Crescent and Chapel Road

Sec 20 work on Horseshoe Crescent and Chapel Road blocks are due to take place shortly, with a 22nd March deadline for receipt of tenders.

: The Cricket Pavilion, Scorers’ Box and fence posts are deteriorating rapidly. Michael agreed to contact Southend BC.

The maintenance budget for 2021 was delayed in anticipation of input by the new directors: to avoid further delay it will now be distributed by Fowler and Spenceley

6.     Parking:  Boundary Way turning circle and Garrison parking

The turning circle in Boundary Way is constantly used as parking space, causing substantial damage to verges by delivery vehicles.

Parking throughout the Garrison during lockdown has been excessive, chaotic and dangerous.

The Private Road signs from Mess Road have been torn down.

The Committee agreed that the way forward is to request a meeting with Southend BC to try to devise a coordinated approach to parking restrictions on private and adopted roads. Chris to arrange. 

7    Anti-social behaviour: Gunners Park SearchLight Emplacement and Mess Road

There has been continuous nuisance in the evening and nightime, with reports of dealing drugs and other unsavoury behaviour. The Emplacement building has suffered damage, and the Boat Shed has had doors damaged again with an increase on numbers going onto the beach at night via the ungated gap in the boundary fence and beer bottles and other detritus thrown into gardens. Cliff has contacted Cllr Wakefield and police have attended on several occasions

Richard will contact the police again.

It was suggested that Metal should be contacted regarding the potential use of other buildings in Gunners Park for the Estuary Festival, to alert them of the present situation

8    AOB

The proposed development in Barge Pier Road has generated significant opposition. It is felt that the ground works alone are going to be disruptive and lengthy.

Cllr Ward has advised that there is considerable remedial work required on East Beach.

The bollards on Horseshoe Crescent are poorly repaired and require new concrete A manhole in front of The Cottages in Mess Road requires attention. Both items were noted by Michael Stiers

Phil confirmed to Chris that no payments from SGRA were needed

Thank you to Phil for arranging and hosting the Zoom “venue”.

Next Zoom meeting is on Monday 19th April 2021.