18th July 2022

GARRISON RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION 

COMMITTEE MEETING.

 Held on 18th July 2022 at 7.30pm

Zoom Meeting (following Covid-19 Rules)

Present

  • Chris Coomber  Hon. Chairman

  • Pamela Deakin  Hon. Secretary

  • Phil Coombe      Hon. Treasurer 

  • Peter Farrington 

  • Pam Dewey

  • Cliff Marshall

  • Robert Fowler

  • Michael Stiers

  • Cllr Steve Wakefield

  1. Apologies

Apologies were received from Richard Spence, Daniel Puddick, Cllr Nick Ward, Cllr James Moyies

  1. Minutes of Meeting on 23rd May 2022

The minutes of the 23rd May were agreed and accepted. 

  1. Committee Resignations and Need to appoint new Officers

Following resignations - Chris Coomber, who will be standing down as Chairman, Phil Coombes, who will leave the Garrison in August, and Pamela Deakin, who will stand down as Secretary, it will be necessary to find and elect new committee officers at the AGM. It was noted that when resident directors are available on site, GRA will become the channel of communication for all residents to make their views known to them. 

It was agreed that, when the new directors are in place, a letter will be sent to all residents drawing attention to the role of GRA, its objectives and the steps towards electing new committee members to represent all areas of the estate. 

  1. Cart & Wagon Shed update

The Cart & Wagon Shed is not yet fully open.  Pam Dewey had contacted Brian Sandford who advised that the café will be fully open in the next few weeks. She reported that her site visit revealed that there was no furniture in the cafe, and graffiti on the glass.

There is concern over lack of communication about progress and practical operational details.

Cllr Wakefield noted that the effective information channel is via My Southend, directly to the SCC responsible officer:  response must be provided within 7 working days

  1. Update on S 106 handover

Robert had contacted Avant Homes. All works are now complete. Jo Massey has left, and Avant is pressing to complete. Fowler & Spenceley has contacted prospective Resident Directors to arrange the transfer of responsibility. He explained that an interim stage could include appointment of Fowler & Spenceley as an interim management. 

Fowler & Spenceley is actively pursuing the matter.

  1. Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Outcome and Votes of Thanks

The community event took place from 2-5pm on Friday 3rd June 2022. The event was a great success, with good attendance from residents.

The Committee thanked Pam Dewey and congratulated her on the outcome.

 Thanks were extended to the Children’s Entertainer, who made no charge for his services; to Adam Read who supplied the funds for Bouncy Castles; to Scott for supplying the Drinks Cart & licence; to the Chair of Old Southendian Cricket Club who approved access to the Pavilion and electricity supply; and to all volunteers who made the event successful.

Pam Dewey noted that it would be essential to ensure that, for future events, any permissions from Southend City Council are obtained in writing to preclude last minute disruption.

7 Report from Fowler & Spenceley 

Michael has completed a walkround with Rob Veryhard, the new proprietor of the landscapers.

Items were identified for attention.

A new potential contractor has been found for bin cleaning.

External decorating of Horseshoe blocks continues.

Repairs to Chapel Place have been delayed by scaffolding problems, which are being addressed.

External repairs to Gunners House and Willow Court are complete.

Peter Farrington noted that several bicycles had been left in Willow Court cycle storage area for some time, and asked that they be removed.  Michael undertook to arrange for notes to be attached to each bicycle requesting removal:  they could then be removed after 28 days.

Phil Coombe noted that there are several large potholes in Horseshoe Crescent and Brigadier Way: the matter was noted for attention.

General maintenance continues

  1. East Beach Festival and Licensed Events

Cllrs Wakefield and Ward had no prior knowledge of the proposed events. Both registered their opinion that East Beach is not a suitable site for such events.

There had been a number of objections, specifically addressing parking in the North Camp area; noise impact on residents; timing and volume limits on music; behaviour of attendees; litter; lack of adequate toilet facilities; public safety issues on the sea defence rocks and boom; antisocial behaviour in the near environment; and inadequacy of police presence.

Cllr Wakefield advised that the new car park surfacing was due to be completed by the Beach Festival date, and that organisers were expected to organize additional toilet facilities and stewards.

  1. Any Other Business

Cllr Wakefield had raised barbecue use on East Beach with SCC.  A ban will be placed on barbecues throughout the SCC administrated area from 2023. The reason for the delay is that enforcement measures must accompany the imposition:  time must be allocated to permit adequate enforcement arrangements. 

Chris and Peter Lovatt met with Bellway Homes regarding the proposed developments off Barge Pier Road.  At present, Bellway is making a technical survey of three sites to assess what is required before development. They have not yet purchased the land by Lidl. It appeared that they were not aware of the risk of fluvial flooding.  It was also noted that any change to past planning approvals would have to be resubmitted. 

Cllr Wakefield reminded the Committee that he had resigned from the SCC Planning Committee to permit him to comment and vote on applications that impact the Shoebury wards.

Pam Dewey highlighted parking problems, specifically in Magazine Road and its junction with Boundary Way and Gunners Rise. Cllr Wakefield said that white lining of the junction is imminent.

Attention was drawn to parking of a converted ambulance mobile home around the estate; overgrowth alongside the coastal path, alongside the Cart & Wagon Shed and alongside Hinguar School. These issues are to be investigated and followed up.

It was noted that the Boat House had been vandalised.

Havens Hospice is organizing a community fund raising art trail in 2023, titled Herd In The City. The display will comprise 30 large elephants and smaller elephants. They are investigating the possibility of placing some of the displays around Shoeburyness.  Representatives will visit the Garrison to identify potential sites:  permissions will be required from the new directors for any on the private estate.

The Committee thanked Cllr Wakefield for attending. 

The meeting closed at 9.05 pm

Thanks to Phil for hosting the meeting

Next Meeting will be on 12th September 2022 at 7.30pm.

Further details to be advised.