BROCKHILL RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

  Minutes of Meeting Monday January 11th 2016

Those Present:

David Dallaway​​​DD

Lynn Dallaway​​​LD

Sylvia Collinson​​​SC

Julie Vincent​​​JV

James Doble​​​JD

Apologies: Tisha Greenway and Angie Preece.​

Guests in attendance: – WCC Robin Lunn (RL), CC Pattie Hill & Mayor of Redditch (PH) and WCC Graham Vickery (GV).

Actions from last meeting:

New membership leaflets – JD

Culvert rubbish bag clearance – PH

Date for commencement of new path at Lily Green Lane traffic island – RL

Pointers Way notice board – PH

Public Liability Insurance – DD

Chase up e-mail to Jackie Boreham re: ‘No Fishing’ signs for balancing ponds in Brockhill Park – JV

Litter bin for Greenford Close – PH

Entry forms for ‘the public open spaces’ naming competition – JD

JD said that the new membership leaflets should be finished by the end of February.

JD confirmed that the bin liners had still not been removed from the culvert running alongside the pathway leading from Brockhill Lane to Carthorse Lane. PH thought this had already been carried out and will now check that the correct location had been given to the Grounds Maintenance Department.

RL confirmed that the new path for Lily Green Lane near the traffic island will be created after April this year; the exact date is still to be scheduled.

RL is continuing to pursue Persimmon regarding the funding of a community noticeboard to be situated on the Pointers Way estate.

DD is making enquiries with regard to Public Liability Insurance. A number of policies appear to be geared more towards residents’ associations in leased apartment blocks or those organisations with employees. Such policies insure against risks that are not applicable to our association, with their high premiums reflecting this. RL suggested trying Zurich and JD advised using the National Association of Residents Associations website.

JV is awaiting a reply to her e-mail to Jackie Boreham with regard to the ‘No Fishing’ signs for Brockhill Park. However PH assured the meeting that they would be installed by the end of the week.

PH said she had put in a request for a litter bin to be installed on the pathway adjacent to Greenford Close.

JD asked RL for a map showing all the public open spaces around Brockhill to assist his drawing up of entry forms for the naming competition.

The Agenda:

1. Safety notices for Pointers Way – poor lighting and land holes

2. Safety improvements to Nature Reserve gate

3. Plan for the community building – Pointers Way section 106 monies

4. Date for Quiz Night

5. Date for A.G.M.

6. Litter pick

7. “Walks Around Brockhill” leaflet

8. Drinks licence

9. Facebook and website – link to Alexandra Hospital’s ‘Fight to Keep Services’

10. Persimmon’s land sale – (rear of Carthorse Lane)

11. A.O.B.

1. Safety notices for Pointers Way – poor lighting and land holes:

It has been reported by a member living on the Pointers Way that there are several areas of uneven ground on the estate. These pose potential safety hazards, particularly at night as the street lighting tends to be dim. Also there is no fencing around the balancing ponds which is highly dangerous as they fill up very quickly, especially after the recent heavy rains. JV will get in touch with Kate Tait, the New Buildings Liaison Manager for Persimmon Homes, to arrange a meeting.

2. Safety improvements to Nature Reserve gate:

DD showed PH photographs taken that day of the slippery surfaces and gaps underneath and both sides of the gate at the top of the stairway leading from Brockhill Lane to the Nature Reserve. PH said that she would contact the Grounds Department at RBC to arrange for a non-slip surface to be laid and the gaps blocked off with chicken wire or the like. DD agreed to e-mail PH copies of the pictures to assist her expediting this matter.

3. Plan for the community building – Pointers Way section 106 monies:

GV had attended a meeting on 5th November, arranged by RBC with Persimmon Homes, to discuss plans for and use of the new school on Pointers Way. On a temporary basis we would hope to use the school hall for B.R.A. functions until such time that our own community building becomes available. We had asked GV to put forward our request. GV said that one of the school’s governors is a B.R.A. member with whom we will now liaise. PH agreed to organise a meeting for us with Ruth Bamford, RBC’s Head of Planning and Regeneration.  

JD suggested a way to fund the community building, that Persimmon are offering to provide is for RBC to let it out to local groups and use the income to offset running costs.

4. Date for the Quiz Night:

A suitable date to hold our next Quiz Night was discussed and it was felt that sometime after Easter, which falls early this year, would be a good time. Mid to late April would seem favourable but the availability of our excellent quizmaster, Wayne Preece, would need determining first. JV will enquire about available dates around this time at the Batchley Community Hall in Cherry Tree Walk. She will also determine whether we are able to sell our own alcohol, as the profits arising from this are a vital part of the evening’s success. Membership of the association is free and it is essential that the Quiz Night generates sufficient profit to fund the annual costs of running the association and operating the website. Members will be e-mailed and details posted on the website once a date has been agreed. (See also item 8. below)

5. Date for the A.G.M:

It was suggested we hold the A.G.M. approximately a month after the Quiz Night – JV will find out what dates are available to hire the Batchley Community Hall. (Post meeting note – the AGM is now likely to be held sometime before the quiz. Members will be informed of due dates by e-mail plus website and notice board postings.)

6. Litter pick:

A date of Saturday March 12th was selected for the litter pick. It is envisaged starting at 10 a.m. and finishing around noon. JV will make arrangements to borrow the equipment needed, i.e. litter picks and gloves, from a contact at RBC. Members will be notified of start time and where to meet by e-mail together with website and notice board postings.

7. Walks Around Brockhill:

JD will compile a leaflet containing walks around our Brockhill area for the use of members. DD will contact the Redditch Walks website to ascertain what assistance they may be able to offer. We hope to arrange walking groups at weekends to develop a community spirit.

8. Drinks licence:
SC will apply for an alcohol licence for the Quiz Night (see item 4. above). 

9. Facebook and website – link to Alexandra Hospital’s ‘Fight to Keep Services’:

JD has been monitoring our Facebook page and confirmed there had been a large number of hits from our members and other residents. We hope to form a link with the Alexandra Hospital, so that residents can be made aware of any changes to the hospital’s services. Forewarned is forearmed, so to speak.

10. Persimmon’s sale of land at the rear of part of Carthorse Lane:

We have had a few enquiries from some members in Carthorse Lane, who are in the process of buying land at the rear of their properties from Persimmon, as to why the sale is taking a lot longer than expected. PH assured us that RBC was not responsible for the delay; it is purely a matter between Persimmon and the purchasers’ individual solicitors.

11. A.O.B:

GV advised that the next P.A.C.T. meeting will be held on Saturday February 6th at the Tesco Redditch Brockhill Express store between 10am – 12pm. Details will be posted on our notice boards and website shortly.

GV told us of a Highways and Transport Forum, to be held at the Town Hall on Tuesday February 2nd, 5pm – 6.30pm. One of our committee members will be attending.

RL reported that the new Batchley/Brockhill sign will be installed before the end of the financial year. Also work on the new pathways on both sides of the traffic island at the junction of Brockhill Drive/ Lily Green Lane will commence after April this year.

SC re-raised our concerns about the dangers experienced when crossing Salters Lane from Oak Tree Avenue across in to Batchley Park. Both RL and PH said that regretfully nothing could be done at present as there was no history of any accidents at this crossing point. However RL has requested the Highways Department to install two bollards in Salters Lane near to the Beech Tree Close crossing, as a traffic calming measure.  

JD suggested organising Dog Training Groups and walks. He has a contact at Vicky’s Pet Services who would be able to provide this.

Actions from this Meeting:

PH to arrange with the Grounds Maintenance Department for safety work to be carried out around the gate at the top of the stairway leading from Brockhill Lane up to the Nature Reserve.

PH to arrange a meeting for us with Ruth Bamford to discuss the community building on Pointers Way.

DD to contact the Redditch Walks website.

RL to provide JD with a map of Brockhill’s Public Open Spaces.

SC to apply for an alcohol licence.

JV to book Batchley Community Hall for the Quiz Night and AGM.

JV to arrange a meeting with Kate Tait from Persimmon Homes.

The meeting ended at 9.20 p.m.                                                  

BROCKHILL RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Minutes of Meeting Monday June 22nd 2015

Those Present:

Sylvia Collinson​​SC

David Dallaway​​DD

Lynn Dallaway​​​LD

James Doble​​​JD

Tish Greenway​​TG

Julie Vincent​​​JV

Guest in attendance:

WCC Robin Lunn​​RL

Mayor Pattie Hill​​PH

Apologies received from Angie Preece, Brenda Quinney and Cllr Anita Clayton.

The Agenda:

1. Progress on the two remaining unadopted roads (Turnpike Lane and Wheatcroft Close).

2. B.R.A. alert system/crime & security

3. Neighbourhood Watch/PACT venue

4. Illegal fishing in Brockhill Park

5. Traffic calming or crossing on Salters Lane from Brockhill Park to Oak Tree Lane

6. Update on the progress of the new path to be constructed at the Lily Green island

7. New Sign for Brockhill at the Bromsgrove Highway/Tardebigge end of Brockhill Drive

8. Lost Pets section on our website

9. Litter Pick date

10. Naming of ‘open spaces’

11. New membership leaflets

12. A.O.B. (To include the entry to the Nature Reserve, surface at the top of the new path into the Nature Reserve, rubbish bin for walkway adjacent to Greenford Close).

1. Progress on the two remaining unadopted roads (Turnpike Lane and Wheatcroft Close):

RL said that he had spoken to Persimmon Homes to check if there was any work outstanding in these two roads. Persimmon said that any work needed had been completed, so we are now just awaiting confirmation that the adoption has taken place.

RL said that he will arrange a meeting with Martin Brown from Worcestershire County Council in early July, to discuss the adoption of the roads on Pointers Way.

Action RL

2. B.R.A. alert system/crime & security:

Following the recent break-ins to cars and garages in several roads in Brockhill, JD suggested having an ‘alert system’ on our website. He also proposed creating a B.R.A. Facebook page for residents to discuss local matters of concern. JD and SC said that they would be able to monitor this, as they are Facebook members themselves and log in regularly. SC will arrange for a section to be added to the website and JD will set up the Facebook page.

Action SC & JD

3. Neighbourhood Watch/ PACT venue:

We are still waiting to hear from our Neighbourhood Police Team as to where and when PACT meetings could be held. PH said that it was unlikely that a local school would be willing to stay open for meetings, as attendance was very low when previous meetings were arranged at Birchensale Middle School.

The consensus of the meeting was that the setting up of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme would not be worth pursuing.  

4. Illegal fishing in Brockhill Park/Wetlands:

In the evening a few weeks ago, resident dog walkers witnessed some fishermen in Brockhill Park (the Wetlands) enticing the swans to move by feeding them bread, thus enabling them to fish. In previous years swans have been injured, or worse, by fishing tackle. The swans think that the fishermen are throwing them food when they are really casting their lines. If swallowed, the tackle can tear their insides. We are extremely concerned for the safety of the seven cygnets as well as their parents. JV has arranged to meet with the Place Team Supervisor from Bromsgrove and Redditch Borough Council, who is in charge of parks and open spaces, next Tuesday June 30th to discuss the positioning of some ‘NO FISHING’ signs around the Wetlands. Jackie Boreham from RBC Parks and Open Spaces has confirmed that unfortunately they do not have the powers to enforce penalties.

5. Traffic calming or crossing on Salters Lane from Brockhill Park to Oak Tree Lane:

We are concerned for children and older residents crossing over Salters Lane on their way to the shops and bus stop etc. Traffic appears so quickly around the bend from the Lily Green Lane end that, as a minimum, a warning crossing sign needs to be erected. RL said that since a similar sign had been erected further up Salters Lane, near to Beech Tree Close, there have been fewer accidents. RL said that to have an actual crossing would cost too much.

Action RL

6. Update on the progress of the new path to be constructed at the Lily Green Lane traffic island:

RL said that the Highways Department have agreed to construct a path, at one of the sides of Lily Green Lane traffic island, to enable residents to cross more safely. He said that they hadn’t decided on which side to build it yet, but that it had been approved and should be done by the end of the year. JV suggested that the wider side on the left, when coming from Brockhill Drive, would be the better side, as it is wider and most people cross at this side.

7. New sign for Brockhill at the Tardebigge/Bromsgrove Highway end of Brockhill Drive:

The road sign at the Bromsgrove Highway end of Brockhill Drive currently shows only the name of Batchley. We had previously asked RL if he could arrange to have it changed to include Brockhill, as it can be confusing for the visitors of residents when trying to find their relatives’/friends’ new houses. RL said that the new sign showing both Batchley and Brockhill is ready and will be installed shortly.

8. Lost Pets space on our website:

We discussed creating a ‘Lost Pets’ section on our website for use by members. It was felt that this would be beneficial. Also a similar section could be included in our soon to be created Facebook page. It was felt that some members were more likely to visit Facebook than the website, and hence coverage would be increased.

Action SC

9. Litter Pick date:

We decided to postpone the Litter Pick until autumn, when the vegetation will have started to die down and litter will be more visible. PH recommended our contacting HM Prison Hewell as they were keen to forge links with local communities. It might be possible for them to supply a few inmates to help with this and other projects we may undertake in the future.  

10. Naming of ‘open spaces’:

JD had suggested that we hold a competition for naming the various ’open spaces’ around Brockhill. Once named it would make it easier when referring to areas of concern. It will also get members more involved and create a pride in our countryside. We will distribute entry forms to our members once they have been designed. JD is in contact with a designer who he hopes will help with this.

Action JD

11. New Membership Leaflets:

We hope these will be ready shortly and will arrange to have them delivered within the local newspapers or by hand to those on Pointers Way, since they currently do not receive the Standard or Advertiser.

Action AP

12. A.O.B.

RL agreed to pursue Persimmon Homes regarding their funding of a community notice board for the Pointers Way development site.

Action RL

As previously pointed out the new path, leading from Brockhill Lane up to the Nature Reserve, needs an improved more absorbent surface at the top of the steps as it gets very slippery when wet and muddy. Also the sides at the bottom of the new gate need to be blocked off with chicken wire or the like to prevent young children and dogs from falling down the steep slope on to Brockhill Lane.  

JD also pointed out that the post and fence next to the 5 bar entrance gate into the nature area from Plumstead Close had become loose and were currently held up by cable ties. JD agreed to send PH photographs of both entrances to assist in her progressing these matters.

Action JD & PH 

We are still waiting for a waste bin to be placed on the walkway adjacent to Greenford Close. SC agreed to send PH a photograph depicting where the bin should be situated.  

Action SC & PH

JD told us that three black bin liners full of rubbish that had been dumped in the culvert running alongside the pathway that leads from Brockhill Lane to opposite the postbox in Carthorse Lane. The balancing pond into which the water flows has all but dried up, leaving the birdlife stranded in mud and moss. It is not known if the dumping of rubbish in the culvert is the sole cause of the pond’s drying up, but it must exacerbate the situation. The cause should be investigated. JD will send PH a photograph of the location of the bin liners.    

Action JD &PH

The ‘NO THROUGH ROAD’ sign, requested by residents in Marchwood Close, has been granted funding by the Highways Department and should be erected shortly.

PH encouraged everybody to view her Facebook page, “Pattie Hill for Batchley and Brockhill”. She also recommended our registering on “Streetlife”, a social network for local communities.

The ‘Walks Around Brockhill’ leaflets are in the pipeline. One of JD’s neighbours is a designer whom he hopes to recruit to assist with this task.

The meeting ended at 9.50 p.m.