AGM November 2018 AGM Notes

[Clare Price]

Notes of Oakmount Triangle Annual General Meeting & American Supper
Saturday November 24th 2018, Highfield Church Centre, Highfield Lane

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1. Apologies

R Brown, J Brown, M Smith, R Heather, A Heather, B Sanderson, S Sanderson, J Bradshaw, N Bradshaw, D White, C Thomas, P Thomas

1. Notes of last AGM are available on the website and any matters arising will be covered in the agenda.

1. Chairman’s Report – JM Introduced current committee members.

We have recirculated Conservation Management Plan as it is 10 years since Article 4 (2) status granted following fears that the triangle might be developed like Winn Road and lose characterful family homes to blocks of flats. Key points:

• Key policies to which residents must adhere - see page 22 onwards
• OTRA doesn’t control planning but is the interface between the council and residents and can hold council to task to make sure plan works
• OTRA happy to provide initial advice to residents
• There is no ban on development but there is no “permitted development” – all plans have to be submitted for planning permission. OTRA feared that the triangle would be developed like Winn Road and lose characterful family homes to blocks of flats.
• Quality of the street scene important - we must observe small details that characterise John Smith properties and that give them character or lose article 4 (2) status.
• Due to reduction in council budget the council has not replaced staff when they leave and there is a lack of knowledge by the staff – therefore problems have arisen where residents have phoned council and received incorrect information. Advice is “Ask for information in writing”.
• It used to be that planning applications were free in Conservation areas. It was clarified at the meeting that central government has given councils the discretion to charge now – OTRA advice is – don’t pay for any applications for front of house/garden work – remind them.

1. Finance Report – M Benning

We have a balance of £3,310.72. This was previously raised for an action fund and we have had no income this year. We don’t ask for subscriptions. Expenditure has been for hire of hall for AGM and drinks, and for website improvements. Anyone wishing to inspect books – please contact MB.

1. Neighbourhood Watch Report - Peter Bevan

• Main problem in last 12 months has been theft of high value bikes. Police advise bolt bikes to floor and always check garages are locked. Be careful of what you post on social media (Strada) as thieves may use the information to target your house in your absence or your bikes.
• Don’t leave valuables on display in cars.
• PB said that Neighbourhood watch started as phone cascade, then round robin email but due to GDPR we can no longer run it this way. He encouraged all to log on to website and sign up to Neighbourhood watch notifications.
• The Chair showed a security cam clip of thieves taking bikes in the middle of the night.

1. OTRA Website – Pete Thomas

PT gave demonstration of key features of OTRA website. He asked for feedback from residents for suggestions for additions or improvements. (e.g. see noticeboard for Trades people, For Sale, Tool Pool, and local wildlife – show video clip of hedgehogs in his garden.)

PT is very happy to show anyone how to log on and use website – please contact him at 20 Oakmount Avenue.

1. Conservation Group Report – Mandy Smith – apologies

In MS absence JM noted that there are a few ongoing developments in the triangle –

1. Election of Officers

All agreed to stand for further year and were voted in.
John Marshall Chairman
Martin Benning Treasurer
Peter Bevan Neighbourhood Watch
Pete Thomas Website
Clare Price Secretary
Colin Bagust General Committee Member
Malcolm White General Committee Member

Mandy Smith Conservation Group Chair
Rob Heather Conservation Group
Pete Thomas Conservation Group

Thank you to Margot Eardley who is standing down from Conservation Group

Volunteers to be new committee members

Dave White
Julie Sparrow
Gulzar Sharif
J Fletcher
Jenny Fleming
Josie Brown
Rafia Deader
Stephen Connolly

Note to all committee members and volunteers – we plan to hold meeting in the New Year to welcome new committee members and agree actions. I will let you know as soon as we have a date. CP.

1. Any Other Business

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• Why are there still telephone wires in the Triangle? (Post meeting note – CP spoke to Openreach: Depends on age of house – older houses have over-head cables, high cost to putting cables underground.
• Can we challenge aspects of Conservation status? No can’t change Article 4. Can committee look at this? – Conservation group to discuss.
• Social events – all residents welcome to organise events - committee happy to support.
• Coffee Morning and Plant Sale 2019 will be on May 18th.

 

[Clare Price]

Any Other Business
There was a discussion about a Residents Noticeboard at the entrance to the triangle however following discussion it was agreed not to proceed due to security concerns regarding posting OTRA news so publicly (plus cost and responsibility for upkeep.) All present were encouraged to ensure neighbours who didn't access the website plus new residents were informed of events.