7:30pm Tuesday 19th
January 2010
Present: Margaret Ormonde,
Barry Prior, Bill Harper, Jill Verran, Vera Bodman, Carol Gibson.
1. Apologies Jenny Leach, Cathi Edwards.
2. Minutes of the last meeting (Monday 7th December 2009) were
approved.
3. Matters arising:
Committee Vacancies and Long-term Recruitment
MO and JV prepared to continue on committee, but only for another year. Transition
would be eased if newcomers found to understudy present holders of posts. Personal
approaches to be made to likely individuals, who would be invited to the next
committee meetings to see what goes on. It was appreciated time-wise the more
demanding roles would suit retired or part-time workers. Our younger contributors
continue to be valuable, even if they had a smaller workload. Possibilities of
roles sharing.
No 24 Bus Route
Thanks given by MO to BP and JV for their help in campaign. One of the reasons
the 23/24 set up has remained is to give Caversham Park residents direct access
to Caversham via the Hemdean Road. However, by curtailing the Courtenay Drive
loop, residents in that area have been denied the same opportunity. The subsidised
28 will provide a very limited option. Conflict of interest, as RBC run the buses,
via Reading Transport Ltd and are also the regulating authority. Motts Travel
also provides one daily bus into Reading via Caversham. ReadiBus services were
also being promoted. Residents urged to use buses as much as possible to maintain
services.
EGRA members on email have already been notified and thanked. Laminated notices
had been attached to bus stops and information is also in detail on the website.
Any non-email member who wrote to EGRA has now received a paper response. A proposal
to leaflet all residents in the area was rejected.
Drinking Fountain
JL has been working hard on the project. Application for £1,000
grant was turned down. Situation to be discussed with RBC’s
landscape architect Marianna Pentek, who will work on new playground.
Possible alternative sources of funds: Biffa recycling company's
small grant scheme (up to £5,000) or Waitrose Community Matters
grants.
Planning
Jefferson Close path and housing file in RBC legal department: awaiting
information. (BP) Hicks appealing against planning permission refusal.
Footpath hearing on 20th April.
Highdown School
Display boards enquiry in hand. (BP)
25th Anniversary Celebrations
EMC Jazz Band soundtrack not possible at present. (BP)
AGM
28 April 2010 at 8pm at the Grace Church. Awaiting details of Network
Rail speaker. (MO)
Caversham Court
14 May 2010 at 7pm.
Hill School
Awaiting news of invitation to attend school council meeting.
Trees Replacement in Park
Awaiting news from RBC.
Clayfield Copse Wood Carvings
BP had surveyed site with Anne Latto. In hand.
Seats
Sustainable Iroko preferred. Awaiting response from RBC. Seat by
shops - MO to chase.
4. TREASURER'S REPORT AND NEW FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK
Both accepted. Subscriptions should cover expenditure at present
level. BP will investigate insurance when comes due in April. Substantial
amount of funds in bank at present; only small amount necessary.
Guidelines for expenditure: if committee not all agreed, can consult
membership.
5. FEEDBACK FROM COMMITTEES/MEETINGS
Neighbourhood Action Group
Will be re-launched at Highdown School on 9 February 2010, 6-8pm.
Helen Lambert of CADRA informed of meeting of Safer Reading Forum
at Civic Centre to discuss matter. Merger of both NAGs and Safer
Caversham Forum agreed so as not to duplicate efforts. However the
proposal to merge Upper and Lower Caversham NAGs was controversial.
MO attended and supported Insp Penny McKenzie that Upper and Lower
Caversham should be separate, as their needs differ.
The new community led group will meet every two months or less.
If no-one comes forward to act as Chair, local Councillor will. Upper
Caversham venue problem is now resolved. Upper Caversham is largely
a low crime area with a few hot spots. Unless residents are personally
affected, won't attend meetings.
EGRA will help with publicity campaign in the hope of good attendance
at the re-launch.
North Reading Youth Project
AGM on 20 January. MO will attend. Emmer Green Community Centre extensions
likely to cause traffic disruption in surrounding area from summer
2010 to planned completion of building in spring 2011.
Age Concern 50+ Meeting
25 January at St Barnabas Church Hall. VB will attend, taking leaflets.
6. AOB
Ice and Snow
More grit/sand boxes needed, especially on hills; with telephone
number for refill on box. Awaiting feedback from Councillors and
MP on RBC’s reaction to and plans for future similar conditions.
Open Third Bridge Meeting with CADRA
Proposed for 25 February 2010 at Baptist Church Hall (near Waitrose),
when more progress has been made with arrangements. Could be held
jointly with EGRA.
7. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Wednesday 10 March at 7.30 pm at BH 37 Kidmore End Road.
