MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD AT GARDEN LANE CHURCH
TUESDAY, 20 JANUARY 2010
Apologies: Jenny Rasmussen, Tim Longman, Laura Pearsons, Martin Hardy, Cllr. Richard Lowe, Jackie Holden, Neil Kendal, Rachel Dison, Geoff Taylor
Minutes of the Last Meeting: Adopted as a true record
Co-Chairman’s Report: Matt summarized how successfully our various activities this year had been, both in terms of organization and the enthusiastic support of our members and the community. We have been able to access funds from both Chester Racecourse (Sport’s Day and Big Sunday Lunch) and our CWAC councillors (Lighting up the Quarter). Although we regret not seeing more of our Councillors, they have proved invaluable in their support when needed, for example, Lorne Street’s problems with drug users has been partially rectified by erecting gates to cut off access to back laneways these were financed by Councillor’s fund. Steve Baldwin said that Richard Lowe was very quick to react to problems when contacted. Jane Wolfe added that Cllr. Tom Parry was always extremely helpful when contacted for information and advice.
We have had real success in building stronger ties with the churches, the university, the schools, the pubs and other organisations. Both Garden Lane Church and St. Thomas’ were crucial in saving the Big Sunday Lunch, by moving lunch into Garden Lane Church and opening the church for entertainment later in the afternoon, when torrential rain might have washed it out. The children of Victoria County Infant School joined us for the first time when they sang at the Christmas Market. We hope we will see more of them and that our close ties with St. Thomas’ C. of E. School will flourish under the new Headteacher.
Jan Tapp is now our representative at the University’s Community Liaison Committee making sure our views are heard. We continue to have a good relationship with Chester Student’s Union and hope to find more ways to have students participate with the Garden Quarter. The University has established a group of volunteers who are available to help disabled and vulnerable people with errands and other tasks at short notice.
We have joined Chester Communities Together, an umbrella organization of residents association, which intends to strengthen our voice in dealing with the Council, Tim Longman is our representative. (see note)
Our success with the submission to the Boundary Committee was extremely gratifying, we hope that the Garden Quarter Ward survives the consultation process to become a reality. Our thanks to people who have written to the Committee supporting the proposal.
Treasurer’s Report: Jenny’s Rasmussen’s report was tabled and we have a healthy balance in the bank. With regret, this is Jenny’s last report as Treasurer as the logistics of having to conduct business with an absentee Treasurer has proved very difficult. We appreciate her excellent work for the Garden Quarter Association.
Election of Committee: The following people were elected: Matt Baker – Co-Chairman (Residents), Lyndsey Roberts – Co-Chairman (Traders), Honorary Secretary – Jane Wolfe, Honorary Treasurer – Roy Tapp. Ray Noonan continues as our Community Safety representative.
A.O.B.
Steve Baldwin reported the success of a second sweep of drug raids which will hopefully see fewer Class A drugs on the street. He also warned that there had been a spate of opportunist burglaries in the area and warned residents to be vigilant.
We asked the Council, via Tom Parry, for advice on the legal ramifications of individuals clearing/treating streets in a big snowfall. The legal advice is that provided that the householder takes reasonable precautions in clearing their drive / pathways and does not create a greater hazard by doing so we think it is highly unlikely that any claim against an individual householder would be successful.
Jan Tapp did a neighbourhood walk about with Avril Coady and representatives from the Council to view problems with rubbish strewn about. It was suggested that the Council place mini skips in problem areas to take rubbish put out prior to collection time.
We hope to have a book sale in March at Garden Lane Church. We will conduct the sale, the church will provide refreshments and we will split the proceeds. Anyone with books to donate can contact Jane at the e.mail address above – please no encyclopaedia. Some kind members have agreed to store books until the sale.
The Big Sunday Lunch is being held again this year on the 18th of July, we hope to participate.
We need people to help us access funding for various activities, we have one volunteer, but others would be welcome.
If people would like to get involved with any of our plans, please come to the next meeting.
Next Meeting: 9th March 2010, 6.30 pm, Garden Lane Church
Note: Chester Communities Together consists of eight community groups, Canal Basin Forum, Lache Park Ltd., Kingsway and Newton Residents Assn., City Centre & Newtown Neighbourhood Partnership, Northgate Village Residents Assn., King Street Area Residents Assn., Garden Quarter Assn., Brook Lane West Residents Assn. They have an excellent web site.