Minutes of meeting 18th April 2023

Present:- Simon Middlecote (Chair) , Ruth Kerry, Sue Andrew, Chris Holmes, Councillor Penny Gowland, Joanne Mansfield, Helen Hetherington, Catherine Bailey, Caroline Stone, Amit Garg, Jo Whittingham, Steve Duckworth, Edna Holmes, Linda Chenoweth, Barry Daffran
Also in attendance: Julie Chaplain (Co-op)

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The minutes of the meeting held on 6th February 2023 were noted.

TREASURER’S REPORT
Ruth gave details of the income and expenditure. She reported that £960 had been received from the County Council for work Sue had done under the lengthman scheme. A breakdown of costs was identified in relation to gardening totalling about £250. The bill from Streetwise for £240 for the work on elders on Waltham was still awaited. It was suggested that some planters and plants be obtained for Abbey Road outside the shops.
It was AGREED
That planters and plants be purchased for outside the shops on Abbey Road.
That Sue Andrew be thanked for the work she had undertaken under the lengthman scheme.

PARK AND GREEN SPACE IMPROVEMENTS
1.Community Garden
A group from St Lukes Toddlers had undertaken an activity at the community garden on Waltham. An easter egg hunt there had raised £60 for the Meadows Food Bank. It was reported that there were funds available from Rushcliffe’s Biodiversity Fund.

2.Gym Equipment
It was noted that an application could be made to the Co-op for funding of local community projects.
It was AGREED that Ruth would discuss with Julie Chaplain at the Co-op about the possibility of submitting an application for funding of the gym equipment.

3.Benches
Rushcliffe has agreed to provide 2 benches and locations have been suggested, one under the streetlight by the orchard and the other by the noticeboard. These would be metal benches and Rushcliffe would adopt them. Rushcliffe had asked for the 8 nearest properties to be consulted on the proposals and letters had been delivered giving 4 weeks to respond. There was a feeling that the 2 properties on Furness should also be consulted.
It was reported that Rushcliffe would provide either a tree or a bench to mark the coronation.
It was AGREED
1.that consultation letters be sent to the 2 last houses on Furness.
2.that litter bins be requested to be placed by the benches.
3. to suggest that a bench be placed on Eltham by the canal to mark the coronation.

ROADS AND PARKING
The green verge at the Abbey Road end of Buckfast Way and cars parking on the grass was still a problem.
The bend by the Willow Tree was the subject of public consultation by the County about putting double yellow lines on the road.
Parking by the schools during at the start and end of the school day was still a problem. It was suggested that an action day be arranged

LITTER PICKING
The next litter picking session would be on Sunday 30th April.

SUMMER GATHERING
It was AGREED that the 2023 summer gathering to be held on Sunday 10th September from 2pm to 4pm on the field should be publicised on the website and Facebook page. The detailed plans would emerge at a later stage

DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Monday 12th June 2023 at 7pm at the Willow Tree.