Those Present:

Councillors:-  WCC Stephen Foster and  RBC Joe Baker

Committee:  

Stephen Siddle                              SS

Julie Vincent                                   JV

Mike Vincent                                  MV

Sylvia Collinson                              SC

Mark Whitworth                           MW

Anil Jha                                            AJ

Donna Smith                                  DS

The Agenda:

1. Apologies for absence
2. Actions arising from previous meeting on October 21st 2024
3. Welcome to our new WCC Councillor and new Committee Member.
4. Overdue 106 monies and Adoption of Public Open Spaces.
5. Raising of the Manhole covers in Cookridge/Fairweather Close.
6. Front Garden reclaim by Persimmon Homes to Residents’ in Cookridge Close.
7. Sale of Brockhill Woods.
8. Resident Engagement (Joe Baker’s monthly meetings).
9. First Port meetings for Pointers Way & Meadow View estates.
10. A.O.B.

1. Apologies:

Apologies were received from WCC Ashley Monk & RBC Wanda King

2. Actions arising from previous meeting on October 21st 2024:

BC Supplied the details of the new Neighbourhood Police Team

JV Chased the street light repairs around Brockhill Park

JV sent an e mail to the RBC Local Councillors who had failed to attend the last meeting or send their apologies.

3. Welcome to our new WCC Councillors and new Committee Member:

In the WCC elections in May this year, two new WCC Councillors were elected, Stephen Foster and Ashley Monk.  We hadn’t had the opportunity to meet either of them until this evening, Stephen Foster was in attendance and sent his apologies for Ashley Monk, who was unable to attend.  We are hoping he will be able to attend our next Committee meeting later this year.

We also welcomed our new Committee member, Donna Smith, who has lived in  Redditch for many years, growing up and attending the local schools.

4. Overdue 106 monies and Adoption of Public Open Spaces:

We had been told at our AGM in April by RBC Sachin Mahur, that there are just four issues delaying the adoption, all of them involving ground maintenance problems of which RBC are not happy to accept responsibility for, and are still waiting for Persimmon to put right.  SM told us that he will keep us informed of any progress made, but as of yet, we are still waiting to hear from him.

5. Raising of the Manhole covers in Cookridge/Fairweather Close:

The Committee received an e mail on April 22^nd from a member who lives in this area, telling us about several loose manhole covers, which were noisy when driven over and disturbing to the residents.  With the Construction vehicles currently in the area near to the school, when they drive over the loose manhole covers, they make a very loud clanking noise, we were told.  He had contacted Severn Trent Water about it, but was told that, as the roads had not been adopted yet by the Council, it was the responsibility of the builder Persimmon Homes South.

We sent his complaint to Lisa Webb, the Divisional Head of External Affairs – Central, who told us that the road in question was to be subject to s38 remedial works later this year which will include checking and repairing all of the manhole covers on site.  She said that they couldn’t confirm a date, but that work should take place in the Summer months and it will be the complete spine road along Burrington Close to Weights Lane. Lisa said that she appreciated the concern being raised and that she would arrange for contractors to review and provide a temporary fix that should suffice until the principal works start and which would hopefully improve the current situation.

The Committee received a further e mail from our member concerned, on Friday June 20th, to say that the contractors had been out to inspect the manhole covers a few weeks ago, but that there were still covers requiring attention.  We will contact Lisa Webb for an update.

6. Front Garden reclaim by Persimmon to Residents’ in Cookridge/Fairweather Close:

SC, whose Son lives in Cookridge Close, has not heard anything more from Persimmon Homes with regard to the garden reclaim situation.  RBC Joe Baker said that he will arrange a meeting with Lisa Webb for himself and JV to attend, to discuss all of our concerns with Persimmon Homes South, including this subject.

7. Sale of Brockhill Woods:

It has been brought to our attention recently by a member who lives off Carthorse Lane, that Brockhill Woods is for sale on Right Move for £350k.  The Woods are currently owned privately by a few individuals who had originally bought it for shooting purposes.  Laws have recently changed and they cannot shoot there anymore, so they want to sell up.  MW said that a few residents’ he had spoken to, whose houses were near to the woods, were concerned about what it may become when it has a new owner and that these Residents’ were trying to get enough people interested in buying it together, to protect it.

8. Resident Engagement – (Joe Baker’s monthly meetings):

JB is continuing to hold his monthly meetings on the last Friday of the month at Batchley Community Centre, in Cherry Tree Walk, Batchley for residents with concerns to attend.

He is also going to start holding meetings in July at Holyoakes Field First School with details to follow.

9. First Port Meetings for Pointers Way & Meadow View:

The meetings that have previously been held with First Port Manager Jean Brown and Matt, the Ground Maintenance Manager, had been well attended by Residents living at East Brockhill, on the Pointers Way and Meadow View estates.  They were hosted by RBC Joe Baker and RBC Lucy Harrison who was a Councillor at the time.

The discussions had become rather heated with some Residents.  First Port now have a new Property Manager, named Kiera Lowry but First Port are reluctant to hold further meetings.

However, RBC Joe Baker will be holding meetings at Holyoakes Field First School in the near future for Residents again, but without a First Port representative.  He will then be able to put forward the concerns for the Residents himself.  We will send out an e mail with the details to Residents’ when we know more.

10. A.O.B.:

DS & SC who live near to Salters Lane, told us about two overloaded wheelie bins that had been left unemptied for several weeks and were causing a problem.  Unwanted old furniture had then been dumped by the bins, without any arrangements in place for collection.  DS told us that one bin had been removed, but the other one was too heavy as it was overflowing and was still there.  DS also told us about noisy neighbours in Cofton Close which had been reported to the Police.

RBC JB told us that he had spoken to kids on Motor Bikes, riding on pathways without helmets in Brockhill Park. In another instance, a Motorbike was confiscated by Police who attended.

We are still waiting to know who our new Neighbourhood Police Team are as there is to be a change of Officers.

RBC JB knew the history of the Committee having been interested in having a wall mural painted on the walls of the subway leading to Brockhill Park, a few years ago.  We were then told that we would have to get permission from Persimmon, who still owned the ground.  JB said that he would speak to RBC Bill Harnett, to see if this could be arranged.

MW mentioned that he was still trying to raise enough funds for the display board to explain what had been planted on the Public Open Space in Appletree Lane.  RBC JB said that he could donate £500 towards the £1,000 needed and WCC SF, told MW to e mail him with the details of what he needed, so that he could consider a donation also.

Actions from this meeting:

JB to arrange a meeting with Lisa Webb of Persimmon Homes

JB to contact Bill Harnett to find out about having a wall mural painted to the walls of the subway leading into Brockhill Park.

MW to apply for a Grant from WCC for the Wildlife Project.

JV to contact PCSO Nina Moore to ask if the new Neighbourhood Police Team have been appointed.

JB to arrange a meeting for Pointers Way and Meadow View Residents at the school.

The meeting ended at 8.15 p.m.