Page 1 of 7

Dukinfield East.
Residents Association..



Meeting held on 29
th
September 2014

This followed a leafleting of 3000 addresses within the area boundaries.

Present: John Heywood (JH) Chairman
Kathy Inglis (KI) Secretary
David Bottomley (DB) Treasurer
John Bevan (JB) Committee Member
Angela Carr (AC) Committee Member
Dorothy Cartwright (DC) Honorary President


Guests:
Simon Blomeley (SB) New Charter Neighbourhood Coordinator for Gorse Hall
Linda Whyatt (LW) Resident Liaison Officer
Claire Reynolds (CR) Councillor

Apologies:

Khadeja Begum (New Charter), Judith McKenzie,

Preamble to Meeting:

JH confirmed that there were sufficient members present to form a quorum, under the rules of the
constitution. The meeting, therefore, proceeded to the agenda.

It was noted that there was no police presence despite the local NBO having been invited at the last
PACT meeting.

Welcome members and guests:

Introduction to the committee.

Annual report by the chairman (reported verbatim):

Last year, I felt that the AGM meeting was overlong, especially since there are a number of
formalities to be observed before we can get to a public meeting, proper. Therefore I intend to keep
my annual report short and succinct. Starting then, with projects that were successfully concluded:

In January of this year, as discussed at the previous AGM, we affiliated with New Charter
housing trust and we have benefitted from their input, expertise and, indeed, funding.

Page 2 of 7
Between Christmas and New Year, a clean-up was organised on Chester Avenue that
collected more than 2 tonnes of rubbish that greatly improved the appearance of the
neighbourhood.

Our minibus scheme was launched in March whereby not-for-profit organisations can hire
the vehicle at low cost. Initially, the project was fraught with difficulties, incurring repair
costs of over 1500. We have to thank New Charter for their contribution to offsetting these
costs.
However, we are hoping that we have turned the corner now, and we have 5 partners in the
scheme, who pay an annual charge, and we have additional short-duration hirings that
contribute to running costs.

New lighting and surveillance cameras have been installed at the shops on Yew Tree Lane as
discussed some time ago with New Charter.

Our longest running project has finally been brought to a conclusion after three years of
wrangling between ourselves, Tameside Council and New Charter: the shops on Yew Tree
Lane have larger capacity, closed-top bins. The bins are emptied by New Charter staff and
the area, general, tidied by their caretakers.

A local tenant who has produced a magnificent garden, almost a small park, to the rear of his
property, between Chester Ave and Meadway, has extended the garden into two adjacent
overgrown plots with the assistance of Green Charter. It is hoped that the garden will
become a community facility at some time in the future.


At our July public meeting a resident complained that a grit bin, at the top of Yew Tree Lane
that was vandalised, had not been replaced by the council. Her husband, who had medical
problems, was housebound during periods of snow and ice. DERA are to provide a
replacement bin, free of charge which it is hoped the council will service.

In March, DERA was approached by residents of the Tennyson Estate who wished to create a
play area for children on the land bounded by Tennyson Avenue and Arnold Close. This was
not possible due to previous episodes of antisocial behaviour. However, it was subsequently
discovered that there was a mown grass play area within Gorse Hall Country Park, accessed
via Macauley Close maintained by the Friends of Gorse Hall it was just that the residents of
Tennyson Estate were unaware it existed. It has since been used regularly by children and
DERA is entering into discussions with FoGH and the council in order to extend the facility.

The two young ladies who raised the issue of the play area joined our committee in April but,
unfortunately are not standing for re-election due to the difficulties of fitting our activities
into their busy family lives. Therefore, we would still like to increase committee membership
if any members present are interested.
Page 3 of 7

I will move on, now, to ongoing projects and issues:

Alongside New Charter, we have been considering the area between Lyne Edge Road and
Rowan Crescent, for development as a community space. An outdoor consultation event,
with potato pie supper was held on the field on the 28
th
April which was well attended.
However, there has been no further movement, as yet, as New Charter considers this within
the context of a greater overall plan.

Parking on the path on Yew Tree Lane continues to be a problem. A possible solution under
consideration is to Grasscrete, concrete with provision for grass to grow through it, part of
the land to produce more parking.
Motorists speeding on Yew Tree Lane is an issue. There has been a commitment to impose
a 20mph limit from Quarry Rise, round Salisbury Drive, Tennyson Avenue and the full length
of Yew Tree Lane.

Dog fouling remains a problem endemic to the area. Plain clothes, private hire people are
patrolling and have the power to issue fines. Anyone with a description of who they should
look out for should contact Claire Reynolds at the council.

Having been relatively quiet for some time since the formation of Homewatch and DERA,
Chester Avenue, particularly the west end, seems to be experiencing an increase in ASB, drug
taking and drug dealing. It would seem that the estate has been a victim of its own success
and that the authorities may have taken their foot off the pedal in recent times. Despite the
obvious budget restraints and staffing problems, we request an increased police presence in
our neighbourhood.

This concludes my report. Please feel free to discuss any issues raised, in the public meeting
following the AGM.

In the meantime, on behalf of myself, the committee and members I would like to thank New
Charter officers, Linda Whyatt, Khadeja Begum, Simon Blomeley and their previous colleague Sarah
Chiltern for their support and assistance in supporting and working closely with DERA for the
betterment of the community.

Statement of Accounts by Treasurer:

DB: the accounts were awaiting audit but the account balance as 446.06 with a petty cash float of
3.20. The audited account will be published on DERA website as soon as they are available.
It was noted that the vast amount of expenditure in the year had been on the minibus project.
Page 4 of 7

Nominations and Election of Committee:

Supervised by Dorothy Cartwright:

John Heywood proposed as Chair by Kathy Inglis, seconded by Mohammad Ashraf
Kathy Inglis proposed as Secretary by John Heywood, seconded by John Bevan
David Bottomley proposed as Treasurer by Angela Carr, seconded by Steve fisher
John Bevan proposed as committee member by David Bottomley and seconded by Arnold
Hodgkinson.
Angela Carr proposed by David Bottomley and seconded by Kathy Inglis.
Arnold Hodkinson volunteered as a committee member.

All passed with no objections.

Resolutions:

Two Resolutions amending the Constitution were put forward by John Heywood:

1. Clarification of Definitions

Potential Member

Any person living or working within the boundaries of our area of operation as previously defined in
the Constitution.

Member

Any potential member, as previously defined, who has attended a public meeting or made contact
with DERA, by whatever means, and has hence registered with the association.

2. Publication of a an AGM and Public meeting

The secretary will give all members (as defined) notice of the date, time and venue of the AGM, by
written means or electronic communication at least 21 days before the meeting, inviting committee
nominations and resolutions. Closer to the date of the AGM, posters will be displayed in suitable
locations, and leaflets, advertising the date, time and venue of the meeting will be delivered to
members and potential members, by hand, or alternative means approved by the committee.

Both resolutions were accepted, unanimously, by members present; the Constitution will be amended
accordingly.

Close of AGM

General Public Meeting:

Review and update of AGM Meeting 9
th
October 2013

JH advised the meeting that all but a small number of issues from this previous meeting had been
updated by means of the Chairmans Report. He proposed therefore that just the remaining items be
addressed. This was agreed by members present. The outstanding issues were:

JH reported that the new path put in by New Charter has become over grown.
SC: This area needs to be put on the Green Charter regular maintenance plan; this matter has been
left with Les Crowther who is the manager over that at New Charter.

Page 5 of 7
The path has been cleared since the last AGM but is currently overgrown again and needs immediate
attention. Action: SB


SB: There are reports that a resident has been cutting down trees in the area; he has viewed the
area and some cutting has taken place but proving who has done this will be difficult without
witnesses.
The offender was traced and was a New Charter Tennant, who sold the logs produced. A warning
was issued by NC.

New Charter is seeking neighbourhoods which may want a community Christmas tree. The idea is to
organise an event based round this; carol singing for example, and involving the children to make
decorations.
This is under consideration for this year, with New Charter and DERA working together with the
Moravian Church where the event will be held on 6
th
December, 1:00pm to 3:00pm. It is proposed
that there will be a minimarket, Father Christmas and food and refreshments.
For the residents of gorse Hall, an event will be held on the 12
th
December, details to be provided
later.
A Christmas tree may be provided for Chester Avenue, probably sited near the shops, subject to the
agreement of residents.

There is an ongoing problem with ASB on the site after 6 oclock, some has been from students and
there are procedures in place to deal with this. However, the college would like more support from
the police in dealing with other youths under 14.

This situation could not be updated since Mark Storie, from ASC, had not attended the meeting.

We are planning two fund raising events for the minibus scheme on the 19
th
October at the Duki-Drop
In, a table top sale in the morning and a live music event in the evening.

We hope to increase the number of partners participating in the scheme.

The fundraising events took place and raised about 300. Since then the Drop In and Dukinfield
Forum have been dissolved and 514 was donated to DERA funding from the residual monies.
Needless to say this was gladly received.


A resident asked about the bins on Cheetham Hill Road and Heron Avenue that have been removed;
he raised this at a previous meeting. TMBC had informed him that the one on Cheetham Hill Road, at
the passageway to Chester Avenue, would be replaced soon, but it has still not happened. The
passageway seems to be cleaned every few months but litter is accumulating again. He believed that
it is New Charters responsibility to clean this area. SB will find out who is responsible.

This issue is still not fully resolved, SB advising the meeting that, by a quirk of the lease, the
passageway seems to be jointly owned by TMBC and New Charter. Member Steve Fisher challenged
this response, so SB is to liaise with KB to provide a definitive answer.

Address by guests:

Councillor Claire Reynolds opened her address by congratulating DERA on its achievements during the
past 12 months.

She went on to invite members to try the Budget Simulator on TMBC website (www.tameside.gov.uk).
Following a 40% budget cut for the coming year, the simulator shows allows people a say in how the
budget should be structured.

Page 6 of 7
Cllr confirmed that Dukinfield baths was not to close. The project for a water park in the area had
been shelved due to disagreement where it should be sited.

Dog fouling in and around Gorse Hall Park was an problem and there were plans to site a waste bin at
the entrance to Macauley Close and in the park, itself, to be actioned within the next few weeks.

There were proposals for a bridle way to run through the park which has been opposed by some
resident on the grounds of safety. This was to be discussed at the forthcoming Dukinfield District
Assembly.

Parking on Yew Tree Lane was to be discussed with the Council engineering department the following
week and Grasscreteing was an option to increase parking spaces.
Speed restriction of 20mph may also be imposed.

The Council is to introduce a new scheme for community organisations to generate funding by
increasing recycling in their neighbourhood.

A member raised the issue of the closure of childrens centres in Dukinfield. Although the merits of
such centres in preparing children to become responsible adults was acknowledged, despite the
petitions raised objecting to the closure, the final decision was based on the budget available.

Open Forum

Prior to commencement of the open forum JH reminded to members of the Rules of Conduct that
decreed that Members should respect all individual tenants / residents confidentiality.
Information about individual tenants and residents will not be discussed at public meetings.
This was necessary since names and addresses of residents had been disclosed in a previous
meeting.

Issues that had been delivered to DERA in not form or by email were dealt with first:

There had been a mild neighbourhood dispute about children playing on the emergency access
road between Chester Ave. and the Greenbooth Estate. The children had built a den in the
shrubbery adjacent to a tenants property, which the tenant had broken up. Upon investigation,
it seems that the tenant has no objection to young children playing there, but is concerned that
older kids and teenagers would be attract to the site, perhaps drinking, drug taking or, as a
particular concern, setting fires that may have spread to the tenants shed which backed onto
the den. A neighbour has agreed to observe the area and intervene if older children congregate.

An email raised the problem of overhanging trees on Gorse Hall road that were so bad that they
forced people onto the road to pass them.
Further, there was a similar problem with a path leading from the bottom of Greenside Close to
Fir Tree Lane with access paths to Mayfair close and Alder Close where there was no lighting so
overhanging branches represented a particular hazard.
CR was unaware of the situation (it is council property) but would put the wheels in motion to
have the trees cut back.

Two elderly residents on Winchester Road were disturbed in their garden during summer
months, by yapping dogs. Although they had approached the council, they were advised to
make recordings of noise levels etc., which is standard procedure. They wished to manage the
problem discreetly and asked if the council could issue a flyer. This was not possible as the
Page 7 of 7
council was restrained by standard procedure. DERA is to consider sending a polite notice to the
residents in the area.

Turning now to the attendees a resident of Gorse Hall complained about insufficient bins in the
area and that dog fouling bins were overflowing before they got emptied attracting flies and
creating a stench.
Dog bins are no longer issued by TNBC since they are generally unpopular and the waste is
classified as hazardous and requires specialist teams to empty them.
Councillor Reynolds advised that waste bins are emptied fortnightly but, that if a bin is overfilled
it can be reported and the refuse team will go out to empty it.

Parking for the Christmas event at Beatrix House was a concern for one resident. SB said that
the event was for local residents so they did not expect large numbers of vehicles and that the
DERA bus might be employed. Parking will be dealt with when the advertising flyer is issued.

A resident from Chester Ave raised concerns about the number of dogs running loose on the
estate. He was advised to contact the dog warden who could increase patrols.

The condition of paths from Chester Avenue through to Yew Tree Lane and to Cheetham Hill
Road was discussed. These are new Charter properties but are classed as unmaintained which
means that they receive attention only when it is warranted and not on a regular schedule.
This situation also applied to NC land adjacent to the Circle. If the areas were put on
maintenance there would be a service charge to residents.

The Care Home was briefly mentioned and the fact that a resident convicted of a crime against
another resident had been put under curfew in the same house, which didnt seem appropriate.
JH commented that the issues were a problem for the management and though they had been
personally invited to attend this meeting, they had not appeared, nor had they replied to the
invitation which did not bode well for community participation.

The improvement of the area known as the Circle was briefly discussed. New Charter is not
prepared to take over the lease and neither is an individual within DERA. Also, DERA has other
projects and priories right now, where they can make headway without the legal issues and the
extreme protests that were put forward by some residents of the Booth Close Estate.

There being no further business, the meeting was closed.

Dates of 2015 public meetings:

Monday 26
th
January 2015
Monday 1st June 2015
Annual General Meeting Monday 28
th
September 2015