PREVIOUS MEETINGS

I'm

FRIENDS OF WANDLE PARK COMMITTEE MEETING

13TH MARCH 2014

IN ATTENDANCE: Nick Barnett (Chair), George Wright (Minutes),

Michael Khan, Liz Moore, Ann Johnson, Simon Jones, Andrew Dickinson, Ally McKinlay, Irma Upex-Huggins

APOLOGIES: Pierre Nouvellet

GUEST PARTICIPANT: Tom Smith

AGENDA:

1. Member concerns. Several Committee members have been approached by general members who were complaining that they were unaware of any benefits accruing from their membership. Activities such as river monitoring, an 'open' bandstand meeting and supporting Tom's events have been happening but it was agreed that feedback was poor due to the lack of a viable website but this was now being addressed (see item 8). Members also have voting rights but we do need an open meeting to involve both them and potential new members.

Agreed:

Next meeting should be 'open'

Minutes to be available on website and also, if possible, in new cafe

Constitution to be changed to include website posting

2. Transparency and Openness in Committee: Michael expressed concern at a lack of communication by some Committee members whereby the new website seems to have become a fait accompli. After considerable discussion it was agreed that a core group consisting of the Chair/ Treasurer/ Deputy Treasurer/ Secretary/ Membership Secretary need to agree any urgent matters if these arise between meetings and the Committee should be emailed in to proceedings. As the matter was getting too protracted the Chair ruled that we take heed of Michael's concerns but move on with the Agenda.

3. Art Material needs: Ally raised this in connection with wall decoration, signs and ceramics around the park. He works with young offenders who could undertake the work. Tom explained the tramway wall was owned by TFL but he was trying to negotiate use of this. Equally he has a budget which is primarily for schools but he was interested in developing an art worker:

Agreed: Ally and Tom to link up on this.

4. Green Flag / Grow Wild / Up Your Street sub- committees: These are initiatives and schemes that could be applied to the park. Nick wondered if they would develop better if a sub-committee took responsibility. It was agreed to keep the focus in this Committee but if the enthusiasm grew then individuals might find the time in future to set up small groups. Simon mentioned his participation in the Community Gardens and, responding to comments, said he went simply as a neighbour via reading notices put up by Tom throughout the Park inviting community participation and certainly not from any 'insider' knowledge. His link and feedback was much appreciated and there could be a late summer barbeque event for The Friends around this facility?

Agreed: Via Face book, invite skate park users to Committee meeting

5. Play options for under 5's: Ally raised this but a number of parents have also made the point to Committee members that the equipment in the play area is too big for really small children. He suggested a small area for items such as 'basket' swings, small slide etc perhaps in the clearing to the south of the Cafe, where parents could easily supervise them. . Tom's budget is spent but the Committee could fund- raise if the Council agreed in principle to using that area. There is the problem of dogs roaming into the existing area.

Agreed: George and Michael to look at approaching nearby stores / Barrett's etc for sponsorship and Council consent.

6. Gateway to Park from New South Quarter: Tom said he believed that the present situation is that installing the gateway is on hold due to safety concerns while builders lorries are in the area, so the issue is with Barrett's and Tramlink. It could considerably increase park use once open.

7. New Cafe: Bidders are being considered. No opening date as yet.

8. Website proposal: Tom confirmed this is up and running. It is already fully formatted as the Friend's website and not Croydon Council's. He is happy to give access for putting on material to a Committee member, provided it is not used in any political way or to attack the Council. It was felt that promoting the park and the interests of the Friends can be done without resorting to anything like that. Simon, Irma and George saw it immediately before the Committee meeting and felt able to recommend the proposal, which is free.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Agreed: Irma would act main administrator for the Committee with Nick as back up, as from now.

9. New members: George handed over all the hard copies plus a supply of membership detail slips and receipts to Michael. It was agree that collecting that £1 membership fee was a bit problematic. Solutions might be collecting most of it at the AGM, asking the Cafe to take payments.

Agreed: George will publicise membership via the website and we will set up an email address to be publicised there and on Face book page for the Secretary to respond to all issues but directing membership ones to Michael.

10. Wandle Park Poetry Page: Irma is collecting and putting poems relating to our park on the website.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a. Park Ranger: Tom believes a person has just started in post but he has not meet him/ her as yet.

b. Light pollution: Irma drew attention to the large glaring lights that are left on all night on the outside walls of the cafe. These are causing the birds to confuse night and day and is very wasteful. The Council could surely look at motion sensor controls and save money in the longer term.

c. Tennis court/ Cricket pitch/ Bandstand: Usage has not been high enough as yet to justify a booking programme or fee. Presumably the new Ranger will be key to monitoring/ arranging this if necessary. Irma enquired re poetry / music on the bandstand. Tom said his management were keen for this to happen now summer is arriving. He can liaise with Irma about this and he does not see any public liability concerns if events are not advertised.

THE MEETING ENDED AT THIS POINT. DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF BUSINESS CONDUCTED IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO FIND TIME TO AGREE A DATE FOR THE NEXT MEETING. THE CHAIR WILL ATTEND TO THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BY EMAILS AFTER THE MEETING AND THE COMMITTEE WILL BE INFORMED ACCORDINGLY

IMinutes

of

THE FRIENDS OF WANDLE PARK ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

HELD ON 11th JUNE 2013

VENUE: OLD TOWN YOUTH CLUB

IN ATTENDANCE:

Councillor Tony Harris (Host/Guest), Mieke Weiser (Croydon Council/Guest), Ally McKinlay, Andrew Dickinson, Ann Johnson, Michael Johnson, Elizabeth Moore, Michael Khan, George Wright (minutes), Irma Upex-Huggins, Jacky Wilson, Janet Jones, Simon Jones, Imtiaz Ul Haque, Salma Haque, Nick Barnett, Pierre Nouvelett,

Rei Lopez Trueba.

APOLOGIES:

Tom Sweeney, Councillor Simon Hall, Claire Bedford (Wandle Trust), Suzy Rich

1. PRELIMINARY MATTERS:

15 attendees subscribed and signed in as members prior to the meeting. It was agreed that George would chair the AGM.Councillor Tony Harris welcomed everyone and explained the background to The Old Town Youth Club and his own links with the Old Town / Wandle area.The Chair thanked Tony for all his support.Special thanks were extended to Julie Honey, former Secretary, for the many years of excellent work she had carried out for the Friends (as well as the Scouts). The meeting fully endorsed the fact that her presence is greatly missed and extended their best wishes for the future to her.Thanks were also extended to Tom Sweeney for the professional and friendly way he has developed the Regeneration. The meeting recognised that the task was certainly not easy and involved dealing with many conflicting demands.

2. CONSTITUTION:

The meeting recognised that before proceeding to the Elections, the Constitution required amending to reflect the enhanced number of interest groups who useThe Park and to recognise the time demands on Committee members.

Clause 9.1 of the Constitution allows such amendment at AGM's, by majority vote.

The following changes to the Constitution were passed unanimously :

7.2 .The committee shall consist of the Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and at least 4 but no more than 7 other members

7.8 The Committee shall hold committee meetings at a minimum frequency of 4 times per annum, the date of a following meeting being fixed by vote each time.

7.9 'Full membership meetings' (outside of the AGM and Special General Meetings) shall be determined by the Committee if and when the need exists. 'Full membership meetings' shall be open to members and guests with committee members and members having priority if space is short

The meeting recognised that now the Scout Hall at the park is closed, there is no venue to meet until the Cafe opens in The Park.

3. ELECTIONS

The following were elected to Committee posts (also their area of interest is shown in italics)

CHAIR: Nick Barnett (South Quarter)

SECRETARY: George Wright (Dog Walkers / East side residents)

TREASURER: Simon Jones (East side residents)

Committee Members:

Elizabeth Moore (Assisting Treasurer/ Dog walkers/ South side residents)

Ann Johnson ( South side residents)

Ally McKinlay (Young people/creative work in park)

Andrew Dickinson (Environment/ Wildlife/ conservation)

Michael Khan (I.T/ Communications/South side residents)

Irma Upex-Huggins (Arts&Culture/East side residents/Dog walkers)

Pierre Nouvellet (East side residents / Dog walkers)

4. EXAMINATION OF PREVIOUS AGM MINUTES

Not available. At the time the Committee anticipated very little activity whilst the Park was being closed and renovated

5. EXAMINATION OF ACOUNTS/ TREASURERS REPORT

Elizabeth (former Treasurer) made a current statement available to Simon, showing the Friends account at Santander was in credit to the sum of £359.61 and there was no expenditure since the last AGM. Mieke mentioned in another context that there is a small budget of £5,000 for the Council to assist in one off items such as equipment but this is shared among 20 parks.

6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Imtiaz Ul Haque explained that he lives in the Vicarage Rd area and is a retired industrial chemist. He raised several important issues:-

6.1 River Pollution.

Since the river has been opened up he has noticed a lot of noxious 'effluent', particularly at the outlet. He mentioned that many midges breed there and spread out onto cars etc in his street. He has reported this to the Council but he believes that due to cuts in staffing, the Environmental Health Section are not equipped to deal with this. The Friends have noticed the state of the river, which was initially reported to the Council in February. It is Thames Water's responsibility to address this and clearly so far they have failed. We will continue to press for a remedy.

6.2 Skate Park.

Mr Haque feels this facility has attracted some young people who have no regard for pedestrians as they skate along the pavement by his house. He also mentioned that visitors to his house were intimidated at Wandle Park Tram stop by young people.The meeting advised Mr Haque they had no role in events outside the park and either the Police or Enforcement Officers need to be contacted. Equally a log of incidents and contacting his local councillor might be productive. For untoward events in the Park both Ally and Simon felt that an incident log would be helpful. Ally pointed out that another park gateway in the Skate park vicinity, going through South Quarter, is to be opened. This issue links in to the absence of a Park Ranger at present.

6.3 Children's Play Area.

George raised the question of the need for fencing around the play area. He has already approached his local councillors and MP and has been told the Public Realm Director will investigate health and safety issues arising from the area being unfenced. The main concerns are very young children dashing out on the adjacent path and getting hurt, dog mess and wandering off into the nearby river. There was a lot of debate but no unanimous view. In these circumstances George said perhaps just the toddler area could be fenced. However because of the divergence of opinion the Friends as a body would not adopt a petition or campaign but some would assist George in canvassing the views of park users.

6.4 Bandstand / Cafe.

Irma offered to act as a culture / arts person on the Committee, with a view to getting local performers (musicians, poets, story tellers, dancers etc) to use the bandstand free for public entertainment to express the range of arts and culture in the area. Meilke felt there would be no public liability issues if it was done as a spontaneous thing i.e. not advertised. This fits with the busker type model (but without the seeking of money from the audience) that Irma has in mind. Meike mentioned the Council were due to appoint a Family Learning Officer exclusively for Wandle Park who could also support these activities. Ally will also speak to the Manager of the Green Dragon to see if any of the artists who perform there might like to assist.The meeting unanimously approved Irma's proposal.

6.5 Wandle Park Revival.

This is the official opening of the park on 6.7.13, from 1100 to 1800. The Friends will have a stall concentrating on the History of the Park. The Committee agreed to assist in staffing this.

6.6 St Edmonds Church.

Andrew raised the question of this historic and beautiful Victorian Church which is falling into disrepair. Simon and Janet related their own efforts to stop developers over the years, where some of the proposals would have generated a traffic overload on the narrow, local streets. It was felt that it could have made a superb cafe and / or visitor education centre. At present we believe the owners (The Diocese) are trying to hive it off into some form of Charity with a view to long distance disposal. Pierre mentioned that bats (larger than pipestrelles) are probably nesting there and Janet confirmed she had also seen these.The Committee agreed to support every effort to get it locally listed / environmentally protected.

6.7 Website/ email communications.

Michael (Khan) is an I.T. specialist and he would be happy to revitalise the website as we are likely to get wider penetration with this. The meeting gratefully accepted his offer and George will forward all the email addresses that were collected today.

7. DATE OF NEXT MEETING.

The new Committee will meet at 7 for 7.15 on Tuesday 2nd July 2013, venue to be notified.

CLOSE OF MEETING. George thanked everyone for coming, stating the revitalised Committee would be able to build on and safeguard all the positive things the Park now had to offer.

Minuted by: George Wright, Secretary.

I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you.