PUBLIC MEETING
AGM
2nd May 2017
SPRINGWELL SOCIAL CLUB
MINUTES

Present: Chair A. Templeman
Vice Chair M. Johnson
Secretaries P.Cooper

Other committee members M. Lambton
D. Lambton
H. Fife
C. Brown
S. Thomas

Guests: Cllr H Trueman and Cllr D Trueman
CSO Susan Peverall
CSO Melissa Cody
Joanne Coulson – Gentoo
Amanda Cuskin, – Bowes Railway Museum

Apologies: Cllr B Scaplehorn
Lesley Pickup
George Martin

Approx 20 members of the public attended the meeting.

1. The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

2. The Annual Report and Financial Statement were accepted.

3. The Committee stood down – Cllr Trueman took over the Chair. The Committee was elected en bloc following a proposal from Cllr Trueman. Mrs Aitken thanked the committee for their work over the last year.

4. Gentoo : Joanne Coulson (Community Partnership Coordinator) explained that following reorganisation, Gentoo is now concentrating on its function as a landlord, but still with community connections. Her role is to administer the Aspire grants scheme – organisations can apply for up to £500 every financial year. Springwell had received a grant to help with planting. Decisions are made every two months based on how many people would benefit.

Joanne also administers a befriending scheme to provide visitors for socially isolated people – people who need help and/or who would like to become a befriender should contact her.

She is also involved in litter picking along with Environment Agency and Washington Trust and can access teams of volunteers from Barclays Bank and Berghaus to help with projects to keep neighbourhoods clean and tidy.

Focus groups are held every two months to discuss local issues and bring communities together – they have concentrated on litter for the last six months – everyone welcome. Meetings are held in Gentoo offices in the Galleries, Washington.

5. Police: CSO offered to help with litter picks.
25 crimes have been recorded for the period 6/3/17-29/4/17:-
4 damage to motor vehicle, 3 burglary (to shed/garage), 2 damage to fences, 3 shoplifting, 4 common assault, 3 harassment, 3 public order, 1 theft of wheelie bin, 2 thefts. Also three ASBs of youth disorder and loud music at Mill House

There have been problems with motorbikes particularly Springwell Estate and Blackfell – residents urged to report incidents to enable police to pursue – illegal scrambling bikes can be confiscated and destroyed.
Officers keen to point out that Springwell Village is one of the safest places to live
Community Support Officers can now be contacted on their personal work mobile phones and are able to make appointments to see people by visiting their homes

6. Bowes Railway Museum: Tubs being planted by National Garden Scheme, Royal Horticultural Society and Scouts/Brownies and a U3A group.
There is a Miners Event as part of Washington Heritage Festival involving Washington Trust and the Council Sat 3 June with banners, leather carving, new tea room open, miners cottage room display and this will be the last chance for a while to experience a display of steam and diesel locomotives.

Work soon to begin on the boundary wall – expected mid May – may involve traffic lights

There will be workshops on heritage dry walling and it is hoped the public can be involved in the repairs on the site.

Visitor numbers are good with people coming long distances. Many more schools are involved. For the village’s 1940’s event 5 schools have signed up – children will be dressing up as evacuees with ration packs being provided by Asda.

7. AOB: Stone waste bin at bus stop disgusting – SVRA to pursue decision by council to remove. Green bins- Council can pick up 2 black sacks alongside standard fortnightly collection.
Traffic along Mount Lane (adjacent to Mount Lonnen) becoming a problem – parked cars close to blind bend, high speed, horses and horse traps are all causing problems. Visibility at bend very poor. SVRA to seek advice from council (Traffic) and also refer to neighbourhood policing team.

8. Date of next meeting: 13 June 2017 at 7pm