PUBLIC MEETING 02 February 2016
SPRINGWELL SOCIAL CLUB
MINUTES
Present: Chair A. Templeman
Secretaries P.Cooper
L.Pickup

Treasurer G. Martin

Other committee members H. Fife
S. Gray
M. Johnson
E. Gatens
M.Lambton
D.Lambton
Cllr H Trueman
Cllr B Scaplehorn

Apologies: Cllr.D.Trueman
Emma Hardy
PC Vicki Noble

Approx 70 members of the public attended

1. It was proposed/seconded and carried by vote that Michele Johnson become Vice Chair following Emma Hardy’s resignation from the post because of other commitments. Emma was thanked for her work and welcomed to remain on the Committee.

2. The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed

3. Police: Seven wheelie bins had been stolen.
Various reports of groups of young people misbehaving
Three reports of suspicious males being seen around the village – one having stolen from NiSA
Two attempted burglaries from business premises

Flooding: Flooding had recently occurred in Beech Grove – caused by run-off from the site owned by Hellens. Councillors and Fire Service were thanked for their support which it was felt had avoided ingress to homes.

Hellens’ rep had visited Beech Grove during flooding but had offered no practical help.

SVRA Chairman subsequently telephoned Hellens to discuss issues – this offer was not taken up.

Hellens then wrote to residents offering to meet to discuss flooding. Most residents did not respond one did. She reported that Gavin Cordwell-Smith (MD), Katie Rumble (his PA) and his consultant (Brian Robe) met her and another resident – the main points discussed were:

Hellens claimed neither SVRA nor the Council wanted to engage with them

Hellens were keen to establish when flooding had begun

Hellens responded to the suggestion that ploughing would provide a temp solution by saying that was too wet to plough and that frost would damage their equipment if it was too frosty

In summary it was felt that Hellens had attempted a PR exercise with the residents but had offered no practical help so far.
It was agreed that SVRA and the Council look into the legal/insurance/liability implications

Councillors reported that SCC officers and Northumbria Water were working together on potential solutions and funding – Springwell had been identified as one of three priorities. Meetings taking place in the next week. Councillor Scaplehorn undertook to report back.

4. Greenbelt:
High Usworth Farm:Planning App for five houses refused – 229 objections had been received

Internation Advanced Manufacturing Park: Residents voted to respond on the basis
1. Option 1 – better opps for phasing, better siting of transport hub, better view from A19,
2. Max 523 new homes between neighbouring authorities to accommodate workers
3. Phase in order to protect as much of the greenbelt for as long as possible
4. Do not use even more of greenbelt on which to build houses
5. Very important to get investment in public transport – use opportunity to better access south east of borough and avoid impact on north west and avoid isolation from the remainder of the conurbation. Travel plans also important.
6. Encourage use of older industrial property becoming vacant through displacement for housing

5. AOB – complaints about piles of earth presenting health and safety issue Woodbine CottagesLismore Terrace. Councillor Scaplehorn to take up.

6. Date of next meeting – to be posted on website.