PUBLIC MEETING
31^st March 2015
SPRINGWELL SOCIAL CLUB
MINUTES
Present: Chair A. Templeman

Vice Chair E. Hardy

Secretaries L. Pickup P. Cooper

Treasurer G. Martin

Other committee members M. Lambton D. Lambton H.Fife S.Gray

Guests: Councillors H & D Trueman and Councillor B Scaplehorn, Tom Davidson, Vice Chair & Treasurer, Bowes Railway

Apologies: Chris Mennear ( Customer Relationship Officer ) PC Vicki Noble

1. The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

2. Update on Coronation Tce, Drainage at Blackberry Cottages was read out on behalf of Chris Mennear who is also looking into dog fouling issues.

3. Thompsons – A meeting took place on the 18^th March with Aubrey Telfer and their Planning Consultant Katie Wood. Both SVRA and Thompsons are keen to work together to resolve present and long standing issues. A majority voted to continue to work with Thompsons, and four members of the Committee were put forward to form a working party. A further name was proposed and seconded – no vote was taken. To be discussed after AGM.

4. Fundraising – Application for Community Chest funding of £1000 has been approved. Easter egg raffle to be held in the Guidepost over the Easter weekend. A Family Disco to be held in the Village Hall on the 18^th Continuing to sell Domino cards.

5. Marketing/Promotion/PR – Our campaign against Greenbelt development hit the headlines in the Sunderland Echo and Washington Star. Gwynneth McIntyre is organising a PR Programme that will involve the local press and media. Save the Greenbelt posters are available from the Hall, Nisa and Chapel.

6. Signboards – Cost of signboards will be £10. Residents will have the options of either (a) erecting signs themselves or (b) have help to install them but would need to sign disclaimer. Signboards are compliant with Council standards.

7. Banners – To be displayed at a range of locations throughout the village.

8. Website – There is an online petition on SVRA website and Facebook in support of the greenbelt campaign which residents were asked to sign.

9. Bowes Railway – Tom Davidson explained that there was a new management structure at Bowes Railway. The railway is a scheduled ancient monument of global importance and should be promoted as an asset to the village. He felt that SVRA and Bowes Railway could work together for the mutual benefit of both parties and will seek his committee’s approval to have a banner displayed at their site. English Heritage funding will enable the original stone wall to be repaired. As part of the grant, EH has stated that education and working practice should be included in the renovation and local people are encouraged to get involved.

10. Pro Bono Help – Adam Chaffer is working for us and researching planning law. We also have three undergraduates carrying out research work on legal and planning issues.

11. Resignations – Lisa Wild and Kevin Curran have resigned from the Committee.

12. Next Meeting – will be the AGM to be held on 26 May 2015.

Donations – £44 was collected at the Meeting.