ALTON RURAL REGENERATION GROUP (SRB)
Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 12th September 2006 at The Royal Oak, Alton.
1. PRESENT: John Moorhouse (Treasurer), Alan Heath (Chair), Linda Goodwin, Dave Scrivens, Sally Khadjenouri (minutes).
2. APOLOGIES: Gillian Morrison, Angie Hurst.
3. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING: Agreed and signed
4. MATTERS ARISING: There were none.
5. RECRUITMENT POSTERS: Alan distributed these to the meeting and reported that a few laminated copies had gone up around the village. Angie is distributing the rest. Alan also pointed out that the background paper with the village map on can be used by the group for letters.
6. WEBSITE: Alan pointed out that this is not covering its £130 per annum cost. The B&B’s need to be approached to renew. John asked Alan to e-mail the directory to him and said that he and Angie will approach businesses. Alan pointed out that many local businesses are not using it. The meeting was reminded that The Royal Oak are not charged for their listing as they provide our meeting room free of charge.
7. BANKING: John reported that a formal resignation letter from Les (the previous Chair of this group) has been sent to the bank in order to allow Alan to become a signatory.
8. PLAYGROUND: Alan reported that a lot of maintenance work has now been done including lifting the tiles and planting new grass, re-tensioning the zip line, clearing water from the chatter box tubes and fitting a limestone path with hogging. The price of which was £1048.10. inc. vat. This has been forwarded to the Parish Council who has paid £750 and will claim back the £156.10 vat. This leaves a shortfall of £142, which the SRB has agreed to pay. Alton Towers have not been contacted and John felt it was not necessary to involve them. This was agreed. Linda asked if the maze could be repaired. Lapsett have costed for a replacement in their inspection report, which Alan gave to Linda. Vandalism was discussed and it was noted that the CCTV needs to be checked regularly, particularly following an incident otherwise vandals are being given the message that they can get away with it. Dave advised making a claim on the insurance for the damage to the maze.
9. BIG LOTTERY FUND: Dave announced a presentation on Thursday 21st September at Rudyard Lake 9.30 – 1pm about Community Buildings and changes in the conditions for applying for funding. Dave will attend and report on this. Linda asked if he would be prepared to attend a Village Hall meeting and Dave agreed. There is also a Heritage Lottery Fund meeting this Thursday 14th September, which is relevant to the Pump area the next item on the agenda.
10. PUMP AREA AND NEW ROAD GARDEN: Dave said the delay was due to him waiting for the above meeting. Alan to pass on details to Dave in time for the meeting.
11. COMMUNITY CHEST: As reported last month Dave will be visiting all community groups. He will be advising them on how they can access funds such as The Community Chest, which gives grants up to £500. He gave the group information about this and also outlined the benefits of joining the SMCVS (Staffordshire Moorlands Council for Voluntary Services)
12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
12.1. PLANTERS: It was noted that the new planters, which have caused a great deal of concern in the village, would adversely affect the Christmas Roundhouse Event. As the SRB Group has been actively involved in promoting and preserving Art and Heritage in the village we should have been consulted. There was a discussion about this. John pointed out that he had costed for traditional cast iron bollards which the group agreed would have been much more in keeping and more practical. John will e-mail a rough draft to Angie for her to write a letter to the Council with our concerns.
12.2. COMMUNITY BOARD: This is at the new surgery and Angie is updating it with news of our meetings.
12.3. ST JOHN’S SCHOOL: Alan reported that Alton Castle do not want the premises and that while the Diocese are maintaining the building they cannot continue to run it. The Parish are in agreement with the possibility of a Heritage and Adult Education Centre. Linda questioned whether anyone had proposed locating the playgroup there. It was not clear if they had. There was a discussion about Heritage Lottery Funding. Dave pointed out that this would only fund the owners of the building.
12.4. NEW IDEAS: Dave asked everyone to think about new ideas and to bring them to the next meeting.
RURAL FORUM MEETING on 19th October 7pm at Warslow Village Hall.
NEXT ALTON SRB MEETING on 10th October 7.30pm at The Royal Oak, Alton.
