Past Minutes from the Bankeyfields RA meeting on the 19th Oct 2010

Apologies - Steve Meacock, Megan Ryan

Thanks go to PCSO Mike Frost.

Minutes

Firstly we’d like to thank PCSO Frost for joining us and discussing the local policing unit’s activities with us.

MF* talked about the recent conviction of two local youths who have been plaguing the area, and now have a banning order placed on them. (see the Sentinel1*)

The orders place a restriction on these lads movements in a certain area and meeting with certain people. If the terms of the ASBO are broken, then they then face arrest and custody.
People are urged to report any breach to 0300 123 4455, and Staffordshire Police will give the public the support needed to bring anyone breaching their ABSO contract to court.

The group also spoke with PCSO Frost about which number to use, and when should you ring for non emergency (and that means life threatening) occurrences such as:

* Overly loud noise
* Troublesome teenagers
* Occurring Vandalism
* Underage drinking
* Public drinking

Mike’s advice was to ring Staffordshire Polices, non-emergency number, not to be scared, or to feel foolish, let the operator decide the action required. In most cases the ASBO car is dispatched and the officers will have a word with those involved, no harm done, and the problem stops.
“Just Ring” 0300 123 4455

Adoption of the Estate.
A team of residents has been researching and contacting various members of the council, Severn Trent, and Taylor Wimpey (What was left of Wilcon was sucked into Taylor Woodrow and then this was brought out by Wimpey to become Taylor Wimpey).

Over the months we have made some headway, firstly contacting Rachel Bates, who came to speak at our last RA meeting to tell us where Severn Trent stood on the Adoption issues.

Over the course of time, Severn Trent’s solicitors have been talking to Taylor Wimpey’s prompted into action by our endeavors. Severn Trent feel that they cannot take over the sewer system, that although technically sound and viable, They are unable to complete their side as the water over flow in the land across Reginald Mitchell Way, doesn’t have an order in place allowing Severn Trent to work on the land.

Severn Trent as the adopter of the water works insist that Taylor Woodrow must secure a deed of grant, which will give ST the legal permissions to visit the sewer overflow.

We then wrote to Taylor Wimpey, and after further pressing had a reply from Stewart Gower Adoption Manager for Taylor Wimpey. Bankefields RA Vice Chairman Richard Hawthorne has now entered into dialogue with Stewart, to try and resolve these issues.

From Richards discussion, and number of things were made know.

1. Taylor Wimpey have been trying to arrange a meeting with SOT city council for a number of years to try and get to the bottom of some of the issues on the estate
2. TW feel that SOTCC should and could have adopted the estate at any point over the years, as they a) hold a bond to carry out any work on the sewers if it ever came to it.
3. The drains have been passed off as sound
4. Disagree with Severn Trent that the deed of grant is necessary, however will go to the courts and pay for the deed of grant if the current talks with ST are instant upon it.
5. If they do have to get a deed of grant for the sewers on the overflow land beneath Focus, then this could take up to 6 months, and as little as 3 months.

Councillor Megan Ryan has promised in the past that the very next day after Severn Trent adopt the estate, SOT CC will also adopt.

Matt Burke, sent a email back on 3rd October to the Tunstall Councillors Khan, Matloob and Ryan inviting them to get in touch with Mr Gower but has yet to have any acknowledgment.

Steve Barrow - Chairman of Bankeyfields Residents Association stated that as the council said they had tried to get to the bottom of the Adoption issues, they hadn’t tried all that hard to contact any of the two organisations involved.

Matt had a reply to his and Sally’s email within two weeks which got the ball rolling, and again Taylor Wimpey again came back to Matt’s email after another two weeks of emailling.

“Again the councillors and council are letting us do their work”

As stated, all of this could take up to 6 months, securing the deed of grant, and then time for Severn Trent to adopt the sewers, followed by the council adopting the estate.

But for anyone selling their house or trying to move onto the estate, it has to be good news that these issues are coming to ahead, and will be resolved shortly.

Severn Trent Rebate
Some of you might be aware that because Severn Trent don’t technically own the sewers they have been charging to our bills a service that they haven’t been providing. In reality Taylor Wimpey have.

Some residents have phoned Severn Trent and have put this forward and have been issued a rebate for the time they’ve been in the house.

However, more recently residents have been trying and have been refused, saying that Severn Trent still collect the waste, so at the end of the day they have been providing the service, so shouldn’t pay out.

The RA will be looking into this and get back to you shortly.

106 Monies

Poor grass cutting plan, fences not being fixed, mixed maintenance, some on park however.
Monies should have gone in to the completion of open space and not maintenance
Contractor Tendered issues
Why you should be concerned
Objections from the council
Proposed CCTV on play area with monies left over ?
Other RA,s have issues with 106 monies

Appendix
1*http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Takeaway-Asbos-problem-teenagers/article-2777804-detail/article.html

MF - Mike Frost

2Dear Councillors Matloob, Khan, Ryan

Bankeyfields Resident Association Vice Chair Richard Hawthorne has just had a very interesting conversation with Stewart Gower from Taylor Wimpey, who has for a very long time now being trying in vain to get in touch with you all and get a meeting sorted to tackle the problems with the Adoption of the Bankeyfields Estate. Stewart has stated that he has a number of issues to talk to you about, and is very willing to get on with it.

As you will be aware of the effect this issue is having on residents trying to sell their homes I ask you on behalf of the 350 households of this estate if you can make a big effort to move things forward and get in touch with Stewart.

He has a number of things that he would like to speak to you about, and the sooner things get moving the sooner the lengthier issues can get going.

In the name of openness and a gesture of good will I also like you to consider CC'ing ra@bankeyfields.co.uk into any email correspondence.

If as you say you Stoke-on-Trent City Council is very eager to adopt our estate, then please make this happen.

I've included Stewart Gower's contact details below including telephone, fax and email address.

Many Thanks

Matt Burke
Bankeyfields Residents Association

-omitted information-