Hilary Cox; Andy Gibbs; Judi Hibberd; Janet Hickinbottom; Bron Putnam; Rona Taylor; Faith Ward; and Mary Webb
Apologies and Minutes of the last meeting
Apologies had been received from Dianne Adams, Paddy Deeley
| Summary of actions following the meeting | Responsible |
| Ask Peter Hallam again about rubble in Hob Lane as the problem was recurring | Rona |
| Send to Parish Council (PC) HS2 response to letter about house in Hodgett’s Lane | Judi |
| Contact Chair of Village Hall (VH) committee re website | Rona |
| Contact representative of Broadwells Wood re dust problem | Rona |
| Email PC about dust complaint (as above) | Judi |
| Email PC regarding HS2 parking problems | Judi |
| Sort out who is standing down and those willing to be re-elected at AGM | Janet |
| Invite councillors, police and school head to AGM as guests | Judi and Rona |
| Establish date for 2020 AGM and book room | Judi |
| Book VH 18 Dec 2020 for Santa Sleigh | Judi |
| Canvass opinion in Red Lane re shelter | Rona |
| Introduce shelter topic at AGM | Rona |
| Ask Peter Hallam about the safety aspect of the shelter | Rona |
| Add HS2 Community Fund discussion to AGM | Rona |
| Add HS2 Community Fund discussion to Nov meeting | Judi |
| Refreshments at AGM | Mary and Hilary |
| Purchase spring bulbs | Mary and Hilary |
| Arrange with school the Christmas card competition | Faith |
Minutes of the last meeting and Matters Arising
See Minutes of July 17th meeting
The minutes of the meeting were approved.
1. Matters Arising from the previous minutes
- Police Watch – link completed
- Letter to Hedgerow Nursery - completed
- Contact with Cheryl about website - to be actioned
- Minor wording changes to donations policy - completed
- Finalising of Welcome Leaflet, printing and distribution - completed
- Clarify the re-route of the Greenway – awaiting details
- HS2 Community Fund to be added to September agenda – carried forward to November
- Contact William Slater - completed
- Copies of the Bugle to Cala Homes - completed
- Weed killer to be purchased to use on the Jubilee verge - completed
All other matters arising were to be agenda items.
2. Village Hall Update
Cheryl was unable to attend but said there was nothing new to report.
3. Treasurer’s Report
See: Treasurer’s Report
Dianne had sent her apologies but a report had been circulated.
4. Residents’ views/concerns
- A complaint had been received from Broadwells Wood residents about the dust caused by HS2 works on the pipeline. Cllr Gibbs said the pipeline work was almost completed but there remained work to do on the diversion of the Greenway and then the construction of the new Village Hall. Rona would contact residents to signpost them to the HS2 Helpline to complain about insufficient attention to dust management and to refer to the Code of Construction Practice. The PC would also be informed. Action: Rona
- Dangerous parking by HS2 contractors was causing traffic problems in Hodgett’s Lane. It was agreed to report this to the HS2 Helpline.
- A resident had reported the difficulty in contacting HS2 with complaints Email: mailto:HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk Freephone: 08081 434 434
- A resident had reported two lampposts were not working in Cromwell Lane. Residents should make a note of the lamp post number and contact Warwick District Council: https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/reportstreetlighting Or phone 01926 456076
5. AGM Sep 30th planning
- The banner had been amended to the 2019 date and would be erected at the top of Red Lane.
- Mary and Hilary agreed to arrange refreshments. Action: Mary and Hilary
- HS2 had agreed to put their presentation about the tunnel on a loop to be shown at the AGM with someone available to answer questions.
- The committee agreed that no vote was needed regarding selection of the charity to receive funds from the Santa Sleigh collection as it was unanimously agreed to donate to Warwickshire Air Ambulance.
6. Update on and discussion of Residents’ Association initiatives and issues
- Former air raid warden’s shelter. Rona provided a brief history of the structure and explained the costs she had researched should it be decided to attempt restoration. Questions were asked about whether this was a good use of finances (although the costs might be sought from external sources) and whether there was a general consensus in the community that the shelter needed restoration. There were concerns as to whether the roof contained asbestos. It was agreed it was an eyesore in its current state and it was decided that Peter Hallam should be asked about its safety. Residents on the opposite side of the road should be canvassed to find their opinions. Action: Rona
- Cala homes had agreed to buy a bench and, if it was decided to demolish the structure, the bench should at least bear a plaque referring to the air raid warden’s shelter.
- Cala Homes update on the site. Three houses were now occupied. The entrance to the site is being adapted and Cala Homes reported the need to trim back the hedges to allow for visibility. This will need further discussion. The PC is likely to be putting together a proposition regarding the speed limit and signage at the top of Red Lane as both the Greenway diversion and Cala Homes site will impact on the road.
- Bulbs on the verge. It was agreed to spend up to £100 on the purchase and planting of spring bulbs. Action: Hilary and Mary
- HS2 letter reply. Following concerns expressed by the Residents’ Association regarding the empty property at 36 Hodgett’s Lane, this response was received from Stephen Leigh, the HS2 Interface Manager:
Thank you for your email. I have now heard from my colleague and can respond as follows:
I have been informed that 36 Hodgetts Lane is to be kept vacant due to the level of costs being required to bring this up to a lettable standard.
I can, however, give you a bit more background on the £20,000 limit in relation to this property. HS2 has to ensure that any property it lets out meets the required standards. The property requires complex works that will cost over £20,000 and as such this will require tendering and sign off by Department for Transport (DfT). We have carried out a budget cost exercise and the costs identified far exceeds this limit. As such our financial model has proven that carrying out the works will not be value for money. As a publicly funded organisation we have to ensure that any spend represents good value for money for the taxpayer.
We have reviewed the costs in detail and cannot proceed with the works due to reasons set out above. Community use was suggested as there may be grants or funding available that we, as HS2 Ltd, cannot access. This option is still available and HS2 would be glad to discuss this further should some form of community use be found for this property. HS2 is examining options for potentially disposing of the property earlier but this is subject to approvals being sought from DfT. The current stance from HS2 is that unfortunately this property is likely to remain vacant until one year after the line is operational.
If you have any further questions then please do not hesitate to contact me.
- VE DAY May 8th, 2020. It had been agreed to work with the VH committee to arrange an event on May 8th, 2020. Mary had booked the Hall. Ideas included a lunch with entertainment, but the final details were to be agreed with representatives of the VH.
- HS2 fund – what should we ask for? Suggestions included landscaping and a play area on top of the tunnel.
- A problem was highlighted as being unable to apply for funding until the tunnel was completed. The query about choice of projects would be raised at the AGM. It was felt important to liaise with e Neighbourhood Plan group.
7. Greenway Trust update
There was no update.
8. Parish Councillor's Report
There was nothing to report as the PC had not met during the summer. Visibility splays at the entrance to Cala Homes site would be raised at the next P.C. meeting.
9. Any Other Business
- It was reported that the dog waste bin at the Cromwell Land entrance to the Greenway was overflowing and people continued to place bags on the top of the bin. This had been reported and it would be emptied within the next 2 weeks.
- The Christmas card competition for the schoolchildren would be overseen by Faith as the winning entry needed to be at the printers by prior to the next committee meeting. Action: Hilary
- Santa’s Sleigh collection would take place on Friday December 13th. As dance classes were taking place at the VH, the Green Room would be used at the start of the evening.
- A Christmas tree would be purchased in December.
- A litter pick would start from the bridge on Cromwell Lane at 10.30 on October 13th.
- The next Residents’ lunch was scheduled for October 4th.
10. Date, time and venue of Next Meeting
The next committee meeting was scheduled for AGM Sept 30th Nov 27th
