Those present: Garry Turnbull (joint chair), Timothy Sutton (secretary), Graham Lane, Elizabeth Owen, Shields Russell, Lia Litosseliti and Sara Leon.
1. APOLOGIES of absence were received from Chris Van Duuren, Jeremy Beer and Jackie Meldrum.
2. Previous Minutes of the meeting held on the 14th May 2003 were approved.
3. Treasurers Report - Balances dated 20th May 2003 stated that there was £240·29 in the JAG current account (and 144·36 in the JAG deposit account).
4. Street clean 2003 - Tim Sutton reported that Mellissa Hadley had offered to organise the street clean for Sunday 13th July. Having heard nothing to the contrary it was assumed that this was still going ahead. It was noted that, last year, John Yates had organised the hire of a petrol driven hedge trimmer which would be needed again this year. Garry offered to contact John regarding this matter.
5. URBAN ART 2003 - Tim Sutton reported that plans for this year’s art fair were going well with ten definite bookings having been taken. With the aid of a map, local roads were chosen for leaflet distribution and these were then divided up between committee members present and others who had volunteered earlier. These leaflets will be distributed over the next nine days and any not used must be returned to Tim Sutton by Friday 20th June. It was also reported that a contact of Jeremy Beer’s, Kirk Hoatson, was handling publicity for the event.
6. Tree Surgery - Elizabeth Owen reported that following an inspection of the work carried out by the tree surgeons, A N Rowland, it was decided that not all the work had been done. A meeting has been set up between Tim Sutton and a representative from the company to discuss the matter on Tuesday 17th June, early afternoon.
7. DERELICT SITE 85 JOSEPHINE AVENUE - Garry Turnbull reported that, due to pressures of work, he had been unable to find out any more on this issue. However, after a discussion by members it was decided that JAG should take up the opportunity offered by councillor Jackie Meldrum to take the matter to Lambeth council. Garry offered to organise a delegation and resident’s petition to be presented to the council July meeting.
8. ALLIED CARPETS FORECOURT - Graham Lane reported that, following letters from both JAG and councillor Toren Smith, some clear up work had been done to the raised beds. Unfortunately the gates were still being left open at night allowing the car park to be used by drug dealers and other criminal elements. It was also noted that Jackie Meldrum had informed the group of complaints by residents of Nevena Court of intrusive flood lighting. It was decided to contact residents of Nevena Court (and possibly Jackie Meldrum) to arrange a joint meeting with management of Allied Carpets to discuss this matter further. If this does not work, further protest action may be required.
9. LONDON & QUADRANT GARDEN MAINTENANCE - Tim Sutton reported that he had received a reply to Toren Smith’s letter to L&Q regarding poor maintenance of garden areas in the street and in particular that at number 2 Josephine Avenue. The reply was from a Mr Charlie Grimble (Group Director) and basically states that they are fully aware that neither they nor their residents maintain the garden area of number 2 Josephine Avenue and that their Tenancy Services Officer, Wendy Hirst, having investigated the matter, will be ‘doing something a bit more structured’ than they have done in the past. Members thought it a good idea to invite Wendy to our next meeting to hear her plans.
PTO>>>
10. Other Matters
BRIXTON AREA COMMITTEE - Tim Sutton reminded members that the Brixton Area Committee will be meeting tomorrow night at 'Accord' 336 Brixton Rd 7·00pm. The subject of prostitution is on the agenda and the police are expected to be present to answer questions.
SPEEDING TRAFFIC - Yet again, members complained of the dangerous speed of traffic in the avenue. It was noted that a cat had been run over that week and other members talked of damaged railings and members of the public being knocked down. And yet again, no one offered to try and do something about it.
TULSE HILL TEA PARTY - Tim Sutton informed members that the Brixton Area Forum are holding a ‘Tea Party’ to meet residents and talk about local issues on Saturday 5 July, 2 - 4.30 at Jubilee School, Tulse Hill. Should be worth going to see the new building if nothing else!
DAMAGED RAILINGS AT NO. 27 - Members noted that the railings at number 27 Josephine Avenue had been damaged and that no repair work had been carried out for quite some time. The property is owned by a family welfare organisation who had promised to act as responsible residents when they took over the building five years ago. It was decided that JAG should send a letter to the organisation to ask when they will take on these responsibilities and repair their railings.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ROLES -
At a meeting on the 6th February 2002 committee members agreed to take on the following roles.
Elizabeth Owen Rush Common and Conservation
Graham Turnbull Traffic
Belinda Cooper Practical Issues
Okko Eskes and Melissa Hadley Street Clean and Prostitution
Chris Van Duuren Security
Timothy Sutton JAG Communication
Maurey Lancaster Police
John Yates Funding and liaising with other residents associations
and since...
Jeremy Beer Graffiti and Dumped Cars
Tim Sutton Fundraising (UrbanArt)
It was suggested that members should still be held responsible for the roles they volunteered for. If members do not want to be held responsible could they please contact the committee.
9. Volunteer To Do List:
Graham Lane Liaise with Nevena Court residents and Jackie Meldrum to arrange Allied Carpets meeting.
Garry Turnbull Contact John Yates regarding hedge trimmer.
Tim Sutton Meeting with A N Rowland tree surgeons, letter to 27 Josephine Avenue regarding railings.
Elizabeth Owen Investigate freeholder of leaning tree at 60? Josephine Avenue.
10. The next JAG meeting will be held on:
Wednesday 9th July, 2003 at 57 Josephine Avenue at 8.00pm, PROMPT!
Meeting closed at 10.15pm