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Dukinfield East. Residents’ Association.

Affiliated with New Charter Housing Trust Group

Committee meeting held on 22nd February 2016

Present: John Heywood (JH) Chairman Kathy Inglis (KI) Secretary

David Bottomley (DB) Treasurer Arnold Hodgkinson (AH) Committee Member

Linda Whyatt (LW) New Charter Resident Involvement Officer

Apologies Angela Dickson (AD) Committee Member

John Bevan (JB) Committee Member Khadeja Begum (KB) Neighbourhood Coordinator for Yew Tree Estate, New Charter

Simon Blomeley (SB) Neighbourhood Coordinator for Gorse Hall, New Charter

Preamble to Meeting:

JH noted that there were sufficient members present to form a quorum, under the rules of the constitution.

Following an informal discussion with JH, LW expressed the opinion that we should not proceed further with the Gorse Hall Play Area project as it would be complex and demand more time and effort than JH could reasonably cope

with and that New Charter could not offer full support because it was out of area and beyond their remit.

LW also proposed that DERA have a plan for the coming year detailing events that they would attend or support.

There was some discussion about the size of the area, but it was finally agreed that this would remain ‘as is’ but that

DERA would not actively seek projects outside the core area of Chester Avenue but any queries received would be recommended to the appropriate agency to deal with i.e. New Charter or the Council. In addition meetings would no

longer be leafleted, but details posted on line and posters would be mounted on lampposts and in shops.

It was proposed that Gorse Hall Forum might be invited to public meetings to have the opportunity to raise any issues

in DERA ‘outer area’.

Regarding the poor attendance at public meetings, especially the AGM; it was suggested that timing was an issue – the AGM would be better held in summer. AGMs can be spaced at 18 months intervals maximum so, our next AGM

will be set back to March 2017 and the following one timed so that it falls in summer 2018. Further, there would be

only one ordinary public meeting in addition to the AGM but a public meeting would precede the AGM.

JH felt that DERA could continue to do good works for the community despite lack of interest from members. However, it was agreed that DERA should promote the association more and publicise what it had achieved. To this

end, a newsletter was to be produced emphasising the association’s participation in events and projects alongside New Charter. JH to provide photos to LW. In addition, some sort of collapsible display kit would be useful to

promote DERA and get its logo recognised. LW to investigate possible suppliers.

Note: Constitution needs amendment to reflect above.

Plans for the Year:

Clean up involving the council to educate ref recycling and consequences of fly tipping; kids and adults involved in litter pick; New Charter ‘cages’ available to collect small items of refuse (not bulky items such as settees etc.)

Possibly arrange for end June during school hols. weekday afternoon with refreshments.

Window Boxes: Enter into ‘In Bloom’ along with garden in front of shops; generally early August. Includes

trip to Southport in October, full day with meal, for presentation of prizes.

Christmas Event

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Dukinfield Festival: No dates available at the time of the meeting. Need to consider this, to generate funds.

The positioning of the notice board, when available, to be reconsidered.

Accounts

There was £1263 in the account, of which £500 was allocated to funding the window boxes. £300 was to come from

New Charter for meeting our association commitments.

Regarding the minibus, which places a heavy demand on our funds, it was decided that, if there are continuing repair costs, the association would need to decide whether to apply for LOTTO funding for a replacement vehicle, or

whether to abandon the service.

We need to ensure that safety checks are carried out at the recommended 6 months period.

Our books still require auditing; DB to action.

KI to attend Food Hygiene training.

AH to attend First Aid training

This will meet our commitments to attend NC events for the current year.

KI agreed to issue the minutes or at least share responsibility until DB was fully fit. However DB agreed to minute

this meeting.

Date of Next Meeting

To be confirmed. Awaiting prices for window boxes and cost of display unit, as discussed.