SOUTH OCKENDON COMMUNITY FORUM GENERAL FORUM MEETING Minutes of Meeting held on Monday 1st June 2015 at 1.30pm South Ockendon Centre, Derry Avenue, South Ockendon, RM15 5DX
The meeting started at 1.30pm
1. Present and apologies
Present: Arthur Barley (Chair) Belhus Park Scout Group Glynis Pettit Age Concern Thurrock Sonia Dewell South Ockendon in Bloom/ Friends of Dilkes Park Jean Hagger Ockendon in Bloom Mary Kimberley Holy Cross RC Church Emma Harrison Resident/ SOCF John Pettit Age Concern Thurrock Ashley Barley Belhus Park Scout Group Maggie Pollock Thurrock Play Network Eve Dymond Resident Cllr Chris Baker Thurrock Council Kirsten Regan Surestart Where Kids come First Christopher Pease Community Builder Peter Hacking Friends of Brandon Groves Hannah Thomas Estuary Logistics (till 2.30pm\ Isabelle White Estuary Logistics (till 2.30pm) Roger Passfield Neighbourhood Watch Terry Fowles Essex Police Liaison
Apologies: Cllr Jan Baker Thurrock Council Cllr Kevin Wheeler Thurrock Council Dhruti Bell Little Belhus Country Park Fr Peter Rabin St Nicholas and All Saints Churches Linda Buckingham The Ockendon Academy
2. Minutes of the meeting on 11th May 2015 were approved as a correct record.
3. Any Other Business – none
4. Guest Speaker – Roger Passfield – Thurrock Neighbourhood Watch RP started by introducing Terry Fowles, Police Liasion Officer who works with him. They are sponsored by Thurrock Community Safety Partnership.
Roger said that a few Neighbourhood Watch groups have started up in the Ockendon area. Anyone who would like to start a group in their road needs to get eight neighbours to agree to take part and then to contact him on 07806 899 640. The purpose of a group is to encourage people to be vigilant to what is happening in their street and to report it to the local police by calling 101 to report it and thus to increase safety and reduce crime.
Signed as a correct record: ______Date:______
South Ockendon Community Forum General Forum Meeting – 1st June 2015 Page 1 of 4 The local police produce a weekly report of crime figures which is sent to Neighbourhood Watch groups co-ordinators to circulate within their group. They will also need to attend a meeting once every six months.
There was some discussion during which it was asked if those answering 101 calls who may often be in Chelmsford or otherwise out of the area could have a map of the local areas to expedite calls as much time on calls is wasted explaining where something is.
Roger spoke of the Essex Community Messaging system which members of the community may sign up to on the Essex Police website to pass on information and find out what is happening in their area.
The chair thanked Roger and Terry for their interesting presentation.
5. Correspondence A letter concerning the problems with the pedestrian railway crossing in Grays was read out and there was some discussion concerning the possibility of this being closed. The Police challenge Event is to be held on 9th June at 7.30 at Epping Forest College, Loughton. All invited to attend to hear the Police Commissioner. A letter has been received about the new Fairness Commission. Meetings /workshops have been set up around the borough on different dates. All welcome to attend. MP also showed advert from Thurrock Gazette showing proposed shop in Hathaway Road. She said that any comments on this should be sent to the Lands Office of Thurrock Council.
6. Chairman’s report AB reported that at the Annual Council Meeting Cllr Sue Gray was made Mayor for the coming year, with Cllr Cathy Kent as deputy Mayor. All sent their good wishes and congratulations to Sue on her election. Maggie Pollock brought up a letter recently sent from SOCF to Friends of Ockendon Rec. committee. She referred to a comment in the letter stating that SOCF Trustees were reviewing the role of SOCF in view of the changes now that we are in the South Ockendon Centre. The Chair stressed that all the Trustees worked exteremely hard to conduct the affairs of SOCF and that some more Trustees would be welcomed if they wished to keep up the level of activities that were previously supported by the charity. MP asked if there were plans to call an EGM to discuss any re-focussing of SOCF’s activities with the members and get their views. Trustees said members would be kept fully informed of all matters and decisions relating to SOCF and that their views would be sought where appropriate.
7. SOCF updates. Funs in the Park – SOCF Trustees are working with Open Door to deliver a Fun Day in Dilkes Park on Friday June 31st. There are many activities arranged for the day and it promises to be a good day for all the family. SOCF members have been invited to have a stall to raise funds for their own group. Registration forms for stalls to be returned to Glynis as soon as possible. Container in Park – AB reported that the container roof has had a temporary repair but that a more permanent one was to be done by Willmott Dixon, hopefully in the near future. South Ockendon Centre – AB reported that two part time staff have been recruited, a Centre Supervisor and a Volunteer Co-ordinator to look after the day
South Ockendon Community Forum General Forum Meeting – 1st June 2015 Page 2 of 4 to day management of the Centre. He also reported that SOCF had been asked to take over the overall management of the Centre, but due to lack of capacity had been forced to decline the offer.
8. Organisational updates Community Builder (Chris Pease) A contact of his is planning to set up a social group for the hard of hearing. She knows BSL and hopes to use it in the group. Fitness in the Park - A contact of CB has started a fitness group on Saturday mornings 9.30am – 10.30am in Bonnygate Woods Park. More members needed.
Cllr Chris Baker – Thurrock Council – nothing
Ockendon in Bloom (Jean Hagger) – nothing
Friends of Dilkes Park (Sonia Dewell) There is a leak in the children play sandpit. Some crossbow bolts have been found in the park. SD has taken them to the local police station and spoken to Thurrock Council about it. Otherwise all is going well in the park.
Thurrock Arts Collective – (Emma Harrison) The group will be taking part in the Village Beach Event on Saturday July 18th in Grays Beach Riverside Park.
Friends of Ockendon Rec. (Wendy Curtis) An event is being organised in Ockendon Rec this Summer (27th July-31st July). This would include sports and arts activities. Monday – Footbal Tuesday – Cricket Wednesday – Arts activities Thursday – Tennis Friday – Dancing/ sports and Bowls Brandon Groves Football Club have a presentation and fun afternoon in the Rec on 27th June. The Bowls club has an Open Day on August 8th. They will welcome new members.
South Ockendon Centre (Wendy Curtis) Tonight they have a session in the Centre for the Thurrock 100 project. They will be beginning to paint the Ockendon flag. All welcome. A chiropodist is hoping to start sessions in the Centre soon offering footcare to local people. She charges £20 per session
Bus User Group (Eve Dymond) She is hoping to arrange for some new timetables available soon.
Holy Cross RC Church (Mary Kimberley) - nothing
Surestart Where Kids Come First (Kirsten Regan) The topic for June is Transport. The children are hoping to have a bus trip and to look at refuse collection. Eighteen children are leaving to begin reception class at school in July/August. They are hoping to work with schools on transition.
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Age Concern Thurrock (Glynis Pettit) Lunch Club in South Ockendon is going well. Continues to be busy with calls for appointments to help with Attendance Allowance applications. Theme for the latest newsletter is early signs of dementia.
All Saints Church, Belhus Park (Glynis Pettit) A Quiz is to be held on 18th June in the church hall at 6pm. All welcome.
St Nicholas Church, South Ockendon (Glynis Pettit) The second of the series of Open Days, on the first Sunday each month, is scheduled for Sunday 7th June 2-4pm. This will have displays and information about the Ockendon manor houses. Refreshments available.
Belhus Park Scout Group (Arthur Barley) The Scout camp held two weeks ago went well and the weather was good – a good weekend. The AGM was on 30th May. It was quite well attended. There was a good atmosphere. A barbeque was held after the main meeting. The Cub camp is to be on 5th -7th June at Thriftwood Camp, Brentwood. Hoping for fine weather.
9.Any Other Business – none
10.Date of next Meeting – Monday 6th July 2015 at 1.30pm in the South Ockendon Centre
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