The Friends of St. Andrews Park [FoSAP] Minutes of the meeting held on 18 th October 2011 at St. Andrews Bowling Club 1] Present: John Mayne [Chair], Steve Perry [Treasurer], Paul Bullivant [minutes], Fay Aldridge, Emma Downing, Kerry Macleod, Jenny Morris, Joanna Towner. 2] Apologies for absence: Jo Corke, Cllr Fi Hance, Simon Randolph, Martin Weitz. 3] Minute of the meeting of 07/09/11: These were approved as a correct record. 4] Chair’s welcome: a] The Chair [JM] welcomed those present. b] JM reported on the issue of private and exclusive parties in the park that had been raised by Miles Harris of Bristol City Council [BCC]. Jo Corke [JC] had previously reported to JM that the recent private ‘go cart’ event, which had prompted this enquiry to FoSAP from Miles Harris, had been well managed. E-mail consultation of members’ views and discussion at the meeting revealed a wide range of views. It was agreed that JM would report back to BCC the summary of members views which was as follows :-
Small private parties, which may involve gazebos and tents of a reasonable size, are welcomed.
Areas of the park must not be roped off and/or contained for the exclusive use for any one group or private party.
Low key commercial events and /or activities are welcomed if they are part of a larger licenced community event and if they are open to all members of the public. 5] Matters arising from the minutes of 07/09/11: a] Refurbishment of toilets: As reported at the last meeting, works are programme for the first week in November and will be phased so that only one toilet section is closed at any time. b] Park gates: JM had a positive meeting with a BCC landscape architect who had identified suitable gates for the Effingham Road entrance at Dover Court Road depot. Photographic records exist which will help in the reconstruction of the gates however Page 1 of 7 – Final a problem was identified and this is that service vehicles are damaging the stone pillars [not ‘The Tea Garden’ vehicles of course]. The issue has to be referred back to BCC managers and a separate pedestrian access at this point was suggested as a possible alternative solution. c] Lighting in the park: The proposal for solar powered low level lighting set within the main pathways was discussed by the Heritage and Restoration group. There was a divergence of views on the benefits and practicalities of this proposal and so it had been agreed to await the results of the current survey of public priorities before taking further action. d] Area Green Spaces Policy – Park Priorities: Steve Perry [SP] reported that consultation is underway on the four parks within the Neighbourhood Partnership area and the aim is for the respective communities to define their priorities and to arrive at a consensus in the context of the wide and diverse range of needs in the four areas. The next meeting is to be held on 21st November by which time the relative priorities should be defined and FoSAP are taking this as a target date for the completion of their consultation. 6] Constitution - proposed minor amendments: JM introduced this item referring to the proposed minor additions and omissions highlighted on the copy of the constitution which had been previously circulated to all members. It was agreed that, as these are minor amendments which have been widely circulated to all members, they could be agreed by the meeting and incorporated within the constitution with the Chair’s initial. JM explained that these minor amendments are being proposed as improvements following the contact between our Membership Secretary Jo Corke [JC] and the ‘Friends of Troopers Hill’. The proposed amendments and the response of members present at the meeting were as follows: Proposal 1: To make an addition to clause 4 I as follows :- Add: “Dates of meetings with agendas and appropriate minutes will be published on the group’s website.” This was agreed. Proposal 2: To make a minor deletion to section 5 iv as follows :- Omit: “Decisions may be taken by a majority vote of those present at the meeting. In the event of a tied vote the Chair will have a casting vote.” This was agreed To make an addition to section 5 iv as follows :- Add: “As far as possible, decisions will be reached by consensus, rather than by voting. For significant decisions the Chair will seek the views of as many members as possible prior to the meeting and report the views of those who cannot attend. If a consensus cannot be reached, decisions will usually be deferred to future meetings
Page 2 of 7 – Final or the proposal dropped. The Chair, in consultation with the committee, will assess whether the views of sufficient members have been received for a decision to be made.” This was agreed subject to the additions of the following words which, it was felt, might enable decisions to be taken on contentious but important issues that might arise :-
“However, if a substantial matter has been widely publicised and discussed at one or more committee meetings, the Chair may ask the committee if they wish the matter to be decided by a vote. If a clear majority of members present at a quorate meeting wish it, the matter will be decided by a vote of the members present. The Chair will have a casting vote.” Proposal 3: to make an addition to section 7 as follows [minor amendments to the original proposal are shown in italic below :-
“Vacant officer roles can be filled at any time of the year but they must be ratified and elections held, if required, at the next AGM. To be entitled to vote for the election of officers at the AGM, members must have been on the group’s mailing list for a minimum of 12 months.” This was agreed. 7] Health and Safety training for park group members: This is available for members of park and other community groups on :-
November 12th; December 10th; January 14th 2012. This interested should contact :- [email protected] 8] Convenors’ reports: a] Wildlife:-
Tabled Wildlife report. 1. NP funds received for the shade project: Planting of English Bluebells by Friend volunteers has begun. BCC are supplying further plants in the autumn, so there will be further opportunities to volunteer!
2. Recent concern over the loss of three trees from the park. We received a response from Russell Horsey, Senior Arboriculturalist, BCC which was copied to the Heritage and Appearance group, and posted on the website. We may seek NP funds for trees. Jenny Morris [JMo] outlined her concern about the recent removal of three trees in the park including a Sycamore which screened the view of the toilets. JMo expressed her thanks to Jo and Simon for raising the issue with BCC which resulted in the detailed explanation of BCC’s policy from the arboriculturalist. Due to financial and staffing constraints, BCC’s policy is to plant replacement tree when a detailed assessment of needs in a park has been done and only when planting can be batched into groups of 30 trees. An assessment of St. Andrews Park is likely to take place in the near future.
Page 3 of 7 – Final Steve Perry [SP] observed that, despite recent losses, the park is still well stocked with trees and in certain areas there is too much shade in the summer months. Kerry Macleod [KM] pointed out that the Chair of Neighbourhood Partnerships [NP], Clive Stevens, is a supporter of tree planting and it may be necessary to apply to NP for any replacement programme. The current cost of planting a single tree charged by BCC is £330. Joanna Towner [JT] raised a particular concern relating to her recent request to BCC to be allowed to plant a commemorative tree. BCC had not been helpful and had offered JT very limited options for the position of the tree, with no date of planting given and no planting ceremony allowed. It was agreed that this was regrettable when people should be encouraged to sponsor commemorative trees. It was agreed that The Wildlife Group would be asked to contact BCC to clarify their policy on tree planting generally and commemorative planting specifically. It was noted that more information on tree policy in Bristol can be found on the ‘Trees Bristol’ web site. b] Social and Arts :- Paul Bullivant [PB] reported as follows :- Ceilidh: This event takes place in St Barts Church Hall on 11/11/11 from 7.30 pm – 11.00 pm. ‘The Molecatchers’ will be playing as last time and there will be a caller to help the un-initiates through ‘Strip the Willow’ and other favourites. There will be snacks in the interval and a cash bar. Tickets are now on sale at £7 for adults and £5 for under-19s. As last time, the event is fundraising for charity, on this occasion for the East Africa Famine appeal. Baroque concert in 2012?: PB reported that early discussion had taken place about the possibility of organising another concert in May 2012 but no decision had been taken. Members present were enthusiastic about a similar event being held. Sculpture by Marjolijn Dijkman: PB has not heard recently from out contact and adviser Theresa Bergne and will follow this up. c] Recycling: No report on this occasion. d] Publicity: Martin Weitz [MW] had sent a report as follows :- Notice Boards are now in place and these are generally excellent but there were some minor faults including the quality of the Children’s Board and this is being pursued with the contractor. The GPS/Audio facility is being progressed and local actor John Telfer is reading the text for recording in the coming weeks. The Notice Board project should have been finished by the end of 2011 but this has been extended with the agreement of the Heritage Lottery Fund to July 2012. MW made a video recording of the ParkArts11 event which he hopes to edit in the near future. Page 4 of 7 – Final MW plans to make video recordings with interviews of long term St. Andrews residents and KM has agreed to advertise this opportunity in Bishopston Matters. e] Play Area: Emma Downing [ED] reported as follows :- The rope bridge has recently been repaired. A enquiry from Miles Harris [BCC has recently been received requesting our views on an ‘alternative Christmas grotto’ proposed by some local residents involving a festive ‘yurt’ with a ‘Santa’ and other attractions for children. Following discussion it was agreed that FoSAP would support such a proposal if it is a low key, non-profitmaking activity that brings lightness to the park although, in view of their recent yurt experiences, members were sceptical about the practicality of mounting and dismounting the structure on a daily basis for 2 weeks. ED volunteered to research the background to the proposal and those making it and to report back. Fay Aldridge [FA] reported that ‘The Tea Garden’ will not be mounting a Halloween Spectacular this year but will be opening as often as practical on week-ends during the winter months. Members supported this as ‘The Tea Garden’ is an essential ingredient in the success of the social scene in the park, particularly for families. f] Graffiti: No report on this occasion. g] Bristol Parks Forum [BPF]: JM reported as follows :- He had attended a BPF meeting last Saturday at which the BCC plans for Neighbourhood Engagement Teams had been unveiled. This is planned to assist and support neighbourhood and park groups in the decision-making process. Officers have been appointed and allocated to specific areas and Rob McGovern is supporting the activities of FoSAP. JM also reported on the plans for the renovation of the toilets which will commence on 1st November with £14,000 being spent in a phased programme of work on one toilet at a time to ensure that facilities are always available. JM also reported that Chris Hammond is again our Parks Manager although he is now on long-tem sick-leave due to a knee operation. Pete Clark is covering meanwhile. h] Appearance and restoration: JMo reported as follows :- [For issues relating to notice boards see above in 8d] The group has expressed concern about the quality and state of the low fence around the newly planted flower bed. The group will raise this with BCC. It was noted that the planting itself has been successful and produced a colourful display during the summer. Page 5 of 7 – Final Two of the screening bushes around the recycling bins have died and more have been requested from BCC. MW has written to Cycle Life requesting more bike stands and BCC have agreed to supply 4 more but will not pay for installation. JM agreed to take this up the Nick Pates and possibly to request installation by ‘Mr. Fixit’. The group had discussed the need for a community noticeboard for posters, etc. to be located by ‘The Tea Garden’. It was agreed that this would be a valuable addition but that management of the positioning and editing of posters and flyers was also a related issue. It was agreed that this matter would be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. i] Anti-social behaviour: No report on this occasion. 9] Treasurer’s report: SP submitted and written report which showed that the uncommitted balances in FoSAP’s two accounts are as follows :- Main account = £1,024-23 Park Arts account = £1,229-00 JM asked for it to be noted that a sum of approximately £13,000-00 for the pond redevelopment had been raised from ‘Music in the Park’ of which approximately £12,000-00 had been spent on the works. The balance of £1,220-70 had been set aside for future pond maintenance and repair and this has been paid into and amalgamated with the FoSAP account. The former account used for holding ‘Music in the Park’ funds has now been closed. This was noted. 10] Neighbourhood partnerships: JM reported that decision making has now been devolved to 6 councillors.
The next meeting takes place at 7.00 pm on December 5th at Redland Green School and all are welcome. 11] Any other business: JT enquired about the recent planning application for the change of use of a family house in Sommerville Road into a nursery. JMo reported that covenants on the local houses generally prevent the use of family houses for business purposes and when this became known to the developers they withdrew their application. 12] Dates of future meetings:
December 7th: A short committee meeting to be followed by a seasonal social. Contributions of mince pies, nuts, crisps, etc are welcome
January 17th: Committee meeting.
February 29th: Committee meeting.
April 17th: AGM meeting.
Page 6 of 7 – Final The meeting closed at 9.30 pm.
Page 7 of 7 – Final