Meeting of Corringham and Fobbing Forum Held on 11th February 2013 at 7.30 in Corringham Library

Present: Danni Tate Chair Pam Tate Committee Bill Dawson Treasurer Judith Acreman Committee Jenny Mead Committee Dave Plant Corringham Events Committee (CEC) Penny Partridge Resident/ Corringham Evang. Church Julie Sorrel-Wilde CEC Liam Judd CEC Andrew Roast Councillor Derek Dowdall Resident Trudie Eaton Resident Ray Eaton Resident Jon Fuller Resident Paul Peterson Resident Nuala Keen Publican Lisa Sargent Corringham Light Railway Mal Frow Visitor Pat Hercules Resident Paul Mathews Corringham Light railways Alan Whittington Resident David Sargent Resident Malcolm Knight Resident/ Fobbing Friends Derek Parker SPEAK Jane Hunt Resident/ Karis May Darling Foundation Kerri Darling Resident/ Karis May Darling Foundation Paul Fisher Resident Sharon King Church Minister Jackie Rob Resident/ Neighbourhood Watch Mavis Lawrence Resident/ Neighbourhood Watch R Passfield Visitor Bill Tilby Resident/ Alan Phillips Resident Lisa Palmer Resident R Kirrang Resident David Canny Resident Susan Canny Resident Richard Hatter TBC We appologise for any names misspelt and appreciate there was limited space to complete the forms and will amend any errors, but we do also appreciate your co-operation and attendance.

Apologies: Phil Smith Councillor Phil Anderson Councillor Rob Groves Andrea Winterflood TBC Action Minutes of Last meeting The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as correct by all those in attendance.

Matters Arising Matters arising - resident advised from floor that she could give details re neighbourhood watch as last month it was wrongly suggested there were no local schemes. (If this resident receives these minutes please could she let us have her details so that we can circulate them with next month's minutes).

Thurrock Council planning Department Thurrock council officers gave a planning department presentation re a current consultation on the local development plan. Richard Hatter + colleague who did not identify herself.

Highlighted on map key areas being consulted on until 1st March. Maps available in library and on website. Library could host drop in for council officers to advise and assist residents on responding to Chair the consultation if this is wanted.

E.g. Moving E Thurrock FC to site of Pegasus Club (would not mean housing on Pegasus site but old ET site would be built on. That site is needed to achieve TC new home build targets). Currently ET have made application to buy, Pegasus members want to buy but have not yet applied; not impossible for 2 groups to work together but currently they are opposed. Councillors working with them to resolve differences but legally only able to respond to the live application ie ETFC. Councillors have made it clear that they would not entertain Pegasus club being used for residential, it has to be for leisure. Q - from floor about aspirations of ETFC to move up into Conference League which would involve far bigger stadium and greater access problems. A - club have to give detailed proposals and will not be given consent if they have plans for big expansion. (Local football supporter explained that whatever their ambitions it was unlikely that ETFC could sustain the demands of being in conference league, bigger and better sited clubs eg Grays FCC and Dagenham have really struggled. He did not think this was a realistic fear.)

E.g. Extension of green belt over by refinery - marsh area but not technically green belt. Would we like it protected? Council favours doing this but needs support of residents.

Residents were encouraged to contribute and comment. Format is complex, need to use codes for areas on the map, unfortunately format laid down by govt. Try to say what you do want not just what you don't! Also there may be areas of local interest not on the main map, they need local residents to let them know. Especially interested in green lanes that connect green spaces, often only known to locals who use them.

The plan is not just about developing and building but also about safeguarding existing green areas and identifying new ones, opportunity to open up access where none currently exists eg old railway bed. Residents encouraged to put all their concern in their feedback to consultation as that is the only way it can be officially considered.

Police Nap Report - Essex Police The report was not presented at the forum and no police presents meant that we could not find out any numbers but the report will be made available as soon as it is made available.

.Treasurers Report - Bill DAWSON Limited entries since council funding was withdrawn.

Public Forum - Questions A) Dave carrer resident of Springhouse Rd raised the issue of racing cars up and down the road and around the town centre. very dangerous. He has a list of registrations and video evidence. Rung police repeatedly, no interest, no response. Local people have had cars written off repeatedly. Paul Fisher advised there are ongoing problems with anti social behaviour everywhere but police resources are allocated on basis of reported crimes so every single one needs to be reported. He also advised residents to write to the new Crime commissioner. Can also put in petition to local council regarding issues in the town centre asking for their proposed response. Can we request speed humps? Resident wrote to Stephen Metcalfe who asked council and they say they have no plans for speed humps in Springhouse Rd. Julie S-W says there has been an increase in police presence since last Forum - the mobile police station could not park and ended up in Springhouse car park! Nuala, Landlady of Pompadour confirmed police are around late at night, but not every night.

B) concern re decline of town and proposal that market was turned down. Resident thinks market would have been helpful not otherwise and cannot understand why there was so much opposition to it. She understands that another local body has been set up specifically to set up its own market, so what is that about? Paul Fisher asked about the composition / constitution / aims of the Residents and Traders Ass. He felt that it confused and conflicted with the Forum and was concerned to read that last month we had invited them to join the Forum. Chair reminded floor that we are not a political body and cannot take sides. We are aware that the formation of the R&T Ass and its position re the market proposed by Mr Wong has caused confusion locally. We are the Forum recognised by Thurrock council and local bodies such as the police, however we also welcome the participation of all local groups and did invite the R&T Ass to send a rep to the Forum meetings, as is covered by our constitution. Derek Parker reminded people that the old Traders Ass were founder members of the Forum before they folded. 2 reps from the R&T Ass identified themselves in the audience and said that they wanted to work with the Forum.

There followed a long debate about the comparable roles of the newly formed residents and traders association and the Forum. A resident said that there has been discussion in the social media suggesting there is conflict between the 2 and trying to stir up tension. The Forum committee is unaware of this; Chair said that we have not posted any such comments and cannot be responsible for those who do. She advised against the use of facebook for such debate and said it was much better to all gather and speak as we have done tonight. Both groups were represented tonight and statements were made about a desire to acknowledge each other and work together, so the discussion ended on a positive note.

Councillors Report Ward councillors report - Andrew Roach

Supported what had been said re Encouraging residents to engage in the planning survey and also report every crime.

JSW said some shopkeepers are concerned about ringing police re kick backs from youths. Derek Parker said each person affected must report it. Chair challenged those present not to be intimidated otherwise effectively the youth will control our town.

AOB none at the meeting

(Dave plant reported afterwards that the repairs to the Adizone should be completed before the next meeting. Also Re the lighting it is currently being recosted and potentially funds may be available from the council - Dave will give an update for the next meeting.)

Next Meeting The next meeting will be held in Corringham Fire Station at 1930hrs on 11th March 2013

Information supplied after the meeting from the Corringham Events Committee

The following is the current position with events that the team has started to plan for 2013. These events are:

27th April Race Night

30th May Picnic in the Park (Thurrock Council sponsor)

20th August Fun Day in Corringham Park

29th November Xmas Lights switch on

5th December Festival in the Town It is also intended to hold events on the 4 Saturdays starting the 30th November preceding Xmas.

Detailed discussions on the holding of these events with the Council will start in due course. The key date is the end of June for the Xmas programme.

The committee team has to be confident that sufficient funds have been donated or promised to support this event. It is necessary to start fund raising now. Street collections or house to house is not allowed but it is intended to request the Town Traders to assist by allowing a collection box in their premises to allow for voluntary contributions from their customers.

The Event Committee are requesting volunteers to assist in the running of the events in the Park and the Festival in the Town. A meeting is planned to be held on the 7th March in the Corringham Fire Station at 1930 hours. Any people interested in attending to volunteer will be welcome.

Further Information Supplied by The Corringham Resident and Traders Association

PLANNING APLICATION REFERENCE No. 13/00048/FUL THE RESIDENTS AND FURTHER SUPPORT DOCUMENT REGARDING TYPES OF EVENTS TRADERS ASSOCIATION OF CORRINGHAM

It appears that there has been some confusion concerning the types of events that the Residents and Traders Association of Corringham wish to be able to hold and support. We hope this supplementary document will help to explain further.

Firstly, it is not our intention to hold general street markets, nor is it our intention to have existing shop keepers setting up market stalls in Grover Walk or St Johns Way.

Secondly, we have been very specific with the days we have applied for (4 days per month only, being the 1st and 3rd Thursday and Saturday of each month) in order to reassure local residents that it is not our intention to leave our application vague or open for more days. We would also try to have times that are respectful of Grover Walk and St. Johns Way residents and shoppers to minimise noise and disruption.

The types of events we wish to be able arrange are inspired by local residents and traders who would like to see the community come together to help and support each other as well as having specialised events that everyone can enjoy. To meet this goal we intend to try to organise and support events such as the following:

1. A free Easter Egg hunt for both children and accompanying adults, to remind everyone of what is available in Corringham.

2. Flowers to make Corringham look nice through spring and summer.

3. A support your local community day where all the voluntary agencies can have stalls to display the services and support groups they offer for those in need and encourage people to become volunteers to help.

4. Charity Day where organisations can raise much needed funds and have stalls to advertise themselves and their objectives.

5. To support the Corringham Events Committee with their Winter Festival and fun days and liaise with the Fobbing and Corringham Forum.

6. Craft Fair or a Corringham Fete day.

7. A ‘What can I do in Corringham’ day where local clubs such as modelling, photography clubs etc. can advertise what there is available socially to do in the area or encourage people to take up a new hobby.

8. A specialised Continental or Farmers Market.

9. Harvest Festival perhaps combined with a farmer’s style market with food collection points.

10. Strawberry Tea Party or Tea Dance …….something pink to coincide with cancer awareness.

We can grow or expand ideas as we become more confident with arranging them and local residents and traders can become involved by offering ideas for future events, supporting and volunteering to help or joining the association and voting on ideas and offering their areas of experience to help.

We all have a vested interest in making this work for our community. We have a vested interest in making sure we clean up after these events and run them at a standard that meets with local authority requirements.