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Minutes: 11th June 2007 7.30pm Wildfowler Inn.
Attendance: Rae Campbell, Maurice Brown, Daphne Montgomery, Julie Davidson, Claire Kelly,
Terry Lindsey, Derrick Murray, Stephen Gordon, Terry Lindsay, Sandy Capper,
Kyla Ritchie, Carol Mitchell, B. Workman.
Apologies: John Brady, Pippa Cornick, Noel Cornick.
Visitors: Collin Cassels, Cliff Burns (PSNI)
Welcome: R. Campbell opened the meeting and thanked those present for attending.
Collin Cassels (Community Policing - Retired) and his replacement P.C. Cliff Burns were formally introduced to committee and thanked for taking the time to attend this meeting.
Minutes of Previous Meeting: Minutes for meeting 16th May 2007 accepted by committee. (Prop. J. Davidson Sec. D. Montgomery)
Correspondence:
1) EDRCN Newsletter.
2) Samples of Community Newsletters from Frances Hughes (EDRCN).
3) Letter from Nicholas McCrickard (RCN).
4) Letter from Kieran McCarthy MLA – ref: Public Toilets.
5) Letter from Jim Shannon MLA – ref: Public Toilets
6) Minutes - Peninsula Community Network meeting 24/04/07.
7) Development Plan Questionnaires - Scott Wilson Group.
8) Insurance Documents.
Matters Arising:
Sewage Works Landscaping
Public Toilets
Policing
Community Newsletter
Notice Board
AGM
Presentation
Sewage Works Landscaping: D. Montgomery reported that landscaping at the sewage works appears to have been put on hold due to lack of funds. Committee agreed to come back to this issue at a later date.
Public Toilets: M. Brown reported that both C. Mitchell and himself attended a site meeting with Mr. Brian Dorrian (ABC Project Manager) at the proposed Village Hall site. Mr. Dorrian explained to both committee members that Council had been approached by a developer who was offering to build a new toilet block in exchange for land at the current site. Identifying the village hall as the only available council site within the village, Mr. Dorrian felt that this was a good proposition for Greyabbey and estimated the cost of the new toilet block to be in the region of £70k - £80k. Both members who attended the meeting appreciated the benefits of a new facility and were assured by Mr. Dorrian that if the development was to proceed that adequate measures would be taken to make the surrounding area suitable for disabled visitors. C. Mitchell agreed that a new toilet block would be a valuable asset for the village but had some reservations about location. Following lengthy debate the following points were recorded in opposition to the re-sighting of the public toilets.
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Village hall site considered as too far from centre of village.
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Toilets are well used at current location by commuters and tourists visiting Abbey.
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Facility particularly useful at this location during busy periods when Abbey toilets cannot cope with demand from coach passengers.
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Recent refurbishment has ensured facility will serve visitor requirements for foreseeable future.
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Overwhelming concern that any further development of this site will undermine visual appearance of stone built properties on Church Street.
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Future tourism development at this end of Main Street a distinct possibility.
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Residents surveyed within the immediate area state toilets used frequently.
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Residents surveyed within the immediate area are opposed to the re-sighting of public toilets to village hall.
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Residents surveyed within the immediate area are opposed to any further development on this site.
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Low level of vandalism at current location.
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Current site is regarded as very visible and a safe location for this type of facility.
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Concerns over isolated location at village hall site. (Particular concern for women & children using facility).
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Concerns over increased levels of vandalism if facility moved to village hall site.
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Concerns over vehicular access and sight lines at village hall site. (Coaches/ Lorries may opt to park at roadside causing obstruction to other road users on blind corner).
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Concerns with existing sewage and drainage problems at village hall site.
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Current site is the only council owned property within easy reach of Greyabbey village centre and as such should be retained for future public use, with or without toilets.
R. Campbell added that she was surprised at the level of opposition to re-sighting the toilets during the survey of residents in the immediate area. Committee reached a unanimous decision to oppose the re-sighting of public toilets to the village hall. Secretary to write to ABC & local councillors detailing grounds for opposition to this proposal.
Policing: Inadequate policing continues to concern committee despite assurances from a senior PSNI officer at a recent CPLC AGM that policing would improve. It was the general opinion of committee that local policing, particularly community policing, would appear to be non-existent in this area at present. S. Gordon suggested writing to the chief Constable for an explanation as to the obvious reduction in manpower in the Ards area. R. Campbell informed committee that Peninsula Community Network have requested senior PSNI officials to attend their next meeting to address these concerns and that she would report back to committee on the outcome of that meeting.
Community Newsletter: Due to time constraints at this meeting, committee agreed to discuss this topic at a later date.
Notice Board: M. Brown reported that on closer inspection of the notice board he felt that the Perspex would not require replacement and would attempt to make the necessary repairs himself.
AGM: Date for AGM was confirmed for 17th September 2007. Committee agreed to use the Parish Hall this year - if available. M. Brown to confirm Hall availability with Mrs. Joyce Willis.
Presentation: R. Campbell presented retired Police Officer Collin Cassels with a framed print of Greyabbey in recognition of his dedication to community policing and in particular, his efforts with the young people of this village. Collin thanked committee for this kind gesture stating that it would be remiss of him to accept this presentation without mentioning WPC Susan Falkingham, who was also heavily involved with community policing and the young people of Greyabbey.
Next Meeting: Monday 17th September 2007 (AGM) Venue - Parish
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