The Mission Was Routine. Nothing Of Note Occurred. This Is The Report.

1. The Hendersons’ Hedge

G. Wilson confirmed that a further letter had been sent to the Hendersons on 28 October. As of the date of this meeting, no response had been received. G. Wilson noted this is the fifth letter. The hedge remains approximately 30cm over the permitted height. B. Harrington asked whether the Association could involve the Council. G. Wilson said he had looked into this and the Council’s hedge enforcement team has a 16-week waiting list. T. Bailey asked what the point of the hedge enforcement team was. There was a general agreement that this was a reasonable question. The matter was deferred.

2. Carberry Lane Pothole

M. Thompson confirmed that the pothole had been reported to the Council via the FixMyStreet platform on three separate occasions. The most recent report received a response indicating the pothole had been “reviewed and categorised as low priority.” The pothole is approximately 22cm across and 8cm deep. F. Chen (attending for the first time) asked what constitutes “high priority.” There was no answer available. The pothole remains.

3. Dog Fouling on the Recreation Ground

J. Okafor reported that the situation on the recreation ground had improved since the installation of the additional waste bin in September. However, three incidents of dog fouling on the grass near the swings had been observed in October. B. Harrington suggested a sign. T. Bailey noted there are already two signs. B. Harrington suggested a bigger sign. No decision was made. J. Okafor will monitor.

4. Christmas Lights

G. Wilson raised the matter of the Association’s Christmas lights on the high street. The lights are planned for installation on 30 November. G. Wilson noted that the timer unit from last year has developed a fault and may need to be replaced. M. Thompson confirmed a replacement unit is available from Wickes for £34.99. The purchase was approved by show of hands (5 in favour, 1 abstention — B. Harrington noted he had recently read an article about energy consumption but said he did not want to stand in the way of Christmas). M. Thompson will purchase the timer unit.

5. Membership Fees

The current annual membership fee of £15 per household was discussed. G. Wilson proposed an increase to £18 to cover the cost of venue hire and the newsletter. T. Bailey noted the newsletter had not been produced since April. M. Thompson said this was because she had been “very busy.” The fee increase was approved (4 in favour, 1 against — T. Bailey, 1 abstention — F. Chen, who said he felt it was not his place to vote on his first meeting). G. Wilson noted the website also needs its copyright year updating as it still says 2019.

6. The Composting Matter

P. Harrington raised a concern about a neighbour’s open compost heap which, she reported, had on at least two occasions in October produced what she described as “a smell.” G. Wilson noted this was a matter between neighbours rather than an Association concern. P. Harrington said she felt the Association should take a position. B. Harrington said he agreed with P. Harrington. G. Wilson said he would look into whether the Association’s remit extended to composting disputes. The item was deferred.

7. F. Chen asked whether the Association had a Facebook group. G. Wilson said yes but that it was “difficult to manage.” M. Thompson said a neighbour had recently posted a photograph of what they claimed was a speed camera van parked on Linden Avenue which turned out to be a plumber’s transit van. The photograph had received 47 comments. G. Wilson said the Facebook group situation was “ongoing.”

8. T. Bailey asked about the status of the proposed new bus shelter on Orchard Drive. G. Wilson said he had not had an update since June. T. Bailey said June was quite a long time ago. G. Wilson agreed.