EAST BRUNSWICK RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
The meeting took place at The Iron Duke Hotel at 7:00 pm.
Present were: William Cowell – Co-Chairperson
Richard Gamper – Co-Chairperson
Gerald Featherstone - Secretary
Geraldine Diggins, Eleanor Gamper
Apologies received from: Richard Oxford, Mark Harris, Wayne Schofield and Rhondell Molina
Absent no apologies received Peter Browne, Kerri Burns, Reggie Vincent and Sue King
Once again it was questioned whether EBRA should continue, when attendance and participation seemed to on the wane.
Agenda Items
Thanks were expressed to BARG (Brunswick and Adelaide Residents Groups) and particularly Tom Chavasse of the Friends of Brunswick Sq and Terrace for help with the work on 5/6 Western Road, Hove. On a more disappointing note, no response has been received from the council in respect of what will happen to 5/6 Western Road, now that Planning Approval
has been given. The question asked of Planning is:- Does the Enforcemen t Notice still apply as this is due to be enforced by the end of the year, or if th e Planning Approval takes over from this does the owner now have 5 years t o remove the ramp etc.? Paul Elgood has not yet managed to get an answer so Bil l has asked our MP Celia Barlow to investigate .
Estate Agents Boards – the ban on these in the Brunswick area could be i n place as early as September .
Norfolk Square Railings – the petition to have cast iron railings reinstated ha s failed, with potential funds allocated to the restoration of the Bandstand. Th e meeting acknowledged that not all projects could be undertaken by the council , and did comment on how the square is now looking so much better with all th e plants in place. The planting having been carried out by Reggie Vincent not th e Council .
Geraldine updated on Western Street. The dog mess situation is improving – there is less of it, but dogs are still fouling pavements . There has been an increase in bicycles being chained to railings, to which Bil l mentioned that he will talk to Paul Elgood to see if bicycle parks can be installed . The condition of the communal bins in Western Street and other roads wa s mentioned. Bill has made an official complaint to the council about this an d awaits a reply .
The meeting was reminded about ‘ fixmystreet.com’ . Both Bill and Geraldin e have used this with good results .
Articles for the website were discussed to make it more relevant and vibrant . Eleanor suggested articles on local cel’ebra’ties – perhaps Louise Rennison , Bruce Montague, Ray Brooks, and achievements of EBRA to cel’ebra’te such a s Waterloo Street Community Gardens .
Bill has applied for a grant from Community Spaces for Waterloo Stree t Community Gardens. The application is currently undergoing the review process .
To continue the greening of the area, EBRA has been promised two trees, one t o be planted in front of the Old Market in Upper Market Street, and one in front o f Waterloo Street Arch in Waterloo Street .
Also there is a scheme running to allow people to sponsor trees at a cost o f £100 + VAT, so if anyone knows anyone who wants to sponsor a tree, Bill ca n provide details. Trees do not have to be paid for until they are planted. They the n have a guarantee that they will be replaced if they do not surviv e
The meeting closed at 8:00pm .