The young get involved - in a positive way.

North East Area Committee – Thursday 8th November, 2012

Last night saw our last Area Committee meeting of 2012, a good turnout of local resident were present. The evening started with our regular presentation on a local issue at 7pm. tonight in my humble opinion was the most relevant presentation so far- Year 12 pupils from Copleston High school gave a short presentation to residents and councillors on what they think of living in our part of Ipswich.

They were both eloquent and passionate – and they were not just moaning or asking for freebies. They came up with good proposals that had been well thought out. Such idea’s included a info bar/empty shop – manned by 6th Formers from all over Ipswich, giving advice on a variety of topics. To help some of our struggling pubs they would like to hold youth nights – no alcohol and a chance for young bands and comedians to perform in a safe environment.

After their presentation the young residents stayed behind to work other residents on our action plan at the end of the meeting.

The main topic of the meeting became the possible funding of improvements to Cherry tree Recreation Ground. Local resident I still attempting to raise extra funds towards the scheme, at a previous Area Meeting it had been agreed that we would put £25,000 towards the project. After a lively debate it seemed the Tory members wanted to spend the money now to purchase the play equipment and then store it till the remaining funds are raised whereas the Labour members thought it best to retain the money till the next meeting so we could then see how much outside money had been collected. The final decision was to look at the matter again in January. Good news was that Cllr Sandy Martin thought the scheme had a good chance of obtaining outside funding from Grant giving bodies such as the local Land Fill Trust.

The local SNT Inspector informed local residents that the local police priorities for the North east would be to deal with any Anti-Social behaviour on the Rushmere estate and the Bull Celestion estate and to monitor and check on speeding throughout the North east of the town with extra consideration to those streets that have become ‘rat runs’.

Though the meeting finished quite late most of the resident’s stayed behind to join the Copleston pupils and councillors to work on the North East Action plan. All the notes were taken away and will be now collated so that we can set out the North East Action plan at our next meeting. Once that is done it will help us focus our expenditure over 2013/14.

My week ahead 18 - 24 June 2012

Monday 18 June 2pm - Visit Civic Engagement project by Copleston High School pupils at Tower Ramparts shopping centre.
4pm - Culture Portfolio meeting, Grafton House
6pm - Labour Group meeting


Tuesday 19 June 9pm - Meet the cast of Dr Who - 'The Crash of the Elysium'

Wednesday 20 June 6pm - Full Council Meeting, Town Hall

Saturday 23 June 10.30am - Labour campaigning in Bixley Ward, Ipswich

This week was full of various meetings, some political, some with residents and a number at Sidegate Primary School,

Last Wednesday we had the North East Area Committee, it started with a presentation on the launch of an 'Ageing Well' project. The scheme will be piloted in the North East of the town.

Once the meeting started , I was honoured to be elected chair of the committee for the next year and one of my key aims over the next 12 months is to increase resident participation and numbers at the meetings.

Last Wednesday we also received a presentation from a resident who wishes the committee to back his plan to improve the play facilities at Cherry Lane Recreation Ground. Both councillors and residents were impressed with the proposals by Mr Jenner and have asked Officers to produce a report on the way forward.

Other items covered at the meeting included pram ramps for Broke Hall, a set of goals for Dumbarton Park and then we had a productive debate on how we wish to promote the Area Committee. At times the debate got quite heated, with plenty of passion being shown by both residents and politicians. I also realised that I have plenty to learn on how to chair a committee.

But I left the meeting confident that the Area Committee will bring benefits to the residents of North East Ipswich.




Bixley campaigning this Saturday, we will be back again next Saturday asking for residents views on a number of issues.