Residents Meeting

Notes of the meeting with local Residents Groups representatives on Thursday 29 October 2009 at Edgbaston

1. Introduction
   
   Mr Povey opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and thanking them for attending. Each member of the group then introduced themselves. Mr Povey set out the background the meeting, the status of Club’s current planning application and to the efforts that had been made previously to engage with local residents and Residents Associations. The notes of the meeting held on 21 July 2009 were circulated and read as were the draft terms of reference that had been prepared by the Club. The meeting between the Club, Council Officials and local Ward Councillors held on 18 September was also noted.
2. Apologies
   
   Apologies had been received from Cllr Cox (Moseley & Kings Heath Ward), Cllr Hutchings (Edgbaston Ward), Bishop Whinney (Moor Green Lane Residents Association – East), Lyndsey Pope (Mac), Dr Darnton, (Lee Crescent Residents Association), Leo Nation (Cannon Hill Neighbourhood Forum), Neil Houghton (Chairman WCCC) and Norman Gascoigne (WCCC)
   
   It was agreed that Mr Burn would Chair the meeting
3. Terms of Reference
   
   The draft terms of reference were tabled and debated at some length.
   
   It was agreed that it was appropriate to try to establish a group size of about 12 to ensure that the meetings generated a meaningful discussion, provided enough scope to present the views of different local communities and remained manageable. It was suggested that a quorum of 7 be adopted and that invitations to future meetings should continue to be open to local Residents Associations in the event that they wished to participate.
   
   Given the background to the meeting it was agreed that it was desirable to try to identify possible independent candidates to Chair meetings. A number of possible nominations were discussed but members were invited to submit any suggestions to Mr Povey after the meeting having had time to consider the matter.
   
   The suggested frequency of meetings was thought to be generally acceptable but at Terry Allen’s suggestion it was agreed that at the outset it would be desirable to hold meetings every two months in order to establish their format and to build trust between all parties. Once momentum had been generated it was thought the appropriate number of meetings would be 3-4 per year based around the calendar of major events at the ground.
   
   The offer of a permanent Residents Liaison Group was welcomed by all. It was acknowledged that having a formal forum through which to channel information should assist in building good relations. It was also acknowledged that those people who attended meetings could assist in raising issues that were important to local residents and that the agendas for meeting should enable any relevant topics to be raised. It was accepted that the current planning application and approvals had not met with uniform support but it was also noted that many local residents did wish to support the scheme. Prof Peter Spurgeon said it would be important to not only improve communications but also to be clear where there was scope for the views of residents to influence the overall plans of the Club.
   
   Mr Povey confirmed that whilst outline planning had been granted there were a large number of conditions still to be satisfied and a host of other areas where the views of local residents could still have a material influence on topics that would have a real impact on the local areas. Simon Turner confirmed that a high number of planning conditions were in place, many of which were relevant to the points being made. It was agreed that where possible the views of the group would be taken into account as the Club moved forward with the scheme. It was also agreed that positive engagement by all parties was the most likely way to deliver the optimum outcome for the final approved scheme.
   
   Mr Povey and Mr Turner briefly summarized some of the main changes that had already been made to the scheme as it had passed through the planning process – this included a reduction of the scale of the enabling development. The meeting also heard briefly about the current status of the scheme and what remained of the process before full consent for the building work would be granted. Mr Turner confirmed that the enabling development was likely to take place in phases and over a number of years.
   
   Overall it was considered that the draft terms of reference as tabled represented a reasonable starting point but that they should be kept under review until a number of meetings had been completed.
4. Issues arising from 2009 events
   
   2009 had been a very busy summer with an Ashes Test Match, a One Day International and T20 Finals Day. In particular, it was noted that the Ashes Test Match had attracted record crowds.
   
   The wet weather around the Test match and the large Day 5 crowd had presented the Club with a number of challenges around on-site car parking and ticketing operations but the overall view of the residents present was that disruption had not been as great as in previous years or as might have been expected. The main areas for on-going attention were deemed to be early communications about major match days, car parking and clean up operations.
   
   The introduction of the shuttle bus service was welcomed and it was generally considered a success by those present. Overall c7000 customers had used the service over the course of the Test Match and T20 Finals Day. Some assistance from the City Council or police with managing taxi queues would be welcomed.
   
   Extensive off-site parking had once again been provided but it was agreed any opportunities to increase the number of available spaces would be welcomed. Transfer services from these sites to the ground could be considered.
   
   Road closures for non-residents and street coning had been effective but in some instances residents had felt it necessary to man barriers themselves. It was suggested the City or the Club could perhaps do more to assist. Mr Povey confirmed that parking information had been provided to ticket purchasers and that satellite navigation references for all pre-sold car parking was included on the tickets. Nevertheless it was suggested clearer plan maps and better briefing of stewards would be of assistance to residents and visitors alike. It was noted that the City and the Club hoped to have more travel links on the relevant websites next summer.
   
   It was noted that some local residents still chose to charge for parking on their drives and in some instances even for parking on public roads immediately outside their properties.
   
   The Club had issued a newsletter (Outside Edg) to 2000 local households in the run up to the Test Match. Mr Dodge circulated a copy for information to those that had not seen it. This idea was welcomed and it was confirmed that a second edition would be released shortly. It was clear from some comments that the newsletter had not reached all the intended audiences and in particular some residents in Wickets Tower. Terry Allen offered to provide advice and assistance on fixing this problem for future issues. A number of helpful suggestions as to possible future articles were made and these will be incorporated into the Club’s plans.
   
   In general it was deemed that stewards had provided good directions and help as visitors got close to the stadium.
   
   The view of most members were that noise and litter had not been major issues over the course of the main matches. Stan Sinclair said there had been no real issues over at the Hemisphere development and Thomas Latham and Terry Allen said there had been fewer issues around the tower block and Sir Harry’s Road. It was noted that the Sir Harry’s public house had not been open due to fire and this may have been a contributory factor.
   
   Mr Povey reported that T20 Finals Day had finished slightly earlier than planned and again this may have helped. Terry Allen also said he had put pressure on the Council to clear bins during the Test Match and that this had been done. It was however agreed that any options for further improving the general clean up efforts form either the Club or the City should be encouraged.
   
   Overall it was agreed that as much early information as possible should be proved to local residents on any matters relating to major events and the planned development. Other recent examples (both positive and negative) surrounding the World Half Marathon and Eid Festival were discussed. It was agreed that even general notices posted outside the ground were helpful.
5. Any Other Business
   
   Terry Allen asked the meeting to note that the tower block at Boundary Estate were due to be refurbished shortly and that work might well coincide with site activity at Edgbaston. It was agreed the situation should be kept under review to see if the Club could provide any assistance with residents or contractor parking.
   
   It was agreed that copies of the notes of the meeting would be circulated to those present and to both local Residents Associations and local Ward Councillors for information.
   
   It was agreed that the next meeting would be held on Tuesday 8 December at 6.30pm at the ground.
   
   (Post meeting notes: Further provisional dates are suggested for 6.30 pm on Tuesday 12 January 2010, Tuesday 2 March 2010 and Tuesday 20 April 2010)
   
   Dates of major matches in 2010: International T20s 5 & 6 July, One Day International 12 July and Test Match 6-10 August)