EVRA – meeting minutes – July 2018

18^thJuly 2018 7:30pm at Edenfield Cricket Club

Present – 19

Apologies – 6

Welcome from the Chairman

Presentation from LF, GM, RT regarding proposed development of 46/48 houses at Edenwood Mill/wood lane. Application made by owner to be made, to retail part of the pond with developers managing the topography. EVRA had no issues with the proposal.

Neighbourhood Forum Report

IL advised of meeting 12^thJuly, the RBC voted on changes to local plan. Changes included a reduction in houses for Rossendale from 3,900 to 3,180, however the reduction in Edenfield was only 45 (land to the north of Blackburn road to be retained in Greenbelt) – this means that it is still proposed nearly 450 houses are built in the village. The forum has argued strongly in technical matters, at meetings with councillors and questions at the council meeting that proposed release of Green belt land is not justified as there are no valid Exceptional Circumstances. Also the potential problems associated with vastly increased traffic have not been resolved.  The Council’s Exceptional Circumstances Report is now promised for August.

The revised Local Plan will be issued for consultation in mid- August but objections can only be made on the basis of soundness of evidence and legality.  The final Plan would then be submitted to the national Planning Inspectorate early in 2019 who would come to a decision later in the year after consulting all interested parties.  The Council are to recommend to the Planning Inspectorate that they should consider the Forum’s views – which they would do anyway.  The Forum will continue to challenge the Plan from Edenfield’s point of view at the consultation stage and with the Planning Inspectorate.

Members of the Forum Management Committee had recently met with Jake Berry who was supportive and gave advice.  The Forum has over 200 members representing 150 households (over 15% of the village total).

Chairman thanked the Forum Committee for their ongoing hard work.

Review of Fell Race:A successful event with 220+ runners taking part compared to the previous year of 96.  Thanks, were given to the Cricket Club for their efforts and for hosting the event and to everyone who helped in any way on the day.

Review of Fete; A successful Fete highlighted by the treasurer who reported a surplus from the two events.  Chairman had sent out letters of thanks to helpers.  Thanks were also given to Dave from Rostron’s Arms for his considerable efforts and contribution.  Chairman was to speak to Dave personally on behalf of the Committee regarding his support.

Donations from the event were agreed as £500 to Neighbourhood Forum and Fell Rescue £450.  The remainder would be retained in funds to safeguard future events in the event of bad weather, etc.

Chairman was asked to consider future involvement in the running of the event and an invitation was issued for people to join the Sub Committee to help with the planning of the Fete 2019.  Simon Holland agreed to volunteer.

Fingerpost Gardens:Liz Stooke advised that the gardens were running one month behind but three of the beds were showing some colour and this would improve shortly. The square bed is disappointing as it was not lined by the Council, as agreed, and weeds are evident.  The Parks Department have agreed to look at this later in the year. One bench has been donated which is undergoing refurbishment. The existing bench is to be repaired and painted. Liz is dealing with the monitoring form required for the grant supplied.

It was agreed that the work had created interest in the village and anyone wishing to be involved should contact Liz Stooke. Liz has some support from local people to help with the work and was to look at involving local Schools, etc. in the Autumn.  Thanks, were given to Liz for her work on the project.

Edenfield in Bloom: Ongoing with inspections being carried out shortly.

Defibrillator Training:Names for next session were taken (Jenifer Mead, Alan and Carol Ashworth, Julie and Jason Horsfall, Pat Dodd, Helen Iggulden). Anyone interested should contact Chairman.

Treasurer’s Report:  Funds discussed and donations to local Charites agreed.

Any Other Business:

It was reported that approx. 45 people attended the “Ask Jake” session at the Community Centre.  Questions were answered in respect of recycling: speeding: bollards in Stubbins: Off road bikes: Horses; Green belt, etc.

With regard to the Green belt the MP cannot assist in direct terms but he has put the Forum in touch with a Government official and is supporting where he can.

Simon Holland put forward an idea to redevelop and tidy a piece of waste land approx. 60’ x 40’ adjacent to 4 Bond Street at the back of Bury Road. To apply to the Council for funding a recognised group, such as EVRA, was needed.  Simon would prepare the submission and estimates for the landscaping and agreed to obtain. Once completed Simon would liaise with Chairman re the signing and submission of the form.  Simon assured meeting that funds would be closely monitored by himself.

Date of next meeting:  Wednesday 19^thSeptember, 2018 at 7.30pm

Chairman closed the meeting