Eastcote Park Estate Association 

Minutes of the 64^th Annual General Meeting.

The 64^th AGM of the EPEA was held on Thursday 23^rd May 2002 in the St Thomas More Church Hall at 8.00pm. 

Mike Platts chaired the meeting. Approximately 35 residents attended. 

1        Welcome and Apologies for absence

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies for absence were received from Margaret Bacon, Meg Few, Tony Kirke, David Minchin and Dorothy Reile.

 2        Minutes of the 63^rd AGM

The minutes were approved and adopted by the meeting, proposed by Bob Reile and seconded by Arthur Wilson.

 3        Matters arising

The ordering and planting of trees did not take place as intended. It was proposed that the project should be completed this year as a Jubilee Tree Planting Project.  

4         Chairman’s Report

The Chairman commented on the many ways in which numerous residents gave valuable service to the Association. He stressed how much the Committee depended on those who run events, the Road Stewards, Watch Co-ordinator’s etc. Given the many examples of support to the  Association it was difficult not to conclude that the Association remains in good shape in this its 64^th Year.  The ongoing problem of achieving the Constitution target strength of 10 remains. With only 7 nominations for the Committee this year numbers are close to the quorum level of 5 members. 

The best front garden competition was won by Gerald and Joan Jones of 60 Rodney Gardens and the runners up were the previous winners David and Linda McDougall of 20 St Lawrence Drive.   The winners of each road were congratulated and members were thanked for their support of the competition.

 5        Social events  

With the previous year’s Autumn event not taking place until the Spring, an Autumn event was not attempted.  The usual events were held save for the Children’s Disco. The Jubilee Street Party will be held on the 3^rd of June. 

6        Adoption of the Accounts for the year ending Dec 2001

Martin Hand presented the Accounts. Their adoption was carried unanimously.

 7        Conservation Panel Report  (E.V.C.A.A.P.) 

Mike Platts explained how the reduction in the number of Planning Officers was adversely affecting the operation of Conservation Panels.

The Tudor Lodge application had been approved on the casting vote of the Conservative Chair, Soleig Stone, despite strong representation from the E.V.C.A.A.P Architect. A request to re-site the cable box, which attracts flyposting, was ignored.

The Retreat House application is active again. The scale of the proposed development still ignores Engineering advice etc.

The Q8 Garage application for a larger forecourt and shop has been refused.

The Coach House remains under the threat of vandalism despite the best efforts of the E.V.C.A.A.P.

The Council has been thanked for the signs marking the Celandine Way along the river Pinn, the planters in front of the Library and the new walls to the service roads.

 8        Neighbourhood Watch

Mike Platts reported that the last year has seen a steady stream of burglaries, attempted buglaries, car theft and vandalism. Earlier in the week he had returned from holiday to find that his home had been burgled and his locked and alarmed car in a locked garage had been stolen despite having taken the usual precautions. A burglar alarm seems to be the minimum defence against burglary.

9        Election of Committee 

As reported in the Spring Newsletter, the Acting Chairman, Acting Secretary and the Acting Treasurer were prepared to stand for election. Greg Tanner and Gerry Edwards were standing for re-election to the Committee and were joined by Otfried Droese and Scott Seaman Digby who were both prepared to stand for election.

The meeting agreed to accept these nominations en bloc.

 10        Election of Auditors

Audrey Harrington and Arthur Wilson had, once again agreed to be the Auditors. Their appointment was proposed by Hazel brown and seconded by Pat Cutts.

 11        Jubilee Street Party

Pat Cutts gave details of the arrangements made by the Jubilee Committee for the party on the 3^rd June from 3 to 5pm. Mary Jungreuthmayer agreed to judge the best crown competition. Councilor Catherine Dann and the Deputy Mayor were expected to attend. Residents were asked to decorate the outside of their homes to create a festive atmosphere. 

12         Any other business

Mike Platts outlined the findings of Committee members who had attended meeting of the Eastcote Residents Association to examine the merits of a closer working relationship with them. The majority view of the Committee was in support of developing closer links while taking care not to jepodise the aims and objectives of our Constitution. The issue was fully debated with particular emphasis being given to the collection of subs.  

By a show of hands an overwhelming majority agreed to the proposal that the Committee should continue to develop links with the E.R.A.

Other matters of concern raised by the meeting include, disturbances arising from parties held near the Coach House and Walled Garden, the state of the bed at the junction of Rodney gardens and Burwood Ave, the use of Macadam instead of paving slabs, potholes in the roads and difficulties of collecting subs in certain instances.

The meeting closed at 9.30pm