Marine Estate Residents’ Association (MERA)

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
Held at 8pm on Tuesday 18th September 2007 at Highlands Methodists Church Hall

 Apologies for absence received from: Mr and Mrs Olley, Mrs Phillips, Pat Wright and Andrew Ciclitira (Committee).

         Chairman’s Opening Comments.

 A warm welcome to everyone. Our guest speaker this evening will be PC Paul Tucker who will be joining us later. MERA membership, although slightly down on last year, remains relatively stable at 170 households. There has been a good response to the five-year membership option. Many new families have taken up residence during the past year so we will need to do another estate-wide mail drop to highlight the available MERA support services. My thanks to the Committee Members for their support and dedication throughout the past year.

Annual Review of Activities.

We meet regularly to review planning applications for new businesses, flats, offices and house conversions. Action is taken when the proposals are likely dilute the residential ambience, or  impact in some negative way on the street scene, or cause a nuisance. And, although not strictly within the boundry of the Marine Estate we continue our representations to Southend Borough Council opposing the plans for the redevelopment of the Bell Hotel site, 33 Hadleigh Road and St Clement’s Hall. Two planning applications now under consideration by Southend Council include proposals to build a block of six offices in a secluded corner of Grange Road. Residents fear that this would destroy the street scene and cause even more congestion at the Hadleigh Road junction. The application was rejected by Southend Council but has since then gone to appeal. The other application of concern to residents of Medway Crescent seeks a licence to sell alcohol with extended hours and to provide live and recorded music in the building located at the London Road junction (previously Natwest Bank). Councillor John Lamb will represent MERA when the application is considered in October. There has been a decrease in complaints to MERA about noise and graffiti. We continue to monitor the blue shelter on Marine Parade where, earlier this year, there was a problem with noisy teenage gatherings. The issue of parking permits to Marine Estate residents remains unresolved but we have hope that the new Southend Council leader, Nigel Holdcroft, can support us in this long running saga.

Both the Christmas Get-together and Summer Garden Party were again a great success and a vote of thanks goes to Geoff and Eileen Nash and Pat and David Williams for hosting these events. Members are reminded that the Christmas event this year will take place on Sunday 25^th November at 92 Thames Drive 11am to 1pm. Mulled wine, mince pies and a raffle will be provided.

       Minutes of the last AGM

The Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting held at Highlands Methodist Church Hall at 8pm on Tuesday 12^th September 2006 had been distributed previously to all members. There were no matters arising from the Minutes which were then adopted unanimously as a true record of proceedings.

The Annual Accounts

   The Annual Accounts were distributed to members and Geoff Nash (Treasurer) highlighted several items. The amount shown for Subscriptions in the year shows a decrease due mainly to some members choosing the 5-year membership option. The increased AGM expenses for this year include the hire of the Church Hall (£45). In FY05/06 this expense had been prepaid.

  Photocopying expenses were much lower at £24 as we did not have a membership drive. A gazebo was purchased (£50) for use on MERA social occasions. This is available for use by any member and may be borrowed by contacting Pat Williams. Total MERA funds available at 31^st August 2007 amount to £2391.72. Adoption of the accounts for FY 06/07 was proposed by Ann Saunders and seconded by Mr Hopkins.

The Election of Officers

Membership of the MERA Committee is open to all members in good standing and the Chairman sought nominations from the floor for the year 07/08. There were no nominations so it was proposed by John Knight and seconded by Mavis Taylor that the existing committee members, having confirmed their willingness to do so, be re-elected for one further year.

Any other business

1.  Some residents feel unsafe when crossing the Thames Drive/London Road junction. This is because the sequencing of the traffic lights allows insufficient time for pedestrians with restricted mobility or those with children. The situation is unlikely to improve until the local authorities complete the planned re-development of this junction under the Integrated Transport Plan (improvements to the A13). The date for commencement of this work is unknown.

2.  Foxes seem on the increase along Marine Parade and at times stroll along showing little concern for anyone. MERA will investigate the options of reducing numbers.

       Guest Speaker 

After light refreshments the Chairman introduced the principal guest speaker, PC Paul Tucker, with PC Chris Abbott in a supporting role. Both officers carry the title ‘Neighbourhood Specialist Officer’ and are available to investigate acts of crime and nuisance items affecting the quality of life of residents. They may be contacted at all times on 01702-431212 or in emergencies by telephoning 999. The Leigh on Sea Police Station is manned constantly and Inspector Colwell, being a local man, puts a special effort into protecting the community while providing leadership and support to his enthusiastic team of officers. There was an excellent  rapport  between the officers and the members, which was evident from the lively and good-natured question and answer session that ensued. Among the many interesting topics discussed members were surprised to learn that excessive neighbourhood noise after 11pm is no longer a police matter. In such cases residents must telephone Southend Council Environmental Officers who will then come and investigate the complaint. These officers have the power to seize any offending equipment. MERA will obtain and advise members of the 24-Hour telephone number. The good news is that the crime rate in Leigh on Sea has been reducing year on year over the past three years. On behalf of the members Nick Saunders thanked PC Tucker and PC Abbott for their interesting and informative presentation. As a token of our appreciation MERA will send a cheque in the amount of £50 to a nominated police charity. 

       Meeting Closure

In closing, the Chairman thanked the members for attending and for their contribution to the discussions. A special vote of thanks went to Ann and Nick Saunders and Liz Sims for organising the refreshments.

The meeting closed at 9.34pm