REPORT on the Open Meeting held after the AGM
on
Saturday, 24 April 2010
Presentation on Progress
with the Regeneration Project for Connaught Avenue and Plans for 2011
Beverley Gould, District Highways Manager, Essex County Council, explained that the Regeneration Project had come about as a result of Connaught Avenue looking tired, together with the problem of tree roots causing trip hazards. Funding of £1.5million had been identified for the shopping area and the ultimate aim was to improve the footways, trees, put in street lighting to meet current standards and install build out areas because Connaught Avenue was a wide and difficult road for elderly people and those with prams etc to cross easily with parked cars on both sides; build outs would make it narrower at specific points. The built out areas would be positioned at Harold Grove and at either end of the shopping area, making a gateway feature (near the current keep clear areas). Parking would be maintained although with 6 less spaces, but they were looking into taking away any restrictions that were not necessary. A decision had been taken that footpaths would be paved with the darker, smaller one of the paving slabs shown in the three trial areas outside the Spar because it had proved to wear well and did not show the dirt which would mean low maintenance and thereby reduce future costs.
She clarified the diagram she brought up onscreen, pointing
out that trees and light columns were evenly space, and that time had been
spent on identifying services to the properties so that trees etc were located
in the right places. Streets lights
would be of traditional style, have facilities for hanging baskets, a high
level socket on each, and have angled heads so that they illuminated the path
and road, rather than the buildings as this was also a residential street.
She explained that the new trees had been set back from the
kerb so that car doors could be opened and branches would not be damaged by
delivery vehicles. A lot of diseased
trees had been found and even younger tree roots had become entangled with
services so all trees had been replaced. Twenty-eight new trees had been
planted in Connaught Avenue, plus two memorial trees had been replaced in other
locations and ten additional trees had been planted in the Avenues in an effort
to try and level existing footways. New
trees had been planted in pits 1.6 metres deep and 1.5 metres wide (big areas
when pits were empty). The pits had
been filled with gravel, a root cell system to encourage roots to go down
rather than push the footway up, with pipework as an aeration system and a root
deflector had been used. Then soil, a
textile material and bitumen had been placed on top. To avoid having supports for trees, a ground anchor system had
been installed.
ECC had worked with statutory undertakers (National Grid)
who had come in ahead of the Regeneration Project and this had lead to
disruption because they had found difficult engineering problems which had to be
overcome. However, they were now ahead
of their original programme and would be finished by the end of week beginning
26 April 2010. ECC had also worked with
the Chamber of Commerce and shopkeepers in the area to minimise disruption and
had taken parking into consideration while work was being undertaken. Work on the remainder of the Regeneration
Project was due to start in 2011.
Q1: What species of
trees were planted?
A: Four species of trees have been planted, and I believe
they include Silver Birches and Cherry trees so that there is blossom in the
Spring and leaf colour in the Autumn. A
2-year maintenance contract has been arranged with the suppliers and we are
hopeful that this will be extended to 5 years.
David Foster queried why Silver Birches had been planted when these had not
been included in the list on the window of Wrights’ Deli and Beverley Gould
agreed to look into this.
Q2: How often are the trees going to be watered?
A: This would need to be checked with
the contractors because watering is their responsibility.
Councillor Vanda Watling expressed disappointment that only
28 trees had replaced the 52 trees there previously, but she was happy that
Connaught Avenue would start to look like it used to.
Q3: Should a budget
become available in the future to put more trees in Connaught Avenue, would
this be possible?
A: The statutory
services have been identified, and if there was an opportunity to put in more
trees, we would need to look at the drawings, but we have tried to get a regular
pattern of trees and lampposts. It
could be looked at it in the future, but there is no budget at this particular
time.
Q4: Will the parking spaces be designated, ie marked out for
single cars?
A: The parking space
will be marked out as a long line, not separated into individual bays because
bays can mean less parking space. An
allowance of 5-7 metres per car has to be made in bays and small cars can take
up much less space.
Q5: Does parking in other areas of Frinton come under your remit because we
have a situation with commercial vehicles parking in residential roads.
A: It depends how
big the vehicle is, but although enforcement of parking regulations is the
responsibility of TDC, problems can be referred to ECC and to me personally
today.
Charles Harrison expressed concern about chairs, tables, and ‘A’ Boards on
pavements as he felt that these caused problems for blind people, etc, and it
was very important that they could walk up and down Connaught Avenue safely on
clear pavements. He asked if
regulations were going to be enforced.
Jerry Russell wanted to redress the balance as he felt that
tables and chairs etc outside shops were perfectly acceptable if correctly
positioned, especially if they aligned with ramps outside the PO and Lloyds Bank
which already restricted the pavement width.
He suggested that ‘A’ boards could align with trees.
Beverley Gould explained that Councillor Mick Page was
setting up a Working Party to look into this issue and come up with a set of
regulations on what was to be allowed and how these regulations were to be
enforced. The Working Party would
include shopkeepers, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, TDC, the Town
Council and the Residents’ Association.
The first meeting would be taking place at the end of May.
The Chairman added that Project Board meetings had been
taking place monthly from the inception of this project, with representatives
from all the organisations mentioned above attending and providing a lot of
input. She pointed out that many hours
of planning and decision-making had gone in, and thanked Beverley for an
interesting presentation. She then
stated that she was sure that the end result would be very pleasant and that in
the current climate it was very good that this project was being carried out.
Matt Bushell, Deputy CEO & Director of Commissioning and
Business Delivery, NHS NE Essex PCT, explained that the Primary Care Trust was
there to plan provision of health services in the area. It dealt with quality, health issues, etc,
and worked with all the community services.
He stated that they had five strategic goals:
(1) Improving Life Expectancy – although life expectancy was
generally increasing, they were trying to improve this norm by introducing
Health Checks so that there was early intervention and avoidance of emergencies
in the future. They had instigated Stop
Smoking Campaigns, and provided advice on Bone Health and avoidance of long-term
conditions such as strokes and diabetes.
(2) Reducing Health Inequalities – they were working towards overcoming gaps in
provision
by directing resources appropriately.
(3) Improving Patient Experiences. He
asked if anyone had completed Mori polls recently on this subject (some people
had). He then asked if people could
please fill these in, and stated that Colchester Hospital and surgeries had
attained 72% satisfaction (a key aim was to improve this in partnership with
the hospital). With regard to primary
care and access to surgery, there was currently 74% satisfaction, but they were
working to improve this to 90%. To do
this, they were agreeing quality incentive schemes, obtaining feedback through
the surgeries or via the Internet. In
February, over 1,300 people had provided feedback on services and these figures
were summarised every month. As a
result they were working to improve particular services and the two examples
stated were dementia and maternity services.
(4) Improving Patient Safety – to ensure no avoidable patient deaths and
reductions in MRSA, C.diff, etc. He
asked if anyone had completed surveys known as the Dr Foster Patient Safety
Score (some people had). He explained
that Colchester Hospital University Foundation Trust (CHUFT) current
achievement was only 35%, but they were working towards 100%.
(5) Providing Value for Money (making the best use of public
money) – currently they had a financial balance which they would maintain. Ten work streams had been developed to cope
with challenges such as shifting care out of hospitals into the community and,
in some instances, into the home.
He concluded his presentation by stating that PCT recognised
the need to map out the vision for the future, but that it took years to make
changes. Quality was an issue on which
they wanted to place emphasis. In 2009
they were the winner of the Regional Health and Social Care Excellence in
Commissioning Award, and in 2008 Award Winning Youth Health Trainers. They had gained national recognition for
projects, were delivering within the 18 weeks maximum wait from referral to
treatment, 98% of patients were getting an appointment within 2 weeks of
referral, and were the top performing PCT for smoking cessation services in the
East of England region.
With regard to residents’ concerns regarding security of the
proposed Summary Care Records, Matt Bushell explained that the new system was
going slower than anticipated and it would be a few years before it was
operational. However, eventually, being
able to refer to patient records electronically in an emergency situation would
be an improvement. From the security
aspect, access would be limited to NHS staff with a password and a SMART card,
and also limited to those undertaking specific roles. Audits would take place of those who were accessing records, and
patients would be contacted before the system was set up.
With regard to residents’ concerns about the long distance
to be travelled to obtain specialist heart treatment, Matt Bushell explained
that since the service started in Basildon Hospital in September of last year,
10 to 20 people per month had been blue-lighted there and it appeared to be
working well with 165 minutes recognized as being the maximum time from call to
treatment. A test had been carried out
where they blue-lighted from the Frinton area and had arrived within that
time. Current information had revealed
that only two cases had not made it in the time; one was from out of the area
and the other was delayed for clinical reasons. He stated that there was a reason why the Specialist Centre had
been based in Basildon.
Q6: I know testing of ambulance times has taken place
recently, but now planning permission has been granted for a dementia home in
the locality, together with another one proposed within 50 metres. This will put a massive strain on local
resources, and what will happen to the rest of the community then?
A: We are looking at what we can do in the community. We are recognizing that.
Q7: I am very
concerned that we have to travel 40 miles to Basildon for specialist treatment,
and then at the end of the day you have to go home from Basildon to
Frinton. It is a long way and countless
older people do not have someone to take them to Basildon. Not only do you have the practicalities of getting to Basildon as
patients, but also as visitors. Is this
going to go on for ever?
A: Basildon Hospital is a Centre of Excellence for this type
of treatment and it has been proved that larger centres get better
results. I do not believe that this
situation will change. There is
eligibility for transport other than by ambulance. I realise that people are not getting transport when they should,
and I am happy to look at particular incidents. Voluntary organisations offer transport, and there is better
communication at the Centre.
With regard to residents’ concerns about the need for an
additional surgery in the area to alleviate the problems being experienced at
the Walton Surgery, Matt Bushell stated that the key was to map out a vision of
the future to cover the next 5-10 years.
He reported that he had met recently with the partners at the Practice
in Vicarage Lane and discussed what could be done in the Community, stating
that he would then know what was needed, ie premises, workforce, etc, and be
able to justify the business case first.
He stated that it took time to do this; planning, etc, takes time.
Councillor Mick Page stated: “You still have not convinced
us at Vicarage Lane. This has been
going on for 5 years. Over 11,000
patients are registered at that surgery.
You are saying more care for the patients and not providing
facilities. We cannot wait. There are too many people at that
surgery. Patients are queuing out the
door. Something must be done.” (There was wide applause after this
statement.)
Matt Bushell replied by saying that they fully recognized
that residents were concerned, but there was goodwill among the GPs. He had allocated a Project Manager to keep
the momentum on this project. He agreed
with the views expressed and stated that PCT do recognize the frustration of
how long it takes.
Councillor Iris Johnson reiterated concerns that PCT was not
doing its job properly in respect of Frinton, Walton and the local
villages. Last year she had been told
that there was no intention to build another surgery. She pointed out that the ideal spot was in Elm Tree Avenue, but
Mike Doherty had said that it was not going to happen. However, residents want to see that this
materialises in the very near future.
Matt Bushell stated that PCT was concentrating on areas of
depravation and repeated that it was really important to map out what they were
going to do in the future, especially in terms of locations, difficulties in
travel, etc.
Councillor Iris Johnson continued by saying that the problem
of travel had been coming up for some time.
Elm Tree Avenue was centrally positioned and travelling there would not
be a problem. Patients were currently
having to travel to Clacton. She felt that the travel issue was being used as
an excuse, and stressed that local treatment for all our residents was needed
now.
Councillor Denzil Watson referred to ‘the golden hour’
within which patients needed to be treated if they were to survive and he
questioned the practice of transferring patients between hospitals.
Q8: Did this mean that there would be delays with patients
having to register at both hospitals? Was it true that with Colchester and
Ipswich Hospitals being twinned, patients would experience an hour wait at each
hospital?
A: Specialisms are
done at local hospital before transfers take place.
Councillor Giles Watling queried where NHS money was being
spent as he felt that it should not be spent on health bureaucracy and
administration, but needed to be spent on nurses, etc. He could not understand the statistics
stating that 98% of patients spent two weeks on a waiting list.
Matt Bushell replied that it was an important improvement
that all urgent cancer patients were being seen within two weeks (this was now
part of the NHS Constitution).
Gillian Sanford (FRA Health Spokesperson), stated that she
hoped Matt Bushell had noted the strength of feeling in this area. She pointed out that the FRA had written to
Professor Sheila Salmon (Chairman, NHS NE Essex) who had at least provided the
name of someone who would keep the FRA up-to-date. Travelling was of concern, but if the surgery was built in Elm
Tree Avenue, she had been assured that the branch surgery in Walton would be
retained. She explained that she had
personally experienced a 1¼ hour wait at the Walton surgery and compared this
to the Frinton surgery where the wait was not more than ½ hour. She also felt
that the argument that two surgeries (Frinton and Elm Tree Avenue) were too
close to each other did not stand up.
The difficulties that patients attending Walton Surgery were facing, had
increased over the years and doctors with particular skills could not use them
because there was no space meaning that patients were having to travel to
Clacton. She concluded by saying that
the residents would like Matt Bushell to go back to PCT with the message that
this is urgent and tell them that it has gone on long enough.
Councillor Terry Allen suggested that Matt Bushell needed to
look back to the time when Tendring and Colchester PCTs were merged when
Tendring had a surplus of £9.5 million.
This was taken to bail out southern area PCTs, but the PCT said that
Tendring money would be used to return facilities to this area in the future. He said that we now want that money back in
Tendring.
Matt Bushell replied that there were lots of investment
initiatives in the Tendring Area, a number of which had started since he had
joined the PCT. One example he provided
was that over the last 4 years, Tendring had moved from being an under-doctored
area to being one with above the national average number of GPs. He added that they were doing a lot to
improve health in both areas.
The Chairman stated that the additional surgery issue needed
to be addressed immediately and concluded discussion on this subject by saying
that individual points could be taken up with Matt Bushell personally at the
end of the meeting.
Presentation on Policing
in Frinton-on-Sea, including the arrangements for Cricket Week 2010
Police Sergeant Pete Gerard started by saying that it was a
pleasure to come back and meet the members of the Frinton Residents’
Association as there was good communication with the FRA and other local
representatives on how policing was carried out locally. He reported a better staffing position in
Frinton and Walton, with 8 Community Officers and 3 Neighbourhood Specialist
Officers engaging with the Community and responding to policing needs, together
with sufficient Officers at his disposal and himself managing it.
He understood that Frinton Cricket Week caused some concern
in the community and he assured those present
that he would be making sure that it was policed properly. He had noted that policing had been a bit
deficient the previous year, but he had talked with Frinton Cricket Club and
been heartened to see that their organisation for the event was thorough. They were providing their own security and
had realised that management of the event needed to take place as the club
would suffer; they were concerned that the bad press would affect their
licensing application, etc. He reported
that since 2006, there had been 19 incidents, 7 of which were specific to the
club, but he had ascertained that what happened inside the venue was fine and
managed quite well. Afterwards, he
accepted that it was the responsibility of the police to manage correctly, and
planning and policing would not take place just on the week. Disorder from the event last year had
included an incident of an assault that was probably alcohol-fuelled. Therefore, the police were planning to
engage with licencees prior to the event, and also make sure that there would
be a confiscation from anybody found to be unruly in possession of
alcohol. He realised that when they
finished at the venue, behaviour might fall below expectations, but then police
would be available. He had arranged for
mounted police to be present explaining that it was a rural area and therefore
they would be appropriate patrolling the beach, etc. He added that they provided an excellent resource because they were
visible. He stated that although they
were planning for the worst, they were hopeful that it would be a good event,
without much impact on the local community, and that the policing methods had
come about through identified trends.
Sgt Gerard then observed that speeding was another trend
which came up regularly and warned that in May speed detection devices would be
around every day unless Officers were directed to other incidents. The aim was education as opposed to fine
generation, and he explained that they were trying to educate those who were
coming into the world of driving, adding that there was good reaction to these
initiatives.
He also pointed out that the Beach Hut Association had
provided valuable statistics which Essex Police had not previously known about
when fundings were agreed. In the past
beach hut incidents had been reported by the owners when they had been
discovered, but information on a daily basis was fantastic to receive. As a result, during the month of April,
Officers would be patrolling the seafront, and in response to the statistics,
extra Officers would be on the Promenade until 3.00 am. He explained that it was not simply a case
of Officers’ presence, but that they also wanted to bolster security on the
beach huts through consultation with representatives; thereby ensuring that
more secure doors were recognised as being advantageous.
He concluded by saying that he would like to take tasks from
the local community, and repeated that the communication routes were fantastic. He asked those present to please participate
and encourage other local residents to take part. He pointed out that Neighbourhood Action Panel meetings took
place in a drive to tackle local issues.
These needed to be driven by local residents, but at present, attendance
was low. The next meeting was taking
place on 9 June, in Lower Kirby Church Hall, and all meeting details appeared
in the local paper.
Q9: Are you going to
police speeding on The Esplanade in the evenings?
A: We have
identified several roads and The Esplanade is where we will have officers
during the day. Yes, we will do the
Esplanade. We are looking to re-ignite
Community Speed Watch. Local residents
will be trained with a speed device and further information will be available in
the media soon. Do get in touch if you
would like to be involved.
Q10: Where are the
horses coming from?
A: Writtle Agricultural College. They will be in town on the Thursday and Friday of Cricket Week
until 1.00 am.
The Chairman thanked Sgt Gerard.
John Barter of the Frinton & Walton Heritage Trust
explained about a Project entitled “The Victoria County History of England
(VCH)” which had an international reputation as a reference for local history
and aimed to portray the history of towns and villages in every English
County. Eight years’ work had already
been done and it was now on the Internet
(www.victoriacountyhistory.ac.uk/Essex) .
He asked those with access to look at the draft chapters and check them,
as well as reading them for interest.
Subjects included evacuation to and from our area in the Second World
War, the 1953 floods, political conflict, etc.
He also pointed out that the Frinton & Walton Heritage Trust were
organising a trip to Shuttleworth D-Day Air Display on the 6 June.
Linda Ellis (also of the Frinton & Walton Heritage
Trust) pointed out that the ‘Gates’ would be erected in the Frinton Station
Garden soon and the re-built Signal Box would be open later this year. She also reminded everyone that the Spring
Fair would take place on 15 May.
Councillor Robert Bucke raised concerns about proposals for
two dementia homes to be built on opposite sides of, and within 50 metres of
the railway bridge at Kirby Cross; one being a 70-bed and the other a 35-bed
unit. This would result in single file
traffic under the bridge and there were concerns that traffic could be queueing
up for 15-20 minutes to get into Frinton.
The Town Council had objected to this, and he asked those present to
object to Highways.
The Honorary Secretary reported that although the
Association had agreed to pay for the cost of purchasing and installing one
additional dog litter bin in an area of concern in Frinton Town Centre to try
and ascertain if this would help alleviate the problem of dog fouling in that
area, neither Tendring District Council nor the Town Council would agree to pay
for collections from this bin.
Councillor Iris Johnson felt that if the Town Council was approached
officially, it would agree to this.
Secretary’s Note: The Town Council were subsequently
approached officially and they still refused to pay for collections.
The Chairman concluded the meeting by stating that the FRA
May Ball was to take place on 22 May 2010, a competition was being held to
design the front cover of the FRA Newsletter and she encouraged those members
who had not paid their subscriptions, to pay before they left the meeting. She also mentioned that Open Days were
taking place in Pedlars Wood from 1-3 May 2010, and then thanked everyone for
attending.
Secretary’s Note:
The May Ball to be held on 22 May 2010 was subsequently cancelled due to
lack of support.