20 January 2009
BRUNSWICK SQUARE CENTRAL LAWN ASSOCIATION
Meeting Tues 20 January 2009 at Christ Church, Brunswick Road
Attending:
Jim Procter (Chair), Freda Caulkett (Treasurer), Ursula Windsor, Terry Robson, Amanda Procter, Chris Prosser (Sec)
Apologies:
Russell Steel (Vice Chair), Martyn White, John Gannon, Carole Carpenter, Anthea Graham, Margaret Robson, Stephen Prosser
Minutes from the previous Meeting (12.11.08) approved
The minutes from the previous meeting in November were approved. Terry Robson proposed the approval of the minutes, seconded by Freda Caulkett.
Gloucester Community Grant Award
We have been allocated another £2000 for the year of 2009/10, following on from the £2000 grant we received for 2008/09. This is excellent news and we have already emailed Malcolm Dunn to thank the City Council for this additional grant.
We have to wait until Nov 2009 to find out if we will receive a similar grant for 2010/11. The Community Grant has a three-year lifespan.
In February we will receive the Monitoring Form that we need to complete re the 2008/09 funds. The deadline for that form’s completion is 31.03.09
Chris still to follow up further publicity for the BSCLA’s Communty Grant Awards with Malcolm Dunn at the Community Development Dept at Gloucester City Council. Now we can include the £2000 grant for 09/10.
Tree Survey
Jim has made some enquiries and the arrangement of an arborist’s tree survey is now in progress. We should take advice from the arborist on the need for tree surgery and the expected cost.
Lawn Maintenance
Russell has submitted an invoice for grass cutting and lawn maintenance for July – December 2008 inclusive and a quote for providing similar services for 2009. (If the quote is accepted, he would like to receive six months grass-cutting payment in advance and then the second payment at the end of the year.)
The 2009 quote was £750 grass-cutting for the year + Spring fertiliser treatment £130, Rolling £50, Scarifier treatment £30, Aerator treatment £30.
This is significantly cheaper than any other quotes received previously. Jim proposed that we accept Russell’s quote for 2009; Amanda seconded that proposal, and it was carried unanimously.
Russell also to trim the twisted beech on the South side of the Square. It was suggested that he just keep a maintenance log (a simple notebook) of lawn/tree work carried out in the Square for costing and planning etc.
Trees from Gloucester City Council
We were offered some free trees/hedging trees from Gloucester City Council via the CCCP. Amanda contacted them to request 6x hedging trees (either hawthorns or blackthorns – to be compatible with our native planting plan), but has not heard anything further. Amanda to chase up.
Memorial to Peter and Beryl Kennedy
David Kennedy is sponsoring an oak tree + plaque for the West end of the Square, as a tribute to Beryl & Peter. Jim to ask Andrew to purchase and then plant a suitable oak sapling/standard – the cost of which the BSCLA can then submit to David. Terry also to contact again Julian Hobbs, Gloucester City Council Tree Inspector for his advice re exactly where to plant the tree.
Chris has investigated locally-produced dedication plaques and has conveyed this information to David who is happy with progress.
Litter from Cars
There seems to be an increase in litter – often food/lunch packaging – dropped out of cars into the road around the Square. If anyone wishes to raise this issue you can email Gloucester City Council at enviro@gloucester.gov.uk or call them on 01452-396396. The more contacts they receive, the more likely it may result in increased street cleaning around the Square.
Storytelling in the Square
Chris to chase up with Gloucester City Council opportunities for the Square as a potential venue for storytelling activities in the Summer.
Bins
Chris has asked Malcolm Dunn at Community Development Dept, Gloucester City Council for help from the Council to a) empty the bins regularly as a contribution to the running of the Square and b) provide the Square with recycling bins for glass bottles. Subsequently, Sarah Boon at the City Council (Street Cleansing Dept) has been in contact and hopes to have some good news soon, in that they hope to be able to empty the rubbish bins in the Square every two weeks. Chris to contact Sarah Boon to see what progress.
Christmas Carol Service
A lovely Christmas carol service was held in the early evening of 17 December in the Square. The weather was mild and clear; there was an excellent turnout and Amanda and Jim provided some much appreciated hot food and drink! This was arranged by Jim and Amanda in collaboration with the Salvation Army and everyone thanked them for the idea and their hard work in arranging it all.
Finance
Freda reported that financially the BSCLA accounts are looking quite healthy, but our subscriptions were actually down by £300 from last year. Jim needs to remind some of the larger property owners on the Square to forward their subscriptions.
It is time to start preparing the new year’s subscription invoices too.
Jim and Terry to start preparing these.
Donations
It was agreed at the meeting that the BSCLA should donate
• £50 to Christ Church for John Gannon’s consistent support and use of the Church facilities for meetings and events
• £25 to the Salvation Army for leading the carol service in the Square in December and providing the lovely musical accompaniment
Our thanks go to both Christ Church and the Salvation Army.
Constitution and Liability
The BSCLA is going to take some advice regarding our liability should there be any litigation against the Square at any time (eg following an accident). Although we do have public liability insurance (renewed annually) for the Square – we are unsure as to exactly where our responsibilities lie. Does it involve all those landowners who come under the Covenant of the Square (ie all those who own a building on the Square?) We expect this single consultation with a solicitor to cost approx £200 – £300. Ursula has contact with a solicitor who is familiar with the Square – so the appointment will be made through her.
It may be that we feel we need to revise the Constitution in view of the current “compensation culture” and the outcome of this consultation may help us to revise the Constitution, if need be.
Richard Graham had suggested that on the new signs that we must get made for the Square gates, we include a phrase such as “The BSCLA can regrettably not accept any liability for any loss or damage to persons or property while using the Square gardens”. Everyone agreed that that would be helpful.
Ken Bellis and Fiona Miller at Bromford/Fosseway Housing have been very helpful re the retrieval of any old or original documents pertaining to the Square (eg Deeds of Covenant) which may help to clarify responsibilities. Please see below an extract from Ken’s email:
Hi Chris.
I am responding to you in response to Martyn’s enquiry about any information that may be contained in our title deeds, regarding covenants affecting the central lawn.
I have inspected the deeds, and as you might guess for properties of this age, the information is quite sketchy.
There is an extract from an Indenture of Release dated 10th December 1825 which simply states:-
‘Together with liberty and privilege in common with the occupiers of the messages adjoining the premises hereby released of walking within the garden and land of the said James Devey intended to be enclosed in the front of all the said messages and of having a key to the gate or gates thereof’
In the release it mentions ‘not to erect buildings thereon’ but that is all.
There is a further abstract from an Indenture dated 2nd June 1870 which goes on to define the size of the parcels of land, and within that it refers to a ‘map or plan drawn in the margin’ Sadly the map is not in the abstract, and whilst this document could possibly go on to describe covenants affecting the lawn, once again these are not included in the abstract that we have.
It appears that this was a philanthropic gesture by some wealthy businessmen, and came with few encumbrances.
Some time last year I did attempt look into this at the Land Registry at Gloucester. However they had no information carried forward manually from the time before our properties were first registered, so sadly I couldn’t go any further. In order to piece the whole thing together, it would probably involve getting hold of all of the Square’s title deeds, and stitch together the patchwork of documents.
Chris has also been in contact with David Eggleton for his advice as he has been very helpful to the BSCLA. In summary:
• He can’t remember seeing any historic documents for the Square as such
• He said our current £1000 000 public liability insurance for a single claim sounded perfectly adequate – in fact solicitors’ professional indemnity insurance is generally for the same amount ie. one million pounds.
• The next step up would be insurance for £100 000 000 – which would be unrealistic and unaffordable
• As long as we are shown to have taken all reasonable precautions (I remember that was a phrase Andrew Long from our insurers, Clarke Roxburgh, used too) then that’s all we can do – and that should cover us
• He thought a consultation with a solicitor, would be a good idea + money well spent. If we do that, we should ask the solicitor for a letter confirming that we had enquired and taken out insurance to what he felt was a reasonable level (amount).
• David said he was very happy for us to call him should we have any queries or if he could be of any help to us.
Martyn has also been in contact with Marilyn Champion to see if she might provide any original documents, but she was unable to help.
Bromford/Fosseway Housing representation at BSCLA Meetings
Chris emailed Fiona Miller and Ken Bellis to ask if Christine Keen or another representative may be able to attend at least some BSCLA meetings, but we have not had a response to this so far.
Civic Pride Award & Gloucester in Bloom Civic Pride Awards
Chris has written to Andrew Pearce to let him know of the Square’s success in these awards and to thank him for his sterling contribution to these achievements.
Hartpury Students’ Designs for The Square
Hartpury College students have submitted designs for the wildlife, Bug City area in the SW corner of the Square, and hanging baskets and window troughs in preparation for Gloucester in Bloom 2009. We will see if any funds are forthcoming from Gloucester in Bloom or we may have to look for individual sponsors for hanging baskets (there are 14). £400 is the total cost of plants and regular watering for these via the City Council contractors. The window troughs may not happen if we do not get ready funding from Gloucester in Bloom or similar group sponsorship.
The winning designs were
Mike Thomas – Bug City Design
Jordan Grenville-Cleave – Hanging Basket Design
Adam Greenslade – Window Trough Design
They each came with a schedule of works which is very helpful. The standard of the designs was very high and we are very grateful for the students’ input. We hope to use the winning designs this Summer!
Amanda is going to write to Hartpury College to thank them sincerely for their work and to let them know which students’ designs have been chosen.
Greetings Cards – Fund-raising
Chris handed over £15 raised at her workplace from the sale of greetings cards made by Margaret Robson for the Square. Freda will pay this money into the Co-Op account. If anyone can sell any greetings cards at work or to family or friends, please contact Margaret at No 4 Brunswick Sq.
Car Parking Fundraising
Just a reminder for people’s diaries – we are already booked in for future car park fund-raisers:
Rikenel Sat 10 October 2009
Shire Hall Members Car Park Sat 9 January 2010
Shire hall Members Car Park Sat 5 June 2010
(NB these were the earliest dates we could get booked into the Shire Hall car park, which has only recently started to book out to charities again)
Dates of next meeting(s)
All meetings to be held at 7.30pm at Christ Church
in Brunswick Road, unless otherwise notified
Weds 4 March
Mon 16 March AGM
If you currently receive these Minutes by post, but would be happy to receive them by email, please let me know. Thank you.
Chris Prosser, BSCLA Secretary
10 Brunswick Square, Gloucester GL1 1UG
sprosser1@btinternet.com Tel. 01452-413439