Digbeth Residents Association August 2009

Digbeth Residents Association Minutes of Meeting Paragon Hotel Digbeth 3rd August 2009 7pm Present Adam Crossley PC Phil Bates PC Kate Ollis

Chair and Digbeth Resident Digbeth Neighbourhood Officer Digbeth Neighbourhood Officer

Approximately 28 Digbeth Residents Apologies Sgt Gary Chantrey

Digbeth Neighbourhood Sergeant

Jean spoke about a new enterprise on Cheapside at the Old Post Office. Will be a space where people can get back to work, community Café / Ironing. Should be open in next 2 weeks – Café will have sandwiches / muffins / Tea / Coffee etc. A fundraising event will take place on 26th September to raise money for the project; will be a fun French themed evening. People need to raise the issues of what they need in the area, e.g. Dentist / Healthcare etc… The Raise the Roof event on Saturday was a success, no complaints. The only noise problem seemed to be from the taxi drivers beeping there horns at 5:30am. Rod from Rainbow said the firms that were making the noise are ones form outside the city, as the Rainbow have there own taxi firm they use and it’s the out of City Cabs turning up and plying for hire. Rod has put a complaint in already. Phil will again speak with the Police Taxi liaison. Next subject was the application for change of use for the building on Alcester Street at Cheapside. Originally meant to be Luxury Apartments with parking however now looking at cheap hotel/hostel with no parking. Residents don’t believe that there is the infrastructure to accommodate this and worry about the parking in the area which is already a problem and also the traffic. If it becomes a hostel is there a need? There are already two in the immediate vicinity. If people want to complain then they can do so by letter or by email, one per person as each letter/email is equal to one objection no matter how many signatures. Objections need to be in by 5th August, and can ask for 3 minutes to attend speak at the meeting, so each person should request to appear personally at the committee meeting. Both the Businesses and Residents in the area appear to be against the proposal. You can see it at www.birmingham.gov.uk/planningapplications Application Reference is C/02504/09/FUL Residents can put themselves on the consultees list for Digbeth and they will then be notified about all plans in the area.

AOB Parking on Alcester Street – still a problem, cars parked at entrance to Forge Place, is dangerous. There is not enough parking for the residents, can there be a resident parking zone in the area? Kate to look into and bring info to next meeting. Can the old Cleary’s site be used for parking? This has been looked at however the owners are not receptive to enquiries, Adam will look into again. Are there spare spaces below Kinvara Heights? Kate to ask. Rubbish in the area is still a problem, and residents believe it to be getting worse, although a litter picker has been seen in the area. Residents can use 0121 303 1112, this number can be used for all street cleaning issues. Graffiti still a small problem, residents asked to call council or Neighbourhood Police who will arrange for it to be removed ASAP. Crime figures given, and the vulnerable vehicle scheme being run by Digbeth Police was explained. Again any non urgent issues to call local police on 0845 113 5000 and speak with the operator or to speak to someone in Neighbourhood office use extension 7868 6047/6185/6587. John Tighe asked if there were any issues that he can take to Pub Watch? No issues raised.

Next meeting to be held on Monday 7th August 2009, 7pm at Paragon Hotel.