To follow are minutes of the meeting held with Totterdown Estate residents on 29th April 14. More background information on the project can be found here.
Meeting Attendees
A great turn out from across the Estate with almost every road represented.
Conservation
Goal is to raise awareness of the Conservation Area so that residents don’t accidentally make alterations that harm the look of the Estate. Practical measures include:
- Information packs given to existing and new residents, summarising the key conservation measures and a list of local traders who provide conservation-compliant services
- Change road name signs to include ‘Totterdown Fields Conservation Area’ (example mock-up of the new sign is shown above)
- Install one or two heritage signs on the Estate, explaining its historic importance
- Work constructively with residents and Council to ensure enforcement is effective
Environment
Aim is to also improve the natural environment:
- Reinstate front hedges where appropriate
- Planting of additional trees in roads where residents request it
Community
Bring the community together and reduce incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour:
- Create a Neighbourhood Watch team for the Estate
- Hold a summer street festival – August / September
- Looking out for each other and the area as a whole
- Use of Derinton Community Hall as a focal point for community events, e.g. coffee morning, youth club
Funding
Signage, printed materials, street party, etc require some funds. There are a number of options for raising funds:
- Form a formal Residents Association – will attract Council funding but does require 20% of council tenants to support it
- One-off Council funds could be available from the Community Infrastructure Levy
- Grants from English Heritage, National Lottery, etc
- Sponsorship from local businesses – preferably on non-permanent features, e.g. website / newsletters / leaflets / information packs
Organisation
Assuming attendees and residents come forward to volunteer, we can do the following:
- Create an informal ‘Friends & residents’ group or a formal Residents Association (either way, it will be a body to channel feedback to and from the Council, ensuring issues on the Estate are dealt with efficiently and effectively)
- Establish a committee that meets regularly (maybe bi-monthly)
- Set up a simple website and use social media to promote events.
Next steps are for people to volunteer an hour or two per month to work with Dan, Michael, Hannah and Keith to turn these items into reality! So please email Dan at [email protected] if you might be able to help.