2007 AGM

Canbury & Riverside AGM
27th September 2007 at the Pavilion, Canbury Gardens

The Chairman of the Committee welcomed all attendees and provided an overview of the aims of Canbury & Riverside Association (CARA) it being a non-political and purely voluntary organisation whose aims and objectives are the protection and enhancement of amenities within the area for residents and users alike.

The Chairman offered thanks to all of members who have supported CARA in the last 12 months along with the team of dedicated and hard working Committee members. Furthermore the Chairman welcomed and thanked Councillor Dennis Doe and Paul Drummond (Kingston Town Centre Highways Officer) for coming along to help answer questions.

A very busy year was reviewed with teams being involved in:

• Bulb Planting
• Carol singing (& karaoke!)
• Riverside Litter Pick & Clear Up
• 1/2 Mile Tree Landscaping
• Traffic & Parking Reviews
• Improvements to the Richmond Road parade of shops
• Power Station site / Hotel Development Exposition
• Regular liaison with Councillors and Council Officers
• Kingston Town Centre Management
• Thames Landscape Strategy
• Metropolitan Police liaison and Safer Neighbourhood Schemes
• Summer Barbecue
• CARA 2007 Grant Programme (where four grants were awarded).
• Informing people - 3 newsletters + 4 notices
• Lots of emails

However, the Chairman also commented that the Committee were under some pressure as a result of the loss of some key resources. During the year the Committee bade farewell to: Pat Mackay (special focus on Canbury Gdns); Bodo von Broen (environment & KTCM) and Charles Rudd (Treasurer). However it was reported that some people have already responded positively to the note in considering getting more involved. People need to understand what is required in being involved in working with CARA. It is not an NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) organisation but balanced with no agendas, no politics and no single issues beyond the core brief stated previously. The Committee fosters a constructive mix of views and opinions through friendly debate and respect for all concerned. Above all it has as an aim, the encouragement for people to take responsibility to affect change for the positive in the immediate neighbourhood and beyond. The Chairman again asked that people consider becoming more active and doing as much or as little as possible.

Election Of The Committee
The following members who offered to stand for the Committee were duly elected:

• Bazil Arden
• Clare Francis
• Helen Moss
• Hugh Scantlebury
• Penny D’Souza
• Trevor Willis
• Marilyn Mason

Membership Report
The Membership Secretary reported that out of the 700 addresses covered by the CARA area, there are currently over 172 members (25%+). This represents an increase of 33 on last year. There will be another annual membership drive in Q4 2007.

Resolution:
A proposal was put forward to move membership year from 1st November to 1st August to be in line with our financial year with no penalty to existing members. This resolution was not accepted.

Finance Report
Total income for the year to 31st August 2007 was £1597 (an increase of £297 on the pervious year). Subscriptions accounted for £717 with deferred income of £723 (relating to future year subscriptions). Donations of £157 were also received along with £115 of Interest and receipts from the summer barbecue amounting to £202. During the year grants of £1,650 were awarded. The only other major expense related to printing & distribution costs, which totaled £530 for the full year. Reserves stand at £2,333.

Hotel Development Update
The main document of interest is on line at www.kingston.gov.uk is referenced: 06/12424 lodged in July 2007. This covers the result of the Mayoral / GLA review of the latest proposals in June (in essence the lack of affordable housing was held as being unacceptable). Three suggestions were made and considered by NHP, namely:

1. Replace hotel with residential accommodation - rejected as contra to UDP for site.
2. Reduce encapsulation of EDF substation plant - rejected as not being practical.
3. Reduce car parking

The last one was seen as the most feasible solution. The plans have therefore been modified such that the entire lower level of car park has been removed and the remainder car parking reconfigured for 190 residential spaces and 10 for the hotel. Furthermore the creche has been replaced by 3 residential units. The main 'tower' now rises to 16 storeys. The other is now 8 storeys high, the remainder of the exterior design is much as previous. The affordable housing now comprises 24 one bedroom apartments (for sale) and 56 rental units broken down as follows:

• 18 x 1 bedroom
• 25 x 2 bedroom
• 11 x 3 bedroom
• 2 x 4 bedroom

The plans comment that in light of providing for the above additional affordable units, the GLA is unlikely to directly refuse permission to proceed. Kingston Guardian reported that the plans will be presented to the council executive on October 31st (Development Control Meeting 7.3pm, Guildhall). It was stressed that residents ensure views are made known (preferably in writing) to Planning Department officers & Councillors alike.

Rose Theatre Update
Entering final 6 months of fit out. The auditorium, studio, gallery, backstage and foyer spaces are in the process of being fitted out as are electrical and acoustic equipment. Tickets should be on sale to the public in October. The first performance onstage is due in January 2008 having announced the opening programme in September 2007. The site should be officially handed over by the building team in December. There is a campaign to secure the support of local businesses and individuals in order to raise essential money for the theatre’s programme - a target has been set of some £600,000 in the next 6 months. No Lottery or Arts Council funding has been provided so all start-up and ongoing core costs must be raised through donations, sponsorship and investments and once opened, box office and venue income. A number of local businesses have given support in the past including Frere Jacques, Russell Cooke, Riverside Vegetaria, Carluccios and Wagamama.

CARA 2007 Grant Programme
This scheme was launched at CARA AGM 2006 with the aim of investing in projects which underpin the aims and objectives of CARA to protect and enhance amenities within the area for all residents and users. In doing so, CARA wished to:

• Help organisations to become stronger by acquiring or developing assets for their own use.
• Encourage inclusive communities through active participation in clubs, societies and groups.
• Support projects that help people deal with change in their lives.
• Enhance or protect the local environemnt for the benefit of the whole community.

The Committee researched and issued 30 or so request for submissions. It was agreed that a maximum of four grants were to be awarded by 30th June 2007 (max £500 per submission). In the end end only 7 applications were received in time (with a further two missing the deadline). Following receipt, 4 awards were made this year and presentations were given by the following representatives of the grant recipients.

• Learning English At Home - Sanja Kane
• Canbury Trust - Bazil Arden
• Ignite Youth Group - Anna MacShane
• Kingston Muslim Mothers & Girls Social Group - Ruby Agha

The Committee will review the success of the programme and decide whether to run again in 2007/8 in due course.

Summary & Close
In closing the meeting pending an open question and answer forum, the Chairman highlight that there was a lot to do in the future with the Committee and it's supporters being involved in:

• Power station / hotel development
• Canbury Gardens
• Landscaping, Bulb Planting, LHR Verges etc.
• Lighting
• Albany Park Road CPZ
• Thames Landscape
• River into Kingston initiative
• Turks Boatyard etc.
• Environmental
• Refuse & Recycling

After receiving a number of questions from the floor, the meeting was duly closed.