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Minutes from the open meeting of Digbeth ResidentsAssociation
(DRA) and Neighbourhood Watch on Monday 13th
April 2015 at 6pm in the Old Crown restaurant.
1. Roll Call and Apologies
Present: Joe Holyoak, Ben Mabbett, John Gordon, Will Stewart,
Rosie Pocklington, Lizzi
Hewitt, Trevor Cobden, Jayne Bradley Ghosh, Bob Ghosh, David
Barnes, Pamela Pinski.
Apologies: Digbeth Police.
2. Approval of Minutes
The minutes from the ordinary meeting in February 2015 were
approved.
3. Matters Arisinga. Planning Applications
A complaint has been submitted to Birmingham City Council
regarding work taking place onAlcester St on a building that had
its planning application rejected.The number of applications to
build shisha lounges in Digbeth is increasing almost daily DRA and
Joe Holyoak are monitoring the situation in partnership with BCC.A
visioning document for Birmingham Smithfieldthe development to
replace the currentwholesale market sitehas been released for
public consultation. Joe has written an articlethat will appear in
the Birmingham Post on Thursday 16 thApril. BCC have been invited
to afuture DRA meeting to consult with Digbeth residents and inform
the DRA response.Joe and Phil Burrows (BFOE) are continuing
conversations with Marlborough PropertyCompany regarding plans for
Connaught Square; we will look into establishing a workinggroup to
ensure the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)set to replace
Section 106iscollected and spent wisely in Digbeth.
b. Nechells Ward MeetingJohn, David and Pam attended the
Nechells Ward Meeting in March, along with c60 Digbethand Highgate
residents. Attendance at the meeting was a great signal for
democracy inBirmingham. The meeting coincided with the announcement
of the selection of the DigbethHigh Street route for the new tram,
signalling 132 million investment into the area. Trevorshared
positive feedback and his congratulations on the achievement with
the meeting.A petition to build a safe pedestrian crossing along
Bradford Street was submitted at thismeeting by residents of
Digbeth.
c. St Patricks Day Parade
Parade day turned out to be very quiet, both in terms of
attendance and policing issues. An
increase in fringe events this year and the clash with Mothers
Day meant more people weretucked away from the parade route. Next
years parade will take place on Sunday 13 March.
4. Police Report and Neighbourhood Watch News
A new Inspector has started in Digbeth, Will OConnor submitted
apologies for this meeting,but has met with both John and Pam and
hopes to continue the good relationship in Digbeth.
5. Any other businessa. Updates from Edible Eastside
Edible Eastside continues to grow and has recently submitted a
planning application toestablish a commercial kitchen in a back
room of 122 Fazeley Street (K4 architect offices).
This will help realise the aim of having a working kitchen
alongside the garden, which nowsupplies high-end niche ingredients
to Michelin-starred chefs in the city. Edible Eastside alsohopes to
expand along the Persimmon Strip (a narrow piece of land just next
to the canalentrance on Fazeley Street) with a poly-tunnel to
increase growing capability. The vision forEdible Eastside is that
by 2016 there will also be a cookery school in Digbeth, completing
the
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farm to fork circle, complemented by working relationships with
BCU and Hotel La Tour. Asstrategic partners, DRA has supported
Edible Eastsides planning application.
b. BFOE Pub Quiz
Birmingham Friends of the Earth are holding a charity pub quiz
in the Anchor at 7pm onSunday 19thApril. Entry is 1 per person.
6. Date and Time of Next Meetings
The next committee meetingwill be held on Monday 11thMay 2015 at
6pm in the OldCrown restaurant, High Street Digbeth.
The next open meetingwill be held on Monday 8thJune 2015 at 6pm
in the Old Crownrestaurant, High Street Digbeth. This will also be
the Annual General Meeting for DRA.
