As was mentioned in the AGM the MPRA have taken responsibility for planting on the Lucknow roundabout from the council.  This will be the new “MPRA roundabout garden”.  We are keen for residents to get involved and there are a number of opportunities to do so email in to the site or let June know on facebook if you would like to help.  We would like to get it up and running and look fairly pretty in time for the open gardens event.

40 bags of muck delivered for digging in on Saturday 23rd June….anybody who likes digging most welcome.

We are also looking for plan donations, please bring them by on or before the 23^rd.  The types of plants that June think will work include:

Iris, Euphorbia, Perovskia, Echinops, Eryngium, Heuchera (dark purple ones would be marvellous), Cerinthe, Verbena, Verbascum and Pennisetum

 If anybody has any of these plants and would be willing to donate a pot it would be marvellous.

Every one should soon be getting, or have already got, a copy f the most recent MPN magazine through their letter box.  There are some great articles about the Open gardens this year, the pothole problem we are facing and the history of fighting to keep the Cricket ground from being developed.  Along with some informative adverts from local businesses.  For those that cant wait or prefer a digital copy you can click on the picture or follow this URL:

Click to access mpn-v2i4-web.pdf

Congratulations to Mike and June who have done a great job securing a plantable roundabout design off the Council.  This project was discussed at the AGM and involved navigating a whole bunch of red tape.  At last we have a design that all the parties involved are happy with and won’t interfere with the utility works that pass under the roundabout.  Most excitingly it means that we no longer have to endure the most unsighlty roundabout in the East midlands and the power to do somthing about it is back in our hands.

Off the back of reports from members of driveways been blocked and a significant volume of parking in the Magdala, Zulla area of Mapperley Park we looked into the issue and found that most of the people parking in residential areas are people working at local businesses or were lecturers and students at the college.

We have been liaising with the college, they were aware of the issues.  We had a meeting with the Head of Campus Management who confirmed that they increased on-site parting costs and removed a car park for students when the Parking Levy was brought in.  We have asked them to review their policy as there are routinely over 30 parking spaces on site empty that they still have to pay for.  She has taken our concerns to the Director of Estates who will be reviewing the policy.  The Senior Highway Officer, Mr Poxon has also been made aware of the issues and has advised residents use these contact numbers:  Celia Jenkins, processing and enforcement, 0115 876 1525. The local officers with an area focus, Ged Newton, and Martin Bee, who can help with resolutions with parking issues can be called on 0115 876 5264.

It was great to see so many people at the Christmas drinks event at the Tennis club, hopefully, we will see so many more of you next year.  If you know of any friends or neighbours that have thought about joining the association but haven’t yet, why not get them membership as a Christmas present.  A few people have contacted us about doing this and we are happy to facilitate it, though we won’t be able to get the privilege cards out till later on in January.  We’ll be following up with details on the latest committee discussions and an update on how liaison is going with the collage on the parking issues around Magdala in the new year.  In the mean time here is a digital version of the latest magazine for those that did not get it.  About half were delivered by the committee and other volunteers this time rather than MJ News as normal.  Just click on the picture below:

For those that weren’t able to make it here are the key details from the last AGM Magdala Tennis Club 26^th April 2017.  There were well over 30 members and invited guests: Councillors Rosemary Healey and Leslie Ayoola Sgt Nigel Bradley, Nottinghamshire Police.  The full minutes are in the link below

Sue started by thanking all the committee members for their support and work throughout the year. She introduced June Greenway who is taking over the responsibility for Trees, and Elizabeth Sanders who is returning as secretary.

She also thanked Sally and Alisdair Butler for taking over Mapperley Park News.             There have been two successful social events during the year. The celebration of the Queen’s 90^th birthday picnic, which was held in the garden of the Hospice, and the December drinks party held in the Bakehouse in Sherwood.    The Treasurer ,David Hughes, presented his last finance report

Crime

Sgt Nigel Bradley is head of the area for Mapperley and St Ann’s. He reported that crime in the area was up by 16%, but much of this could be attributed to the new way that information is recorded. Burglary has halved in the last 12 months. Antisocial behaviour is down by13%.    Autocrime is still a problem and public order offences. Possession of drugs offences is also up. This, however, is a positive outcome as it means that the police are being more successful searching and finding drugs.

The police and councillors work together to serve the area. They now have roving cameras which can be placed in areas of concern. Fly tipping is one that people raised. The Community Protection Officer has responsibility for sorting out fly tipping and should be contacted directly if there is an issue. It was suggested that the local police should have access to the MPRA Facebook page.

Councillors

There were three major updates.

1. Phase 3 parking scheme. It was anticipated that there would be displacement parking from the Mapperley Road parking scheme. This is affecting the other end of Mapperley Road, Shirley Road, Elm Bank and Magdala Road. The council are looking into other parking measures.
2. Redcliffe Road/Mapperley Road junction. This is a difficult junction and especially so for pedestrians. Slowing traffic with the 20mph was introduced and 20mph roundels have been painted on the road to highlight this for motorists. There will be a pedestrian crossing. This is particularly important because of the proximity of the school. The councillors brought a map of the proposals and invited people to put forward their comments as part of the public consultation process.
3. Lucknow Drive island. There were requests to improve the appearance of this. It is not possible to plant trees there as the utilities run under the island. However, it is agreed that ‘bee friendly’ bushes will be planted there for next year. This year it will be planted out with plants which will flower this summer. Volunteers were asked to contact the councillors if they wanted to help with the planting.

Questions were raised about                                                                                                            Clearing drains which had been silted up, especially on St Andrews Road.

About parking near Magdala Road. It is believed that many of these are College Students and staff who want to avoid parking charges at the College. It was suggested that MPRA and Councillors should approach the College about this.

There were also discussions about garden waste bins. The extra leaf collection bin collection in November was welcomed but was still not enough. It was suggested that the garden waste collection bin should be moved forward a month starting in May and ending at the end of November as this was more in line with gardening needs.

Membership and Privilege Cards

Mark said that membership of MPRA, although lively, was still low in comparison with the number of homes in Mapperley Park and he encouraged people to ask more people to join. The Facebook page is a success and again he was encouraging more people to join as it is an excellent way to know what is going on in the area. Details and an application form will be in the Sring edition of Mapperley Park News. The Privilege Card is a well-used asset and includes discounts at MemSaab and Hart’s. A full list is available on the Facebook page.

Social Events

Siobhan has arranged for the Lace Market Theatre group to do an Open-Air production for Mapperley Park residents on June 18^th in the grounds of the Hospice on Woodborough Road. The performance will include scenes from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Happy Jack. It is free to residents of Mapperley Park. Bring the family, a rug and a picnic and enjoy the afternoon.

Planning

Mike outlined the main body of work to do with planning applications. These came to him either as requests from neighbours or from the planning applications website. These included applications from a nursery for an extension, change of use to a Care Home, new extensions to existing buildings and new houses to be built in gardens. He oversees these to ensure that they abide by building regulations and that the proposals are in accord with the conservation area.  June Greenway was introduced as the new representative for trees.  There are still concerns about the trees on Tavistock Drive which are blocking the light from the houses at the lower end of the road, and there are concerns that this could become a health and safety issue.

MPRA AGM 2017