Friends AGM 9th March 2015

1.

Attendance and Apologies for Absence

Present Simon Linford, Rod Dungate, John Gordon, Ann Moore

Paul Nicholls (Park Keeper) Harry Rashid (Millennium Point Security) PC Manku
(West Midlands Police) Andrew Markou (BCU Security) Sinead Smith (Unite
Students) Einita Sohal (Unite Students) Tony Dennant (BMTEC Campus Manager)
Joe Holyoak, Robyn Bryan (BCC Park Services) Steve Bradley (BCU)
Apologies
Lee Southall, Sarah Royal, Phil Lewis
2.

Review of the Year

By way of background, SL explained the difference between Eastside Forum and

Friends of Eastside Park, the Forum being a corporate group concerned with wider
Eastside development issues, and the Friends working with BCC and Parks
Department on Park-specific issues.
Following the launch in May 2014 the park participated in Birmingham Open Spaces
Forum with Rounders and Tai Chi in the park and some open air concerts in the
performance area. Also dealing with various issues in the park and working with
organisations to resolve.
Thanks to Sarah Royal for all her fantastic help and support, especially helping to
obtain the Awards For All Funding, which got us just under 9000.
3.

Officers Reports

The Chairmans report had been circulated, with key points reiterated under the
Review of the Year.
Treasurers Report
No money spent as yet, however imminent expenditure on the Italian Project and Still
Walking maps.
4.

Police Report

PC Manku Main problems is the robberies in the last twelve months, with eleven
recorded, mostly students walking to accommodation from city centre after 19.00hrs

Op Savvy patrols are now done for 15 minutes every hour between midday and
20.00hrs.
There have been several bike thefts, 9 assaults with 4 being in the park itself.
Police have a very good relationship with security from the neighbouring institutions
and has seen a decrease in crime.
PN asked if anything could be done about the problem with drugs. PC Manku said
there is little evidence to be had and when Police are seen the suspect disperse.
Intelligence is passed on from members of the public and other agencies, and the
problem is probably being looked into.
Jennens Court are installing 2 new cameras and the police will be asking people why
they are hanging around this area.
RD asked are we more vulnerable due to the volume of students. PC Manku said at
their age, students are vulnerable, and do not always see the dangers. He advises that
they register all valuables on Immobolise.Com and they will be arranging a Crime
Prevention Road Show.
SB explained BCU help students with marking property and advice of being safe, and
get great support from the Police.
JG said its good that Police also turn up to court re licensing and planning
applications and are not just walking the street - good definition of Policing.
Tony Dennant explained his role as Head of College (BMET). He wants students to
feel they actually want to be there. Not many students around after 19.00hrs. With
help of the Friends he wants to create a good approach with students and get them
involved with things such as litter picking.
SB expressed sincere appreciation of TDs attendance. Security patrols are being
coordinated and he wanted to continue with this - good link with BMET.
BMET Security can identify any problems in park if they are their students, if
students are indentified in park, their parents can be contacted and asked to go into
college for a chat. BMets new Principal wants to commit to the area in the widest
sense. BMET also work well with Aston University Security.
SB said BOA students are not allowed in park and wants them to be able to use it
again. All agreed.
PC Manku said there had been some convictions for crime in the area although could
not be specific.
SB said groups of youths who had been congregating around Fox Street have moved
around the corner now due to the music. ES said they are going to play more music,
and will be hiring a parking company to record number plates of cars parked in the
area. Fines would be sent to home addresses.
No crime records of any criminal damage have been reported, only crime reported
gets logged and people do not bother. Any criminal damage to park should
be.reported by PN or LS.
Lighting
HR explained about lack of lighting. The robbery in February perhaps could have
been prevented with better lighting.

SB said that BCU would part fund lighting, but a survey would need to be done. ES
will ask Philip Lewis to look into organising someone to do it. SB said lighting was
very good at City North Campus and students felt secure. He said also that staff do
not want to work in the evenings because of this issue.
HR said with library opening 24hrs and students in and around building lighting and
safety is crucial.
5.

Antisocial behaviour issues

This had mainly been covered during the discussion of the Police Report.
Litter
SB said he would like a plan of park to sort out litter issue. Jennens Court twice a day
pick up. BCU do an early morning pick up. BCC have a morning pickup. Others ad
hoc.
PN suggests some bins by Parkside building, SB said BCU would pay and asked RB
from Park Services to order and send bill to BCU.
SL showed photo of weapons found in park since January. PN said that when handed
to the police the response had been just to dispose of them safely. PC Manku said it
was probably because of condition of weapons that no evidence would be obtainable
from them.
6.

Activities for the coming year

SL gave a quick run down of activities being progressed.

Website in design stage
Walking Tours designed and produce by Ben Waddington
Xplorer programme (junior orienteering) to be run over the summer. Map and
materials provided by British Orienteering for free provided it is run six times, which
it will be.
SL explained that the Awards for All budget only included for one sign but that given
the linear nature of the park, one at each end would be far preferable. If five
organisations could contribute 300 each then two signs could be purchased.
Donations were offered by BCU, BMET, Unite, Czero and Millennium Point. SL
thanked all those and confirmed two signs could now be procured. Suggested sites
are near pagoda entrance to park and Cardigan Street.
Italian Project
RD explained about the 900 from the HLF to fund phase 1 of the project. Alessandro
Columbano will be working with students to develop stories and design memorial to
celebrate the lives of the Italians who lived in this area and perished on the Arandora
Star.
Rugby World Cup
SL explained that the Fanzone is likely to be on the BCU land behind the Woodman
Pub, from 18th September until last game at Villa Park (26th). This would potentially
bring thousands of people into the Park and could be a catalyst for other activities.

7.

Election of Management Committee members

SL confirmed that the Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer were willing to stand for reelection. Their re-election was proposed by Steve Bradley, seconded by Paul Nicholls
and carried.
SL said that AM was playing a valuable role within the management group but did
not wish to continue in the Secretary role. After some discussion, and ES asking what
the scope of the role was, it was agreed that AM would continue in the interim
pending replacement.

8.

Active Parks 2015

Various activities are funded. Tai Chi and rounders didnt go very well last year, at
the December meeting it was suggested a Frisbee league be started with orientation
towards students. RD asked about insurance and SB said he will look into BCU
covering this.
Moving of the table tennis table from Perry Hall Park to Eastside was mentioned.
Cost of moving and installation being looked at, ES said Unite may be able to help.
9.

AOB

Big Art Project was explained by SL. This is a proposed piece of art of international
importance, to be funded by corporate subscription, and will be park in next couple of
years. There is a selection panel of artists to submit designs.
SL asked if anyone present was aware of Geocaching. This is a world wide
phenomenon, whereby a cache is hidden, its GPS coordinates uploaded to the
Geocahing website, and then participants search for them and collect caches they have
found. No one had. This is an idea for park to be looked into.
ES said there is a Boot Camp starting for students that is open to all students, will be
every Thursday in the park.
She added that there will also be a petting zoo in park to help relax students before
exams.
SB notified the meeting of a number of BCU developments.
- Planning for Phase 2A extension to new Curzon Building has been given
approval.
- The move of the Conservatoire to Eastside is confirmed
- BCU will be taking the Goodman office block due to be built on Cardigan
Street.
10.

Next meetings

Next quarterly meeting

Monday 1st June 17.30 at The Woodman
Next FOEP meeting
Monday 7th April 17.15 at The Woodman