NEW ELTHAM RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION . SECRETARY'S REPORT FOR 2008/09

Mr.Chairman, Mr.Efford, Ladies & Gentlemen, Before reviewing the past year, I would first of all, on behalf of the Association, like to extend our congratulations to Evelyn Green on being awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours List. She has dedicated many years serving the community and her award is richly deserved and we are all delighted for her.

At the and of August 2008 our popular Minister of All Saints Church, Rev.Dr. Jean Wadsworth, retired and is now living in Devon. She is very much missed and we wish her every happiness in her new home. In the meantime, the selection of choosing a new Minister has been finalized. Visiting Clergy, in the meantime, are covering the various services.

OUR MEMBERSHIP is 513 households. This is not a great number considering the population of New Eltham. I am, therefore, appealing for help in offering your services to deliver the Year Book and colleet subscriptions. If you could manage to do your road or, if you know someone else, this will help. Without money received from subscriptions your Association would be unable to continue., Little other money is received. So you can appreciate why we need Road Reps to help us. In reality this is still quite urgent as if the subs dried up our finances will go down. As usual, various SUB-COMMITTEES have been dealing with matters which would take up too much time in General Committee.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS: Since May 2008 GGreenwich Council no longer send us Weekly Lists of Planning Applications. This information can be viewed on line and, therefore the copy normally sent to us in the past would no longer be sent. We do, however, continue to receive notifications of individual applications that come within the New Eltham area in letter form.

POLICE: John Lawrence is our representative and reports on matters  discussed. His report appears elsewhere in the Year Book.

DOG FOULING: The new controls became effective 15th September 2006. You will probably have seen that there are now yellow dog stencils on the pavement in certain areas such as the Library and outside the Co-op Store. I don't think it is generally known, but you can obtain plastic bags for this purpose from the Library.

MERCHLAND COTTAGES: The Developers went to APPEAL and the Inspector has upheld their case that they do not have to build the bridge before they can start building the houses. In other words he has removed Condition 11.

CO-OP STORE: You will have noticed that this Store now has a speed hump and clearer signs at the entrance exit. This should help with the dangerous driving of some of the cars in and out of the Store, but we still want more measures as well as more disabled parking.

NEW ELTHAM VILLAGE: Councillor Eileen Glover has been helping our endeavours to smarten up the New Eltham Village. A meeting was held recently at which Officers from Greenwich Council, Councillors, Shop Owners, Residents and other interested people attended. Approximately 30 in all attended and the outcome is to take it forward.

SPORTS. GROUNDS: We are still keeping a watchful eye on the problems of local Sports Grounds.

FRIENDS OF SOUTHWOOD PARK: John Lawrence's report appears elsewhere in the Year Book. If, however, you wish to know more, John will be more than happy to talk to you.

WEBSITE: Ron Hayward organises this for us and he gives us updates at our monthly Committee Meetings. Go to www.nera-SE9.com if you wish to find out more.

We would like to place on record our appreciation for all the help our Councillors have given us. They attend our Meetings as and when they can and are able to answer many of our questions or will take up matters on our behalf. These are just some of the matters your Committee have dealt with throughout the year. We do, however, need new Committee Members. We only have nine and we need fifteen. Surely out of the thousands in New Eltham there must be more available. We would very much like you to consider this and help us to run the Association more efficiently or, if you know of anyone else. Please ring any number listed under Officers and Committee if you wish to find out more.

Just a reminder - if you have a problem, no matter how big or small and you are having difficulty in solving it, please let us have your complaint IN WRITING and we will do all we can to help you. THIS IS YOUR ASSOCIATION BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP TO RUN IT.