MINUTES from Friends of Levenshulme Meeting, The Bluebell Inn, 9th November 2008


Present: Pat Walsh, Ellen Meredith, Stuart Calton, Dick Brown, Joe Kisolo-Ssonko, Sue McPherson, Stuart Calton, Dave Ball

Apologies: Charlotte Smith, Angelique Bueler, Sharon Glendon, Carey Robinson, Jamie Summers


Debate on New Privately-Run GP Clinic

It was advised that we’d got in touch with BMA representative Dr Chand and booked the Klondyke Club for a public debate. Dr Chand had agreed to speak already and we were waiting for news from the PCT.

The prototype flyer was thought to be too bland in its wording and not clear enough on the issue of NHS privatisation.

It was agreed to have stalls petitioning outside Tesco on Sat 15th and Sat 22nd November, and also at some time during the week too.

It was further agreed to ask all residents’ groups and any willing individuals to help publicise the meeting by leafleting their street. It was pointed out that without a respectably-sized audience, the event would fail.

It was agreed to put together a press release and do everything we can to make sure that it’s firstly advertised, but more importantly, that the content of the event itself if reported.

Whilst letters inviting all the local GPs surgeries, as well as those in Moston and Longsight, it was pointed out that we should invite the Burnage ones too, since there’s a cross-over of patients.


ACTIONS:
► Stuart to rewrite flyer & posters and get them printed
► Stuart to write and send letters to GPs
► Sue McPherson & Angelique Bueler are visiting the local Health Centres with letters inviting staff and GPs.
► Stuart to email FoL list with all details and do press releases

Our Response to the Levenshulme District Centre Plan

Our “alternative plan” is unfortunately still in an even less convincing state than the Council’s actual plan.

All our notes and ideas were passed to Ellen, for her to put together a rough version of the position on community services that we developed at the original Stakeholder Meeting at St Mary’s parish hall.

The basic idea of this was to widen the scope of the “district centre” to include existing community facilities, particularly the baths and the library, so that instead of a retail-led long strip shape centre along the high street, we have a cross-shaped “multi-hub” approach.

Also, we were told that we could see minutes and have a copy of the PowerPoint presentation shown at the stakeholder meeting by the consultants GVA Grimley. Charlotte Smith has contacted Andy Wilson, about this, but go nowhere so far.


ACTIONS:
► Ellen to draw up a draft on response on the community side of things
► Stuart to invite Jordan Kenison to have a look at the retail issues
► Stuart to write to Andy Wilson for copy of presentation / minutes etc…





Any Other Business



S.L.U.G. Update


The City Council written to FoL asking us to stop work on the community garden site at Chapel Street, saying “Your continuing use of this land without the City Council's authorisation is inappropriate and could prejudice any future working relationship between your group and the City Council.”

We’ve written back: “Friends of Levenshulme are not in charge of work on the Chapel Street Community Garden. It is being run by a group called SLUG. I've passed your message on to them.”

SLUG have now approached MCC for a meeting on the issue, but we have no outcome yet…


Update on Closure of Barlow Rd Post Office

Following Cllr Simon Ashley’s motion to the Council that they investigate subsidising the closed Post Offices in order to keep them running, the investigation has now been completed and can be seen by clicking HERE:

It shows that the Council are not willing to subsidise and re-open any of the closed branches since none are “financially viable”.





(Taken down by Stuart)