APCA minutes

Present:- Simon Middlecote (Chair), Sue Andrew, Ruth Kerry, Chris Holmes, Jo Mansfield, Caroline Stone, Sheila Ashton, Helen Hetherington, Daniel Whittingham
Also in attendance: Councillor Penny Gowland
Apologies:- Catherine Bailey, Tracey Turrill

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The minutes of the meeting held on 24th November 2025 were noted.

TREASURER’S REPORT
Ruth gave details of the income and expenditure for the Association.
The lengthsman scheme has been approved by the County Council for a further 3 years.
An application had been made for funding for first aid equipment/training to Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) / Local Councillor funding. In addition, funding of £350 had been received from the Local Resilience Forum for the cost of printing 2000 leaflets giving resilience advice
It was AGREED to note the report, and that arrangements be made to distribute the leaflets.

PARK AND GREEN SPACE IMPROVEMENTS
It had been suggested that ‘Snowdrops in the Green’ be purchased for the community gardens instead of buying bulbs.
There was a discussion about numbering the trees in the field so that those that needed watering could be identified.
Some bat boxes had been obtained which needed fixing on trees. Rushcliffe would need to be involved in this
It was AGREED
That 1000 snowdrops be purchased using the Lengthman’s funding.
That the trees be numbered on each fence post
That Sue contacts Rushcliffe with a view to getting Streetwise to fit the bat boxes.

ROADS, PARKING AND BUSES
Buckfast Way
Following a request for a zebra crossing on Buckfast Way by the new development, Councillor Penny Gowland had emailed Via. There was also a request from Abbey Road School for a crossing on Abbey Road. In the discussion, it was felt that it would be best to have a crossing on Rodney Road and one on Tewkesbury Close. It was noted that Rushcliffe refused to do anything to restrict the car park on Tewkesbury Close.
The Committee were shown what the proposed planters for Buckfast looked like. It was stated that Abbey Road School had a gardening club that may wish to be involved in growing plants for them.
It was reported that nothing could be done about the white van parked on Buckfast.
It was AGREED that Councillor Penny Gowland contact Via about the suggested crossings on Rodney and Tewkesbury.
Yellow Lines/ Rufford Way / Bus
It was reported that a request had been made to Via for the yellow no waiting lines on Rufford by the Willow Tree to be extended to enable the bus to get through more easily.
No. 5A Bus stop at Bus Turning Circle
It was pointed out that the No. 5A bus was not always stopping at the bus turning circle. Some of these occasions had been reported, but it was emphasised that all occasions should be reported to the bus company.

SOCIAL EVENTS
Summer Gathering
In the absence of Catherine and Tracey, consideration of this item was deferred.
It was AGREED that an informal group be established to plan the summer gathering.
Abbey Park History
Nothing additional to report at this stage.

ABBEY PARK SIGN
It was suggested that to mark 50 years since Abbey Park started to be built, a sign be put next to the noticeboard. This would be similar to signs for villages in the County. The funding and design had not been determined at this stage. All present thought the proposed sign was a good idea.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The Annual General Meeting was arranged for Monday, 9th June 2026 at 7 pm
The meeting closed at 8.20 pm.