Minutes of the Board Meeting of St. Mary’s Island Residents’ Association Ltd.
(SMIRA)
held at the Community Centre on Tuesday 24th February 2015
commencing at 7:00pm
Present:
Chair: David Taylor
Directors: Leslie James, Chris Reynolds, Peter Haigh and Keith Robinson
Visiting Members: Jim Spree, Reg Yaxley, Janet Yaxley, Alan Bennett, Terry Andrews, Angela
Andrews, Barrie Davis, Brian Viney, Les Pattenden, Paul Brown, Daniel Nicholls, Michael
Warren, Claud King, Michael Moore, David Small, John Jones, Barry Huckstep, Jean Huckstep,
Joy Andrews, Habib Tejan, Gary Page and Clive Canning.
CMT Representatives: Heather Kerswell Interim CEO and Dean Marsh Contracts and
Procurement Manager
Guests: Yusuf Çinar (Community Warden), PCSO Helen Kristic, Ben McGowan (Moat
Housing), and Daniel Nicholls from Raymond Brown( Outfall 15 Contractor), Helen McConnell
F M Conway (New Hard Landscaping Contractor)
Apologies for absence: Barry Woolford (Director), Allan Sneller (Director), Bob Muid
(Secretary), Lily Leaver (Treasurer) and Cllr. Andrew Mackness.
Abbreviations: CMT – Chatham Maritime Trust, CML – Countryside Maritime Ltd. (developers), HCA – Homes
and Communities Agency (SMI landowner), SMI – St. Mary’s Island.
Item 12/15: Minutes of the previous meeting:
Adoption of the minutes of the meeting 12th January 2015 were proposed, seconded and
unanimously adopted.
Item 13/15: Matters arising not included in the Agenda.
• Caisson Pedestrian Footbridge
Heather Kerswell confirmed as per the previous minutes that the Draft Licence has now been
forwarded to Peel Ports and a response is awaited. A sketch showing the likely arrangement of a
removable walkway over the caisson drawn up by CMT’s Marine Engineer was tabled.
• Central Walk Lighting
The results of the consultation letters to residents adjacent to Central Walk has been concluded
and Countryside will now make a planning application, as a result of which residents will have
another opportunity to comment. Once planning permission has been obtained, some
adjustments will be made where possible but the need to meet the safe lighting level remains.
In the meanwhile the lights will remain in operation.
Item 14/15: Moat Housing
Ben Mc Gowan advised that there was nothing to report but invited questions. There were no
questions posed.
Produced by David Taylor
Page 1 of 6
Adopted 7th April 2015
Item 15/15: Chatham Maritime Trust Report.
Public Seating at Dockside:
The removal of the timber slatted seats and replacement with Granite blocks is being carried out
by HCA. CMT do not intend to change these once these areas are handed over to them. This is
due to the vandalism caused to the timber seats and the ongoing maintenance costs.
Ship & Trades area:
Further to their proposal to take over the management of this area, CMT continue to seek an
instruction from Shepherd Neame.
It should be noted that, due to a 4 hour restriction introduced in the Dockside Outlet car park, the
Ship & Trades car park is now full most of the day. This will be eased when CMT takeover the
management of this area and a 2 hour parking limit will be introduced there.
Post Meeting Note: This looks more hopeful and it is anticipated that this can start at the
beginning of May 2015.
Machine Shop No 8:
This building remains fenced off while investigations and remedial works take place regarding
small parts of the building falling down. HCA are considering options for it’s future.
Customer Satisfaction Survey:
Heather Kerswell advised that a Customer Satisfaction Survey had been carried out for SMI
residents and this would be repeated for businesses in the Commercial Sector.
There were 143 responses from residents and most were positive and constructive. Comments
will be fed back on the CMT website but in general the majority of residents:
 Felt safe or very safe.
 Found the staff friendly and generally reactive
 Enjoyed the Summer Fair at the Community Centre.
 Enjoyed the three day Food and Drink Festival, including the Dragon Boat Challenge,
and asked for this to be repeated.
Requested
an improvement to the wildlife planted bed on Finsborough Down.

 Asked that the Covenants be enforced more rigorously.
Closure of Community Centre for redecoration:
The Community Centre will be closed for one week commencing Monday 13th April for the
following works to be carried out:
 Replacement of external courtyard up-lighters.
 New carpet to hallway and Meeting Room.
 Redecoration of hallway and Meeting Room
Events:
The Summer Fair (September) and the Food and Drinks Festival (23rd, 24th & 25th May 2015)
will be repeated this year.
Colonial House Planning Application:
Following adverse comments from the first submission, some new proposals have been
submitted, presumably to take account of the comments.
Produced by David Taylor
Page 2 of 6
Adopted 7th April 2015
Historic Walks around Chatham Maritime:
HK thanked the SMI Historic Group who have agreed to investigate and propose a number of
these walks which will be set out and give historic references as part of the experience.
East Bund Containment System:
This refers to the containment system on Finsborough Down that was built as part of the
contamination remedial works before any houses were constructed on SMI.
Trustees of CMT attended a presentation by the Ove Arup engineer who actually designed and
oversaw the construction works. The engineer advised that the design had stood up very well
and that the regular independent testing of water samples both monitored and ensured that this
continues. The independent testing is instructed by CMT.
Rent Charge:
This will slightly increase this year in accordance with the RPI index to which any increase is
tied.
New Hard Landscaping Contractor:
HK advised that, following a rigorous tender process, a new Hard Landscaping contractor has
been appointed. It is F M Conway Ltd. and they have 54 years’ experience in this type of work
in the South East. They are based locally and have a depot in Chelsfield. Their management are
already in discussions with Dean regarding works to be carried out post March when their three
year contract commences. All their operatives are fully inducted and will be badged up with
CMT logo, in addition to their own, when working on SMI for CMT. Two senior members of
the management team live on SMI.
Wildlife Planting Area on Finsborough Down:
Further works including weeding and replanting are due to commence very soon. Around 750
individual plants will be planted (8 species) and regularly maintained in future.
Soft Landscaping:
This continues throughout Chatham Maritime including around the Community Centre and
River Walk.
Hard Landscaping:
This continues including Dock Square (in readiness for the Food and drinks Festival), remedials
to the revetment stones and the Fishing Village Slipway.
Plans are in place to carry out substantial works to the footpath at the rear of SMI School and the
retaining fence at the back of the “Dog-Run” at Finsborough Down.
CCTV Upgrade:
KSS have been awarded the contract to carry out the following works:
 1 camera at Shark Park
 5 cameras along the remaining section of River Walk.
 An ANPR camera at HMS Chatham Bridge and Pembroke.
 3 replacement cameras as upgrades to existing locations.
The installations will commence in March 2015.
Adoption of SMI Secondary Roads Landscaping:
CMT are set to takeover the maintenance of the landscaping in both the Barratt’s and
Countryside sectors once the legals have been resolved.
Produced by David Taylor
Page 3 of 6
Adopted 7th April 2015
Security Update:
New contract now in its tenth month. Feedback is generally good but there has been some
concerns expressed as a result of the loss of the patrols. In the interests of clarity the new
contract provides the following:
 24/7 CCTV monitoring and phone line along with one scheduled patrol at night and an
additional patrol to playgrounds at weekends.
 Fully funded PCSO (Helen Kristic 0787025219)
 New post of an Estate Officer (Grant Leathwhite) Mon-Fri 0700 -1600 hrs 07867 507187
or 01634 793942 during working hours.
 Reactive call-out to ASB on CMT owned land
PCSO Report:
Helen Kristic advised:
 There had been a spate of bicycle thefts on SMI and notices had been put on the SMIRA
notice boards advising residents.
 Some residents had volunteered to operate the speed display at various locations around
SMI. There will be some training given before the exercise commences.
 People have been seen trying to open car doors so residents should be minded to check
that cars are locked even when parked in drives.
 Helen’s new mobile number 07870 252191 is on the SMIRA website.
River Walk Lighting:
Planning Application has been submitted to Medway Council and a conclusion is awaited.
Outfall 15:
Works continue and Daniel Nicholls from Raymond Brown contractors who are currently
working on the site continues to attend our meetings.
David Taylor confirmed that, following the concerns of residents in The Causeway regarding site
traffic accessing the rear of the site along The Causeway, Daniel had placed signs outside the
main site entrance in Samphire Way and around the SMI School roundabout.
Item 16/15 Chair’s report:
David Taylor was delighted to advise the meeting that Peter Haigh had been elected a Director of
SMIRA at a Board meeting held following the Resident’s meeting of the 13th January 2015.
David thanked Peter for volunteering and welcomed him to the Board.
David Taylor advised the meeting that the Directors had unanimously agreed to a proposal that
SMIRA sponsor a Dragon Boat at a sum of £360.00 from its “Good Causes” fund, at the Food &
Drinks Festival. The boat is to be crewed by SMI children over the age of 14 years. The meeting
endorsed the decision.
David Taylor advised that the next SMI Road Adoption Meeting with Medway Council will take
place on Wednesday 25th March. He will report back at the next Resident’s meeting on the 7th
April.
Item 17/15: Secretary’s report:
Bob Muid advised that we have had one new member since the last meeting. We have many
requests to join the emailing list from residents who do not wish to become members (not sure
why this is – they don’t respond to that question); they may be people renting from absentee
landlords. Our mailing list is now so long it has to be split up when sending out the minutes and
Produced by David Taylor
Page 4 of 6
Adopted 7th April 2015
other information; even so it may be considered spam by some of your email programs so if
you’re not receiving the minutes check your spam folder.
Item 18/15: Treasurers report:
SMIRA have a balance of £1,004,00 following payment of room hire and receipt of a donation
from new membership.
CMT fund SMIRA with a grant of £3,000 every year. SMIRA operates as a limited company
with charitable status. All the officers and directors of SMIRA are unpaid but the £3,000 pays for
the newsletter, AGM documentation, the hire of the Community Centre for meetings, the website
and other correspondence. There is also a sum of £300.00 for the Board to allocate to “Good
Causes”. Any surplus at the end of the financial year goes back to the Trust.
Item 19/15: Website:
Bob Muid advised that there had been 1,789 visits since the last meeting. The crime statistics
document has been updated with the latest available data – to December 2015. Bob would like to
update some of the images on the website so if anyone has any landscape images they would like
to donate to the site please email high resolution images to admin@smira.info
Item 20/15: Homes and Communities Agency:
Remedial works continue on areas that are due to be handed over to CMT for future
maintenance. Examples: Blue Crane, Fishing Village Slipway and Bell Mast.
Item 21/15: Road adoption and landscaping:
David Taylor will report back at the next residents’ meeting following the next meeting with Medway
Council to take place on the 25th February 2015.
Item 22/15: Peel Ports
We talked about Peel and the caisson earlier. There’s nothing new to report on the Water
Management Agreement.
Item 23/15: Bus services on St Mary’s Island:
Keith Robinson advised:




The telemetry is now working again but recommended the use of the Arriva “App” as a
check. It provides better information.
The 151 service is to be generally improved
The 151 late Saturday service is returning.
The torturous route around the Outlet Centre is to be dropped, probably once the new
ASDA in the Docks is open.
Item 24/15: Youth Club:
The Youth Club remains closed until further notice but efforts are continuing to reopen it in due
course.
Produced by David Taylor
Page 5 of 6
Adopted 7th April 2015
Item 25/15: Planning Matters:
A planning application has been submitted to Medway Council to convert Pump-house No 5 in
Leviathan Way to a Gin Distillery and Visitor Centre.
It was generally agreed that there would be no objection to this use, however, Peter Haigh,
having read the press release that it was also intended to distil whisky and vodka on the site,
expressed concerns about smells in general and particularly those associated with the distillation
of whisky. David Taylor agreed to investigate this with the Planners and report back to the next
meeting.
Any Other Business:
A resident raised concerns about a hole that appeared during the time that the Adoptable Works
were being carried out by Medway Council contractors in the pavement adjacent to Tadpoles
Play Area. It seems the hole was dug and then partially backfilled. David Taylor is to investigate
and report back.
Some concern was also expressed that in some places the newly laid tarmac did not seem to be
binding with the existing scarified road surface, particularly on the junction ramping. David
Taylor is to investigate and report back.
A resident reported concern that a manhole was presenting a trip hazard on the surface of the
HMS Chatham Bridge. David Taylor advised that he would check who was responsible for this
piece of road surface and report back.
Nanette Crawford, who could not be in attendance at this meeting, has reported the fact that
parents visiting the SMI school continue to park unsafely and inconsiderately and are preventing
her from getting in or out of her allocated space.
Gary Page asked if any decision had been reached on what to do with Machine Shop No 8.
David Taylor advised that this was still a work in progress and was currently closed off pending
some remedial works.
Barry Woolford, who could not attend this meeting, asked that his concerns, in the light of recent
fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles mounting pavements and the need for some heavy
traffic to access the Island ‘build-out’ site via Island Way West, be brought to the meeting.
David Taylor agreed to take this up with Countryside and report back.
A resident raised concerns regarding the difficulty in getting appointments at the Doctors
surgery. A number of criticisms were made on other issues regarding the surgery. David Taylor
pointed out that Dr Lawrence should have the opportunity to respond to these criticisms and he
would speak to him with a view to arranging a meeting, preferably in the main hall of the
Community Centre, so that a larger number of residents could be in attendance. David Taylor
will report back at the next SMIRA meeting.
Date and time of next meeting: Tuesday 7th April 2015 commencing at 7:00pm.
A Pre-Meeting Surgery, where residents can report issues or seek advice from CMT, our Ward
Councillors, Moat Housing and SMIRA is held at 6:00 p.m. (one hour before the meeting).
Produced by David Taylor
Page 6 of 6
Adopted 7th April 2015