1965-1969

    highlights
      1965Officials and committee retained.
    • Circle resurfacing carried out in April
    • No reply yet from Austins regarding rate payment from the flats.
    • Starkie's plans for building Fosse Way approved by committee.
    • Park rate arrears despite chasing discussed in AGM - committee asked to pursue and not 'write off'. New rate reduced down to just above the rate of two years ago. Avenue resurfacing on hold due to fund limits.
    • Mr Morgan - clerk of the Rural District Council - briefed the committee on Boundary Commission plans which would take Upton Park into the City. UPPA committee agreed to write to the Commission with objection.

      1966 Wilson wish to standdown as chairman having done a reasonable term but pursuaded to remain pending a willing candidate.
    • Miss Martin joined committee to provide a member from the Mill end.
    • Still concern regarding damage to circle road surface resulting from Austin's building work at the Mill end.
    • Austin stating that his new house Park rates be based on their council rateable values.
    • First AGM discussion of revising the Park rate from the long standing Council Rateable Value to a fairer system (NOTE - at this time Council RV was based on the potential rentable income from a property. In view of the fact that tenants far prefered new property this meant that new property could often have an RV double that of a larger but old property.) Owners of the new Park properties (nos: 50 / 52) sought a fairer system but this was heavily defeated by the AGM. Mrs Sumptions proposal of equal shares was narrowly defeated. ( years later to be adopted)
    • Rate increased by 20% due to road maintenance needs.
    • AGM discussion over flats being charged half rates but no decision - left to committee to approach flat occupiers to seek amicable arrangements. The next committee meeting agreed to charging flats at half rate and this to apply in all cases where flats were seperately rated by the Council.
    • Mr Pringle now planning to build more new houses on the mill site - these are assumed to be nos: 98 - 104. Attempts by UPPA to gain some compensation payment from the developer but again stalled by inability to prove title. By 1967; Mr Pringle did pay £100 into the Park fund for access to the privately funded road.
    • Some difficulties with the lock on the gate - agreed lock needed oiling.
    • Damwood Properties obtain planning permission for three properties on the Orchard Plot (plot 15) and sell two building plots to Woods & Whitehouse to build two properties. UPPA agrees to do all in its power to stop the breaking of the covenant to build a third property.
    • Potholes still causing concern and Mr Croghan to fill these with bagged tarmac as well as clearing the leaves.
    • The mill wall privet hedge growth giving problems so Mr Croghan asked to trim these for UPPA. Other hedges belonging to proprietors also of concern overdue for trmming back.
    • Several deaths in the Park and agreement that although funds were for the road it was right and proper to fund wreaths on behalf of UPPA.
    • Avenue resurfaced by contractor at cost of £260 including some drain repair.
    • Mr Wilson not wanting to restand as chairman; the role was taken by Miss Mary Vincent Trant with Ron Lloyd as vice-chairman.
    • AGM agreement to tarspray the road after the reinstatement following completion of all the building work in the Park.

      1967

    • Chairman plus two other members agree to visit ratepayer defaulter
    • One Avenue tree blown down and another declared dangerous. The council had accepted responsibility for the proposed school side of the Avenue and decided to fell all the poplars - now concidered dangerous - and initiate a tree planting scheme.
    • When the new school was built it would be advisable to lock the gate more often.
    • First request to council for mechanical road sweeping.
    • Gate padlock again needing attention.
    • Avenue entrance signs in need of repainting and consideration of wording changing to 'no trespassing'. On hold in view of proposed widening of WealStone Lane.
    • The Grants were thanked for their public spiritedness in planting trees on the grass triangle opposite her house. The AGM agreed to put up some fencing to stop car parking on it.
    • Residents again encouraged to attend to their frontages or use of contractors would increase the Park rate.
    • More AGM discussion on the locked gate with suggestions of leaving it open during the start and end of day rush periods and the issue of discouraging people from giving extra keys to friends.
    • Agreement to paint gate with luminous paint but appears to never have been done. Also agreement to frequently latch the gate without actually locking it.
    • Estimate requested from the local council afor a road sign stating 'gated road' to be put up at the mill entrance.
    • Mrs Mitchell of Fern Bank concerned about the safety of the beech trees outside the Beeches (no:23). Expert advice responded with recommendation of lopping but this would be expensive. An issue to be resolved between the owner and Mrs Mitchell.
    • The council proposed to relocate the Avenue gate further back as part of their WealStone Lane widening programme.
    • The mill now seen as a safety hazard to children playing.
    • Discussion around the case brought to the Council's rate appeal court by Messrs Rogers and Measures of nos: 50 & 52. The appeal centered on comparisons with similar properties in Church Lane.
    • Printed circular for newcomers to the Park informing them of UPPA, its implications and names of officials.
    • Land in front of the electrical substation owned by Austins the builders but committee agreement to tidy it and make a rockery.
    • Mill gate post getting into state of disrepair.

      1968

    • Mr Basil R Williams applying to Land Tribunal to have the covenant removed from the vacant building plot on plot 15. UPPA inform him that they will oppose this. The AGM agreed that if UPPA needed additional funds to fight this then an EGM would be called to raise the rate supplement.
    • Willowdene (no:12) now in a bad state due to absent owner and suggestion of letter to the Public Health Dept. In 1969 owner returned and issue rectified.
    • Two padlocks on the gate had now disappeared so consideration given to an automatic locking device. This not being feasible a new lock was bought with new keys available at 2/6d each. Chairman encouraged car owners to lock them as often as possible.
    • AGM proposal to buy a flymo for cutting the Avenue grass. Proposal defeated partly on grounds of lack of volunteers to drive it. Flymo does then appear on accounts for 1972
    • Complaint of hotted-up minis speeding through the Park. Mr Scalley accepted that this was probably one of his sons and he had already dealt with the matter.
    • A proprietor complaint of loose dogs a nuicance in the Park and could owners keep them under control.

      1969

    • Mr Pye of no:18 felt UPPA should oppose the proposed development of WealStone Lane playing field. The committee saw no grounds for this opposition.
    • Planning permission sought to plant Avenue trees to replace those felled.
    • Gate lock now out of action. Need to paint signs raised again.
    • Road in bad state with potholes. Complaints about footpath but priority seen as roadway.
    • Miss Trant stated that everyone should take their turn in helping run the affairs of UPPA and committee should rotate. After two years she therefore resigned and Ron Lloyd took the chair. Two committee members also replaced.
    • AGM agreed to rate increase to allow some expensive work and to start building reserve.
    • Speeding through the Park a concern and residents again encouraged to lock the gate.



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