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BRIDGEGATE EAST RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (BERA) Minutes of the AGM held in The Albion, on Monday 23rd February 2026
In attendance
Bill Grady (Chair), Fiona and Adrian Rushforth, David Flood, Jim Parrish, Christina Mercer, Sue Matthew, Tony Doggett, Jim and Patricia Lewis, Janet Webb, Hazel Roberts, Helen Foden, Pam and Tim Powell, Janet Place, Paul Kimpton, John Bottomley, Councillors Katrina Kerr and Paul Chamberlain
Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Anne Grady, Anna and Charlie Newman, Mike Hogg, Daniel Squibb, Adam Edwards and David Watson
Welcome by BERA Chair
Bill welcomed everyone to the meeting. He thanked Christina for once again hosting the meeting and to the councillors, who have given a lot of much appreciated support this year.
Approval of 2025 AGM Minutes
The minutes of the 2025 AGM were proposed as a true record by David Flood, seconded by Tony Doggett and unanimously approved
Matters Arising
- The idea of having corporate membership of BERA had been discussed at an exec meeting. It was felt that BERA was a residents’ association, formed to support local residents and that having businesses as members could influence conversations and decisions. We have built up good relationships with local businesses without them becoming members, so the exec voted not to have corporate members. There was no dissent from members present at the AGM.
- John Bottomley reported that the litter had been cleared up by a new house owner, who personally made several trips to the tip. Councillors had previously been, taken photos and passed them on to the relevant department, but nothing was followed up.
Report on 2025 BERA Activities
- Bill said it had been a difficult year for him and Anne and thanked the exec for their support
- BERA had been represented at all CRAG meetings and were able to give BERA opinions. They also had input in the One City Plan meetings discussing what would make Chester a good place to live. This includes waste disposal, transport, policing, anti social behaviour, transport. The Cumulative Impact Policy (CIP) has also been discussed, as the number of licensed premises (on and off licences) is increasing but the CIP does not seem to be invoked.
- Drill Hall Gardens – Helen to give a report later, but Bill summarised that over £10,500 had been raised so far and thanked Helen for her efforts.
- Jim continues to monitor licence and planning applications
- Still keeping an eye on Quicks and the Records Office, but no firm information at the moment (subsequent to the meeting, Katrina Kerr informed us that the Records Office is now on the market with Savills).
- Rooftop Social – there has been no disruption to residents from noise or anti social behaviour and Ian Gordon is quick to act on any issues, such as early morning waste collection
- The pigeons have returned to the Quicks building due to someone cutting the wire netting allowing them in to roost. Contact has been made with the manager of the building, but to no avail. Patricia Lewis suggested that something more robust than wire netting should be put in place
- David Flood has carried on his campaign against early morning noise from waste disposal and deliveries to and from premises in Pepper Street. He has met with owners, Katrina Kerr and Ian Gordon from Rooftop Social. He has enough noise and photographic evidence now to show that the premises are breaking their licensing agreement. Katrina urges all residents to report disturbances, noise, waste collections out of hours etc. to the Council and provided the following links: Report it | Cheshire West and Chester Council and Complaints and concerns about premises | Cheshire West and Chester Council
- Drill Hall Gardens
Helen gave a brief review of how far this project has come in the last year. We were unsuccessful in our bid to the Crimes Commission (no reason given). Katrina directed her to the Council Community Innovation Fund via Spacehive. They required a costed plan and agreement by the Conservation team, which were both done. They also needed 50 backers and she thanked all those who supported. The total raised so far is £7000 plus a further £3500 from the Council. She said that we need to prioritise what needs to be done, such as evening up the pavement and repairing the crumbling brickwork around the tree. She has a meeting next week with the Community Engagement Team. Volunteers have already started clearing the gardens and digging over the beds. Clare Gore has promised a planting plan and costs. It also needs signage and lighting. Helen said she was prepared to carry on being involved but really needed a small committee to make decisions
Action: Fiona to email members to ask for volunteers.
BERA Website Review
Fiona summarised the content of the BERA website (www.berachester.com) . This includes a summary of what BERA is about, including our constitution and names of the executive. It has useful links to Council websites. Minutes of both BERA and CRAG (the umbrella group for Chester Residents’ Associations) meetings are also on the website, together with local news, policing updates and various relevant surveys. These are available on the members sections, which become available when subscriptions are paid.
Finally, Fiona asked members to consider any other information they would like to be included on the website
2025 Finance Report
Bill Grady, as Treasurer, issued the report, which is attached. Tony Doggett and Daniel Squibb have reviewed the accounts and agreed they were a true record. He is looking to set up a separate account for the Drill Hall Gardens money
Report on Planning and Licensing Applications
- Jim Parrish reported that there were no new or amended licensing applications
- Regarding planning applications, Lantern House on the corner of Duke Street and Albion Place is being converted from business to residential. There will be no external alterations
- An application for double glazing in Albion Place was turned down, but the rear windows have been replaced.
- No firm updates on Quicks, and the Records Office is now up for sale with Savills
Report from Councillors
- Katrina reported that the Keep Clear sign had been painted on the junction of Duke Street and Lower Bridge Street and wants the same at the junction of St John Street and Pepper Street
- They reported that they were very angry about the licence granted to Webbers Casino Slots on Northgate Street, which they had vehemently opposed and worry that it will open the gates to other such licences.
- She reported that she had written to the Council about the problem of the pigeons roosting at Qicks. She also thanked David Flood for his work on reporting early waste collections and Jim Parrish on reporting broken lights
- She reported that a developer had been appointed to redevelop the old market and suggested people had a look at the project on the Northgate 2 website
- She has petitioned the Council to demolish Dee House
- The problems on the Walls are starting to be fixed, and Huxleys on the Walls has now applied for and got its licence
- The road by Northgate Arena is due to be opened on April 10th and there will be a pedestrian crossing to give easy access to the city centre
Priority Items for BERA for 2026
Bill asked members to email Fiona Rushforth (rushforth@outlook.com) with any suggestions for priority items
Appointment of Officers
The following were all unanimously re-elected to the BERA executive (proposed by Pam Powell, seconded by John Bottomley)
Bill Grady – Chairman and Treasurer
Jim Parrish – Deputy Chair
Fiona Rushforth- Secretary and Membership Secretary
Anne Grady, David Flood, Adrian Rushforth, Helen Foden and Paul Kimpton– Street Representatives
Bill asked for a volunteer to be treasurer so he was not doing both roles. Pau Kimpton agreed. Bill also asked for any other volunteers to join the exec. Nobody volunteered, but were told to email Fiona if they wanted any more information
Appointment of Two People to Review the 2025 Accounts
Daniel Squibb and Tony Doggett agreed to continue to carry this out again.
Any Other Business
- Adrian Rushforth complained that a few motor cyclists were racing up and down the Groves, making a lot of noise and driving dangerously. Neighbours on the Walls agreed. Katrina Kerr said she would get in touch with the Community Safety representative on the Council
Close
There being no further business, Bill thanked everyone for attending and formally closed the meeting
F Rushforth 27/02/2026
BERA Accounts 2025
1st January 2025 Bank Balance: £630.56
Cash in Hand: £33.00
Total £663.56
Income:
Membership subs: £216.00
Drill Hall Gardens donations: £10047.50
Expenditure:
Website management: -£120.00
CRAG membership: -£30.00
Garden Volunteer Insurance: -£155.80
31st December 2025
Bank Balance: £10588.26
Cash in Hand: £33.00
Total funds £10621.26
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