Dear Resident,

This has been an exceptionally difficult and demanding year for the FRA.

Last year we were suddenly presented with the major threat of proposed development on King’s Hill (KH), the area bounded by our Green Lane, the Coventry to Leamington Railway line, Stoneleigh Road and the A46. Initial indications emerged from Warwick District Council’s Consultation in June 2008, followed by Coventry Council’s Core Strategy Proposals.  The Core Strategy for WDC also includes proposals to build on King’s Hill.
 
If the situation had gone unchallenged, the present nature of Finham would have been spoilt and lost forever. This threat not only continues but is likely to do so for the foreseeable future and will demand increased efforts from Finham residents if it is to be avoided.

While, King’s Hill has needed to dominate our time, we have also attempted to cover the more usual Association business. We have increased the number of our Committee meetings (normally the fourth Monday in the month) to now cover the summer period and added additional meetings especially to deal with KH.  It is important to note that during this threat to KH, a significant number of additional members have come forward, rolled up their sleeves become actively involved in protecting Finham. Apart from the feeling of tiredness and exhaustion, what we have subsequently found is a distinct increase in Community Spirit.

We have also looked at our organisational methods including the introduction of our website www.finham.org.uk and contacting members more rapidly by email. We are aware that not every member has a computer or is computer literate but we are trying to increase use via Finham library. We do not intend to stop our circulated printed notices but the KH experience has shown the need to be able to communicate much more quickly and get a more rapid response than previously. It would also be helpful to have your telephone number, etc in our contact database.

This last year has demonstrated the need to have a large number of residents who are actually able and prepared to come and support activities in order to further Finham causes. It is clear that those who work are often not able to attend the official ‘office hours only’ Government style examination/ inquiry sessions as shown with the Regional Spatial Strategy at Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton (4th June 2009), Coventry Core Strategy Examination, (Coventry Council House), the Lower House of Parliament (24th November 2009), the Coventry A45/A46 Tollbar Inquiry but could be available in the evenings or at weekends. Similarly, members without their own transport will find it difficult to attend ‘away’ functions while those with an over 60’s travel pass can attend appropriately located events free of charge if the journey starts after 09.30 hours.

It is clear that we need more members to undertake an active part so that we are able to cover all types of situations. We would appreciate if those residents who can offer specialised skills such as Planners, Local Government Officers, Solicitors etc. make themselves known to FRA but importantly we also need to hear from those who have simply the dedication and enthusiasm to work on behalf for Finham.

We also need to make our concerns more widely known and as part of this distributed newsletter you will find side 8 is a KH poster for your window.  Caution – please restrain your enthusiasm to use them immediately and delay until we have held the AGM (22/02/10) – there is useful information on the reverse!

Inside this newsletter, you should have a colour printed brochure regarding King’s Hill which you could discuss with friends and neighbours. The total cost of this brochure has been met by a single donation for which we are very grateful.

On your behalf, I am pleased to thank all those residents who have supported our efforts and urge more of you to join us (Please). Some idea of those involved is given by the list of Committee Members following last year’s AGM but there are many, many others whom I have not included simply in view of the space available in this newsletter. However, I hope that those not already on the Committee might consider standing at the AGM.

Thank you for signing our petition against developing King’s Hill; it was stopped after we had collected 3,766 signatures from local residents. We thought that this showed sufficiently the feeling against the proposals.

I would also like to thank the hosts of our (often sudden) various venues, Finham Park School, Finham Primary School, St. Martin’s Church, Alvis Sports Club and the homes of several of our Members.

While, on one hand, our ‘Core Strategy problems’ and KH in Finham are somewhat unique, there are many similarities with those encountered by residents in other areas, especially with regard to the excessive number of new dwellings opted for by Coventry and the proposed general scrapping of large areas of Green Belt for development purposes generally.  A positive working relationship with the other groups has developed which has been beneficial to all residents and allowed a more thorough reaction to the proposals.

FRA is particularly indebted to Peter Langley (Council for the Preservation of Rural England) for his advice and support but also generally acknowledge help from other organisations.  We have also benefited from the support afforded by our MP, Mr Jim Cunningham and his colleagues.

Bob Fryer, President FRA, 28/02/10.                

Other Officers

Vice President: Colin Salt; Treasurer: Anthony Dalton; Subscription Secretary: Alan Elliott; Secretary: Geoff Sewards