JERICHO ECHO ARTICLE
April 1987
The 25th Annual General Meeting of the Jericho Residents' Association was held in January at the Jericho St. Barnabas Institute. Mr E. Ardener was re-elected as Chairman and a new committee elected. In his opening remarks the Chairman reminded us of the early days of the JRA when the rehabilitation of Jericho was in full swing. They were exciting times as the neighbourhood changed from a run down area of substandard housing to the present " desirable inner city residential area" (that's what the house agents call it). The JRA was closely involved in policy decisions and compensation claims as the houses were renovated or rebuilt. Meetings could get very lively as some will remember. Then the fight was to stop houses being ^destroyed to make way for car parks and offices and to make the houses fit to live in. It is a success story. Almost too successful as house prices rise and the developers move in for their slice of the profits. Converting family houses into hostels or rebuilding as luxery flats, laboratories or business premises and t urn ing shops i nt o ret aurant s gives fat profits. So where does the JRA come in? Where it always did, by helping the residents. If you are worried by a planning proposal next door affecting your place we will help you put your case to the relevant Committee or with an appeal. We look at every planning application and try to find out what the neighbours think about it. If no one objects we let it go - you cannot stop all changes. Then there are parking problems, noisy neighbours, broken pavements, dumped rubbish, broken street lights. All the other things that make the place untidy or inconvenient. We are in constant touch with the City officers and, as Councillor Phyllis Starkey pointed out at the meeting, the City are always concerned. Her message was "think positive" and she asked for ideas on how the Environmental Improvement Grant for Jericho could best be spent. Earlier in the year, in June '86, the JRA organized a public meeting with the City officers, chaired by our Ward Councillor, John Power, at which a number of questions were asked. The state of the pavements and streets was one issue which has led to the repair of some of Walton Street. The streets and parking are being considered under a City wide scheme and we hope to have a follow up public meeting when the report is made. How do you join the JRA? Well you don't - you are a member automatically if you live in the area. That is from Worcester Place in the south to Juxon Street in the north and west of Walton Street including the tow path and Lower Fisher Row. The east side of Walton Street is Walton Manor Residents' Association. How do you get in touch? Ring the Secretary, 5159O1, or ask at the Jericho St. Barnabas Institute, Canal Street. Committee meetings are fortnightly at the Jericho St. Barnabas Institute generally Wednesdays at 7. 3Opm and are open to all residents.