Present: Mike Corlett, Chair, Mark Clayton, Cllr Debbie Hilal, Cllr Andrew Simcock, Ellie Sams, Carol Wilkinson.
Apologies for absence: Cllr John Leech, Cllr Richard Kilpatrick, Mary Christie, Gordon Browne, Cllr Leslie Bell.
Acceptance of the Minutes from the 8th December 2025:
Proposed: Carol Wilkinson. Seconded: Cllr Debbie Hilal
Matters arising from the Minutes:
The increased parking problems with Beaver Road School
Parents are still parking on the double yellow lines and also blocking Sandhurst Road at its junction with Wilmslow Road, some with their engines idling. Drivers are also using the hard standing (ex-TfGM bus stop) outside of Barlow Medical and the Philip Godlee pavement area to wait. Recently it has been observed there is some increased speeding down Didsbury Park Road towards Sandhurst Road from the Towers/Traffic Lights end of the road.
Still no update from MCC on the Parrs Wood veranda
Cllr Simcock advised that MCC have said that even with the current 7 missing reinforced glass roof panes that the structure is still safe. As a suggestion, could MCC provide a copy of the next structural survey certificate and display a visible copy on several of the upright stanchions? Importantly the structure is the responsibility of the landlords not MCC. Perhaps the landlords should also be funding the safety surveys which we understand are 6 monthly in support of the community?
Have there been any plans or resolution to the poor street lighting due to overhanging/overgrowing trees
Mike Corlett agreed to check if there has been any change on Palatine Road from Barlow Moor to Northenden Bridge for the next meeting. The attendees still agreed that this is a very dark area. It was also pointed out that the land was under private ownership, though some little more than open and largely unfenced scrub land.
Business Agenda:
The use of the library porch for congregating and drinking alcohol remains a problem.
Rubbish and clothing etc have been strewn around and has been a visible problem between Christmas and New Year. The congregating appears intimidating to the public and hinders access to the library. Also, the area
between the two sets of doors appears to be used as a storage area for bags etc. This problem was also raised with GMP at the last Didsbury West Ward Meeting on the 1st December 2025.
What is the plan for improving the drainage, path pot holes and puddles to the main Fletcher Moss Park paths?
This refers especially to the area from the Wilmslow Road entrance (around the all-weather tennis courts) down towards the Café. Also, is the “re-wilding” past the abandoned tennis courts to Stenner Lane working? Currently the wetland style flooding is taking over the area and there is signage present advising flooding and a visible water run off problem is evident.
Is there a plan for this area and if so, who is managing it? Has the water table been disturbed after the recent bank rebuilding or a maintenance problem arisen. If this is a planned Wetland have the park users been consulted as this is a public park, and looks uncoordinated. Only a few years ago this area was part of a usable open green space, now it seems to have changed significantly?
Provision of a Plaque in the Garden of Contemplation as suggested by the RHS.
Will there be any NIF grants available during 2026 to which we can apply to have a plaque cast in acknowledgement of the funders and those making donations in kind. It was suggested that the DCS approach the Mathew Ludlam Foundation to see if it would fit their funding criteria.
Finance and Membership
We have on deposit at HSBC £16797.03 including G o C reserves and grants.
The annual payment of membership is now due for 2026. In the coming future DCS may also need to consider alternative funding models including increased Heritage and Historical grant applications to continue our activities?
Donations, are also very welcome during our 60th Diamond Jubilee Year.
Any other Business:
It was agreed to investigate the possible renovation of the Barlow Moor/Palatine Road finger post directional sign which has one or two fingers missing?
It was agreed that we would include future DCS objections raised on Didsbury East and West Planning Applications within future Minutes.
It was also agreed to revisit the use of bonded resin material to the paths in the Garden of Contemplation as an alternative to the Hoggin material used initially.
Posted: January 19, 2026 by Ellie
General Meeting on 12th January 2026
Present: Mike Corlett, Chair, Mark Clayton, Cllr Debbie Hilal, Cllr Andrew Simcock, Ellie Sams, Carol Wilkinson.
Apologies for absence: Cllr John Leech, Cllr Richard Kilpatrick, Mary Christie, Gordon Browne, Cllr Leslie Bell.
Acceptance of the Minutes from the 8th December 2025:
Proposed: Carol Wilkinson. Seconded: Cllr Debbie Hilal
Matters arising from the Minutes:
The increased parking problems with Beaver Road School
Parents are still parking on the double yellow lines and also blocking Sandhurst Road at its junction with Wilmslow Road, some with their engines idling. Drivers are also using the hard standing (ex-TfGM bus stop) outside of Barlow Medical and the Philip Godlee pavement area to wait. Recently it has been observed there is some increased speeding down Didsbury Park Road towards Sandhurst Road from the Towers/Traffic Lights end of the road.
Still no update from MCC on the Parrs Wood veranda
Cllr Simcock advised that MCC have said that even with the current 7 missing reinforced glass roof panes that the structure is still safe. As a suggestion, could MCC provide a copy of the next structural survey certificate and display a visible copy on several of the upright stanchions? Importantly the structure is the responsibility of the landlords not MCC. Perhaps the landlords should also be funding the safety surveys which we understand are 6 monthly in support of the community?
Have there been any plans or resolution to the poor street lighting due to overhanging/overgrowing trees
Mike Corlett agreed to check if there has been any change on Palatine Road from Barlow Moor to Northenden Bridge for the next meeting. The attendees still agreed that this is a very dark area. It was also pointed out that the land was under private ownership, though some little more than open and largely unfenced scrub land.
Business Agenda:
The use of the library porch for congregating and drinking alcohol remains a problem.
Rubbish and clothing etc have been strewn around and has been a visible problem between Christmas and New Year. The congregating appears intimidating to the public and hinders access to the library. Also, the area
between the two sets of doors appears to be used as a storage area for bags etc. This problem was also raised with GMP at the last Didsbury West Ward Meeting on the 1st December 2025.
What is the plan for improving the drainage, path pot holes and puddles to the main Fletcher Moss Park paths?
This refers especially to the area from the Wilmslow Road entrance (around the all-weather tennis courts) down towards the Café. Also, is the “re-wilding” past the abandoned tennis courts to Stenner Lane working? Currently the wetland style flooding is taking over the area and there is signage present advising flooding and a visible water run off problem is evident.
Is there a plan for this area and if so, who is managing it? Has the water table been disturbed after the recent bank rebuilding or a maintenance problem arisen. If this is a planned Wetland have the park users been consulted as this is a public park, and looks uncoordinated. Only a few years ago this area was part of a usable open green space, now it seems to have changed significantly?
Provision of a Plaque in the Garden of Contemplation as suggested by the RHS.
Will there be any NIF grants available during 2026 to which we can apply to have a plaque cast in acknowledgement of the funders and those making donations in kind. It was suggested that the DCS approach the Mathew Ludlam Foundation to see if it would fit their funding criteria.
Finance and Membership
We have on deposit at HSBC £16797.03 including G o C reserves and grants.
The annual payment of membership is now due for 2026. In the coming future DCS may also need to consider alternative funding models including increased Heritage and Historical grant applications to continue our activities?
Donations, are also very welcome during our 60th Diamond Jubilee Year.
Any other Business:
It was agreed to investigate the possible renovation of the Barlow Moor/Palatine Road finger post directional sign which has one or two fingers missing?
It was agreed that we would include future DCS objections raised on Didsbury East and West Planning Applications within future Minutes.
It was also agreed to revisit the use of bonded resin material to the paths in the Garden of Contemplation as an alternative to the Hoggin material used initially.
Yours sincerely,
Mike Corlett
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