Housing and the Environment
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 21st September 2006 at Groundwork Creswell
NOTES OF THE LOCAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT GROUP
GROUNDWORK CRESWELL OFFICES, CLOWNE
21ST SEPTEMBER 2006
PRESENT
T Trafford (TT) AHEAG
G Kirk (GK) MVMP
T Oliver (TO) BDC
J Sherwood (JWS) BDC
G Stokes (GS) SMVRA
K Sharpe (KS) Langwith Society
J Neeve (JN) Involve
R Colgrave (RC) BDC
D Kelly (DK) Pinxton Community Forum
D Row (DR) Clowne Wildlife Group
T Edwards (TE) National Trust, Hardwick Hall
L Khella (LK) BLSP
K Wyatt (KW) BDC
M Connley (MC) BDC
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
J Lewis BDC
G Clarke BDC
P Campbell BDC
C Cooke BCP
A Heath BCP
D Betts New Houghton Association
Gary Kirk, CEO of Meden Valley Making Places Ltd gave a short presentation updating the group on the work undertaken by MVMP and its partners.
Notts City Council had worked with MVMP to provide cycle pathways and TT commented that he would pass GK contact details to CC and AH as there may be some scope for partnership working with BCP for the provision of cycle paths within BDC area.
GK will update the group at a later date.
MVMP had been awarded an award at the East Midlands Regional Built In Quality Awards for the renovation works at Creswell.
2/3. NOTES OF MEETING HELD 8TH AUGUST 2006/MATTERS ARISING
It was noted that TT, DK and JN will be attending a workshop and seminar at Sherwood Energy Village.
4. REPORT FROM ESG – CEN + VAB
The proposed merger between Involve and VAB had been discussed at the ESG meeting as no decision could be reached the proposal was abandoned. The ESG decided to move forward with a community empowerment scheme which will be funded by NRF monies. Judy Derricot is lead officer for the scheme.
TT reported that the groups action plan had been approved, those projects agreed at the 8th August meeting had been brought forward into the plan.
5. RESERVE COMMISSION PROJECTS
A further £250,000 was available for this year and £500,000 for the next financial year.
LK stated that the group needed to be overcommitted and projects which were cross cutting are to be given priority.
The ESG are supporting a project which will deliver training for hgv, lvg and construction work as part of the jobs created in the Barlborough Links area. There will also be a revival of the Wheels to Work project which helps individuals access work.
CEPT are asking for further reserve projects in case of further slippage.
MC would send his reserve project to SAS for circulation. If it was cross cutting it would be sent to the Chairs of other groups.
KS spoke about a project on the allotment site in Langwith which would be a training site for excluded youngsters. The site would be a showcase of energy efficiency and recyclable measures and would benefit BDC residents. KS informed that meeting that the site sits on the border with Bassetlaw District Council and does in fact belong to that authority. KS circulated the Hardwick Allotments Business Plan for discussion and it was agreed that this is to be an agenda item at the next meeting.
TT requested that any further projects be sent to Sue Simmons for circulation.
6. REPORTS BACK ON
BCP
TO presented a report on behalf of the BCP outlining activity as follows:-
Working closely with the newly established ‘Friends of Wollen Meadow
group to improve the management of the site, submitted a Grot to Green bid on the groups behalf.
Organised a Bolsover Biodiversity Meeting to take forward the Greenprint Action Plan, the group is growing from strength to strength.
The BCP were invited to give an introductory presentation to BDC Executive Committee, which was received well and we have been invited back to give more detail.
The BCP are planning a publicity event at Wollen Meadow between 2 – 3pm on Monday 2nd October to follow on from our AGM, we are working with INVOLVE, the Friends of Wollen Meadow and DCC to help promote the event aimed at showing an example of successful partnership working.
TT reported on the East Midlands Public Benefits Mapping Project on Green Infrastructure investment, a Regional Assembly initiative. It was suggested that the BCP may be interested in an opportunities for being involved with the project.
Grot to Green
JN reported that the Steering Group had met on the 18th September 2006 and considered 12 proposals, 6 had been approved and 1 deferred until next year.
Total amount of spend for the 1st and 2nd round was £54,726.00.
DK asked that where Grot to Green projects needed assistance from Street Services eg sweepers, grass cutters etc, a request be made so that these could coincide with the authority’s work cycle to minimise disruption.
JN asked for a copy of the work cycle to help with lessening possible disruptions.
7. NRF SPEND
TO spoke about the 2 Housing projects which had been approved at the 8th August 2006 meeting. TO reported that due to the rural nature of the area it was proving more expensive to provide the information to inform the comprehensive database of the state of the district housing stock.
LK confirmed that there was flexibility with the funding and the monies could be varied between the two projects if this was more practicable.
8. CROSS CUTTING ISSUES
As previously discussed.
JN asked if other types of machinery could be included in the training – mini diggers, fork lift trucks, cranes etc. This would assist those who are already trained but have had their certificates elapsed whilst out of work.
9. TRAINING
TT confirmed that the £3,000 for training had been approved at the ESG. It was agreed that the previous training day had been worthwhile. TO to bring some suggestions back to the next meeting for consideration and asked for any other ideas for suitable training. The monies could be used for publicity, promotion or consultation but not admin services.
JN suggested a visit to a non NRF funded area to see how they source funding.
TO spoke about a flagship environmental project in a non NRF funded area.
10. RESPONSE TO DERBYSHIRE COMMUNITY STRATEGY
RC had sent a draft DCC Strategy and asked that all responses be
co-ordinated through the CEPT office.
TT noted that there was no reference to micro re generation in the above document however this could be an oversight as it is mentioned in the Regional Spatial Strategy document.
11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
TT had received a letter from Judy Derricott asking for 5-7 indicators or points that community groups would like the action group to consider. These could inform the group’s action plan. To be discussed at the next meeting.
JN reported that village appraisals and action plans had been completed and required input from Parish Councils.
KW spoke about the Draft conservation area appraisal and management plan for the Creswell conservation area which was approved by Planning Committee on 20th September 2006 . It is now intended to carry out a public consultation exercise on the draft document. Copies of the document will be available on BDC website, district offices and Creswell library. A public consultation event will be held at the Social centre in the village in the near future (date to be confirmed). The event will be widely advertised. A copy of the document will be sent to the action group for comments.
Two documents will be circulated with the minutes to inform the group about the Sustainable Residential Design Supplementary Planning Document and The Sustainable Development & Energy Efficiency in Building Supplementary Planning Document. BDC is also currently seeking comments on Scoping Documents and Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Reports for the aforementioned documents which have been prepared to explore the possible content and scope of the final documents and accompanying Sustainability Appraisal. The documents can be accessed via BDC website.
TT reported that the CEPT office had written to GOEM to challenge the amber/green assessment awarded. The assessment is determined on a point scoring system which gives a green if 26-32 points are scored. The group received a score of 28 but the group were given an amber/green score due to a lower score on the liveability issue.
TO spoke about the green flag park award scheme, she has contact details for the project as they are looking for volunteers to act as judges. It was agreed to refer this to Patch Management as it is one of their agenda items. The group recommended Ted Edwards, who has many years of experience in countryside management as their nomination.
TO also spoke about Anna Millard, Funding and Research Officer in the Regeneration – Project Development Section at BDC. Anna had access to a grant finder and would be available to assist in identifying funding streams. She can be contacted at anna.millard@bolsover.gov.uk or on 01246 242210.
TT circulated the Neighbourhood Management Project report for comment.
GS noted an error in the 6th paragraph - it was the Shirebrook over 50s who were visiting Barnsley for Christmas shopping and not residents of the Castle Estate.
12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 2nd November 2006 at Groundwork Creswell Offices, Clowne commencing at 2.30 pm .