Agenda For Next And Minutes For Last Bedlington Forum Meetings.

[Malcolm Robinson]

Tuesday 14th June 2011

6-30 – 8-30pm

Venue: Salvation Army

AGENDA

1. Welcome and introductions, including Chair's update.

2. Apologies.

3. Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 29th March 2011.

4. Matters arising.

5. Police update.

6. Leading Link. (St Benet Biscop.)

7. Friends of Gallagher Park update.

8. Bedlingtonshire Development Trust update.

9. Any other business.

10. Date and time of next meeting.

Tuesday 6th Sept 2011 (DATE TO BE CONFIRMED)

6.30pm.

Minutes of previous Forum meeting:

1. Welcome and Introductions

1.1 The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and noted that it was well attended. Everyone then introduced themselves to the meeting.

1.2 The Chair asked if everyone present could supply their contact details on the signing-in sheet if they wanted to receive paperwork in the future. A letter would also be sent to every member of the forum that is registered on WCVS database asking for permission to hand over details to Bedlington Forum as this was the last meeting they would administer due to NCC pulling funding for the partnerships/forums.

2.

3. Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 25th January 2011

These were agreed as a true record.

4. Matters Arising

4.1 2 - Val Tyler's apologies were not recorded

4.2 4.1 - The Chair gave a further update on the problem with coach access to St. Benet Biscop's School. This afternoon an e mail was received from Mark Cousak indicating the flow of traffic would be reversed. This is not an ideal situation. PC Nevens had suggested double yellow lines around the Ridge Farm entrance but to no avail - very disappointing response from Northumberland County Council. The school seems to be a victim of its own success but we will continue to take this forward and do our level best to try to avoid something serious from happening.

4.3 4.2 - An update was given on Elliot's Garage. The footings should have been in by March however the Planning Department now say it will start in April. Fencing was installed a couple of weeks ago but was inadequate and dangerous and has now been replaced.

4.4 7 second paragraph - George Carrick unable to pledge anything for Country and Western Club as he is not involved with it – it should be David Armstrong. The Chair gave his apologies for the confusion.

4.5 8.4 - George Webster and his wife have put a huge effort into the BMX track and the Connect 2route through Gallagher Park with excellent results. It was noted that on one night there were 78 people on the track. PC Steve McIntosh has put a tremendous amount of work into it together with a lot of other people too numerous to mention.

5. Police Update

5.1 PC Nevens reported Bedlington had a 49% disposal rate which is the highest in the Northumbria Command Area and crime in the whole of Northumberland was down in the last 4 weeks.

5.2 There has been a series of car crimes in the Stakeford area. A young man was apprehended yesterday and he later admitted the damage and was charged.

5.3 There has been a problem with hoax bomb threats to Tesco. A youth was caught in the Meadowdale area making hoax calls and has been dealt with by the Youth Offending Team.

5.4 Boy racers have been identified at the entrance to Gallagher Park and warnings have been given.

5.5 For the past two years there has been a lot of youth disorder on a Friday night. Operation Street Safe took place on the 11th March 2011 the purpose was to trawl the streets looking for susceptible young people who were then put into the care of Social Services. A number of young people were taken to Social Services at Cramlington. Parents were also called out as Social Services could not take any more youths. It was quite a successful operation. The press and schools were made aware of the operation.

5.6 Three schools (year 8's) have been involved in Crime Consequence Days in conjunction with the Police, Fire Brigade, Prison Service and Youth Offending Team – there has been excellent input.

5.7 On the 12th March 2011 South East Northumberland Magistrates' Courts (Bedlington Law Courts) held a mock trial competition (this is a national competition). Unfortunately no schools from Bedlington competed. It shows Courts are not just used for criminals.

5.8 PC Nevens update was followed by a question and answer session.

6. Chair's Update

6.1 The Chair informed the meeting that he and Malcolm Robinson were on the steering group for the VCS Alliance where 35/40 groups had attended the last meeting. The next meeting is to be held at Lynemouth on the 7th April 2011.

6.2 Margaret Oliver gave an update on the achievements of the partnership during 2010 – 2011. The partnership was continuing to make headway on a large number of issues:

Supported members in the creation of a community led Development Trust. Consultees for Northumbria Police with members sitting on the Neighbourhood Panel.

Continuous representation on the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) steering group, with regular attendance by Richard Schofield.

Steering group representative on Sustrans connect 2 cycle routes.

Comments given on Biomass Power Station which is to be built at Cambois.

The Chair is now recognised as a Peoples Champion for environmental issues. Support given to Friends of Gallagher Park when required. Chair and Vice Chair now on Voluntary and Community Sector Alliance.

On-going consultation regarding pedestrian safety at entrance into St Benet Biscop High School, working along with Police, NCC Highways; St Benet Biscop school and NCC schools representatives.

Continued close links with Bedlingtonshire Chamber of Trade.

Community Engagement and empowerment including:-

Transport Consultation Document; Parking Strategy in Northumberland; Economic Strategy; Bedlington Conservation Appraisal; Vibrant Towns Consultation; Library closure.

Invited to comment on certain planning applications.

Developed close working relationship with leading SE Area Committee members. Our commitment is recognised by NCC officers who are now willing to interact with us, including the attendance at one of our meetings of, Cllr Andrew Tebbutt, portfolio holder for Corporate Services.

Update on Bedlington Community Development Trust

(Additional agenda item)

Malcolm Robinson updated the meeting on the projects, funding applications and training the Development Trust has been involved in recently. One of the projects mentioned is the regeneration of the old derelict building at the rear of the Post Office which can be dated back to 1860. Negotiations with the owners and funding applications are current and if successful it is hoped to bring this building into community usage. Malcolm was keen to stress all the possible projects the Development Trust are involved with are only a means to progress the core aims which the Forums laid down for the Trust to follow.

Update on Radio Group

(Additional agenda item)

Colin Heathcote informed the meeting that he had received good news today. He had received confirmation of change of planning consent for the premises at 90 Front Street East. They need to clear the premises, have electricity connected, find a builder, complete the new website, apply for licences, insure the building – they have already acquired an architect to design the studio and office free of charge, do some fundraising, get volunteers, record interviews and go on air. They hope to go live at the back end of this year both on line and FM broadcasting.

7. Open discussion on the way forward for our Community Group/Forum

The chair spoke of the cuts made by NCC which included funding to WCVS to act as host agent to the partnerships. Lynda Fakir also loses her role with effect from the 31st March 2011.

A meeting of the Chairs and Vice Chairs was convened and hosted by WCVS to ascertain how the partnerships / forums wished to proceed.

West Bedlington Community Partnership will be known as Bedlington Forum and WCVS will no longer be acting as host agents or providing secretariat facilities on our behalf.

The constitution was written to allow them to move forward therefore we can carry on but under a different name and will not be merging with East Bedlington. Occasionally there will be joint meetings to keep in touch with what is happening.

Due to the Data Protection Act WCVS will not provide a copy of their mailing list without written authorisation from each member to do so. Therefore everyone present was asked to give permission to allow WCVS to provide the Chair with their details, this was granted. To keep costs down it would be beneficial to be provided with e mail addresses.

Currently there is £7.50 in the current bank account, which could be changed over, however it may cost more to close the account down. This will be looked into. The books will be brought to the next meeting if anyone wishes to look at them.

The meeting formally closed at 7.50 pm and re-opened as the AGM

8. AGM – specifically to elect members

Brian Oliver was nominated as Chair

Proposed by: George Webster

Seconded by: Val Tyler

Malcolm Robinson was nominated as Vice Chair

Proposed by: Val Tyler

Seconded by: George Webster

Margaret Oliver was nominated as Secretary with Malcolm Robinson to assist with minutes

Proposed by: George Webster

Seconded by: Val Tyler

Robert Coulson was nominated as Treasurer

Proposed by: Irene Webster

Seconded by: Val Tyler

8.1 The Chair thanked everyone for their continued support

9. Date, Time & Venue of Next Meeting operating as, Bedlington Forum :

Tuesday 14th June 2011 at 6.30 pm, Salvation Army, Hartford Road, Bedlington

forum@bedlington.co.uk