Project

Business and Tourism

As Parish Councillor responsible for tourism, Cllr Joyce Trett asked if WAP would support her in conducting a small tourism survey during the busy month of August. This coincided with request from Blue Fish Regeneration for any tourism information that WAP could provide. WAP worked closely with Cllr Trett to produce a snapshot tourism questionnaire which was used to gather data from visitors to Pinewood Campsite over a two week period. In order to capture data from tourists not staying at Pinewoods Campsite a street survey (using the same questionnaire) was carried out on 20th August. A total of 50 questionnaires were completed. 18 questionnaires were received from visitors to Pinewood Campsite and 32 were completed by visitors during the street survey. A summary of the result are attached.

ACTION

• Results have been passed to Cllr Joyce Trett to help inform the work of the Parish Council and to Blue Fish Regeneration for inclusion in Asset Review research. 

Environment Forum

20% of energy efficient light bulbs now distributed. Pete Lynn to set date for next Environment Forum meeting after summer break.

Health & Well-being

The first meeting of the Wells Hospital Project Group took place on 22nd August. The group has been set up to progress the aims and objectives of the Community Hospital and is time limited (meeting 4 times over the next four months). Its purpose is support the development of a business plan that will be used to influence and gain further commitment from the Strategic Health Authority and the Primary Care Trust. Two specific area of research will be undertaken by the project group:

• Ambulatory and Primary Care Sub-Group - The purpose of this sub-group is to ‘scope’ ambulatory and primary care services using the information prepared through the work of the previous project prior to the formation of the Charitable Trust. 
• Inpatient Beds Sub-Group - The sub-group will undertake a mini feasibility study to test the potential of the inpatient facilities considering pledges made to date and testing expectations in terms of tariffs.

ACTION

• Kate will attend the meetings to represent WAP and will assist with promotion of facilities / community liaison / consultation where required.

Housing Forum

First sets of tenants moved into Northfield Lane flats – 1 bed went to Mark Frary (local fisherman and member of Wells Lifeboat crew) and 2 bed went to Stephanie Hart and son James (lived all her life in Wells works part time as a waitress/chef in a local café).  Have recently been approached to supply tenants for a 2 bedroom bungalow in the town

Applications to be in by 22nd September with selection process to be completed at the beginning of October.
Have now received 22 applications – still mainly 1 and 2 bedroom properties required.

A regular newsletter is now delivered to all donors to keep them informed on the latest developments. There are 2 leaflets awaiting board approval for printing – a general information leaflet and a leaflet designed to promote legacies in solicitors’ offices. The HfW website has been totally redesigned and, subject to approval from the Board, will be launched at the beginning of October.  HfW also has a model house designed to promote the Society.  Recently used to help fundraise during Carnival Week.  The carnival committee invited HfW to hold a collection at the Jazz Evening on the Buttlands – raised £205.  Received £200 from Kingdom promotions – filming the Kingdom series for ITV in the town.  The 3 Peaks challenge raised in excess of £600 and the Summer Ball raised £1000.

A ‘Launch and Celebration’ is to be held on Sunday September 28th from 2pm till 4pm at the Freeman Street property.  All donors and supporters of HfW have been invited, along with the media.

ACTION

Steering Group Meeting 23rd September 7.30 Wells Library
Launch HfW on Sunday 29th Sep 2-4pm Campden Cottage Freeman St, Wells
AGM 30th September – have received 15 (so far) applications for a share in HfW

LDF Update
The Core Strategy and Proposals Map are due to be formally adopted by NNDC on 24th September. Walsingham is designated as a service village and Blakeney as a coastal service village – a modest amount of new housing and other types of development may be permitted. Other villages in the WAP area are considered ‘Countryside’ and any new market housing will not be permitted there.  Site specific proposals are currently being considered with public consultation in Summer 09.

ACTION

• To look at Wells Site Specific proposals at WAP meeting on 16th Sep
• Meeting at NNDC office Wed 1st Oct 6-7pm for any questions concerning adoption of new LDF docs.

Parish issues
Kate contacted all Parish Council clerks to request a short meeting with them and or Parish Councillors to both introduce herself and gain a better understanding about their specific parish issues. This request met with a mixed response. Kate was invited to meet with Walsingham Parish Council on 22nd October and was informed by Blakeney that they would contact her when they had something specific to work with WAP on. All other Parish Councils declined a meeting.

Walsingham

Working with SNT to secured £5k of funding for Youth Anti Social Behaviour prevention project. WAP will be working with community volunteers, Victory Housing and young people to set up a community cohesion project based on the Community Awards Through Sport model which has successfully addressed similar community issues in Cornwall. KP to visit Parish Council on 22nd October to discuss the current provision of Youth Bus and to gain support for future projects.

Wells
Helped Cllr Joyce Trett carry out a Tourism Survey for Wells.

NNCP/NNDC
Thematic Groups – The 3 thematic leads John Archibald - Housing & Neighbourhoods, Ian Doughty - North Norfolk Business Forum, Linda Rogers – Quality of Life will be holding a forum on 29th September at Wells Community Hospital. The aim of the forum is to invite stakeholders who are currently involved with their communities from all levels and who can contribute their resources to helping the thematic groups meet their objectives. WAP has been asked to identify a relevant representative for each of the thematic groups. Andy Gates and Fran Marshall will be attending the housing thematic group on behalf of Homes for Wells but as yet representatives have not been found for the Quality of Life and Jobs thematic groups.

Action:

• WAP to identify representation for the QofL and jobs thematic groups
• Meeting 7-9pm on 29th September at Wells Community Hospital.

Boundary Committee 12 week consultation on a Unitary Norfolk – Kate attended a workshop held at Voluntary Norfolk on 29th August where discussions took place about the proposals for a new Unitary Norfolk and how this will effect neighbourhood working arrangements. The Boundary Committee propose that Norfolk should become one Unitary Government and devolve services and budgets down to 21 Community Partnership Boards. The proposals see Wells joined with Sheringham and Holt to create one of the 21 Community Partnership Boards. These proposals are currently out for consultation and WAP have an opportunity to make comments to the Boundary Committee until the 26th September.

Action:

• Board to agree whether or not they wish to comment on the consultation document.

Action Planning – WAP were asked by NNCP to provide a list of actions that they will be undertaking between now and 2010 to deliver against NNCP’s 16 identified priorities which are:
See attachment for full details of activity.
Action:

• To develop a detailed action plan as a result of this work. The action plan will highlight lead partners, key milestones, financial implications etc.
•  

WAP

Kate in post 4 days a week from Monday 29th Sep, taking over from Fi who leaves on Friday 26th Sep.  Fran Marshall from Homes for Wells will be based at the Sackhouse on a Wednesday. WAP AGM – chair’s report needs to be written and final accounts -  public notices and members notified by 21st Sep.

ACTION
WAP AGM on Tuesday 21st October 7.30 Maltings Community Hall

Youth
Through the £5k funding secured by WAP, EP youth have begun delivery of the youth service in Walsingham. The Red Bus will be visiting the village every Wednesday evening for a period of 42 weeks. Three youth workers will be working on the bus which aims to provide young people with drop in activities, advice and support along with offering them a safe place to meet. WAP have been working with EP Youth to draw up a Service Level Agreement to ensure that they can manage the process and funding effectively. KP has been in discussions with the YMCA regarding how WAP go about securing the £70k of funding needed to roll this service out for Blakeney and Burnham Market.

Kate is also working with the Safer Neighbourhood Team to secure £5k of funding that has been identified for a youth anti social behavior prevention project. From initial discussion and research a community cohesion project based on awarding young people for positive behavior is being considered (see above note under WAP activity in Walsingham).

ACTION

• Identify further funding sources to secure the £70 required to make this a sustainable project
• Continue to work with SNT, Victory Housing, Community Volunteers and young people in Walsingham to develop a community cohesion project.