Minutes for last meeting

Minutes from the Board meeting in November were agreed.  PR asked for the minutes to be amended under the community chest applications to read that the cost for the Christmas Tide and Churches Together projects had been taken on by the Quay magazine and the board agreed that these two projects would be removed for discussion.

Update on Coastal Rowing

Who is interested where we are at

BF reported that at the last meeting there was some discussion around the coastal rowing and also the Street CATS project.  The Street CATS project bid for funding through the Norfolk Police had been rejected.  However from the ashes of one project another has risen.  Becky Taylor SNT in Wells and BF have merged the two projects, if we can get Asa Saunders from Alderman Peel and a chap from Morston called Jamie on board then the police would recommend the funding be approved. This is very positive news.  A meeting is being organised between Asa, BF, Jamie and Becky to see if people are interested before moving forward.  Once this meeting has taken place and if the outcome is positive we would look to arrange another meeting with the coastal rowing representative.  BF asked the board if they want to continue to push this project forward, all agreed.

BF to organise meeting

Update on Housing and Housing needs survey.

BF reported that from the last meeting he was asked to investigate whether or not Housing needs survey for the area had been completed by another body and if yes could WAP have or use the results.  Victory housing do not have housing needs surveys completed and use the District Councils.  The District council have confirmed that they do have housing needs surveys done but not every 3 years and that Homes for Wells could not use their data to achieve grants and funds.
BF stated that there is a pot of money available to apply for this funding.  The board expressed concerns that committing WAP housing money to this survey is committing money to something that is already happening and been done.  JT said she would investigate the district council.  It was agreed that BF is to speak to the Norfolk rural community council to ask them to consider lowering the price and to inform Homes for Wells WAP would assist with cost but only a percentage.

JT to speak to District

BF to speak to Homes for Wells and NRCC

Project Review:

Housing
 Fran Marshall still working on the “how to” guide, housing needs survey covered earlier in meeting.

Hope and Smile Group
WAP continues to work with this small but very much needed group in Wells.  Working closely with the group we managed to secure a grant through help the aged for winter celebrations.  We are now looking at a service level agreement with the Mental Health trust for 2 workers and a funding bid to pay for it.  WAP are also costing up a theatre trip to London for the group as for many this would be a huge stepping stone. 

Nelson Club
WAP assisted the Nelson club with a successful funding bid through Help the Aged for winter celebrations.

Walsingham Youth project
The project had a successful Football match where the police actually won.  The event raised £205.00 which £100.00 was donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital.  The rest will be used for a trip out for the young people to go tubing or swimming.  The group are also very keen to re-organise another similar event for the Summer.  The support from local businesses and people really made this event work.  A new service agreement is in the process of being drawn up with youth services.

CATS (Community Action Through Sport)
CATS project is back on track with two new initiatives being put into practise.

• Firstly a drop in IT session for an hour on a Saturday will be held at the Wells Library the CATS young people will be available to help anyone do something online or with a mobile phone.  The community had highlighted a number of people who needed help to set up an email account or write an official letter, this drop in session will be held over three months and possibly continued and spread out across the local parishes.
• Street Cats unfortunately was unsuccessful in its bid for funding so with a fresh look we hope to involve the idea of teaching unengaged young people to sail.

Wells For the Future – Maltings Development
RHP consultants presented their three ideas to the general public over December and also took the time to talk, listen and discuss any concerns or queries.  Out of the three ideas there was one clear winner and we now wait for the draft of timelines and cost, to be able to look at moving this project forward.  The winning idea features a brand new theatre being constructed between the current buildings with a viewing platform on top to give views of the Quay.  The project is very ambitious but seemed to meet everyone’s needs.  This is still a very time consuming but exciting project

Wells Area Community Bank
A new marketing campaign is going into place to encourage people to save for Christmas 2010 or for a Wedding or similar event. We are looking for cohesion from other community banks through the LAPA to establish a sense of unity not only for the community bank but also for the area Partnerships.

WAP Debt Management Project
The training for this was booked but unfortunately cancelled as the trainer was snowed in, we hope for this to be rearranged in the next few weeks.

Apprenticeships with Scira
Meetings are being planned with all parties this month and although there is a long way to go WAP have also welcomed Helen Gordan from connexions to also help and support this long term plan.

Blakeney Harbour rooms  
Working closely with the Harbour Rooms in Blakeney, WAP have decided to be posted there one day a week.  The current projects being started are:

• A community survey to find out what the community would use or like to see within the Harbour rooms and what they would support.
• A funding bid for a community equipment store and also an activities week for young people in the summer holidays with activities run by all the different groups, resulting in a disco on the Saturday night.  This bid has now managed to get through 2 rounds and now has to go to final decision with a presentation made by WAP.
• A funding bid for the Glaven Valley area for up to £50,000.  Meeting planned for Wednesday evening to get the community together to come up with an idea.
• Supporting a local artist to set up a gallery in an unused barn.

Any Other Business

• AB – Free computers for families, there will be a session at APHS on 26th January for families to fill out the forms with support.
• AB – 3rd July funday healthy schools healthy community theme. More info to come.
• PR – No date yet but Teddy Maufe from Real Ale Shop possibility of a North Norfolk food and drink event in summer, celebrating local produce. More info to come.
• PR – M Strong meeting regarding the second homes council tax money 1 million available and although it is strongly suggested that this will be spent on roads and drains.  M Strong doing her bit to try and get some money for the Maltings project.  Meeting to discuss this is later this week and hopefully outcome will be available for discussion at next meeting.
• PL – John Milwood has asked for some formal communication with WAP regarding the coastal protection rural England CPRE.  PL asked BF to make contact with John.
• PL – Quakers have presented a representative to join the Environment group.  The group will have a relaunch this spring which will be advertised in the Quay.
• BF – Reported that the WAP project report was given as an example of outstanding area Partnership work by NNCP.  Also BF has been asked to give a report at the Stakeholders meeting for the NNDC regarding what WAP achieved last year and aims to achieve this year.
• BF – LAPA, BF stated that at the last Local Area Partnership meeting he was confused as to all of the politics discussed around funding and letters of comfort.  BF asked panel if they wanted him to get more involved in the politics of the NNDC and NNCP because he would rather spend his time in the community doing something and felt that other area partnerships were more focussed on Politics than community.  The board responded that they are happy for BF to continue with his full focus on the community and not the politics as this was a reflection of the WAP boards own feelings and views.

Date of next meeting

TUESDAY 23RD MARCH 2010