Agenda and minutes

This was an opportunity for football teams from four local primary schools to compete in a football tournament.  There were also other activities including trampolining and table tennis for other young people of Heworth Ward, particularly students of Burnholme Community College.

There were free refreshments available, including burgers, hot dogs, salad and fresh fruit.

The young people were able to take part in a consultation, giving their views about what Heworth Ward Committee can do in the future to improve services available for them in the area.

Approximately 70 residents attended the event.

This was an opportunity for residents to speak to:

·        Their local councillors

·        Their Safer Neighbourhood Team

·        Their Street Environment Officer

They could also find out:

·        About the York Local Involvement Network

·        What’s happening at South Beck

·        What’s happening at Glen Gardens

·        About the progress of the Discus bungalows

·        About the work of the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

6.30pm     Welcome & agree last meetings minutes and sign.

6.35pm            York Local Involvement Network

Annie Thompson – Project Co-ordinator

     6.55pm            Planning Panel Elections

7.05pm    Local Improvement Schemes 2008-09 and Budget Decisions 2009-10

     7.20pm            Have Your Say

5 residents attended the formal meeting.

3.1.   6:30pm – Welcome and minutes

Cllr. Tina Funnell welcomed everybody to the meeting.

The minutes from the October meeting were agreed.

3.2.   Discus Bungalows

Russell Trewartha and Marie Lodge gave some information about the progress of the Discus bungalows development:

3.2.1       There are currently three Discus Bungalows sites set for re-development in the city, Richmond/Faber Street in the Heworth ward and Regent Street and St. Ann’s Court in the Fishergate Ward.

3.2.2       At Richmond Street, plans will see the development of 24 new bungalows for older residents and a further mix of 61 affordable homes.

3.2.3        The current bungalows do not meet Decent Homes Standard, so the Council agreed to the re-development of these sites to create new homes for older people and other much need affordable housing in the city.

3.2.4       196 homes are being built across the sites and the total development process will take 2-3 years.

The project team is planning to hold a further Discus residents and wider community event in April to keep people posted on the project.

3.3.   York Local Involvement Network

This was an opportunity for residents to find out more about the LINk organisation, from Annie Thompson.

3.3.1       The original community health councils changed to LINk from the 1^st April 2008.  This was needed to get health and social services to work together.

3.3.2       LINk is the community’s voice for raising issues and making positive changes.

3.3.3       The service will be geared towards the local perspective, rather than the whole country.

3.3.4       LINk is mostly comprised of community voluntary groups, but also some individuals.

3.3.5       They are hoping to get more people involved in giving their views about local issues. People can be involved as much or as little as they like.

3.3.6       LINk has certain statutory powers from government, for example, they have the power to request a visit to care institutions which people may have concerns about. They can also write reports which will be looked at by higher bodies, such as the healthcare commission and the quality commission.

3.3.7       LINk is a brand new concept and it has taken 5 months to get all materials, such as the constitution etc., together and now they have the structures in place to start getting people involved.

3.3.8       At the launch event on 15^th September 2008, 18 people signed up.

3.3.9       They are looking for a committee of 14; seven ‘community representatives’ from seven areas in York, which have been divided to include 3 wards in each area, and seven individuals who have interests in particular issues.

3.3.10  They are hoping to recruit some LINk ‘experts’; people who have knowledge and experience of the health and social care systems.

3.3.11  They are looking into training for members to be able to conduct interviews etc. They also hope to run a readers’ panel, in which four people are interested so far. This would be to proofread public publications to check their clarity.

3.3.12  They  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.