Minutes

Prior to the formal meeting, residents had the opportunity to speak to the Ward Councillors, Neighbourhood Manager and community representatives.

Cllr Potter introduced the new look Heworth Residents Forum and outlined the differences between a residents forum and a ward committee.

Mike Snelling addressed the meeting to publicise a 12 month project that he is working on specifically focussing on unemployed men aged 45 – 65 years of age in the Tang Hall area. The project offers one to one support. The project is looking for volunteer activities in the local area and would welcome suggestions. The project offers participants an opportunity to have a social get together and to develop a peer support network. The project is based at Tang Hall Community Centre sharing the Mind Advocacy Office.

There is need to publicise the project in order to reach out into the community. If anyone is interested in finding out more contact details are as follows:

mike.snelling@yorkmind.org.uk  07436266088                                            

Helen Walker came along to let people know about the tennis club. The club has two courts with floodlights but currently is not well supported. The club has a growing membership and in particular a junior section which helps to bring parents to the club. The building is deteriorating. The club wants to consult the community in order to develop a funding bid to Sport England. Initial ideas include the development of a club house and mini court. The club would welcome any evidence of support from the local community.

Mora Scaife and Anna Bialkowska gave a presentation on the Tang Hall Big Local.

The Tang Hall Big Local Project is a £1 million for Tang Hall. The area of the project is a bit bigger that that which might traditionally be identified as tang Hall and stretches from Layerthorpe up to Burnholme Community College and down to Hull Road. The project is for 10 years and it is very early days in the project the funding was announced in December 12 and a first round of meetings for residents and groups and organisations were held in February 2014.

The project is for people in the area of benefit to determine, local people will decide how the money is spent over 10 years by coming up with a plan. Any local residents interested in helping to get the project started locally is invited to get in touch and would be very welcome.

Garth Foster gave an update on the work of a planning panel. The panel looks at planning applications under 4 categories. 90% of the applications received to review prompted a response of no objections and the most frequent type of application is for house extensions.

An advert had gone out asking for expressions of interest in being involved in the committee. There have been no expressions of interest and some members of the previous panel had stood down and thanks were expressed to all of those who have been involved or continue to be involved in the panel for their voluntary efforts.

Gareth Foster and Dennis Shaw agreed to continue on the panel. This was agreed by the meeting and noted that there was still space for others interested in getting involved and that others could join at a later date.

A general discussion took place about advertising and getting messages out to local residents.

An explanation was given into the change in ward funding with particular reference to projects with a city wide or cluster of ward remit were no longer eligible to apply to resident Forums for funding. Instead they could apply to a city wide funding pot administered on behalf of City of York Council by Your Consortium. Resident Forum Funding would concentrate on very local projects and funding should address one or more of the ward priorities:

·        A safer, cleaner environment

·        A healthier environment

·        Caring for people in our community

Applications would be reviewed at regular team meetings.  More details are available through Mora Scaife, Neighbourhood Manager.

Cllr Tina Funnell fed back on work at Tang Hall Community Centre to create confidential spaces to accommodate the expanding Advise Hub and similar projects.  Also re funding from the Derwenthorpe Fund for the community centre management committee to undertake some consultation to find out what local people really want from their community centre.