Minutes STCP AGM 2009

Minutes of the Meeting of the
SWANAGE TOWN & COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
Held at the Town Hall
On 11th June 2009 at 10.00am

Present:
Ann Faulkner            Chair, Swanage Town Community Partnership (STCP)
Alan J Leeson            Treasurer and Town Clerk
Karen Delahay        Hospitality Association and STRATA
Kim Gallagher            Honorary Secretary, STCP
Colin Brixton            STCP Working Group
Carol Lander            STCP Working Group
David Dean            Swanage Heritage Centre
Paddy Rideal            LIONS
Lorna Haines            Y.Axis
Cllr L Gloyn-Cox        Swanage Town Council
Dave Pratten            Swanage Middle School

1) Welcome
Ann Faulkner welcomed the meeting

2) Apologies
Apologies were received from
Cllr Allison Patrick
Jenny Lazenbury        Communicare
Rev. John Wood        Team Rector, Swanage and Studland

3) Appointment of Chairman
Colin Brixton proposed Ann Faulkner as Chairman, seconded by Carol Lander and AGREED UNANIMOUSLY.

4) Appointment of Vice Chairman
Kim Gallagher was proposed by Carol Lander, seconded by Colin Brixton and AGREED UNANIMOUSLY.

5) Appointment of Honorary Treasurer
Alan Leeson, as an officer of the council, has the responsibility of holding the Treasurer post.

6) Appointment of Secretary
Ann Faulkner proposed Kim Gallagher, seconded by Carol Lander and AGREED UNANIMOUSLY.

7) Chair’s Report and Review of the Community Strategic Plan 2008/9
(Summary circulated).
Key points:
•    The CSP Working Group (CSP WG) responded to PDCs draft Tourism Strategy for Purbeck
•    Urban Traffic Flow-  A Swanage walkabout with DCC will be followed by traffic counting surveys. DCC to report back late 2009.
•    DCC Draft Cultural Strategy- members of CSP WG participated in DCCs Cultural Workshop and responded to their draft strategy document
•    Learning and Skills – Extensive discussions were held with Dorset Adult Learning to hold a Learning Day in Swanage
•    Credit Union – A meeting was held with Coastal Credit Union. This is to be followed up with a financial health day planned for 31st Ocober 2009 and to include determining demand for a local branch of the credit union
•    Development Trust Association – The CSP WG had an in depth meeting with the DTA to determine if relevant to STCP.
•    Sustainable Communities Act 2007 – 4 suggestions were submitted including 2nd home extra council tax to be distributed where 2nd homes located and used to deliver CSP, Planning legislation to be used more effectively by PDC to ensure derelict buildings not left unused, local charities to be made more accountable to local people, redistribution of revenues from landfill taxes and local Business Rates to support energy reduction projects.
•    Community Health and Care report- out of hours pilot scheme extended, a public meeting led by the Practice Based Commissioning group was well attended.
•    Draft Purbeck Heritage Strategy and the Purbeck Community Plan – CSP WG has submitted comments to these draft plans. CSPWG has also attended meetings re the Norden Park and Ride review.
•    Economy Report – Chamber of Commerce surveyed businesses in Jan 2009 and results indicate that business is decreasing mid week and increasing at weekends. Employment has fallen and more is being spent on waste disposal and recycling. Businesses also indicated they wanted more investment from local authorities in attracting visitors to the town. The Hospitality Association is working with Chamber of Trade and LVA to share common objectives and encourage more visitors. They are also going to invest in a new website “visitswanage”.

Cllr Gloyn-Cox asked SCP to support access to Swanage by the sea. He was advised that this could be included in the Swanage Coast Development Research Project that is in the SCP.

Dave Pratten advised that Swanage Middle School would welcome more community use. For example it is currently used by groups such as the Sea Rowing Club and Runners.

8) Statement of Accounts

During 2008/9 the Partnership’s financial activity related mainly to MCTi matters and general administrative expenses.
All elements received through the MCTi are ring fenced solely for the elements of the programme and budgets for this initiative. The balance brought forward in 2008/9 of £28,781 has been used to fund £688 during the year. The balance carried forward is £28,093.
General expenses amounting to £71 related to activities which are not specifically pertaining to the MCTi. This expenditure was funded from the contributions made by Swanage Town Council, the Partnership’s only other source of funding. The contribution received in 2008/9 was £2,500. The Town Council also provide “in-kind” support through the provision of a dedicated office and meeting room facilities within the Town Hall.
A balance of £4,317 is carried forward to fund activities for which no other funding is available.
The total balance carried forward to 2009/10 is £32,408.
Alan Leeson also advised that when he is released from current commitments he will forge ahead to support moving projects forward including feasibility studies.

9) Minutes of 2008 AGM
The minutes were agreed unanimously as a true record, proposed by Ann Faulkner and seconded by Colin Brixton

10) Matters Arising
Feedback on the minutes were that (item 9) discussions had taken place with Harrow House and Churches however HH had not come to fruition and further explorations will be held with the churches. (item 12) Regency Dental Services now has more NHS funding. (item 13) The financial health day on 31st October will include a stand for the SCP.

11) General Project Updates and Priorities
Alan Leeson  explained that
•    STC had offered the Football Club a 50 year lease.
•    The new Coastguard Rescue team is now in situ.
•    The planning application had expired for the King Georges Pavilion project.
•    An outcome will be determined on the Caravan Park by 1/10/09. The Council will then have to review budgets and King Georges will be earmarked as the top priority.
•    A long term lease has been offered to the tenants of Beach Gardens.
•    New projects coming through include a request for a new hut for the Swanage Sea Rowing Club.
•    Play in Swanage has been funded by PDC and the first stage completed. Now moving into second stage.
Y Axis Skate Park – Lorna Haines told the meeting that they had completed lots of paperwork for the Environment Agency to extend the Skate Park at a cost of £17k. There is also a huge drainage issue, cost £20k. She advised that they have £12k in account and want to go for a big funding bid.  Lorna also queried if the Pavilion project should be amended to include refreshment facilities. Agreed that it should be placed as an agenda for a Town Council meeting.

Carol Lander requested that STC put more pressure on the Youth Centre to keep it open for longer hours. Alan Leeson advised that STC have a rep on the Board of the Youth Club. Dave Pratten explained that the full time youth worker had left and the Board had to fight for a replacement. They were now going out for a third time to advert.

Karen Delahay reported for the Hospitality Association that they would be setting up a Walking Festival over the next two years and a Dinosaur festival in 2012. They would be seeking funding at an early stage. Alan Leeson agreed to pass to the Chair of Tourism.

12) Any Other Business
Dave Pratten said that it was difficult to get to this meeting during work time. Ann Faulkner replied that they had tried an evening meeting with limited success. It was suggested that there could be a networking event to try and resolve the issue.

13) Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Swanage Town and Community Partnership will be held on Wednesday 9th June at 10.00am in the Town Hall.
The meeting closed at 11.10am.