MINUTES OF THE JOINT TRIMDONS PARTNERSHIP MEETING

6.30pm on Tuesday 3^rd March 2009

At Trimdon Colliery and Deaf Hill Workingmen’s Club

Present:

Peter Brookes (Chair)

Ellen Guest

Berni Thompson

Lynsey Garraghan

Lucy Hovvels

Cynthia Swindells

Les Oliver

Christine Carter

Margaret Hughes

Christine Coomber

1.  Apologies
Su Jordan; Pamela Duddin, Victoria Tiffin, Margaret Girvan

Unfortunately Gail Bland from the Development Trust Association was unable to attend this meeting and will therefore be attending the next meeting of the Partnership in April.

Actions:

2.  Previous Meetings Minutes

Agreed as a true record.

3.  Matters Arising

A request was made for the time to be included on the agenda of future meetings.

Su Jordan

4.  Youth Issues

Ellen Guest and Cynthia Swindells from the Sedgefield Rural Corridor Youth Project have been undertaking some detached youth work in Trimdon Colliery since October 2008.  The workers, operating from a mini-bus work with the young people to engage them in activities and issue based youth work.  They approached the Partnership for support to develop their group; in particular they would like dedicated use of a mini-bus for project.

It was suggested that the purchase of such a vehicle may be a potential project for the new Area Action Partnership.

Four young people from the project joined the meeting.  When asked what they would like to see provided for them in the community, they responded by requesting that the MUGA floodlights be turned on.

The young people also said they would like somewhere to go when it is raining.  The possibility of locating a youth shelter into the MUGA area was suggested.  Consideration to be given to incorporating a Youth Shelter into the Master Plan.

The group have been to visit the Youth Drop-in at Sedgefield on a couple of occasions and would like to have similar provision available in the local area.

As a quick win for the group, the possibility of using the SMART Bus was suggested.

Lucy Hovvels suggested that the Youth Group investigate costings for the Youth Shelter.

It was noted that Committee of the Trimdon Colliery Community Association are still operating and are currently looking at alternative ways and potential funding streams to provide a facility for the Community.

Lucy Hovvels

Youth Group

Liability Insurance

It was reported that at the recent Special Meeting of the Joint Trimdons Partnership (JTP) it was agreed to proceed with the purchase of Public Liability Insurance for the group.

6. Action Plan

Su Jordan has updated the JTP Action Plan following the Special Meeting.  It is important that projects are constantly brought forward so that they can be fed into the new Area Action Partnership structures.  A copy of the updated Action Plan to be circulated with the minutes of this meeting.

Lynsey Garraghan asked if there was a possibility of incorporating Trimdon Station into the Masterplan.  It was advised that this piece of work stemmed from a previous environmental study and it would not be feasible.  However, it was suggested that a proposal could be put be put forward to have an environmental appraisal undertaken on Trimdon Station if funding can be secured.

Su Jordan

7. Any Other Business

Consultants be followed up regarding the Community Appraisal paid for by Sedgefield District Council.

The East Durham Rural/Sedgefield & the Trimdons AAP Launch Event is to be held on the 29th April at Sedgefield Community College at 6pm. 

Sheila Pearson from Youth Engagement is to be invited to attend the next JTP meeting.

Victoria Tiffin attended the Special Meeting of the group to discuss the possibility of setting up a Charity Shop for the Trimdons.  The premises that Victoria is interested in using can be leased for four years for a fee of £2000. Victoria had requested a £1000 loan from JTP towards this amount. 

It was felt that whilst the group are supportive of the project in principle, there are some issues that need to resolved.  For example, whether the group has the power to undertake regular trading as part of it’s constitution, whether the JTP’s current structure is appropriate for taking on such a project and whether the proposed location of the shop is the most suitable. 

In order to move the project forward it was agreed that the ‘Charity Shop’ would be added as a standard item on future meeting agenda’s and that a sub-group could  be formed with Victoria taking the lead.

Lucy Hovvels to explore business rates and leases.

Lynsey Garraghan to seek further advice on legal structures and trading rules.

Ginny Kemp has produced a Child Protection Policy, an Equal Opportunities Policy and a Health and Safety Policy for the group.  Copies to be circulated with the minutes of this meeting.

Peter Brookes to contact David Gallagher from the PCT regarding Trimdon Grange Clinic.

Lucy Hovvels

Su Jordan
Victoria Tiffin & Others

Lucy Hovvels

Lynsey Garraghan

Su Jordan

Peter Brookes

8. Correspondence

12th March – CAVOS How the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) voice can be heard in the new Local Government Structures at Shildon Civic Hall.

23rd March at Middlesbrough or 27th March at Gateshead - ESFVON The European Social Fund 2007 – 2013 An explanatory guide for voluntary organisations to ESF Co-Financing and the tender process.

25^th March - One Voice Network Countywide Conference at Durham  County Cricket Club.

9. Treasurers Report

The balance as at 28/11/09 was £11,894.

10. Diary Dates

Thursday 12th March
Breast Cancer Awareness, Trimdon Station Residents Association

Monday 16th March
Free Health Drop-In at Trimdon Grange Community Centre

10. Date, Venue and Time of Next Meeting

Tuesday 7th April 2009, at 6.30pm in Trimdon Colliery and Deaf Hill Workingmen’s Club.