PRESENT: Vice Chair and Treasurer Richard Coates, Secretary Kevin Leakey, Minute Secretary John Phillips, Maria Carchedi, John and Vi Clark, Stella Edwards, John and Pam Freegard, Tim French, Olive Hitchcock, Kate Johnson, Alan Jones, Rebecca McIntosh, Sue Osbaldstone, Val Purvis, Peter Thelwall, Ros Timlin.
ALSO PRESENT: John Taylor, Councillor Derique Montaut
Friday, 3 October 2008
Thursday, 2 October 2008
Report on the Progress of the Broadgreen Community Plan
With thanks to Community Planner Holly Huber for this report.
On Saturday 27th September, Community Plan members met to look at Health and Well-being, both physical and mental, and why this is important for ourselves and the communities we live in. We had two guest speakers: Ann Mooney from SUNS, a charity promoting the rights and interests of people suffering from mental health illnesses. We also welcomed Cheryl Heynes from Lifestyles, (part-funded by the Primary [Health] Care Trust), who focus on increasing adult participation in activity or 'exercise', up to the recommended target of 30 minutes, 5 times a week.
They were both inspiring speakers. Those who were there said that they felt they now understand far more about mental health, (which can affect 1 in 6 adults at some point in their lives), and the knock-on effects that it can have on the lives of those around them. As well as being the Director of a charity, Ann Mooney is the first mental health patient in the UK to become the Chairwoman of a Mental Health Trust. This is by any measure an achievement, but even more remarkable for someone who very openly and honestly talks about her own situation: Ann has brain-damage, takes up to 50 pills a day, and still suffers from mental ill-health and a physical disability. The route to Ann's successful career was through becoming a volunteer, and Ann now has a very important - and paid - job which she loves.
Cheryl Heyne showed us all how easy, fun and social it can be to get involved in physical activities, whether this be walking, dancing, or swimming, or even just playing with a ball while sitting on your sofa watching TV! Any form of movement that gets you a little short of breath and a bit warmer, helps to build up strength, flexibility, mobility. Better health keeps you well in mind and body, and helps to prevent illness. You can also do 10 minutes of activity at a time, if that suits you better.
The aim of the day was to show how we all in our communities can use the Broadgreen Plan to promote better health, prevent ill-health, or reduce the inequalites in health experienced by people living in different areas. We can do this in two main ways. Firstly we can improve the environment and the factors which affect our health from outside. Secondly, we can take a lead in promoting good health for ourselves by ourselves by trying to meet the eating “five fruit & vegetables a day“ target, and taking some gentle form of exercise to built up our health to prevent, manage or reduce the impact of illnesses and conditions. Both of these aims are affected by the quality of environment around us, which is why the Plan can help support better health in Broadgreen.
The Community Plan Partnership meets again on the 15th October 2008 here, in the lounge at 6.30pm-7.30pm. All those who are interested in making a positive contribution to improving the area, and building up the strength of this community to see these changes through, or would just like to know a bit more about how they might be able to help will be most welcome. No one will be asked to do anything they don't feel comfortable with, and there are many different ways you can be part of the plan's success. We will start by forming small groups to tackle important issues like crime, traffic, litter, open space, local skills, and better activites or facilities for young people. Please join us if you want to be part of making a real difference to this area.
The next Community Plan Saturday event will be on Saturday 25th October from 10 -1pm, in the lounge at the Broadgreen Centre, when we will be looking at the local economy of Broadgreen. Jobs, training, skills, and opportunities affect the earnings of people living in this community. Improving the chances and income of people would alter the reputation of Broadgreen, begin to chip away at some of the discrimination people living in this area might suffer from those outside it. Beliefs about the area affects market 'confidence', which IN TURN can affect house prices, local shops and services, life chances, jobs and earnings, among other things. We will also be doing an exercise called "The Yellow Brick Road" on how to set up a Community Shop/ Cafe/ IT point, which will be enjoyable, and your ideas are important, and will be valued.
So that's Wednesday 15th October 6.30-7.30pm for the Community plan group meeting and Saturday 25th October 10-1pm for the Improve your Local Economy event. I hope you can join us. If you want more information please call Holly Huber on 01793 466415.
On Saturday 27th September, Community Plan members met to look at Health and Well-being, both physical and mental, and why this is important for ourselves and the communities we live in. We had two guest speakers: Ann Mooney from SUNS, a charity promoting the rights and interests of people suffering from mental health illnesses. We also welcomed Cheryl Heynes from Lifestyles, (part-funded by the Primary [Health] Care Trust), who focus on increasing adult participation in activity or 'exercise', up to the recommended target of 30 minutes, 5 times a week.
They were both inspiring speakers. Those who were there said that they felt they now understand far more about mental health, (which can affect 1 in 6 adults at some point in their lives), and the knock-on effects that it can have on the lives of those around them. As well as being the Director of a charity, Ann Mooney is the first mental health patient in the UK to become the Chairwoman of a Mental Health Trust. This is by any measure an achievement, but even more remarkable for someone who very openly and honestly talks about her own situation: Ann has brain-damage, takes up to 50 pills a day, and still suffers from mental ill-health and a physical disability. The route to Ann's successful career was through becoming a volunteer, and Ann now has a very important - and paid - job which she loves.
Cheryl Heyne showed us all how easy, fun and social it can be to get involved in physical activities, whether this be walking, dancing, or swimming, or even just playing with a ball while sitting on your sofa watching TV! Any form of movement that gets you a little short of breath and a bit warmer, helps to build up strength, flexibility, mobility. Better health keeps you well in mind and body, and helps to prevent illness. You can also do 10 minutes of activity at a time, if that suits you better.
The aim of the day was to show how we all in our communities can use the Broadgreen Plan to promote better health, prevent ill-health, or reduce the inequalites in health experienced by people living in different areas. We can do this in two main ways. Firstly we can improve the environment and the factors which affect our health from outside. Secondly, we can take a lead in promoting good health for ourselves by ourselves by trying to meet the eating “five fruit & vegetables a day“ target, and taking some gentle form of exercise to built up our health to prevent, manage or reduce the impact of illnesses and conditions. Both of these aims are affected by the quality of environment around us, which is why the Plan can help support better health in Broadgreen.
The Community Plan Partnership meets again on the 15th October 2008 here, in the lounge at 6.30pm-7.30pm. All those who are interested in making a positive contribution to improving the area, and building up the strength of this community to see these changes through, or would just like to know a bit more about how they might be able to help will be most welcome. No one will be asked to do anything they don't feel comfortable with, and there are many different ways you can be part of the plan's success. We will start by forming small groups to tackle important issues like crime, traffic, litter, open space, local skills, and better activites or facilities for young people. Please join us if you want to be part of making a real difference to this area.
The next Community Plan Saturday event will be on Saturday 25th October from 10 -1pm, in the lounge at the Broadgreen Centre, when we will be looking at the local economy of Broadgreen. Jobs, training, skills, and opportunities affect the earnings of people living in this community. Improving the chances and income of people would alter the reputation of Broadgreen, begin to chip away at some of the discrimination people living in this area might suffer from those outside it. Beliefs about the area affects market 'confidence', which IN TURN can affect house prices, local shops and services, life chances, jobs and earnings, among other things. We will also be doing an exercise called "The Yellow Brick Road" on how to set up a Community Shop/ Cafe/ IT point, which will be enjoyable, and your ideas are important, and will be valued.
So that's Wednesday 15th October 6.30-7.30pm for the Community plan group meeting and Saturday 25th October 10-1pm for the Improve your Local Economy event. I hope you can join us. If you want more information please call Holly Huber on 01793 466415.
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
Monthly Community Plan public event. September 27th 2008
The topic for the morning is 'Health and well-being'.
This will be held at the Broadgreen Centre in Salisbury Street, between 10am and midday.
There will be two guest speakers, one talking about mental health issues and the other from the Lifestyle Unit.
Any Broadgreen residents wishing to attend and input into the plan are very welcome to do so, infact we positively encourage people to attend!
This will be held at the Broadgreen Centre in Salisbury Street, between 10am and midday.
There will be two guest speakers, one talking about mental health issues and the other from the Lifestyle Unit.
Any Broadgreen residents wishing to attend and input into the plan are very welcome to do so, infact we positively encourage people to attend!
SBC Open Space Audit. Central Ward - Open space being eroded.
This audit was only adopted four years ago, and yet between then and now, Central Ward has lost five hectares of outdoor sports facilities. It went from 13.82ha to 8.83ha.
How did this happen? Well originally SBC included the GWR sports ground in Shrivenham Road, which will allegedly one day become another bland housing estate.
With no chance of replacing any of this lost open space within the Central Area, it is important to protect what is left, and what is important to the Broadgreen Area is of course The County Ground.
This is why creating a Community Plan is so very important. It is up to the residents of Broadgreen to become involved and define the issues that are important to this community.
One of the issues will surely be retaining all the green open spaces at the County Ground. Even though people may say the cricket field and athletics track are not open space because they are fenced and do not allow public access, the fact is when you are over there you have the perception of open space, something most people appreciate especially when living in an area like Broadgreen, where there is high density terraced housing and little greenery.
To pinch an 'official' description, the County Ground is a visual amenity for many people and needs to remain so.
Top. Existing recreational areas in 2004. With the GWR sports ground artistically outlined!
Bottom. The more up to date version (2006)
How did this happen? Well originally SBC included the GWR sports ground in Shrivenham Road, which will allegedly one day become another bland housing estate.
With no chance of replacing any of this lost open space within the Central Area, it is important to protect what is left, and what is important to the Broadgreen Area is of course The County Ground.
This is why creating a Community Plan is so very important. It is up to the residents of Broadgreen to become involved and define the issues that are important to this community.
One of the issues will surely be retaining all the green open spaces at the County Ground. Even though people may say the cricket field and athletics track are not open space because they are fenced and do not allow public access, the fact is when you are over there you have the perception of open space, something most people appreciate especially when living in an area like Broadgreen, where there is high density terraced housing and little greenery.
To pinch an 'official' description, the County Ground is a visual amenity for many people and needs to remain so.
Top. Existing recreational areas in 2004. With the GWR sports ground artistically outlined!
Bottom. The more up to date version (2006)
Feed back from July Community Plan public event
The Uses of Outdoor Space: Community Plan Open Space Day , 26th July 2008
These are some of the ways Broadgreen community members and guests defined the ways in which public and private outdoor space can be used.
Positive associations of public open space
· Peace & quiet, Enjoyment
· Seating, Congregating, (i.e. open air religious services)
· Sleeping,
· Walking the dog,
· Courting
· A variety of things to do and places to do them in, including
· Multiplayer parks
· Fresh air & exercise
· Freedom: From traffic, to run/play, to relax
· Permission to use: fences, impediments, Access to & thru paths, etc
Wildlife habitat:
Loss & re-establish to connect with wildlife: Birds, squirrels
Water – natural and artificial features
Sporting & leisure activities and adventure:
Football, games, cheering on, watching sports, camping, caravanning
Play - in playgrounds & informally, supervising grand/children’s play activities. Holiday locations often chosen for vistas and views.
Celebrations & Social Activities:
Festivals & events i.e. the Mela, Community Cohesion Day.
BBQs, People watching, Meeting / gatherings
Sensory:
Noise, Colour, Metaphoric / Symbolic meanings of plants, landscape and seasons etc, Smell of fresh cut grass, Smell/ feel of damp leaves in autumn,
Public to private spectrum: Parks – formal, well-managed places – through to “wilder” informal spaces, then Private spaces: Gardens. Unadopted space (land not apparently owned by anyone) has questionable ownership usage & control.
Negative Associations:
Abuse / lack of care for public space
Dumping/ broken glass/ litter
Conflicts between age groups
Development pressure on “Brownfield” sites – parks sometimes included!
Caution, pollution, Shrubberies hide rubbish
Drug taking paraphernalia badly disposed: Litter – needles
Anti-Social Behaviour: drinking, urinating
These are some of the ways Broadgreen community members and guests defined the ways in which public and private outdoor space can be used.
Positive associations of public open space
· Peace & quiet, Enjoyment
· Seating, Congregating, (i.e. open air religious services)
· Sleeping,
· Walking the dog,
· Courting
· A variety of things to do and places to do them in, including
· Multiplayer parks
· Fresh air & exercise
· Freedom: From traffic, to run/play, to relax
· Permission to use: fences, impediments, Access to & thru paths, etc
Wildlife habitat:
Loss & re-establish to connect with wildlife: Birds, squirrels
Water – natural and artificial features
Sporting & leisure activities and adventure:
Football, games, cheering on, watching sports, camping, caravanning
Play - in playgrounds & informally, supervising grand/children’s play activities. Holiday locations often chosen for vistas and views.
Celebrations & Social Activities:
Festivals & events i.e. the Mela, Community Cohesion Day.
BBQs, People watching, Meeting / gatherings
Sensory:
Noise, Colour, Metaphoric / Symbolic meanings of plants, landscape and seasons etc, Smell of fresh cut grass, Smell/ feel of damp leaves in autumn,
Public to private spectrum: Parks – formal, well-managed places – through to “wilder” informal spaces, then Private spaces: Gardens. Unadopted space (land not apparently owned by anyone) has questionable ownership usage & control.
Negative Associations:
Abuse / lack of care for public space
Dumping/ broken glass/ litter
Conflicts between age groups
Development pressure on “Brownfield” sites – parks sometimes included!
Caution, pollution, Shrubberies hide rubbish
Drug taking paraphernalia badly disposed: Litter – needles
Anti-Social Behaviour: drinking, urinating
Sunday, 21 September 2008
BROADLY SPEAKING SPTEMBER 2008
As reported last month, a Designated Public Place Order now covers the Broadgreen, County Ground and Tescos area, giving the Police extra powers to arrest or confiscate alcohol from people who may be drinking and causing a general nuisance to residents. This is something the BSACC put forward to the Council for consideration last year, and we are pleased to report that the DPPO signs are now being put up around the area.
Back in July, in the hopes of improving the prostitution problem, the BSACC organised a meeting with Chief Superintendent Paul Howlett and the Broadgreen Police Team. At the time people felt the outcome fell more sympathetically on the side of helping the prostitutes rather than the residents, but the good news is the Police have listened and have implemented a dedicated Vice Officer who will work with the Proactive Crime Target Team.
Throughout the summer we have received a string of complaints concerning the activities from the clients that use the Broadgreen Breakfast Club (BBC), which operates from St. Luke’s Church. It would seem that an hour or so before it opens, people are congregating outside, drinking and disturbing residents and when it shuts a group then move to the Broadgreen Centre play area where they continue drinking and being a nuisance. The BBC and the church have both been made aware of these problems, but they feel that their responsibilities only cover the Church Hall, its immediate environs and the hours of opening, so we will be pursuing these problems further.
The Broadgreen Community Plan has been moving forward since the first planning event back in January. On Wednesday 15th October at 6pm in the Broadgreen Centre there will be a meeting to form a steering group, discuss funding and look to employing a project manager to take the plan forward on a more professional basis. If you live in the Broadgreen Area and think you would like to be part of the steering group, you are most welcome to attend.
The next monthly residents meetings are on 1st October and 5th November 2008 at 7.30 pm in the lounge at the Broadgreen Centre. There is no charge to attend meetings, all residents in the Broadgreen area are automatic members and are invited to attend.
Back in July, in the hopes of improving the prostitution problem, the BSACC organised a meeting with Chief Superintendent Paul Howlett and the Broadgreen Police Team. At the time people felt the outcome fell more sympathetically on the side of helping the prostitutes rather than the residents, but the good news is the Police have listened and have implemented a dedicated Vice Officer who will work with the Proactive Crime Target Team.
Throughout the summer we have received a string of complaints concerning the activities from the clients that use the Broadgreen Breakfast Club (BBC), which operates from St. Luke’s Church. It would seem that an hour or so before it opens, people are congregating outside, drinking and disturbing residents and when it shuts a group then move to the Broadgreen Centre play area where they continue drinking and being a nuisance. The BBC and the church have both been made aware of these problems, but they feel that their responsibilities only cover the Church Hall, its immediate environs and the hours of opening, so we will be pursuing these problems further.
The Broadgreen Community Plan has been moving forward since the first planning event back in January. On Wednesday 15th October at 6pm in the Broadgreen Centre there will be a meeting to form a steering group, discuss funding and look to employing a project manager to take the plan forward on a more professional basis. If you live in the Broadgreen Area and think you would like to be part of the steering group, you are most welcome to attend.
The next monthly residents meetings are on 1st October and 5th November 2008 at 7.30 pm in the lounge at the Broadgreen Centre. There is no charge to attend meetings, all residents in the Broadgreen area are automatic members and are invited to attend.
Friday, 5 September 2008
MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 6th AUGUST 2008
PRESENT: Chair person Karen Leakey, Vice Chair and Treasurer Richard Coates, Secretary Kevin Leakey.
Also Present: 17 residents, John Taylor, John Bishop St. Luke’s, Nick Conlan and Leslie Knott – Compliance Officers – SBC Parking Services, Councillor Derique Montaut, 2 drug workers from DHI.
Also Present: 17 residents, John Taylor, John Bishop St. Luke’s, Nick Conlan and Leslie Knott – Compliance Officers – SBC Parking Services, Councillor Derique Montaut, 2 drug workers from DHI.
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