Meeting on Friday 21st July
We (Rob, Blanche, Delith, Wendy and Kerry) had a really positive meeting yesterday with Adrian Rourke, Kim Brom, Peter Short, Mahmood Hussain and Don Brown. Loads of things discussed, our heads are now spinning! It was great to meet the people we have been communicating with via e-mail. Lots to be done, but realistically we probably won't get much more done until Sept as lots of people away at differing times over the school holidays, but at least we now know which direction to head in!
Below is an e-mail Adrian sent which is a summary of points discussed. Rob and Blanche will produce more extensive minutes at a later date.
I had a meeting earlier today at Handsworth Park in the Sons of Rest Community Building with the three Ward Councillors, Peter Short, Dr. Rob Smith, Delith Edstrom, Blanche Singh and few other local residents, child and baby, who have formed a group called "Handsworth Parents for Play". Jackie Ellis was unable to attend. We had, I believe, a very productive meeting.
Rob Smith and the other members of the "Handsworth Parents for Play" group tabled a note outlining matters of concern and interest for discussion, making the point that they very much wanted to work with BCC Officers and Councillors to explore ways and means of moving things forward. In brief the points discussed revolved around the following:
Sources of funding to target in order to secure £200-300,000
More extensive, challenging and exciting play and recreational facilities for children in the age ranges 7/8 - 11/12 and teenagers in general
The formation of and input to a Park Consultative Group/Committee
Request for more local community events within the park
Funding - Possible sources of funding mentioned at the meeting were:
BCC capital bid recently submitted by Perry Barr District - Decision awaited.
Big Lottery Fund - Rob Smith to check this out via the BLF website.
Birmingham Play Strategy & Action Plan - Rob Smith to contact Ian James/John Freeman/ Rose Jewkes and/or Jan Kimber to check if eligible and appropriate.
Living Spaces second round may be announced this Autumn by Central Government - All to watch out for this.
Landfill Tax Credit - May be a possibility, but would have to be submitted by Groundwork Birmingham & Solihull who are registered with ENTRUST.
SRB6 projected underspend - Councillor Hussain to ask at the next SRB6 Board Meeting if they have any underspend funding available and if they need good quality, "fast track" schemes that could usefully "mop up" any such underspend in 2006-07.
Play & recreational equipment - Rob Smith will contact Val Edwards (Technical Manager in The Landscape Practice Group, Parks, Sports & Events Service, Local Services Directorate) to ask for the latest schedule of approved play and recreational equipment manufacturers as the "Handsworth Parents for Play" group would like to see what is available.
Delith Edstrom circulated some mounted photographs of good quality play areas illustrating a range of really interesting equipment for disabled and able bodied children at Banners Gate in Sutton Park, Dartmouth Park in Sandwell, Finsbury Park in London and ANOther facility in Wales.
Handsworth Park Consultative Steering Group/Committee - Rob Smith, Delith Edstrom, the other residents and Ward Councillors present at the meeting were really keen to see the Consultative Steering Group/Committee set up ASAP.
Peter Short and I advised that the earliest that a formally constituted Consultative Steering Group/Committee is likely to be set up by will be April 2007. However, it was felt that an informal meeting of interested parties before that date sometime in September would be useful.
Peter Short agreed to speak to Robin Bryan about moving forward with the suggestion and calling such a meeting in September to involve all interested parties, such as The Handsworth Park Association, Handsworth Parents for Play, Hinstock Road and Philip Victor Road Residents Association, Grove Road Residents Association, The Friends of St. Mary's Churchyard, the Police, the Probation Service, Handsworth Cricket Club, key officers from the Parks, Sports & Events Service, Perry Barr District Office and Ward Support Officer, Groundwork Birmingham & Solihull, Leisure Centre Manager, Play Centre Manager, Ward Councillors etc.
Community events - Rob Smith and the other residents present were very keen to see more community events happening within the park given the recent success of the Grand Opening of Handsworth Park which attracted a wide range of people. That is a matter that requires further consideration by all involved as such events, although undoubtedly popular, are costly to arrange and the issue of revenue funding needs some further thought before committing to additional community events within the park.
Adrian Rourke
Head of Landscape Development
Hope this inspires you all!
Delith.
Below is an e-mail Adrian sent which is a summary of points discussed. Rob and Blanche will produce more extensive minutes at a later date.
I had a meeting earlier today at Handsworth Park in the Sons of Rest Community Building with the three Ward Councillors, Peter Short, Dr. Rob Smith, Delith Edstrom, Blanche Singh and few other local residents, child and baby, who have formed a group called "Handsworth Parents for Play". Jackie Ellis was unable to attend. We had, I believe, a very productive meeting.
Rob Smith and the other members of the "Handsworth Parents for Play" group tabled a note outlining matters of concern and interest for discussion, making the point that they very much wanted to work with BCC Officers and Councillors to explore ways and means of moving things forward. In brief the points discussed revolved around the following:
Sources of funding to target in order to secure £200-300,000
More extensive, challenging and exciting play and recreational facilities for children in the age ranges 7/8 - 11/12 and teenagers in general
The formation of and input to a Park Consultative Group/Committee
Request for more local community events within the park
Funding - Possible sources of funding mentioned at the meeting were:
BCC capital bid recently submitted by Perry Barr District - Decision awaited.
Big Lottery Fund - Rob Smith to check this out via the BLF website.
Birmingham Play Strategy & Action Plan - Rob Smith to contact Ian James/John Freeman/ Rose Jewkes and/or Jan Kimber to check if eligible and appropriate.
Living Spaces second round may be announced this Autumn by Central Government - All to watch out for this.
Landfill Tax Credit - May be a possibility, but would have to be submitted by Groundwork Birmingham & Solihull who are registered with ENTRUST.
SRB6 projected underspend - Councillor Hussain to ask at the next SRB6 Board Meeting if they have any underspend funding available and if they need good quality, "fast track" schemes that could usefully "mop up" any such underspend in 2006-07.
Play & recreational equipment - Rob Smith will contact Val Edwards (Technical Manager in The Landscape Practice Group, Parks, Sports & Events Service, Local Services Directorate) to ask for the latest schedule of approved play and recreational equipment manufacturers as the "Handsworth Parents for Play" group would like to see what is available.
Delith Edstrom circulated some mounted photographs of good quality play areas illustrating a range of really interesting equipment for disabled and able bodied children at Banners Gate in Sutton Park, Dartmouth Park in Sandwell, Finsbury Park in London and ANOther facility in Wales.
Handsworth Park Consultative Steering Group/Committee - Rob Smith, Delith Edstrom, the other residents and Ward Councillors present at the meeting were really keen to see the Consultative Steering Group/Committee set up ASAP.
Peter Short and I advised that the earliest that a formally constituted Consultative Steering Group/Committee is likely to be set up by will be April 2007. However, it was felt that an informal meeting of interested parties before that date sometime in September would be useful.
Peter Short agreed to speak to Robin Bryan about moving forward with the suggestion and calling such a meeting in September to involve all interested parties, such as The Handsworth Park Association, Handsworth Parents for Play, Hinstock Road and Philip Victor Road Residents Association, Grove Road Residents Association, The Friends of St. Mary's Churchyard, the Police, the Probation Service, Handsworth Cricket Club, key officers from the Parks, Sports & Events Service, Perry Barr District Office and Ward Support Officer, Groundwork Birmingham & Solihull, Leisure Centre Manager, Play Centre Manager, Ward Councillors etc.
Community events - Rob Smith and the other residents present were very keen to see more community events happening within the park given the recent success of the Grand Opening of Handsworth Park which attracted a wide range of people. That is a matter that requires further consideration by all involved as such events, although undoubtedly popular, are costly to arrange and the issue of revenue funding needs some further thought before committing to additional community events within the park.
Adrian Rourke
Head of Landscape Development
Hope this inspires you all!
Delith.
posted by Blanche & Rob at 11:02 AM
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