Minutes

of the meeting of the Community First Brierley Hill Panel held at St Michaels Church on 19th March 2013 commencing at 7pm Present
Panel Members Peter Plant, John Rogers, Tim Sunter NB As only three panel members were present this meant that the meeting was inquorate. It was agreed that any decisions taken by the meeting would be ratified via email with all panel members. Others Gary Colwell, Ray Gibbs, Steven Martin, Tom McCormack, Sensei Ross-Jones, Chris Sygowski

Apologies
Rachel Harris, David Hoskin, Graham Hudson, Andrew Mann-Ray, Gary Wright

Minutes of the previous meeting

The notes of the previous meeting were read and agreed.

Matters Arising
There were no matters arising which weren't already covered elsewhere on the agenda.

Community First Plan

TS gave an update on the production of the Community First Plan, discussion of which had taken place at previous meetings of the panel. The following structure for the plan had been adopted: 1. A description of Brierley Hill and the issues and challenges it faces 2. A description of how the plan has been created 3. A review of documentation relation to Brierley Hill and previous surveys - so as not to reinvent the wheel.

4. Community First Survey - the survey was shared with the meeting. Initial feedback from groups who had attended the recent Community Forum meeting was given. The survey would be further conducted online with key community activists asked to contribute. The list of potential contributors was circulated to the meeting and the meeting made suggestions for additions and updated the data. 5. Identification of priorities emerging from the research. 6. A summary of community assets and resources - this would be compiled using Google Maps so it could be continually updated online. 7. A list of grants awarded to date together with a brief description of each project which had received funding. 8. The Action Plan The meeting agreed to the methodology and the structure of the plan. TS was asked to complete the work and to get sign off via email.

Grants Awarded to Date

The following table was shared with the meeting. It illustrated the status of grants awarded to date: Funded Group United Kids and Youth Outreach St Paul's Community Learning Centre South Street Baptist Church Hawbush Community Gardens Brierley Hill Project Brierley Hill Easy Keep Fit Class Brier-Lea over 50s Club Bushfields Community Association 3rd Brierley Hill (St Recommended Amount 1,140.33 750.00 2,500.00 945.97 1,500.00 500.00 250.00 500.00 500.00 Paid Amount 1,140.00 750.00 2,500.00 945.97 1,500.00 500.00 250.00 500.00 500.00

Michael's) Scout Group Alzheimer's Support Group St Paul's Community Learning Centre Steppup Puppets Amblecote Christian Centre Crusaders After-Schools Club Dudley Strategic Campaigns Team Young Leaders Brierley Hill Team Outreach BLACK COUNTRY REBELS DANCE GROUP Nine Locks Shotokan Karate Club Grand Total 700.00 700.00 750.00 810.00 790.00 900.00 2,400.00 526.00 2,110.00 2,465.74 20,738.04 700.00 700.00 750.00 810.00 790.00 900.00 0.00 526.00 2,110.00 0.00 15,871.97

Grant Applications
Grants applications had been received from The Lion's Boxing Club for 1,437.50 and from Brierley Hill Civic Society for 660. The applications were approved subject to the panel agreeing via email. This meant that there was some potential funding available to the panel which might be lost unless applications could be approved before the end of March. Two potential schemes could take up this funding. Firstly was the Brierley Hill at Christmas Project which was aiming to create a community celebration based around the switching on of the Christmas lights in the town. It was felt that giving this scheme a budget would enable an even better event to take place. It was agreed to 'allocate' 2,500 towards this project. Secondly a feasibility study had been carried out in 2011 regarding the potential for a Brierley Hill in Bloom scheme to be developed. Copies of the key sections of the report were circulated to those present. This had a great potential for community participation and would contribute towards the

regeneration of the area. Brierley Hill High Street Traders Association had indicated that they would contribute 2,500 towards the project if the Community First scheme funded 2,500. It was agreed that this was potentially a very exciting project and that the panel would support it. It should be noted that TS declared an interest in the Civic Society and Bloom projects. It was agreed that applications should be worked up, agreed by panel members via email, and submitted to the Community First website before the deadline of 31 March. TS to action.
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Any Other Business

There was no other business