Minutes of meeting held on Monday 7^th April 2008 at Pill Community Community Centre

 

Present:                      Peter Brewer

Gerald Ashley

Madeline Bickle

Liz Moore

Brian Murphy

Charles Exley

Ivor King

Fay Powell                [North Somerset Council]

Jacqui Ward           [Community Action]

                                    Paul Kent                  Chairman

Yvonne Rees

                                    Sue Tuckwell

 

Apologies:                Jenny Billington

                                    Elspeth Davis

                                    Peter Milner

                                    Gail Joyce

Ralph Whiting

Mike Goldsworthy

Fred Gaskin

                                    Alan Smith

Rhian Tooker

Annie Milton

 

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1. Welcome:

 

PK welcomed everyone to the meeting and indicated that the main purpose of the meeting was to discuss the projects which had been submitted for financial support.

 

 

 

 

2. Minutes of Meeting on 4^th February 2008:

 

Agreed as an accurate record.

 

3. Matters arising:

 

Sue Tuckwell reported that the movement towards FairTrade status was proceeding well. She indicated that it was important to go well above the minimum requirements for recognition. If the CF was able to support the submission as outlined in her paper, this attracted further funding. She had made very positive links with St. Katherine's and the Co-op was also interested in supporting the application. She was looking into the possibility of persuading some local businesses to use Fair Trade products in their vending machines.

 

Pete Brewer reported that the Resource Centre had received funding until the end of 2008 but the situation was still very critical. Some funding had been received from the Fair Share Trust but he was looking for volunteer help for evening duty sessions, fundraising expertise, and financial and marketing knowledge. He explained that some of the staff had become disheartened by the situation.

 

Liz Moore reported that Pill in Bloom had recently carried out some significant replanting and that progress was equally pleasing on the community orchard, the flower bank and Watchhouse Hill.

 

It was noted that the parish is due to feature in the next edition of North Somerset Life.

 

Jacqui Ward suggested that it would be helpful if this good practice could be shared with other parishes – eg  Congresbury.

 

4. Projects:

 

Following information received on the areas above it was unanimously agreed that £1200 should be allocated to the Environment Group for the projects specified in the grant application forms and £500 to the Fairtrade Village Group.

 

It was also agreed that Paul Kent would discuss more specific funding requirements with Ian Hawkins about Disability Awareness.

 

The Community Forum also agreed that it was vital to support the Resource Centre and would look very favourably upon any submission from Pete Brewer for a specific time-limited activity – eg cooking classes.

 

 

 

 

5. Parish Plan:

 

Fay Powell congratulated the Parish on its Plan and felt that it was a benchmark of excellence. She requested permission to use it for national coverage to which the Community Forum readily agreed.

 

6. Finance:

 

There continue to be some difficulties with the establishment of a bank account but these should be resolved by the time of the next meeting.

 

7. Date of next meeting:

 

Monday 16^th June at 7.30pm in the Community Centre.

 

 

 

Meeting ended at  8.30pm.