Agenda item

Councillors are reminded that they will need to declare any interest they may have in budget applications, and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

Anita Patel, Members Support Officer will give an update on the Community Meeting Budget.

The following applications have been received:

• Maya Group Well-Being Project, Maya Group, £2,500     Appendix B1

Anita Patel, Members Support Officer, gave an update on the Community Meeting Budgets and introduced the application that had been received.

The meeting noted that an application that had been deferred from the October meeting, from Paul Saville, Extended Services Co-ordinator, for half-term activities had been withdrawn.

Maya Group – Wellbeing Project

The application from the Maya Group for their Wellbeing Project was discussed, and Dipak Parmar, Manager/Co-Ordinator at the Aapaka Centre, spoke in support of the application, outlining the purpose and benefits of the group. He stated that it was the only group of its kind in the West End, improving health and wellbeing of its attendees and offering friendship for often lonely women. The group was very popular, with a waiting list for membership. It was noted that previous sources of funding had run out and the group may have to close if further funding was not obtained. The requested funding would enable the group to run for six months. The Neighbourhood Policing Team reiterated the good work that the group did.

AGREED: that the meeting supports the funding of  £2,500 from the Ward Action Plan Fund, subject to it also being supported by Councillor Wann and final approval by the Cabinet Lead.

Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

The meeting also discussed further possible funding proposals. Anita recommended that the setting up of a new Neighbourhood Watch Scheme that had been awarded £500 (subject to a pending partnership project with the police) in March 2009 be allocated a further £500, as there were now sufficient interested residents willing to set up up two Neighbourhood Watch Schemes in the ward.

AGREED: that the meeting supports the funding of a further £500 from the Ward Action Plan Fund, subject to it also being supported by Councillor Wann and final approval by the Cabinet Lead.

Meeting for Polish Community

Anita stated that the Ward Councillors intended to hold a special meeting for members of the Polish community, and some of the remaining funds would be allocated towards this.

AGREED: that the meeting supports the proposals as above regarding a meeting for the Polish community.

Environmental improvements

Anita reminded the meeting of a recommendation under the Environmental Services item, that remaining funds were to be allocated to environmental improvements, such as replacing bins on sites such as Tudor Rd area and Woodgate Avenue.  Christopher Nutting, Area Service Manager agreed to carry out inspections of the locations suggested and provide costings.

AGREED: that the meeting supports the proposals to allocate remaining funds to environmental improvements.

Anita asked residents to recommend any other potential projects for funding, as there would be more funds available in the new financial year. Residents suggested refurbishment of the toilets on Woodgate Adventure Playground, and the replacement of noticeboards on The Rally. Anita encouraged residents to submit an application for the toilets refurbishment and agreed to get costings for the replacement of the noticeboards.