Minutes of Meeting 12th December 2002 Present: Mike Goodman - Chair Melanie Ord - Trinity Youth Jack Dodds - Royal British Legion G Burn - Newbiggin Sailing Club Cllr Tom Saunders - NCC Carol Butchart - Colliery Estates Pat Fenwick - Newbiggin Ladies Bowls Club Glynis Reynolds - Age Concern J Davison - St Andrew's Church Cllr M Boon - WDC J J Taylor - West End Neighbourhood Watch H Gustard - Newbiggin Allotment Society J M Grieve - St Bartholomew's Church Vaun Campbell - Alcan Stephen Peel - High-flyers Club Joan Rose - Newbiggin History Group Guests: Mike Trimming - NCC In attendance: Karen Maclean - WDC Kevin Wright - Wansbeck CVS/ CEF 1. Apologies Bill Cooper - Spital Resident's Ass;Cllr A Thompson - WDC; George Penman - Wansbeck Football Development Gr.; Will Rogers - New Bigginings; Susan Hawkins - Wansbeck Works!; Bobby Glen -Woodhorn & Newbiggin's Women's Institute; Jean Thompson - Rambler's Association; Mabel Wallace - Welfare Crescent Resident's Ass; Cllr McAlpine - WDC; Thomas Arkle - Newbiggin Central Welfare FC. As there were new Members present the Chair asked everyone around the table to introduce themselves. 2. Ashington School Review Mike Trimming thanked Members for the opportunity to address the meeting in relation to the review process. He gave members an overview of the review, please see the attached. In response to questions from the floor, Mike informed members that: NCC are currently looking at whether to have one high school or two in the Ashington area, but would not want children to travel too far as this would have costly implications for NCC. There will still be scope for consultation after the bid goes in March 03, as this will be an outline bid. A more detailed case will be submitted between autumn 03 and spring 04. It is not anticipated that any nursery provision will be lost due to the review. To reduce problems such as those faced by South Tyneside, NCC hope to put in proposals that are well based following extensive consultation and information giving. At the last meeting in Newbiggin there was not much concern expressed by Newbiggin residents. Most queries came from Linton residents concerned about their school provision. It is not cost effective to refurbish existing schools in Newbiggin so NCC is looking to replace them. If the first schools were amalgamated class sizes would not rise, and the overall size of the school would be average compared with other across the Country. Representatives of the schools gave mixed responses - some felt one school is the way forward, whilst others wanted the two schools refurbished. Although certain problems can be associated with large schools, there are problems with small schools also. There is the need to strike a balance. The regeneration of Newbiggin will be taken into account, and school places will be forecast as they always are. The PFI bid is a means of financing school buildings, and NCC would only be able to do piecemeal repairs without it. Any future plans for the village will be taken into account when looking at any possible new locations for schools. NCC will work alongside WDC. Stephen Peel reminded Members that there are no set plans and these are just ideas at this time. This information needs to be kept in context when fed back to individual groups, and further consultation will be carried out. The Chair thanked Mike for coming to the meeting and talking to Members. 3. Matters arising from minutes of 24/10/02 Item 4 - Partnership Workshop: Will Rogers and Jack Dodds volunteered to be members of a working party to progress this item. Item 5 - Charitable Status: The Chair informed Members that this is being progressed and he will keep members informed. Item 7 (I) - Bank account: This has been opened with Unity Trust. Signatories are Mike Goodman, George Penman and Tom Arkle. Item 7 (II) - Kidz Avenue: This project is now underway. Item 7(III) - Spital Housing Estate Children's Play Area: Old-fashioned games are being put on site. There has been a slight delay but the project should soon be underway again. Item 8(II) - Sure Start: A response has not yet been sent to Colin Mitchell due to the Chair being out of the country. A member suggested someone else take responsibility for this, however there were no offers from the floor. The Chair informed members that a response would be sent as and when time allowed. Item 9 - Prioritised Projects: Flowerbeds in Emmerson, Oswald and King George's: removals are now underway. There is dissent amongst local resident's as to whether flowerbeds in Avis Avenue should be removed therefore this scheme has been put on hold. Flowerbeds remaining in Meldon Terrace were queried, however Members were informed that they had not been put forward for this year's schemes. They could be included in the list for next financial year but there was no guarantee funds will be available. These beds were not removed when others on the same street were removed. This was due to objections by a local resident who had now moved away. This could potentially happen in Avis, and will cost more money to remove at a later date if they are not included in the current scheme. Item 10 - Fair Shares Lottery: There has been no progression to date. Resolved - The minutes of the meeting were received and approved as a correct record. 4. Ocean Youth Club Ketch Ashley brown has indicated that he is happy to come on board with this project. Members unanimously approved that this project goes ahead. 5. Partnership Workshop A provisional date for 1st March 03 has been agreed with the research team to hold the workshop. 6. Any other business previously notified Newbiggin St Bartholomew's Fayre - Joan Rose of Newbiggin History Group informed members that they have joined with the Simonside Youth Theatre to try and raise more money and to get more people involved in the pageant this year. They are looking for volunteers who can help in any way. It is to be held over 3 days on the August Bank Holiday weekend. Anyone who has an interest and would like to be involved is invited to attend the People's House on any Thursday morning between 10am and 12pm. The booklet 'Perceptions of Our Past' is available from the Sports Centre reception 7. Date and time of next meeting Resolved - the next full Partnership meeting will be held on 13 February 2003. The Chair thanked Members for attending.