Agenda item

Cudworth – held on 18^th November 2019 and 16^th December 2019

Monk Bretton – held on 25^th October 2019 and 6^th December 2019

North East – held on 17^th October 2019 and 21^st November 2019

Royston – held on 28^th October 2019 and 9^th December 2019

The meeting received notes from the Cudworth, Monk Bretton, North East and Royston Ward Alliances held throughout October, November and December 2019.  The following updates were noted:-

Cudworth – The new artwork commemorating the Battle of the Somme has now been installed in Cudworth Pocket Park, paid for by the Cudworth Environmental Group and the Cudworth Ward Alliance.  The Christmas Panto ‘Puss in Boots’ at the Methodist Chursch was a great success.  Recent funding applications include the installation of defibrillators at four different locations across the Ward.   Age UK are facilitating a Dementia Friendly Cafe for a trial period of 6 months at the Cudworth Methodist Church.  The Spring Health Fayre is planned for Saturday 21^st March, 10.30 to 12 at the Methodist church.  The Great British Spring Clean will take place 0n 28^th March, with volunteers meeting at 10 a.m. at Cudworth Park.  The view down the Valley Park is wonderful now that the shrubs have been cleared, and the new fending is being installed.  The skate park equipment at the Dorothy Hyman Sports Stadium is being moved downto the Valley Park and the existing car park is being extended.  This is a large scale project and will take 2 years to complete. 

Monk Bretton – A key project in the Monk Bretton area has been working on the provision of 5 defibrillators, part funded through the Heathy Heart Group.  All defibrillators will have ‘guardians’ who will check the defibrillators on a weekly basis and community training courses will be provided regarding their use.  The community is looking forward to another ‘Great British Spring Clean’ in March.  A raised bed will be installed on the entrance to Lundwood and this will be planted up with a colourful display.

North East – The Christmas pantomimes held at Great Houghton, Shafton and Grimethorpe were a great success.  A ‘Tidy Day’ was held on Wednesday 22^nd January, supported by volunteers from ASOS who collected 56 bags of waste from the Dell area in Grimethorpe.  The Grimethorpe Residents Group is now up and running and are also doing litter picks.  Recent successful funding bids were outlined, including provision of planters at Great Houghton Village Hall and catering equipment at the Methodist church.  Bulb planting has taken place across all 4 villages.  The Great British Spring Clean will take place between 20^th March and 13^th April, with the Ward Alliance encouraging all 4 villages to take part.  The new ‘What’s On’ booklet has now been completed and the Ward Alliance has agreed to joint fund 2 defibrillators in the community.  Each village now has a defibrillator.

Royston – It was reported that the Ward Alliance has been busy working on many projects covering a myriad of issues.  Of the 84 community projects across the area, 26,811 volunteer hours have been contributed which equates to a monetary value of over £300,000.  Defibrillators will be fitted outside stores on the High Street, at the Pavilion, the Police Station, the Pack Horse Public House and the Community Centre at Meadow Crescent.  Plans are in place to kickstart funding for next year’s Christmas lights with funding being provided for 10 Christmas motifs. A Businesses and Communities Group has been set up and they will contact local businesses to discuss funding further Christmas motifs.  CCTV cameras for the Neighbourhood Watch have also been funded.  The Academic Achievement Awards will take place at the Town Hall on 10^th March, and a Health Fayre is planned for 3^rd March at Outwood Academy Carlton.  The Ward Alliance and the S106 Steering Group continue to meet.  Principal Towns have funded the refurbishment of 9 shop fronts to date, and 14 further shop fronts are awaiting installation. The Green Spaces Group continues to meet, working in the local parks and open spaces. They collected over 30 bags of green waste last month.  There will be six Community Events across the Ward during the Great British Spring Clean period, with a Ward Alliance member leading each area.  The second edition of the ‘What’s On’ guide is currently being proofread prior to distribution.

As a result of the very positive feedback received, the Area Counci;l Chair and the Area Council Manager will visit each Ward Alliance twice a year to feedback about the work of the North East Area Council.

RESOLVED that the notes from the Ward Alliances be received.