Becky Thoburn (BT), Steve Pearce (SP), Jackie Freeman (JF), Sarah Peacock (SPe) - minutes, Ken Taylor (KT), Barry Mcloed (BM), Jackie Norman (JN), Judith Thomas (JT).

Richard Fletcher, Emma Channon, Peter Main, Howard Millbank

Jackie Freeman (JF)

7:30pm Monday the 21st January 2008 Bocabar.

Thanks to all volunteers who have helped APAG during its first and highly successful year. Not least of all to those who delivered 1500 newsletters in December (NB. a point was made as to whether this mailing was effective as such a small turn out to the meeting. It was agreed that next year's AGM will be held in January)

JF provided a summary so far for this financial year. A note was made that Joules Taylor will need an ongoing cost for the website updates.

JF and BT met John Threadgold (from Bristol City Council) to show him the holes in the paths. He said that we are high up the list but it would be a costly exercise as they now have to consider Accessibility. This needs to be followed up.

Fund Raising Team

Bristol Parks Forum Questionnaire
APAG has been given a questionnaire (Park and green space maintenance monitoring form) to gather feedback on the park. It is very detailed and specific but the more responses we can generate the better, as Arnos Park is one of the Bristol parks that has been earmarked for potential development. The questionnaire is in paper form so need to find online version and circulate to as many people as possible.

SWEET application
BM has submitted an application to SWEET (who oversee funding for parks/ open spaces near to Landfill Sites). This application is for £50k. He has received a good response but feels it is unlikely that the total £50k will be won. Therefore BM has prioritised equipment / items that he feels the park needs, against budget. He proposed that the funds should pay to replace the missing slide / climbing equipment, along with installation costs and this was agreed by all.
NB The Council have agreed to match the funding provided, up to a value of £50k.
BM also suggested that the fund raising group contacts SITA as they offer similar funding opportunities.

Heritage Bid
BM and RF are also pursuing the Heritage Bid with RF leading this bid. BM stated that this needed a consistent push. BT mentioned that the Cemetery is also applying for this budget which could be a potential clash, but BM stated that there are 3 different categories and that we should be applying for a different category.

In terms of all funding bids, exact timescales are not yet known.
For further help and advice with all fundraising activity, BM will contact St Anne's Park to gain advice on how they won their recent funding, and RF has organised to speak to School Road Park bidders who have recently won 㿼k worth of funding.

Chair: Becky Thoburn till March 2008
BT said that she would like to stand down as Chair but would not like to see the group fold. There were no other offers for the position of Chair, so BT agreed to stay in post until a new Chair can be found. BM suggested that if this did not happen, if BT remained Chair for 3 months, he would Chair for the following 3 months if necessary, which was agreed by all.

Vice Chair: Jackie Norman is the new Vice Chair

Secretary: Jackie Freeman is the new secretary

Treasurer: Ken Taylor is the new Treasurer

Head of Dog: Position vacant (Lizzie was proposed (tbc))

It is hoped that those who previously expressed an interest will stand for this position and help APAG represent the dog walkers that use the park

Grants Team: Barry Mcleod & Richard Fletcher (more volunteers needed please)

Environmental Rep: Position vacant (Becky from March 2008)

PR / Publicity: Judith Thomas and Sarah Peacock

Park stories
It was agreed that we need to encourage local people to provide stories about the park - their own experiences, historical information, photos, etc. These stories can then be used to raise interest amongst local people via the website, newsletters and potentially incorporated into the next issue of Ken's History of Arnos Court Park.

Youth links: Position Vacant
BT expressed a big disappointment that the young people of Brislington have made contact with APAG on a number of occasions and APAG have not responded with help. It was agreed that this needed to be followed up as soon as possible in the new year to hear and understand their needs.
BT said that the Youth Bus had been coming to the park on Wednesdays but APAG hadn't been told in advance that it is coming. It is also parked in quite a hidden location on Kings Road so they can make a quick getaway if needed! Therefore there has been a low turnout and are wasting valuable budget. The bus won't come to the park at a peak time such as Friday night as they are worried about intoxicated youths!

Events Coordinator: Position Vacant

Events Team: Steve Pearce (more volunteers needed please)

Community Venue Marketing Team: Positions vacant

There are a number of roles that were not filled and it was agreed that another meeting would be held in January to invite those who were unable to attend the AGM. This meeting would also act as a kick off meeting to welcome new members.

Brislington Football Club
BT discovered that Brislington FC played their first ever season based from Arnos Court Park and next year is their 50th anniversary. It was agreed that this was a potential opportunity for an event and that the club should be approached. Also, need to find out actual date of their first game.

Cemetery links / development: Position vacant (Peter Main was proposed (tbc))

BT gave an update on links / progress with the Gates linking the Park and the Cemetery which is going ahead with the new work due to begin 2008. She has spoken to Rachel Schofield who is the new Business Developemnt Manager for the Cemetery Trust and she is very keen to work with APAG which is great news. Relationship to be established.

Positive outlook
BT said how much she feels the park has improved from 3 years ago when there were burnt out cars on Kings Road as well as in the park and trouble in the park at night such as motor bikes, noise, etc. There are now far fewer problems and a much more diverse group of park users which is really very positive.

Next Committee Meeting: 7:30pm Monday the 21st January 2008
At the Bocabar. FREE PIZZA!


Being no other business, meeting closed 9:30pm

Chair	From March 2008 or sooner if you prefer!
Head of Dog	Hopefully Lizzie will agree though the more the merrier!
Grants Team	To work with Barry and Richard who have worked really hard to get the wording for bids right (future ones should be easier now!)
Environmental Rep	Just for 3 months if you prefer! Or work with Becky.
Youth Link	Really important as the 'youth' are keen to see improvements in the park and we need their ideas and support as well as keeping them up to date with what’s going on.
Events Co-ordinator	To plan the events calendar and oversee the diary of events for the 2 teams (ie make sure nothing clashes!)
Events Team	To work with Steve Pearce. Creating and organising events for the community (as big as the funday if you like or as small as a walk! Includes fund raising events as well as events for their own sake)
Community Venue Marketing Team	To promote the park as a key location for other community groups to use for activities. Such events may or may not raise funds for APAG. To give guidance and offer advice for such events i.e. obtain a licence (NB BCC will help with this).
Cemetery links/development	Hopefully Peter Main will agree