Arno's Park Action Group
APAG meeting minutes
15th July 2008
General
PRESENT
Ken Taylor (KT), Barry McLeod (BM), Steve Pearce (SP), Jackie Norman (JN), Peter Main (PM), Paula Perry (PP)
Apologies
Sarah Peacock (SPe), Becky Thoburn (BT), Jackie Freeman (JF), Emma Channon (EC), Richard Fletcher (RF), Judith Thomas (JT)
Next Meeting
PLEASE NOTE THE NEXT MEETING is 7.30pm Weds 27th Aug in the park (or Arnos Hotel if raining) – bring a mat/cushion! and meet at Kings Road entrance
Minutes
1 - Chairs welcome
BM thanked all for attending.
2 - Treasurer KT
FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES & MATTERS ARISING:
Treasurer (KT)
t was agreed that the accounts should be audited annually in advance of the AGM which is next scheduled for March 2009 and will be audited up to and including Jan 2009. SP to nominate an independent party to carry out audit.
Treasurer (KT)
t was agreed that the accounts should be audited annually in advance of the AGM which is next scheduled for March 2009 and will be audited up to and including Jan 2009. SP to nominate an independent party to carry out audit.
3 - Secretary (JF):
No new items to report.
4 - Fund Raising Team Publicity:
Fund Raising Team (BMRF)
YANSET (Yanley & North Somerset Environmental Company) application has been unsuccessful and awaiting feedback on the reasons for rejection.
Heritage Bid
RF continuing to work towards a bid for a substantial amount of money. JF/BM have sent out letters to key groups asking for their support but had minimal response. SP suggested writing to the Bristol Civic Society for support; SP to supply contact details and KT to draft letter.
A letter of support has been received from the Bristol History and Archaeological Society. BM to reply thanking them for their support.
Open Spaces bid to be submitted. £10-50k available and we meet their criteria. BM will check that we are able to submit a bid as well as the Heritage bid.
Other Fundraising Opportunities:
Thanks to everyone has sent details of additional opportunities for funding. BM to meet with Andy Thomas on Weds 16th July to discuss these further.
Section 106 funding
A potential 29k is still available from the Hollybush development. PM to forward to SP latest details of local funding spend and availability. It is probable that the remaining money will be allocated in conjunction with the Brislington Community Partnership. SP to register via BCP a request that Arnos Court is considered for some (all)!! of the remaining funds.
Marks & Spencer Green Bag scheme may also be a source of funding. BM to follow up.
BMX Park
John Threadgold has asked for a risk assessment to be completed on the BMX track that is being carved out in the park. He has suggested that the area is properly fenced off and used specifically for that purpose. This would provide a low cost area for youth play. BM to follow up with Claire Adams (John’s replacement).
Bench
SP noted a spare bench is available from the Parks Depot at Clifton Downs. BM to contact Claire Adams to raise possibility of BCC installing for us.
YANSET (Yanley & North Somerset Environmental Company) application has been unsuccessful and awaiting feedback on the reasons for rejection.
Heritage Bid
RF continuing to work towards a bid for a substantial amount of money. JF/BM have sent out letters to key groups asking for their support but had minimal response. SP suggested writing to the Bristol Civic Society for support; SP to supply contact details and KT to draft letter.
A letter of support has been received from the Bristol History and Archaeological Society. BM to reply thanking them for their support.
Open Spaces bid to be submitted. £10-50k available and we meet their criteria. BM will check that we are able to submit a bid as well as the Heritage bid.
Other Fundraising Opportunities:
Thanks to everyone has sent details of additional opportunities for funding. BM to meet with Andy Thomas on Weds 16th July to discuss these further.
Section 106 funding
A potential 29k is still available from the Hollybush development. PM to forward to SP latest details of local funding spend and availability. It is probable that the remaining money will be allocated in conjunction with the Brislington Community Partnership. SP to register via BCP a request that Arnos Court is considered for some (all)!! of the remaining funds.
Marks & Spencer Green Bag scheme may also be a source of funding. BM to follow up.
BMX Park
John Threadgold has asked for a risk assessment to be completed on the BMX track that is being carved out in the park. He has suggested that the area is properly fenced off and used specifically for that purpose. This would provide a low cost area for youth play. BM to follow up with Claire Adams (John’s replacement).
Bench
SP noted a spare bench is available from the Parks Depot at Clifton Downs. BM to contact Claire Adams to raise possibility of BCC installing for us.
5 - Head of Dog
No Feedback
6 - PR / Publicity: (SPe)
PR / Publicity: (SPe)
Ongoing: clarification required on the use of the apostrophe in Arno’s. KT has discovered that the cemetery, hotel and road signs have dropped the apostrophe but that the Ordnance Survey still includes it. Historically, it should be included, but Bristol City Council (BCC) (as the land owners) have the right to change it. BCC has mixed usage. JF to ask Ghislaine if her dad would be able to investigate.
Website
All agreed that anything to be put on the website ought to go to SPe for co-ordination. All agreed to allow SPe a £50 budget so that she doesn't have to keep asking/getting agreement to pay Joules – Spe to feedback monies spent at each meeting.
Fun day photographs are up on the web site and BM to forward any additional ones to SPe. BM to forward EC's Fun Day Summary to SPe for sign off and uploading.
Ongoing: clarification required on the use of the apostrophe in Arno’s. KT has discovered that the cemetery, hotel and road signs have dropped the apostrophe but that the Ordnance Survey still includes it. Historically, it should be included, but Bristol City Council (BCC) (as the land owners) have the right to change it. BCC has mixed usage. JF to ask Ghislaine if her dad would be able to investigate.
Website
All agreed that anything to be put on the website ought to go to SPe for co-ordination. All agreed to allow SPe a £50 budget so that she doesn't have to keep asking/getting agreement to pay Joules – Spe to feedback monies spent at each meeting.
Fun day photographs are up on the web site and BM to forward any additional ones to SPe. BM to forward EC's Fun Day Summary to SPe for sign off and uploading.
7 - Youth links: Position Vacant still
Youth links: Position Vacant still
APAG to investigate feasibility of a youth focus day. To include activities such as the mobile rock climbing tower and mobile skate park. JF to investigate costs.
Football nets are not practical on our goal posts but JF to investigate getting a basketball net.
APAG to investigate feasibility of a youth focus day. To include activities such as the mobile rock climbing tower and mobile skate park. JF to investigate costs.
Football nets are not practical on our goal posts but JF to investigate getting a basketball net.
9 - Cemetery links / development: PM
Cemetery links / development: Peter Main (PM)
JF to email management committees email addresses to RS.
BT/JF sent cemetery trust a letter re the feasibility of moving the cemetery boundaries so that the park could gain access to the natural pond and woodland behind. John T of BCC parks supported this.RS has a meeting with the parks dept. and will discuss this further. RS to copy in PM and BM. A park user (Ghislaine) is looking into ownership/maps/boundary issues to clarify park/cemetery land. JF to check.
RS clarified that the cemetery/park gate has been secured and will be put in place once the boundary has been cleared. There is also the possibility of putting in steps through the woodland. The cemetery would like a joint working party to clear the woodland. This will be in Nov/Dec to avoid the nesting season. RS is awaiting an order of works before she can give any firm dates.
When BT/JF met with John Threadgold (Bristol Parks) he offered some possible mechanical support for both scrub clearance and putting in natural play spaces, if this could also be linked with the woodland management schedule. BM may be able to get the use of a petrol strimmer. Mary Wood (Avon Wildlife) keen to come along and give a wildlife talk on the same day.
JF to email management committees email addresses to RS.
BT/JF sent cemetery trust a letter re the feasibility of moving the cemetery boundaries so that the park could gain access to the natural pond and woodland behind. John T of BCC parks supported this.RS has a meeting with the parks dept. and will discuss this further. RS to copy in PM and BM. A park user (Ghislaine) is looking into ownership/maps/boundary issues to clarify park/cemetery land. JF to check.
RS clarified that the cemetery/park gate has been secured and will be put in place once the boundary has been cleared. There is also the possibility of putting in steps through the woodland. The cemetery would like a joint working party to clear the woodland. This will be in Nov/Dec to avoid the nesting season. RS is awaiting an order of works before she can give any firm dates.
When BT/JF met with John Threadgold (Bristol Parks) he offered some possible mechanical support for both scrub clearance and putting in natural play spaces, if this could also be linked with the woodland management schedule. BM may be able to get the use of a petrol strimmer. Mary Wood (Avon Wildlife) keen to come along and give a wildlife talk on the same day.
10 - Neighbourhood Partnerships
No Update
11 - Environmental Report
There has been no species report done for the park. Mary Woods (Avon Wildlife) gives regular talks in the cemetery and our wildlife is likely to be similar. Jan Walters (Nature Conservation Officer for Bristol Parks) had some information. BT to start compiling a list of plants/wildlife seen and would appreciate any comments/photos/locations. She will also try and plot these on a map of the park. KT has good reference books.
BT to follow up with a meeting with John Threadgold of BCC.and discuss plans for creating natural play spaces within the woodland, a community orchard, development of the natural pond/streamway and possible meadows/flowers. Any comments/suggestions welcomed. BT to ask John T for a schedule of works so we can link in. Needs to be done ASAP as John T leaving in June.
N.B. John Threadgold's replacement is Claire Adams.
BT to list out all items John has previously agreed to and JN to write to BCC requesting an update.
BT to follow up with a meeting with John Threadgold of BCC.and discuss plans for creating natural play spaces within the woodland, a community orchard, development of the natural pond/streamway and possible meadows/flowers. Any comments/suggestions welcomed. BT to ask John T for a schedule of works so we can link in. Needs to be done ASAP as John T leaving in June.
N.B. John Threadgold's replacement is Claire Adams.
BT to list out all items John has previously agreed to and JN to write to BCC requesting an update.
12 - AOB
BCC Area Green Space Plan
Bristol City Council has launched its Area Green Space Plan with the initial meeting held at Wicklea Community Centre.
This is our opportunity to add our voice to the debate and actively help shape the policy of our local green space.
We will not be able to influence the decision making process if we do not attend these meetings so all members are encouraged to attend to ensure Arnos Park is well presented
Next meetings are 17th and 24th July.
Angels of Arnos – tour of the cemetery has been offered to BT who cannot attend. Suggested KT attends instead.
Bat / bird boxes
KT – suggested we should endeavour to physical signs of progress for the park –we have £850 in the accounts which could fund something around this.
PP suggested bat/ bird boxes could be put up in conjunction with local schools/scouts.
BM to get info from RSPB/Bat Society/ BBC Springwatch.
PP to check with local schools if they would like to participate
BTCV may have insurance or help organise – SP to investigate
This is our opportunity to add our voice to the debate and actively help shape the policy of our local green space.
We will not be able to influence the decision making process if we do not attend these meetings so all members are encouraged to attend to ensure Arnos Park is well presented
Next meetings are 17th and 24th July.
Angels of Arnos – tour of the cemetery has been offered to BT who cannot attend. Suggested KT attends instead.
Bat / bird boxes
KT – suggested we should endeavour to physical signs of progress for the park –we have £850 in the accounts which could fund something around this.
PP suggested bat/ bird boxes could be put up in conjunction with local schools/scouts.
BM to get info from RSPB/Bat Society/ BBC Springwatch.
PP to check with local schools if they would like to participate
BTCV may have insurance or help organise – SP to investigate
Date of next meeting: Wednesday 27th Aug at 7.30pm – in the Park if dry – meet at the King’s Road entrance. If wet – in the hotel.