Barry McLeod (BM), Jackie Freeman (JF) – minutes, Becky Thoburn (BT), Ken Taylor (KT), Steve Pearce (SP)

Jackie Norman (JN), Marie France-Ribolet, Richard Fletcher (RF)

PLEASE NOTE THE NEXT MEETING/AGM is now Wed 28th January at 7.30pm at Becky’s House (9 Kings Road)

KT would still like an independent party to carry out annual audit of APAG accounts, prior to AGM. KT to chase RF. BM will contact Will Tickham to arrange with KT to look over the accounts.

BM to sign all copies of minutes, once approved. JF to ensure these are kept safe. Action Plan produced alongside minutes was thought to be useful.

YANSET (Yanley & North Somerset Environmental Company)
bid (£12.5k for new play equipment) can be resubmitted. BM to reapply before the next deadline (4th Feb).

Heritage Bid
RF is willing to progress the bid but APAG needs to meet with the council (he can’t represent us). We have had supporting letters back but need to consider whether anyone has the time required to put the work required in and whether the council will support us given the current financial situation. To discuss at next meeting.

Open Spaces (Grass Roots) £5k
Monthly applications. Waiting to hear whether John Knowlson at BCC will match funding (may agree installation of equipment if we provide funding for the equipment. BM to chase.

Section 106 funding
BM/SP to speak to Jim Cliff in BCC Planning to find out what is available. NB List goes to planning groups and councillors- consider asking BCP/councillors to chase.

Marks & Spencer Green Bag scheme (Community Spaces/Groundwork)
JF has contact no.

Wessex Water
Funding available: 1 award of up to £2.5k for water based project or smaller awards of between £100-1500. Awarded quarterly. Consider applying in the new year.

BMX Park
Risk assessment on whole park completed last month. BMX/bike park considered to be low risk, if confined to one areas, so willing to leave at present (was home dug behind the basket ball court). Not to be fenced off but other ramps/holes elsewhere on site will be filled in for safety.

Bench(es) & Bins!
To be fitted in spring.

Bristol Community Partnership (BCP)
Looking for funding applications. May consider match funding (small amounts). BM to put in application for bat/bird boxes (deadline Mon) & look at what is involved. Paula Perry already agreed to link with St Anne's school. Consider approaching BCP for funding of smaller items eg website, sandpit sand, events insurance. Think of others we can link in with eg camera club/wildlife and schools etc

PR / Publicity: (SPe)
No update

Youth links: Position Vacant still
APAG still keen to investigate the feasibility of a youth focus day but agreed weather needs to improve! JF now has contact no. to investigate costs of mobile skate park or will try and visit Wicklea on a Sat.

Cemetery links / development: Peter Main (PM)


Rachel Schofield has fedback that BCC is not willing to support the diversion of the fence line, allowing park users to access the natural pond from the park due to maintenance issues. BM to write on APAGs behalf and ask for Peter Mains support.

There has been strong opposition to the gate accessing the park from the cemetery, however after speaking to Rachel Schofield most are in favour and that it will be put in. There are issues of having no funding to open it - for discussion at next meeting.

The Cemetery Trust have asked for a meeting to discuss proper signage. Funding may be possible through the heritage bid (if we are successful) or approaching Bristol Community Partnership (BCP). BM to contact RS re meeting to discuss funding sources and cost of signage.

No Update

Path from Withleigh/Somerset Rd through the park has been resurfaced. NB Contractors have put drainage on the path lower down but it is not big enough/will flood. BT to feedback to Claire Adams (community park manager).

To also contact CA re the playground

Event co-ordination team: Emma Channon (EC)/Steve Pearce (SP)
Annual events insurance is not available. Consider asking BCC to fund or BCP.

SP has made contact with the 'Once' theatre group. EC to contact them to arrange a viewing of the park to see if it is appropriate for a production.

Cemetery/APAG woodland scrub clearance day
Woodland steps into top of park have been done – may need extending once gate in place. Path to gate improved. Fence line cleared and moved 5m in.

APAG – the future
Active member nos. are dropping. Not sure we are still in touch with the community. Need more obvious successes. Appreciation that people are busy and that they have been putting in a lot of work behind the scenes.

Suggestions to move forward:
1. Ask Bristol parks forum re how to increase active interest in the park.
2. Quarterly meetings & publicise more eg link into other community groups.
3. Review/change constitution to recognise people's time commitments eg consider rotating posts. NB APAG needs to continue to enable us to apply for funding.
4. Concentrate on smaller, more regular events to keep APAG/the park in the public eye.
5. AGM - Agree on projects/priorities for the coming year.

Local History Project
No response to the small archaeological survey. Small piece of pottery found in park (near playground). Dates around 16th/17th century.<