DT11 Forum Community Partnership AGM

(Minutes of meeting)

Minutes of the meeting held at the Woodhouse Pavilion Gardens, Tuesday 8th April 2008

Present:

DT11 Partnership logo

Apologies:

Welcome

Steve Adamson welcomed everyone to the first DT11 AGM and thanked everyone for coming.

Introduction

Pauline Figg was introduced as DT11's new Admin Assistant. She will be working two days a week at the DT11 Forum office.

Chairman's Annual Review

A copy of the Chairman's Report was given to each guest at the AGM. It details progress and changes made over the past year. Steve commented "it was a year of maturing for the DT11 Partnership".

Financial Statement

Bob Kempson the Treasurer for DT11 Forum was unable to attend the meeting but did provide a statement of accounts which was given to each guest. Steve explained briefly that the £16,236.42 in the account seems a rather large amount but this money is spoken for with regards to the strategic plan for MCTI, he also added we are solvent.

Questions:

John Hosford - Explain the money into and out of the account as regards to MCTI.

Richard Wood - How is the DT11 Forum funded?

Answer:

DT11 Partnership core funding is provided from DCA, DCC, NDCC and Signpost Housing. A £20,000 grant was given to the Partnership from MCTI. This money is to be used to write, produce and publish the community strategic plan.

Payments on the Financial Statement should read "Expenditure". The £6497.63 is not money that was given back to MCTI but money which wasused to develop the plan such as setting up the office and all the materials needed for that process. As soon as the plan is written it will be sent to various bodies for endorsement. Payment of staff such as Jo Rose and Pauline Figg comes through Dorset Community Action and not from this grant. Dorset Community Action is an independent charity.

Question:

Richard Wood - Can the statement of accounts be explained in a more explanatory format?

Answer:

Steve Adamson will speak to Bob Kempson as regards to the layout of the Statement of Accounts. The payments section needs to be amended to expenses.

Election of Officers

Steve Adamson - Step down as Chair
Brian Anderson - Step down as Vice Chair
Bob Kempson - Step down as Treasurer

Steve Adamson - Elected as Chair. 2 nominations, 1 from Peter Slocombe and seconded by Francis Shaxson and 1 from Rodney Williams and seconded by Francis Shaxson.

Carrie Lewis - Elected in as Vice Chair. She received 2 nominations, 1 from Peter Slocombe and seconded by Francis Shaxson and 1 from Steve Adamson and seconded by Francis Shaxson. Brian Anderson withdrew his nomination and was happy to devote more of his time to the MCTI process.

Bob Kempson - Elected in as acting Treasurer.

Draft Revised Terms of Reference in light of the establishment of DT11 Forum Ltd

A copy of this draft was given to all guests at the AGM. The report details how the Partnership is changing and maturing . DT11 will need to take on more responsibility but needs to limit its liability. The partnership is looking at setting up a management team of no more than 6 people which can oversee the day to day activities of the Forum and smaller re-generationprojects. Large projects involving large sums of money would be managed by the new Trading Company DT11 Forum Ltd. Once everyone has had a chance to read the terms of reference it can be discussed either at anextraordinary meeting or at the next DT11 meeting. Francis Shaxson wouldlike to see all parish councils receiving a copy of the Terms of Reference.

Priorities for 2008-9

Open spaces group for DT11 - DT11 wishes to support and promote our open spaces, and to engage with local people and get them involved. DT11 wants to provide improved access to open spaces e.g. Mildown. Steve Adamson states “Partnerships are extremely effective in having our voice heard even more valid if we have an open space group.

Bob Yarwood emphasised the Trailway Project stating they are almost there but not, he did wonder if there would be any money available from Sustrans, Steve Adamson confirmed that some money has already been allocated from North Dorset District Council but more will be required. Rachel Hosford is concerned about open spaces being used for housing. Jo Rose confirmed that NDDC had undertaken an audit of North Dorset to identify key local spaces, more detailed surveys need to be undertaken by local communities. Francis Shaxson would like to see more cycle ways. Richard Wood suggested contacting Simon Everett for advise regarding cycle routes.

DT11 Websites - The aim is to make this a portal for all organisations and it would act as a connection to parish councils. DT11 Partnership acts as a letterbox for the Blandford Leisure Centre Action Group, all the communication is accessed through our office. It would be good to have a link between DT11 Partnership and Hidden Dorset.

A new Web manager is needed to oversee this task. It is hoped to get more young people involved in this area.

Local Groups and Organisations Directory - This will be a very useful tool and goes hand in hand with the Website. There is a lot of disparate information and it will be useful to get it all in one place "A one stop shop".

Environmental Strategy for DT11 - Transition Partnership - Climate changes will dramatically affect all towns, villages and the wider countryside.

Carrie Lewis spoke about climate changes and new ways of doing things. It is important that we make ourselves more sustainable as a community. We need to be a community which will thrive in the future, e.g. shopping locally in Blandford town and using village shops. Sustainable energy is an exciting idea and needs looking at for the future, possibly from the Stour.

DT11 Centre for Green Business, culture, arts, skills and training - We need to develop our cultural and enviromental heritage and as a driver for our economy. Francis Shaxson would like to see Farming in the green economy, not left out and not side lined. Also methods of land management are extremely important.

There are few facilities for artists in Blandford.

Esme Butler from Blandford Forum Town Council is on a town council committee which is aiming to create a multi purpose facility in the Corn Exchange.

Deacon Michael Hughes from the Roman Catholic Church would like to see more spiritual development especially due to the increase in population. Jo and Carrie have tried to get responses regarding this matter but to no avail but hopefully with the help of Deacon Michael Hughes this will change.

Ken Reynolds pointed out that there was no mention of projects for young people this proved to be an error of omission and should have been included as young people are very important to our plan and the future.

Brian Anderson wrote to all parishes on 26 February regarding small projects for which he got a positive response. Haydn White suggested that Blandford Leisure Centre should become a priority, and this was agreed.

Meeting closed at 8.30pm.

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