November 2007- Chairs end of year update

We have seen the partnership grow and the groups that it consists of have gone from strength to strength.  This I believe is a product of the hard work and dedication of the people involved at a grass root level.

This year has also seen new groups joining the partnership since our constitutional changes at this year’s AGM.

 It is our aim to continue to engage new groups through our community development team as well as supporting existing ones.

A number of new ventures have also been launched this year including;

c     The issue of the proposed footpath on Broadway in Chequerfield has been investigated by Cllr Izon and is now being considered by the traffic dept for submission to next years budget.

c     The Partnership executive has also this year formed a working partnership with the team at St Marys Community Centre to form a new Youth project.

 Chaired by the Partnerships community engagement officer, Georgi Newton, it will seek to source finance for a 5 year project based at the Willow Park Canteen site, which will be regenerated.   Youth services provision, both from the new site and across network venues including St Marys Centre and Pease Park, will be coordinated by a new Project Development Manager. This venture will be fully supported by the Sports & Social AFC Willow Park Project.

c     The officers have also this year worked on a long term strategy, a future vision for the partnership to ensure we can continue to utilise our resources, to build and to grow.

      The executive team have worked very hard on the funding                

      strategy for the Partnership and a business plan has been produced and agreed.

c     The Pease Park Project was launched as a long term venture of the partnership and continue to seek the re development of the park area.

Verbal permission has been granted after meetings with the Alan Ayre and the estates officer Tim Johnson and written permission will be agreed now that the Partnership has submitted a written business proposal.

Once written permission has been obtained the steering group can then be recalled to work on funding options and programme delivery.

c     The executive team have also worked on a programme of development.

The Partnership will continue to support all groups and projects in which ever way possible, officers of the partnership seek to promote and develop and hopefully strengthen the partnership network.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all your effort, contribution, and support to the partnership. It has been much appreciated.

Regards

Ken McRitchie

Chair