Minutes of the Fakenham Area Partnership A.G.M. held on Wednesday 28th January 2009 in Fakenham Community Centre at 7.00pm.

 

Present – F.A.P. members, Jim Harding, Janet Holdom, Tony Irons, Jenny Rest, Alan Leventhall and a number of stakeholders. Speaker Michael Castle (Stalham and Happing L.A.P.)

 

Agenda Item 1

 

Welcome and introduction from Jim Harding (Chair FAP)

FAP is one of 7 Local Area Partnerships in North Norfolk, based around principal towns. Guidance and finance provided by NNCP (North Norfolk Community Partnership). Offices are at Fakenham Connect, next to the Community Centre.

 

There are a number of projects with which it is associated.

 

1 Edmondsons Acres – a 5 acre area of land close by the River Wensum acquired at auction by FAP with financial support from NNCP. Managed as a green space it is opening up to community in co-operation with the Natural Fakenham group.

 

2 Speedwatch – The first team of volunteers should be in action in February.

 

3 FAP hopes to work with Victory Housing and the Norfolk Credit Union to set up a Credit Union facility.

 

4 Ongoing plans to develop the Millennium Park project, to support and provide various improved facilities.

 

5 FAP is working to investigate the possibilities of a Resource Centre providing offices, meeting rooms and as a social amenity for groups in the community.

 

6 FAP is working with the High School on a local survey to establish local demand for a swimming pool in the town.

 

7.Fakenham In Bloom, the summer  display of flower baskets in the town centre.

 

8 The Tourist Information Point in the library received more enquiries this year.

 

9 Management of the monthly Farmers Market was transferred to the Partnership from the Town Council in April 2008.

 

10 The Christmas lights display was well received last November in a fine piece of choreography which included a snowstorm.

 

11 The Community Fund encourages groups within the town and its parishes to seek financial help to start up projects on behalf of their community. The grants range from £100 to £350, but are often crucial. Those supported include Fakenham First Responders, Stibbard PC, Sculthorpe PC, Little Snoring playing field, First Focus, Fakenham Museum of Gas and Local History, Gt Ryburgh playing field committee, and E.P. Youth.

 

12 Finally the Community Consultation report – or Healthcheck – conducted last year to gather local opinion on a wide range of topics. Everyone was encouraged to take a copy of the published findings.

 

 

Agenda Item 2

The Annual report and Accounts for FAP, Community Interest Company, were presented by Company Secretary, Tony Irons.

The Directors report for Companies House period ending 31/12/07 spoke of the initial development of infrastructure , employment of Coordinator, admin, offices, public meetings, grants, healthcheck, FIB, TIP, NNDC and purchase of Edmondson’s Acres during its early months. Stakeholders are consulted via meetings, website, healthcheck and stands at Community events.

There have been 2 financial returns to Companies House, the first financial year following the set up of the Partnership finished on 31/12/07. The second year-end was then brought in line with the local government fiscal year ending 31 March 2008.

 

Tony echoed the Chairman’s thoughts on the achievements of the Partnership, Farmers Market, Xmas lights, FIB, Resource Centre, Millennium Park, development of Edmondson’s Acres, swimming pool, speedwatch, and credit union.

 

The Accounts up to 31 March 2008 were then declared:

 

Income (from 2005/6)               £42,686.00

Expenditure                              £43,509.00

Operating Deficit                          -£661.00

With Interest received                 +£822.00

Surplus    £161.00

Edmondson’s Acres valued at £20,150.00

 

Agenda Item 3

Election of Company Directors - nomination forms were sent out to approx 60 organisations and 1 nomination was returned.  Andrew Stewart (Ekklesia Project and Town Council) was therefore elected unopposed and welcomed on to the Board.

 

Agenda Item 4

Stephenson-Smart was named as accountants.  They will produce financial statements and present them to Companies House. Directors were identified as Jim Harding, Jenny Rest, Alan Leventhall, Tony Irons, Margot Walford.

 

Agenda Item 5

Michael Castle (Coordinator of Happing Area Partnership) was introduced as the guest speaker. He offered congratulations on the launch of FAP, and the successful community consultation. He then described some Happing projects to illustrate the potential of established partnerships.

 

About 5 years ago the Stalham Regeneration scheme was established, and this became the LAP in 2004/5.

A community consultation was undertaken and about 2,000 submissions returned.

Tourism is the major industry and so an annual festival takes place between May and September, funded by local businesses and lottery money.  In 2009 it expects to spend £25,000 on events. An annual directory is produced which includes all business and voluntary bodies. It cost £4,500 in 2008 for printing and is distributed voluntarily. This is also on the LAP website, enabling constant updates.

 

Dial-A-Ride – Success has enabled funding to continue and expand and is now guaranteed until 2010. This in turn had a positive impact on the local bus service.

 

Credit Union – Will start next month in Stalham  hosted by parish church with support from partnership. Small loans and encouragement to small, ethical savers.  

 

Active Travel – 2 x Safe Cycle routes have been applied for, linking with Norfolk wide network.

 

Management of a piece of woodland with booklet of circular walks, printed in Stalham and illustrated by a local artist. Local creative writing group produce text and local walkers are testing the routes. Now self-financing.

 

Under LAP umbrella an organisation to support local businesses was launched in 2006. They are autonomous and hold their own training courses.

 

Happing Partnership runs from a One-stop shop in Stalham High St and is affiliated to the tourism organisations. Tim Lidstone –Scott (Wood Norton PC) mentioned that Norfolk tourism is producing a tourism strategy.  

 

Amongst other revenue generating activities there is a possibility of setting up a care organisation to access training and employment for local people. LAPs have to consider projects to enable future sustainability.

 

Michael was thanked for his contribution and making the journey to Fakenham.

 

Agenda Item 5

Comments were taken from the floor, including one from a town councillor who referred to the problems still to be resolved with the Charity Commission in respect of the Millennium Park project.  He was reassured that FAP were providing support and assistance to the project group to satisfy the Commission with a feasibility report and would be involved with the ongoing project development.

It was also noted that a major advantage of the Partnership structure was that it had more freedom to be entre-preneurial and had wider access to funding than local government bodies.   Although there wasn’t a great deal of pro-active involvement from the parishes they were welcome to dip in from time to time, where the issues were relevant or where they needed support.

 

Meeting closed 8.45pm.