Community Services Theme Team
24th June 2014 at 2.30pm
USDT Board Room
Present: Fionnuala Brannigan Deirdre McVeigh, Tommy Holland, Annette Conlon, Aaron O’Prey, Megan McGlinchey, Brian McLaughlin, Deirdre Mackel, Stephen Magennis, Jacqui McGeough, Janice Austin, Fiona Kelly, Laura Moore, Paul Cleary, Alanagh Rea, Niall Enright, Roisin Donaldson.
Apologies: Jimmy McManus
Minutes: Georgia Yates
1.0 Welcome
FB welcomed members to the meeting and it was noted that information wasn’t circulated about the last meeting because there was a problem with emails etc.
2.0 Minutes
Minutes were checked for accuracy and agreed
3.0 MattersArising
3.1 Matt Talbot
SMCG provided an update on BMSS projects. He also provided an update about a weekly advice surgery by Cllr Janice Austin in Matt Talbot youth centre with Cllr Janice Austin.
SMCG provided an update about funding awarded to Matt Talbot youth club by BELB, future work will include a floodlit pitch for area, the current play park will be moved to behind the youth club and will be secure.
3.2 St Gerald’s site
3.2 NE reported he has been approached by a number of residents living close to St Gerald’s siteand they are frustrated about the impact the demolition of the building has had. There are serious issues with dust and people can’t open their windows. Residents are concerned about what the future plans are for the site; what will the impact be for residents with increased traffic etc. To date residents have not been contacted or consulted. It’s important this is an open and transparent process andlocal people are involved in discussions. NE asked if the partnership could support residents to hold a public meeting to voice their concerns and involve local political representatives.
DMCV advised she contacted a number of organisations about the site Terry Murphy CCMS has referred her query on
AP: - DMCV follow St Gerard’s
3.3 Apartments in Newhill
RD provided an update about the apartments recently built on the Mountain Loney. The apartments haven’t been allocated because there is a legal case with between the developer and a resident about the boundaries of the apartments. Clanmil won’t finalise the apartments until the case has been resolved.
4.0 Community Services Priorities
FB reported the range of issues the Community Services TT are involved in is very wide and this has proved difficult. A number of discussions have taken place and we have identified four priorities for the thematic team. These will be brought to the IP and then presented to the TT.
AP: DMCK present to the IP
5.0Community updates
5.1Finley Site
SMCG reported that BMSS have secured Finlay site for community use, the council agreed to bid for land; There will be a consultation process with all stakeholders to discuss ideas and to get overall about future use.
5.2 Falls Park Underage Drinkers
NE provide an update about the level of young people who are gathering in the falls park, there is only a small percentage of those drinking alcohol. BCC staff are visible in the park and the issue is ongoing. NE added the youth team are there to engage young people, offer programmes and hopefully work with them.
5.3 Scramblers
BMCL SFRA reported there is a continued problem with scramblers in the area and because this has’nt been dealt with it is attracting cars into the area; Residents are frustrated with some residents threated and now feeling isolated. BMCL continued Cllr Core had been working with the young people to establish a scrambler club where they would have their own site away from resident’s homes.
AP:- Seek update from Cllr Core re scrambler club is it still been progressed.
5.4 Bonfire Management Programme
PC reported that the Bonfire Management Programme is ongoing, As soon as any wood collections are identified it is removed from the area.
AP:- PC keep community representatives up to date and advise if BCC identify any wood that needs to be collected
It was noted there bonfire management in the area was a success last year due to a number of factors, community and statutory organisations working together to identify wood collections and to have them lifted ASAP. In addition the Community Health and Family and Fun Day was on 8th August. DMCV reported this is organised again, last year over 500 people attended and we hope to build on this success and would like to ask if anyone would like to volunteer at this event.
AP:- Members contact DMCV if they/reps from their organisation are available to volunteer
5.5Corpus Christi School
Noted that Asbestos in the old school and Apex will be going in to demolish soon and will be taking precautions during the demolition.
6.0 BCC update
AR provided an updateon grants available from BCC, grant applications can be obtained online or from the grants unit. AR stressed the process is different this time with strict deadlines and criteria to meet. AR reported the grants unit will come out to a meeting if there are three or four groups attending. AR advised the unions have called for a day of action on July 10th
Unions and staff are unhappy at BCC decision to hand over ten leisure centres to a new trust, their focus will be to make a profit. There was a vote in council but it was lost by five votes, the unions have decided to ballot for strike action. Leisure centre staff are concern, leisure centres provide employment and provide a public service. This is a massive issue for this area. The discussion continued and it was noted that the Leisure Centre was a major catalyst for the community corridor, and whatever happens to the Whiterock Leisure Centre will impact and could affect other services on the site.
AP: - Organisations who would like technical assistance contact Alanagh Rea
AP: - Janice Austin keep members up to date re leisure review.
7.0Housing Providers
Clanmill - RD that following an incident in Sliabh Dubh letters have been issued to all households about drinking out the front of the houses etc and that this will be considered a breach of tenancy a discussion followed and BML asked if this can be used in other areas such as Springfield Heights with issues such as alcohol and quad bikes etc. It was noted that although drinking and driving a quad bike isn’t in the tendency agreement but this has been put under nuisance behaviour.
8.0Paul Cleary BCC Update
PC reported that he continues to have a surgery in the Resource Centre with Steven Corr, but reported the number of community safety issues has dwindled, the majority of issues reported are housing issues. PC advised that he will also have a surgery in Moyard.
9.0Any Other business
A discussion was held about the time of meetings as these didn’t suit some members
10.0 Next Meeting
Tuesday 29th July at 2.30pm.
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