Priesthill and Neighbourhood Forum - Minute of Meeting on 4th May 2016

Present:

Donna Foote Youth Club / Resident Sadie Masters Priesthill Youth Club / Resident Annabelle Palmer Greater Maintenance / Resident Basil Gibson 3 Hills Community Garden Jane Burdass 3 Hills Community Gardener Alan Clark 3 Hills Community Garden / Resident Alastair MacLellan Levern Community Council / Resident David McLaren Resident Michelle McLaren Resident David Ramsay Homelessness Network / Resident Caro Smyth Peat Road Hall Francesca Clair Urban Roots Anne-Marie Hutchinson GHA Stacey Butler 415 Project Bharati Bundhoo Glasgow Life Fiona Dickson Michael Clarke Priesthill Community Development Trust / Rosehill Nicky McGill NHS Mark Ellis Glasgow City Council Stephen McGrath Scottish Fire and Rescue Eleanor McEwan Sanctuary Housing Association Anthony Morrow Sanctuary Housing Association

Apologies Lorraine Thomson (Glasgow Council on Alcohol); Caroline Meeke (Community Safety Glasgow); Andrew Paterson (SCDC); David Kelly (Aberlour); Sadie Hayes (Househillwood Tenants and Residents Association); Annemarie Malloch (Househillwood Tenants and Residents Association); Wullie Graham (3 Hills Community Garden); Pat Boyce (Glasgow City Council); Yvonne Farmer (Rosehill); Anne McDaniel; Stephen Boyd; Argentina Boyd

1. Priesthill Community Development Trust Michael Clarke attended on behalf of the trustees to speak to community about the Trust. Background to the Trust and the establishment of structure, deeds and finances were outlined. Barratt was due to pay £400k to GDC for some sites in Priesthill which local politicians and officials wanted to see retained locally. It was decided that Barratt would build a community centre (cost of £250k) and replacement offices for the council (£150k). The offices were developed (at bottom of 415 project) but community centre never was and £250k was handed over instead. The council auditors at that time pushed for the money to come out of the council and the Priesthill Barratt Community Development Trust was established in 1997.

The structure of the Trust was simplified from the original proposal. There are around 8 or 9 trustees now. The aim of the Trust is to promote schemes for the relief of poverty, promotion of education, social welfare and the improvement of life for residents in the Priesthill area. This area is defined on a map, taking in some of the new developments but not all. Trustees alone can decide on how the money is spent. The monies are invested in Glasgow City Council’s Loans Fund – access requires signature of 2 trustees and the Director of Finance as Honorary Treasurer. Annual accounts are prepared by Corporate Finance Division of Glasgow City Council and independently examined. The Trust files its accounts on time every year.

£250k grew over time to become around £700k, with today approximately £437k left over. Funds tend to go to small projects, schools, residents associations etc. The Trust does not pay to individuals. Trustees meet when needed, approximately 4-5 times in the last 2 years.

At present, trustees are looking at the future of the Trust unfortunately the previous meeting wasn’t quorate. There is recognition that there is a need for the Trust to consider its future strategy. In the short term it is unlikely that new applicants that have not previously received funding will be funded because of the need to look at application processes and conditions attached to funding.

The trustees are made up of local people, politicians and local workers. Only trustees can elect new trustees. 3 of the original 13 from when the trust was set up are still involved.

Donna raised an issue that Stephen and Tina had previously brought, that they believe they contributed funds to the trust when buying their home. Michael believes this to be unlikely, as Barratt simply paid a purchase price for some land, and will speak to Stephen and Tina about this separately.

Alastair asked about funding being used to improve security on doors of flats in Barratt Circle. Michael replied that in his view this wouldn’t be possible but did note that Rosehill and Glasgow City Council are working together to tackle many of the issues with that housing. The Council will be meeting with residents on 10th May and Michael believes that there is positive news to deliver to them.

Fiona asked who current trustees are and what the process for recruitment currently is. Current trustees were named, including 5 local people Councillor Rashid Hussain and Councillor Bill Butler as representatives of Glasgow City Council and Michael Clarke. The process for recruitment is not closed off in any way. Trustees identify people they want to become trustees. Michael said that in his own personal opinion he would like to see recruitment take place to fill skills gaps that currently exist and people would be approached to bring specific skills to the trust.

Fiona asked if priorities for the area will be taken into consideration, Michael replied that they would be from his point of view but stressed he cannot talk for all trustees on this matter.

Eleanor asked about links into the Neighbourhood Forum. Michael replied that when more is known about processes he feels Trustees will naturally begin to engage more. He had volunteered to attend in order to tackle potential distrust in the area that was coming through the forum minutes and he wanted to directly address concerns. Caro suggested the Trust invite a couple of members of the forum to attend some of their meetings, Michael said he would propose that to the Trustees.

Donna thanked Michael for clearing up things surrounding the Trust and attending the Forum.

2. Community Fun Day, Eileen McCallum Trust Michelle outlined the community fun day she is organising for August 3rd. There will be daytime activities at the 50p Church between 11am-4pm with a pampering/therapy session in the evening 6pm-8pm at the Peat Road Hall. The event is in support of the Eileen McCallum Trust that supports families with children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy – of all funding raised on the day, the Trust will give 12.5% back to Austin for future needs.

To date Michelle has organised many aspects of the fun day but needs additional help with cash sponsorship, prizes for children, coffee, fruit, links to after schools and also wants to create a poster with the schools. She is also looking for more publicity. She is also looking for activities for Children in Wheelchairs or anyone with disability. They may also need additional therapists.

As a resident, Michelle feels that there is nothing for kids to do in the area and there is already a lot of excitement in the community for the event taking place.

Eleanor suggested contacting the Glasgow Science Centre as they can provide activities. Basil and Jane said that the 3 Hills would provide a hamper as well as activities for children on the day. Jane will also speak to a contact about food excess that could be used. Stephen will try to get a Fire Engine along on the day. Francesca offered herbal remedies and things to take away from Urban Roots. She will also check with the Grub Hub for any activities they can provide. Nicky will try to secure funding for smoothy bike and fruit. Anthony will speak to contacts from Sunny Radio.

Twitter is @austinsjourney1 and #findacure

Michelle will be invited back in July to speak about the event again and see if there is anything at all anyone can do to support it.

3. Proposed Residents Group Following the last Forum, people living in the area felt it had been overwhelming with officers and that they didn’t have their own space to come together to discuss issues and things that are happening. There has been a suggestion to create a residents and tenants discussion forum which was missing from the suggested structure outlined at the previous meeting.

Residents will now meet prior to officers joining the next Forum. It will be:  10-11 – residents discussion group  11-12 – wider forum with officers attending

Caro suggested this be trialled for a number of months and it was agreed that this would happen.

4. Updates from the Community 415 project Stacey updated on a number of activities taking place or about to take place in the area – all in response to need. She will be running a Mindfulness course at GHA office on Nitshill road and is keen to take this across the area if there is demand. Ipads are being trialled with older people at Brockburn Road sheltered housing and will be taken to a wider audience after evaluation. Their aim is to keep older people in their own homes for longer. The 415 wants to connect with everyone in the area, they have no specific target audience except to live in G46, G53 and be 65 years or older.

Stacey noted that the population of adults is only going to increase in the coming years and this will impact on the area. Stephen noted that Scottish Fire and Rescue are supporting ‘Through the Door’ and are willing to support other projects as well.

Sadie said that the library also offers training on Ipads.

Community Planning A data profile of the area has been completed, when this has been signed off it will be brought to the Forum.

Seal Health Project Sadie and Annabelle have been promoting local opportunities whilst at the Civic Realm during the week. They have met many members of the community and have seen the loneliness that some suffer from – it would be good to address some of these issues. An arts and crafts group for any age runs on Wed 1pm-3pm at the Civic Realm.

Greater Pollok Maintenance Annabelle is linking in to Action for Children’s Youth Build programme and has referred 4-5 young people so far.

Urban Roots Francesca wants to spread out to more venues for delivery of cooking classes. Anthony suggested linking to Noble Art Boxing Club in Nitshill. The kids club continues to run and she has bgan to work with St. Bernard’s.

3 Hills Funding secured until Christmas for Jane’s post. There has been some anti-social behaviour on site with damage to seed trays and the polytunnel. The project continues to be short of volunteers which they are trying to address.

The garden with Silverburn has now been relocated from the rooftop to the green overflow car park area. There will be an orchard, polytunnel and other growing areas. Silverburn will also cover travel costs for schools to the new site and will encourage their staff to get involved.

Seeds from outer space have been planted at the garden in partnership with the school and nursery.

5. AOCB Caro noted that the tree outside of the Hall was almost down.

Donna raised that there had been a planning proposal put in to the Council for the old College Annexe site. This was for a community hall, a convenience store and function room and private nursery – the community council objected to this proposal. Residents have until 17th of May to have their say.

Date of Next Meeting 1st June, Silverburn Conference Centre