Agenda Item 7

REPORT TO CITY AREA COMMITTEE

“SOMEWHERE TO GO AND SOMETHING TO DO”

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

IN HARNHAM

A Study prepared by a Harnham Residents Group during 2005/2006 under the auspices of the Harnham Neighbourhood Association

6 March 2006

Mike Halpin Ian Mackay

REPORT CONTENTS

Purpose, parameters, Aim and guiding principles of Report Page 1

Introduction Page 1

The current picture in Harnham Page 2 - Anti-social behaviour Page 2 - Outdoor and indoor facilities in Harnham Page 3 - Current participation initiatives (CoolSport’) Page 4

Study Methodology Page 4 - General statement Page 4 - Questionnaire sent to young people and their parents Page 5 - Results of Questionnaire Page 5 - Other issues raised in Questionnaire responses Page 5

Main proposals resulting from Questionnaire Page 6 - Broad proposals Page 6 - Harnham Schools and the Sports and Social Club - Formation of a Community Trust - A School Sports Co-ordinator - Detailed proposals affecting Harnham Junior and Infants Schools Page 6 - Detailed proposals affecting the Sports and Social Club Page 7 - The EAST Harnham Community Centre Page 7

Funding the proposals Page 7 - Outline possibilities - The strategic role of the City Area Committee Page 8

Conclusions Page 9

Recommendations Page 10

List of those consulted during the preparation of the report Page 10

Appendices:

Salisbury District Council City Area Committee Extract from Minutes of Meeting held on 25 January 2005 Appendix 1

‘COOLSPORT’ Newsletters 1 and 2 Appendix 2

Documents and Publications examined during preparation of Study Appendix 3

Individuals and Organization Representatives consulted during preparation of Study Appendix 4 REPORT TO CITY AREA COMMITTEE 6 March 2006

1. Purpose and Parameters of Report

1.1 This report summarises the results of over twelve months work by a residents group in Harnham, focusing on the leisure and recreation needs of young people living in the two areas of East and West Harnham that form the Council administrative Ward of Harnham. The Ward has a population of over 7,000 people, comparable in size and needs to a small town.

1.2 The study was endorsed by the City Area Committee at their meeting on 25 January 2005 (extract from Minutes attached at Appendix 1. The residents group decided that the purpose of their report was ‘to recommend to the City Area Committee (CAC) achievable measures to improve leisure and amenity provision for young people in Harnham that are acceptable to the local community”. There were three further guiding principles:

• Recommendations should not assume significant financial support from Salisbury District Council funds, • Ways should be sought to optimize the use of existing facilities, • Activities and facilities should give priority to young people (including those under 13 who are beneath the target age group of the Youth Development Services) to start them on the road to becoming responsible citizens.

1.3 From the outset, it was decided to conduct the study under the auspices of the Harnham Neighbourhood Association. Regular progress reports have been made to the Association as the study has developed.

1.4 The study has limited its recommendations to those that concern the City Area Committee’s responsibility for outdoor recreation provision. The City Area Committee’s support for these recommendations is the essential platform from which other external organisations can then be approached for funds (see paragraph 6.2).

2. Introduction

2.1 Although the catalyst for this residents initiative was originally the decision by the City Area Committee to install a Sports Wall on the Harnham Recreation Ground, which was controversial in the opinion of most residents surrounding this open space, the study very quickly developed into a far reaching and positive project, involving all sections of the community, and in particular the active participation of young people in Harnham.

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2.2 This report focuses on three key areas that have considerable impact on the leisure-time activities of young people in Harnham and their subsequent well- being. These are -

a) community safety policies/practice

b) neighbourhood sport/recreation provision using nationally and regionally agreed standards, policies and guidelines, and

c) easily accessible opportunities and activities

3.0 The Current Picture in Harnham

3.1 Anti Social Behaviour

3.1.1 Harnham has been one of the focal points for anti-social behaviour in Salisbury over the last two years. Peaking in 2005, it was contained primarily by the commitment of significant police and community safety resources. Specialist youth management inputs targeted the relatively small core problem areas. These were successfully led by Youth Development Services (WYDS) working on an “agency” basis for the Harnham Youth Trust.

3.1.2 Both the South Wiltshire Strategic Alliance and the Salisbury City Area Community Plan have placed a high priority on the reduction of anti- social behaviour and the South Wiltshire Community Safety Partnership includes amongst its Priority 1 objectives

“developing a range of activities and projects which capture the imagination of children and young people and divert them from anti- social behaviour and crime”.

3.1.3 Paragraph 3.3.1 elaborates on several of the initiatives over the last twelve months that have been developed with the support of the Community Safety Team, benefiting a broad range of young people in Harnham, and not just the problem minority. Some members of this minority, however, have been successfully integrated into these community sports initiatives.

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3.2 Outdoor and indoor facilities

3.2.1 Currently, young people in Harnham have few neighbourhood sports, recreation or leisure facilities. There are three well provided playgrounds and two sports walls, used in the main by the younger age groups and in the case of West Harnham, requiring young people to negotiate a busy main road to access. The only dedicated outdoor sports facility is a junior soccer pitch on the Middle Street Meadows open space which was also used for the Harnham Youth Cricket initiative in the summer of 2005. The only private sports club in Harnham, the Salisbury Tennis Club, does have an open access philosophy that encourages young people to participate as part of a good local schools programme with supervised sessions, but the emphasis naturally focuses on adults and juniors who are members.

3.2.2 The National Playing Fields minimum standards for “Youth” recreation facilities include pitches, courts and multi games areas available for public use. Based on the formula adopted in the 2003 Salisbury District Local Plan of 1.8 hectares per 1000 population, the Harnham ward falls well short of this standard. For a population of over 7,000, Harnham has just over 2 hectares of youth outdoor recreation facilities – a shortfall of some 11 hectares. Policy R2 incorporating these requirements is applied to any new housing development. The recent major new housing estate on the old Wellworthy site, on the boundaries of West Harnham, has generated some £330,000 in Section 106 developers contributions under this policy and it is still not clear how much of this sum has been allocated to rectifying the shortfall in Harnham’s facilities for young people.

3.2.3 As far as indoor facilities are concerned, the two traditional Community Halls (St Georges and Memorial), the Scout Hall and the Junior School Sports Hall do provide for some limited youth leisure activities and accommodate several junior sports clubs, but the physical limitations of these buildings and their programming philosophies generally do not make a great impact on the young people’s leisure needs.

3.2.3 Most indoor and outdoor sports and recreation facilities in Salisbury are therefore only available outside Harnham, and young people have to rely on parental transport or public transport to get to them. With no specialist youth building for social activities either, it would be fair to say that over the past few decades, Harnham has been unable to provide constructive neighbourhood leisure opportunities for its younger residents.

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3.3 Current participation initiatives for young people

3.3.1 It has been a combination of anti-social behaviour problems, a lack of youth sports and leisure facilities and an absence of organised activities that has therefore acted as a catalyst for recent community initiatives to improve the situation. A combination of the Harnham Cricket Youth Initiative, the work being undertaken by the Residents Study Group and the Youth Development Services initiatives led to the Harnham community being given the opportunity, through the Salisbury Community Safety Team, to bid for Home Office funds in September last year, under the pilot ‘Sparkplugs’ scheme. £4,000 was eventually granted for the organisation of activities and events. The project ‘CoolSport Harnham’, although commencing later than planned because of insurance difficulties (now resolved), has had a very encouraging start with an excellent response from young people of all ages (some 500 attendances in the first nine weeks of operation). Parental involvement has also been very good with many volunteers coming forward. Teenagers from the Community have made a significant contribution towards the organization of events and activities. The project has already been identified as one of the more successful pilot schemes in the South West. (See Appendix 2 CoolSport Newsletters 1 and 2)

3.3.2 The successes in Harnham can be put down to a partnership approach which has seen the voluntary and statutory sectors working closely together and the network growing stronger all the time. With a variety of activities and opportunities being run on a neighbourhood basis by different organizations, an effective “interface” has emerged which allows young people to “dip” in and out with few problems.

4.0 Study Methodology – how the Residents Study has been conducted

4.1 General statement

4.1.1 The Residents Study commenced in February 2005 and has involved considerable background research, as well as meetings and discussions with a wide range of individuals and organisations. A key element in this research was a ten-page Questionnaire distributed to Harnham teenagers (and their parents) via their secondary schools.

4.1.2 The meetings and discussions held with individuals and representatives of organisations are listed in Appendix 3. These meetings have been invaluable in building up a picture of what is happening locally, at District level, as well as regionally. They have led to a network of fruitful contacts that should serve Harnham well in the future. Documents and Reports consulted are at Appendix 4.

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4.2 Questionnaire

4.2.1 The Questionnaire sent to young people living in Harnham has been the cornerstone of the study. With a pilot exercise involving Ward Councillor Murial Tomlinson, and with the co-operation of all the secondary schools, a response rate of over 30% (over 300 Questionnaires sent out) was achieved. The Questionnaire was also designed to encourage parents/guardians to contribute their ideas and suggestions. The overall result of what was a time consuming and ambitious exercise was most heartening. Although the Questionnaire focused on teenagers, there has been a close and ongoing liaison with the Head Teachers and Staff of the Harnham Junior and Infants Schools and their pupils.

4.2.2 A detailed analysis of the results, together with comments, is set out in a separate Report, copies of which have been deposited in the Members Room. It has become evident from the responses of young people and their parents that a combination of an activities programme and improved neighbourhood sports and recreation facilities would make a considerable impact on the general well being and health of the community, if implemented as a whole.

4.2.3 In summary, the Questionnaire produced a priority ‘wish list’ as follows

- All weather sports area 62% supported this option - Activities organizers 61% supported this option - New Youth Centre 56% (supported by 48% of parents/guardians) - Organized cycling activities 45% supported this option

(Percentages are taken from the numbers replying).

4.2.4 Other issues raised included the following concerns –

• inadequate transport between Harnham and City recreational facilities • lack of information about what was going on • the importance of locally based amenities to overcome transport difficulties and concerns for child safety.

The New Youth Centre and Cycling activities are still being worked on

N.B. None of the issues in 4.2.4 above fall strictly within the City Area Committee’s area of responsibility and will be addressed separately.

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5.0 Main Proposals

5.1 Broad Proposals

The ‘achievable and acceptable’ proposals put forward to respond to the ‘wish list’ in paragraph 4.2.3 are as follows -

a) That the Junior and Infants Schools, together with the Harnham Sports & Social Club, should be developed to provide the future core basis of sports, recreation and social activities of the Harnham community, in particular for young people.

b) That these developments be supervised and managed by a Community Trust (or Community Interest Company – CIC)

c) That the School Sports Co-ordinator (SSCO) being recruited by St Edmunds Sports College for the Harnham Schools ‘cluster’ as part of their School Sports Project will undertake a community sports approach as part of his/her brief, building on the CoolSport Harnham scheme. Harnham will become a key element of the St Edmunds “federated” approach to delivering community recreation and sports opportunities in Salisbury.

5.2 Details of each proposal

The Schools:

• The existing junior school grass pitch to be converted to a junior size synthetic grass, all-weather, low-level floodlit multi-games area (MUGA) for use by young people aged 6-16, • The MUGA would be used by schools for pupils during school hours with managed community use for young people after hours, at weekends and during holidays, • Low-level floodlighting (in winter) to 2100 at the latest on weekday evenings, • A new community facility building with changing and social amenities to be provided as a complementary facility to the all weather pitch with the management, maintenance, finances (and coordination with St Edmunds of the work of the SSCO) undertaken by voluntary management committee through a Trust or CIC.

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The Sports and Social Club

• The Club’s existing pitch to be levelled, drained, re-turfed and the training floodlights brought up to standard, • New changing rooms to be built on existing car park, • The new changing rooms to include an upper floor incorporating a youth sports/social area. • Other compatible community functions such as neighbourhood policing might also make use of the Club as a base.

East Harnham Community Centre

• Initial discussions with members of the steering group suggest that this proposed new facility can cater for non-sport recreational activities such as music, dances, drama groups, etc. Ideally this new Centre will complement the proposed sport and recreation facilities in West Harnham.

6.0 Funding the Proposals

6.1 Outline possibilities

The Residents Group has considered how funds might be raised to achieve the completion of both capital projects outlined above. These considerations are summarised below.

A. Funding the School based projects • The proposed TRUST/CIC to identify ways of raising money to cover feasibility studies, design, planning permission, etc. Once built and in use, the Trust/CIC would manage the operational costs

• The CAC to agree, in principle, to allocate R2 monies as a contribution to construction costs (see paragraph 6.2.1).

B. Funding – the West Harnham Sports & Social Club (S&SC)

• The S&SC will be required to identify the criteria that must be met before seeking outside funding from major sources (Charter Club status, facilities for handicapped and under-privileged young people, ethnic minorities, etc).

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• The S&SC to adapt its internal Committee structure to initiate management and funding for feasibility studies, building design, planning permission, the preparation of a 10-year development plan and re-negotiation of a long lease, together with a review of future arrangements for pitch maintenance and letting,

• The CAC to agree in principle to allocate R2 monies as a contribution to construction costs,

• Once the S&SC has met required criteria for external funding and has obtained CAC support, an approach can be made to outside bodies such as Sport , the FA, the Foundation for Sports and Arts, etc, for funding.

6.2 The strategic role of the City Area Committee in the “funding process”

6.2.1 The study highlights the need for the Harnham neighbourhood to attract R2 Developers Contributions, as a priority, to rectify deficiencies in its outdoor recreation provision (see paragraph 3.2.2) for young people. Furthermore, the Council’s own Youth Strategy 2005-2008 states that “the Council’s planning policies should be reviewed to enable funds received from Developers to be used to finance more facilities for young people”,

and that

“the contribution the Council makes to organisations does not necessarily cover the full costs of the delivery of a service, however, funding secured through the District Council can be pivotal in levering additional funding from other external sources”…

The recommendations of this study provide the opportunity for these principles to be put into practice, so that outside grant awarding bodies, such as Sport England (South West) and their Community Investment Fund, can be approached for funding. Furthermore, if community projects such as this are to stand any chance of success, the Local Authority must demonstrate that neighbourhood sports and recreation facilities form part of a tiered approach. (The South West Regional Plan for Sport 2004-2008 – Strategic Theme 1 – Delivering Community Sport –“Encouraging Active Lives”)

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7.0 Conclusions

7.1 In summary, the study has concluded that –

• There is widespread concern in Harnham about the lack of local leisure and amenity provision for young people,

• There is a clear indication from the local community about what is wanted,

• The SDC policy documents endorse the principle that a range of activities and projects should be developed for young people that divert them from anti-social behaviour and crime,

• The SDC Youth Policy envisages the allocation of developers’ funds (R2 monies) in support of facilities such as those put forward in this study,

• If community projects such as this being proposed for Harnham, within Salisbury City, are to stand any chance of success, the Local Authority must demonstrate both its support and that its strategy for the provision of neighbourhood sports and recreation facilities incorporates a tiered approach,

• That a School Sports Co-ordinator (SSCO) be recruited and funded by St Edmunds to work in Harnham, as part of their ‘Community Project’,

• That the location of the sports wall in the Harnham Recreation Ground be kept under review as progress is made on developing this strategy.

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8.0 Recommendations

The City Area Committee is invited to consider the following recommendations

1. That the City Area Sub-Committee agrees to support the broad outlines of the proposals in this Report, accepting, in principle, that a contribution from Section 106 (R2) monies can be allocated to these capital projects, once the following matters have been finalised:

- feasibility studies including estimates have been produced for both the capital projects proposed in this report, with the priority being the Junior MUGA and Community facility on the Harnham Junior School site,

- planning permissions have been obtained,

- management arrangements are in place.

2. That the Council bases its strategy for outdoor recreation provision for young people on a “hierarchy of neighbourhood facilities”, incorporating, at a lower level, the sports walls currently being provided around the City and including, at a higher level, floodlit multi-games areas, where there is an identified need, and where there are community partners prepared to undertake a similar exercise to that which has developed in Harnham.

9.0 The following have been consulted in the preparation of this Report :

* Youth Development Services * St Edmunds Sports College * SDC Community Initiatives * Heads and Governing Bodies * Wiltshire County Sports Partnership of Harnham Junior and Infant Schools * Harnham Ward Councillor Murial Tomlinson * West Harnham Sports and Social Club * Salisbury Community Safety Partnership * East Harnham Community Association Ltd * The residents of Harnham

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Appendix 1 to Report to City Area Committee

Salisbury District Council City Area Committee Extract from Minutes of Meeting held on 25 January 2005

Item 137 – RESOLVED

(1) That the facilities at Harnham Recreation Ground remain;

(2) That the residents of Harnham and all other interested local groups, including youth workers, young people, the church, Harnham Neighbourhood Council and the local Ward Councillors be asked to form a Residents association as outlined and suggested by Mr Mackay with a view to considering the viability and location of the Sportswall and shelter and to report back to the City Area (Community) Committee via the Parks Manager in twelve months time.

(NOTE: The broader issues of social problems and the provision of recreational facilities for young people in Harnham generally should also be considered as part of the residents association remit if they so wish).

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Appendix 2 to Report to City Area Committee

‘COOLSPORT’ Newsletters 1 and 2

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Appendix 3 to Report to City Area Committee

Individuals and Organization Representatives consulted during preparation of Study

Harnham based residents/decision makers

Frances Howard (Chair HNA) Councillor Murial Tomlinson (Ward Councillor) Professor Al Aynsley-Green (Childrens Commissioner for England) Reverend David Scrace (HarnhamVicar) Former County Cllr. William Snow David Wilson Mike Gallagher

Local Authority Officers

Robin Townsend SDC Winnie Manning WCC Alison Kay SDC Louise Cary SDC Ariane Crampton SDC Dave Simmons SDC Graham Creasy SDC

Wiltshire Police

Superintendent Jerry Wickham Inspectors Kevin Hagger and Christian Lange Beat WPC’S Claire Stone and Kerry Lawes CSO. Dave Rushton

Local Sports Club Representatives

David Warren (Sports and Social Club) Dr Peter Wrighton (Salisbury Local Area Sports) Mr Weston (Five Rivers Leisure Centre) Ross Wyeth

Education Representatives

Luke Coles (Head Harnham Junior) and School Governors Christine Smith (Head Harnham Infants) and School Governors Geraint Jones – Director of Sport St Edmunds Sports College

Residents, parents and young people of Harnham

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Appendix 4 to Report to City Area Committee

Documents and Publications examined during preparation of Study

1. Green Paper – ‘Every Child Matters’

2. Wiltshire Strategic Board (WiSB) – ‘A County fit for our Children’ – A Strategy for Wiltshire. Key Targets & Objectives:

3. South Wiltshire Strategic Alliance – ‘Making a Difference Together’ - Community Strategy for Salisbury and South Wiltshire 2005-2009.

4. South Wiltshire Community Safety Partnership – ‘Staying Safe, Feeling Safe’ – A Strategy for reducing Crime and Combating Drug Misuse in Wiltshire.

5. The Fiftyone Minute Challenge. Summary Report on facilities and services for 11-19 year olds across Wiltshire commissioned by the Wiltshire County Council

6. Wiltshire County Council 2004-2007 Service Plan – Youth Development Service

7. Wiltshire Assembly of Youth ‘Agenda for Action’

8. Salisbury District Council Progressive Corporate Plan 2004/2005 and 2005/2006

9. Salisbury District Council Community Development Policy – ‘Building Strong Communities’

• Community Planning Toolkit

10. Salisbury City Community Area Plan 2005-2009

11. Salisbury District Local Plan Policy R2

12. Salisbury District Council Cultural Strategy

13. Salisbury District Council’s Youth Strategy 2005-2008

14. Salisbury District Council – ‘On your Marks’ – A Strategy for Sport and Recreation and Wiltshire & Swindon Activity and Sports Partnership ‘First Active’.

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15. Sport England (South West) Community Investment Fund Regional Plan.

16. Harnham Neighbourhood Association Constitution

17. Harnham Community Sports and Social Club Rules

18. Harnham Youth Venture Trust Deed

19. New Forest District Council Leisure Services Committee – ‘Looking Ahead at Leisure’.

20. Hampshire County Council – Combined Building, Feasibility and Design Project Appraisal for developing community use of Poulner Junior School facilities

21. DOE Multi Use Games Area (MUGA)

22. Green Paper – ‘Youth Matters’

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