Chairman’s Opening Remarks

Chairman Roger Evans welcomed all those present and introduced Malgwyn Davies- Chief Executive of the Council, Judith Padgett – Chief Executive of local Health Board, Nigel Forster- Groundwork and Mike Bridgman of GAVO. He then passed the meeting over to Granville who gave a colourful overview of how the Oakdale and Penmaen Community Partnership was formed, he recognised all members of the Partnership and how much effort all members had put in.

Apologies: Paul Taylor, Sue Gladwin, Steve Carter, Irene James, Trevor Jones, John Isgrove, Margaret Salerno, Dr & Mrs Rice-Jones, Tim Peppin, Peter Gomer, Ian Kilcoyne, Don Touhig MP .

Partnership Appraisal

The Partnership started from a letter that Roger had written to all local businesses and groups- Focus on Oakdale. This then developed into Oakdale and Penmaen Community Partnership. On the 11th February, 2004 the group decided to push forward with the Partnership, Peter Gomer chaired the meeting. TOPP newsletters have been distributed throughout Oakdale, we ran a successful Roll in Roll out session on a Saturday morning, in which over 200 people attended.

Roger then added a few words, where he congratulated Sara on winning the logo competition. He also expressed concern that once again there was not a police representative at the meeting, that there was not a representative from the community schools (apologies were received from Mr Kilcoyne- Oakdale Comprehensive) and also requested that it would be a good idea for a representative from the Health board to attend future meetings, so that any Health concerns could be addressed.

Roger once again introduced our guests and they each gave a small speech. Malgwyn Davies explained how the first Partnership evolved in 1996 in the upper Rhymney Valley and also commented on the excellent project in Abertridwr where the community and the council really worked together. He showed his commitment and enthusiasm for Partnerships and hopes that the council are not providing just the service – but that the people involved work with the community. He also commented that he could feel the ‘buzz’ in our Partnership.

Judith Padgett gave a brief overview on her position and that the Health Services objective is to improve services to suit our needs. The Partnership should work with the Health Board to feed in issues regarding Health, Health Services, promoting good health. Judith also felt that this was a very active Partnership and thanked us all.

Nigel Forster gave a little back ground on Groundwork and said how he was part of the team that developed Oakdale Square 12 years ago. He also informed the Partnership that Groundwork is not just about planting flowers, it has an education section for schools and community, a business team, it also recycles furniture and sells them on at a low cost. All members especially Claire work hard to make Groundwork a success.

Mike Bridgman- GAVO gave a brief overview on GAVO how initially in 1996 there were only 3 staff in Caerphilly and now there are 33 who work hard to help build better communities. He said that people want better communities and we can only do this by working in a Partnership. GAVO are able to give advice on developments, grants, constitutional agreements, Crime Prevention etc. He also felt that our Partnership was very warm and welcoming.

The message from all was clear, we need to trust each other and work together to provide services and improve the community that we are proud to live in.

The Partnership has been established to support the processes of regeneration and Community development in the Communities of Oakdale and Penmaen.

Signing Of Partnership agreement

The signing of the Partnership was completed. Lots of Photographs were taken. Sara was also presented with her certificate – for the excellent logo that she designed and which will now have pride of place on all our stationery- well done Sara. There was a brief interval and then the meeting recommenced.

Interval

Correspondence Received

Paul Taylor received a letter off Groundwork.

Minutes:

Of the September meeting were passed as a true record, with the exception that CrossOaks won Caerphilly in Bloom and not Oakdale In Bloom. Congratulations also goes to Llwynon allotments who won Best Allotments. Amendment to section 8- a meeting was held with John Ridgewell on the 23rd September.

Amendment to Penmaen Churchyard New Deal is Caerphilly County Borough.

The mystery of the ‘Windfall site’ has been solved- it is a small plot of land!

Matters Arising

Update on the weedkiller incident in the Cross Oaks. Jennifer Taylor has recently been interviewed in connection with the case and subsequently someone else has also been interviewed.

Noticeboard:

Roger has held a meeting with the person concerned, who is quite happy with the site chosen. Roger now needs to make a formal application in writing.

Operation Christmas Child:

Shoeboxes along with £2 are to be prepared by the start of November and delivered to Roger’s house.

Mr & Mrs Finn (Penmaen Post Office) have worked extremely hard trying to clear the Churchyard. They should be commended for this..

Treasurers Report

£460.67 in bank. Four transactions have taken place since the last meeting. A more detailed report will be presented in November.

Projects

Oakdale Square:- A meeting was held in September on how to improve the Square. A meeting will be arranged for later on this month when the group and John Ridgewell can combine ideas on the square, to ensure that not only colour is provided but smell as well. Cllr. Allan Pritchard said that a letter would be going out soon stating that some of the Christmas lights scheme will be funded. The council no longer allow lights to be fitted from column to column, unless special columns are erected. Also advised Rob to contact Malcolm Evans on 888777 who may have surplus lights left over.

Penmaen Churchyard: The local authority have now cleared 3 metres each side of the gate and will now start clearing in-between the graves. A skip will be required. There are limitations to what the New Deal employees can achieve due to Health & Safety regulations. Grace stated that the Churchyard will require regular maintenance.

Greengo Project: Tina produced a helpful plan of what land the council owns, another meeting will be held to decide what to do with these parcels of land. The bulb planting will take place at Penrhiw Terrace, Old Pit site entrance and opposite Penmaen Chapel. All to meet Geoff at 10.00am Saturday 8th October to plant bulbs. A couple of ‘Planted by Community Partnership’ signs would be useful. There are 30 sites around Oakdale that require planting n due course.

Skateboarding Project: The group visited Nigel Powell who explained all that was needed to be known about Skateboard parks and they also visited skateboard parks in neighbouring communities. Cllr. Allan Pritchard said that there will always be objections when you try to find a specific site for the park. The council/group will continue looking for sites and when a suitable area is found the residents will be consulted through the planning application procedure.

Jeanette stated that the recreational ground was there well before the houses.

Community Buildings: The replacement for St Davids Hall or an extension for the Community centre will cost between £250-300, 000, This can only be obtained from the lottery fund. However as a community we are classed as one of the ‘better off’ villages and therefore the likelihood of obtaining a grant is very slim. Therefore this is no longer feasible.

Penmaen Chapel has offered the use of their facilities to any group that require it when it is not in use by the Choir. Also the school halls, church and community buildings are not used to their full potential.

Mair Gwynne expressed concern at the loss of the Church Hall, Cllr Allan Pritchard said that the future is not looking good for the hall. He advised that we concentrate our efforts on securing Rhiw Syr Daffydd school for the community. Despite rumours the school is NOT being knocked down for redevelopment.

Oakdale Gateway-

Granville has asked Costains – Sirhowy Enterprise way development for the capstones off the woodfieldside bridge, so that they may somehow be incorporated into the roundabout to create a ‘gateway to Oakdale’. Allan stated that this request had already been made and that they have also asked for the dress stone to be used in some way. Costain will be responsible for the maintenance of the roundabout for the next 30 years after this time it will be passed to the Authority.

The Partnership will write to Costains and invite someone working on the Sirhowy Enterprise Way to speak at our meeting. Geoff and Allan will pass on their contacts to Granville.

Partnership Action Plan

We now need to develop a feasible action plan that will take Oakdale forward in the next 10-15 years. Tina believes it is advisable to set up a sub group. This needs to run separate from the TOPP group. It will take approximately 2 years to complete a plan. This will be discussed in more detail at the next meeting.

Project Management Report

This was an excellent course, very professional and informative. Granville has now been given all the tools in which to take any future bids forward in a professional manner.

There is a Partnership meeting at Tredomen Council Offices on Monday 11th October at 5.30pm. This will take the format of workshop basis (as agreed by past attendees of the Partnership meeting).

Fundraising

Members were asked to think of ideas for raising funds ready for the next meeting. Jeanette will supply a raffle for the next meeting, who ever wins the raffle will bring the prize for the next raffle. Roger asked us once again for names for the Christmas Meal.

Other Business

The Community Centre require the help of anyone aged between 50-60, to help with the running of the community centre. Could anyone who is interested please contact Doreen.

Club activities especially 50+ need to be more widely advertised.

The Local Authority will fund the first batch of Partnership stationery.

Jeanette wants a Rose Queen for 2005. Granville stated that this is a difficult ambition for so late in the year. Roger said that if Jeanette wishes to organise this then there should be no problem.

Date Of Next Meeting
3rd November. 2004 @ 6.30 pm- Oakdale Community Centre