1. Welcome and Apologies

Everyone present was welcomed to the meeting. Dave Brunton from the Aber Valley Partnership was also welcomed. He had kindly agreed to attend to discuss youth involvement in the Partnership. A number of young people were also in attendance.

Apologies were received from Rob Onions, Richard Jones, Cllr. Allan Pritchard, Keith Knott (CCBC), Don Touhig MP, Margaret Salerno, Mair Gwyn, Ann Page.

2. Minutes of the Last Meeting

The minutes from the November meeting were passed as a true record.

3. Matters Arising

Oakdale Comprehensive – it was reported that people are still displaying Save Oakdale School posters in cars and windows. Although we are very grateful for their support the school has now been taken out of consultation and the school is now as safe as any other in the Borough. There is therefore no need to continue with the campaign. It was agreed to let people know this through email, the Oakdale noticeboard and website.

Dave Brunton – Aber Valley Communities First Partnership Dave discussed the work currently taking place in Abertridwr and Senghenydd involving young people in the YMCA, SYDIC Drop In Centre and the Aber Valley Partnership.

In the Aber Valley the Partnership is using a system where the young people have their own group that then feeds into the Partnership. The youths can also feed their views through the Caerphilly Youth Forum run by CCBC. Two local youths also sit on the Children and Youth Partnership Board meaning that they are influencing things at every level including at a policy making level.

The youth council in the Aber Valley is run through the YMCA and the Youth Drop In. There is also a Communities First Partnership for young people to look at their issues. At these meetings young people are able to fight for projects for local young people. Young people should be at the beginning of policy-making initiatives in their area. If young people feel that they can’t participate how can they be expected to respect the work of the Partnerships. The youth committees run through the two centres (YMCA and Drop In) then combine with a school run committee to form the Youth Council. This then feeds up to the Youth Forum. At these meetings they discuss their issues, organise workshops etc. Many of the issues and concerns are the same for every area. The youths can also access the Funky Dragon, which is a youth forum for the National Assembly linking young people directly to the Minister for Youth. Young people therefore have a number of pathways through which to direct their views.

Unfortunately things tend not to move too quickly therefore it is important to move things on in your own areas. The benefits of working with young people include sustainability. It is their future and if they can be engaged in projects they will have a greater respect for them in the longer term. They also have some very good ideas and a great deal of enthusiasm. A lot of money is available for young people via various funding streams, for example using Communities First funding SYDIC has recently had a computer suite fitted, which is also available for use by the wider community eg. adult learners. The group are now looking at developing a digital storytelling project with people of all ages working together. Community members can therefore also benefit from working with young people.

At SYDIC the strap-line is ‘Your Space’. If the young people need or request something the centre will try and get it for them. The centre is run by the young people themselves. A committee of young people own the budget and run the centre. With many funders they will only respond to the young people directly. It is important to build the capacity of young people in this way.

Working with young people is hard work and needs a committed person to be able to work alongside them. SYDIC was started by one person, Michelle Gregory who at the time chaired a neighbourhood watch group. While meeting, her car was damaged and from that she started a scheme to work with the young people from her own house. From this they were then able to access the community centre. Following a lottery bid youth workers were employed which gave the centre a further kick-start. In the Aber Valley the youths did a video of local undesirable areas (fly tipping areas etc). Young people are also working on the allotments with the allotment society and schools.

The young people present at the meeting were asked if they had a youth council at the local Comprehensive School. Two representatives have been voted on to attend meetings but they were not aware as to who they are. If contacted they can feed young people’s ideas through the representatives to initiate projects.

There is a youth club at the school but there are problems with using it. The club is run from the bungalow by CCBC. A visit could be organised for the youngsters to SYDIC either when it is empty or on one of the nights it is open. The centre has a membership of 230 members between the ages of 11 and 18 years. However the centre works with people up to the age of 25 years. The centre also acts as an advice and support centre e.g. a condom distribution service under the health scheme, homeless provision, youth access courses and workers are qualified in counselling about drugs and alcohol.

Facilities at the centre include an I.T. Computer Suite, café, kitchen (where young people can cook and eat a meal), games room (pool table etc), arts area (e.g. music, dance, performance arts). The centre relies on young people to get involved. The centre also works with the Communities First Partnership and other organisations. The YMCA also has a sports centre that cost over £1 million which young people can access (netball and football teams) therefore the area is very fortunate. The centre also links up with CAG to run outdoor pursuits. Karen mentioned the funding opportunities with The Young People’s Lottery who may support the youths if they wanted to look at organising trips and outdoor pursuits at Ynys Howell etc.

The way to start is to engage with youngsters and initiate a particular project. There is also the need for someone to co-ordinate activities and support the young people with their activities. Discussions are underway in Oakdale regarding youth facilities at the school. Ideally it would be best if the youth club could utilise the demountable school buildings and give the bungalow back to the school. Another possibility is using the Community Centre.

The committee meet at SYDIC every Wednesday evening at 5.30pm with activities starting at 6.30pm. It is the decision of the young people when they would like to visit the centre.

Pony Trekking - Mike asked whether the young people would be interested in helping with the community route in terms of fencing and hedging work. This may provide a physical alternative to the activities currently on offer. Dave mentioned that he is currently working with the healthy lifestyle team at CCBC where the young people are carrying out risk assessments on paths to see if they are accessible for disabled people etc. The young people do however need to be covered by liability insurance to carry out this type of work. Risk assessments must be carried out for all activities otherwise the insurance would be invalid.

Skateboard Park – CCBC is being very slow. The Partnership has so far had to identify the need for the park, seek the site and funding, design the units and materials. The project is now going through the planning stage tonight. This has so far taken over 5 months. Granville has received a letter from Vicki Doyle who is keen that this money be spent ASAP. Over 73 hours and 200 phone calls has been spent on this project by the Partnership to date. It was then reported by Cllr. John Evans that the planning permission had been granted. Karen advised that the Partnership must also push forward with spending the Key Fund money granted for the youth shelter and lighting.

4. Correspondence

A letter was sent to all those listed in the visitors book whose attendance at the meetings had lapsed in order to check that all is well.

Museum & Libraries Service – want the Partnership to participate in developing local history websites. We will let them know that we are keen to participate in this type of project.

Deb Tucker – Deb has sent information relating to an employer scheme run through Unilever Best Foods. Any local groups can apply to a small grants scheme for £250 or less.

Warwick Taylor (Bevan Boys) – He is the vice-chair of the Bevan Boys Association and has asked whether he could talk to the Partnership at a future meeting. It was decided that he would come along to the February meeting and give a 40 minute talk. He will focus the talk on Oakdale in particular. Mining memorabilia will also be on display at the community centre and later at the library. The event will be publicised to the wider community to get a good attendance.

URC – re. Jerusalem Grave Yard. It has been noted that the topic was not discussed in the minutes of the previous meetings. Will the Partnership be setting up a group to access funding for the upkeep of the area? A number of memorials have now been declared unsafe. At the officers meeting the committee have arranged to meet Keith Knott to report on a number of CCBC related issues. As Keith formerly worked for New Deal it is hoped to use his experience for this project and Penmaen Chapel.

Festive Lighting - £680 has been granted. The letter advised that there may be the need for match funding in future years. The conditions and indemnity form needs to be returned. The letter suggests that the Partnership would need to take responsibility should anything go wrong with the lights. It was decided not to sign the forms.

Invoice for Bridleway - £5,624.14. The invoice now needs to be approved and sent to Vicki Doyle who will then raise the cheque. It is still anticipated that work will be completed by the 31 December. Mike and Richard have not yet met. Brian Parfitt from the Trinant Partnership has been enquiring about their share of the funding. No work has yet begun. The invoice received is for bridging materials. Cllr. Evans will chase this matter up.

Infants School – The school council would like to make the school grounds more exciting for the children. They have asked for help and intend to send one of the teachers to a Partnership meeting. They are also sending letters out to various businesses for bulbs etc. Karen discussed the possibility of applying through the Parent Teachers Association to Awards for All for a Community / School garden project. Cllr. Evans will pass Karen’s details onto the teacher concerned. The Partnership could also assist with bird and bat boxes, wind chimes etc.

5. Treasurer’s Report There has been no change since the last report. The balance in the account is £4,244.97. Granville and David are currently working on the balance sheet from the Homefront Recall project. A copy of the income and expenditure so far was passed around to those present. The Partnership needs to spend the remainder of this funding but Karen advised that any changes in what this money gets spent on must be first approved by the Lottery. The Lottery will also require a full report of the Homefront activities.

6. Projects

Most projects had already been dealt with earlier in the meeting. A meeting has been organised with Keith Knott to look at a number of the projects.

7. Anti-Social Behaviour

Discussions have taken place with Inspector Fleming. Anti-social behaviour is on the increase in the Oakdale area compared to Cefn Fforest and Blackwood, with problems reported at the recreation ground, Aberconwy gardens and the Community Centre. Underage drinking has also become a problem at the public toilets. There were conflicting reports as to the state of the toilets.

Rob Onions is currently consulting on whether the hedges should be removed. The majority view will go forward.

Safety lighting has been requested for the rear of the centre. Progress will be checked with Keith Knott. At present the lighting is linked to the Community Centre’s lighting costs. This is unacceptable so they have been switched off. Keith will be asked where they are in the list for safety lighting.

The Inspector is working with Jeanette but it is when she is not around that the problems tend to arise.

8. Report on the Luncheon at the Community Centre

The afternoon luncheon was a superb event where many elderly and disabled people enjoyed a meal, entertainment and a small gift. A big thank you was given to all the ladies who organised the event and put in so much hard work. A letter of thanks has been received by the Partnership from one of the people attending the luncheon. It is hoped to put on another similar event at Easter and also take the disabled people on a trip.

9. Constitution – Executive Meeting

In the constitution there is a clause that 2 executive meetings must be held each year. The executive committee is made up of the officers, Ray, Jeanette, Mair, David, Grace and Doreen. This will be held in January. The AGM is also coming up.

10. Village Centenary

A meeting will be held at the Community Centre on Monday the 12th of December at 4.30pm for those involved in the Centenary sub-group. Letters of invitation have been sent out.

11. Any Other Business

Next Wednesday there will be a Christmas celebration at 7.00pm at the Christian Centre.

Mike asked whether it would be possible for him to have a permit to use the recycling facility at Penmaen. He often picks up rubbish around the area but is denied use of the facility due to his trailer. Cllr. Evans agreed to ring Ian Jones.

A thank you to the committee for all the hard work they have put in over the last year. It is very much appreciated.