Agenda and draft minutes

Cllr Joan Millbank welcomed everyone, introduced herself and fellow Cllrs Paul Bell and Dan Whittle, the agenda for the evening, and invited presentations from speakers.

Food Service: Pastor David Brown from Living Waters Christian Centre (LWCC) presented on the food services they provide to people in need. They meets at Honor Oak Centre and are open to the public every Wednesday from 7pm to 8:30pm. Since October 2013 their name has slightly changed to LWCC Food Service to reflect their clients diverse needs. Their services have since included provision of information on professional groups and organisations that exist in the borough, distribution of food vouchers through groups and organisations that come into contact with people in need.

Pastor David further explained how they operate:

Honor Oak Community Centre (HOCC): Steve McGann – Centre Manager – gave an overview on the history, management structure and current services HOCC provide. Steve explained that the Centre was built in 1981 and  has since been managed by a community-led Premises Management Committee (PMC).  Originally the Centre was under the Honor Oak Estate Neighbourhood Association (HOENA). Since 2004 the Honor Oak Community Centre Association (HOCCA) was formed with the sole remit of managing the Centre. In 2006 over 20 organisations used the Centre on a daily, weekly of monthly basis. The Centre recently went through change in management and cuts in grants from the Council. To offset the grant reduction a working group has been set up that will work on increasing revenue and putting together a “way forward” plan.

HOCC currently works in partnership with “60Up”, which is an elderly group that uses the centre every Thursday from 11:30am to 2pm. Other partners include Just Older Youth (JOY) that provide “digital       inclusion classes”. Volunteers have been recruited to use the Centre’s            ICT Suite to initiate an internet café. Strong links have also been       established with youth clubs, Goldmisth’s College, Community           Education Lewisham, Lewisham Homes, Youth Clubs etc.

Steve stated that establishing more day-time community use is a priority and that they are currently are seeking to:

•                     Strengthen and consolidate the role that volunteers play in the   Centre

•                     Set up social enterprise classes aimed at local NEET young     people

•                     Establish facilities for information, advice and guidance for local           people

•                     Initiate parenting support groups

They are also looking to recruit volunteers with skills to:

•                     Support the management committee

•                     Undertake community research

•                     Support the internet cafe

•                     Publicise the Centre

•                     Support the elder people’s group

TH Assembly Priorities and Fund: Cllr Joan Millbank went through ward priorities and funding allocations, which included:

i.                                                              Children and Young People – key objectives:  being healthy,        being confident ,increasing life skills through informal education, enhancing employment opportunities including access to                training and       apprenticeships, promote inter-generational         connections.

ii.                                                            Community Wellbeing – key objectives:  resilient communities, healthy communities,  informed and engaged communities.

iii.                                                          Local Community Organisations – key objectives: capacity building (skills, knowledge, resources), building collaboration amongst groups to increase local impact

iv.                                                          Safety, Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour – key objectives: safe at home and safe on streets, estate action, reduce noise and nuisance

v.                                                            Local environment – key objectives:  clean and green streets, estates and neighbourhoods, safety on roads, maintained trees

Recommendations for Ward Assembly Funding 2013-14 ( to be spent by November 2014):

£15,000 available in 2013 -14, allocated as follows: 

1. Children and Young People  - £,5000 
2. Community Wellbeing - £5,000

3.   Local Community Organisations – £5,000

Proposals Received and Recommended (to date):

A. Kender Summer Adventure 2014 : A collaboration between two neighbouring  tenants and residents Association ( Kender TRA and Kender Triangle TRA). The plan is to take children aged 5 and upwards who would not otherwise get a holiday, living in social housing away on a 4 day activity weekend during the late August bank holiday 2014. Outcomes include building children’s confidence, strengthen family relationships, increased community engagement. Request for £5,000 under Children and Young People  and Community Wellbeing

B. Digital Discovery: This project is a collaboration between JOY (Just Older Youth) and the Honor Oak Community Centre Association (HOCCA), to run  24 x 2 hour computer/technology sessions for older adults (50+) to counter the effects of digital exclusion and to demystify digital technology.  Outcomes include building skills. overcoming disadvantage, reduce social isolation. Request for £2,330 under Community Wellbeing.

C. Community Weekend: To meet the cost of running a 3^rd annual community engagement and information days across the ward where local community groups and voluntary organisation showcase their services and activities, volunteering opportunities and trustee needs to local residents. Request for £2,500 under Local Community Organisations (plus £566 underspend from 2012-13 allocation – see below).

Total Recommended Expenditure to date = £9,830. Funds Remaining  = £5,170

Assembly have unanimously agreed the above proposals as presented by Cllr Joan Millbank. A fourth project proposal submitted by New Cross Gate Trust was differed for more further consultation at community network meetings.

Cllr Millbank also explained 2012/13 assembly funds as follows:

Total funds allocated in 2012-13 = £18,750

Underspend at November 2013 =  £10,946

Revised committed expenditure = £6,446

Carry Forward underspend to 2013-14  = £4,500                  

Assembly unanimously agreed to the above proposal.

·        Judicial review won

·        Cllr Paul Bell emphasised the importance of an organisation known as “Monitor” in protecting and saving the NHS.

·        Assembly participants were encouraged to subscribe to “Monitor”.

·        Anthony Lukan – Diabetes Champion – gave overview on diabetic health issues. Explained symptoms of diabetes such as extreme thirsty and urine rush, especially at night. There are two types of diabetes: insulin dependent, mostly affects children and young adults; and insulin resistant. The latter starts gradually. Afro-Caribbean and Asians are more likely to be affected by this than white members of the community.

At present there 3 million people with diabetes in the UK. 400 people are diagnosed with the symptom every day.

·        Cllr Millbank stated that Brockley Fire Station is up for closure

·        ShalenaHaughton-Peters from Lewisham Youth Service shared information that two days a week youth activities are taking place, and that currently staff are being recruited.