Bensham and Saltwell SRB Partnership Board
Thursday 18 December 2003 at 4.00pm
Blaydon Room, Gateshead Civic Centre
Agenda
1. Apologies for Absence
2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting (Attached)
3. Matters Arising
4. Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder Programme
Update by John Robinson, Director, Development and Enterprise
5. Saltwell Park Restoration Scheme
Update by Steve Palmer, Saltwell Park Manager
6. Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder
Outcome of expression of interest to government office north east (GONE), a verbal update by Dave Andrew, Area Co-ordinator, Community Based Services
7. Progress report on the SRB Programme
For information (Attached).
8. Evaluation of the SRB Programme
For consideration (Attached).
9. Neighbourhood Management
Presentation by Dave Andrew, Area Co-ordinator, Community Based Services
10. Any Other Business
11. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 22 January 2004 at 5.00pm.
Item 8
BENSHAM AND SALTWELL SRB PARTNERSHIP
MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING
THURSDAY 18 DECEMBER 2003
END OF PROGRAMME EVALUATION
1. Purpose of the Report
1.1 To seek the support of the Partnership in commissioning of an end of scheme evaluation for the Bensham and Saltwell SRB Programme.
2. Background
2.1 As soon as possible after the end of a scheme, Partnerships are obliged to submit an independent report to One NorthEast on the overall achievement of the scheme, measured against the strategic objectives and the final position against the baseline position. The report should also identify the expected benefits and impact of the scheme after its completion.
3. Interim Evaluation -Year 2
3.1 In April 2000, the Partnership commissioned Ian Flintoft to carry out an interim independent evaluation of the scheme to assess whether the objectives of the scheme where being fulfilled and if the final targets were on target to be achieved. The key findings of the evaluation were:
· Synergy achieved has been significant in the collaboration between projects and partners and in the amount of complimentary spend achieved
· SRB and Capital Challenge – supported projects have made considerable progress towards strategic objectives identified by the Partnership.
· Processes used by the Partnership appear to operate well in practice
· Consultation with the wider community has taken a variety of forms
4. Terms of Reference
4.1 If the Board wish to approve an end of scheme evaluation it will be a requirement to cover the following:
· Establish the extent to which the scheme achieved its vision
· Review the performance of the scheme in achieving outputs and milestones
· Assess value for money
· Review the qualitative benefits arising from projects
4.2 It is essential if the evaluation is to be successful that all Partners and Project Leaders take an active role in the evaluation process and contribute to its assessment.
5. Financial Implications
5.1 Funding for an evaluation can be met from the SRB Management and Administration budget. The Executive Team will contact One NorthEast to confirm that it is possible to transfer a small amount of grant into financial year 04/05 to pay for the evaluation.
6. Recommendation
The Partnership is recommended to approve the proposal of an end of scheme evaluation of the Bensham and Saltwell SRB Programme.
BENSHAM AND SALTWELL SRB PARTNERSHIP
MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING
THURSDAY 18 DECEMBER 2003
PROGRESS UPDATE
1. Purpose of the Report
1.1 To update the Partnership on work in progress.
2. Progress Overview
2.1 Since the last Partnership meeting, responsibility for the management of the Executive Team has now fully transferred from the Chief Executive to Community Based Services. This has had the added benefit of linking the work of the Partnership into the heart of the Neighbourhood Management agenda.
2.2 One NorthEast – Healthcheck Visits
Linda Stevenson from One NorthEast made visits to three projects in the SRB programme.
§ Tuesday 16th September – Action on Health project, Millennium House.
Linda met with Trevor Hopkins (CBS) and was satisfied with the projects acheivements, A visit was also made to Caedmon Primary School to view a garden project that had improved the emotional well-being of the pupils.
§ Wednesday 24th September – Urdu Mother Tongue, Gateshead Muslim Society Centre, Westbourne Avenue.
Stephen Lamienie (CXS), Nasir Ahmed (CXS), Younas Malik and other members of the Gateshead Muslim Society, gave Linda a tour of the new facilities and provided all required documents, again Linda was more than satisfied with the project activity.
§ Friday 3rd October – Giving Credit for Learning, North East Open College, Newcastle.
Brian Yhearm provided a comprehensive review of how the project collates data and submits output statements. Linda had no issues with the project activity.
Overall Linda found much of the project activity impressive and had no issues with the management of the project sponsors. However she had concerns over the appraisal processes conducted by the council. There are some queries as to whether the Council is following the correct procedures. Linda is to confirm with the appraisal team at One NorthEast and will contact us with any corrective actions that need to be taken.
2.3 A senior civil servant from the Home Office visited three projects in Bensham on 24th November to find out what lessons can be learnt regarding the role and expectations around the voluntary sector in the fields of community cohesion and regeneration.
2.4 Steps are being taken to identify the strengths and needs of the community groups and organisations across Gateshead in association with the Empower Network. This includes groups and organisations in Bensham and Saltwell, and has led to further advice and guidance being given, including St. Chad’s and St. Cuthbert’s Court Residents Association by the Neighbourhood Management Team.
2.5 It is anticipated that there will be two further editions of the SRB-funded newsletter “Informed”. One is the “normal” quarterly edition, and it is hoped a final edition will be produced in the late spring/early summer. The last edition would provide an opportunity to celebrate the numerous achievements that have been made through the Partnership’s administration of the SRB funding. It would also provide an opportunity to “signpost” people to responsible groups and organisations who are best placed to address on-going concerns, thoughts and ideas about the community at large.
3. Key pieces of work
3.1 In conjunction with Northumbria Police, the Council has set up 5 Problem Solving Core Teams, one for each of the Neighbourhood Management Areas, to address complex multi-agency issues. One of the first examples in the Central area is in Bensham and is centred upon St Cuthbert’s Court and the town park.
3.2 The Executive Team is also commencing work around issues facing the last remaining projects, to see what steps are being/can be taken to continue to address any outstanding issues. One example of this is Millennium House, which currently fulfils a variety of roles, some of which directly benefit Bensham and Saltwell residents. Funding from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund has been sought to cover running costs for the next 12 months for the building, and options are being explored with both the existing resident services and potential service providers to find the mix of facilities within Millennium House that best meets future needs of the local community.
3.3 The Avenues Project is at the early stages of planning a survey of the young people in Bensham, to provide them with an opportunity to have their say on issues that concern them with a view to getting some response and feedback from relevant service providers. The last survey of this kind was done 6 years ago.
4. Position Statement / Quarterly returns
As the programme comes to an end, the need to collate and record accurate financial and performance information becomes ever more crucial.
Progress Report
Expenditure
The programme is currently ÂŁ18,136 over-programmed, based upon actual figures for quarters 1 and 2 and original forecasts for quarters 3 and 4. This figure has come down from approximately ÂŁ30,000 over-programmed at the beginning of quarter 1, the schedule of projects are being managed to ensure that expenditure does not exceed the allocation of ÂŁ425,000. Over-programming is a standard practice in managing large funding packages. Slippage has predominantly occurred on internal projects due to variances in salary costs, however project officers will ensure that project objectives are met.
Quarter 1 Actual |
Quarter 2 Actual |
Quarter 3 Forecast |
Quarter 4 Forecast |
Forecast Total Spend |
|
Capital |
0 |
0 |
25,000 |
0 |
25,000 |
Revenue |
95,229 |
119,333 |
84,665 |
73,909 |
373,136 |
Total |
95,229 |
119,333 |
109,665 |
73,909 |
398,136 |
Management |
15,797 |
11,810 |
8,696 |
8,697 |
45,000 |
Total Claim |
111,026 |
131,143 |
118,361 |
82,606 |
443,136 |
Outputs
The following outputs are showing a shortfall in meeting forecast targets, however none are considered as significant shortfalls with the exception of 1B Pupils benefiting from enhanced attainment which is being dealt with.
· 1A(i) Jobs safeguarded
· 1B Pupils benefiting from enhanced attainment
· 1F(i) People trained obtaining jobs
· 1F(ii) Number of people trained formerly unemployed
· 5C Community Safety Initiatives
· 7A(i) Local people given access to new health opportunities
· 7A(ii) Local people given access to new sports opportunities
· 7A(iii) Local people given access to new cultural opportunities
· 7B(i) Number using improved health facilities
Key Performance Indicators
All indicators have been met with the exception of 1000 local people given access to new cultural opportunities in quarter 1, as the Jewish Community Centre had not opened to schedule.
Tier 3 Outputs
One NorthEast have requested that the Council report back with more general indicators, proscribed by the Department for Trade and Industry, to align with One NorthEast’s current regeneration programme. These outputs show that Bensham and Saltwell partnership activity is delivering well and represents good value for money.
Quarter 1 Actual |
Quarter 2 Actual |
Quarter 3 Forecast |
Quarter 4 Forecast |
|
C1(i) New jobs created |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 (2) |
C1(ii) Jobs Safeguarded |
6.8 (1) |
0 |
0 |
2 (1) |
C2(i) Businesses created |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
C2(ii) Businesses attracted |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
C3 Learning opportunities (> than 30 hours) |
46 |
45 |
46 (10) |
608 (490) |
C4 Brownfield land remediated/recycled |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
C5 Private investment leverage |
18,600 |
78,000 |
0 |
0 |
5. Financial Implications
There are no financial implications arising from this report.
6. Recommendation
The Board is asked to note the contents of the report.
Item 5
BENSHAM AND SALTWELL SRB PARTNERSHIP
MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING
THURSDAY 18th DECEMBER 2003
SALTWELL PARK RESTORATION SCHEME
1. Purpose of the Report
To inform the Board of current progress regarding the design and implementation of the Restoration Scheme.
2. Recent Progress
The following works have been completed since the last meeting of the Board or are currently in progress:
· The Almond Pavilion on the Broadwalk
The Pavilion setting works are complete and the horticultural display areas have been turfed. The associated shrub planting is finished and the beds will be mulched over the next month.
· Saltwell Towers
Phase 3, the completion of the restoration of the external Victorian fabric of the building and the development of the new interior, continues to progress. All of the external works are now complete other than the cladding of the new east elevation. The scaffolding has been taken away and the Towers is now beginning to take on its role as the architectural focal point of the Park. The internal development is progressing rapidly with the lift installed and the inside walls constructed. The services and utilities are about to be connected and the external floodlighting mounted.
· The Stable Block and Aviaries
Work is continuing on the repair/restoration of the stable block to provide a new education facility. All of the external works are completed. The internal conversion works will be completed in January. The former monkey house has been restored and work is progressing on the restoration of the adjacent aviary. The park stores have been re-roofed and are now being converted to public conveniences. The new animal pens have been constructed.
· Substation in the Central Area
The soft landscaping works associated with the construction of the new substation, which extends throughout the central area of the park, is finished.
· Services and Drainage
Work is continuing with the upgrading of services and drainage throughout the Park.
· Seats and Litter bins
The first group of new seats and litterbins has been installed on the Broadwalk and beside the Lake. The second group has arrived and will be installed over the winter period.
· The Dene
Work is progressing on the restoration of the Dene. The engineering works are complete with the reconstruction of the streambed, footpaths and bridges. The pumping/water recycling system is operational. The restoration of the historic landscape will be undertaken over the winter period.
· Footpaths and South Park landscaping
Works are progressing on the completion of Phase 6 of the footpaths project with the reconstruction of the Lake links and Belvedere wall paths finished and work starting on the Dene south edge footpath. The seeding/turfing of the open parkland located in South Park adjacent to the repaired footpaths is complete, as is the turfing of the Belvedere Garden.
3. Recommendation
The Board is asked to receive this report for information.
The Dene waterfall : testing the pumps Saltwell Tower: the removal of scaffolding