Agenda item

Parbinder Singh, Neighbourhood Development Officer for Wollaton West Ward, presented the report which informs the Committee of the accepted nominations of Community Representatives by their community groups.

It is noted that some nomination forms are yet to be received and so some previous community representatives are not included in the list at this time.

RESOLVED to note the following appointments of Community Representatives for the 2018/19 municipal year and welcome new representatives Jacob Collier and Reverend Stuart Bell to the meeting:

Organisation   Name

Lenton Abbey Residents Association (LARA)   -  Adam McGregor

Wollaton Park Residents Association   -  Sylvia Taylor

North Wollaton Residents Association   -  Dr Chris Bignall

Friends of Wollaton Park   -  Rob Kirkwood

Wollaton Historical and Conservation Society   -  Alan Hall

Wollaton Park Community Association   -  Pauline Peck

University of Nottingham Students Union   -  Jacob Collier

Wollaton Churches Together   -  Rev. Stuart Bell

Adam McGregor, Treasurer and former Chair of Lenton Abbey Resident’s Association (LARA) and community representative appointed to the Committee, delivered a brief verbal presentation on the group.

Lenton Abbey Resident’s Association is a small group which represents the residents of Lenton Abbey Estate, operating from the Shelia Roper Community Centre which, with the support of Nottingham City Homes, recently underwent a much needed refurbishment. As a result the Centre is now an attractive and even higher valued community focus. In addition to coffee mornings, Zumba classes, family and arts and crafts session, LARA holds events such as the Christmas Fair, Spring Fair and Summer Fair, for the community and to raise funds for the group. Whilst there is the common problem of attracting committee members, a small core of dedicated volunteers ensure that community events and activities are held and community engagement is good with positive feedback.

Jacob Collier, elected representative of University of Nottingham Student’s Union, informed the Committee that the new academic term starts on 24 September 2018 and assured members that the Student’s Union will be spreading the message that students have got to respect residents and communities, from keeping noise down to ensuring that the different bin system is understood and used appropriately. 

Sylvia Taylor, representing Wollaton Park Resident’s Association, informed the meeting that the group’s committee had been restructured and that there is a concerted effort to introduce a diversity of members;

Susan Twyford, representing the Wollaton Festival, informed the committee that the group would start working in October for next year’s events.

In regard to a topic which is of interest to several local groups, the Chair informed the Committee that there is now a two stage project proposed for the repair and preservation of the walls of the Wollaton Hall Walled Garden. Stage 1 is to repair the walls and outer area so that the space is safe to be used again. The cost of this stage is estimated at £20,000 and whilst the City Council can provide £15,000 from Section 106 funding, the remainder will be sought from local ward councillor budget allocations, the Historical Society, the Civic Society and contributions from individuals and groups. Once the funding is secured, a schedule of work can be provided.

Stage 2 of the project will include a 10 year plan and may cost millions of pounds. It will need to result in the walled garden generating an income, becoming financially self-funding and sustainable, whilst remaining suitable for the Park and area. It is likely that an application for National Lottery Finding will be made but as the City has recently been successful in securing funding for several large projects, it has been suggested that an application made in a few years’ time would be more likely to succeed. Suggestions for fundraising ware welcomed and residents are encouraged to respond to the public consultation once it is released.

The Friends of Wollaton Park will be holding their AGM in October and will discuss fund raising for the walled garden repairs then, along with what could possibly be suitable to be sited in the area. If community buy-in is evident, then this will support funding bids.