Minutes of a meeting of the Management Group of the Marden Community Plan held on 9 March 2006 at The Allens

Present
John Verrall                 Chairman
Chris Turner                Treasurer
John Banks
Mike Lutener               Parish Council representative
Graham Tippen          Acting Co-ordinator
Kate Tippen                Note taker

 Report from the Working Group meeting held on 23 February   Graham Tippen

 Progress is being made on completion of the work sheets.  It had been agreed to postpone the meeting on 16 March as the Workstream leaders were getting together on that night to compare notes.  It is hoped that substantial progress will have been made by the April meeting.

 Annual Parish Meeting 11 April 

There is already a full Agenda for the APM and therefore it was agreed to ask Sue Beer to postpone her visit until the June event – see later minute.  Instead Graham will produce a written report, to be circulated for approval to members before 31 March, and he will speak briefly at the meeting about the Community Plan.

 Open event  

It was agreed that an open event would be held on Friday 2 June 6.00pm – 8.00pm and Saturday 3 June 9.00am- 1.00pm in the Vestry Hall.  This to be publicised as widely as possible to encourage maximum participation.  It is hoped that Workstream leaders will be able to attend and to run participative sessions in their areas, plus a questionnaire to given to all attendees covering topics such as why you chose Marden, what keeps you in Marden and 3 things that could be improved.  It is also hoped that Sue Beer can attend one of these sessions.

We would also like to invite other villages to attend.

Graham to organise the booking of the event and the programme, also to obtain addresses of other parish clerks to write to them. He will also contact Sue Beer.

Kate to contact Marden Parish Clerk re the change to the agenda for the APM.

John Verrall had attended the opening event of the Staplehurst partnership and had gained some useful insight into how they are approaching the Healthcheck.  Paddock Wood is holding their opening event on 25 March, which Graham and Kate will attend.

 Business event  

It was also agreed that a separate event for businesses in the village should be held on a weekday soon after the open event and that the Memorial Hall should be used.   Aim is to hold the event between 12.30 and 2.00 and provide light refreshments. [Note: this event will now be on Monday 5th June]

Mike will obtain a quote for catering.

Graham will book the Hall, send out invitations (we are awaiting a list of businesses in the village from Alison and will endeavour to ensure it is a comprehensive list, including as many self employed people as possible), and arrange the programme.

 Finance

Chris confirmed that the bank account is now set up with Nat West in Maidstone.

Sue Beer has confirmed that her fund will give us £3000, £1500 now and £1500 on completion of the project.  Graham has sent an invoice to her for £1500, to send a copy to Chris Turner.

An application for funding from KCC through Paulina Stockell had been submitted on 6 February and no further news on this.  Graham to chase Loic Florey at KCC and Mike and John V asked to talk to Paulina.

Borough Councillors to be approached and asked what their application process is for funding.

It may also be necessary to approach the Lottery fund – Awards for All if member grants from local and county councillors are not forthcoming.  Graham to pursue.

It was also agreed that future Management meetings should continue at The Allens.  Kate to check out if any payment will be required and to cancel the Hall bookings.

 Co-ordinator

The appointment of a paid part time co-ordinator was discussed and it was proposed by John Banks and agreed that Graham Tippen should be offered the post.  It is anticipated the role would require approx. 1.5 days work per week effective from 1 April. Graham gratefully accepted the offer.

Note – Kate Tippen took no part in this discussion and has now withdrawn from the Management Group.

Graham’s appointment will be announced to the Parish Council at the next working group meeting on 20 April and

NEXT MEETING THURSDAY 6 APRIL 8.00PM THE ALLENS