Friends of Ruskin Park

Chair  Veronica Hardstaff - 64, Linaker Road, Sheffield S6 (Tel. 233 5414)

Secretary Max Telfer – 167, Walkley Crescent Road, Walkley, Sheffield S6 (Tel. 234 1576)

Minutes of the meeting of the Friends of Ruskin Park, held on Tuesday, 9^th January, 2002

Present : Veronica Hardstaff (Chair); Max Telfer (Secretary); Alan Garner; Pat Garner; Chris Ireland; Deb Loadby; Brenda Wren; Councillor Vickie Priestley; Councillor Jonathan Harston; Fraser McDermott (Sheffield City Council); Rachel Stevenson (Sheffield City Council); Nikky Wilson (Upperthorpe & Netherthorpe Community Alliance)

Apologies :  Rosemary Telfer; Matthew North; Caroline Haw ;Claire Molyneux; Tim Rose; Councillor Diane Leek

1.      Minutes of the previous meeting and matters arising

1.1.           The minutes of the meeting held on 4^th December were agreed.

1.2.           Costings for benches. Claire still to provide.

1.3.           Councillor Leek has not yet contacted the football team. Chris Ireland to let the secretary have the contact number.

1.4.           Nikky has supplied the Register of Interest form.

2.       Reports on funding

2.1. Claire has given Veronica information about possible resources from the Community Chest Fund. The Community Chest Fund is part of the SRB  budget and may be made available for the drawing up of plans and for putting on small events. However, the closing date for applications is 18th February and the next funding round takes place in June.

Claire and Nikky have discussed the possibility of employing someone to draw up the plans. Nikky agreed to help Veronica to put together the bid and to identify a planning consultant .

2.2. Veronica confirmed that Sheffield City Council would complete the bid for the Lottery Fund and that SRB money could be used as matched funding e.g. the SRB money could be used for equipment and the Lottery money for the rest of the ark, including the football pitch or vice versa.

Council officers drawing up the bid would need to show that there is strong community involvement in the project and the existence and work of the Friends of Ruskin Park would adequately demonstrate this.

2.3. Neighbourhood Renewal funding of £86,000 is available during 2002. Half of this may be spent on parks and open spaces. Money may be used for the football pitch, but not to buy sports equipment.

2.4. The £1,000 in the Friends’ budget this year can be held over to next year and added to. Claire will identify a lead officer in Parks and Open Spaces and contact John Mothersole to arrange this.

2.5.  The meeting to be held to identify specific equipment for the play area has been postponed, due to illness and a report back was promised for the next Friends’ meeting.

2.6.  The secretary is to write to Tim Rose and ask if he has been successful in identifying money from the Education Department. This also could be used as matched funding.

3.      Events

3.1.  Veronica is to attend the next Walkley Festival meeting and asked that everyone give some thought as to what the Friends’ could contribute to the Festival.

3.2.  Saturday 18^th May was agreed as the annual Clean up Ruskin Park Day. The Park Rangers could be involved and the Dog Wardens invited along. The Rangers would also produce leaflets and flyers. Max to approach Cap Gemini, Ernst and Young for help under their Community Assistance Programme.

4.      Website

Debbie’s partner has kindly agreed to create a Friends of Ruskin Park website. There will be a cost in order to obtain a domain name.

5.  Date and time of next meeting : Wednesday, 6^th February, 7.45 p.m. Royal Hotel, Walkley St.