In the absence of Peter Shearing, Sue Darling agreed to chair the meeting and welcomed the group.

The Programme Manager outlined a summary of the 2003 claims for 21 projects. As the programme had more than met its targets for 2002 and 2003 and thus contributed to West Midlands Government Office (GOWM) meeting its targets regionally, we are hoping for a share of the 'bonus' payment GOWM is now eligible for. The Programme's claim for extra funds is strengthened as, through negotiation with GOWM, the URBAN project St Peters Community centre refurbishment, had been included in the claims. In the meantime the programme is over-committed by £400,000 over the 6 years of the project. All ERDF funds under measure 1-3 are committed and two ESF projects are being developed for the remainder of the ESF under measure 4.

A number of projects are still being developed but are working up:

Refugee Centre – 2 projects (Empowering Ethnic Minority Communities Through Capacity Building and Interpreting Development Project) are hoping to make a claim soon. The Primary Care Trust project (Family Link Worker) is nearing completion as is the Citizen's Advice Project.

There is a problem with the Cleansweep project as the match is ineligible and so the project is looking for alternative match funding.

Bill Watt briefed the board on the progress of the Hope centre. Everything seems to be going to plan. 11 jobs in the nursery have been taken up - will employ a further 9 people in the next 2 weeks. Cllr Windsor interested in the views of local people – Bill said that many people stop to ask about the centre and he receives numerous enquiries on his phone. Reaction seems very positive and there seems to have been a visible reduction of prostitution in the area. A leaflet drop will take place in the area in the near future, which will outline the purpose of the Hope Centre and its facilities. A discussion was had regarding the Centre and it's volunteers/steering group.

It was suggested that future board meetings could take place at project venues. Therefore, the next meeting would take place in St Peters Community Centre with a view to taking a look around the new library facilities.

Date of next meeting:  6^th April at St Peters Community Centre