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PACT wishes you a Happy Eid – A Happy Christmas – and a successful New Year

 We take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The next edition of the PACT Update will be published at the end of January and will cover news for December and January. May we therefore take this opportunity to send Season’s Greetings from everyone at the Phoenix Area Co-ordination Team!

Coventry City Council “Question Time”

The City Council’s Cabinet came to Hillfields on 19^th November to hold Coventry’s own “Question Time”. The event, held at Coventry City FC was well attended by residents and young people studying citizenship as part of their school curriculum. There were a lot of questions which Council Leader, Nick Nolan, fielded to members of the Council’s cabinet. Our heart went out to one resident who thought that Tony Blair’s Cabinet had come to Coventry – “how disappointed he must have been” said Cllr Nolan. This exercise in public accountability is now an ongoing part of the City Council’s approach to democracy in the city.

WATCH

On the afternoon of Friday 22^nd November, WATCH held a first birthday celebration to mark the anniversary of the re-opening of the WATCH Centre. This took place at the end of a very successful Job Fair, reported below. The event included presentations by the staff to the Chair and Vice Chair to thank them for their commitment and dedication to the organisation over a very difficult period.

WATCH is pleased to announce that it will be administering another round of Neighbourhood Renewal Community Chest funds in Hillfields. Eligible projects can bid, on a simple one-page form, for funds of up to £1000 for projects that can be completed by 31^st March 2003. Further details are available from Vicki at WATCH on 7655 0563.

PACT

The Area Co-ordination Office will be closed to the public over the Christmas period from Monday 23^rd December until Thursday 2^nd January. There will be no service available from lunchtime on Tuesday 24^th December.

Objective 2 Action Plan

At the time of going to print, we still have not had a decision from Government Office on the Objective 2 Action Plan. The Action Plan was submitted in July and if all goes well we are anticipating a decision on 16^th December, but partners are advised not to hold their breath. The Hillfields Partnership Board undertook a prioritisation exercise in November in anticipation of the likelihood that less money will be available than bid for.  Two induction sessions have been held for new Board Members on the principles of European funding.

Redevelopment

The City Council is considering a major redevelopment project that covers an extensive area to the north of the City Centre. Under the working title “the Swanswell Project” consideration is being given to a redevelopment scheme that covers a swathe of land from the former Engineers Depot on Foleshill Road, including the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital site and land in the vicinity of the Ring Road. The project is at a very early stage of development and will involve public consultation as the ideas are developed. Information will be provided through this Update as the project develops.

Jobs and Training

Thirty clients of WATCH found employment during November, including 15 clients who have started at Peugeot. WATCH held a hugely successful Job Fair on the 21^st and 22^nd November 2002. During the two days 75 applications were made to Blue Arrow (recruiting for Toyota in Derby), 50 applications were made to Acme Care, 20 applications made to Brook Street, 100 applications made to Peugeot and 152 applications made to Job Centre Plus. One client was offered work to start straight away by Target Cleaning. In total the two days attracted over 900 Job Seekers (750 on Thursday and 150 on Friday).

A date has been fixed for the re-launch of the Jobs and Training Action Group. The first meeting will take place on Monday 20^th January 2003 at 2.00 p.m. at St. Peter’s Community Centre. The meeting is aimed at anyone interested in improving access to jobs and training and the services available for Hillfields residents. If you would like to participate contact Preet Grewal at WATCH on 7655 0564.

The Workers Education Association (WEA) in partnership with the Adult Guidance Network and the Coventry and Warwickshire Learning and Skills Council put on a free half-day activity “Workplace Learning in Coventry and Warwickshire” at Coventry City Football Club on Saturday 23^rd November. If you would like more information about adult learning through the WEA contact them on 7669 1419.

WATCH has now completed three training courses funded by the Learning and Skills Council to increase the employability of local people. To date 20 people have obtained Fork Lift driver’s licenses. For more information contact Kam at WATCH on 7655 0564.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Learning and Skills Council is holding a dissemination event to feedback information from the recent household survey of skills, qualifications, training, learning and employment. The event will take place on Tuesday 21^st January 2003 at the Chamber’s Oak Tree Court Conference Centre from 9.30 a.m. – 11.00 a.m. For more information or to book a place contact the Research Team at the LSC on 7644 6073 or e mail angela.scale@lsc.gov.uk

Environment

The Village Square car park has been temporarily closed until the New Year. Motorists should use the nearby Wellington Street car park. During the closure period there will be a Christmas carol concert on the square as mentioned below.

To sustain the 3-Year Litter Reduction Strategy, Nigel Fisher met with Officers from Environmental Services to discuss environment improvements. These included the siting of a pigeon dovecote in Swanswell Park (subject to cabinet approval), the placing of additional litter bins in certain streets and the possibility of installing technology to counter the increased fly tipping at certain sites in Hillfields. For more information please contact Nigel Fisher on Coventry 7622 5052 or email nigel.fisher @ coventry.gov.uk

Community Safety

The Police are continuing with Operation Christian which is tackling prostitution in Hillfields. Six prostitutes have been arrested and two on warrants have been arrested. There have been five reported robberies in recent weeks in the Hillfields sector. A number of warrants have been executed, drugs and weapons have been found and arrests made. Reported crimes for the year are 239, down on last year’s figure of 308.

The Hillfields Community Action Group is organising a visit to the Police Museum on Wednesday 18^th December at 11.00 a.m. Over 18’s wishing to arrange a place on the visit should contact Mandy Davies on 7653 9075. Bookings are on a “first-come, first-served” basis due to the limited availability of spaces.

The West Midlands Police are using Hillfields to try out a new Door Wedge for older people. The wedges, which are made by the Probation Service’s Community Punishment Unit, consist of a wooden wedge with a handle and grip. The idea is that older people keep them near their front door and use them to stop people door-stepping (i.e. trying to force entry when the door is opened). The wedges were featured on local radio and the Evening Telegraph last week and the Area Co-ordination Office has 30 specimens available for older people in the Hillfields area. As this is a pilot, anyone using one is asked to provide feedback on whether they are useful or not. If the door wedge is successful it will be promoted more widely. For more information contact Capacity Building Officer, Drubh Dolman, at the Area Co-ordination Office.

November 25^th was White Ribbon Day aimed at raising awareness about violence against women. White ribbons are still available from the PACT office at a cost of £1.

Hillfields Neighbourhood Warden Wayne Henry has now completed his induction training and is patrolling the streets of Hillfields with colleague Bill Beveridge between the hours of 8 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. Interviews are taking place this week to recruit the remaining wardens for Hillfields and the City Centre. For more information contact Amy Foster at the Area Co-ordination Office on 7655 0479.

Leisure and Culture

Churches in Hillfields are organising two community events for Christmas. The traditional Hillfields Community Carol Service will be held on Wednesday 11^th December at 7.00 p.m. at St. Peter’s Community Centre. It will include favourite carols sung with the help of Southfields School Choir, seasonal refreshments and a guest appearance from Father Christmas. For more information contact Clive Gregory on 7622 5907. New this year is outdoor Community Carol Singing on the Village Square on the Monday 23^rd of December starting at 7p.m. There will be free festive fun for all the family. A music group will play a range of popular Christmas carols for an hour or so.  There is no entrance fee so come along on the 23^rd to this community event and start Christmas with a swing by singing a carol or two, or just sit and listen and take in the atmosphere.  Free hot chocolate drinks and lollipops are available for all!  Don’t forget to wear something warm!  For more information contact James or Lis Young on 7666 3349.

During November there were 4270 visitor sessions at the Hillfields website with each lasting an average of 19 minutes. There were 1918 unique visitors of whom 489 visited more than once. 

The mobile library is now coming to St. Peter’s Community Centre in Hillfields on Mondays (between 1 p.m. – 5.00 p.m.), Wednesdays (between 1 p.m. – 5.00 p.m.) and Fridays (between 9.00 a.m. and 1 p.m.). For more information contact Bob Parsons on 7683 3649.

Milan Carers Support Group held a Diwali Party at St. Peter’s Community Centre on Friday 8^th November. It was a very successful event which included music and refreshments.

Housing

The opening hours at the Tenants Resource Centre are Monday to Friday from 10.30 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.  The TRC, at Paul Stacey House, offers advice and guidance to tenants, a friendly place to meet and have a chat with neighbours, access to computers etc. The Centre has now been open for three weeks and activities within the Centre have included Healthy Eating workshops and a Fun Event of Goldilocks and the Three Bears story time.  The centre will base activities on ‘what the tenants want’. Just starting is the Furniture Project, which is a partnership with Whitefriars to redistribute furniture and equipment that has been left in vacated flats. This service is offered to tenants and residents living within the flats. Coming up soon will be a special fun event to be held in the TRC on 17 December in partnership with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. This will include a pot decoration workshop, followed by two environmental projects running from the centre.

The TRC is looking for volunteers to assist with the running of the centre. If you are interested please contact Teresa, the Volunteer Development Officer at the TRC on 7622 0600 during opening hours. This is a good opportunity to develop skills, help other people and make new friends. Two volunteers have been offered Advice and Guidance training commencing in January and currently volunteers are looking into Debt Counselling training.  All volunteers will be offered training in basic benefit advice in February. 

Early Years

A first meeting of a Hillfields Early Years Planning Group was held on Tuesday 3^rd December. The meeting focused on the new Government policy about the creation of Children’s Centres and future meetings will seek to develop such a centre in Hillfields. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 21^st January 2003 at Hillfields Early Years Centre. If you would like to get involved in this work then contact John Payne at the Area Co-ordination Office or Anne Clay at the Early Years Centre on 7622 8174.

Asylum Seekers and Refugees

The Government is changing the support system for newly arrived asylum seekers on 8^th January 2003. From that date support will no longer be available for asylum seekers unless they can demonstrate that they have made their claim as soon as reasonably practicable, i.e. at the port of entry. At present 68% of applicants for asylum are made “in country” and these people may no longer be able to claim support. The likely outcome of this change is a significant increase in the number of destitute people. In order to investigate what can be done about this imminent problem, Coventry Refugee Centre has organised an emergency meeting for refugee community groups, faith groups, voluntary and public sector agencies, police, solicitors, councillors and MPs. The meeting will be held at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 19^th December at St. Peter’s Community Centre, Charles Street.  

Coventry Refugee Centre is moving to new premises in the New Year. The centre has taken a lease on the property known as the Pipeworks in Payne’s Lane.

Children and Young People

WATCH’s new project aimed at supporting young people excluded from school has now started. The project is a partnership between WATCH and the Education Service’s Behavioural Support Team. Five young people are currently attending the WATCH Centre all day on Wednesdays and the main thrust is to assist the young people to gain basic IT and communication skills. For more information contact Liz Cotton on 7655 0564.

An exhibition and workshops celebrating the achievements of schools participating in the Excellence in Cities programme, which includes a number of Hillfields schools, is taking place on 10^th, 11^th and 12^th December at Elm Bank Corporate Training Centre.

Area Forum

The next meeting of the South Central Area Forum will take place on Thursday 12^th December at 1.30 p.m. at Sidney Stringer Community Technology College. The meeting will focus on youth issues in St. Michael’s and Cheylesmore wards and will include the involvement of young people, presentations about youth projects in the area and discussion about the needs of young people. The meeting is open to the public and should be very interesting.

The Area Co-ordination Logo

You may have noticed that this edition of the PACT Update does not use the Area Co-ordination logo. This is because the Council’s leaders are anxious that all employees of the City Council are seen as one body. There is evidence that organisations categorised as “excellent” are generally those whose employees are united by a single, corporate image. This is the intention for the City Council. Another reason that this change is taking place is because Area Co-ordination is valued so much by local communities it is important that they see your work as part of the work of the Council and not a separate organisation. This does not in any way reflect a diminution in the Council’s commitment to local partnership working and we continue to be able to use the PACT logo alongside the Council’s corporate branding.

Bus Showcase Route

Plans have been published for a new Bus Showcase Route on the 34 service which goes along Far Gosford Street, Gosford Green and Binley Road en route to Walsgrave Hospital. This will feature buses with low floors for easy access, room for buggies and wheelchairs and environmentally friendly low emission engines. There will be new shelters with seating and wheelchair access. The shelters will also include lighting for improved security at night and raised kerbs that enable easier boarding. New technology, including bus priority at traffic lights and shelters that can be fitted with digital passenger information in the future. There will be better services using bus lanes and other priority measures to improve reliability. There is a display of the scheme in the reception of the Tower Block in Much Park Street. The City Council would like to hear your views on the proposals. Please send your comments to Bob Southey, Babtie Group Ltd., c/o City Development Directorate, by 13^th December. Bob can be contacted on 7683 2086.

Unemployment in the PACT area 

 Street Services over Christmas

The Christmas refuse collection arrangements appear below. Please note that between Tuesday 17^th December and Friday 20^th December, normal collections are maintained.

 From Tuesday 7^th January 2003, normal collections should resume but some collections may be delayed. If this happens please place your bin on the kerb for collection on the following day. This information and details of the Council’s winter gritting programme can be viewed on the Council’s website at www.coventry.gov.uk

The Christmas period will inevitably cause an additional waste/litter problem to the area; don’t forget that a ‘hit squad’ street cleansing team can be used each Thursday, so please contact Nigel Fisher if you have identified an area (not private land) that needs clearing of litter or debris.

The Ghost of Christmas Present

The PACT Community Safety Team, in partnership with the West Midlands Police, has produced a leaflet to encourage people to protect their purchases and presents this Christmas. Most burglaries are committed by opportunist thieves, don’t tempt them by leaving presents on display and make sure your home and car are locked at all times. It may be the season of goodwill to all but don’t make it a happy Christmas for criminals. The leaflet is being delivered to every house in Hillfields and Charterhouse and is available for collection from the Area Co-ordination Office for anyone else who would like a copy.

CV One Ltd.

CV One, the company formed in April 2002 by the merger of the City Centre Company and Coventry and Warwickshire Promotions, has published the first edition of a newsletter “What’s on in Coventry”. The newsletter covers things going on in the city centre during the Christmas period. The newsletter is mainly circulated by e-mail, although a few copies will be printed. If you would like to be on the mailing list then e mail g.lawless@coventry.org or write to CV1 Ltd., New Union Street, Coventry, CV1 2NT.

Mysteries 2003

Like the Millennium Mysteries, Mysteries 2003 will be a huge spectacle, with a large community cast. There is an opportunity for Coventry people to be involved. Commitment can be once a week from April or more intensively from January - whichever suits.  The busiest time will be the performance weeks in August.  As the plays are being performed in both Coventry and Galway this would give some people the opportunity of working with their equivalents in Ireland! For more information phone Linda Leech or Bob Turner at the Belgrade Theatre on 7684 6713.  Alternatively, you can e-mail lleech@belgrade.com

Independent Complaints Advocacy Pilot

ICAS – Independent Complaints Advocacy Service is a new pilot project that has been designed to help people to make a complaint about any NHS service which they are unhappy with. The ICAS pilot is now up and running and operating from Coventry Citizens Advice Bureau. They are completely independent from the NHS and work within the CAB Service’s principles of independence and non-discrimination. NHS complaints can include complaints about hospitals, doctors, dentists, pharmacists, medical receptionists, in fact any person or service provided by the NHS.  People who would like advice, support or guidance in dealing with their concerns, problems or complaints about their NHS treatment can contact Teresa Carroll or Sarah Munnery by calling freephone 0800 389 1656.  All messages are responded to within 24 hours or drop in and make an appointment at Coventry Citizens Advice Bureau. 4^th Floor, Coventry Point, Market Way (the tower block outside Woolworth’s).

Community Plan II

Consultation has begun on the main themes of the Coventry Community Plan II. The voluntary sector representatives on the Coventry Partnership are organising a half day consultation event at the Britannia Hotel on Tuesday 28^th January 2003 from 10.00 a.m. and ending with lunch. Voluntary sector organisations wishing to book a place should contact Gary Hillyer at CVSC on 7622 0381 or e mail g.hillier@coventry-vsc.org.uk

Training and Development Opportunities

Progress2Work is part of New Deal Next Phase – “Hardest to Help initiative”. The programme helps to support the employment of Job Centre Plus clients who are recovering from drug misuse. Clients will have an employment worker who will build their commitment and motivation to return to work or training. The employment worker will help them to tackle problems that are likely to get in their way, such as housing and debt. Ongoing support will continue after the client finds work to help reduce the dropout rate. For more information contact Nicky Jones, Progress2work co-ordinator, at Bankfield House on 7681 5531 or e mail Nicola.Jones@jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Relate Coventry are putting on a ten-week course for parents / carers of young people. The course is called “Living Successfully with Young People” and starts on 14^th January 2003. The course covers matters such as building relationships with young people, communication and good listening, practical ways of reducing and avoiding stress, anger and conflict and the importance of boundaries. The course also includes some youth offending and drugs and alcohol awareness content. To book a place, obtain more information or leaflets and posters then contact Alexandra Johnson on 7622 5867.

Both Coventry and Warwick Universities have published their Spring Term course lists for short courses. For more information about courses at Coventry University’s Centre for Life Long Learning look at the website at www.coventry.ac.uk/cll, phone 7688 7124 or e mail lifelonglearning.cll@coventry.ac.uk For information about Warwick University’s Open Studies courses contact the centre on 7657 3739 or e mail p.a.biggs@warwick.ac.uk

Coventry Community Empowerment Network

The second edition of Speakeasy – the newsletter of the Coventry Community Empowerment Network has been published. It is an extensive edition packed with information about the network, the work of the Coventry Partnership and contributions from the Community Advocates. You can read our copy at the Area Co-ordination Office or obtain your own copy by contacting Gary Hillier on 7622 0381 or e mail g.hillier@coventry-vsc.org.uk

Older People

In April 2002 the Employment Service and Benefits Agency ceased to exist. They were replaced by Job Centre Plus for customers of working age and the Pension Service for customers of retirement age. The new pension service will be delivered in a new way. A Pension Centre based at Sheldon in Birmingham will process claims, changes in circumstances and enquiries. A new local service will be provided early in the New Year offering face to face appointments and surgeries, drop in centre and home visits. For more information contact Mike Burkitt on 7623 2521.

Hillfields is hosting a city-wide Older People’s Christmas Get Together. It will take place at St. Peter’s Community Centre on Monday 16^th December from 11.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. The opening ceremony will be done by Cllr Maton. Admission is by free tickets available from Balraj Somal at the Centre (phone 7663 2877).

The Area Co-ordination Team is pleased to welcome Wayne Henry, a Hillfields resident, who has taken up one of our Neighbourhood Warden posts.

Welcome to Tracy Gourley who has recently taken up the post of Development Officer for children’s services in the Social Services Directorate.  Her role is to take forward any ideas or gaps people may feel there are in children’s social services and make stronger links with other service-providers.  If you feel this is something you would like to comment on, Tracy would like to hear from you. Please contact her on 7644 7707 or e-mail her at Tracy.Gourley @ coventry.gov.uk

Our congratulations to Dave Galliers who has been offered the post of Development Manager for the Coventry Partnership. Phil Dunn from Area Co-ordination North West will be acting up as Area Co-ordination Manager during the interim period before the post is filled.

Congratulations to Nigel Fisher and Rina Sarna who were both recognised for 25 years service with the council during November.

Best wishes to Liz Griffiths, SRB Manager, who left the City Council on 15^th November to take up a post as Regional Regeneration Manager at Touchstone. Our thanks and best wishes also go to Kam Rai, Employment Services Manager at WATCH, who will be leaving WATCH in mid January to take up a post with Groundwork in the Black Country.

Welcome to John Bolton who has now taken over as Director for Social Services and Housing and to Louise Elsworth, Young Person’s Development Worker at Osaba.

Elle Whiston, who previously worked on the Reception at WATCH, began her new role as assistant CBED worker for Hillfields on 1^st December. After her initial induction period Elle will be doing some mapping of Community groups and community venues so expect to hear from her in the New Year if you fall into either of these categories.

The following are some of the key planning applications in Hillfields, Charterhouse and Cheylesmore Ward received over the past month. It is not a comprehensive list. Anyone wanting to be put on the mailing list to receive weekly details of all planning applications should contact Chris Dowell, in City Development on 7683 2018. All planning applications can be inspected in the reception of the Tower Block, Much Park Street, during normal office hours.

·  19546/L Arden House Sparkbrook Street: Use of premises for the manufacture of windows (Use Class B2) incorporating the use of internal dust extraction and wood chip storage equipment, and the removal of existing external dust extraction and wood chip storage equipment.

The following decisions have been made recently on key planning applications:

·  LDC/49656 Application for a certificate of lawful use for 12A Britannia Street as taxi and mini coach hire business. Certificate approved.

·   40387/B 149 Far Gosford Street. External alterations to front and side elevations and new surround to doorway. Approved with conditions.

·   37043/D 98 – 101 Far Gosford Street. Change of use from hostel accommodation to community charity offices (use class A2) and external alterations. Approved with conditions.

Coventry Voluntary Service Council is organising a fundraising dissemination event on Friday 13^th December 2002. Come and celebrate the fundraising successes, and share the learning and experiences gained through the process of applying for funds.  Meet groups who have raised funds for projects and activities, and speak to those currently in the process. Meet and talk to others who have not yet been successful with funding applications, but are persevering, determined to succeed. The Event will start at 9.30 a.m. and conclude at 12.30 p.m. with lunch. It will be held at St Peter’s Community Centre, in Charles Street, Hillfields. Call Rookhsana at CVSC on 7622 0381 to register your attendance and any dietary other special requirements.

Coventry City Council is launching its new External Funding Helpdesk in January 2003. The External Funding Helpdesk is a new service in the City Development Directorate open to Council employees and all local voluntary and community organisations.  The Helpdesk will act as an information provider and sign-posting service for all forms of external funding available nationally, to the region and within the City. Funding information will be available on European, National Lottery, Advantage West Midlands, Government Office West Midlands, Regeneration Zone, Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, Sure Start, Single Regeneration Budget, New Deal for Communities, Central Government funds and grant-making trusts and foundation grants. In advance of the launch the helpdesk has published the first edition of a new newsletter that will be of interest to everyone seeking external funding. Called  H £ L P! (Harness £unding for Local Projects) this eight page newsletter has features on existing and future funding sources available to organisations in the city. Future developments will include availability of information on the Intranet and City Development Web Site. The next issue of H£LP will include Dr Grant’s questions and answers page and case studies. If you would like your name to be added to the Helpdesk mailing list please contact Sarah Crawley, External Funding Officer, on 7683 3394.

Two further opportunities for bidding for Objective 3 ESF funding have been announced. Both routes are through co-financing initiatives which means that additional match funding is not essential. Job Centre Plus has recently become a co-financing organisation and is seeking to prioritise projects which support use of job access provision (i.e. New Deal) for people with disabilities or health problems seeking to enter the job market, refugees seeking employment and lone parents. The deadline for applications is 12 noon on Friday 20^th December. For a prospectus and application form go to www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

The Learning and Skills Council are to invite bids in December to mop up under-spend for projects which widen access to basic skills, targeted at disadvantaged, excluded or under-represented groups. Funding will support basic skills training, employment skills hat meet the needs of employers, update vocational skills and meet skill shortages. The calls for bids is likely to be late December and a closing date for applications of late January or early February. Details of application forms will be placed on the LSC website at www.lsc.gov.uk

The Refugee Community Development Fund makes grants available to organisations working closely with refugees and refugee communities in the UK. The funding is available to all organisations working with refugees and who can fulfil the selection criteria. Successful bids will fall into three categories: start up costs; capacity building and new activities. For guidelines and application forms contact the Refugee Integration Unit, Eunice Uzor on 020 8760 8418 or e mail Eunice.Uzor@homeofffice.gsi.gov.uk

Coventry Law Centre is launching a new scheme to provide free legal advice to local community groups in the city. Called LawWorks for Community Groups, the centre is able to offer free business law advice to community groups by matching volunteer lawyers with community groups that need specialist advice on non contentious matters. Groups wishing to take advantage of the service should complete an application form and send it with a copy of their most recent accounts. For more information and an application form contact Crispin Passmore on 7622 3053 or e mail cripin.passmore@covlaw.org.uk

There is more information about grants and resources on this website