Look at other Updates

Neighbourhood Plan

The draft Hillfields Neighbourhood Plan 2002 – 2005 was agreed by the South Central Area Forum on 26^th September. Minor changes are still being made to the plan following consultation and an updated version will be produced shortly. You can inspect the plan on this  website or phone the Area Co-ordination office for a copy.

“This is Hillfields”, the Neighbourhood Planning Consultation Event was held on Tuesday 10^th September at St. Peter’s Community Centre. The event involved over twenty organisations and was attended by over 80 visitors.

A meeting was held on Tuesday 24^th September to give feedback on the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund in Hillfields and to create the opportunity for local people to stay involved in the process. The meeting was organised by the Local Strategic Partnership and Councillor Ann Lucas and Sue Kingswell from the Local Strategic Partnership attended the meeting to discuss the involvement of the local community in the monitoring of NRF projects. 

WATCH - Jobs and Training

To celebrate the anniversary of the refurbishment and re-opening of the WATCH Centre a Jobs Fair will be held on Thursday 21^st and the morning of Friday 22^nd November. To conclude the celebrations a first birthday party celebration will be held on Friday afternoon between 2 – 4 p.m. For more information about these events contact Bill Hall at WATCH on 7655 0565.

Thirty eight clients of WATCH found work during September. IPR Management, an agency from Milton Keynes, will be visiting WATCH over the next few weeks, trying to fill 50 vacancies in Atherstone. A new driving theory course for unemployed people is due to commence at WATCH at the end of October. For more information about any of these matters contact Kam Rai at WATCH on 7655 0565.

John McGuigan, Director of City Development, has nominated WATCH Ltd. for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service by groups in the Community. A decision will be received in June next year.

Environment

The Singer Residents Group organised a clean up and planting session in Colchester Street. The group cut down one of the overgrown shrub beds and planted some smaller plants. This improved the safety and overall look of the street. The group hopes to tackle other overgrown beds in the future as well as continue their involvement in the East Street Pocket Park. The group also organised a petition requesting the introduction of a “residents only” parking scheme in Vine Street. The petition was considered by the Cabinet Member (Environment and Transport) on 26^th September. Vine Street was added to the Council’s list of requests for “Residents Only” parking schemes which will be considered in the light of assessments being undertaken of the existing scheme at Middlesborough Road and the new pilot scheme at St. Patrick’s Road. The group meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 6.30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Community Centre.

The Countryside Agency has approved the creation grant for Weavers Green in Freehold Street. The project has made big advances and it is hoped that work will start on site in the New Year.

After many years of campaigning by local residents and traders, the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport has now agreed to remove the parking charges on Wellington Street Car Park. This should lead to a decrease in on-street parking in the area and improve street cleaning.

Community Safety

The Hillfields Neighbourhood Warden Project is expanding. The team has now been increased to include a supervisor, Amy Foster, and local resident, Bill Beveridge, who has started work as Hillfields’ second neighbourhood warden. The team is currently undertaking training and will start patrolling later in October. It is hoped to fill two other vacancies shortly. For more information contact Amy Foster on 7622 5052.

Arts, Sports and Leisure

St Peter’s Church and Community Centre has just celebrated its first birthday, with a weekend of events. On Saturday 14^th September several hundred local people visited the centre, and took part in a whole range of activities. There was a bouncy castle, Ukrainian dancers to watch, a variety of food to share, storytelling with Lady Godiva, arts activities, face painting, balloon modelling, tombola, competitions for the children, lots of stalls, and even a chance to get Clive and Katrina in the stocks! It was a fun day for all involved. On the Sunday, the church community celebrated with a special service, giving thanks for a great year and looking to the future. As part of the celebrations the upstairs hall in the centre was officially named in memory of Ovie Williams, a member of the Barbadian Community in Coventry and a supporter of St Peter’s work across Hillfields who died last December. He will always be remembered for his commitment to St Peter’s Church and Community Centre. The opening was celebrated with a feast of Barbadian food and St. Peter’s is looking forward to its second year which it aims to continue to develop its good links with the local community.

Plans are now being finalised for Hillfields Community Bonfire 2002, which will be held at Frederick Bird School on Saturday 2^nd November. This year’s event will also include Halloween celebrations and there should be lots of spooky fun. We would like lots of people to volunteer to help with either the preparation of the site during the days before the event or to help on the day itself to ensure that the whole community can safely enjoy the fireworks display. Volunteers will all receive a free family ticket to the event. If you can give some help with these things or sell tickets or display posters then please contact Jessica Pinson at the Area Co-ordination office.  

WATCH and the King Edward Road Residents Association are organising a coach trip to the Walsall Illuminations on 26^th October. Two coaches will be departing at 5.00 p.m. and returning at 9.00 p.m. Tickets for this trip were sold out within hours of opening for sale.

September was a record month for the Hillfields website with 3736 visitor sessions, each lasting an average of eighteen and a half minutes. There were 1617 unique visitors of whom 407 visited more than once.

Work has started on the Mystery Plays for 2003. The cast for this production will be made up of both professional actors and a community cast. To begin the process they will be holding some training workshops for people who think they may be interested in taking part. These will take place between mid October 2002 and March 2003.  The producers are interested in hearing from anyone who may be interested in taking part in some taster sessions. It is not numbers of people that are important, but rather people who really WANT to take part. At this stage there would be no commitment, the taster sessions are partly about finding out more about the production, the methods of working and whether you really want to commit to such a project. If you are interested contact Linda Leech, Theatre Projects Officer at the Belgrade Theatre, on 024 7684 6713.

Councillor Ann Lucas, Cabinet Member (Area Co-ordination and Leisure, Arts and Sport) will be donning a huge pair of size 14 walking boots in order to launch a campaign aimed at encouraging walking for leisure and health. A range of six colourful, easy to follow leaflets have been specially produced which show walking routes linking Parks, urban greenspace and woodlands in a circulatory route allowing walkers to complete a self-guided trail. The six walks, all under the title Just Walk It, cover areas of Radford, Foleshill, Longford, the Coventry Canal, Canley Ford and Brook, Canley Woodlands and Tile Hill Woodlands. The Just Walk It leaflets are free from local Libraries, Information Centres, Area Co-ordination network outlets, Medical Centres, Doctors Surgeries, Older People’s Groups, Schools and Youth Centres. For more information contact Theresa Kendall, Marketing and Communications Officer, Culture and Leisure, telephone 024 7683 2466

St Peter’s Community Centre are putting on a wide range of activities over the next month. An Imagination Reading Café event is taking place on Saturday 12^th October from 12 noon – 1. 30 p.m. This is a family reading initiative with a free book for every child that turns up. On Tuesday mornings from 9.30 – 10.30 a.m. there are Salsa dancing classes taking place organised by the Adult Education Service. The Service is also gauging interest in sessions on embroidery, introduction to counselling, craft and Aromatherapy for women. If you know of anyone interested in attending these courses contact Elizabeth Collins on 7625 1756 ext. 289. On Saturday 19^th October there will be a readers and writers festival running from 9am – 5 p.m. at the centre and the NRF funded Hillfields Libraries and Leaning Programme will run at St. Peter’s on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 – 5p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. For more details about any of these events contact Balraj Somal on 7663 2877.

October is Black History Month and a full programme of activities is planned in the city during the month. Events in Hillfields include a quiz for under 25’s at Hillfields Young People’s Centre on Friday 11^th and Friday 25^th October from 5.30 p.m. – 7.30 p.m. The quiz is being organised by the Holyhead Youth Project. Tickets are 50 pence. On Saturday 19^th October poet Sue Brown and the Central Library presents Coventry’s Literature Festival at St. Peter’s Community Centre, all day (free). On Friday 25^th October, Osaba are hosting a Black History Quiz from 6.00 p.m. – 10.00 p.m. Tickets are available from the centre on 7622 1816.  For the full programme of events during Black History Month contact Chris Christie on 7622 7470.

Health

A group of partners, led by the Primary Care Trust, is bidding to the New Opportunities Fund for a “Five a Day Project” for Coventry. The project aims to extend the campaign promoting the take up of fruit and vegetables and will include giving vouchers to local residents that can be cashed for fruit and vegetables in local shops. For more information contact Ester Higden on 7663 3066.

A group of medical students descended on Hillfields on Monday 30^th September as part of their first year studies. The students visited a number of locations in the district and met local residents and potential clients as well as having a presentation by the Area Co-ordinator and a representative of the Health Action Group. The purpose was to demonstrate that health is much wider than medical services.

Work is progressing well with the renovation of Harry Salt House. The building will be used as a half way house for recovering mentally ill patients and is a joint venture between the Primary Care Trust, MIND and Touchstone Housing. It is anticipated that the building will be occupied before the end of the year.  

City Council staff are invited to participate in Quit Smoking groups with nicotine replacement therapy (patches). Sessions are held on Wednesdays during November, December and into the New Year. Smokers interested in developing a healthier lifestyle and reducing the profits of the cigarette companies should contact Rupinder Gill on 7683 2596.

Following the reorganisation of the Health Authority, the Primary Care Trust has appointed Locality Managers for the six health priority areas. Jerina Rashid-Porter has been appointed to the locality covering Hillfields and Cheylesmore. She can be contacted on 7668 9890.

Housing

From the beginning of October the working boundary of Hillfields Homechoice has been expanded to include the John Gulson neighbourhood around Eagle Street. The extension has been planned to partially make up for the loss of the Hillfields Flats from the project. In the longer term it is planned to extend the pilot choice based lettings scheme to the Foleshill Regeneration Zone.  This is likely to take place early next year.

Children and Young People

Hillfields Play Centre won the first prize for growing the largest sunflower in Whitefriars Housing’s Gardening competition held recently. They also took the prizes for the Under 8’s and Over 8’ Colouring competition. Children from the centre attended a presentation of these awards on 26^th September at the Leofric Hotel and were presented with prizes by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Ken Taylor.

The Play Centre is holding an Open Day for parents and community members to look at the work of the children on Tuesday 22^nd October. Invitations designed by the children are currently being delivered. Why not drop in at the Play Centre between 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. to meet the staff and children and find out what is happening there.

The Children and Family Education Service are holding a recruitment fair for people wanting to work with children. The fair will take place at the Old Blue Coat School, 5A Priory Row from 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. on Saturday 12^th October, Tuesday 15^th October and Wednesday 16^th October. There are positions with crèches, children’s clubs, mainstream, special needs and Play Partners schemes. There will be advice and support available on completing applications forms, informal and relaxed stage 1 interviews, career advice and guidance, and arrangements for stage 2 interviews. For more information contact the Central District office on 7663 4647.

Coventry Local Education Authority has just approved and published the latest version of the Coventry Schools Organisation Plan 2002. You can inspect a copy at the Area Co-ordination Office or on the City Council website. 

The Coventry Partnership for Youth (Copy) has published the third edition of the COPY newsletter. The newsletter includes articles about the Coventry Youth Festival, and a number of the SRB 5 projects operating in Coventry. To obtain a copy of the newsletter, or to provide information for future editions, contact Marie Kilpatrick on 7683 3516.

The “Sneakers Urban Dance Project” will be running dance workshops in the city during October and November. The project is managed by Frontline Audio Visual, working in partnership with Sidney Stringer School, West Midlands Arts, SRB 5 and the Belgrade Theatre. It is aimed at 15 – 25 year olds and provides a unique opportunity to train and perform with professional dancers in Capoeira, Street Dance and breaking styles of dance. The workshops are being taught by Manchester’s “Urban Expansions” who performed at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. The sessions are free and open to everyone. Workshops in Hillfields are being held at Sidney Stringer School between 29^th October and 29^th November. For details of the workshops, pick up a postcard from the Area Co-ordination office or phone Francis Porter for more information on 7622 4221 (or e mail fran_flav@yahoo.co.uk) Wicked!

Positive Futures is launching the Positive Futures Football Academy, an ongoing development programme aimed at 12-16 year olds in Hillfields and Charterhouse. It aims to improve fitness, knowledge and football skills. Sessions are held every Wednesday from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. at Sidney Stringer School. There will be opportunities to play matches locally and nationally, go on sports trips, visit stadiums etc. Places are limited and can be booked by contacting Rashid or Leroy on 7663 0191 or 07812 589 005.

St Peter’s Community Centre is hosting Footsteps Stay and Play sessions running on Fridays from 9.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. during term time. Come and join in fun activities with your babies and pre-school children. Borrow books and toys to share at home with your children. For more information contact Sheryl Jordan at the Children and Family Service on 7663 4647.

Voluntary and Community Groups

Osaba Women’s Centre is holding its AGM on Tuesday 29^th October from 6.00 p.m. – 7.30 p.m. at the centre on Victoria Street. All members are encouraged to attend. For more information contact Penny Parrott on 7622 1816.

Coventry City Farm is in need of mature, responsible volunteers and committee members. Could you spare a few hours helping at the city farm? Help is needed with the farm shop, the gardens, greenhouse, feeding animals, painting fences, carpentry, organising car boot sales, supporting staff on fun days, collecting stamps, attending off-site functions, assisting with paper work, helping with fund raising ideas and attending committee meetings once a month. If you can help then contact the farm 7622 5323.

Charterhouse

The draft Charterhouse Neighbourhood Plan 2002 – 2005 has now been approved by the South Central Area Forum. Minor amendments are now being made before the final version is printed. Copies are available from the Area Co-ordination Office.

The Charterhouse Residents Group organised a very successful “Festival on the Fields” event at the Charterhouse Fields on Saturday 7^th September. A huge number of people attended the event which included lots of stalls, paint balling with the Army, Punch and Judy, Circus skills workshops, food and drink and lots more.

Footsteps, Stay and Play Sessions, are being held at St. Anne and All Saints Church Hall, on Acacia Avenue on Thursday 1.30 p.m. – 3.00 p.m. Come and join in fun activities with your babies and pre-school children. Borrow books and toys to share at home with your children. Free book bag and poster for participants. For more information contact Sheryl Jordan at the Children and Family Service on 7663 4647.

Funding has now been approved to implement a “Street Wardens Project” that will include a focus on Far Gosford Street. Street Wardens are similar to Neighbourhood Wardens but there is more focus on addressing street crime. The project is a partnership between Area Co-ordination partners and CV1, the City Centre Company. The scheme will cover the City Centre and Far Gosford Street and it is hoped that patrols (between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.) will commence in December. Vacancies are being advertised at the present time.  For more information contact Karen Buttle at the Area Co-ordination Office.

Cheylesmore

Plans have been published for consultation for a traffic calming scheme in Dillotford Avenue. The scheme is in response to a petition from local residents, traffic accidents and the high speed of traffic on the road (an average of 27 m.p.h. over a seven day period). The plans include the introduction of mini roundabouts, coloured surfacing, more warning signs and “SLOW” carriageway markings on this residential street. An edition of Street News outlining the scheme has been published and circulated to people in the area and additional copies are available from Brian Smith in City Development on 7683 2043.

Area Forum

A meeting of the South Central Area Forum took place on Thursday 26^th September at St. Peter’s Community Centre. Items discussed included the new neighbourhood plans for Hillfields and Charterhouse, feedback from a public meeting in the Charterhouse area and proposed new arrangements for community involvement in the Forum. The Forum agreed to extend the community involvement in the Forum by inviting all residents groups in the two wards to nominate a local resident to become a “Community Representative by Invitation”.

Unemployment

Unemployment rose significantly in St. Michael’s Ward during July taking the 10% Community Plan target further out of reach. The unemployment level is now 12.1% based on the claimant count. Detailed unemployment figures for priority neighbourhoods will not be available until after the publication of the 2001 census as there is considerable doubt about the baseline population figures at neighbourhood level.

City Wide Updates

The Coventry Community Empowerment Network has launched the first issue of its new newsletter “Speakeasy”. The Community Empowerment Network is a network of community groups which will help to determine the future of community development in Coventry. The network aims to develop and make it easier for community groups to share information and link with other groups to address similar issues and to enable all community groups to bring issues to the attention of the Local Strategic Partnership. The newsletter is aimed at all community-based groups and individuals with an interest in the development of the community. If you would like to receive a copy of the newsletter or to contribute an article or letter, then contact Gary Hillyer at CVSC on 7622 0381 or g.hillier @ coventry-vsc.org.uk

The West Midlands Police Authority is looking to recruit volunteers as Custody Unit visitors. A custody visitor is an independent, trained volunteer from the community who make unannounced visits to police stations to observe, monitor and report upon the welfare of people detained in police custody. Anyone aged 18 – 70 who has lived or worked in the West Midlands County for the past 12 months is eligible for consideration. Anyone interested can obtain an information pack from the Police Authority by ringing 0121 626 5685.

The City Council has re-launched the Passport to Leisure and Learning (PTLL) scheme which gives up to 75% discounts on a vast range of leisure and learning activities across Coventry. To qualify for a Passport to Leisure and Learning you musts live within the Coventry City boundary, be over 16 and on a qualifying benefit e.g. Housing Benefit, Income Support, Disability Living Allowance or Working Families Tax Credit. If you are not sure whether your benefit entitles you to a Passport, just ring (024) 7683 2477. The Passport entitles holders to discounts from the Belgrade Theatre, Warwick Arts Centre, Adult Education Courses, and Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre. There are reduced prices for borrowing tapes and DVDs from selected libraries and there are now many more new additions to an already extensive list of venues that give discounts. You can get a Passport to Leisure and Learning card for just £2 from your local Post Office, Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre, Foleshill Sports & Leisure Centre, Midland Sports Centre, Centre AT7, Culture and Leisure Reception in Spire House, and Central Library. For further details please telephone (024) 7683 2477. Minicom (024) 7683 2308 

Welcomes and Goodbyes

Peter Cordle retired as the Strategic Director (Resources) during September. Peter has been the strategic director responsible for Area Co-ordination for several years until responsibility was transferred back to the Chief Executive at the beginning of September. Peter will continue to be involved in Hillfields through his voluntary work at the Rehoboth Chapel in Lower Ford Street. Our best wishes on his retirement.

We send our condolences to the family of Frank Carter, who died on 28^th July.  Frank was Ward Councillor for Cheylesmore Ward for sixteen years and was well loved in the area and will be sadly missed. Councillor Carter’s funeral was held on Tuesday 6th August at Cannon Hill Chapel at Canley Crematorium.

Welcome to three new staff at the Area Co-ordination Office. Amy Foster and Bill Beveridge have joined the Neighbourhood Wardens Team and Teresa Allwood has started as the Volunteer Development Officer for the Hillfields 12 estate.

Our best wishes to Leanne Wallis who has left the post of Community Development Worker with St. Anne and All Saints Church to take up a post with the Gap Project in Warwick. Our congratulations to Sylvia Davoll who has been appointed as her replacement.

Congratulations to Jerina Rashid-Porter who has been appointed as the new Locality Manager for Hillfields and Cheylesmore at the Primary Care Trust.

Planning Applications

The following lists 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 Ian Prowse, in City Development on 7683 1227. All planning applications can be inspected in the reception of the City Development Directorate, Tower Block, Much Park Street, during normal office hours.

¨      37043  98 -101 Far Gosford Street  Change of use from Hostel Accommodation to Offices (Use Class A2) and external alterations

¨      43966/D- 160 Swan Lane. Extension to warehouse, new vehicular access and new retaining wall and gates.

¨      43853/Z Jaguar Cars Ltd Abbey Road    Erection of permaspace building

¨      33448/C 29 Walsgrave Road    Use of premises for community and office use with ancillary living accommodation.

¨      50316  50 Gulson Road, Mercia Tyres Ltd  Demolition of existing building and erection of new single storey building

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

¨      31276/D Regulation 3/92 Strategic Director for Lifelong Learning. Southfields School, East Street. Erection of extension to existing school to provide two classrooms, nursery, nurture room and associated ancillary areas. Approved with conditions.

¨      47863/A Mr Li. 76 Far Gosford Street. New shopfront and security shutter. Approved with conditions.

Resources

Coventry and Warwickshire CDA are organising a Community and Voluntary Groups Event for the Coventry and Nuneaton Regeneration Zone. The event will take place on Wednesday 23^rd October from 10.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. at Keresley Village Community Centre, Howat Road, Keresley End. The event will cover the purpose of the Regeneration Zone, what it can offer local communities or voluntary organisations and will seek views from local organisations. Book a place by contacting Mike Hoyland at the CDA on 7663 3911.

The DfES Community Champions Fund supports individuals and fledgling community groups who have ideas for encouraging greater activity within their community, helping them to build on the skills needed to increase local involvement in community activity. Typical grants of up to £2000 are available. The Fund aims to help people who have not previously applied for this type of funding take their first steps. It aims to encourage older volunteers (50+) to get involved in helping their communities and to facilitate young people in their own forms of community action. To find out more contact Steve Standret on 0114 259 4862.

The Home Office Family Support Grant supports organisations to undertake work to assist parents in their parenting role. The target group of the project must be parents and direct support to children is not eligible. All projects must show how they intend to reach black, minority ethnic and socially excluded parents (e.g. work with fathers, parenting of teenagers and parenting in challenging circumstances). The maximum grant is £50,000 and may be for capital or revenue costs for up to three years. The grant round was launched at the end of August with a closing date at the end of December. To apply for this grant telephone Stephanie Waddell on 020 7217 8557.

Colleagues in the Regeneration Team have produced a new version of the External Funding Guide. You can download a copy from the Hillfields Website. The team is shortly to set up a new help desk to support people accessing funding. There is more information about resources available to local organisations on this Website.