Minutes:
Cllr Mirylees introduced the Notes of the Community Working Group held on 11th October, attached at Appendix C.
1 Events
i) Council noted that the Music in the Meadow format would continue in 2024 and a greater variety of stalls was being sought for the West Street markets. Cllr Mirylees advised the Gin and Fizz Festival in Badshot Lea had worked well on a limited level and the Food Festival had been very successful. It was suggested that a review of the flow of people in the market could be considered to ease congestion. Council also noted that stallholders were encouraged to use compostable plates,cups, glasses and utensils.
ii) Council noted the Craft Month was progressing well and a residency for Irish glassmaker Fiona Byrne was being finalised, with support from the South Street Trust.
iii) Cllr Mirylees advised two keynote names had been secured for the 2024 Literary Festival subject to other commitments, and the programme was shaping up well.
iv) Council noted that the BID team was positive about the outcome of the vote of businesses which would be announced on 1st November. Cllr Murray advised there were a number of new hospitality businesses in town which could potentially become involved as new sponsors of the events programme.
v) Council noted there was no support for Snow Windows from Waverley this year but there would be free parking for one day in December. It was agreed that FTC would provide a link for businesses that would like to continue with the snow windows.
2 Younger People Task Group
i) Cllr Jackman advised the next Younger People Task Group would be in mid November, and gave an update on things that had been happening. A meeting had taken place with Norma Corkish about future direction of support for young people through the Task Group. It was noted there was no single database of activities across the town that are taking place in schools, youth centres and uniformed groups. The next Task Group would look at whether an umbrella organisation could keep this information in one place.
ii) One of the main issues for all groups is one of funding. The Hale Community Centre had a couple of years of lottery funding left. Cllr Jackman advised options for a new community lottery are being explored and options would be discussed further at the next Task Group.
iii) Cllr Jackman updated Council on the mentoring programme at Heath End School led by the Revd Alan Crawley. It had positively helped 22 young people in last year and consideration was needed on continuing the initiative when Alan and Lesley Crawley retired in March.
iv) Cllr Jackman had attended the Sandy Hill Partnership meeting with representatives from a range of statutory and community organisations. Their focus was on getting Sandy Hill and the wider community better connected.
v) Ward members were asked to contact young people groups operating within their wards to get an understanding of what was taking place and their needs.
vi) Cllr White thanked Cllr Jackman for his report and advised council of the NALC briefing event on ‘Empowering young voices in your community’ which several councillors had attended and commended the recording to Council.
3 In response to concerns raised by Cllr Mirylees, Cllr Martin advised that the Police & Crime Commissioner and Borough Commander would be holding a Community Policing event in the Farnham Maltings on December 4th from 6.30 to 8.30 and encouraged everyone to attend.
4 Cllr Mirylees advised that the Community Grant scheme was open for applications, and Cllr Martin advised that each county councillor had a community grants pot of £50,000 to be spent over two years and she would welcome applications for younger people’s projects. Cllr Dickson reported that the Farnham Youth choir was fundraising to support its participation as the UK choir in the World Choir games in New Zealand.