Whicham CIC Beach Development Meeting

Whicham CIC

Thursday 28th May 2015

Silecroft Village Hall

1. Present

Robert Morris-Eyton, Chair

Helen Clay, Secretary

Alick Nicholson, Treasurer

Lynette Gilligan, Director

Phil Wrigley, Director

Margaret Cumming, Director

Eric Barker CBC Regen team

1. Apologies

All members present.

1. Minutes

Minutes of meeting held on 16th October 2014 were agreed.

1. Beach Development Update

Robert gave a brief summary of the current situation and recent developments;

• Planning permission has been granted
• Indicative costs are now available
• Project will cost £1 million; this to include full costs of entire project and contingency
• Key principal funding streams have been identified; DONG, NuGen and Copeland Community Fund. This is not to dismiss the importance of bidding for smaller funding streams
• Coastal Community bid was unsuccessful; we have not yet received any firm promises of funding.

Eric continued, giving further detail of current work to secure funding. He explained that the Coastal community fund was not successful; funding had been very limited in this area. However, he has nearly completed the expression of interest for the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Fundand he asked for support from Maggie and Alick in checking final draft.

Eric explained that there is some significant opportunity for community projects to access upcoming funding from RDPE fells and Dales funding which is going to be aimed at capital projects like ours. Also need to investigate DONG, who are looking to expand the off shore windfarms.

[Action: Maggie and Alick to provide feedback on Reaching Communities bid to Eric.]

Robert explained to the group that he had researched the wind farms off the adjacent shoreline, and it seemed that there was already a significant number part/owned by DONG and noted that there had been little evidence of community offset funding being made available. He suggested that it may be something that can be looked at a later date.

Other funding streams were discussed with Big Lottery Reaching Communities fund, Lottery Heritage funding, and Disability charities being discussed.

Maggie, as lead for Heritage project agreed to look into possibility of seeking funding from Lottery Heritage fund.

[Action: Maggie to look at whether project would meet Heritage funding requirements]

It was agreed that it was essential to ensure that all funding was in place before work was commissioned, but it was felt that until some significant funding was found, it would be unlikely that we would be successful with smaller funding streams.

Robert felt it was important to begin to ensure that key stakeholders were identified and advised of proposals. It was felt that Jamie Reid, MP and Mayor of Copeland were invited to view plans with the hope that they may be able to provide advice or resources for the project. It was felt separate events would allow more flexibility. Robert agreed to co-ordinate events.

Following discussion, it was also agreed;

• an article should be submitted to 'Around the Combe' setting out proposed timescales and promoting project to community
• Whicham website should be updated with similar article
• Millom/Whicham Facebook page should have link as appropriate

Eric kindly offered to provide articles.

[Action: Eric to draft article for above publication]

[Action: Robert to invite Jamie Reid MP and Mayor of Copeland to see plans]

It was noted that the Beach Group were being provide with updates as and when by Eric who agreed to continue with this.

1. CIC Stream Updates

Whicham Ways: Eric explained that SUSTRANS had failed to provide timely information or updates and it was becoming increasingly difficult to get action or commitment with regard to support for the proposed multi-user route. A discussion followed and it was noted;

• there is a Morecambe to Walney signed cycleway recently opened which may provide insight into how a similar pathway may be developed from Walney to Seascale
• Several areas, including Eskmeals Bootle, and Seascale are looking at similar multi user routeways and theremay be advantage in joining together. Eric agreed to look at viability.
• Development of such a route meets Nugen and Copeland's need to develop infrastructure and therefore there may be potential funding available
• With regard to Whicham routeway, it was felt that a meeting with all land owners would allow for valuable discussion and provide a forum to raise concerns. It was suggested that Dot Bowe, as lead may participate in this.

[Action: Helen to arrange preliminary meeting to include Dot, Robert and Helen to discuss land owner meeting]

[Action: Eric to look at identifying potential coastal route way groups]

Bridleway and Paths: it was agreed at an earlier meeting that a survey of Bridleway and pathway would be undertaken and a report of signage and accessibility provided to the CIC. It is requested that this is undertaken and a report on progress provided at the next meeting.

[Action: Helen to arrange preliminary meeting to include Dot, Robert and Helen to discuss survey]

[Action: Access group to provide report on survey at next meeting]

1. Finance

Alick presented Whicham CIC accounts; £4599 in credit. The group thanked Alick for his work in providing group with a robust financial system. It was noted that the yearly returns are due and Alick agreed to draft these for submission to Companies House.

[Action: Alick to draft financial statement and submit to Companies House]

1. Any other Business

Lynette Gilligan advised the group that as she was no longer a resident of Whicham that she would be handing in her resignation. Lynette was warmly thanked for her work and asked if she would act as a co-opted member in acknowledgement of her knowledge and commitment to the community. Lynette accepted this role for a period of one year, when it will be formally reviewed.

A replacement is sought and members are asked to submit candidates for consideration in advance of the next meeting.

[Action: All. Candidates for CIC board membership to be submitted to Robert in advance of next meeting]

1. Date of Next Meeting: Thursday at 7:30pm 24th September in Silecroft village Hall

Helen Clay

Secretary