Written by designer | 17 February 2010

Bangor Pride Meeting : 10/02/2010

Presenol / Present: Cllr. John Wyn Jones (Chair), Mr Gwyn Hughes (City Council), Mr Peter John Simpson (Gwynedd Council), Ms Iona Lewis Thomas (Gwynedd Council), Ms Amanda Davies (Gwynedd Council), Mr Anthony Randles (Environment Agency), Mr Paul Jones (TPOBCG), Ms Melanie Jones (TPOBCG), Mr Eilian Roberts (North Wales Fire Service), PC Richard Wynne (North Wales Police) and Cllr June Marshall.

1. Ymddiheuriadau / Apologies

Apologies were accepted from the following members;

Cllr Dewi Llewelyn

Cllr Jean Forsyth (Mayor of Bangor)

Ms Gwenan Hine (Bangor University)

Sgt Bill Coppack (North Wales Police)

Chief Insp Richard Green (North Wales Police)

Mr Nigel Pickavance (TPOBCG)

Insp Manon Owen (North Wales Police)

Cllr Keith Marshall

Ms Paula Evans (Gwynedd Council)

Ms Sarah Robb (North Wales Police)

2. Cofnodion y cyfarfod diwethaf / Minutes of the previous meeting

It was agreed that the minutes were a true reflection of the last meeting of the Bangor Pride steering group.

3. Grwpiau / Groups

a. Gr?p Busnes / Business Group

Ms Amanda Davies reported that the group had a productive meeting yesterday (09/02/2010). Ms Pat Jones updated the group as regards to the public realm project. It was also noted that the group are currently running a marketing campaign, which will include a series of 10 adverts in the Daily Post. A Medieval themed summer arts festival currently being organised by Dyfan Roberts was also discussed.

PC Richard Wynne suggested using the Medieval festival as a way of promoting how environmental friendly we were in the past, compared to the way in which we affect the environment at present. It was also noted that the Police should be consulted as regards to any re-enactments / weapons that are likely to by used as part of the festival.

Ms Amanda Davies agreed to pass this message onto Mr Dyfan Roberts (Action AD).

Mr Peter Simpson hoped that the Business Group to continue to consider ways of tackling business related local environmental quality issues, as this was a main objective of Bangor Pride.

Ms Amanda Davies noted that the activities of the Business Group are effecting the environment in an indirect manor, since environmental improvement and economic regeneration are very closely related (Action AD/PJS).

b. Prifysgol / University – Caru / Love Bangor

Ms Iona Thomas updated the group on recent developments, including the University & Students Sub-Group aim of significantly reducing problems associated with rubbish accumulations at certain times of year, in the residential areas of the City. A planned campaign will raise awareness about the correct use of local rubbish collection, recycling systems etc.

Cllr John Wynn Jones noted that there are often many problems regarding waste at the end of each academic year.

Mr Anthony Randles informed the group that the Environment Agency hope to run a campaign targeting Landlord’s and there responsibility with regards to the disposal of waste etc at the end of this academic year (Action AR).

Cllr John Wynn Jones enquired into the development of the Love Bangor card.

Ms Amanda Davies reported at the group hope the card will develop further to include the whole community rather than focusing only on the student community within the City.

Ms Melanie Jones expressed the need for the card to be introduced to the whole community as the students are currently getting a discount while the local people are being eliminated.

Ms Amanda Davies noted that the group would like to see a City wide scheme in the future.

Mr Anthony Randles suggested that the card may be used as an incentive for compliance within the local business community.

Mr Peter Simpson suggested that a accreditation scheme could be developed, such as a certificate for the best kept premises.

c. Ysgolion Bangor / Bangor Schools

Ms Iona Thomas announced that the clearance work at ‘Donkey Lane,’ a fly-tipping hot spot, will be commencing this week. The group was also informed of a recent site visit which took place in partnership with Ysgol Tryfan, pupils that attend the after school environmental group Tegfan Tryfan conducted a survey of the site in it’s current state, with the hope of conducting a similar survey when the work is completed (Action ILT).

Cllr John Wynn Jones noted that he too was present at the site meeting and following discussions with the pupils it became apparent that in many cases it was the people of Trem Elidir who where disposing of their waste on the site.

d. Tîm Trefi Taclus / Tidy Towns Team

Mr Peter Simpson reported that members of the Tidy Towns Team, conducted a ‘walk-about’ in Bangor City centre earlier this month, and revisit some problem sites. The group are also working in partnership with the City Council on the Memorial Gardens (Action GH).

PC Richard Wynne informed the group of the work conducted at the Garth Community Centre, and that the Police hope to work on developing new projects in the future.

Cllr John Wynn Jones thanked the group for there work to date.

e. Grwpiau Cymunedol / Community Groups

Ø Maesgeirchen Community Group

Mr Peter Simpson praised the good work taking place at Lon Cefn T? and at Afon Cegin. It’s hoped that another environmental project will be drawn up by the next financial year to build on the success of the 4 Environmental Action Day’s which have taken place during the past year.

Ø TPOBCG

Ms Melanie Jones informed the group that the carnival will take place on the 12^th of June, and thanked the many businesses which have kindly donated towards the event. Ms Melanie Jones enquired if it would be possible to borrow the Crown from the City Council for the carnival.

Mr Gwyn Hughes agreed on the basis that TPOFCG wrote a letter requesting the Crown  and that relevant insurance was in place.

The group have also meet with the Students Union in the hope of working together in the future, and developing a better relationship.

Ø Garth Community Centre

Cllr June Marshall reported that the group had secured a generous grant from Gwynedd Council to restore the building and that the work is now almost complete. Some painting work is still to be done, therefore, a painting week will be starting on the 22^nd of February, everyone welcome, there will be a party on Sunday the 27^th to celebrate completion of the work.

Cllr John Wynn Jones noted that the Coedmawr Community Centre wish to be more involved with the Garth Community Centre and that better communication and networking was needed.

Ms Amanda Davies informed the group that a Bangor Community Groups Forum will be taking place on Tuesday the 16^th of March at T? Cegin. Those present will be informed about Bangor Pride, the Tidy Town’s initiative and wider community issues such as community venues available within the city (Action AD/ILT).

Cllr John Wynn Jones thanked Ms Amanda Davies for arranging the event, and noted that he will be present as this will be an important meeting.

f. Grwpiau Newydd / New Groups

Nothing to minute

4) Adolygu Strwythur Balchder Bangor / Reviewing Bangor Pride’s Structure

Ms Amanda Davies noted that she felt the monthly meeting are becoming challenging and that not enough activity is tacking place between each meeting, meetings every two months would be much more sustainable.

Mr Peter Simpson proposed that the other key stakeholders (Police,  Fire Service, Environment Agency and Keep Wales Tidy) should also be represented on the Steering Group. This was seconded by Mr Gwyn Hughes.

Cllr June Marshall agreed that holding a meeting every two months was a good way forward and that key agencies should be included within the steering group.

It was agreed that Ms Iona Thomas was to arrange the dates for the coming steering group meetings at the Mentec Centre (Action ILT).

Cllr John Wynn Jones to arrange that a single elected Councillor should be chosen as a  representative and sit on the steering group (Action JWJ).

5) Llecynau Cyhoeddus / Public Realm Projects

Ms Amanda Davies reported that the original start date for the work, 25^th of January, has now been pushed forward. Work will commence any day, however, the road will be permanently closed as the work takes place, not just during the night as noted in previous minutes.

6) Marchnata a Chodi Ymwybyddiaeth / Marketing and Awareness Raising

Item 6 to be combined with item 7 on the next Agenda.

7) Balchder Bangor Ar-lein / Bangor Pride On-line

Cllr John Wynn Jones reported that the Bangor Pride web-site is up and running and that the appointment of a Bangor Pride Project Officer will be a great help in maintaining the site and keeping it up-dated.

8) Swyddog Prosicet Balchder Bangor / Bangor Pride Project Officer

Cllr John Wynn Jones reported that adverts will be out in the press next week and that an officer will hopefully be in post by the end of March (Action GH/JWJ/AD/PJS/ILT).

9) Symud Ymlaen / Moving Forwards

To be taken out of the Agenda for the next meeting (Action ILT).

10) Unrhyw Fater Arall / Any Other Business

Ms Amanda Davies informed the group that the work on Lon Adda has begun.

Mr Gwyn Hughes informed the group that talks are talking place to try and link Lon Adda with Lon Las via Bishop’s Mill Road, more details will be available for the next meeting (Action GH).

Mr Peter Simpson informed the group that the Hirael area was being considered as a possible location for a ‘Blitz’ during the next financial year, subject to grant funding being available. (Action PJS/ILT).

11) Dyddiad y Cyfarfod Nesaf / Date of Next Meeting

Date of next meeting will be 14^th of April 2010 at 2.00p.m. in Mentec