Bishopston Society

The last NP Committee Meeting was on May 25th 2010. A paper on membership and one about a more transparent process for the allocation of the Wellbeing Budget (I presented the latter) were agreed with few modifications. There was much discussion about how to involve more people in the Committee and public forum meetings and the activates promoted by the Partnership – engagement was a major issue. There are now five subgroups:

• Social engagement
• Wellbeing grant process
• Highways and pavements
• Street plant tubs
• Trees.

Anyone can join these without the sponsorship of a local organisation and are not requested to attend Committee meetings. Application is made to Jo Holmes at the City Council who would forward details to the Chair of each group.

There are public forum meetings held in each electoral ward on a quarterly basis. This is due to the statutory responsibility on the police to consult on an electoral ward basis quarterly. However the agendas are not controlled by the police, but they have a major slot on the agenda. Dates are on the Council website: www.bristol.gov.uk/partnership

The next Committee Meeting is on July 8th. The first tranche of grant allocations will be made on September 30th Committee meeting.

Our local Neighbourhood Partnership has grants available!

The Bishopston, Cotham and Redland Partnership has received a Wellbeing Budget of £30,000 for 2010/2011. There is however a slightly higher sum available due to unspent moneys rolled forward from last year. The money is to be spent on anything which will enhance the quality of life of people living within the Partnership boundaries. That includes Bishopston - see "What is the Neighbourhood Partnership".

Some of this will be spent directly by the Partnership on things which local people, in local meetings and other consultation events, have said they want eg a number of street trees were planted throughout the area during 2009.

However the Partnership wants most of the Budget to be available as grants to support local community activities. The Partnership is required to set out what are its priorities, and these are the criteria against which grant applications will be assessed. In 2010/11 the four priorities are:-

• Improving the local built  environment eg removing graffiti, clearing litter/rubbish, front garden competitions
• Young people eg activities which enhance existing facilities or offer innovative ways of involving young people so that they feel they are a valued part of their local area
• Parks and green spaces eg tree planting, improving neglected corners in the community, enhancing local facilities
• Local traffic and transport

Generally grants are unlikely to be more than £5000. There is a sum of £3500 which has been set apart for grants of up to £500. Grants are usally only for capital items. For 2010/11 they will be allocated in two tranches and the closing dates are 30^th June and 30^th September. A small sub-group of the Partnership assesses the applications and makes recommendations to the Partnership committee meeting for a final decision. 

If you are part of a non-profitmaking community group operating within the Partnership area, and are looking for some financial support for a particular activity or project, you must make a written application. The application form and full details of the process and how to fill in the form are available from Jenny Jones via  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or telephone 0117-9036825.

The criteria will be reviewed later in 2010. If you have a view on this, keep an eye on the agendas of the Open Forum meetings and the Partnership Committee meetings - or just email your thoughts to the Area Co-ordinator: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

More from Bishopston Society rep via our online contact form.