Notes from Cultural Forum, Basingstoke Library, 06 October

Attendees
Mark Helyar, proteus;
Debbie Wilding, proteus;
Zoe Curnow, Haymarket;
Margaret Benton, The Making;
Maurice, Rugby Club;
Colin, Sports Council;
Bob Clifford, Inter-varsity Club;
Frances Candler, HCC Library;
Bianca Webb, Junction 6;
Diane Hayward, BDBC Leisure;
Lee Price, BDBC Leisure;
Andy Grove, BDBC Leisure;
Ceri Gibson, BDBC Leisure;
Cllr Erica Shaw, BDBC
In attendance
Denise Luker; BDBC Housing

Local Strategic Partnership Update
· Partnership = key to LSP
Specific projects now identified (http://basingstokelsp.org.uk)   
– Oakridge (Older residents)
– Tadley (Young people)
– Popley (Regeneration)
– Winklebury (Parents of younger children/families)
– Community Information System ‘Start Here’ (replacement for Community Portal) – intention to build site to include wide range of services, currently in early stages of development
· LSP developing Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy with initial focus on town
· Partners Funding of LSP – needs to be addressed – potential for support in kind from cultural/voluntary sector as limited funds?
· Partnership Coordinators’ Network established to bring together representatives of all partners on the LSP Board – to meet quarterly – next meeting on 14 October, 11am – 1pm - to be attended by Colin
· LSP Meeting – next meeting on 22 November, 2.15pm - to be attended by Zoe/Margaret (subject to confirmation) – up to 2 members can attend
· Dates of future LSP meetings on website http://basingstokelsp.org.uk  

Housing Partnership Board Presentation
· Part of LSP as of early 2004, Partnership Board meets quarterly
· Don’t directly manage houses, stock sold to Kingfisher and Oakfern Housing in 1995 (26 Housing Associations in borough)
· Developing Vulnerable Person’s Protocol to educate tenants
· Involved with homelessness, moderate private landlords, provide grants for alterations/renovations
· Looking for innovative ways to get housing message across to harder-to-reach groups (through linkages with Cultural sector?)
· d.luker@basingstoke.gov.uk, 01256 845395

Cultural Strategy
· Discussion about the need for some sort of Cultural Strategy (BDBC produced Cultural Strategy now within Community Strategy) –does Forum want to revisit this?
· To be tabled on next agenda
· DCMS White Paper ‘Culture at the Heart of Regeneration’ – www.culture.gov.uk – consultation until 15 October

Proposed date and venue of next meeting for Cultural Forum
· 15 December, Vision Sports Bar, Ice Rink, Leisure Park
· Meeting at 5.30pm, followed by social from 7pm
· If available Frances Candler to chair
· (To be confirmed by Bob Clifford)

Actions from meeting
· Mark Helyar to re-circulate the Cultural Forum’s aims and objectives
· All to circulate more details of projects they are working on in partnership (briefly discussed at meeting)
· Representative/s attending LSP meetings to be determined – Zoe Curnow is prepared to attend if no-one else is able, all keen to open up representative across the sector (not just performing arts)
· Bob Clifford to confirm date/venue of next Cultural Forum meeting (see above)