Knowle West NewsletterIssue 1Winter 2001"I have lived in Knowle West all my life and have seen many changes in that time - some bad and some good. In 1993 local peoplecame together to do something to make Knowle West a better place - The Knowle West Development Trust was one of the results .If we are going to make a difference in this community, local people must know what is happening, to be fully involved in decidingwhat needs to be done and how to do it.

The idea behind this newsletter is that, four times a year, every household in Knowle West will get information on what ishappening. Please read it and let us know what you think."Denise Britt, Local Resident,Chair Knowle West Development Trust and Knowle West Against Drugs

In the 88 areas of the country with the highest concentrations of poverty - the Government wants Local Authorities to set upNeighbourhood Partnerships bringing together local residents, Community Organisations and 'Mainstream Agencies' (Council,Police, Health, Education and so on) to tackle poverty and inequality more effectively.

These Partnerships have the responsibility to draw up an Annual Action Plan aimed at tackling the main problems in an organised,measured way with everyone working together to set the the priorities and deciding how to tackle them.

The Action Plan will tackle specific targets, some set by the Government, some set locally. It will need to be realistic and show howit's going to be achieved, by whom and by when. The plan needs to have the full involvement of local people - who have the finalsay.

Resident Members of Neighbourhood Renewal Steering Group:Denise BrittRene GoughRoss ThompsonPaul ChamberlinFloss MoultonCarole CaseyRose ManningMary SmithSue BaldockMargaret JordanEsme DavidsonAnn CooperStella MannRichard LawrenceDominic MurphyJane TaylorMichael WebbPat FilerAnita PearceSister Joanna Brennan

So what does this mean for Knowle West..?Neighbourhood Renewal is a three-year programme and Knowle West is one of ten neighbourhoods that will benefit, and one ofthe first three to start (the other two are Ashley and Southmead). The Knowle West Neighbourhood Partnership will have to tacklepriorities under five headings - Jobs, Crime, Education, Health and Housing. There is £1.7m extra funding in 2001-2002 for all theneighbourhoods to help them achieve targets (called 'Floor Targets' - see page 3), £2.6m in 2002-2003 and £3.5m in 2003-2004.

To meet the targets and make the best use of the funding, local residents, service providers and voluntary groups need to worktogether to produce an Action Plan - and then achieve it!

To make sure that local people really are in charge, the Knowle West Development Trust has brought together a group of residentsto take forward the creation of a Partnership and an Action Plan. The Trust has negotiated a six-month contract with Bristol CityCouncil to do this and the Chief Executive of the Trust will be responsible for making it happen.

The idea is that resident membership of the Neighbourhood Partnership will be open to all local people and elections for this will beheld as soon as possible.

Floor Targets - What are they?The Government wants regeneration to have a clearer focus. The Action Plan for Knowle West needs to identify specific targetsand how they are going to be met. Consequently, there are a number of targets in five basic areas - Work, Crime, Education,Health and Housing and the Environment (see below).

In the year ahead we need to work out what they mean for Knowle West and also what additional targets we want to set ourselvesas the Government targets are the minimum to be achieved (hence floor targets).

WorkIncrease employment rates of the local authority district and narrow the gap between the local poor initial labour marketconditions and the overall rateGenerate more sustainable enterprise in disadvantaged communitiesIncrease the employment rates of disabled people, lone parents, ethnic minorities and the over 55s and narrow the gapbetween these and the overall rate.

CrimeReduce domestic burglary by 25% , with no local authority district having a rate more than three times the national averageby 2005.

EducationReduce to zero the number of LEAs where pupils achieve less than the expected standards of literacy and numeracyIncrease the %age of pupils obtaining five or more GCSEs with A-C grades, with at least 38% achieving this standard inevery LEA, and at least 25% in every school.

HealthTo develop targets to narrow the health gap in childhood and throughout life between socio-economic groups and between themost deprived areas and the rest of the country.

Housing and the Physical EnvironmentReduce by 33% the number of households living in non decent social housing, with most improvement in the most deprived localauthority areas, as part of a comprehensive regeneration strategy.

But we need money to do this - so wheredoes it come from?The idea is that most of the money should come from the Mainstream Agencies. To help get things going there is some extramoney available (about £300,000 a year in Knowle West). Some of the money has already been allocated (see over page).

How long is this going to last and whathappens after that?The Government has said it will give it three years to see how well it works. After that no-one knows what will happen. If this workswell across the country, we hope it will continue. But in any case we believe that in the next three years we can go a long waytowards getting local people controlling and running many of the services that are needed.

Who says what we can and cannot do?As always there are a lot of rules. The Government sets them and, for now, the Council makes sure they happen. Soon there willbe a city-wide Partnership responsible for producing a Community Plan for the whole of Bristol which we anticipate beingaccountable to.

So what if I have a good idea?The extra money can only be used for specific things. Proposals must either be submitted by or sponsored by a MainstreamAgency. The proposal must show that it:

Has a direct impact on the targetsAlters the way Mainstream services workMeets local priorities and has local backingFits well with other things happeningDoes not need long term funding from this money to be successful.

Including groups of people who are often left out - the elderly, disabled, ethnic minorities etc. - is also very important.

The proposal goes first to the Neighbourhood Group for comment and then for a "technical assessment" to see how well it meetsthe criteria. A summary of all bids goes to a city-wide group (which includes local people) with a recommendation for approval (ornot). The final step is for an Executive Member of the Council to sign the approval.

How do I go about applying?If you think you have a proposal that meets the criteria, the first thing to do is to speak to Michael Webb. If you want to make anapplication he will supply you with the forms and guidance notes. One round of proposals has been approved and a second roundhas been submitted. The next round will probably be in January or February

Successful Knowle West BidsA number of projects have already been successful in attracting funding from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

EducationResearch to find out how many young people in Knowle West are struggling at Secondary school, or not there at all, and to find outwhy and what can be done about it.

Support for local Primary Schools to work together and to work more with the Community.

Funding for Broadway Performing Arts to expand its work with young people and to buy essential equipment.

CrimeJoint funding for a Community Police post, a Community Safety Manager and a Crime Reduction initiative.

Eagle HouseEagle House Community Association is celebrating putting together £42,000 of funding to completely revamp the forecourt of thebuilding. The money is being used to reinstate a five-a-side court, together with a new car park, security fencing and lighting. TheCommunity Association has raised £25,000 with a further £4,000 from Knowle Safe. The £13,000 balance has come from theNeighbourhood Renewal Fund.

Committee Member Denis Filer is delighted to have won the Neighbourhood Renewal funding: "The Newquay Road area needs aboost and this will really help," he says. "It is the first step towards the redevelopment of the Youth Club site and we want to see awhole range of services for local people provided at Eagle House in the future".

The next round of bids has just been submitted.

"Everyone needs to be involved to have their views heard.Don't leave it to a few people to make decisions for you.Come along to the public meetings and have your say.."

Rose Manning,Local Resident

Knowle West Employment and Training (KWET) project has enjoyed another busy year:

The Computer Training Centre (CTC) expanded its opening hours to include Tuesday and Thursday evenings. It has doubled itsnumber of computers and purchased a more powerful Internet link, with the funds secured through a successful South Bristol bidwe made to Government. Forty-four hard-working students obtained national qualifications - a credit to themselves and to us.

"I am more computer literate.I only had basic skills from school and had forgotten a lot of it."

The One Stop Job Shop won accreditation from The Guidance Accreditation Board for the quality of its systems, procedures andservice delivery - which we think is a real achievement. Through the financial assistance scheme, forty-six people gainedqualifications and an incredible 221 people were able to secure work or better jobs. We have been able to use funding to enablethem to purchase either necessary equipment such as safety clothing or to support their travel costs.

Our Childcare Development Worker, Sian Matthews, provided substantial support to three local organisations wanting to enhancetheir childcare provisions. Some of this work contributed to the establishment of Filwood's first registered crèche. Three peoplereceived accredited childcare qualifications and 6 people enrolled in a new course. We think this is a great result for the first year ofour work.

"I did not feel alone; there was someone tooffer help and advice when I needed it"

And the future..?We have ambitious goals for the One Stop Job Shop over the next year, including:

Utilising £200,000 from developers to boost prospects of local jobs for local peopleObtaining Employment Service funding to continue our current workSeeing a Jobcentre Plus office established locallySecuring a financial contribution from Connexions, andWinning 'Learning and Skills Council' money to support continued delivery of all our current services.

We have big plans for the Computer Training Centre too, including:

Launching and developing the Learn Direct range of computer based coursesOpening the CTC at weekends and on more eveningsBecoming an Employment Services approved provider of trainingDeveloping a range of new courses.

In addition, our Childcare Development Worker will continue to:

Fund local people who want to train as childcare workersSupport the neighbourhood nursery development, andRevitalise the Early Years and Childcare Partnership locally.

All in all, a great year, with lots more planned for the next twelve months.

"As a new worker to the area I have found your help invaluableby giving me support and up to date informationneeded to develop my role"

"Chelsea Flower Show will have to look to their laurels if they could see my garden at the moment.How delighted I am with my gardening and the removal of an abandoned car outside."says Mrs R,Salcombe Road.

So far...The Community Caretaking Project continued to work hard, mainly in the Newquay Road area of Knowle West over the past year,

but the demand for our service was too much for one caretaker alone.

So, in March 2001, I was appointed as Project Manager to, facilitate the project's expansion and enable it to become sustainable.We ran a successful bid to the Sustainable Neighbourhood Fund and secured funding, which enabled these goals to become areality.

Since my appointment, the Project has grown and we have had New Deal Trainees (long term unemployed) providing muchneeded assistance to the scheme, as well as gaining invaluable experience for themselves. Twelve trainees have been involvedto-date - four are still working with the Project and at least four of the remaining trainees are now in full-time employment - we thinkthis is a really great result.

A real highlight came over the Summer when our team constructed a quiet garden for the children to use at Novers Lane JuniorSchool. We provided our services for free, charging only for materials, as we wanted to give something back to our community -and this is a valuable community resource. The school, in turn, invited all the members of our Project team to their school assemblyso both staff and kids could say a big 'thank you' for the beautiful garden which the children use and enjoy regularly.

The end of August saw the appointment of a Maintenance Supervisor enabling the project to expand into the home maintenancefield. At the end of September 2001 we were able to offer a six-month contract to one of the trainees who is now in post andworking really well.

At the Community Caretaking Project we make regular funding applications, many of which have been successful. We will continueto apply for extra funding, which although time-consuming, keeps our job costs to a minimum - directly benefiting our residentcustomers.

For the future...Our aim is to make the Community Caretaking Project a successful and useful resource for all residents in Knowle West.

To reach this end, continued expansion is on our agenda, including a green composting site in conjunction with Florence BrownSchool. The successful training places will be continued through New Deal and additional fund raising from NeighbourhoodRenewal money, Objective 2 and SRB6, as well as smaller amounts being sourced separately to pay for tools and equipment.

Darren Gillet. Project Manager

The Past Year

Dave Howe,Project Manager

Knowle West Youth Forum hasseen many excitingdevelopments over the past year.A management committee ofyoung workers has workedtogether to start up the YouthForum Shop Unit and secure afive-year lease. The Unit hasprovided open access during

The FutureThe future is exciting for Knowle West YouthForum. The project is looking for further funding inorder to continue its work over the next five years.The Youth Forum is entering into 'The KnowleWest Youth Partnership'. They will see thePartnership working with the Inns Court YouthProject, Bristol City Council Youth Services andother youth projects. The Partnership will enableThe Youth Forum to become a 'central strand' ofmuch local youth work, increasing young people'sinvolvement opportunities and maximisingresources.

The work of the Youth Forum will continue toenable young people to be involved in decision-making and receive accreditation opportunities ona local and city-wide level. The partnership willallow young people access to specialist genderprojects, music projects and IT projects.

Other additional opportunities planned include aYouth Café and a project to work with children whoare not attending school.

Young Mums

Michelle Cummings,Project Manager

The Teenage and YoungMother's Group was formedfour years ago, due to therecognised need of a localyoung mother and the supportthat the Knowle West YouthForum was able to provide.During that time the weeklygroup meetings have grown tobecome an important and

school holidays for activities,support and information. Inaddition, regular project work isnow being offered.

A project to establish an officebase at the Youth Forum shopunit has been a part of The YouthAchievement Awards. Nine localyouth projects are now available,offering awards to young peoplefor the voluntary work they do inthe community. Three youngachievers have been presentedwith awards this year.

Another key development withinthe Youth Forum has been theproduction of the communitynewsletter - Mouth of the South.The newsletter is now regularlyproduced every two to threemonths and a dedicated team ofyoung people work to ensure that500 glossy copies of eacheight-page newsletter are fundedand produced for each issue.

The Knowle West Youth Councilwas formed towards the end oflast year. A group of elevenyoung people have begunfeeding into local and city-widedecision-making bodies.Members have undertakentraining in grant giving and havebeen allocated £4,000 in grantsto local youth groups.

valued resource of thecommunity.

Since March of this year, theproject secured £12,000emergency funding from 'SureStart'. This has enabled themuch-needed laying offoundations, for there-structuring and developmentof the project. This fundingofficially ran out in September,but due to an extensivebusiness funding bid, theproject has secured a further125,000 from Sure StartFunding. We have doubled ourmembership and are workingwith young mums as young as15 years old. Our crèchefacility is also at full capacity,however, with the new fundingwe will expand in this area.

In the coming months and nextyear the project will beexpanding, offering up to foursessions per week, which willinclude a drop in session. NewStaff are in the process ofbeing employed ready for thestart of January 2002. TheTeenage and Young MothersProject views itself asprogressive. With a multi-agency approach to ourpractice we are forging closeworking partnerships with otherorganisations in order todeliver our service provision.

Treasurer's ReportThe Trust finance team consists of Jez Empson (Senior Finance Officer) who has worked for the Trust since April 2000, and SarahGroom (part-time Finance Support Worker) who joined in June 2000. The finance team ensure project managers and managementcommittee members are regularly updated on the Trust's financial position. The team is also responsible for paying staff andsuppliers and producing the annual accounts.

The Trust has continued to grow in 2000/01, with expenditure increasing by 28% to £538,000. The increase was largely a result oftwo new projects; The Burglary Reduction Initiative and Youth Achievement Awards. Fee and rent income have enabled the Trustto achieve a surplus of £28,621, which brought unrestricted reserves to £125,000.

A reserves policy was agreed by the management committee during the year. The main aim of the policy is to ensure the Trust hassufficient cash to fund its day-to-day activities. A target for unrestricted reserves of three months' purchases was also set. Based onlast year's expenditure, 3 months' purchases equate to £133,000, therefore this target has almost been met. Any future surplusreserves will be designated, if required, for special purposes or released for immediate use.

The Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) made up 58% of total income (79% in 1999/2000). This shows a continued dependence ona single source of income. The Trust is actively planning for the period after 31 March 2003, when all SRB2 income will cease.Bidding for new funding is taking place, which aims to play a leading role in the implementation of the Government'sNeighbourhood Renewal Strategy in Knowle West.

The Trust's finances are likely to look slightly different in the future, with projects accessing varied sources of funding. For example,The Community Caretaking service will generate its own income.

Beresford Moulton. Treasurer

Knowle West Development Trust LimitedStatement of Financial Activities (Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account)For the Year Ended 31 March 2001

Restricted£

Unrestricted£

2001Total£

2000Total£

Incoming Resources

Grants and Donations 560,645 - 560,645 402,039

Fee Income - 47092 47092 42954

Rent - 4,700 4,700 5,752

Interest Received 386 3698 4084 2014

Total Incoming Resources561,031 55,490 616,521 452,759

Resources Expended

Direct Charitable Expenditure

Knowle West Employment and Training 151,890 1,797 163,687 144,653

Knowle Safe 187,242 4,951 192,193 135,836

Youth Forum 75,273 60 75,333 49,452

Other Community Development 276 - 276 3,695

Support Costs 93,514 7,358 100,872 80,650

508,195 24,166 532,361 414,286

Other Expenditure Fundraising and Publicity 2,947 - 2,947 2,432

Management and Administration - 2,730 2,730 3,418

Total Resources Expended 511,142 26,869 538,011 420,136

Net IncomingResources for the Year 49,889 28,621 78,510 32,623

Funds at 1 April 2001 211,451 96,696 308,147 275,524

Funds at 31 March 2001 261,340 125,317 386,657 308,147

Knowle West Development Trust LtdBalance Sheet

As at 31 March 2001 2001£

2000£

Tangible Fixed Assets 161,347 175,964

Current Assets

Debtors 119,32 37,426

Cash at bank and in hand 164,969 125,886

Creditors: Amount Falling Due Within One Year 58,981 31,129

Net Current Assets 225,310 132,183

Net Assets 386,657 308,147

Funds

Restricted Funds 261,340 211,451

Unrestricted Funds

Designated Funds - 20,000

General Funds 125,317 76,696

Total funds 386,657 308,147

1 Mede CentreCommunity Centre, Youth Project, Play Group,Cafe

2 Broad Plain HouseYouth Centres, Sports project with Police andBristol City Football Club

3 Health ParkGP Surgeries, Primary Care services and HealthyLiving Centre

4 Knowle West Media Centre(The Old William Budd Health Clinic)

5 Education ParkCommunity Education, Sports, Performing Arts,Sure Start, Community Businesses, AlterativeCurriculum Centre, IT Suites and lots more!

6 Eagle HouseYouth Club and Social Centre - new five-a-sidecourt and car park (part funded by NRF)

7 Filwood BroadwayFilwood Community Centre, The Kabin, FilwoodHope, Youth Drop-In, Computer Training Centre,The Job Shop, Knowle West Against Drugs

8 Filwood Playing Fields TrustPlanned development of the playing feilds - run bythe community

9 Florence BrownConcrete Creations Community Business andproposed site of composting business

10 Connaught RoadNew Multi-Purpose hall for the school andcommunity