What’s in your Parish Bulletin this month?
- Mendip Parish Forum Events and Dates For 2019 - change of December 2019 date
- Climate Change Summits - postponed
- National Tree Week 23rd November - 1st December 2019
- As the Cold Weather Approaches find out more about Services for Rough Sleepers in Mendip
- YMCA Mendip & South Somerset - Street Foyer housing project
- Licensing of Houses in multiple occupation (HMO’s)
- Christmas comes to Wells with a sustainable twist
- SPARK - Environmental volunteering
- Shape Mendip Lottery - New Cause
- Community Funding
- News from the Monitoring Officer
- Calendar of Meetings and Dates for your Diary
If you wish to submit an item for the Parish Council Information Bulletin, please email it to parishbulletin@mendip.gov.uk
Mendip Parish Forum Events and Dates
The Mendip Parish Forum is for clerks, chairs, elected members and community representatives from across Mendip. The forums are held quarterly in the Council Chamber at the Mendip District Council offices from 6:00pm with the main agenda items beginning at 6:30pm.
The last Parish Forum was held on the 12th September. The Leader, Ros Wyke gave a general update and hosted a questions and answers session. This will be a regular item at was Parish Forum.
The rest of the session was dedicated to "An introduction to Planning" training session delivered by Julie Reader-Sullivan and Rachel Tadman.
Thank you to all who attended. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting in December, for which agenda items are coming in fast and thick!
Please note the Parish Forum due to be held on 12th December 2019 has been moved to 23rd January 2020, due to the General Election.
Other Dates for 2020 will be in the December edition of the Parish Bulletin.
Climate emergency have your say drop in events – postponed
Unfortunately the Somerset Climate Emergency have your say drop in events due to be taking place across Somerset in November and December have been postponed. There are rules during an election period which limit public consultation and as we are now heading towards a General Election in December, we will not be able to host the events.
This is disappointing, however the events will run after the election and we are currently working on confirming new dates for the four events in the New Year. Updates will follow.
#MendipClimateAction
National Tree Week 23rd November -1st December
Following the Council’s Climate Emergency declaration in February this year, the Climate & Ecological Emergency Group (CEEG) have been busy identifying and agreeing the strategic climate change objectives for our district.
The Council’s Climate Change & Resilience Officer has recently been looking at tree data for the district and it has been noted that Mendip as a whole, has below average coverage. Trees are vital for carbon sequestration and mitigating the impacts of climate change, such as more frequent and severe rainfall. Therefore, the need for a strategic tree planting programme in the district has been identified.
Over the coming months, the Council will be working on developing this programme. Whilst it has not been rolled out yet, we would like to encourage all Parishes to support National Tree Week between 23rd November and 1st December and the Woodland Trust’s “Big Climate Fightback” on 3Oth November. Please click here to make your tree-planting pledge.
The 2019/2020 “I Dig Trees” programme has over 7,000 FREE tree planting packs to provide to community groups and/or volunteers. Click here to find out more.
As the Cold Weather Approaches find out more about Services for Rough Sleepers in Mendip
If anyone sees someone rough sleeping, they should make a referral to Streetlink. Referrals can be made by contacting the rough sleeper referral line on 0300 500 0914 or by going to www.streetlink.org.uk and completing an online form. The more information provided, the better. Streetlink supports rough sleepers to connect with local support services and will pass this information on to the local outreach service to respond to. Elim Connect Centre Outreach Team provide support to rough sleepers throughout Mendip and are commissioned by Mendip District Council to provide this service. Connect Outreach work with key organisations across Mendip, to enable fast and effective access to a wide range of services. The skilled and dedicated team provide short and long-term, person-centred support. Connect Outreach work to end homelessness by supporting people into accommodation either locally or out of area depending on individual eligibility and need. Connect Outreach work closely with Mendip District Council to provide effective and efficient solutions to homelessness. Connect Outreach are based in Wells but facilitate weekly drop-ins in Glastonbury and Frome. The team will also travel to anywhere in Mendip to meet with rough sleepers. Connect Outreach can be contacted on 01749 677097 for further information regarding drop-ins and their services or click below
The cold weather provision for 2019-20 is currently being designed with partners. More information will be made available shortly.
YMCA Mendip & South Somerset - We are here for them - Street Foyer housing project
Many of the young people we support have gone through very challenging times. Thanks to your vital support we are at their side to help them to build their self-confidence and mental well-being and to guide them to belong,contribute and thrive in their community.
At Street Foyer we have regular visits to Paddington Farm on a Wednesday, where young people can engage in positive activities. We have got involved in gardening, blacksmithing and feeding the animals. It is a very relaxed atmosphere where young people, particularly those struggling with anxiety can get involved as much or as little as they want.
Please, help us to keep running our vital services with a donation at www.justgiving.com/ymcamendip
Or “Become a Friend” filling in our standing order mandate online
For more info write to Alessandra at fundraising@mendipymca.org.uk
.
Licensing of Houses in multiple occupation (HMO’s)
1 October 2018 marked the introduction of new legislation making it a requirement for all large HMO’s, regardless of the number of storeys, to be licensed. This change in the law has meant that far more properties will be subject to mandatory licensing. The Private Sector Housing Team have begun a targeted search on house share websites, such as SpareRoom.com. The officers will focus their attention within a 5 mile radius of each of the 5 main towns in Mendip. The team are aware that there may be large house share’s operating within more rural parts of the district; and they are eager to identify them also. The aim of the project is to ultimately protect tenant’s health by raising housing standards. If you know of any property’s that appear to be in multiple occupation and you have concerns about tenant’s safety, please get in touch with the team at: PSH_Enquiries@mendip.gov.uk.
Christmas comes to Wells with a sustainable twist
Be sure to pencil in a visit to Wells on 14 and 21 December to experience an extended festive market with a twist.
The regular Wells Saturday Market will host additional stalls to create a festive atmosphere in the historic city. The extended seasonal market will be located through the Bishops Eye to the Bishops Palace Green.
The markets, organised by the Mendip Markets team, will feature seasonal stalls selling Christmas food and drink, gift ideas and seasonal fare providing something for everyone’s Christmas shopping list.
Following on from the councils Climate Change Emergency pledge made earlier this year, the market will focus on sustainability with traders offering ethical items as well as tips and ideas at both markets to help shoppers have an ethical and guilt free Christmas.
There will be around 90 stalls at the normal market and then a further 30-40 stalls in the extended Christmas market in the Bishops Palace Green. The markets will be open from 9am-4pm on the 14 and 21 December.
Stay up to date with the market by following the Facebook and Instagram pages at @WellsChristmasMarket.
Environmental Awareness is a key current issue. This is a great time to get involved in the many environmental volunteering opportunities available. We have opportunities ranging from recycling to outdoor conservation to Forest School and picking/packing vegetable boxes! These are ideal ways to volunteer in your local community doing something you feel passionate about.
Whatever your motivation, contact us to find out how you could get involved in volunteering. We have lots of other general volunteering opportunities available too.
volunteer@sparksomerset.org.uk
Tel 01460 202970
#beaspark
#give a little, change a lot
Sign up to the Shape Mendip Lottery
If you haven’t already, make sure you sign up to The Shape Mendip Lottery!
The Shape Mendip Lottery is a weekly online lottery created to support local causes in Mendip. Tickets are only £1 per week and 60% of your ticket price will go to local causes! To find out more about how it works, the causes you can support and how to sign-up, visit the website below.
Community Funding
Spark can support groups to get themselves ready to apply for funding; writing a constitution, getting any relevant policies and procedures in place and ensuring you have the right management structure.
We have a funding database to search for any new funding opportunities and for groups who need a bit more support we have recently employed a funding officer. For more information email Sharon.Hale@sparksomerset.org.uk.
POCKET PARK GRANTS -
Grants up to £25,000 for community-led organisations in England that are working in partnership with their local authority to create new pocket parks or bringing existing green spaces up to a safe and usable standard.
Application deadline: Tuesday 31 December 2019.
Further information, guidelines and an application form can be found on the GOV.UK website.
CHARITIES AID FOUNDATION TOURLE FOUNDATION FUND -
Grants up to £,5000 for small local charitable organisations in the UK that are providing projects that meet a need and will make a difference to local people.
Application deadline: Tuesday 11 November 2019.
Examples of eligible projects could include (please note this is not an exclusive list):
- Funding a charitable organisation set up by the community in a village.
- Providing services to older people in isolation, and
- a small community group on an estate providing drop in sessions for teenagers.
Guidance notes, together with an application form, can be found on the Charities Aid Foundation website.
THE QBE FOUNDATION DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAMME –
Grants generally up to £10,000 for local UK registered charities that are enabling people to overcome disadvantage, strengthen their abilities and live more independently, successfully and productively.
Application deadline: none – applications may be made at any time.
Further information and an on line application form is available on the Foundation’s website
THE FRANCIS WINHAM FOUNDATION
Grants averaging £2,150 for registered charities in England that are providing welfare projects for elderly people.
Application deadline: none – applications may be made at any time.
Please note: the Foundation does not maintain a website. Further information is, however, available on the Charity Commission website.
Applicants may be made in writing at any time.
Contact details for the Foundation are:
- Mrs J Winham
- Francis Winham Foundation
- 18 Gilston Road
- London
- SW10 9SR
Tel: 0207 795 1261
Email: francinetrust@outlook.com
THE NINEVEH CHARITABLE TRUST
Grants averaging £4,000 for UK-based-not-for-profit organisations and schools for a broad range of projects and activities that promote a better understanding of the countryside.
Application deadline: none – applications may be made at any time.
Applications should be submitted by post in the form of a proposal letter no longer than two double-sided pages. A contact form, which can be downloaded from the Trust's website, should also be completed and 4 copies returned along with three copies of the proposal letter
THE COLD WEATHER FUND
Grants up to £25,000 for grassroots registered charities and Community Interest Companies in England that are helping people who are sleeping rough get off the streets this winter.
Application deadline: Friday 6 December 2019.
For further information, including guidance notes and access to an online application form
GARDENING FOR DISABLED TRUST
Small grants for individuals, schools and organisations to enable people to continue gardening despite advancing illness, age or disability.
Application deadline: None – applications may be made at any time.
For further information, including guidance notes and access to an online application form can be found on the John Coates Charitable Trust website.
THE NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME COMMUNITY GARDEN AWARDS
Grants up to £5,000 for amateur gardeners in community groups in England and Wales to create a garden or similar project with horticultural focus to their local community.
Application deadline: Tuesday 31 December 2019.
Guidance notes, together with an application form, can be found on the National Garden Scheme website
THE HEDLEY DENTON CHARITABLE TRUST
Grants up to £2,000 for voluntary and community organisations in the UK working in the areas of youth development, people with disabilities, the arts, medical research and care and people who are disadvantaged.
Application deadline: none – applications may be made at any time.
The Trust does not maintain a website. Further information is, however, available on the Charity Commission website.
Applications may be made at any time in writing, addressed to: Iain Nicholson, Hedley Denton Charitable Trust,5 West Road, Ponteland, Newcastle upon Tyne 9ST, Tel: 01661 823 863 or Email: law@iainnicholson.co.uk
BRITISH SCIENCE WEEK COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAMME
Grants up to £1,000 for UK community based organisations to create events or activities that engage under-represented audiences as part of British Science Week (6-15 March 2020).
Application deadline: Monday 11 November 2019.
An online application form and guidelines are available on the British Science Week website.
MUSIC FOR ALL COMMUNITY PROJECT GRANTS
Grants up to £2,500 for UK community organisations to bring music projects to their local communities.
Application deadline: Friday 1 November 2019 for project commencing the following January. Future deadlines are : 1st February for projects commencing in April, and 1st July for projects commencing in September
Further information about the programme, together with an online application form, can be found on the Music for All website, where details of the Fund’s grants to individuals are also available
THE BALMAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION TRUST -
Small grants for registered charities in England and Wales for the conservation, protection and improvement of the environment.
Application deadline: none – applications may be made at any time.
The Balmain Environmental Conservation Trust does not maintain a website but further details can be found on the Charity Commission Website.
The aims and objectives of the Balmain Environmental Conservation Trust are:
1) to promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment, and
2) to advance such charitable purposes as the Trust sees fit from time to time.
For information about how to make an application, contact the Trust at: Balmain Environmental Conservation Trust, BSR Bespoke, Linden House,Linden Close,Tunbridge Wells,Kent
News from the Monitoring Officer
Standards Committee
The Standards Committee has an important role in seeking to ensure high standards of behaviour amongst Members of the District Council as well as Parishes.
Contact details below for:
Somerset Association of Local Councils
Society of Local Council Clerks
Calendar of meetings for 2019/20
Mendip District Council has prepared a calendar of its public meetings to be held in 2019/2020. Please contact committee_services@mendip.gov.uk if you wish to have a copy.
It should be noted that this calendar may be subject to change. However, any changes will be because of the timetable for Council business - it will not be possible to make changes to suit individuals.
A date for your diary – October
Cabinet 4th November 2019 6:30pm Council Chamber, Mendip District Council Offices.
Scrutiny Board 18th November 2019 6:30pm Council Chambers ,Mendip District Council Offices.
Planning Board 20th November 2019 6:00pm Council Chamber, Mendip District Council Offices.
Somerset Building Control Partnership 21st November 2019 2:00pm Council Chamber, Mendip District Council Offices.
Standards Committee 26th November 2:00pm Council Chambers , Mendip District Council Offices
Contact details for the committee officers are as follows:
Claire Dicken: claire.dicken@mendip.gov.uk or 01749 341341
Credits:
Created with images by Matt Artz - "Kings Canyon National Park" • ShenXin - "christmas market christmas game" • Emma Simpson - "Morning jog in the countryside"