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2017 Annual General Meeting

Neighbourhood Plan draft proposal - 3 areas

Strategy Document 2016-2020

 

Burslem Regeneration Trust (BRT)

Members Meeting 2017 Report                                                                                                                 July 2017

 

Thank you to everyone who is working for Burslem.

There is simply so much going on.

Our task is to make sure that people know about what is happening outside of their own organisation and to support our strategic objectives that reach out to all. When Burslem unites we are stronger together.

This means cooperation and improved partnership at every level. It means understanding the bigger picture and the opportunities and constraints in getting things done.  

BRT is a volunteer body set up to make Burslem a great place to live, work. visit and invest in. Our trustees meet together with our local MP, Stoke on Trent council ward, regeneration cabinet members, supporting community groups and businesses including Synectic Solutions, Autonet Insurance, Steelite International, Titanic Brewery, the City Learning Trust, Our Burslem, and Port Vale Community trust to identify and find solutions to the challenges and opportunities that Burslem faces. We meet on a two monthly basis throughout the year and believe in working together in partnership.

Our achievements over the last twelve months include completion of our 2016-2020 Strategy, which defines our purpose and vision and informs decision making in Burslem by all partners.  The five key objectives defined within this strategic framework have seen significant progress over recent months, including:

Heritage

Backing for UKHBP Trust (formerly Prince's Regeneration Trust) for Wedgwood Institute proposals for EU funding and ongoing Middleport Pottery initiatives

Engagement with SOT Council re reinstatement of public open space and car parking in front of the Old Town Hall

Business

Backing for Port Vale Community Foundation to reach out to local young people, business and community groups through football

Backing for 'Burslem Welcomes' Tourism proposals  led by Amanda Bromley, serving as a focal point for new entrants to Burslem’s business community

Creation of a business directory for all local businesses on our web-site

Provision of free hosting services for local businesses that require an online presence or additional marketing support

Investment

Invitation to St Modwen to engage re investment in vacant sites in Burslem including the Wades site

Consideration  with Urban Vision for Neighbourhood Plan(s) for Burslem

Support for Burslem Port Project in its efforts to open up the Burslem Arm of the Trent & Mersey Canal

Support for enhanced canal network investment

Learning

Support for opening of City Learning Trust sixth form in the Old Town Hall and Burslem School of Art, including involvement of School of Art Trust

We have worked with City Learning Trust, Keele University and Barewall Gallery to bring the prestigious 3 Counties Open Art Exhibition to Burslem School of Art during summer 2017 and would welcome everyone to call in, to see some wonderful works by talented local artists on display.  

Culture

Support for Ruth Smeeth MP's proposal to create a Holiday Hunger Project to serve Burslem

Support for Our Burslem and particularly their Community Bank Holiday festivals

Through our Root ‘n’ Fruit Community Allotment Initiative and the associated Food Network project that we support, we helped to organise and run the City of Stoke-on-Trent Food Festival for 2017, which was held at Burslem School of Art, and was enjoyed by over 1,000 people – all learning about; growing; cooking; and sharing good food.  During the event, the City’s Food Charter was launched, which is part of the Sustainable Food City initiative that we support.

Support for many community initiatives including Arnold Bennett Society's  150 anniversary celebration of the birth of  Arnold Bennett

Support for Stoke on Trent City of Culture bid

Support for social activities at Swan Bank Methodist Mission

Appointment of Tommy Dawkins MBE as town crier. Tommy is available to attend events

Support for Chartist Commemoration event planned for August 15

In addition to these activities, we are closely engaged with the Staffordshire Chamber and plan a joint Burslem Business Festival in October to bring businesses and people together in support of the local economy. This will very much draw on the experience of Synectic Solutions' relocation to Burslem and the expansion of Autonet.

Our project groups, designed to deliver goals across each of our five strategic objectives, have been actively working for the benefit of Burslem:

Our fund raising group has assisted with sponsorship and funding applications for local initiatives, is actively seeking out sources of funding for Burslem, and has been the consultative body for consideration of our Neighbourhood Plan(s).

Our Communications group has established our website, published local events across Burslem, created a business directory for all local businesses, and worked with a number of businesses to provide them with an online presence.

In keeping with Burslem's motto 'READY', our core values reflect our desire to create a lasting partnership between key players in Burslem to bring about change through greater understanding and joint shared action.

We hope that you will be inspired to find new ways of backing Burslem and Stoke-on-Trent and work with us to address unprecedented challenges facing us.

Yours sincerely

 

 

Joan Walley Chairman Burslem Regeneration Trust July 2017