[meersbrook-house] Notes of the meeting on 18th June 2014

[Chris]

Hi

On Tue 24-Jun-2014 at 04:28:49PM +0100, kaktusandnome leach wrote:
>
> Could you add these

Have done.

> could you also mail the attached. 

You have already sent the notes to the list in ODT format, following is a plain
text version.

All the best

Chris


Meersbrook Park Buildings Steering Group Meeting  18 June 2014
--------------------------------------------------------------

Present 

Past Souper, Laura Holmes, Ahthony Ashton, Helen Turner, Rob Stephens, Sid
Fletcher, Andy Jackson, Rhian Thomas, R.Shaw, Linda Hall, Phil Turner, Joy
Bullivant, Pete Newark, G.Midgley, Rita Wilcox, Katus Leach,  Anthony Ashton,
Moira Walker, Gill Neil, + others

Meeting

Update

1. Prof. Blandy has offered help with theRestrictive covenants issue.

2. The councils committee that deals with the disposal of redundant buildings
   (Accommodation Committee) does not publish its minutes but a Freedom of
   information Act request for these documents has ben lodged. This will take up
   to 20 days to deliver.

3. The Guild of St.George who keep Sheffield's Ruskin collection might be
   interested in having a role with the  House.

Discussion

Crowd funding might be a function if the project needs a quick injection of
cash.  We need written conformation  that the Council will keep us informed of
any developments concerning Meersbrook House.

The object of this steering group is to set up a public meeting in September at
which this organisation could be set up formally. A bigger venue was suggested,
Sid said that he   would contact the UR Church to see what dates are available.

Discussion about Aims of Group.

The following suggestions were made;

1. Ensure the maintenance of community use buildings in the park
   including the future of the facilities provided by the pavilion and
   the possible future of the House to provide social facilities for the
   benefit of local people in the vicinity of Meersbrook Park.

2. Prevent  Meersbrook House being developed for commercial use to the
   detriment of the Park.

3. To positively engage with Sheffield City Council to reach the best
solution for the local community.

4. Holding Sheffield City Council to account in assuring that the future
   of Meersbrook House is in line with the restrictive covenants
   attached to the Park. (These state that all buildings in the Park
   should be of benefit to the public and gives the examples of Museums,
   Free Libraries, Conservatories, Pavilions and such buildings)

5. Involving the widest range possible of local communities in
   developing a plan for the future of the buildings within Meersbrook
   Park by ensuring that any organisation formed is made up of people
   who represent the variety of people within local communities. 

6. This group needs to produce sustainable and viable options for the
   future use of buildings in the Park and establish a suitable
   democratic structure to ensure the continued involvement of the local
   communities in how buildings are used. 

Other suggestions

- Finding out how Regather took over their historic building (Scotia
  Works?) and what has happened at Abbeyfield House in Burngreave. 

- The group could develop a co-operative structure.

- Links with other buildings in the Park, Bowling Club and Bishops House
  needs to be considered. 

- Consideration of how any developments might affect the community
  buildings in the area. 
        
Future name of this organisation.

It was agreed that it needs to decide on a name quite quickly. Many
suggestions were made but it was agreed that all interested can mail in
their suggestions which will be considered by a future meeting.

Tour of Building

It was agreed that the group needs to be given a tour of Meersbrook House so
that we can get a better idea of its possible development for community use.
Kaktus agreed to contact Paul Billington, Head of Parks Dept. 

Offer of help

Andy Jackson of Heeley Development Trust offered to try to get information
about any surveys of the condition of the House. This was offer was warmly
accepted. 

Future meetings

A smaller group will meet Wednesday 2 July @ 7.30 (venue to be decided) Full
group Wednesday 16 July @ 7.30 @ The Pavilion

Public Meeting  Date to be arranged in September. 

Scribes  - Laura Holmes/Kaktus Leach