Loanhead Community Development Association |
OUR AIMS |
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GENERAL BACKGROUND LEADING TO THE FORMATION OF THE ASSOCIATION |
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| The flooding and other problems in the Memorial Park which arose at the time of the 2007 Gala Day highlighted a lack of investment in the park’s infrastructure over a period of many years. A number of meetings then took place involving the local Councillors and representatives of the Gala Committee and the Boys Club to secure improvements to the park.
Subsequently, other issues, such as the future of the Town Hall, arose. It quickly became apparent that there was a pressing need for a forum which would bring together a wider grouping of local interests and organisations to pursue improved facilities for all groups in Loanhead. To this end, the meetings developed into an informal Steering Group seeking to establish a Loanhead Community Development Association which would facilitate communication and co-operation between local groups whilst working together for the good of the local community.
On 3 December 2008 a public meeting was held in Loanhead Town Hall when the Steering Group’s proposals were endorsed and a Constitution was formally adopted. In time the Association may develop to become a Community Development Trust and/or to seek charitable status, however, there are no immediate plans to establish a trust or to become a charity.
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THE OBJECTS OF THE ASSOCIATION |
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The objects of the Association are to enhance and expand the facilities available for the use of the residents of Loanhead and community groups and voluntary bodies operating in Loanhead by all or any of the following means:- |
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(i) |
The retention, maintenance, enhancement, improvement and, where necessary, expansion of existing public halls, other public buildings, parks, playing fields, other public open spaces and community facilities generally. |
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(ii) |
The development of new public halls, other public buildings, parks, playing fields, other public open spaces and community facilities generally. |
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(iii) |
The encouragement of the use of all public halls, other public buildings, parks, playing fields, other public open spaces and community facilities generally in order that each might be made use of for the maximum possible benefit of the residents of Loanhead and community groups and voluntary bodies operating in Loanhead. |
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The Association shall also seek to preserve the separate identity of Loanhead, together with the history, heritage and traditions of Loanhead. |
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STRUCTURE OF THE ASSOCIATION & MEETINGS |
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| An Annual General Meeting will be held in May. At the Annual General Meeting a Forum will be appointed. The Forum shall comprise a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer plus not more than 2 nominees from each organisation with group membership and up to 10 members drawn from those parties with individual membership. In addition, each Councillor for the local authority ward or wards including all or part of Loanhead will be a member of the Forum by virtue of holding office as such Councillor.
The Forum will meet on not more than 3 occasions each year and will essentially be the policy making body for the Association. The limited number of meetings is designed to reflect the fact that most Forum members will have commitments in their own organisation. There will also be an Executive Committee comprising the 4 office bearers, up to 4 other members of the Forum and the local Councillors. It is anticipated that the Executive Committee will meet at least once in every period between meetings of the Forum to conduct the business of the Association.
As agreed at the public meeting in December, the existing Steering Group will remain in place and will constitute the Executive Committee until the Annual General Meeting in May. The Steering Group comprises Pat Kenny (Chairman, Loanhead Community Council), Ross Perfect (Chairman, Loanhead Gala Committee), Alan McLaren (Treasurer, Loanhead Gala Committee), Allan Johnston (Chairman, Loanhead MW Boys Club), Peter Frame (Secretary, Loanhead MW Boys Club), Councillors Owen Thompson, Russell Imrie and Les Thacker and Ex-Councillor Keith McIntosh. Pat Kenny is acting as Interim Chairman, Alan McLaren as Interim Secretary and Keith McIntosh as Interim Treasurer.
A Forum Meeting will be held on Tuesday 24 March at 7.30 pm (venue to be advised). This will be open to representatives of all groups which take out membership and to all individuals who take out membership. The first Annual General Meeting will take place on Tuesday 26 May at 7.30 pm (venue to be advised).
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CURRENT PROJECTS |
| The Steering Group is currently proceeding with the following initiatives:- |
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| WEBSITE This website has been established and the following features are available for use by all groups in membership:- |
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| Directory of Local Organisations: This contains basic details of each organisation in membership of the Association, including a short description of the group, contact details, information concerning regular meetings (if appropriate and desired) and a link to any website operated by the group. Town Directory |
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| Loanhead Events Diary: This provides each member organisation with the opportunity to advertise details of any event which is open to the public. It also provides the public in Loanhead with a central point where it is possible to obtain details of all public events in the town. In addition to providing publicity for events, this initiative should also help to avoid clashes of dates. Town Diary |
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| Electronic Community Newsletter: This will appear quarterly with the first issue scheduled for May 2009. The electronic format allows us to avoid printing costs and the problem of distribution to homes throughout the town. It also means that there are no restrictions on space. It is hoped that many groups will take the opportunity to pass on news of their events and activities through the medium of the newsletter. Newsletter |
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| LOANHEAD STREET FAIR This is provisionally scheduled for Saturday 29 August at Fountain Green. Each member organisation will be given an opportunity to set up a fundraising stall and/or a display to publicise their group. The Community Development Association will organise the provision of tables and equipment, entertainment (making use of the permanent platform) and publicity. It is hoped that the added numbers which this event will draw to the town centre will also prove to be a benefit to local shops and businesses. |
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| LOANHEAD COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS FAIR This is provisionally scheduled for the evening of Tuesday 29 September (venue to be confirmed). This is essentially a recruitment fair where each member organisation will have the opportunity to operate a stand and where the public will be given an opportunity to meet representatives of groups which they may be interested in joining. This will also be an excellent opportunity for networking between different groups in the community. |
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| MEMORIAL PARK The original aim of the group was to achieve an upgrade of the park. Some works have been carried out but much more still needs to be done and the park is still very much on the agenda. Further works will hopefully include the completion of the upgrade of the pathways, improvements to drainage, further work to the area surrounding the War Memorial, a new entrance from The Loan and tree and shrub planting around the outer edges of the park. |
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| The possibility of grant assistance towards the cost of such works is being investigated. Another reason for the establishment of the Association is the opportunity to seek grants for work on community facilities where the local authority cannot itself apply for the grants. |
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| LOANHEAD TOWN HALL The future of Loanhead Town Hall is currently under threat. Although we are advised by our local Councillors that no decision has as yet been taken by the Council, we have been told that the future of the building is currently under review. With the exception of a special arrangement to accommodate the Gala Court rehearsals in May and June, no bookings are currently being accepted for the hall beyond 31 March 2009. As such, despite the current lack of any decision on the issue by elected Councillors, Council officials are effectively imposing a closure of the Town Hall from 31 March 2009.
The members of the Steering Group are very aware of the severe shortage of hall accommodation in Loanhead and the difficulties which this is causing many groups and organisations in the community. Over and above the needs of groups which meet on a weekly basis, there is a requirement for a large public hall to accommodate groups which require a large venue only at certain times in the year (e.g. the Gala Court rehearsals and the periodic visits of the Blood Transfusion Service) and one off events such as concerts, dances, fundraising events, public meetings and emergency situations. The Town Hall has traditionally filled this latter role and Loanhead has no suitable alternative venue in public ownership.
Not only must we resist any steps to close this much needed facility, we must also campaign for the upgrading of this building, including the reinstatement of the first floor lesser hall and the ground floor meeting room (which were both substantially altered to accommodate the District Court) and alterations to the former caretaker’s flat on the second floor in order that the Loanhead community might make full use of these premises.
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Loanhead Community Development Association |
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