An exchange of letters this week has questioned the grant funded role of the ‘Pevensey Villages Partnership’ in relation to ‘the regeneration of the village’—Bay Life, 7 January 2016
Concerned resident, Mandy Cracknell who lives in Pevensey Bay, has questioned money granted to the ‘Pevensey Villages Partnership’ which makes claim to represent ‘businesses, the local Churches, the Head Teacher of Pevensey and Westham School, and residents from the community’.
In the letter Mandy questions the allocation of funds to solar panel installed Christmas trees, which she describes as ‘not fit for purpose’ and goes on to ask ‘who decides how the money is used for the best of the Village’, adding ‘where has the money been spent so far’. Her questions relate to the grant allocation of £10,000 to the ‘Pevensey Villages Partnership’.
At the time Bay Life offered the view that the Christmas trees were a welcome addition to the local profile for Christmas. The line of trees shimmered blue a little in the dark, particularly when seen in a long line, and the effect seemed to work a little, but this view was clearly not shared by everyone.
In the letter she references an article published by the Pevensey Villages Partnership. She questions another £10,000 which appears about to be granted. She asks about the basis on which usage of the money has been outlined with regard to the local information centre, ‘also, along with suggestions on equipment required for centre as in above article, I cannot see how that equates to £10,000′.
In response (6 January 2016), secretary of the ‘Pevensey Villages Partnership’, Lin Clark, suggests that the partnership ‘is a community group recognised and trusted by Wealden District Council, Pevensey Parish Council, Westham Parish Council’.
She goes on to suggest that the partnership ‘is made up from representatives of businesses, the local Churches, the Head Teacher of Pevensey and Westham School, and residents from the community’. In explanation of the grant allocation she says ‘Wealden District Council entrusted the job of forming a “Coastal Community Team” to PVP, based on the fact that they already knew and trusted us’.
The response, particularly with regard to the allocation of monies to the Information Centre, is a robust defence of some description of the bid for a further grant. What is not clear though is why it is that the ‘partnership’ is making application for further funds.
Is not the way to avoid ambiguity and vagueness, for the Information Centre to be responsible for their own grant provision applications? Are they not best placed to know what they need? Is this not the way to generate interest and involvement in the volunteer body that governs the centre?
The danger in another organisation acting on behalf of the Information Centre is that there are no checks and balances with regard to what is being said about the application by the ‘partnership’. Is this not the case?
How do we know that the ‘Pevensey Villages Partnership’ is acting on behalf of the Information Centre, that what is being done and the way that it is being done, is in the interests of the centre? What does the Information Centre have to say about the matter?
We seem to be moving into a situation in which the ‘Pevensey Villages Partnership’ is characterising activity as some kind of grant provider do we not?
Does Wealden Council know that this is happening and what do they have to say about the matter?
How many levels of grant provision do we have here before money reaches the Information Centre, and in whose interest is it for the allocation of coastal community money to be disbursed in this way?
What kind of Alice in Wonderland world is under construction here? Is it any wonder that the author of the letter is requesting further information. Perhaps the anger expressed is a direct result (quite rightly perhaps) that something is not quite right here.
The Information Centre is a focal point for Pevensey Bay. The profile of the centre is badly in need of attention. There are experienced people working as volunteers at the centre, and much goodwill. The reception offered to both residents and visitors is very positive. Enquiries are answered with skill and knowledge in a welcoming environment. The voluntary car service to take residents to hospitals, which is an integral part of the centre profile, is a fabulous success. One Bay Life reader told us, ‘they are lovely people’, adding ‘the service could not be bettered, both the men and women are considerate and thoughtful, they are so cheery and friendly, and happy to wait to bring you home safely’.
The increased usage of computers, computer training and the discovery of the internet would be a welcome addition to the profile of the Information Centre.
The Information Centre has none of the valuable local resources available to people online. The organisation is an information centre, but there is no information online. How many other centres that provide this kind of voluntary service in the country are in the position of not being able to explain their own whereabouts online? There is a prima facie case for development here, is there not?
There is a good argument to be put that the development of the profile online would increase the value of the centre significantly, perhaps tenfold. Something like 20 people visiting the centre in a morning in high season, might see as many as 200 people visiting a Pevensey Bay Information Centre web platform in the same morning.
Would it not be useful to know when the centre is open, instead of arriving one early afternoon to discover that the centre is closed?
The profile of information centre services might increase, perhaps almost exponentially. The result could be more visitors to the locality, which no doubt local businesses would welcome, and perhaps much more community involvement in the development of the Information Centre.
Surely these questions should be addressed by the volunteer body at the Information Centre? So much more could be done to profile the facility. So much more could be done to see that the resources, welcome and hospitality are much more widely known.
There was an interesting interchange with a bicycling family from Holland last year. In the Eastbourne Road outside the newsagents, they asked where they might be able to find out more about the locality. They were told by a resident that there is no information available, but they could always ask in the local cafe, as they might be able to help.
Sadly this experience is quite likely to have been a weekly occurrence. If residents do not know that we have an information centre, then how likely is it that visitors will know?
Without question, an increase to the profile of the Information Centre would be of real benefit to both residents and visitors.
One of the purposes of the Localism Act of 2011 is to increase local activity amongst volunteers, embedded in communities.
It is perhaps the most important Act that has been passed by Parliament in recent times. Some of the effects are beneficial. Another purpose of the Act is to remove levels of bureaucracy that are barriers to the development of new community profiles. The Act has a great deal to offer with regard to the potential usage of assets, particularly buildings in the community that are seen as having architectural, historical or ‘community value’.
What is not clear is why the Information Centre is not developing their own profile.
It is an odd grant application is it not? Sustainability is the key to unlocking grant applications that work. In relation to the grant application described in the letter exchange, which organisation is being sustained? Is the application to sustain the development of the ‘Pevensey Villages Partnership’ or the Information Centre?
Simon Montgomery
editor, Bay Life
Exchange of letters
From Mandy Cracknell to Pevensey Villages Partnership
4 January 2016
ReGeneration the village
Dear Sir / Madam
I was interested in this article and the £10,000 grant received. It is great that this partnership has requested and been granted such a huge amount.
The article advises-
As part of our plans to regenerate the village of Pevensey Bay, and following our recent successsful grant application for £10,000 from the Coastal Communities Fund, PVP has applied for a grant from Wealden District Council to revitalize the Information Centre in Pevensey Bay. The centre is sited in the infamous upturned boat building in the Sea Road car park.
The centre is run entirely by volunteers and is open all year. It serves as the only Tourist Information Centre in the South of Weladen, as well as providing information and help to local residents. Probably the most important service it provides is that of the Hospital Drivers.
If the bid should be successful, there will be £10,000 to spend on a much needed update of equipment.
The centre badly needs new office equipment, including a computer, printer and photocopier. There will also be IT facilities for the public to use themselves and basic IT training will also be provided.
The picture your see was painted by local artist Michael Stringer when the building was opened.
Under FOI , please can you advise me how the money has been spent and who decides how the money is used for the best of the Village, what particulars does the council have for this public money, where has the money been spent so far, and how much is left, when does the money have to be spent by? As I understand Christmas trees were put up in the village so far – Who decided that, was that part of the brief to the council?
I understand they were not fit for purpose. How was a decision made to purpose solar power Christmas trees? Value, performance, expense?
I understand hooks were also put into some businesses properties. What purpose do these serve after Christmas?
Also, long with suggestions on equipment required for centre as in above article, I cannot see how that equates to £10,000.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you.
Mandy Cracknell
From Lin Clark (Secretary), Pevensey Villages Partnership to Mandy Cracknell
6 January 2016
RE: £10,000 Grant
Dear Mrs Cracknell
I am writing in reply to your email dated 5th January 2016. Although PVP are not bound to respond under the Freedom of Information Act, I am doing so in the interest of transparency.
Pevensey Villages Partnership is a community group, soon to become a registered charity, recognised and trusted by Wealden District Council, Pevensey Parish Council, Westham Parish Council, and supported by other organisations such as Pevensey Coastal Defence Ltd. Our Management Committee ensures “proper” management of all PVP activities, and is made up from representatives of businesses, the local Churches, the Head Teacher of Pevensey and Westham School, and residents from the community.
I explain the grants as follows :
£10,000 Coastal Community Grant:
Wealden District Council entrusted the job of forming a “Coastal Community Team” to PVP, based on the fact that they already knew and trusted us, and we already had a group of businesses within our organisation. The PVP Coastal Team is made up of representatives from organisations, businesses and residents from Pevensey Bay. The “Coastal Community Fund”, comes from the Government department, the DCLG, and has, as all funds do, strict criteria and controls. The District Council approved our application, in all its detail, and they have control of the money, which is released to PVP as we progress with the project. We are required to account for every penny spent and give regular reports to Wealden.
The project has 4 aspects :
• The PVP Conference – delivered in November
• Rejuvenating the High Street – part delivered for Christmas / summer phase in progress
• Road signage – working with Highways England and East Sussex County Council
• Village Leaflet / publicity – work in progress
It was necessary to prove sustainability for all the projects, and this we have done. Pevensey Villages Partnership’s Aim is to work for a better future for our villages, and all our projects include consideration of sustainability.
All the money has to be spent by the end of March 2016
£10,000 Wealden Community Grant :
PVP itself is responsible for the application which has been made, although a decision is not given until the spring. Wealden have already checked over the application which has been accepted. I can assure you that the amount applied for, reflects the needs of the Information Centre and its equipment. The information centre is a very important factor in both the economy of the villages and for providing services to our communities.
Pevensey Villages Partnership was set up to work alongside the Parish Councils, the bureaucracy of which, often delays or even prevents the action of projects. For instance, neither of the grants we have obtained are open to Parish Councils, so without PVP the projects would not have been funded. To apply for grants takes a lot of work and there needs to be an organisation with a solid business plan, and each project must have a clear business plan of its own to prove sustainability.
The PVP Management Committee meet on a regular basis, all decisions are made formerly, and the project is carried forward by a working party who report to the Management Committee.
You can watch progress on both grants / projects on PVP’s website, and we send press releases on a regular basis.
I hope this answers your questions.
Yours
Lin Clark (Secretary)
