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BCAF Quarterly Forum
by Mark Lankshear

The Burngreave Community Action Forum (BCAF) Quarterly Meeting was marked by complaints of confusion and complexity and, as ever, a fine lunch.

" There are too many themes and things, we want to know who represents what!", said one local resident.

BCAF chair, Steve Cooke, proposed a motion calling for the BCAF working groups to be combined with the New Deal theme groups but John Clark, New Deal Chief Exec said this was "subversive". He stressed that the New Deal were already working with BCAF to encourage people to participate, and had recently given Burngreave Community Action Trust (BCAT) £750,000 to do this, but the theme groups had a different role from the working groups. He made a plea to stop complaining about the past and for people to "get along to the theme groups otherwise we won't get anywhere".

Many people from the floor stressed that "we are the same people" and that "we must work together and back our Chief Executive." After some confusion the motion was withdrawn and referred back to the Co-ordinating Committee.

Neville Drive down
During the debate about council housing, Jean Burley, area housing manager, said that after Neville Drive and Woodside, no demolition is planned, and there are plans to bring long-term empty properties on Brunswick Road, Catherine and Spital Streets back into use.

Neville Drive has been demolished and will be "landscaped". Six blocks on Woodside will be demolished before April and the rest over the next two years. Jean said the site would be grassed over, but that no other plans have been made yet. They are forming a 'Project Group' to deal with problems during the demolition and plan the future of the Woodside site, which could include community suggestions. To get involved with the project group contact 0114 203 9350 (Burngreave Housing Office).

Vestry update
The new BCAT Chair, Pete Smith, reported on the recent appointments of a Director and Finance Manager that he hoped would take the Trust forward. The Adult Learners Group reported on plans for a high-profile Learning Centre on Spital Hill and a network of high quality 'first rung' provision in smaller venues. John Clark confirmed that plans were being made for the centre to be in the Vestry Hall.