INTERIM MEETING: THE FIRST MEETING WITH CHADLINGTON PLAYGROUP (CPG)
ATTENDEES:
MHDP: ADRIAN TREMLETT, CLAIRE OGDEN, JON ALSOP, SIOBHANN MANSEL-P
CPG: SU APPLETON, EMMA STEELE
APOLOGIES: JULIAN HORSEY
The core members of the Village Hall Project team and two key members of the Chadlington Playgroup Committee gathered for an informal discussion about ways to take a possible relationship forward. The following describes the flow of the discussion and key next steps.
Firstly a huge thank you to all assembled. The meeting amounted to a meeting of minds on how we can work together, and an open and collaborative spirit drove the discussion.
Jon shared a short presentation to the team that outlined the approach to planning the redevelopment of the hall – an approach which involved clearly understanding existing and new user needs and creating spaces that answered those needs. We then reiterated our desire to work closely with Playgroup to develop a space that would answer their long-term needs in the community and also solve some of the challenges they currently face as a weekly pack-away ‘tenant’ at the Bowls Club.
- CPG confirmed that demand currently outstripped provision and that a survey of parents showed high demand for more hours at the setting.
- CPG confirmed that they would like to progress discussions for working together, bearing in mind that work need to be done on their part to work out their ‘model’ moving forward as the Playgroup progresses from a setting offering 15 hours to a setting offering 30 hours
- CPG reiterated that, given the current financial pressures faced, they were not in a position to give any indication of what could be afforded by way of ‘rent’. The Memorial Hall team reiterated the desire to work in partnership to create a business plan that provides a space that CPG can afford.
- The Memorial Hall Project Team have committed to working collaboratively with the Playgroup team in all phases as they transition to the next phase.
- It was agreed that the key joint-planning phase, in conjunction with other user needs, needs to take place before the summer break, reflecting the urgent need for Chadlington Playgroup to progress a plan that looks to the future, and also the timely redevelopment of the Memorial Hall which is in a position to meet the needs of Playgroup should they desire.
- The MHPT and CPG discussed the idea of the afterschool club programme, which is need of expansion to meet parent demand, being a possible extra revenue stream for Chadlington Playgroup to help pay for the space they are provided with. This discussion would need to be developed with Chadlington School.
KEY NEXT STEPS
Chadlington Playgroup
- The Playgroup Manager will outline a draft ‘vision’ for the future. This vision would build on the space and time requirements and include a ‘best case’ scenario on how they would like to operate in a shared setting moving forward. Nothing ‘cast in stone’. Spring/early summer
- The Playgroup manager, Su Appleton, will be meeting with a representative from North Oxfordshire Early Years to discuss their future and immediate funding requirements. TBC APRIL
- Following this meeting, Playgroup will have a clearer understanding of what ‘shape’ their future might take, as an early year’s provider transitioning to 30 hours. With vision drafted, and this information in place, the Memorial Hall Team and the Playgroup Team can then gather again for a more structured briefing session. June.
Village Hall Project Team
- The Village Hall Project team will meet officially with other users to finalise their needs for the purpose of the brief (specifically the Sports & Social Club)
- The Village Hall Project team will scope out a more detailed project plan with clear deadlines for planning to meet their own key funding deadlines
- The Village Hall project team will revert with some key dates for the Playgroup to help with their planning.