Borough Wide Churches Forum Open Meeting
12th June 2007
BWCF had a meeting at All Saints Church Hall at Winterton with the main theme of ‘Gambling Support’. This was not about supporting gambling, but about addressing the consequences of an additional casino in Great Yarmouth and how the churches could/should form a support network to alleviate suffering caused
Father Adrian Ling started the proceedings with a period of worship, followed by Mike Hewitt, the Treasurer, with a report of the current financial position. Rev Peter Paine, Chairman, made apologies for David Stannard and Simon Baker, the intended speakers but who were unable to attend, and introduced Rev Derrick Hill. Derrick read from Amos ch 5 and introduced his ‘Personal Submission to Joint Parliamentary Committee on Gambling Bill’ written in December 2003, which has been incorporated into the Gambling Act 2005
Derrick voiced his concerns about gambling and the seeking of  riches being, not for the rich but for the vulnerable people in society. He expanded with defining the lottery as “taking money from the poor the give to the rich” and justified this statement with many examples. Great
Yarmouth seafront is a place where young people are introduced to the ‘thrills’ of gambling. How do churches offer young people an attractive alternative? What can the churches do? How can we show them a better way?
 Peter pointed out that all the proposed new casinos have been allocated to areas where the Government is putting money into regeneration and that it is likely that Great Yarmouth will end up with one of the larger casinos. Who will it service? Who will it cater for? Who will be there for the fallout? Statistics from the Citizens Advice Bureau identifies 250 serious debt cases, of which 5 are gambling debt of which 1 is very very serious in Great Yarmouth alone
There were representatives from many of the churches in the Borough, both urban and rural, and these were then split into three discussion groups to discuss:
1. should we, as a Christian community, be doing anything to stop the additional casino?
2. how should we express our concerns?
3. what should churches be doing NOW to help people in debt from gambling?
After much animated discussion the groups reported their outcomes:
1. we must recognise the general materialistic approach to life and that it is a foregone conclusion that the proposed casino will go ahead and we must all PRAY, LOBBY, AND LET PEOPLE KNOW OUR CONCERNS;
2. we could influence local councillors, support the local council regarding the casino’s Duty of Care and that we should be mindful of appearing to be acting positively not appearing as ‘whingeing churches’;
3. it may be a problem to persuade people to seek us out when in trouble. The question was asked “Is it for churches to do or should we refer people to the appropriate agency?” Encouragement would be needed, together with perseverance and patience. The casino will have a pot of money available for consequences and we should try to obtain some funding through that to operate a support network. It was agreed that we, as churches, need to be ready NOW
It was agreed by those present that Judith should draft a letter of concern to go to the council and possibly the press
Helen Farman, Great Yarmouth College Chaplaincy Co-ordinator then spoke to the meeting for the last time in that role and announced her retirement in August this year. Her successor is Richard Amies
LSP/GYP FEEDBACK
We should have heard Adrian Barnes’ LSP and GYP feedback but, due to a lack of available time, that report is included below:
LOCAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP (LSP)
LSP Board
April 2007 meeting:
Learning – 2006 Exam Results – The Board considered trend analysis in relation to 2006 Exam Results. A large gap is seen between schools in the neighbourhood management area along with one school in Gorleston compared with the rest of the borough.
Sustainable Community Strategy – The board noted the requirement to have a Sustainable Community Strategy.
Components:
1. Active, Inclusive & Safe
2. Well Run
3.. Environmentally Sensitive
4. Well Designed & Built
5. Well Connected
6. Thriving
7. Well Served
8. Fair for Everyone
Community Cohesion – The board received a detailed Community Cohesion Action Plan.
Employment & Skills Action Plan – The board received and considered the latest Employment & Skills Action Plan.
Joint LSP & Great
Yarmouth People Event – BWCF had a stand along with many other organisations at this event held in March at the Marina Centre. Tony Wright MP attended the event and agreed that the LSP needed to keep the impetus going of people working together. This was considered to be a successful event for all.
External Funding – The board received an update on Neighbourhood Renewal Funding.
Great
Yarmouth People – GYP updated the board on its activities including work being done on producing a website to enable people who do not attend meetings to be able to still contribute. The work on bringing together the Voluntary Sector Partnership, Community Connections and BWCF databases was also explained.
Local
Enterprise Growth Initiative Funds – The Board received a progress report with details of recipients from these substantial funds.
Social Forum
June 2007 Meeting
Social Forum Review – At the November 2006 Social Forum members met to discuss a number of questions regarding the future role and purpose of the Social Forum. The results were discussed in part during the March meeting and again in June.
Community Legal and Advice Centres and Networks – Simon Baker provided detailed information to the Social Forum concerning these.
Gt. Yarmouth & Waveney PCT –The LSP Officer brought a letter to the Forum re. aligning commissioning activities much more closely.
Working Group Updates (Crime, Housing, Health, Sports Partnership & Financial Wellbeing) – Updates were provided by some of these groups.
Warm Front – The Forum received a presentation on the Government Funded Warm Front Scheme which provides grants of up to £2700 to make homes warmer, healthier and more energy efficient. (Possibly larger funding for Oil Central Heating?) For more information contact Claire.moore@eaga.co.uk or phone 01603 812871 www.eagagroup.com
Comment:
It is appreciated that the reader’s knowledge of these areas can vary enormously. There is further information available and this report is only a summary of some issues that may be of interest to the churches. If you do require any further information or have issues that you feel may be appropriate to take into the Local Strategic Partnership please contact Adrian Barnes (Alan Ellison re. Environmental Forum) via the BWCF office.
Peter Paine informed the meeting that although churches had, up to now, enjoyed the benefits of belonging to the Forum and the facility of Network Yarmouth, the time has come for them to contribute financially to the operation. He proposed a contribution of £60 per year (£5 per calendar month) from each congregation. Churches can choose to pay by cheque or standing order. There were no objections to this proposal but those present were asked to go back to their churches and discuss
NEWS FROM AROUND THE CHURCHES
 Rev Dr Craig Millward updated us on the ‘Unit’ project, which has been going fro almost a year. There are plans to extend the project with up to 4 workers and will be asking churches over the next few months for support in prayer and finance
next Open Forum to be held
on
Monday, 8th October 2007
at the
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Burnt Lane
Gorleston
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