|
Moor Pool Heritage Trust (February 2012)
The promotional video that some saw at the January coffee morning (but few were able to hear I fear) is now available to view here.
Please note that, while this has been compressed for web download, it still runs to some 75Mb so please be patient, and if you are still one of the few diehards on a dial-up connection, you may want to give it a miss.
Moor Pool Heritage Trust (December 2011)
Are you interested in the work of the Trust?
Keen to be involved and informed?
WHY DON’T YOU BECOME A MEMBER OF THE TRUST COMPANY?
Download an application form here.
The Trust strives to conserve and maintain the unique architecture and landscape of the Suburb which makes it an outstanding Conservation Area, and its members should include all of the residents who believe that this conservation is worthwhile.
There are several benefits of membership:
Receipt of the Annual Report and Accounts of the Company
Voting rights in Trust elections
Voting on major Suburb management issues through the Annual General Meeting
The membership requirement is that you are an adult who has lived in the Conservation Area for more than 3 years. There are no restrictions on the number of members per household.
The Trust differs from most companies in that while fulfilling its objective to conserve and maintain the character and amenities of the Conservation Area it produces no profits or dividends.
The Trust does not have shareholders but members who have no financial commitment and a limited liquidation liability of £10.
The company directors are volunteers.
OBJECTS
The charity’s objects (“Objects”) are specifically restricted to the following:
To promote, for the public benefit:
1) the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment within the Area; and
2) the promotion of community participation in healthy recreation for the benefit of residents of the Area through the use of community facilities; and
3) the advancement of education, including promoting knowledge of the social and architectural history and heritage of the Area.
For full information see the Companys Articles of Association.
Download an application form here.
Moor Pool Auctions set for 21st July (June 2011)
We have been advised by Grainger that the auction of the various community assets is still set for the 21st July 2011. This will include what Grainger term both Community and Commercial. The committee have been working hard over the last few months to assess the viability of taking the community assets into a local Trust and this has included an in-depth look at costs to bring the Moor Pool Hall up to date and also to determine what actually would be transferred. Meetings have been held with many suppliers and contractors as well as the Council to determine ownership and responsibility for paths and open spaces. The scale and maintenance cost for the open space is likely to be onerous and with negligible income, highly difficult to support. We have also been taking legal advice on the nature of a Trust and supported by our local Councillors Mike Whitby, John Alden and James McKay have been awarded a further £7000 from community funds to set up the Trust. After further meetings and discussions, an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund will be made this month and this is likely to be in the region of £600,000 - £700,000.
Unfortunately we shall not know the result of this for some time and certainly not before the 21st July. We have made strenuous efforts to secure income bearing assets as part of the Trust portfolio to support acquisition costs or loans. One of our biggest concerns is the uncertainty for the future of the allotments, orchard and site B which will pass into the ownership of the developer if the sale is successful on the 21st July. To try and resolve this serious problem which has been caused by the planning consent conditions and at the same time secure the builders yard amongst other matters, we made the following proposition:
Suggested Basis for Amendment.
The linkage of planning condition to the planning permissions effectively locks ownership of the allotments, Orchard, Site B and garages to the owners of the sites. As these sites are to be auctioned the future ownership is unknown.
The restoration of the allotments is thus delayed until building starts and although the MRA and Grainger have consulted together with BCC to ascertain if restoration works by the Moor Pool Allotment Association could begin in advance; this seems to be not possible. Other alternatives would be to put in place an agreement for ownership after the transfer and restoration conditions have been met.
In the absence of such an agreement the MRA would like to make the following alternative proposals.
- That the auction date for the commercial assets is postponed by at least a month.
- That during this time the MRA, in partnership with Grainger, approach BCC to discuss the potential to amend the planning condition on the following basis.
On the basis that:
- That the condition requiring restoration of the allotments and wildlife areas is removed.
- That the allotments, Orchard and Site B should be transferred to the local Trust on the justification to BCC that they would be a benefit to the local community with a certain future.
- That the Builders Yard should be transferred to the Trust along with the above because the removal of the condition will make the development sites more saleable and valuable. The proposed use by the Trust would potentially bring income to support the community assets and/or the allotments and open spaces which have been transferred. The Builders Yard and Orchard are linked in our proposal as part of discussions for local school use and for this reason certainty of ownership within the Trust would be advantageous.
- That in return for a request from the MRA and residents groups for the planning permission to be extended by a time to be agreed between the MRA, Grainger and the Heritage Lottery Fund or other principal funder, the auction of the Valley and preferably site C and E1 as well, would be postponed for sufficient time to allow grant funding to be properly completed. The MRA would regularly update Grainger plc on the progress of such applications and in the event that funding proposals had clearly failed, the extension would be terminated. The additional extension to the planning permission would remain and would add additional value to the site, a clear benefit to any purchaser and seller.
- In the situation that funding applications are proceeding and likely to come to fruition, Grainger will be reasonable in applying this agreement.
- This general proposal would be put to a full residents meeting for endorsement which would carry weight in an application to BCC for variation of the planning conditions.
- The transfer of garages to a Trust would be agreed in a similar manner to the above in return for a lifting of the planning condition to restore garages elsewhere on the Estate.
We believe that an application to BCC supported by an endorsement by residents, Grainger, local Councillors and MP would or should carry weight with the Planning Committee. The proposal indicates co-operation between a developer and community group to find a solution of benefit to both parties.
For Grainger, the removal of the conditions would make the sites more saleable, valuable and the development timescale more flexible.
For residents, the retention of the open spaces gives certainty, opportunity for increased use by the local and nearby community, as well as income for a Trust.
The certainty of future ownership also reduces the problems which will arise if the proper future management of the open spaces does not take place.
This is a broad proposal and both Grainger and our legal advisor would need to discuss detail. However discussion with BCC could start immediately to see if there is scope on their part for such an amendment. There is limited risk to Grainger from the short delay but potentially greater gain.
Unfortunately up to this point the Council planning department's position has proved inconclusive despite interest and willingness to consider by Grainger. If some ground could or can be brokered on these proposals a full residents meeting would be called to consider and vote whether there was support or not. Cllr Alden now Chair of the Ward Committee has been fully briefed on the problem and will be seeing if the proposal can be given some urgency. It seems contrary to the aspirations of Big Society that potential for a deal between residents and a developer cannot be given full support.
The last thing anyone wants is the problem of allotments falling back into decay and further development applications igniting problems in the future.
The destruction of allotments is likely to prove inflammatory enough without that.
Despite these problems we continue to look at ideas for converting the builder's yard to an eco study centre and a team are looking at funding and a business plan. Harborne Primary School have expressed great interest although with the recent fire their main focus naturally has been to get the school up and running again.
Meanwhile our fundraising committee are in full swing. Funds are already flowing in, with a number of substantial donations including several of £500. This is superb but to meet our target of £200,000 we will need a sustained programme over 12-18months. That's why small events, donations and the change bottles are so important. As examples Jan Scott's garden party raised £148. Meanwhile 11 year old Alex Millicheap and Sydney running the 100 club and selling cakes at the Coffee morning have raised £380 - a magnificent achievement from these two youngsters! Another £95 was raised selling a sofa for a resident on eBay so if you have any items let us know. We now have a dedicated fundraising website which you can access here. Please have a look and check out the forthcoming events and the skillsbank where you can buy and sell services. And of course you can send us money...
Update (9/6/11) - Community Buildings Auction Date
We have just been advised by Nick Jopling Executive Director of Grainger plc that the auction date for the community assets has been delayed until September. We don't have firm details of dates but this possibly may just give us the time to hear whether our first stage of the Heritage Lottery Fund application has been successful. We are grateful Grainger has taken this sensible decision which will be in the interests of all and for the efforts of Cllr Whitby to broker this extension.
Moor Pool Trust (March 2011)
See also ‘The Way Forward’
You have probably read or heard about a Trust for Moor Pool. So what would it do? Here we will try to give you some idea of how it might work. We say ‘might’ because forming a viable Trust will be a complex process with legal and financial implications. It will ideally need the support of residents in the same way support was given for increasing the conservation status of the Estate.
Firstly the Trust would have a set of objectives, which would determine the way it operates, and what it does. Some of these objectives are to enable charitable status.
Objectives:
To protect, maintain and secure the character and amenities particularly the landscape and architecture within the Moor Pool conservation area.
To restore the character and amenities particularly the landscape and architecture – of the suburb which have been eroded.
The advancement of environmental protection and improvement of the estate.
To encourage and support understanding of the community values and social benefits derived from the design of the Moor Pool conservation area originally the Harborne Tenants Estate.
To encourage and support the use of the community facilities both by residents and the wider public on the Moor Pool Estate.
The advancement of the arts, culture and heritage of the Estate.
To encourage and support, learning, appreciation and participation by young people in the ecological, wildlife and community aspects of the Moor Pool Estate.
To advance Citizenship and community development.
The advancement of amateur sport on the Estate.
The advancement of education.
How would a Trust work?
The assets, which make up Moor Pools community facilities, would be transferred to the Trust who would hold them in perpetuity for the benefit of the residents, clubs and associations on the Moor Pool Estate.
Who would run the Trust?
The Trust would consist of a board of trustees perhaps 6 – 8. There would be a mixture of residents and those with professional or past expertise in such matters. The Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust for example consists of eight volunteer Trustees (directors) of the Trust who constitute a variety of opinions and priorities. Four of the eight live outside the Suburb and are independent experts in architecture, law and planning who provide professional advice. The remaining four are elected Suburb residents who are aware of local issues and may make a less technical but more personal input and provide a democratic element.
What do we consider the community facilities?
The upper and lower Moor Pool Hall.
The Skittle Alley.
The Snooker Room.
The Estate Offices.
The shops.
The allotments.
The Bowling Green.
The Tennis Courts.
The Orchard.
Access pathways.
Open spaces.
The Moor Pool.
The Builders Yard.
The Valley.
How would such a transfer be accomplished?
The facilities would be bought from Grainger via grant applications and local fundraising and possibly long term loans. Most of the community facilities have limited income potential and potentially high overhead costs or liabilities. The Hall in particular requires considerable expenditure and being a listed building, the work has to be to a high standard. Funding for this work is unlikely to be made available by any grant body whilst the building is owned by a public company but a Trust would be eligible for grants from various sources. Open spaces may be a negligible cost at the moment to maintain, but future costs such as replacing pathways; drainage or tree works could be extremely expensive. With a very limited income, other ways have to be looked at to provide funds for the future. As part of the process of looking at the potential for a Trust the MRA is working with Bournville Village Trust on a viability study to look at likely future costs. The MRA, BVT, Birmingham City Council and Grainger will look at exactly what the community facilities comprise, who owns them and what future costs are likely to be. The MRA has applied for and been granted £7000 towards this study from BCC and a further £7000 from the Homes and Communities Agency.
Where would income for a Trust come from?
The Trust would look to take over assets in a reasonable condition for the future or with an endowment to cover anticipated repairs or refurbishment. It would also seek grants from various bodies to cover repairs and expenditure. The use of the facilities would be maximised and already the Hall has a high number of bookings. The full refurbishment of the skittle alley would be a priority. Income is generated from rents paid by the Clubs but a Trust would have to carefully balance the level of rents, which would cause difficulty for any Club or Society and the need to manage the Estate on a sound financial basis. The security and continuation of Moor Pools historic clubs and societies is an overriding consideration. The facilities are also used by commercial organisations and businesses which provide important income streams. The proposals for the Builders yard described in ‘The Way Forward’ would mean this could be used as a satellite eco classroom generating further income and also providing additional rooms for use for meetings.
Why have a Trust?
Grainger plc have now confirmed their future intention for the Moor Pool community facilities which has created the opportunity for local ownership within a Trust.
Currently all the community facilities are owned by Grainger plc. When Harborne Tenants owned the majority of the Estate, income from rents and other investments was used to maintain the facilities. Now Grainger own considerably fewer house on the Estate and the local income to support the community infrastructure is inevitably diminishing. That is one key reason why we have to look at alternative income streams to support these remaining parts of Nettlefold’s vision. For many residents Moor Pool is a rather special community unlike many modern housing developments, which are soulless, being places to live rather than living communities. It is the open spaces, the clubs, the meeting places, the theatrical society etc which make this difference and which must be sustained. The local community spirit means people care about Moor Pool and want to work to preserve it. In return, for tenants it is a very pleasant place to live and for owner-occupiers provides an above average investment. Hampstead Garden Suburb carried out an exercise, which indicated that values of properties in the Suburb were up to 20% higher than a similar property outside.
What would be the advantages of having a Trust?
What would be the disadvantages compared to the current situation? The advantages would be that each Club would have communal support as they should do, being part of a complete vision. All the Clubs have their own different issues and problems. Perhaps they have limited membership but occasional high costs to bear. Without a shared support system, a Club could be vulnerable and it would be the duty of the Trust to ensure that Clubs remain secure whilst managing their own affairs.
The Trust would also take appropriate responsibility for maintaining Moor Pools fabric working closely with the Residents Association and Local Authority.
What next?
The leader of the City Council and local Councillor Mike Whitby supports a Heritage Lottery Fund application. The MRA has sourced funding for a viability study. Grainger have decided their future commitment and there is now an opportunity to create a new and independent future for Moor Pool in partnership with residents, Grainger and the Council.
The MRA are actively working with Grainger, BVT and Birmingham City Council on the viability study. Grant funding organisations are being evaluated and bids put together. The ideas contained in ‘The Way Forward’ will be expanded and a consultation process with residents and Clubs begun. Opportunities for feedback will be made through questionnaires, coffee mornings and special meeting.
The forgoing is just a start in providing questions and answers. If you have questions or suggestions email them to us. In due course there will be further public meetings to discuss the Trust but the more questions that are raised now the more thought can be given to solutions and answers.
Please email any comments to the Committee or write to us care of the MRA post box at the Circle newsagents.
Also: Eco classroom and study centre plans for disused building on Moorpool estate (Edgbaston & Harborne Observer, April, 2011)
The Way Forward (March 2011)
The latest version of The Way Forward has now been submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund in anticipation of their forthcoming visit. The document includes visual presentations for a community park and creation of an eco classroom/study centre. The contribution of residents as part of the Moor Pool in Bloom programme is highlighted.
Residents had the opportunity to look at the designs at the recent residents special meeting at the Moor Pool Hall as well as hear updates from Adrian Millicheap of Bournville Village Trust and Paul Mountain of legal firm Martineau who are representing the Residents Association.
The residents association will be compiling survey data on the various buildings and open spaces needed to form a viable Trust and will be asking residents for their help. It is important that a need for the community buildings is proven if we are to access outside funding. We know we need them but we also have to prove it. The attendance at public meetings is also important as it demonstrates community interest and support. That is one of the reasons we ask for those attending to sign in as they arrive.
Plans will be displayed at future coffee mornings and other events. Any residents who would like further information can contact the committee either by email or telephone 0121-426 5669
Community Garden (March 2011)
Moor Pool lacks an open space for residents to meet or gather. There is nowhere for mothers and toddlers to go which is either suitable or secure.
This is a serious shortcoming for a garden suburb in which provision for children was one of Nettlefold's desires. Neither does Moor Pool have an open space suitable for occasional open-air events or gatherings. This was apparent at last year's Moor Pool Festival. The Tennis Courts and Bowling Green are unsuitable for large numbers of people to walk on them without causing damage. Site B has the potential to be re-developed as a formal communal garden with flower borders and some seating. If the Valley Site allotments are restored, the area known as Site B could be turned to this purpose. It would be important to ensure its proper use and security. As such it would be securely enclosed with access only during daylight hours.
Hedges would be cut back to proper height and overgrown trees and saplings properly pruned or removed. Areas unusable as a garden would be secured as a wildlife area.
Early designs for Moor Pool gave great emphasis to open space particularly in the Valley and this made sensible use of this area which is prone to flooding. Restoring the allotments with a walkway through to the community garden would be a tremendous step forward in returning to Nettlefold's vision.
PowerPoint slides from the residents' meeting of March 19th are available to review here, or, if you do not have PowerPoint, in Adobe Acrobat format. Both run to a couple of Mb each, so if you have a slow connection or on capped usage, you have been warned.
The Way Forward (October 2010)
This document is an update of 'An Alternative Way Forward' which was given to Alex Greaves from Graingers early in 2010. It gives ideas and proposals for the future of the Moor Pool Estate. Subjects include, a community garden, allotment restoration, the builders yard, the orchard, the Moor Pool Hall, the garages, the Estates financial viability, planning and conservation and the constitution of a Trust. As a single document it can only cover these issues in a limited way but with feedback from residents and further examination it could form the basis for a long term plan for Moor Pool. The restoration of the allotments is already being discussed with Grainger and the Moor Pool Allotment Association (MAA) await their permission to start the full clearance of Plot J behind West Pathway. A community garden could be a project between residents the MAA and Moor Pool in Bloom (MiB) with financial support from various grant bodies and BCC. The builders yard is a great opportunity to put a sound building to community use instead of leaving it in its current derelict state.
An Alternative Way Forward (March 2010)
Alternative proposal for the Valley Site (July 2009)
|
This is a serious shortcoming for a garden suburb in which provision for children was one of Nettlefold's desires. Neither does Moor Pool have an open space suitable for occasional open-air events or gatherings. This was apparent at last year's Moor Pool Festival. The Tennis Courts and Bowling Green are unsuitable for large numbers of people to walk on them without causing damage. Site B has the potential to be re-developed as a formal communal garden with flower borders and some seating. If the Valley Site allotments are restored, the area known as Site B could be turned to this purpose. It would be important to ensure its proper use and security. As such it would be securely enclosed with access only during daylight hours.