Posts published in “Trustee Meeting Report”

Here are some key points from the meeting of trustees and key volunteers on Monday 4th June 2018:

• We elected Gordon Inglis as an addtional trustee, and are very happy to welcome him.  Gordon has been away from Derby for some years but is returning as the Headteacher of the new Cathedral School.
• Gordon will work with Steve Jackson (a retired headteacher) to help Friends of Friar Gate Bridge to achieve its educational remit, focussing on the remarkable character and achievements of Andrew Handyside, who created Friar Gate Bridge in his Derby foundry.
• The Friends of Friar Gate Bridge presentation to the Derby Renaissance Board in May was favourably received.  This has made us some new friends who support our objectives of restoring the Bridge and stimulating regereration in its vicinity.
• We are continuing to seek comments from important stakeholders on the draft options study report produced for us by Lathams architects, to understand better how the regeneration of the Bridge will relate to other developments in the area.

Here are some of our current priorities, as discussed at the meeting of trustees and key volunteers on Monday 23rd April 2018:

• We are preparing to speak to the Derby Renaissance Board about our plans to restore the Bridge and the potential for local regeneration that goes along with it.  The Renaissance Board includes representatives of the City Council, local businesses, the University and the voluntary sector.
• We are waiting with interest to see how plans for the Friar Gate Goods Yard site develop, because they are likely to influence the way the Bridge is developed and interfaces with adjoining sites.  Lathams architects are carrying out an options study for us, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund; completion of this is on hold until the picture for the Goods Yard becomes clearer.
• We are making preparations to ensure that we comply with the new General Data Protection Regulations.
• We are in need of additional trustees with a range of professional skills, and of additional volunteers.  Our governance consultant (funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund) has given us some guidance on how to go about recruiting trustees; converting this advice into a practical plan is a priority for us.

If you are interested in taking a pro-active role with Friends of Friargate Bridge then do please feel free to contact us at friends@friargatebridge.co.uk

Here are some key points from the FFGB trustees’ meeting on 5 March 2018:

• A great deal of activity is currently taking place relative to the development of 20 acres of land adjoining the Bridge. The report for Latham Architect, on options for the long time use of the Bridge, was scheduled for completion end of March 2018 – but it was agreed that the report deadline would be extended for a further 2 months so that these developments can be fully taken into account. If necessary a further extension will be agreed to ensure that the best option for the Bridge can be selected.
• The Friar Gate Bridge presentation by Peter Mosley is receiving excellent feedback – and further bookings are being arranged. These presentations serve to further heighten awareness of the importance of the Bridge to the heritage of Derby. Peter’s presentation is informative and entertaining, so let us know if you would like him to come and speak to your group.
• Peter is now in contact with Keith Blood (Blue Badge Tourist Guide for the county of Derbyshire) with a view to jointly promoting each other’s presentations.
• Although FFGB has no responsibility for the Goods Yard site, its development could have a material effect on what is best for the Bridge. The sale of part of the Goods Yard site for the new Cathedral School seems to be unlocking possibilities for the rest of the site, which adjoins the Bridge and includes the warehouse and most of the arches.
• Following discussion with Elizabeth Heaton, Rolls-Royce have agreed to produce lesson plans and materials, integrated with the Key Stage 2 curriculum, that can be delivered by the trainees, teachers, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) ambassadors and other volunteers in primary schools. Ten R-R employees are working on this project, which is scheduled to be finished by the end of the current year – and then rolled out into schools.
• The FFGB team working on material for the R-R project are now Elizabeth Heaton, Peter Mosley, Steve Jackson (retired primary school headmaster) and Gordon Inglis, Head Teacher Designate of the new Derby Cathedral school to be built on 9 acres of land adjoining the Bridge.
• Following a further meeting with our ‘Governance Consultants (Debbie Read) a plan and material for Trustee recruitment is being prepared. Further Key Volunteers are still being sought.

Here are some key points from the FFGB trustees’ meeting on 8 January 2018:

•  Two representatives from the Derby Civic Society attended the meeting and have offered to provide direct help to FFGB where required.
•  Consideration is being given to making a (limited) announcement of progress at the Marketing Derby breakfast meeting on Friday 19 January 2018 at Intu.
•  If anyone has suggestions for changes to the new website, developed by Jayne Courts of Human Interface Publications – please do get in touch with her.
•  Latham Architects are progressing well with their project to evaluate the most viable option for the restoration and long-term sustainable use of the Bridge. A final report is planned within the next 3 months.
• An initial meeting was held with our appointed ‘Governance Consultant’ on Monday 15 January and a forward plan sketched out – encompassing advice on the appropriate Organisation Structure for FFGB and a comprehensive Governance Review.
• To prepare ourselves for the future, recruitment of 2-3 suitable Trustees has been allocated our number one priority. We are looking for people who are passionate the project and we would like to hear from anyone who is interested.

Here are some key points from the FFGB trustees’ meeting on 6 November 2017:

• We should be aware of the thinking of the various committees and bodies planning the future of the City and Friar Gate area. We should really be reading their reports if we can get hold of them.
• Several AGM venues were suggested, the key factors being ease of parking and being in the Friar Gate area. The date of the AGM was re-set to 22nd January 2018.
• It was suggested that Peter’s presentation should be made to FFGB members, either at a separate meeting of perhaps at the AGM.
• Further meetings with Latham’s architects are planned.
• Trustee recruitment was discussed.

Here are some key points from the FFGB trustees’ meeting on 9 October 2017:

1. Architectural Heritage Consultants

As a result of the successful bid for the Heritage Lottery Fund grant, Latham’s have been appointed as the architects working with The Friends Of Friargate Bridge Trustees. Latham’s will be doing a viability study for the future use of the bridge.

2 AGM

The provisional date for The Friends of Friargate Bridge AGM is 20th November 2017 at 7.45pm. If you would like to join the FFGB come along and have a chat on the night. There will be someone on hand to sign you up as a member

3. Presentations

We now have a presentation on the Bridge available for interested groups. Please contact us if you are interested in booking a presentation.

Here are some key points from the FFGB trustees’ meeting on 17 July 2017:

1. Governance Consultants

1.1. A formal ‘Brief’ has been prepared for issue to a number of Governance Consultants who specialise in Heritage-related projects. These Consultants are drawn from a list provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund – and identification of these is pre-requisite to receiving any Heritage Lottery Funding.

1.2. The ‘Brief’ was issued on 15 May 2017, inviting a number of Governance Consultants to submit proposals for “Advising on the appropriate Organisation Structure for FFGB and for conducting a comprehensive Governance Review.”

The Governance Review includes the FFGB Constitution, Trustee / Key Volunteers’ Skills and Roles & Responsibilities, Operational Processes, Training Plans and Recruitment.

1.3. Proposals have been received and a short-list of 5 Consultants has been drawn up.

1.4. The formal FFGB process for selection of a Governance Consultant has been documented and is being followed through. The final selection meeting has been scheduled for Monday 24 July 2017.

2. Architectural Heritage Consultants

2.1. A formal brief has been prepared for issue to a number Heritage Accredited Architects. These Architects have been selected based on advice from the HLF together with a review of all Architects Accredited in Building Conservation in the Midlands as contained in the AABC Register.

2.2. The ‘Brief’ was issued on 18 May 2017, inviting a number of Architects to submit proposals for a “Viability Study of Options for Friar Gate Bridge”.

2.3. Proposal have been received from firms of suitably qualified Architects.

2.4. The formal FFGB process for selection of an Architectural Consultant has been documented and is being followed through. The final selection meeting has been scheduled for Monday 24 July 2017.

3. Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) – Scoping Project

3.1. Following discussion and meetings with representatives from the HLF in Nottingham, a formal ‘Project Scoping’ bid under their Resilient Heritage Scheme was submitted on 19 June 2017.

3.2. On 28 June 2017, a letter was received from HLF to acknowledge receipt of our Bid and advise that “There is strong competition for our funds and your application will be considered as part of a competitive batch with other projects where we will assess the relative strengths of applications alongside the available budget. Your application has been provisionally allocated to a meeting that will take place on 22 August 2017.”

4. Heritage Strength Check

4.1. A self-assessment has been made of FFGB against the on-line ‘Heritage Strength Checker’ from HLF. The output from this, together with combined business knowledge of Trustees and Key Volunteers is being used to identify what needs to be done to ensure that the FFGB is ‘fit for purpose’ going forward.

4.2. Also, a self-assessment has been made against a skills matrix derived from the Strength Checker and HLF feedback from meetings.

4.3. A formal (external) Heritage Strength Check review will be made by the Governance Consultant and a report produced once the Scoping Project gets underway.

5. Business Processes

5.1. Work has taken place on identifying and documenting the Key Business Processes required to run the FFGB Charity.

5.2. A Business Management Manual has been produced, which lists the (currently) 30 Key Business Processes – including Strategic Planning, Project Management, Public Relations and Communications. This manual is based on the world-leading ‘Porter Value Chain’.

5.3. The Template for documenting Processes, to a common format, has been established – and a number of processes have already been defined and are operational. These include process for Managing Meetings, Governance Consultant Selection and Architect selection.

5.4. Further processes have been drafted and are at various stages of implementation – such as Business Continuity (including a Risk Register), Website Design & Management and Event Management & Fundraising.

6. Partners

6.1. Derby City Council have provided a letter of support that the Council is fully supportive of the HLF Scoping Bid submitted by the Friends of Friar Gate Bridge and that they are very much hoping that this initial bid will pave the way for a much bigger project where both parties can work even more closely together.

6.2. Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust HBT have advised that they would like to provide us with support (non-financial) as either ‘enabler’ or ‘partner’ dependent on how the Scoping Project unfolds.

Here are some key points from the FFGB trustees’ meeting on 12 June 2017:

• Our Scoping Project bid will very soon be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund, thanks to splendid work by Malcolm Holden in preparing briefs, obtaining quotations and drafting the bid.  If the funding is granted it will pay for a professional viability study on potential economic uses of the Bridge, and a governance review to help ensure that FFGB is resilient enough to complete the restoration.
• We are documenting our processes and project risks to ensure that we organise ourselves effectively and anticipate potential problems.
• We are very happy to welcome four new volunteers, thanks to Mike Wingfield’s publicity for FFGB in Rolls-Royce and on Nextdoor.

Trustees’ update

• Friends of Friar Gate Bridge (FFGB) continues to work towards submitting a bit to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a project scoping grant, and have started to receive quotations for work that could be carried out under the grant.
• The trustees have recently undertaken a review of how we manage ourselves as an organisation.  Although active volunteers are currently few, we need to operate effectively and make sensible plans to grow our resources.  The review will help us to use our scoping project to get into a position where we can demonstrate to the HLF and other funders that we are resilient enough to see the project through.
• We are continuing to have discussions with other heritage-related organisations that might help us financially or with advice.