Dalton Community Association (DCA)

AGM Report for the year ended March 2023

Dalton Community Centre (Drill Hall)

The pandemic continued to affect everyone’s lives throughout this financial year where vaccine development and a massive immunisation programme meant progress towards managing the impact of the virus and a gradual return to normal life, that is without restrictions..

This report will reflect on the development at the DCA over the last 12 months.  This has been a year which has been difficult for everyone due to the pandemic, however through the help and support of various Government schemes and initiatives during these challenging times, the association has continued to deliver a much-valued service to the local community.

It would be remiss of me not to thank the following organisations:-

• Dalton Town Council, Barrow Borough Council and Cumbria County Council for their ongoing help and support
• Co-operative Community Funding for their support of the centre and in particular for the financial support towards the ‘Mother and Toddler’ group. The funding will contribute towards the cost to purchase sensory equipment.  The equipment will be available for use by any of the groups providing activities for mothers and babies
• Cumbria County Council’s Neighbourhood Fund for their grant support towards the ‘Reflections of Dalton’ publication and the Tea/Coffee and Cake events (three events were held in June, August and September 2022)
• Dalton with Newton Town Council and Nick Perie’s Mayoral Fund for their contribution towards the ‘Reflections of Dalton’ publication.
• Cumbria County Council’s grant towards the ‘Tea, Coffee and Cake’ project
• The High Sheriff of Cumbria – David Beeby – for the financial support towards youth activities
• Barrow Borough Council for their generous cost of Living Grant
• Billincoat Foundation for the support of a £500 grant towards repairs for the hall floor
• BAEGAYE grant of £250 towards the replacement of the warm water heaters in the South Wing toilets.

The financial support from the organisations above, has enabled the DCA to provide specific targeted support to the local community.

Our Trustees continue to offer great support to the running and the governance of the association.  Our monthly board meetings, previously on Zoom, but now back to face-to-face meetings at the centre are proactive.  We said goodbye to Gareth Smith and Ron Creer, who stepped down due to personal reasons.  Sadly, our Centre Manager, Brenda Walker decided that it was time to enjoy life and retired at the end of March. Our sincere thanks go to Brenda and the board wishes her a very long and happy retirement.   Following advertising the vacancy, the Board appointed Kathy Corn who will join the DCA as the new Centre Manager in April 2023.

 I also want to express my sincere thanks to all the Trustees for their commitment, help and support, but a special thank you must go to Ian Maddox, Dave Ward and John McGill for their ongoing help and support with maintenance tasks.  They all make such a huge contribution to the smooth running of the centre

The review and updating of our policies and procedures is continuous.

Our Treasurer Brian Ryninks continues to ensure that the association remains financially healthy.  Brian is also instrumental in supporting the Trustees as the DCA complies with the requirements to be a charitable organisation.

Cumbria Police renewed their lease and this facility will continue to provide a service from the centre.

When it comes to our carbon footprint, the centre has been utilising the benefits of the solar panels over the last number of years.  In the last year more energy sensitive lights have been installed.

Our new booklet – Reflections of Dalton – a follow up to the ‘From Drill Hall to Centre for All’ publication was launched on the 22^nd July 2022.  The booklet, collated and written by one of our Trustees, Ron Creer, is an oral record, as well as a written account of a number of selected residents to reflect upon their time in Dalton, their links to the centre, and their contributions to the Town over the years.

Our website and Facebook pages are well used and anyone looking at our calendar on the website cannot help but be amazed at the number of activities taking place each week. Following the pandemic the existing groups using the centre, gradually returned and we welcomed the following new groups:

• The U3A rummi card group
• Market Street Medical Practice using the hall for flu vaccinations
• Cumbria County Council’s Family Action
• Children’s parties are increasing, and we also had a wedding reception
• Barrow Borough Council – poling station for local elections in May 2022

Maintenance of the building remains high on our priority list, with the repair of the hall floor and structural repairs at the back of the building essential.  A grant application to Sir John Fisher was made and following a site visit, we are currently awaiting the outcome of the application.

We are keen to reduce our carbon emissions and work towards the Government’s net zero challenge.  To that effect, we have received support for an internship from Lancaster University’s Eco-1 NW programme and obtained the services of a MSc Environmental student with a keen interest in zero waste and environmental sustainability.  The internship supported research, evaluated and benchmarked the current carbon footprint of the community centre and put in place a plan which will support carbon reduction.  A working group has been formed to take the outcome of the study further to the benefit of all those using the centre.

We continue to ensure the facilities are available, have easy access, are fit for purpose and provides a high standard of service, which is befitting a community venue where all ages are welcome.

To conclude, despite the challenges faced due to COVID, the Centre continues to thrive. We as Trustees are very grateful for the support we have received from Local Government, Charitable organisations and Trusts and of course from the local community.  We have a great partnership with Dalton Town Council who are very supportive and my sincere thanks to Fiona for all their help.

The future looks bright, we continue to look for opportunities and we remain extremely grateful for the support we have locally.

Welma Robinson

Chair – Dalton Community Association