The ACA (Anahilt Community Association) AGM took place at Anahilt Primary School on March 1st, 2001. There was a good turnout of local residents despite the atrociously bad weather and freezing footpaths. The ACA wish to thank all those who made the effort to join us on the evening. A number of local politicians also gave up their evening to contribute to the evening’s events.

The minutes of last year’s meeting were agreed.

The meeting kicked off with an introduction by the Chairman Mr. George Hynds, where he introduced the members of the Community Association Committee. The secretary Mrs. Ann Louise McIlrath then made her report and in it made reference to the fact that both she and the chairman would be standing down this year due to other commitments. The secretary also recommended people to support the ACA and said how joining the committee was a good way to make friends and also bring benefit to the locality.

The Chairman then began his report where he presented information on the events of the last year. He indicated how the ACA had, in conjunction with a firm of Management Consultants, prepared a Strategic Plan for the area. This plan was devised by carrying out a survey of local households.

The summary of findings was presented as an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats as follows: -

• A relatively prosperous area with low unemployment rate
• A peaceful place to live surrounded by a pleasant environment from which to develop recreational/community activities.
• A relatively low crime rate in the defined Anahilt area.
• Proximity to Hillsborough, Sprucefield, Lisburn, Belfast and major road intersection (M1/Dublin-Belfast road)
• Quality/desirable housing stock (not enough variety)
• Active Community Association
• Some good natural resources (Lough Aghery, countryside)

• No facilities for children in the area
• No facilities for youth in the area
• Lack of planned activities for the elderly and youth in the area
• No sporting and recreational facilities for the local community
• Lack of parking spaces in the village
• Limited community interaction (traditional Vs new community)
• Limited commercial sector
• Rapidly changing infrastructure due to new housing developments with no measures taken to address inclusion of traditional/new interface.
• Education - Primary school in the area is beyond its capacity.

• Potential to develop relevant facilities
• Provision of extra services in the village (i.e.: convenience store, fast food)
• Build on willingness of Lisburn Borough Council to address needs in Anahilt
• Chance to involve the community in a co-ordinated response to the area's problems and to constructively influence decision making of public and statutory bodies
• Environmental improvements in the village to improve image and appeal

• Continued social structure changes, which are not addressed or managed by the community
• Rapid housing development which is not supported by the relevant service/commercial sector provision.
• Roads - fast, high usage roads, danger to elderly and children.
• Anahilt's designation as a non-disadvantaged ward significantly reduces the community's access to resources necessary to allow it to address it's local needs/issues
• Anahilt has become a dormitory village

As part of the consultancy, the ACA also developed it's mission statement which simply states that it wishes "to improve the quality of life of all the residents of Anahilt by articulating and helping meet the needs of the local community" the aims of the ACA are: -

• To enhance and improve the environment
• To lobby for leisure facilities for the people of Anahilt
• To develop the role of the ACA. Through endeavouring to represent the community in an open and transparent fashion.

Arising from the strategic plan, the following potential projects were identified: -

• Development of Civic Spirit/Pride in Anahilt by organising community events
• Communication Plan - communicating needs and views within community and with outside bodies
• Community Linkages - enhance links with other communities
• Children's play area
• Community Recreation area
• Environmental improvements
• Anahilt Crossroads improvements
• Road Safety Programme

The Chairman indicated how some of these projects are already under-way and had made progress, while he felt that the strategic report would now provide a sound foundation for moving the other projects forward.

The Treasurer Mr. Ray Allen provided a copy of the ACA's financial records to all in attendance. It was noted that the ACA had £737 closing in the bank as at January 31st. The Treasurer praised the Bank of Ireland in Lisburn for providing a low cost account to the ACA. The previous bank had applied charges, which were felt to be inappropriate for the level of transactions, which the ACA carried out.

The treasurer indicated that he accounts would be audited in the next few weeks. He then asked the people present if they had any queries regarding the accounts. No clarification was required.

A presentation was made to the Chairman, Mr. George Hynds and to the Secretary Mrs. Ann Louise McIltarh for the outstanding work, which they carried out since the founding of the ACA.

Members of the public raised the following issues: -

• Dog fouling
• Youth Drinking
• Policing
• Youth provision
• Salt/Sand bins for icy weather
• Rates
• Youth Club Rota

The issue of a children's playground was raised. The Chairman reported that the main difficulty with providing a playground had been location. The crossroads green area was considered too dangerous due to proximity to traffic. A dozen of local people were approached to see if they could provide a piece of land. One person responded and was currently seeking advice from their legal advisers. This person requested to remain anonymous.

The following people were proposed and seconded onto the new committee: -

Lorna Oliver, R. Allen, R O'Doherty, P. Deveney, J. Crossland, S. Urey, A. Chambers, S. Johnston, I. Macken, I Thompson, M McClelland, F. Wallace.

A meeting will take place within 1 week to elect office holders.