Hartlepool Partnership

· Progress towards The Tall Ship Races 2010 is ongoing across the workstreams.  The website www.hartlepooltallships2010.com was launched and is proving popular.

· The first inspection visit by Sail Training International (the organising body of The Tall Ships Races) took place in October 2008 and excellent feedback was received.

· The Hartlepool Maritime Festival was a huge success in July 2008 and plans for the Dockfest event in July are now well in place.

· The 'Let's make a Burbank Pantomime' community arts development project staged two successful performances of 'Lost in Fairyland' (The Burbank Pantomime) in the Place in the Park, Ward Jackson Park.

· In Sports and Recreation we have begun to develop initiatives aimed specifically at older people.  Through links with the Active Card we have introduced concessionary pricing and signed up with the Government's free swim initiative for over 60's

· Building upon the successful accreditation of Mill House Leisure Centre (MHLC) during 2007/2008, the Headland Sports Centre has achieved accreditation with a 'commended rating'

· Satisfaction levels of public cultural service facilities remain in the top 25% of performance for national satisfaction comparisons.

· Ward Jackson Park and Summerhill have been awarded Green Flags

· Year One of the Big Lottery Play Grant has been delivered resulting in free activities at Summerhill during school holidays. 

· Continued success of community run local cultural and leisure facilities, supporting Sporting Clubs, Heritage groups and Arts organisations through collaborative initiatives.

· Hartlepool Renaissance - a capital development at Hartlepool Historic Quay and refurbishment of Wingfield Castle including new meeting rooms; café and educational facilities.