Agenda and minutes

Peter Beynon

Nick Packham

Maya Fletcher

Rebecca Beinart

None.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held 22 November 2017

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2017 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

Inspector Robert Wilson informed the Committee of the year to date (1 April 2017 to today) crime statistics which were compared to the same period last year.

The following points were highlighted:

Arboretum Ward

(i)  there has been an overall increase in reported crime by 23% but this substantial increase is partly due to the changes in crime recording whereby the criteria of anti-social behaviour (ASB) has been broadened and now includes instances such as malicious social media messages. However taking this into account the overall force average has shown an increase in reported crime by 20%;

(ii)  where the culprits of home burglaries are caught, they are arrested and usually remanded in custody;

(iii)  following a spate of robberies, including one on Radford Road late Sunday evening, 6 people have been arrested. Police are always prompt to respond and social media is proving very helpful where CCTV images can be shared;

Radford and Park Ward

(iv)  Police have worked with partners on a range of projects with a variety of messages and actions, including a  Fire Service Day of Action, Youth Service work in schools, with local Housing Officers, Universities (on preventing ASB) Priority Families Team, Trading Standards, ASB including noise and street drinking . Partnership working in the community has proved helpful to engage citizens and has recently resulted in the arrest of a gang master following citizen’s suspicions on modern slavery;

(v)  burglary and stealing from vehicles has increased by 12% but one person has been arrested and now admits to more than 60 other burglary offences;

(vi)  student volunteers from the university have been working with the Police to raise security awareness amongst students;

Dunkirk and Lenton

(vii)  the rise in recorded crime by 13%  for the year to date is below the force average, but is still not acceptable;

(viii)  unlike other areas, there has not been an increase in burglary in the Ward.

The Police are working with partners across the City on a range of issues, including crime prevention and particularly preventing knife crime following recent incidents in the City.

The Committees questions were responded to as follows:

(a)  knife-point robberies are considered serious and where such a robber is caught, this usually results in a custodial sentence;

(b)  it has been a challenging year regarding crime statistics and whilst there was a notable increase in crime during the summer, numbers have since reduced. Under the new recording criteria, there has been a significant increase in violence without injury but this is where such incidents may not have previously met the criteria to be recorded;

(c)  where a criminal leaves fingerprints or DNA, this can be used to trace them and often results in a prosecution;

(d)  local and regional crime statistics are freely available in the public domain and show the same historic and national issues. It needs to be recognised that there is a funding crisis which has significantly impacted on Policing and other organisations, which in turn impacts on citizens;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

Desmond Storey and Tom Lynk, Community Protection Officers, presented the following information:

Dunkirk and Lenton, Radford and Park Wards – incidents

56 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) issued

278 Community Protection Warnings (CPW) issued

22 Community Protection Notices (CPN) issued

391 instances of noise antisocial behaviour (ASB)

126 alcohol confiscations

The numbers of noise ASB and alcohol confiscations has dropped off since Christmas but is predicted to rise towards the end of the University term.

The hours and operating days of Project Corridor have changed to ensure the most effective impact.

CPNs can now be issued within an hour and due to revised paperwork, CPWs can be issued on the doorstep.

The fine for fly tipping has been raised to £300 and with the provision of new enforcement powers, this can be issued as an on-the-spot fine.

Arboretum Ward

26 FPN issued

161 fly tips

101 CPWs, of which 5 have been escalated to CPNs

90 alcohol confiscations

3 fly tip fines at £300, with an additional 2 that are being taken directly to court.

Begging has increased, but this is a result of displacement from the City Centre and is being addressed.

Committee members’ questions were responded to as follows:

(a)  Councillors’ disappointment at the regular ‘turnover’ of Community Protection Officers will be reported back to the Director but as this is a reflection of staff leaving the service, often to join the Police Force, and not just being moved to a different area of the City, it would be difficult to resolve. CP is considering other routes of recruiting, but obviously is unable to prevent staff moving on;

Comments from the Committee included:

(b)  it is frustrating that area CPOs are consistently changing. Councillors and the community build a relationship and share local knowledge, but every time a new person comes into the area, this has to start all over again. Obviously staff can’t be prevented from moving on, but Councillors and community representatives want to be kept informed of changes.

RESOLVED to note the update and for Ward Councillors to be kept regularly informed by email of Community Protection action within their respective wards.

Ceri Davies (Housing Strategy Specialist) and Julie Liversidge (HMO Licensing and Compliance Officer) were in attendance to update the Committee on Additional Licensing. The current scheme of licensing Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) comes to an end on 31 December 2018 so, following  a wider consultation process regarding the existing designation of the scheme, it is proposed to refresh the Additional Licensing Scheme. Implementation of a revised scheme will then follow, with a target timescale of 1st January 2019.

Members of the Committee, community reps and their group members are encouraged to complete an on-line survey (https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JX5KR5B ). This survey has two areas of interest, firstly to understand from citizens in the affected areas what their perspective is and how additional licensing has affected them, and secondly, to gather feedback to help inform and shape the scheme for the next 5 years.

Councillors commented that that the Additional Licensing Scheme is incredibly valuable and needs to continue. Article 4 (planning) has been the only way to protect family housing from becoming HMOs and a lot of C3 type family housing has already been lost following conversion to (C4) HMOs.

RESOLVED to note the update.

Report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services and the Corporate Director for Commercial and Operations

Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, introduced the item and briefly explained that following the changes to how Section 106 funding can be allocated as part of the planning process, (in that there is only a limited time period within which to specify what the Section 106 funding will be spent on), investment plans for parks and open spaces within each area has been created to ensure that potential schemes are agreed and can be easily be selected.

James Dymond, Parks and Open Spaces Development Manager, presented the report which identifies potential improvements schemes for parks within the Area. The investment plan is proposed for an initial five year period but will be reviewed every year.

Section 106 funding is a contribution from developers where 12 or more houses are being built on a site.

In previous years section 106 funding has been used to pay for a variety of schemes, including on the Forest, Radford Recreation Ground and Pirate Park.

RESOLVED

(1)  to endorse the investment guide for future development of parks and open spaces within the area, subject to amending the appendix to show that Kirkstead Street playground replacement has secured funding of £20,000, and that Colville Street Park is yet to secure funding for improvements to the play area and planting;

(2)  for Area Councillors to determine the priority for schemes included in the investment plans;

(3)  to approve the use of Section 106 funding from Katherine House, Edbury Road (Planning Permission reference 16/01099/PFUL3) for improvements to the play area at the Forest Recreation Ground.

Report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services and the Corporate Director for Commercial and Operations

Sarah Manton and Ben Standing of Nottingham Open Spaces Forum (NOSF), provided the Committee with a brief background and overview of the organisation which has recently become a registered charity, and aims to encourage citizen engagement and activity in promoting the maintenance and improvement of public open spaces. NOSF is able to assist citizen groups, with attracting funding, whilst at the same time acting as a lobbying group with regard to national open space policies.

The report details the objectives of the forum which also acts as an administrator the ‘ParkLife’ fund which holds events to encourage citizen interest, activity and conservation in several of the City’s major parks.

Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, emphasised the social value of the forum as a group of talented and passionate volunteers who co-ordinate and provide an important voice for parks and open spaces at a time when there is a national crisis the publicly owned parks.

Sarah encouraged committee members to promote the forum and advise any groups and individuals with an interest in the current and future circumstances of city wide and local parks and open spaces, to contact the group as the involvement of local citizens is vital to help support the longer term future of parks and open spaces in the City.

Members of the committee welcomed NOSF as providing valuable support to local communities particularly in encouraging and promoting ‘Friends of…’ groups.

RESOLVED to note the contents of the report and endorse the work of NOSF.

The recent Lenton event was been well attended by just under 300 citizens, including many of the new housing.

A Women’s Conversational English Group has been launched to help residents with English as an additional language to improve their naturally spoken English.  It is encouraging that nine women attended and are keen to continue.

A partnership event was held at Hyson Green and approximately 40 organisations took part, offering a range of information advice and activities, including activities which parents and children could take part and employment training advice.

The Arboretum a pilot projects investigated knife crime in the area and found that many incidents involving knives were not reported to the Police. Although the funding of the pilot expires at the end of March, it is hoped that this work can continue. It will be suggested to the Police that the money raised from the sale of unclaimed stolen goods could be used to fund the continuation of Knife Crime work.

Report of the Corporate Director for Development and Growth

John Lee, Rights of Way Officer, presented the report which requests the Committee’s authorisation to apply for a highway at Sunbourne Court in Radford to be ‘stopped up’ (withdrawn from the public realm) as it is not a through-route and is unnecessary for public use.

It is noted that the owners of the land may wish to prevent public parking, but alternative parking capacity is available locally. It would not be lawful to attach any conditions to the stop up order, but the landowners have indicated a commitment to ensure the area is maintained free of fly tipping. In addition, the ownership of the billboard near to the entrance to the site is to be clarified and a request made for more thorough maintenance.

RESOLVED to authorise the making of an application to the Magistrates Court pursuant to Section 116 of the Highways Act 1980 in order to stop up the highway at Sunbourne Court as shown at Appendix 1 and 2 to the report.

Report of Nottingham City Homes

Paul Howard, Area Housing Manager Nottingham City Homes, presented the report which updates the Committee on the activity and performance of Nottingham City Homes since the last meeting and provides an update on the availability of capital budget funds for each Ward.

The following points were highlighted:

(i)  a demonstration of the new sprinkler and public announcement systems for residents of Woodlands will take place tomorrow. Woodlands will be the first to have the system is installed with completion anticipated by the end of March 2018;

(ii)  the high rise passenger lift replacement project is on track, however further work is being undertaken at oak view and ash view to improve reliability and ensure maintenance;

(iii)  parking remains an issue for many residents. The provision of further parking facilities is being considered;

(iv)  the NCH new build family housing development is predicted to be completed by June 2018 with priority given to families in the living in high rise blocks;

(v)  three citizens from the Area have been shortlisted at the Tenant and Leaseholder Awards 2018;

(vi)  following requests from residents, improvements have now been completed to parking sites are Randal Gardens and Hovenden Gardens;

(vii)  the overall NCH performance within the Area remained fairly stable.

It is noted that a revised appendix 3, capital budgets, was circulated at the meeting and that there are no request for project funding at this time.

RESOLVED

(1)  to note the update and performance information in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report;

(2)  to note the allocation of funds for 2017/18, as detailed in the revised Appendix 3 as follows:

Will Morritt, South City Area Housing Manager NCH, presented the housing Area Cluster Feedback report which provides an overview of issues raised, not only regarding Nottingham City Homes, but with regard to broader housing provision, following area cluster reviews during September October and November 2017.

The information gathered during the reviews, including issues raised by Councillors and common concerns across the City, will contribute to the refreshed Corporate Plan which will come into effect in April 2018.

The common points of concern raised by Councillors within this Area mainly related to the poor management of properties by private landlords. Although NCH cannot influence private landlords, NCH Enterprises Ltd are intending to buy and build homes for market rent under the name ‘LiviNG’ which will provide well-managed and well maintained properties for citizens as an alternative to some disreputable and private landlords. Initially there will be a focus on building a property portfolio of 2-3 bedroom family properties in and around the City centre. Some of these properties will be used to support homeless families

NCH also intends to become a registered provider which will enable access to homes and communities agency funds to build more affordable homes which NCH will then own and manage.

Councillors raised concerns regarding potential evictions as a result of the rent and welfare reforms. NCH is continuing preparations the rollout of Universal Credit (UC) in October 2018 and is working with partners, including the City Council and Nottingham Credit Union (NCU) to help support tenants to access affordable credit and banking facilities. NCH is working with other partner agencies to examine the potential broader implications on families as a result ofUC, and consider what support can be provided.

The Street/Block Champion Scheme continues to be promoted, the activity results of which will be shared with Ward Councillors.

NCH is working with Garden Assistance Scheme managers to improve the service following concerns raised by some Councillors and tenants.

NCH has been nominated for 4 National Housing Awards, including tenancy sustainment and equality diversity. In addition NCH was noted as social housing development in the country with regard to the Palmer Court Independent Living Scheme in Lenton.

Comments from the Committee included:

(a)  moving families from high-rise accommodation to houses is welcomed, but there must be a robust approach towards ASB to ensure that communities are established in these new build developments;

(b)  tenants will be incredibly lucky to have the opportunity of renting a new build house, so it’s not unreasonable to expect these homes and neighbourhoods to be respected;

(c)  pre-eviction work by NCH and partners is welcomed as evictions can have significantly negative impact on families and especially children. In addition, the longer term cost to everybody concerned when an eviction takes place is better avoided.

RESOLVED to note the report and the detailed information provided.

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Linda Wright and Iffat Iqbal, Neighbourhood Development Officers, presented the report which informs the Committee of the current priorities and issues in the Area and provides information on forthcoming events.

RESOLVED

(1)  to note the progress on Ward Priorities and the other supporting information, including the issues being addressed by each Neighbourhood Action Team, and upcoming opportunities for citizens to engage, as outlined in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report;

(2)  to note the progress made against the Council Plan.

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Deborah Wilson, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the Area Capital Fund update report which outlines the initial budgets, previously approved schemes and seeks approval for further schemes in Dunkirk and Lenton and Radford and Park Wards.

It is noted that no further schemes or de-commitments are proposed from Arboretum Ward.

RESOLVED

(1)  to approve the following Area Capital schemes:

(a)  Dunkirk and Lenton

(b)  Radford and Park

(2)  to note the following additional Radford and Park Ward de-commitments/scheme withdrawal:

(3)  to note the following financial positions:

(a)  Arboretum

(b)  Dunkirk and Lenton

(c)  Radford and Park

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Deborah Wilson, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report which informs the Committee of the financial position of Ward Member Budgets and the actions agreed by the Director of Community Protection as a result of Ward Member funding requests since the last meeting.

It is noted that further schemes and events may have received Councillor support in principal but that the formal approval process is yet to be completed.

RESOLVED to note:

(1)  Arboretum Ward Allocations

  Arboretum Ward Councillor Budget position

(2)  Dunkirk and Lenton Ward Allocations

(3)  Radford and Park Ward Allocations