Agenda and minutes

Councillor Nicola Heaton (personal)

Councillor Jeannie Packer (other Council business)

Bashir Latif – Meadows Muslim Centre

Margaret Spencer – Old Meadows Tenants and Residents’ Association

Steve Stott – Anti-Social Behaviour Manager

Councillor Chris Gibson declared a personal interest in item 40 as a Nottingham City Council nominated director of Nottingham City Transport Ltd, which did not preclude him from speaking or voting.

Although Councillors Gibson and Steel did not have a pecuniary interest, they excused themselves from voting on item 41, as they are members of the Planning Committee which may later consider an application for a the new cricket pavilion. Councillor Edwards, who is also a member of the Planning Committee, chose to speak and vote on the item at this meeting, and waived his right to participate in discussion at any subsequent Planning Committee involving the cricket pavilion.

The Committee confirmed the minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2014 as a correct record and they were signed by the Chair.

Karen Douglas, Employment and Skills Officer, and Sharon Mills, Meadows Partnership Trust (MPT), introduced a report of the Director of Economic Development on the Area 8 Jobs Plan. The Plan priorities had been identified through City Council-held local statistical data on benefit need, an MPT needs analysis, insight and local knowledge from Neighbourhood Development Officers and youth contract community co-ordination responsibilities. Ms Douglas and Ms Mills made the following points:

(a)  the MPT is the lead organisation appointed by the City Council to implement the actions in the Jobs Plan. The MPT is funded through Area Based Grant, as well as through Youth Contract and Digital Inclusion funding streams;

(b)  the Jobs Plan priorities include reducing youth and long term employment,  developing pathways into growth sector careers such as care, hospitality and construction, raising the profile of employment and skills provision locally, and providing associated financial, welfare and benefit advice, as well as community co-ordination and employability activity;

(c)  the Plan helped both building local capacity and avoid duplication through engaging with partners in the Area, including JobCentre Plus, local secondary schools and Nottingham Futures. Over the previous 12 months the numbers of citizens claiming Job Seekers’ Allowance had reduced considerably in Area 8, and especially in the 16-24 years age group. The report detailed activities and achievements against identified priorities; 

(d)  as well as engaging young people and working on their employability skills and job-matching, help was available for practicalities, such as assisting with travel-to-interview costs;

(e)  there will be a Jobs Fair in Highbank Community Centre later in February 2015, while a  similar Fair will take place in late Spring 2015 at Queen’s Walk Community Centre.

The Committee welcomed the work carried out to date, and the following points and issues were raised during discussion:

(f)  Area 8 needed better quality, secure jobs for longer hours if there was to be a long term positive economic impact for local citizens;

(g)  Ms Douglas and Ms Mills confirmed that enquiries had been ongoing to secure a suitable ‘One Stop Shop’ premises in Clifton;

(h)  Ms Mills explained that while there was no specialist funding available to help those with mental health issues, barriers to employment were addressed on an individual basis;

(i)  it was confirmed that a number of vacancies for working on Lines 2 and 3 of the Nottingham Express Transit had been filled through Jobs Plan activity.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  note actions in the Plan and to thank Karen Douglas and Sharon Mills  for the information provided on the Area Jobs Plan;

(2)  request six-monthly updates on the Plan by the Meadows Partnership Trust and the Employment and Skills Team.

Martin Barradell, Fit in the Community Co-ordinator at Nottingham City Homes (NCH), introduced a presentation on the Fit in the Community initiative, highlighting the following points:

(a)  the city-wide initiative was designed to encourage over 5,500 NCH tenants to become more physically active, to empower communities to take ownership of sports and leisure opportunities and to help tenants deliver sport and leisure through volunteer positions;

(b)  consultation in Clifton will begin in March/April 2015, and will be open to everyone, not just NCH tenants;

(c)  there will be 3 streams of sports and leisure activity under the initiative, each informed by the consultation process. Doorstep Clubs will offer multi-sports sessions and volunteer opportunities for those aged 14-25 years, Independent Living sessions for those aged 60 years and over, and general sports sessions for those aged 25-59 years. The initiative will identify gaps in local provision and signpost users to existing services;

(d)  while every local citizen will be able to access services delivered under the initiative, only NCH tenants will be able to access volunteering opportunities to act as ‘activators’ taking a lead in delivering sessions and ‘champions’ promoting sessions and referring citizens to existing activity;

(e)  the target for NCH engagement in Clifton is 824 over the 3-year cycle of the initiative. A stakeholder group is being put together to maximise involvement and avoid duplication;

(f)  Mr Barradell welcomed the Committee’s involvement in raising the profile of the project, providing local intelligence on sports and leisure groups in the Area and help with area-specific consultation.

The Committee provided the following feedback, suggestions and questions:

(g)  Mr Barradell advised that consultation will be wide-ranging, with online, face-to-face and promotions activity all taking place in the Spring of 2015;

(h)  a community representative undertook to provide details of the Clifton Health and Wellbeing Action Group;

(i)  Mr Barradell acknowledged that access to affordable swimming opportunities was a significant issue nationally, and that work was ongoing with the sport’s governing bodies to help address the issue;

(j)  several community representatives highlighted specific activities taking place in Area 8, including dance, walking activities, pilates and zumba;

(k)  Mr Barradell confirmed that he was working with the Sustrans cycle network charity to inform the development of Fit in the Community.

RESOLVED to note the presentation and the Committee’s comments.

Councillor Chris Gibson declared a personal interest in this item as a Nottingham City Council nominated director of Nottingham City Transport Ltd, which did not preclude him from speaking or voting.

The Chair introduced a report of the Director of Planning and Transport on the early preparations for the introduction of the NET Phase 2 service.

The Chair explained that this was an opportunity to highlight tram and wider transport issues for further consideration at the Committee’s first meeting in 2015/16, and during discussion, the following issues were raised:

(a)  a councillor wanted bus and tram services to complement each other and to be inter-connected, not running solely in competition with each other. While main arterial routes were well-served, he considered that Farnborough Road residents had lost out. Diverted bus services had proved popular, and there was demand for certain re-routed bus services to be maintained;

(b)   a councillor expressed the view that there should be sufficient demand to support both tram and bus services;

(c)  there should be a heavily publicised launch event to celebrate the opening of NET Phase 2, and this should tie in with marketing to support and promote shopping in Clifton;

(d)  a councillor expressed concern about the longer term future of the NCT Number 48 bus service, which served the west of the Meadows, and the Number 11 service;

(e)  there were plans to introduce residents parking schemes to discourage car owners from using residential areas as unofficial ‘Park and Ride’ facilities;

(f)  the issue of interchangeability between bus and tram services is being explored at national level;

(g)  a community representative expressed concerns about tram ticketing, and in particular notifications of ticketing practice, and lack of clear messages on pricing and usage for senior citizens. In response, a councillor expressed the view that compliance elsewhere on the network was high, and that this had built up over time.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  note the report;

(2)  agree that a comprehensive report is presented to the Committee when the official opening of NET Phase 2 is announced;

(3)  note the points raised during discussion and for these to be addressed at the first meeting of 2015/16.

Although Councillors Gibson and Steel did not have a pecuniary interest, they excused themselves from voting on this item, as they are members of the Planning Committee which may later consider a planning application for developments at Victoria Embankment and Meadow Recreation Ground, including the new cricket pavilion. Councillor Edwards, who is also a member of the Planning Committee, chose to speak and vote on the item at this meeting, and waived his right to participate in discussion at any subsequent Planning Committee involving the cricket pavilion.

Eddie Curry, Head of Parks and Open Spaces, presented the report of the Corporate Director of Community Services and the Director of Sports Culture and Parks, highlighting the following points:

(a)  while the Victoria Embankment and Meadows Recreation Ground has benefited from improvements in recent years, a more structured approach to improvement is required to provide a strategic plan for the site. The City Council’s vision for the site includes restoring historic landscape and features to their former glory, providing a central hub with café, community facility, cycle hire and improved sports changing facilities, a new artificial turf ‘3G’ football pitch, improved grass pitches and improved recreational and event facilities;

(b)  there has been extensive consultation on proposals to develop the site, and the main funding opportunity to realise the vision is through the Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF) Parks for People programme, which previously supported the restoration of the Forest Recreation Ground and Highfields Park. However, given that England Cricket Board (ECB) funding is available now, the cricket pavilion project will proceed as an advance works project. Consultation on the cricket pavilion element of the project will run until 20 February 2015;

(c)  as well as the HLF and ECB funding, financial support is also available from the Football Foundation to improve sporting facilities on the site, the Sustainable Transport Fund, Section 106 contributions, and a range of smaller funding streams;

(d)  the outcome of the HLF Parks for People Stage 1 application would be known by June 2015 and, if successful, a further Stage 2 application will be submitted by March 2016. If funding timescales are met, it is planned to have onsite works to commence in Autumn 2016 with completion by Summer 2017.

Discussion focused on the non- cricket pavilion element of the overall programme, in view of the extensive discussion on the pavilion at the Committee’s November 2014 meeting (minute 31 dated 12 November 2014 refers):

(e)  there will be primary lighting for safe cycling and walking along the riverside, but issues of secondary lighting needed further exploring, in view of the possible impact on wildlife. A community representative recommended subtle lighting to minimise environmental impact on the riverside area;

(f)  there will be several jobs created through the catering concession, while the building work will also provide potential job opportunities for local people;

(g)  several community representatives spoke in favour of retaining open general recreation areas, and not allocating all available space to cricket and football activities;

(h)  Mr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director Commercial and Neighbourhood Services on performance against ward priorities, community engagement, crime, cleanliness, employment, housing and health. The Committee also received updates from Nottinghamshire Police and Nottingham City Homes.

The Committee welcomed Inspector Claire Rukas, Nottinghamshire Police, who has replaced Inspector Waldren. Inspector Rukas gave the following verbal update:

(a)  There has been a recent increase in overall crime. While robbery and burglary (dwellings) have decreased significantly, there have been increases in burglary (other), commercial robbery, vehicle crime, violence (including domestic violence) and sexual offences;

(b)  Robberies from sheds and outhouses remain an issue. A number of arrests have been made and warrants issued, and this should have a positive impact on robbery figures going forward;

(c)  Recent changes to recording crime has had an impact on crime figures, particularly around domestic violence. Increased reporting was positive, in that previously hidden crime is now being dealt with;

(d)  The Committee commented that while citizens continued to feel relatively safe, Police presence in communities is not highly visible, especially with recent Police station closures. Partnership working was increasingly important in addressing crime hotspots.

Parbinder Singh, Neighbourhood Development Officer, gave the following update summary:

(e)  overall crime levels have increased, although anti-social behaviour levels have fallen. Cleanliness levels have improved and the Christmas celebration event was very successful;

(f)  a traffic management update sheet was circulated at the meeting, explaining that Highways Agency works on the A453 meant that there will be an 8-week restriction on leaving and entering Clifton at Green Lane;

(g)  because tram works are still affecting the Nottingham Road/Farnborough Road junction, Nottingham City Transport has withdrawn its services to the Nobel Road area of Clifton. In response, the City Council has arranged a free shuttle bus service for affected residents, and will maintain pressure on the Highways Agency and Taylor Woodrow Alstrom to ensure reopening of key routes into Clifton as early as possible;

(h)  councillors and community representatives expressed frustration and concern about the effects of ongoing works and rerouting on citizens, and especially the vulnerable. A community representative also stated that the placement of the temporary bus stop near the bottom of Green Lane was not suitable;

(i)  Councillors advised that there has been intensive discussions with all parties for an early resolution to the issue, and that the local Member of Parliament was also actively involved.  

Prairie Bryant, Neighbourhood Development Officer, gave the following update summary:

(j)  overall crime levels have increased, although burglary (dwelling) levels have decreased significantly;

(k)  the Clifton Christmas celebration event was very successful, with high levels of partner engagement and increased footfall for local businesses;

(l)  cleanliness levels remain high and recent environmental improvements included subway lighting at Silverdale and seating provided by Friends of Clifton Park;

(m)  local children are becoming more familiar with the testing of the Tram through awareness sessions at the Old Tollbridge.

Abdul Ghaffar, Neighbourhood Development Officer, gave the following update summary:

(n)  crime has increased, as has anti-social behaviour, however, cleanliness levels remain high;

(o)  Bridgeway Centre Christmas celebrations were very successful, as was the Your Choice Your Voice Dragon’s Den event;

(p)  Queen’s Walk Pavilion Mosaic celebration event was very successful, generating a lot of positive publicity;

(q)  challenges remain in respect of decommissioned properties and with the introduction of the Tram.

Wade Adams, Tenancy and Estate Manager, provided the following update summary:

(r)  anti-social behaviour levels are good and improving, and the Good Tenancy Award scheme has been very effective;

(s)  dementia-friendly activities, including Zumba, have been taking place at Lakehead House;

(t)  an injunction has been taken out to stop a vulnerable person being exploited and enforcement action has also been to force tenants to sort out untidy gardens.

RESOLVED to note the updates and the Committee’s comments.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  note the monies available to Bridge, Clifton North and Clifton South Wards;

(2)  approve the following programme of schemes for Clifton North and Bridge Wards:

RESOLVED to:

(1)  note the following actions taken under delegated authority, as agreed by the Strategic Director of Commercial and Neighbourhood Services:

(2)  note decommitments totalling £2,044.00;

(3)  note the individual Ward Members Budget Review allocation of £5,000.00 per Councillor for 2015/16.

Report of Corporate Director for Communities

The Chair of the meeting was of the opinion that this item, although not included on the agenda, should be considered as a matter of urgency in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, to enable timely improvements to the City Centre landscape, floral features new lighting and interpretive trails within the City Centre.

Eddie Curry, Head of Parks and Open Spaces introduced the report, highlighting the following points:

(a)  the City Council established the Good to Great Programme in 2014 to improve economic regeneration of the City Centre and a number of proposals have been identified to enhance the appearance of and to attract visitors to the City Centre. These include interactive interpretation trails, trail infrastructure, creative street lighting, specialist landscape infrastructure improvements, floral dressing, tree replacement and a horticultural sculpture trail;

(b)  the total cost of the proposals is almost £210,000, and there is a requirement to use Section 106 funding totalling £96,475 to contribute to the overall funding package. The Section 106 funding has been raised from City Centre planning applications and requires Area Committee endorsement to proceed;

(c)  the seasonal nature of many of the proposed improvements means that early approval is required by the Committee.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  endorse the proposals to improve the City Centre landscape and to enhance the retail/visitor experience through an enhanced package of landscape improvements;

(2)  endorse the contribution of £96,475 Section 106 funding towards the project’s delivery and match funding from the Nottingham Business Improvement District and  the City Council’s Good to Great Programme.