Agenda and minutes

Mary Daley

Beth Hopcraft

Jane Jeoffrey

Kevin McCormick

None

Last meeting held 11 November 2015 (for confirmation)

The Committee confirmed the minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2015 and these were signed by the Chair.

Councillor Nicola Heaton introduced the items on parks and open spaces

Report of the Director of Sport and Culture and Corporate Director Commercial and Operations

Eddie Curry, Head of Parks and Open Spaces, and Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, gave a presentation on the Parklives Programme, detailing how communities can get involved and participate in a range of free to attend activities, sports and events delivered in local parks all around the city throughout 2016. The following information was highlighted:

(a)  Parklives is a sport, health and physical activity project funded by Coca Cola GB as part of their £20m investment to get 1 million people active by 2020. Nottingham is one of ten cities to benefit;

(b)  lots of investment has gone into Nottingham’s parks over recent years, but this project emphasises  getting more people benefitting from tem by participating in park based fun recreational and sporting activities;

(c)  the report asks the Committee members to become or suggest ParkLives Ambassadors or Activators. The ParkLives team will provide support and training on all aspects to promote and deliver sessions;

The following information was provided during the discussion which followed:

(d)  individual groups can decide which parks and open spaces they wish to use for activities. However, some spaces may be more suitable as they have better facilities;

(e)  the new pavilion is due to open at Victoria Embankment in Spring and will have toilet facilities as well as space to make drinks;

(f)  a number of groups already use Victoria Embankment for a range of sports who may be unaware of the help available. Publicity is available in the form of flyers;

(g)  people wishing to use Clifton Central Park for activities could use facilities at Clifton Leisure Centre or Clifton Cornerstone, which are both nearby;

Report of the Director, Sport and Culture and Corporate Director, Commercial and Operations

James Dymond, Parks Development Manager, presented the report outlining proposals and seeking views on a scheme to light the section of the Victoria Embankment road that is currently unlit from the suspension bridge to the toll bridge. James highlighted the following:

(a)  currently only a third of the embankment is lit, but funding is now available as part of the Cycle City Ambition Programme to light the whole road. The lamps have been chosen as they combine a heritage feel and a modern design, and are very energy efficient;

(b)  the modern light fittings will ensure that light spillage is avoided, to avoid light pollution and so that wildlife is not disturbed;

(c)  there is future ambition to also provide lighting along the riverbank itself where many people walk.

RESOLVED to

(1)  note the draft ParkLives programme for 2016 as detailed in the report;

(2)  help identify and provide nominations for Local ParkLives Ambassadors as detailed in the report;

(3)  help identify and provide nominations for Local ParkLives Activators as detailed in the report;

(4)  note and support the proposals to light the currently unlit section of the Victoria Embankment road.

Councillor Michael Edwards introduced the items on Planning and Development

Report of the Director for Planning and Transport and Corporate Director Development and Growth

Paul Tansey, Senior Planner, introduced the report presenting the Land and Planning Policies Document, and in particular the 25 sites in the Bridge, Clifton North and Clifton South wards along with site plans and development principles. Paul highlighted the following:

(a)  the Land and Planning Policies document has been published for a 6 week period ending on 11^th March 2016 to allow formal representations. This follows several consultations stages including Issues and Options consultation and a Preferred Options consultation;

(b)  there have been some alterations to the Plan since the current version. The retail policies have been amalgamated, policies on open space have changed. Some sites have been removed such as Clarke Road flower market and the Charnwood Centre in Clifton. The Portal site is a new addition, and the former Fairham Comprehensive site has been altered. The Sovereign House site is now more office focused;

(c)  area 8 contains the most site allocations of any area on the Plan, including the high profile sites of Broadmarsh and the Island Site;

The following answers were provided in response to questions from the Committee:

(d)  the current vision for Carrington Street is for the part north of Canal Street to be pedestrianised, so buses will need to be redirected. Plans for the rest of Carrington Street have not yet been finalised;

(e)  a new highway created in the Cliff Road estate will remove the current green space that is there. Clarity on whether this will be replaced is needed;

(f)  the new planning guidelines will be stronger than current but will not come into force until 2017. These are guidelines only and each planning application will still be considered on merit.

Report of the Corporate Director for Development and Growth

Matt Gregory, Planning Policy Manager introduced the report on the Island Site draft Supplementary Planning Document which will provide guidance on the development of the Island Site in Nottingham’s Creative Quarter. The consultation period runs from 8th January until 19^th February.

The Committee felt that using the site in significant part for offices is of strategic importance to Area 8 and the city.

Update from Mark Armstrong, Town Centre Co-ordinator

A written update by Mark Armstrong, Town Centre Co-ordinator, was circulated to the Committee prior to the meeting. The following comments were made:

(a)  the report is welcomed and the highlighted information around the letting of vacant units is positive;

(b)  it is disappointing that there will now be no benches at Holy Trinity shops, as councillors have worked hard to have more benches for older residents. The police have never objected to benches but the shopkeepers felt that they would result in an increase in anti-social behaviour.

RESOLVED to

(1)  note that the Local Plan Part 2 has been published and the period for making representations ends on 11 March 2016;

(2)  support the proposals of the Island Site Supplementary Planning Document, believing that using the site in significant part for offices is of strategic importance to Area 8 and the city;

(3)  seek clarity on retention green space in Cliff Road estate as part of future plans;

(4)  support the sustained focus on Clifton development especially regarding shopping.

Report of the Director Economic Innovation and Employment

Nigel Jackson, Employment and Skills Manager, introduced the report providing a response to questions submitted to the Employment and Skills Team at Area Cluster meetings in November and December 2015. The report also outlines a proposed way forward for the facilitation and oversight of area-based Employment and Skills activities through the creation of an ‘Employment and Skills Area 8 Partnership’ led by local councillors and supported by dedicated officers from Employment and Skills.

RESOLVED to agree to establish an Employment and Skills Area 8 Partnership with terms of reference, membership, officers, reporting, and frequency of meetings to be decided at the next Area 8 Cluster meeting

Councillor Pat Ferguson introduced the items on transport

Update from Mark Garlick, Public Transport Operations Team

A written update by Mark Garlick, Public Transport Operations Team, was circulated to the Board prior to the meeting.

Committee members felt that a stop at Wilford crossroads to provide further interchange with the tram would be good and well-used by local people. However, it is understood that the service is intended as an express with limited stops, and that interchange with the tram is available at Clifton South.

Update from Nazia Tanveer, Senior Project Manager - NET

A written update was circulated to the Committee prior to the meeting. The following comments were made:

(a)  Rivergreen Medical Centre does not have a bus stop or shelter and a bus shelter at Pastures Avenue has not been reinstated since tram services commenced;

(b)  there have been some incidents of elderly people having falls when trams have moved off too quickly. Drivers are trained to allow extra time for this so any incidents should be reported;

(c)  alterations to Station Street have made it difficult for elderly and disabled rail users to be dropped off and picked up.

Update from Chris Hegarty, Team Leader Public Transport Operations

A written update by Mark Garlick, Public Transport Operations Team, was circulated to the Board prior to the meeting.

The Committee were supportive of the new service and thought it will be very useful for citizens in Area 8.

A written update by Scott Harrison, Principal Officer, Traffic and Safety, was circulated to the Committee members prior to the meeting. The following comments were made:

(a)  St Saviour’s Gardens has an agreement that parking will be kept available for funerals and weddings, which has been in place since the 1970s;

(b)  Waldron Close is a drop off point for a number of youth activities, which should be borne in mind in plans for parking.

RESOLVED to

(1)  welcome the return of a Skylink Express service that serves Clifton, Trent Bridge and the city centre;

(2)  note the progress of the new tram services and looks forward to the completion of works for the bus stops;

(3)  note the report on the Easylink Bus Services;

(4)  continue with plans for residents parking permits for the New Meadows, most particularly those streets that have expressed greatest urgency for action;

(5)  record the Committee’s concern of how elderly and disabled rail passengers are served by taxis and drop off facilities at Nottingham Station.

Councillor Steve Young introduced the items on community safety.

Abdul Ghaffar, Neighbourhood Development Officer, gave a verbal update on drug use in the Meadows, highlighting the following:

(a)  there have been concerns around the availability of illegal drugs in the Meadows as well as an increase in the use of needles and discarded needles;

(b)  Nottingham City Homes have secured some empty properties and other sites which had become hotspots for drug use;

(c)  as a trial, needle bins are being installed, to give an opportunity for drug users to take responsibility and discard needles safely. A programme is also being run to engage drug users and educate them, enlisting the help of needle exchange and ex users;

(d)  11 warrants have been executed and a number of drugs have been recovered in recent weeks.

Sergeant Paul Ferguson provided a verbal update on overall crime in Area 8, highlighting the following:

(a)  overall crime in Area 8 has red-faced compared to the same period last year by 63 crimes;

(b)  violent crime (mostly domestic violence), personal robberies and vehicle crime have increased;

(c)  burglary and anti-social behaviour have decreased.

Donna Sherratt, Community Family Support Manager, provided a written update which was circulated to the Committee prior to the meeting. The following information was highlighted:

(a)  a directory of services for 0-19 year olds in Area 8 was produced listing 45 activity sessions in the Meadows and 63 in Clifton showing that there is provision of youth services in the area;

(b)  it is important to make sure that the provision is publicised to young people, and that it is targeted in the right areas with strong outreach;

(c)  it is important that the directory is kept up to date and made available widely.

RESOLVED to

(1)  welcome news of progress  on tackling issues associated with the trading of illegal drugs, and asks that this remains a significant focus of current and future work by the relevant public services;

(2)  welcome the news of the youth services directory and consider that the focus on helping young people should be on those who are the most difficult to reach.

Councillor Michael Edwards introduced the area items.

Update from Paul Haigh, Head of Social Care Provision

A written update giving an update was circulated to Committee members prior to the meeting.

Report from Nottingham City Homes

Joanne Smith, Nottingham City Homes (NCH), presented Chief Executive of NCH’s report updating the Committee on NCH’s performance on the following key themes:

·  capital programme and major work;

·  area regeneration and environmental issues;

·  key issues from the Tenant and Leasehold Congress;

·  Tenant and Residents Associations updates;

·  area performance figures;

·  good news and positive publicity.

Report of Corporate Director of Commercial and Operations

Abdul Ghaffar and Parbinder Singh, Neighbourhood Development Officers, introduced the Corporate Director of Commercial and Operations’ report providing updates on key issues and themes which link to local priorities and strategic themes in the Nottingham Plan 2020, including:

·  ward priorities;

·  community engagement;

·  finance;

·  safer theme – crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB);

·  neighbourhood theme – environmental issues;

·  working theme – unemployment rates;

·  housing;

·  community protection;

·  fire;

·  health theme – local health priorities;

Councillor Chris Gibson gave an update on proposals for Clifton Village Green, highlighting the following:

(a)  members of the Traveller community trespass on the Village Green each year, causing damage which is costly to remedy;

(b)  a scheme is being worked up which will protect access to the Green, with four options:

·  bollards around the edge of the Green;

·  a protective ditch around the Green;

·  mounds around the Green;

·  a knee-high fence around the Green;

(c)  legal advice is being sought and permission will be needed from the landowners. Public access must be retained.

Abdul Ghaffar and Parbinder Singh, Neighbourhood Development Officers, introduced the Strategic Director for Commercial and Operations’ report seeking approval for schemes recently prioritised and detailing the latest spend under the Area Capital Fund, including highways, traffic and safety and public realm schemes.

Report of Corporate Director of Commercial and Operations

Abdul Ghaffar and Parbinder Singh, Neighbourhood Development Officers, introduced the report of the Corporate Director for Commercial and Operations, detailing the use of delegated authority by the Director of Communities for the financial year 2015/16 and the Ward Members Revenue Budget allocation for 2015/16.

Report of Director, Neighbourhood Services

Abdul Ghaffar and Parbinder Singh, Neighbourhood Development Officers, introduced the report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services updating the Committee on Area Committee priorities which have been reviewed through the recent round of area cluster meetings. Area Chairs are now developing a series of actions for each priority and these will be reported regularly to area committees.

RESOLVED to

(1)  note the update and performance information from Nottingham City Homes;

(2)  note the allocation of funds for 2015/16:

(3)  welcome progress reported in the ward performance updates;

(4)  note the monies available to Bridge, Clifton North and Clifton South:

Bridge  £47,048

Clifton North  £7,518

Clifton South  £39,371

(5)  approve the programme of schemes for Bridge and Clifton North ward as outlined below:

Bridge LTP schemes

Bridge public realm schemes

Clifton North public realm schemes

(6)  note the actions agreed by the Corporate Director of Commercial and Operations in respect of projects and schemes within Area 8: