Agenda and minutes

Acting Inspector Christine Busuttil (Sergeant Nev McGeehan substituting)

John Hancock

Nicky Jarvis

Dave Norman

Lynita Conradie

Suki Shergil

None.

Last meeting held on 21 May 2014 (for confirmation)

Confirmation

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2014 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.

Matters Arising

With regard to minute 6 paragraph (c) on dog fouling, Celia Knight agreed to provide interested community representatives with information on numbers of fixed penalty fines issued across the City. 

Report of Strategic Director Commercial and Neighbourhood Services

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report which informs the Committee of the revised requirements of and for Area Committee Community Representatives.

RESOLVED to:

(i)  note the report;

(ii)  note the appointment of the following Community Representatives for the 2014/15 municipal year;

Presentation

This item is postponed to a future meeting.

Ciaran Aldridge, Regional Property Director, Aldi Stores and Scott Bryden, DSP Architects, to introduce the proposal

Ciaran Aldridge, Aldi Stores Ltd. and Scott Bryden, DSP Architects, informed the Committee of the proposals to build an Aldi store between where Kersall Road and Southglade Road join Hucknall Road.

The following points were highlighted:

(a)  a gap in provision for this type of store has been identified for the  Bulwell, Bestwood and Basford area. An Aldi store will provide shoppers with an alternative to Tesco;

(b)  as the popularity of Aldi has increased, the proposed store will be larger than many of the other Aldi stores in the City;

(c)  as with all Aldi properties, the store will be energy  'A' rated, may have solar panels, and is within easy walking distance for a large number residents;

(d)  the appearance of the store has been carefully considered, including  the visual impact of the store from the park, with the aim of producing  a 'quality and good value' image;

(e)  the landscaping around the store will be maintained and litter will be collected every day;

(f)  one of the concerns expressed by neighbouring property owners is  around the possible water shed onto gardens from the store and it’s car park. Aldi is working with residents to allay these concerns;

(g)  approximately 40 jobs are to be created by the new store, with above average wages paid and permanent contracts starting at 25 hours per week;

(h)  there have been concerns raised regarding the additional pressure on nearby road junctions when the store attracts additional traffic, but it is not predicted that there will be a substantial increase in local traffic as most trade will be passing anyway; 

The Committee's questions were answered as follows:

(i)  Aldi does not operate zero hour contracts;

(j)  traffic assessments will be completed by the City Council as part of the planning application consideration;

(k)  articulated HGVs will deliver stock to the store twice a day, unloading  into an enclosed  'loading pod' which is level with the floor of the lorry to reduce the noise of cages being moved;

(l)  there is no specific policy to employ local people but it usually happens naturally;

(m)  with a starting point of £9 per hour, Aldi pays well above the minimum and living wages as it wants efficient, loyal, long term staff;

(n)  the store is proposed to operate from 8am until 10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am until 4pm on Sunday;

(o)  with regard to alcohol sales, Aldi has an alcohol sales policy and works closely with the Police;

(p)  the existing businesses on the site will be relocating and, apparently, there are no planned job losses as a result.

The concerns of some community representatives continued regarding the potential interruption of Hucknall Road traffic, especially during busy times when it's very difficult to turn across the oncoming traffic into Kersall Drive. With the new store, traffic could be further disrupted by shoppers coming from the same direction trying to turn into the store.

The Chair requested that citizens with any concerns on traffic access  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

Verbal Update by the Head of Parks and Open Spaces

Eddie Curry, Head of Parks and Open Spaces, updated the Committee on from his last update to the May meeting of the Committee:

(a)  following an arson attack in May the operator’s machinery was written off and buildings damaged. At this time  the operator took the decision to place the Golf Centre into voluntary liquidation;

(b)  a partnership between the Nottingham City Golf Club and the City Council has worked hard to sustain the business and implemented a package of improvements which have also raised standards;

(c)  the partnership has engaged with the contractor who has now agreed to finish the scheme;

(d)  the partnership is now planning the shape and grades of some mounds to ensure easier maintenance and the best use of the site;

(e)  tipping works are in the final phase and will be followed by laying and stone picking of topsoil and repairs to a haulage road before the site can be grass seeded and mounds ‘polished’;

(f)  the partnership between the Golf Club and City Council, which includes a shared financial arrangement, has temporarily agreed to take responsibility for the maintenance of the course with the City Council redirecting some staffing resources and lending the Golf Club a mower;

(g)  the contractor is being directly managed by the partnership which has resulted in better control and a stronger relationship;

(h)  it was important to keep the golf course operational to ensure its long-term future;

(i)  a new operator will be sought and the arrangements may include the partnership aspect;

(j)  new income is required to help maintain the site. A creative approach will be taken and while it has been difficult, there are now more opportunities than previously and the site, including the café, is still open and operating with everyone welcome to use the facilities.

Members of the Committee expressed concern at the ongoing issues regarding the Bulwell Hall stable block (no connection with the golf course) which can now be considered a liability rather than an asset. Bulwell residents felt that responsibility for this Grade 2 listed building, which now stands derelict, has been passed to a variety of Council Departments and requested a 3-4 year development plan be produced for the building to ensure its survival as part of Bulwell Hall Park.

Eddie Curry responded, agreeing with residents, that the remote position of the building had attracted high levels of antisocial behaviour and vandalism, including arson, which were difficult to prevent even when the residential apartment attached to the building was occupied. Operating from the site became difficult and costly to sustain and with the necessary security measures, it was not viable to operate a depot from the building. It was offered for use to voluntary sector groups, however, none found it appropriate.

The building continues to be frequently vandalised although it has been offered to developers there is no market interest. However the future of the building may become more attractive when the former Rolls Royce site is developed. External resources  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

Acting Inspector Christine Busuttil to provide a verbal update.

In the absence of Acting Inspector Christine Busuttil, Sergeant Nev McGeehan delivered a brief update on the Area Policing Priorities which were identified following consideration of reported crime, issues raised through the online consultation system, the Local Action Groups and Tenants And Residents Meetings.

Robberies have reduced by half.

There has been an increase in domestic dwelling burglary. A youth has been detained suspected of some of those burglaries.

The Policing Priority for Bulwell Forest has been to prevent and tackle burglary. Officers have undertaken a street-by-street leaflet drop providing crime prevention advice in the areas which have been most affected. Residents are reminded to close and lock doors and windows as this can make homes an easy target especially during the summer heat.

The Policing Priority for Bulwell is to tackle antisocial behaviour including focusing on off-road bikers especially in the conservation areas. Bikes have been seized and Section 59 notices issued so that if the culprits are found to be riding in the same area again, the vehicle will be seized and the person prosecuted.

A pilot scheme is running where Community Protection Officers (CPOs) and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) are teamed up to respond to antisocial behaviour task to ensure that the police are not diverted from other urgent policing matters. There is a possibility that the pilot may have access to the police helicopter to follow off-road bikers to the home address.

Shoplifting continues to be an ongoing issue in the Town Centre and Police are concentrating on regular offenders who are feeding and alcohol habits. Antisocial behaviour orders issued include one specifically for Bulwell, while one defender was sentenced for 32 weeks in prison for shoplifting. It is hoped that this will act as a deterrent.

Resolved to note the police update and Sergeant Nev Mc Geehan for his attendance.

Report of Strategic Director Commercial and Neighbourhood Services

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report which updated the Committee on the actions agreed by the Director of Neighbourhood Services in respect of projects and schemes with in Bulwell and Bulwell Forest, and the remaining funding available.

It is noted that several schemes which received Councillor support in principal are yet to complete the formal process required.

Resolved to note

(i)  the following actions agreed by the Director of Neighbourhood Services:

 (ii)  the updated financial position:

  Bulwell Ward

  Bulwell Forest Ward

Report of Strategic Director Commercial and Neighbourhood Services

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report.

RESOLVED

(1)  to approve the following schemes:

  (i)  Bulwell

  (ii)  Bulwell Forest

  (iii)  Bulwell Forest Public Realm schemes

(2)  to note the following:

  (i)  Bulwell

  (ii)  Bulwell Forest

Report of Chief Executive, Nottingham City Homes

In the absence of Nicky Jarvis, Luke Walters, Housing Patch Manager, presented the Nottingham City Homes Environmental Report.

Members of the Committee requested that local contractors be considered for the work.

RESOLVED

(1)  to approve the following schemes in Bulwell Forest Ward:

(2)  for Nicky Jarvis to explain to the Committee at a future meeting,  the tender process and the 'preferred' trader list.

Report of Strategic Director Commercial and Neighbourhood Services

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report.

The following points were highlighted:

(a)  the results of poppy planting to commemorating the Centenary the start of World War I, were considered successful with a superb display;

(b)  Bulwell it is to have a week of action which will include approximately 50 activities/events;

(c)  'Fun on the Forest' event will be held on 13 September from noon until 4 pm at Bulwell Forest, offering avariety of children’s activities with local clubs and the Sheriff of Nottingham attending;

(d)  a free dog micro-chipping event is being held by the Dogs Trust, on 19 September 2014 at Southglade Park from 11am to 3pm;

(e)  an 'Older persons event will take place on 1 October 9.30am to 12.30pm at Bulwell Riverside, providing a variety of stalls and interests for people over 50 years of age.

The Chair welcomes the Older Person's Event and informed the Committee that 1 October is the 'National Day for Older People' and in the afternoon Nottingham will mark this date by receiving a scroll and signing up to the Older Person's Charter. Events will be held in Market Square.

RESOLVED to note the report.

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