Agenda for Bulwell and Bulwell Forest Area Committee on Wednesday, 5th September, 2018, 5.30 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Bulwell Riverside, Main Street Bulwell, Nottingham NG6 8QJ

Contact: Catherine Ziane-Pryor  Email: catherine.pryor@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

18.

MEETING INQUORATE

Minutes:

With apologies submitted in advance from Councillors Barnard, McDonald and Morris, and Councillor Klein being delayed in traffic, initially a quorum could not be achieved but the meeting proceeded informally at 5.39pm until Councillor Klein’s arrival at 5.55pm during the Hate Crime item, minute 19.

 

18a

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Councillor Cheryl Barnard (leave)

Councillor Nick McDonald (work)

Councillor Jackie Morris (leave)

Reg Knowles

Joseph Zulu

Colin Bones

Apologies for predicted lateness were received from Councillor Ginny Klein and Celia Knight.

 

18b

DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

Minutes:

None.

18c

LOCAL POLICING UPDATE

Verbal update of crime statistics and Policing issues in the Area.

 

Minutes:

Nottinghamshire Police Inspector Christine Busuttil was accompanied by Ann Burrows, Community Protection Officer, and provided a verbal update on crime statistics across the Area compared to the same period (1 April to 26 June) last year.

 

The following points were highlighted and it noted that some rises in crime figures were as a result of changes in the way crime is recorded:

 

(a)  Overall, reported crime continues to rise but this is the case for the whole county and other Police Forces across the country;

 

(b)  There has been some positive movement in crime figures in that the year-to-date figures for dwelling burglaries in Bulwell were down by 5 and in Bulwell Forest, down by 26 Incidents;

 

(c)  Police staffing has increased to 8 officers for the North of the City (including Sherwood and Bestwood) and for a short time there will be the full complement of CPOs.  A full time Schools Officer (Andrea Gummer) is also now in place and will work mainly with pupils in secondary and special schools to challenge negative mind sets and help keep troubled young people in school rather than be expelled. In addition she will also work with schools to deter knife crime;

 

(d)  A prolific shoplifter has been caught and jailed;

 

(e)  5 people are on remand for the incident which took place recently on Commercial Road. It is hoped that this swift and robust action of the criminal system will deter further knife crime;

 

(f)  Recent activity to deter dangerous and nuisance motorbike riding in the area has been successful;

 

(g)  The Fire and Rescue Service had advised that prevention work with schools start earlier next year following the high number of grass and deliberate fires during the school summer holidays;

 

(h)  Local Police are keen to engage with special needs groups in the area and minority groups, particularly Polish as the local Polish population is significant. Invitations for the Police to engage with these groups would be welcomed;

 

(i)  The local concerns regarding the inappropriate use, including bonfires, of land on Commercial Road has been resolved with the person involved moving out of the area.

 

Questions from the Committee were responded to as follows:

 

(j)  With regard to a tent pitched in the bushes just before the Highbury Vale tram stop, it is wholly possible that it belongs to a homeless person. Whilst measures in the City Centre seek to address homelessness, it does result in some displacement into outlying areas.  It will be investigated and clarity sought regarding what can be done.

 

AGREED to thank Christine Busuttil and Ann Burrows for their attendance and updates.

 

19.

HATE CRIME

Verbal presentation by Zaimal Azad, Hate Crime Project Officer

Minutes:

Zaimal Azad, Hate Crime Project Officer, Community Cohesion, was in attendance to promote a better understanding of what hate crime is and to raise awareness. 

 

(a)  Zaimal explained that the definition of hate crime is a verbal, physical or psychological attack or abuse focused on, or including focus on, a personal characteristic of an individual or group which that individual or group finds hurtful. Personal characteristics include but are not limited to race, colour, religion, sex, sexuality, age, disability, and size.

 

(b)  There are several misconceptions about hate crime in that it does not necessarily have to involve a ‘crime’ in the conventional understanding, but that it is motivated by prejudice and focuses on any element of an individual’s identity.

 

(c)  As the definition of hate crime is often misunderstood, it is often not acknowledged and rarely reported to the Police, even though it can have a significant impact on a person’s wellbeing and lifestyle.

 

 

(d)  It’s vital that the message is spread and embraced that there is no place for prejudice and hate crime in our communities.

 

(e)  Nottingham has a fairly good community cohesion reputation compared to some other large cities, but it is important to promptly address any emerging issues;

 

(f)  As hate crime has a perception based definition, if the reporter feels that it is a hate crime, the Police will record it as such, investigate and try to determine if there is any motivation by prejudice of identity. It is very difficult to navigate but it’s important that the impact on the victims of hate crime is recognised as it can negatively impact on quality of life and health;

 

(g)  If a person doesn’t feel hurt by an action or abuse then it’s fine for them to walk away. However, when it hurts, that’s when it’s a hate crime;

 

(h)  Hate crime can be reported to the police either over the phone via the non-emergency phone number 101, or 999 if you feel at immediate risk. There is also an online form available at ‘True Vision’ (with the option for anonymity) at http://www.report-it.org.uk/your_police_force, or by visiting your local police station;

 

(i)  Prejudices need to be tackled and challenged and reporting of hate crime encouraged. To help communities properly understand and recognise that prejudices exist, Zaimal would welcome the opportunity to attend community meetings and events and have discussions about hate crime. Particularly during Hate Crime Awareness Week 15-22 October 2018. For further information or to make an invitation, please contact Zaimal Azad by email at:, zaimal.azad@nottinghamcity.gov.uk  or by telephone  on 07526173833;

 

Comments from the Committee included:

 

(j)  Although there were some isolated incidents during the Brexit campaigns, Nottingham as a community has come a long way since the disturbances and riots of the 1980s;

 

(k)  Bulwell is a mixed community, quite accepting of strangers and overall has good community cohesion;

 

(l)  Where prejudice issues have arisen in the past, there have been concerted efforts to engage, educate and address the issues, particularly with young  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

TOY LIBRARY

Steve Parkinson from the Toy Library, to deliver a presentation.

Minutes:

Steve Parkinson of the Toy Library, formerly known as Bulwell Toy Library, delivered a verbal presentation which was accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation.

 

The history and development of the Toy Library was outlined from its establishment in 1978 to its current multi-faceted model which includes:

 

i.  Promotion of the belief that every child benefits from belonging to a family and every family benefits from belonging to a community;

 

ii.  Support for children, families and communities to develop, grow and thrive together through play;

 

iii.  A family mentor service with local peer volunteers which to date has worked with 606 individual children under four years of age, providing 429 families with a family mentor, and provided a total of 16,328 interactions;

 

iv.  Providing activities at various community sites, including the Toy Library , local parks and the recently leased 10 acres of Barkers Wood;

 

v.  Government funded nursery places at the Toy Box Nursery based at Snapewood Primary School.

 

Whilst the local community of the Bulwell area remains the focus of work for the formerly named Bulwell Toy Library, other opportunities such as facilitating family festivals have arisen which enable income to be generated from other neighbourhoods and even Cities, which can be used to support the Toy Library in the local Area;

 

The next step for the Toy Library is to help support children and their families with the transition from primary school to secondary, but also with the transition to teenagers.

 

Whilst thriving and exceptionally successful now, there have been times in the past when the Toy Library was on the verge of folding. Thanks to the generosity of local ward councillors who provided one-off funding to buy time for the organisation to secure external funding, the scheme is now celebrating 40 years of local activity. 

 

The Committee’s questions were responded to as follows:

 

(a)  Volunteers join the Toy Library for a variety of reasons and all contribute differently. If someone is volunteering with a view to gaining work experience to help get work, then this is actively supported;

 

(b)  The Toy Library supports ‘Small Steps Big Changes’ (SSBC) programme which has seen a significant improvement in the language and reading levels of local children starting school. It is only when the children which started the SSBC programme in 2015 start school that the statistical improvement can be formally confirmed.

 

Members of the Committee welcomed the update and expressed how proud they are of the achievements and development of the Toy Library as a local organisation, thanking Steve Parkinson and all the staff who have contributed to its success and beneficial engagement of the local community.

In honour of the 40 year anniversary of the organisation, Neighbourhood Development Officer Celia Knight had baked a cake for Steve to takeaway and share at the Toy Library, and cake to be shared with the Committee at the meeting.

 

RESOLVED to record the Committee’s thanks Steve Parkinson for his attendance and presentation and the Committee’s congratulations for the ongoing success of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 320 KB

Of the meeting held on 27 June 2018 (for confirmation)

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 June 2018 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

22.

NOTTINGHAM CITY HOMES UPDATE AND APPROVALS pdf icon PDF 223 KB

Report of Chief Executive, Nottingham City Homes

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Elira Mano, Area Housing Manager, presented the report of the Chief Executive of Nottingham City Homes (NCH), which updates the Committee with a list of community activity in the area including NCH involvement with community groups, an overall performance report and requests approval for environmental schemes.

 

The following points were highlighted:

 

(a)  NCH has won the highly prized ‘Landlord of the Year ‘Award at the UK Housing Awards, and the National TPAS Award for Excellence in Tenancy Engagement;

 

(b)  On Saturday 15 September NCH will be holding a fun day at Bulwell Academy from noon to 4pm.

 

Councillors queried whether NCH could contribute to the installation of dropped curbs, but this was not possible. However, a pilot scheme is operating in Clifton and Aspley wards whereby tenants and leaseholders can request a dropped curb and the cost is recovered as an attachment to their rent. Further information on the pilot can be provided to a future meeting.

 

RESOLVED

 

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

 

(2)  to note the following financial position (Bulwell total amended from the report):

 

Ward

Actual Budget

Schemes Approved

Schemes Committed

Schemes De Committed

Remaining Budget

Bulwell

£149,727.89

£0

£144,077

£0

£5,650.89

Bulwell Forest 

£87,548.38

£0

£0

£0

£87,548.38

 

(3)  To approve the following environmental schemes:

 

Address

Request

Cost

Springhead Court

Install pigeon netting and pigeon proofing to ledges to prevent the roosting of pigeons.

£4,275

Duchess Gardens

Continuation of the excellent scheme improving customer’s boundaries with railings if and creating secure areas for them to enjoy their outside space.

£79,448

Norwich Gardens

Continued improvements to the front gardens of these properties with fencing and other boundary treatments to improve the street scene of the properties and delivering a consistent look across Norwich Gardens.

£60,354

 

23.

ROBIN HOOD ENERGY pdf icon PDF 141 KB

Report of the Corporate Director Commercial and Operations

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Rob Bain, Finance Director for Robin Hood Energy (RHE), delivered a presentation on the development of Robin Hood Energy as a not-for-profit energy company which was established as a direct result of the City Council Plan objective to tackle fuel poverty, which is a significant issue within the City.

 

The report and presentation provides details on the establishment of RHE and the achievements to date, particularly when compared to other similar energy companies and the statistics by ward across the City of fuel poverty, with Bulwell ranking 12th and Bulwell Forest 19th out of 20 wards.

 

The following points were highlighted and questions responded to:

 

(a)  Having been established for only 4 years, RHE now has over 115,000 customers and has made a surplus of £202,000, which will be reinvested in the company;

 

(b)  Fuel poverty is summarised as having required fuel costs above the average and if those costs are met, it would result in a residual income below the poverty line;

 

(c)  RHE voluntarily introduced a cap on pre-payment meter charges which the energy regulator, Ofgem, then also applied across the industry;

 

(d)  By the nature of the company energy prices are very competitive, citizens of the City are eligible for the lowest price fuel tariffs and it is estimated that City households can save approximately £153 per year by joining RHE;

 

(e)  RHE is consistently priced cheaper than all of the big six energy companies;

 

(f)  It is a misconception that the City Council has had to cut budgets and services as a result of lending start-up funds to RHE. RHE borrows money from Nottingham City Council at a higher rate than the City Council borrows that money, so in effect the City Council is gaining an income whilst providing RHE with an interest rate lower than would otherwise be available;

 

(g)  RHE does offer the installation of smart meters in customer’s properties. Some of the older model smart meters have received poor publicity recently as they revert to manual operation when customers change suppliers. However, this does not apply to the modern meters which RHE is installing.

 

The Chair encouraged all citizens to consider joining Robin Hood Energy to benefit from cheaper energy prices, and requested that community representatives inform their groups and community of the money saving opportunity available to them.

 

RESOLVED to record the Committee’s thanks to Bob Bain for his attendance and presentation.

 

24.

WARD PERFORMANCE pdf icon PDF 833 KB

Report of Director of Community Protection

Minutes:

Neighbourhood Development Officer, Suki Shergill presented the report which outlines current ward priorities and issues within the wards and identifies the lead organisation or City Council Department for addressing those issues.

In addition, an extract of the crime statistics for the Area from April to July 2018 are included at Appendix 3.

 

RESOLVED to note:

 

(1)  the current ward priorities for Bulwell Ward are summarised as follows;

 

(a)  Neighbourhood Nottingham

Crabtree engagement on fly tipping, recycling and littering;

Regenerate Bulwell Town Centre and the surrounding area;

Reduce dog fouling;

 

(b)  Safer Nottingham

Reduce Anti-social behaviour and fly tipping;

Reduce shop thefts;

Stop deliberate fires;

 

(c)  Families Nottingham

Small Steps Big Changes;

 

(d)  Health Nottingham

Promote health lifestyles;

 

(e)  Working Nottingham

Monitoring universal credit rollout impact;

 

(2)  the current ward priorities for Bulwell Forest Ward as follows;

 

(a)  Neighbourhood Nottingham

Increased tenant/resident engagement;

Management of vacant sites/developments;

Development of Parks and Open Spaces;

Reducing dog fouling;

Addressing fly tipping and abandoned bins;

Addressing littering at the entrance to Highbury Hospital;

Addressing Spillage on Bestwood Road from lorries;

 

(b)  Safer Nottingham

Breakdown of St Alban’s Rd/ Carey Road barriers;

Deliberate fires;

Parking around Stanstead School;

 

(c)  Health Nottingham

Promotion of energy advice;

Provision of support to carers;

 

(d)  Working Nottingham

Increase access to and awareness of training and employment opportunities;

 

(3)  the forthcoming community and partner events and engagement  activities listed in the report;

 

(4)  the crime statistics for the Area from April to July 2018.

25.

WARD MEMBERS' BUDGETS pdf icon PDF 219 KB

Report of Director of Community Protection

Minutes:

Neighbourhood Development Officer Suki Shergill 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.

 

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)  the Bulwell Ward budget and allocations since the last meeting:

 

(a)   allocations:

Schemes:

Councillor(s)

£

Crabtree Community Centre tools

Hartshorne and Klein

300

Guides camping Trip

Hartshorne ,Klein & Morris

137

 

 

 

 

 

  (b)  current budget available:

 

Balance Brought Forward 17/18 to 18/19

£2,009

Councillor funding 18/19

£15,000

Total funds 18/19

£17,009

De-committed schemes 18/19

0

Allocated 18/19

£437

Uncommitted Funds after allocated schemes

£16,572

 

(2)  the Bulwell Forest Ward budget and allocations since the last meeting:

 

(a)  allocations:

 

Schemes

Councillor(s)

£

 

Highbury Family Fun  Day

)Campbell-Clark, )McDonald, and Barnard

500

 

Mellish Sports Centre Consultancy

1000

 

(b)  current budget available:

 

Balance Brought Forward 18/19

£297

Councillor funding 17/18

£15,000

Total funds 18/19

£15,297

De-committed schemes 18/19

0

Allocated 18/19

£1,687

Uncommitted Funds after allocated schemes

£13,610

 

26.

ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA

The opportunity for Community Group Representatives to suggest topics for future agenda.

 

Minutes:

Community Representatives are invited to propose future agenda items for the Committee consideration. Any suggestions should be provided to either Celia Knight (Bulwell Forest Ward) celia.knight@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 0115 8833729 or Suki Shergill (Bulwell Ward) Sukhbir.Shergill@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 0115 8833728 at least a month in advance of the Committee meeting.

27.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

The opportunity for Community Groups and City Council Colleagues to inform the Committee of forthcoming events.

 

Minutes:

The Committee was informed of the following forthcoming events:

 

Fun on Bulwell Forest - Saturday 8 September  (free)

Bulwell Forest 12-4pm

 

NCH Family Fun Day - Saturday 15 September (free)

Bulwell Academy from noon to 4pm.

 

Community Cinema – 14 September (free)

6.30pm St John’s Church (Finding your Feet)

 

Information Event Friday 28 September

11am -1pm in the Market

 

Tea Dance - 5 October

2-5pm Bulwell Riverside

 

Bulwell Week of Action 6-10 October

 

Older Persons Day 8 October

 

Bulwell Forest Family Event Friday 12 to Sunday 14 October (free)

Free entry, free bouncy castle, displays, low cost catering and partner stalls.

 

Bulwell Week of Action 26 October -1 November

28.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

To note that the Committee is scheduled to meet on 12 December 2018 at 5.30pm at Bulwell Riverside.

Minutes:

RESOLVED to note that the next meeting is scheduled for 12 December 2018, at 5.30pm in Bulwell Riverside.