Agenda and minutes

Councillor Unczur

Councillor Watson

Councillor Wood

Gill Bainbridge

John Day

If you need advice on declaring an interest, please contact the Constitutional Services Officer above, if possible before the day of the meeting

None.

Last meeting held on 14 May 2014 (for confirmation)

Subject to inclusion of local representatives’ names in the attendance list, the Committee confirmed the minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2014 as a correct record and they were signed by the Chair.

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services detailing the Terms of Reference for the role of Area Committee Community Representatives and listing nominated local organisation representatives to be formally appointed to the Committee.

 

RESOLVED to appoint the following as Community Representatives of West Area Committee for the remainder of the 2014/15 municipal year:

 

Aspley ward

Jenni Smith  -  Aspley Bells Lane Partnership

Gill Bainbridge   -  Bells Lane/Aspley Tenant and Residents Association

 

Bilborough ward

Bryan Mann   -  Beechdale Community Centre

Adrian Smith  -  Birchover Community Centre

Jessica Smith  -  Denewood & District Tenant and Residents Association

 

Leen Valley ward

Vic Plant  -  Neighbourhood Watch Council

Christine Willetts  -  Nottingham Tartanaires Marching Band

 

Nottingham City Homes

John Day

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services, detailing the latest spend proposals under the Area Capital Fund 2013-15 and Nottingham City Homes (NCH) Environmental Improvements funding.

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)  to note the available Area Capital Fund 2013-15 and NCH Environmental Improvements monies for Aspley, Bilborough and Leen Valley wards, as detailed in the report;

 

(2)  to approve the following committed and decommitted schemes for Bilborough and Leen Valley wards:

 

Committed schemes

 

Bilborough ward

Wigman Road  Zebra crossing  £43,108

 

Leen Valley ward

Trentham Drive  VAS  £3,500

Southwold Drive  Feasibility study  £2,000

 

Decommitted scheme

 

Bilborough ward

Melford Road  Footpaths  £4,134

RESOLVED to note the actions taken by the Director of Neighbourhood Services, under delegated authority, in respect of ward councillor budgets, as detailed in the report.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services, detailing performance in the 3 wards during the period June to September 2014 against key performance indicators.

 

RESOLVED to note the report.

Presentation by Carmel Bradley, EIP Manager, Brocklewood Primary School

The Committee received a presentation by Shamila Chady, Artist in Residence, FAB Project, and Carmel Bradley, Bilborough Education Improvement Partnership Manager, informing it of the Family Arts in Bilborough project (FAB). It was stated that a video about the project can be viewed at http://vimeo.com/104922561.

 

§  this is a 2 year project, funded jointly by the Arts Council, partnership schools and local ward councillors, with a total available funding for the 2 years of £50,000;

 

§  year 1 of the project has been very successful. One of the greatest achievements has been to attract a creative artist-in-residence (Shamila Chady) who has lots of artistic expertise, and has built positive relationships with a range of people. She has worked proactively with age-groups from five-year-olds to adults, including groups of autistic and special needs children in the partnership schools (Brocklewood, Melbury and Portland Primary and Djanogly Strelley, Samworth and Firbeck Academy);

 

§  feedback has confirmed that the artist’s friendliness helped break down different types of barriers and many families, who wouldn’t normally get involved in school activities, became involved because it wasn’t perceived as threatening, and relations between the schools and parents have improved as a result. Participants also valued the creative time spent together as a family and with others;

 

§  one of the aims of the project was to make participants more aware of the opportunities available at Lakeside Arts Centre as, in previous years, it has struggled to attract local families to participate in events, such as the International Children’s Festival. This year there was an offer to cover taxi fares for families who wanted to attend so that they could come and go at a time which suited them. Only one family took up this offer yet this year saw the best turn-out ever at the Festival (including 14 Bilborough families that took part in artist’s workshops, mixing with people from different backgrounds);

 

§  in addition to the Children’s Festival, there were successful family visits to Lakeside Arts Centre, St Mary’s Church (Tess Jaray exhibition) and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Only about 10% of the families involved had been to these venues before, confirming that the project is reaching the target group, raising awareness of art and, hopefully, inspiring families to visit art venues in the future;

 

§  Shamilasupported 80 children and young people across the partnership schools to prepare for their ‘Arts Awards’ (see description below), using creative opportunities to do this. For example, a small group of secondary students preparing for their Bronze Award planned and delivered an outdoor workshop (using natural materials) to young children and their families as part of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park visit:

 

‘Arts Awards - supporting young people, who want to deepen their engagement with the arts and build creative and leadership skills, to achieve a national qualification.

 

Through Arts Awards at five levels, young people aged up to 25 can explore art forms, including performing arts, visual arts, literature, media and multimedia. The Awards build confidence, help young people to enjoy cultural activities and prepares them for further education or employment.

 

Arts Awards is managed by Trinity College London, in association with Arts Council England. Since its launch in 2005, the Award has grown quickly and is now flourishing in arts centres, colleges/schools, community projects, libraries, galleries, local authorities, theatres, youth clubs and youth justice settings.’

 

§  Shamilaliaised with the local library and a community organisation to revitalise a small outdoor area earmarked as a community garden. Participants at the Children’s Festival worked with the artist to produce a set of clay tiles, based on a garden theme. These were then glazed and fired by local families working with her and together they designed and installed a wall mosaic which the community group were delighted with. Feedback from families involved in the project has indicated that they are very proud of their art pieces and see them as valuable community assets;

 

§  one of the lessons learnt was that the amount of time required by Shamila, both for planning and for ‘finishing off’ of the art pieces e.g. grouting, glazing etc, was underestimated. This will be redressed next year by using more of the budget towards artists’ fees so that this element of the project is adequately resourced;

 

§  at some of the schools, the timescale for getting families involved was a little slower than anticipated and next year it is intended to get this element of the project off the ground earlier through careful planning and liaison with key staff. The only disappointment this year was the low turn-out of families to the end-of-year project exhibition at the local library. This may have been due to the timing of the event (after school in the last few days of term) combined with extremely hot weather. This will be explored more with families next year but, as a result, it is proposed to hold next year’s final exhibition during the school day (in a local school with air-conditioning) and provide transport to assist families to attend;

 

§  outputs are as follows:

 

Indicator	2 year target	To date (1 year)
number of participants	944	1,087 *
number of participatory sessions	300	213
period of employment for artists (days)	175	92.5
number of new products / commissions	5	10

 

* of which were Bilborough families: 117

 

RESOLVED that the thanks of the Committee to Ms Chady and Ms Bradley, for their informative presentation, be recorded.

Chris Holloway, Tenancy and Estates Manager, to report

Chris Holloway, Nottingham City Homes (NCH), updated the Committee as follows:

 

1.  Decent Homes

 

2014-15 is the final year of the Nottingham Decent Homes programme. Constructor partners Keepmoat and Bullock continue to improve kitchens and bathrooms where required. Single glazed windows are replaced and heating systems upgraded as and when NCH can gain access to properties.

 

A letter was sent in July 2014 to customers who have previously refused the improvement work or not allowed access to their property. The letter asked them to contact NCH so improvement work can be planned-in by end March 2015. After March 2015, a ‘Maintaining Decency’ programme will continue to ensure properties meet the Nottingham Decent Homes Plus Standard.

 

2.  Door replacement programme

 

All wooden doors will be replaced during the financial year between now and 2018, subject to access to properties.

 

3.  Slate roof replacement

 

Slate roofs across the City are being replaced and there are 149 in Aspley, 76 in Leen Valley but none in Bilborough. Tenants have been invited to an information event and will be contacted prior to work commencing.

 

4.  Houses in Multiple Occupation

 

Refurbishment of houses in multiple occupation, including a Nottingham Decent Homes programme of kitchen and bathroom replacement, new windows and doors and decorating of communal areas.  NCH are working with the Allocations Team to help tenants find alternative accommodation during the extensive refurbishment.

 

5.  Equalities Act work

 

The Equalities Act 2010 works covers the following schemes being undertaken at 60 Independent Living Schemes throughout the City:

 

• Kitchen refits to allow for a range of access and use requirements;
• WC refits to allow for a range of use access requirements;
• External access ramps;
• Laundry adaptations to taps and machinery heights;
• High contrast signage throughout independent living schemes;
• Communal doors, access and thresholds;
• Car parking surfaces and marking.

 

In West Area, the above works have commenced, and are on track, at Stanwick Close, Beechdale, Kibworth Close, Heathfield and Bramley Green, Broxtowe.

 

6.  Denton Green, Broxtowe

 

New build of 4 x one-bedroom bungalows due to commence in September 2014 (and complete 6 months later), work being undertaken by Robert Woodhead & BEST (Broxtowe Education, Skills & Training).

 

7.  Lindfield Road, Broxtowe

 

Work ongoing to complete a scheme, for the creation of brick walls with low level railing on top, in Aspley at 53 properties between 252 - 177 Lindfield Road. Also installing a single and/or double gate where necessary.

 

8.  Tenant and Leaseholder Congress (TLC)

 

The newly re-formed TLC held its first meeting on 29 January 2014. Membership consists of Chairs from each of the customer panels and NCH representatives from within the Area Committee areas, ensuring good local representation, to higher level involvement within the decision-making processes at NCH.

 

TLC have so far discussed and/or influenced such matters as rent setting and the Responsible Tenant Reward Scheme, a new repairs agreement, the proposed Service Review Programme 2014-15 and the Tenants Conference in September 2014.

 

The TLC and the NCH Board meet on a quarterly basis and are developing new ways to work effectively together. Shared objectives include jointly supporting the delivery of the Tenant and Leaseholder Involvement Strategy and the Corporate Plan. This has been proposed to link tenant involvement and the Board and to ensure tenants’ and leaseholders’ interests are at the heart of the organisation and to ensure transparency and accountability of decision making on behalf of tenants and leaseholders through sharing information and collaborative working.

 

9.  Tenant and Resident Association updates

 

Broxtowe Community Club was formed in July 2014. Group members have attended training through the Tenants Academy and put those skills to use at the local ‘Tour de Broxtowe’, where they offered face painting to local residents. They are in the process of applying for funding via a Community First grant.

 

BelsATRA have run their summer club, including taking young people away for a residential visit in North Yorkshire, and the summer club continues to be run for people in the area.

 

DADTRA have run several activities this year, including a hanging basket sale, hosting a meeting with the Leader of the City Council and organising a bus trip to Great Yarmouth and have started monthly housing surgeries from the DADTRA community house.

 

New Whitemoor TRA has applied for a special ‘On Fire’ grant for an older person’s day, with the aim of putting on an activity at Naburn Court Independent Living Scheme for 35 tenants and residents.

 

SMART and STARA are working with the Tenant and Community Involvement Manager to develop 12-month action plans with the aim of increasing membership and delivering some area based projects.

 

A new group is in the process of being formed in the Beechdale area. The group are hoping to hold their AGM in October 2014 and elect their committee.

 

10.  Responsible Tenant Reward Scheme

 

Staff from the Aspley Housing Office have ensured that the new ‘Responsible Tenant Reward’ scheme has been embedded and used robustly in the West Area. There have been 5 removals of the responsible tenant reward since it was introduced in May 2014 (3 for drugs, 1 for Anti Social Behaviour and 1 for an untidy garden).

 

11.  4 Star Estates

 

The new programme of assessing our estates began in April 2014. The Broxtowe Estate was one of the first to be assessed by our Tenant Inspectors and received the maximum 4 stars. The star ratings are now based on partnership working and tenant engagement, alongside the visual appearance of neighbourhoods. Aspley and Broxtowe have traditionally performed well in terms of close partnership working and it is pleasing to see this work recognised.

 

12.  Social return on investment

 

A recent analysis on work undertaken in the Aspley ward with young people looking for work has proven to be a success, with many of the young people finding full time work or training. It has been calculated that for every £1 invested by NCH, £20.57 was generated in ‘social value’ which, in this case, was represented by residents perceptions of the area in which they live, opportunities for employment and their perception that the council and NCH act on the priorities they set. NCH are happy to continue this work and methodology for 2015 with Councillor McCulloch and her ‘Communities Taking Control’ scheme.

 

13.  Cranwell Road

 

Decommissioning

 

• out of 84 flats being decommissioned, only one is still occupied and this leaseholder should be agreeing by October 2014 to sell;

 

• in response to vandalism and Health and Safety issues, rear access to vacant blocks is being secured by NCH repairs teams.  Litter and fly-tipping continues to be an issue and NCH caretaking staff and council Neighbourhood Services are doing their best to keep on top of this.

 

Demolition

 

• of the 11 blocks and set of five garages, one block remains occupied and three are affected by bat licences. This leaves 7 blocks and garages that NCH could start demolishing from October 2014, with others to follow in December 2014;

 

• There are cost advantages in commencing the demolition, with all the buildings being ready due to service connections and contract arrangements, so a compromise maybe required to avoid a period of discontinuity.

 

Construction

 

• In February 2014, Planning Committee approved 11 bungalows and 17 houses and, in October 2014, a further 8 family houses and a 12 x one-bed apartment block is recommended for approval. The on-site start date is expected to be January 2015, with completion expected in July 2016.

 

RESOLVED that the thanks of the Committee to Mr Holloway, for the informative presentation, be recorded.

Presentations by

 

Katy Follows, Implementation Officer, Community Action (Nottm City Council)

Ian Bentley, Strategy and Commissioning Manager, CDP

Apollos Clifton-Brown, Framework Housing Association

Yvette Khouri-Bent and Anthea Tainton, Equation (Domestic Violence)

Val Lunn, Women’s Aid

The Committee received a joint presentation by Ian Bentley, Crime and Drugs Partnership, and Apollos Clifton-Brown, Framework Housing Association, regarding drug and alcohol use / services within West Area. The main points were as follows:

 

• in West Area, GPs (based at 11 ‘health’ venues) and pharmacies (at 8 locations), offering drug and alcohol treatment services, are as follows:

 

o  the Forest Practice, Bilborough, Beechdale and Lime Tree Surgeries, the Strelley Health Centre and Boulevard, Melbourne Park, Bilborough, Grange Farm, RHR and Aspley Medical Centres;

 

o  Lloyds, Coop, Boots, Vantage and Omega;

 

• according to the 2012-13 ‘Crime Survey for England and Wales’, the proportion of people who had used cannabis during the previous 12 months year has steadily reduced since a peak in 2003 (down from approximately 11% to 6%);

 

• however, according to the same survey, use of ‘legal highs’ or NPS (New Psychoactive Substance) has increased in the last year, as has alcohol-related hospital admissions increase. This shows a shift away from opiates and towards NPS and alcohol.

 

• currently, one of the most popular psychoactive plants, which can induce ‘visions’ and other hallucinatory experiences (with approximately 1.1% of people stating in the survey that they had used it) is Salvia divinorum, also known as Diviner's Sage, Ska María Pastora or Seer's Sage, but usually just by its genus name, Salvia or, as it is native to Mexico and part of the mint plant genus, Mexico Magic Mint;

 

• another popular ‘high’ (with approximately 6.1% of people stating in the survey that they had used it – making it the 2^nd most popular NPS) is nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas or hippy crack, which is inhaled and makes users feel euphoric and relaxed, although experts warn it can cause death on the first use due to suffocation.

 

RESOLVED that the thanks of the Committee to Mr Bentley and Mr Clifton-Brown, for the informative presentation, be recorded.

Presentation by Lynne McNiven, Public Health Consultant

The Committee received a presentation by Lynne McNiven, Public Health Consultant, regarding health provision in West Area. The main points were as follows:

 

§  During the period April – June 2014, the following numbers of West Area residents accessed:

 

Service Name
Public Health Nutrition Team	47;
Slimming World	109, of which 34 had a greater/equal to 5% weight loss;
Motivate Men’s Health	6;
Active for Life	77;
Be Fit	143;
New Leaf Stop Smoking Service	151, of which 49 had quit for 4 weeks;
NHS Health Checks	43;
Healthy Change Referral Hub	163;
School Nursing Service	874;
Avoidable Injuries Project: IMPS	6 visits (3 schools and 3 hospitals), with 80 pupils targeted;
Dental Health Promotion	•  9 schools supplied with Teeth Tools for Schools (TT4S) resources; •  3,749 students contacted; •  2 schools actively using TT4S; •  3 special schools actively using TT4S; •  252 students actively engaged;

 

§  Also, during 2013/14 there were 38,695 attendances by Nottingham City residents at sexual health services. Of these attendees, 2,614 were residents of Aspley, and 1,743 of Aspley resident attendances were at Victoria Health Centre;

 

§  Sexual health clinic access in West Area by Nottingham City residents during 2013/14 was 298 at Bilborough College and 140 at Strelley Health Centre;

 

§  C-Card registration and pick up is provided at approximately 15 sites across the West Area.

 

RESOLVED that the thanks of the Committee to Ms McNiven, for the informative presentation, be recorded.