Agenda and minutes

Christine Willetts – unwell

Councillor Malcolm Wood – unwell

None.

Last meeting held on 13 June 2018 (for confirmation)

The minutes were agreed as a correct record, and signed by the Chair.

Verbal Update

Inspector Gordon Fenwick of Nottinghamshire Police gave an update to the Committee on crime and policing in the West Area, highlighting the following points:

(a)  police in Nottinghamshire have had a busy few months, and have helped with high profile national issues, such as supporting colleagues in Salisbury during the novichok incident, supporting the Presidential visit, and policing around the World Cup;

(b)  in Aspley, there was an 11% increase in all crime, however robbery, burglary, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour have all reduced. Vehicle crime (theft of or from vehicles) has increased across Nottinghamshire, in Aspley this involved a number of unsecured vehicles, and an arrest has recently been made. There has also been an increase in motorbike thefts;

(c)  in Leen Valley, there was a 10% increase in all crime, with a 100% rise in residential burglaries, although an arrest has now been made and the suspect is on remand. Criminal damage, anti-social behaviour and robberies have all decreased;

(d)  in Bilborough, there was a 17% increase in crime overall, including a 125% increase in robberies, and a 49% increase in residential burglaries. An arrest for burglaries in the Woodhouse Park Estate area has been made, which is due to go to trial in January 2019. No further burglaries have taken place in that area since the arrest was made. There has been a reduction in vehicle crime, and a slight increase in anti-social behaviour incidents;

Following questions and comments from the Committee, some additional information was provided:

(e)  it may be appropriate to organise some intervention from the Anti-Social behaviour team for named individuals in the Broxtowe area. Liam Searle will liaise with the Anti-Social Behaviour team on this issue;

(f)  knife crime information can be delivered by CPSOs in schools or youth settings, and the information can be tailored to any age group;

(g)  for main arterial roads with a 30mph speed limit, speed enforcement is usually conducted by the mobile speed van from the Traffic Reduction team;

(h)  domestic violence incidents have increased across all areas. Nottingham, Birmingham and London are taking part in a pilot scheme aimed at tackling domestic violence and reducing rates. All domestic violence incidents are risk assessed, and dealt with according to risk.

RESOLVED to thank Inspector Gordon Fenwick for the update, and note its contents.

Report of the Corporate Director Commercial & Operations

Gail Scholes, Director of Robin Hood Energy, gave a presentation to the Committee on Robin Hood Energy, fuel poverty, and increased energy efficiency, as per the slides circulated with the agenda. Some additional information was provided following questions and comments from the Committee:

(a)  there are links between Robin Hood Energy and the Welfare Right team, and Robin Hood Energy colleagues are also able to signpost customers to debt advice charities. Staff are trained on fuel efficiency and to know which services will be relevant to customers;

(b)  the perceived difficulty of switching puts some people off, but Robin Hood Energy will look into if there are any legal limitations on helping people to sign up by providing tablets for use at events;

(c)  Nottingham residents get a 5% discount on their energy bills, Robin Hood Energy values customers and customer loyalty;

(d)  Nottingham City Homes has a Fuel Poverty Officer, who has been rolling out training to Housing Patch Managers, and will be trained to help citizens switch their energy supplier.

RESOLVED to thank Gail Scholes for the update and to note its contents.

Verbal update

Maria Summers, Senior Community Protection Officer, gave an update to the Committee on Community Protection in the West Area, highlighting the following points:

(a)  in Aspley, priorities include dog fouling, littering, and off road bikes. There have been 16 dog fouling operations, with 29 people challenged for dog waste bags. From 13 littering operations, 38 fixed penalty notices were issued for littering, along with three for fly-tipping. Broxtowe Country Park is a hotspot for off-road bikes, and a Public Space Protection Order is being considered, but there are complex issues surrounding their implementation. High visibility patrols are being deployed in the meantime. There have been lots of community engagement activities. There were nine untaxed vehicles in the area;

(b)  in Bilborough, priorities include dog fouling, littering, and off-road bikes. 69 people have been challenged for dog waste bags, and one fixed penalty notice was issued. 22 fixed penalty notices were issued for littering, and one for fly-tipping. There has been a traveller encampment, and it has been a busy summer in Bilborough. Anti-social behaviour patrols have increased around Harvey Hadden. Bilborough is a hotspot for Trading Standards scams, and CPOs are working hard to increase awareness. A recent tea event had a good turnout, and a new CPO has started;

(c)  in Leen Valley, priorities include vandalism, littering, and off-road bikes. Eight fixed penalty notices have been issued for littering, and three trade waste compliance checks have taken place. Patrols have been taking place to prevent criminal damage to property, and an abandoned vehicle has been recovered. Local community events have been well attended and CPOs have reminded residents about the issues surrounding bins left on streets. Whilst Leen Valley only has one CPO, the ward is managed effectively and there is not enough works for two dedicated CPOs. Cross border work is used when high visibility patrols are required.

RESOLVED to thank Maria Summers for the update, and to note its contents.

Report of the Director of Community Protection

RESOLVED to note the following Community Representatives, appointed for the 2018/19 municipal year:

(1)  Joanne Smyth, Bilborough Carer’s Group (Bilborough);

(2)  Mervin Goring, Nottingham Focus on Wellbeing (Aspley, Bilborough, Leen Valley);

(3)  Nigel Bryce, New Whitemoor Tenants and Residents (Leen Valley);

(4)  Christine Willets, Tartanaires (Aspley, Bilborough);

(5)  Gray Bulmer, Strelley Boxing Club (Bilborough);

(6)  Karen Hunter, Evolve (Aspley, Bilborough, Leen Valley)

Community Representatives to report

A community representative in attendance requested contact details for their local Community Protection Officers, which were provided to him after the meeting. There were no other items from Community Representatives.

Report of the Chief Executive of Nottingham City Homes

Kristian Murden, Area Housing Manager at Nottingham City Homes, presented performance information about Nottingham City Homes, and various schemes for approval. He highlighted the following points:

(a)  staffing levels have been reduced, but good performance has bene maintained, particularly in the Aspley, Bilborough and Leen Valleys areas;

(b)  a “Love Strelley” event will be held, where it is hoped that the opening of Strelley Court independent living apartments can coincide with the opening of Strelley Library;

(c)  the Big Spring Clean event held in June was successful, with just under 40 tonnes of rubbish collected.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  note the performance information contained within the report;

(2)  note the available funds as detailed in the report;

(3)  approve the following schemes;

·  £97,665.00 for boundary improvements on Lindfield Road (with a separate contribution from the private properties);

·  £27,171.00 for new metal railings to the public realm on Wendover Drive;

·  £1,390.00 for the installation of two security gates on Eltham Drive and Ainsdale Crescent;

·  £1,384.00 for the installation of two security gates on Withern Road and Coleby Road;

·  £58,000.00 to create a community garden on housing land with no allocated use on Fircroft Avenue.

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Liam Searle, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the Ward Performance Report for noting. He informed the Committee that Evolve Nottingham have requested ideas for youth engagement and volunteering activities, such as litter picking or weeding, which young people can complete in return for points to spend on excursions or other incentives. Any suggested activities can be sent to Liam.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  email liam.searle@nottinghamcity.gov.uk with any suggested activities or volunteering opportunities for youth in the area to complete for Evolve Nottingham;

(2)  note the performance information as contained within the report.

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Iffat Iqbal, Operations Manager, presented a report on ward Councillor budgets.

RESOLVED to note the following delegated authority spending approvals:

(1)  from the ward budgets for Councillors Graham Chapman, Patience Uloma Ifediora and Carol McCulloch:

·  £233.00 towards the Strelley Village Green Society family fun day;

·  £900.00 for a summer day trip, Hope Centre;

·  £100.00 for youth session music equipment;

·  £3,000.00 for the Melbourne Meltdown event;

(2)  from the ward budgets for Councillors Wendy Smith, Marcia Watson and Malcolm Wood - £543.00 towards the Strelley Village Green Society family fun day;

(3)  from the ward budget for Councillors Marcia Watson and Malcolm Wood - £3,000.00 towards the Bilborough Arts Festival;

(4)  from the ward budget for Councillor Wendy Smith - £3,000.00 towards the launch of the Bilborough Park fun day;

(5)  from the ward budget for Councillor Glyn Jenkins - £350.00 for signage on the Plantation Estate.

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Iffat Iqbal, Operations Manager, presented a report on the Area Capital Fund for approval, including an updated appendix (circulated with the first publication of the minutes). Councillors noted that due to a lack of funds, they were no longer seeking approval for the Ashwell Gardens footpath scheme detailed in the updated appendix.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  approve the following Aspley Public Realm Schemes:

·  £30,000.00 towards works on Lindfield Road Walls;

·  £4,935.00 for fencing works at the children’s centre on Minver Crescent

(2)  approve the following Bilborough LTP Schemes:

·  £60,000.00 for road safety improvements on Wigman Road;

·  £29,951.00 towards parking improvements on Bramhall Road;

(3)  approve the following Bilborough Public Realm Schemes:

·  £19,049.00 towards parking improvements on Bramhall Road;

·  £28,200.00 towards parking improvements on Graylands Road;

(4)  approve the following Leen Valley STP Scheme:

·  £60,861.00 for footpath resurfacing on Trentham Gardens;

(5)  approve the following Leen Valley Public Realm Scheme:

·  £3,300.00 for the installation of a fence on New Castle Farm Drive;

(6)  note the remaining available balances:

·  Aspley - £154,650;

·  Bilborough - £920.00

·  Leen Valley - £3,584