Agenda for Wollaton and Lenton Abbey Area Committee (Area 7) on Monday, 16th May, 2016, 5.00 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Dining Room - The Council House, Old Market Square, Nottingham, NG1 2DT. View directions

Contact: Noel McMenamin, Governance Officer  Tel: 0115 8764304

Items
No. Item

1.

APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR

Minutes:

Councillor Steve Battlemuch and Councillor Georgina Culley were nominated for appointment to the position of Chair. When put to the vote, Councillor Battlemuch received 3 votes and Councillor Culley received 2 votes.

2.

APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIR

Minutes:

Councillor Sally Longford and Councillor Jim Armstrong were nominated for appointment as Vice-Chair. When put to the vote, Councillor Sally Longford received 3 votes and Councillor Armstrong received 2 votes.

3.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

None (Lynn Dilks and Inspector Wilson were present for minutes 6-12 and 9-12 respectively).

4.

DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

Minutes:

None.

5.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 222 KB

Last meeting held on 8 February 2016 (for confirmation)

Minutes:

Subject to amending reference in the attendance list to ‘Wollaton Historical and Conservation Society’ (not ‘Association’), the minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2016 were agreed as a true record and were signed by the Chair.

6.

NOTTINGHAM CITY HOMES - UPDATE AND APPROVALS pdf icon PDF 126 KB

Report of Chief Executive, Nottingham City Homes

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Paul Howard, Tenancy and Estates Manager introduced a report of the Chief Executive, Nottingham City Homes, updating the Committee on the following:

 

(a)  Luke Walters is the new Housing Patch Manager for Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey, and Pete Toye has returned as the Housing Patch Manager for Wollaton West;

 

(b)  NCH won the Equality and Diversity Award at the inside Housing awards 2016 for it’s “Women in Construction” initiative, which aims to redress the gender imbalance in the Property Services arm of the company at both an operational and managerial level. NCH was also commended for its outstanding approach to anti-social behaviour;

 

(c)  the Tenancy and Estate Management team has started conducting Regular Tenancy Visits. These are designed to update the internal databases and allow for more informed profiling and business decisions (strategic) and to support vulnerable residents and signpost them to the relevant support services (operational). Even in its early stages of development, the initiative has seen positive outcomes for residents;

 

(d)  empty property levels are low and sustainability levels very high in Area 7.

 

During discussion, Mr Howard submitted a revised Area Capital Programme funding request for the Committee’s approval.

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)  to note the update from Nottingham City Homes:

 

(2)  to approve the following schemes:

 

Location

Type

Estimate

Details

19 Manton Crescent, Lenton Abbey

 

Gating

£649.50

Security gate to prevent nuisance and flytipping

Woodside Road Parking Scheme - phase 3

 

Parking

£24,889.88

Hardstandings to 38,40,51, 65,94 Woodside Road and related works (joint scheme with NCC)

 

 

7.

ISSUES FROM COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES

Communinty representatives to contact Noel McMenamin, Governance Officer, with items by 12 May 2016

Minutes:

Discussion focused on recent developments at the Radford Bridge Road allotment site, an issue raised by Lynne Dilks on behalf of North Wollaton Residents Association.

 

Ms Dilks advised that the City Council has placed a temporary Stop Order on the development because Commercial Estates Group (CEG) has not met the 25 preconditions placed upon it. Actions include not making alternative allotment provision, cutting trees and hedges, and opening additional entrances to the site, all in breach of these preconditions.

 

At this point, Councillor Sally Longford declared an interest as a member of the City Council’s Planning Committee. She took no part in subsequent discussions or voting, but remained in the room throughout.

 

The remaining Committee members fully supported the action taken by City Council Planning colleagues, and considered the content of the formal communication from the Committee to Planning colleagues.

 

Councillor Georgina Culley proposed the following:

 

‘That this Committee  request that Planning Department takes action against CEG regarding the decimation of the boundary of Reynolds Drive and the site known as Radford Bridge Allotments contravening conditions 9,10 and 25, and that CEG are forced to reinstate the complete boundary as it was until all conditions are met’.

 

Councillors Steve Battlemuch and Sam Webster supported the sentiment of the proposal but did not wish to commit to the specific wording, and when put to the vote the proposal was not carried.

 

Councillor Battlemuch proposed an alternative wording:

 

Wollaton and Lenton Abbey Area Committee fully supports the planning officers of Nottingham City Council in placing a Stop Order on the works on the Radford Bridge Allotment site.

 

The Area Committee urges planning officers to ensure that Commercial Estates Group (CEG) meets all of its 25 conditions before recommencing any work on site.

 

The Area Committee further supports the rights of the allotment gardeners and call for urgent discussions with CEG to reinstate their right to garden on site.

 

Finally, the Area Committee expresses concern at the attempt by CEG to create access to the site via Reynolds Drive, and urge the planning and transport departments to ensure that all Council policies and procedures are adhered to in respect of Reynolds Drive, and that action be taken as soon as possible’.

 

When put to the vote, the proposal was carried unanimously.

 

The Committee also noted North Wollaton Rsidents’ Association concerns about the closure of the Linden doctor’s surgery, and about road safety on Lambourne Drive, which was discussed in more detail at minute 11.

 

RESOLVED to communicate this Committee’s concerns about recent developments at Radford Bridge Allotments, as detailed in the agreed proposal above, to Planning colleagues for their consideration and response.

8.

AREA CAPITAL FUND pdf icon PDF 255 KB

Additional documents:

  • AREA CAPITAL FUND

Minutes:

Lylse-Anne Renwick and Pauline Dorey, Neighbourhood Development Officers, introduced a report of the Corporate Director for Commercial and Operations informing the Committee of funding available to Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey wards, and seeking approval for 2 schemes.

 

The following points were made during discussion:

 

(a)  The Chair explained that in view of the limited funding available, ward councillors get together to consider and prioritise possible Area Capital schemes, compiling a ‘contenders list’. Further schemes will come forward for approval at the Committee’s September 2016 meeting;

 

(b)  Heidi May, Head of Neighbourhood Management, also explained that councillors and colleagues are looking to work in ways that secure best value for Nottingham citizens, including possible cross-Area working through Area Chairs Panel;

 

(c)  Councillor Sally Longford put on record her thanks to the Parks and Open Spaces Team, who had been successful in securing significant external funding, without which refurbishment and enhancements to parks and open spaces in Area 7 would not have been possible;

 

(d)  Ms Renwick advised that CCTV cameras would be used to help monitor parking issues on Arleston Drive, close to Fernwood School.

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)  to note that the total Area Capital Fund available for 2016-17 is:

  Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey  £68,065

  Wollaton West  £53,218

 

(2)  to approve the following schemes:

 

Location

Type

Estimate

Details

Lenton Abbey Park

Park Development

£490

Planting scheme to enhance works already carried out through external/match funding

 

Wollaton West CCTV

Security

£5,480

1 CCTV with licence and 8 relocations to identified sites

 

 

 

 

9.

WARD REPORTS pdf icon PDF 240 KB

Reports of Corporate Director for Commercial and Operations

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Lylse-Anne Renwick and Pauline Dorey, Neighbourhood Development Officers, introduced a report of the Corporate Director for Commercial and Operations, providing updates on ward priorities for 2016/17 and detailing upcoming events in both Area 7 wards.

 

Lylse-Anne Renwick summarised priorities and activity in Wollaton West as follows:

 

(a)  under the ‘Safer Nottingham’ priority, a Community Speed Watch Group is being created, and support to the ‘keep children safe’ as they travel to school is being provided;

 

(b)  under ‘Healthy Nottingham’, a number of physical activities are being organised at a number of venues across the ward, including Wollaton Park. These included Tai Chi and similar activities;

 

(c)  the ‘Take a Seat’ campaign is designed to ensure that there is sufficient seating in public areas, primarily  for the elderly;

 

(d)  in response to a query, Ms Renwick confirmed that there was insufficient funding available to have a parking scheme to avoid parking on the grass verges on Wollaton Vale. However, it’s intended to plant flowers on the verges to dissuade people from parking on them. Bollards will be also be placed near pavements to prevent driving onto the verges.

 

Pauline Dorey summarised priorities and activity in Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey as follows:

 

(e)  under the ‘Safer Nottingham’ priority, work is ongoing to raise awareness and improve partnership working through the White Ribbon campaign, while community protection publicity will be refreshed;

 

(f)  under ‘Neighbourhood Nottingham’, further work to reduce dog fouling in the ward is being carried out, including a ‘We’re Watching You’ campaign targeting known dog-fouling hotspots;

 

(g)  smoking waste prevention and enforcement is to be addressed, particularly around the Queen’s Medical Centre;

 

(h)  upcoming events in the ward include the Lenton Abbey Fun Day on 2 July 2016 and the Farndon Green Fun Day on 29 July 2016;

 

(i)  during discussion, it was explained that close partnership working with universities was having a positive impact on the condition of gardens of homes in multiple occupancy (HMOs). However, direct enforcement action can only be taken when the condition of gardens does not comply with the law. A ward walk was planned for Monday 23 May, and community representatives were encouraged to come along.

 

RESOLVED to note the priorities and current issues for both wards in Area 7.

 

10.

ACTION TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY – WARD ALLOCATIONS pdf icon PDF 185 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED to note without substantive discussion the actions taken under delegated authority as highlighted at appendix 1 to the report.

11.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE POLICE ISSUES

Update from Inspector Wilson, Nottinghamshire Police, to include information on local traffic speed monitoring.

Minutes:

Inspector Wilson of Nottinghamshire Police provided a verbal update on a range of policing, crime, anti-social and traffic issues in Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey and Wollaton West wards as follows:

 

Wollaton West update

 

(a)  total crime levels between April 2015 and April 2016 were similar. Shed burglaries saw a big reduction in this period and, while home burglaries had increased marginally, a prolific and persistent offender in the area had been apprehended and numbers of incidents had dropped;

 

(b)  figures for shop thefts had increased in the period from April 2015 to April 2016, primarily as a result of a spike in thefts from a particular store in the first part of this period. Figures had since stabilised;

 

(c)  incidents of anti-social behaviour have seen a significant 28% reduction in the past 12 months.

 

Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey update

 

(d)  overall crime levels in the ward have reduced by 9% in the period between April 2015 and April 2016. Burglary from dwellings had dropped by around 45%, though this was from a high baseline in 2014/15;

 

(e)  bicycle thefts have reduced significantly following close work with the University, while incidents of anti-social behaviour have also declined.

 

Operational changes

 

(f)  Canning Circus Police station has now closed and Police and Community Protection colleagues are now located at Byron House on Maid Marian Way;

 

(g)  under current Police restructure proposals, the Wollaton West ward will fall under Broxtowe, which is under the remit of Inspector Fenwick;

 

(h)  Inspector Wilson expressed the view that moving away from a City/County divide in policing was a positive development. 

 

Traffic and speeding enforcement

 

Councillor Steve Battlemuch introduced the item by setting out several concerns about speeding in the area and indicated that he had recently met Nottinghamshire Police about this and had written to the Police and Crime Commissioner to raise these concerns.

 

Inspector Wilson stated the following:

 

(i)  speed and safe driving is a major issue for Nottinghamshire Police, with a lot of resources put into speed monitoring. This has helped lead to a significant reduction in road traffic accident casualties in recent years;

 

(j)  the effect of introducing 20 miles per hour (mph) limits in residential areas has been to reduce average speeds from 30-33mph to 24-25mph. While the revised average speed was above the legal limit, the Nottinghamshire Police position was that rigid enforcement of the 20mph limit was not the best use of finite resources;

 

(k)  changes to road structure, signage and markings have a stronger impact on changing driver behaviours;

 

(l)  the Committee highlighted several speeding and parking ‘hot spots’ within Area 7, including parking issues on Arleston Drive, and cut-through issues on Torvill Drive, Woodbank Drive and Grangewood Road, where it was believed an occasional physical Police presence would have a positive impact;

 

(m)  in response, Inspector Wilson advised that the Police focus needs to be on arterial routes and on issues where there is a risk of accidents. He expressed the view that parking around  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS

To consider meeting on the following Mondays at 5pm in 2016/17:

 

19 September 2016;     28 November 2016;     27 February 2017.

Minutes:

RESOLVED to meet on the following Mondays at 5pm at the Council House:

 

2016:  19 September   28 November

2017:  27 February.