Agenda for Wollaton and Lenton Abbey Area Committee (Area 7) on Monday, 19th March, 2018, 5.00 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Dining Room - at the Council House

Contact: Catherine Ziane-Pryor  Tel: 0115 8764298

Items
No. Item

39.

MEMBERSHIP

To welcome to the Committee the newly elected Ward Councillor for Wollaton West.

Minutes:

RESOLVED to welcome to the Committee Councillor Cate Woodward as newly elected member for Wollaton West.

 

40.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Councillor Sally Longford – other Council business

Susan Twyford

Pauline Peck

Lylse-Anne Renwick

Nottinghamshire Police Inspector Gordon Fenwick

41.

DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

Minutes:

None.

42.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 220 KB

Of the meeting held on 12 December 2017 (for confirmation)

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2017 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

 

43.

LOCAL POLICING UPDATE

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

Minutes:

Nottinghamshire Police Inspector Robert Wilson apologised the absence of Inspector Gordon Fenwick who was on other Police business, policing a protest, as per the force rota.

 

Knife crime is a rising concern across the country which the Police are taking very seriously.  Youth intervention work by the Police is focusing on deterring young people from carrying knives and those who are found to be in possession of a knife are arrested.

 

The Wollaton West Ward Policing update included:

 

(i)  overall crime rate is low;

(ii)  whilst during the summer there was a  peak in crime compared to last year, the peak appears to have passed;

(iii)  there has been one incident residential burglary in the past month;

(iv)  burglary of homes is reduced by four against the year to date;

(v)  the number of thefts from vehicles has reduced but thefts of vehicles appears to be targeted at mopeds and motorbikes;

(vi)  PC Dave Dennis is the leading officer on the Ward anti-speeding scheme which was delayed due to the recent bad weather. The Committee are assured that work will continue shortly.

 

The Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey Police update against the statistics of the previous year, included:

 

(vii)  a general reduction of crime by 2.5% which equates to 14 fewer offences;

(viii)  violent offences have reduced by 10%;

(ix)  burglary has reduced by 22%;

(x)  theft of motor vehicles has increased;

(xi)  theft from vehicles has increased by 6 offences;

(xii)  PC Phil Snape has been undertaking speed checks in the area and of the 20 cars scanned, 2 were stopped for driving at 22 and 23 mph in a 20 mph limit.

 

Questions from members of the Committee were responded to as follows:

 

(a)  whilst there may appear to be some discrepancy between Nottingham City Homes (NCH) crime statistics, particularly antisocial behaviour (ASB), and statistics supported by the Police, as the system is used by each are not compatible, it is not possible to accurately provide combined figures. It is possible that ASB crime is reported to both NCH and the Police, resulting in a report duplication. The National crime survey indicates that there is a downward trend. For ongoing issues with ASB, the Police and partner organisations recorded instances on the ESIMS national system, including what action is being taken to address the issues, to ensure that all partners can see what is happening where and what is being done to address the issues.

 

Members of the Committee commented:

 

(b)  as crime is rising across the country, even a small reduction is welcomed and in Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey Ward, this may be due to the consistent Police staffing with very few changes and the same Police Inspector, Beat Managers and Community Protection  Officers, all of whom work very well as a team;

 

(c)  wherever crimes are reported to NCH and/or the City Council, it is vital that these are  reported to the Police. It is apparent that this doesn’t always happen but it is acknowledged  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

44.

CASTLE CAVENDISH - AREA BASED GRANTS PROGRAMME UPDATE FOR QUARTER 3 pdf icon PDF 204 KB

Report of the Chief Executive of Castle Cavendish

Minutes:

Dave Brennan, Chief Executive, and Van Henry, Area Partnerships Manager, both from Castle Cavendish which is the ‘Lead Organisation’ for Area 7, presented the report which was accompanied by a summary presentation.

 

The report provides details on the Area Based Grant Programme activity so far this year, identifies the activities provided by delivery partners, the budget for each section of the programme, and attendance/engagement statistics and targets for each area of work.

 

The following points were highlighted:

 

(i)  the anticipated budget for next year’s work in the region of £34,000 which needs to be stretched as far as possible to benefit the community in the area;

 

(ii)  Castle Cavendish welcomes the view of Community Representatives on what are considered to be priority issues in the area;

 

(iii)  not all of the required focus activities have been delivered by Castle Cavendish, for instance there is already comprehensive employment and skills support in place within the area so duplication of this work would not be efficient;

 

(iv)  some of the venues used to host activities are near or over the Ward boundaries but their use is justified due to the level of attendance/engagement of citizens within the area;

 

(v)  with reference to Inspector Wilson’s comments, following a knife crime incident on Wollaton Vale and a general increase in ASB in that neighbourhood, further resources were focused on youth engagement, both in the community and by additional sessions provided by the Pythian Club, to redirect attention and diffuse the situation. It is noted that the particular young people believed to be involved in the unrest had regularly attended local activities, but these had been paused due to the venue requiring several months of building work, and so the momentum of the group’s work had been reduced.

 

The Committee’s questions were responded to as follows:

 

(a)  whilst there are three main sections of work, there is the opportunity for local voluntary and community groups to apply for grant funding for specific activities or work. Further information can be found on the Castle Cavendish website (https://www.castlecavendish.org.uk/what-we-do/community-support/funding/). With regard to the Wollaton Festival, there is potential to engage young people and citizens who may not otherwise be involved and it would be beneficial to encourage  non-physical activities;

 

(b)  isolation and loneliness within the senior community is a rapidly rising local priority which existing groups will be encouraged to assist in addressing. The members of the Pythian (Youth) Club have recognised the need for action and are investigating providing a luncheon club for older citizens.

 

Members of the Committee commented:

 

(c)  the Boxing Club is a welcomed and valued by Councillors and the young people involved;

 

(d)  there is a lot achieved  in the Area for a small amount of funding;

 

(e)  it should be noted that the City Council also operates activities and events City Wide which are complimented by some of the services provided through the Lead Organisation;

 

(f)  some of the Partner Providers have also been successful in independently applying for external  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

45.

COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES

45a

GROUP SPOTLIGHT - WOLLATON VALE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

A brief presentation by Community Representatives on the goals, activity and achievements of their groups.

 

Minutes:

Anthony Swannell, Wollaton Vale Resident’s Association, provided a brief overview of the organisation which included:

 

(i)  the group aims to stimulate public interest in the area of Wollaton Vale and preserve the environment of the Vale, including the trees and verges;

 

(ii)  the group has achieved a speed limit reduction from 40mph to 30mph on part of the road but concerns of speeding are ongoing as is the campaign to reduce heavy traffic through the area;

 

(iii)  ‘inappropriate’ proposals for housing developments have been successfully challenged;

 

(iv)  there is an ongoing problem when residents undertake building work that the builders and delivery vehicles churn up the grass verges but don’t repair the damage once the work is complete. The Resident’s Association is pushing for the repair work to be included as a condition of planning permission;

 

(v)  the group host the Wollaton Vale Facebook page which helps generate interest but like many other groups, it’s difficult to attract new members, and so the group would consider merging with another like-minded group in the area.

 

Chris Bignell has agreed to deliver a short presentation on the North Wollaton Resident’s Association at the next meeting. 

 

RESOLVED to note the overview of Wollaton Vale Resident’s Association and note the thanks of the Committee to Anthony Swannell for his presentation.

45b

GROUP UPDATES

The opportunity to for Community Representatives to raise issues of concern to their groups and provide feedback on events.

 

Minutes:

Friends of Wollaton Park (Rob Kirkwood)

The group is in the process of applying to Greggs Environmental Foundation for funding to improve the bird feeding activity around the Park. A lot of visitors now appreciate that bread is not good for birds, but further education work along the lines of ‘bread is for people not ducks’ is required. It’s proposed that information boards will be sited strategically and emphasise what is suitable bird feed and that it can be purchased from the gift shop.

 

North Wollaton Resident’s Association (Chris Bignell)

There are several points of concern regarding developments in the area, particularly focusing on the progress to re-establish the allotments and the general infrastructure of the area not being able to adequately cope with the additional developments and rise in population, specifically regarding the impact on current capacity for traffic, the additional congestion and parking requirements, the need for more Doctor’s surgeries and school places.

 

Wollaton Historical Society (Alan Hall)

The group is running smoothly but previously the Planning Department would keep the group informed of planning applications in the area, this no longer happens but has been requested.

 

46.

PARKS AND OPEN SPACES

46a

PARKS AND OPEN SPACES AREA INVESTMENT PLANS pdf icon PDF 211 KB

Report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services

Additional documents:

Minutes:

James Dymond, Parks and Open Spaces Development Manager, briefly explained that following the changes to how Section 106 funding can be allocated as part of the planning process, (in that there is only a limited time period within which to specify what the Section 106 funding will be spent on and which is no longer restricted to community space), investment plans for parks and open spaces within each Area of the City have been created to ensure that potential schemes are agreed and can be easily be selected.

 

Section 106 funding is a contribution from developers where 12 or more houses are being built on a site which does not include any community facility.

 

The report identifies potential improvement schemes for parks within the Area as a ‘wish list’. The investment plan is proposed for an initial five year period but will be reviewed every year.

 

It is noted that with regards to Highfields Park, there is still scope for further work beyond that which has already been approved. Since the collapse of Carillion, which was one of the sub-contractors on site engaged by the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) as the lead contractor by NCC, the contractor working for Carillion has agreed to continue working on site. In spite of initial concerns, the delay to the works of 4-6 weeks in the project as a result of Carillion going into administration, has provided a saving for the scheme as it has allowed the silt removed from the lake to dry out which has resulted in reduced removal costs.

 

Members of the Committee welcomed the investment plans and suggested that the following are also included in the investment plan:

 

(i)  the historic gates to Wollaton Park (from Derby Road) need maintenance work;

(ii)  with a longer term view, the desilting of Wollaton lake;

(iii)  improved maintenance of some of the existing footpaths in Wollaton Park which become muddy and unsuitable for wheel chairs.

 

It is noted that as of April 2020, the City Council will no longer be able to finance the maintenance and improvement of the City’s parks and open spaces as it does now. All funding will need to be generated from those parks and open spaces or externally, or the work undertaken by volunteers. 

With reference to this point, community representatives informed the Committee that a petition had been set up to remove parking charges for Wollaton Park. The Committee was assured that the Friends of Wollaton Park had taken issue at this as although modest, by 2020 the income generated by the parking charges may be one of the only regular incomes for the park so must not be removed.

 

RESOLVED to endorse the Investment Plan to guide the future development of the City’s parks and open spaces, with the following schemes included for Area 7:

 

(i)  maintenance of the Wollaton Park gates at Derby Road;

 

(ii)  desilting of Wollaton Park lake;

 

(iii)  improvement of Wollaton Park footpaths.

46b

NOTTINGHAM OPEN SPACES FORUM pdf icon PDF 223 KB

Report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Sarah Manton and Rob Kirkwood, both representing Nottingham Open Spaces Forum (NOSF), jointly presented the report which informs the Committee of the role, purpose and objectives of the Nottingham Open Spaces Forum.

 

Having recently been granted charitable status, the Forum has been established to:

 

(i)  encourage and support ‘Friends of…..’ open spaces groups (particularly in preparation of 2020 as referred to during the previous item) by acting as an umbrella organisation with training opportunities, sharing good practice and ideas for fund raising and events;

 

(ii)  monitor the City Council’s Open Space policies and making representations when necessary as an independent organisation;

 

(iii)  lobby Central Government where appropriate;

 

(iv)  encourage public interest in local spaces;

 

(v)  affiliate to and working with the National Open Spaces Forum.

 

Members of the Committee are encouraged to promote the NOSF to their community groups and within their wards.

 

Councillors welcomed the progress of the organisation and the dedication of current members and indicated that although future funding for park maintenance and improvement may not receive direct budget allocations from the City Council, some funding streams may still be available.

 

RESOLVED to note the report and endorse the work of NOSF.

 

47.

CURRENT PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Verbal Updates from Planning and Allotments Officers

47a

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT OFF RUSSELL DRIVE

Planning Officers to provide a brief verbal update and respond verbally to questions and concerns.

Minutes:

Following queries raised by Community Representatives, Jennifer Cole, Principal Planning Officer, was in attendance to update the Committee on progress of the housing development off Russel Drive which has been named ‘Martin’s Reach’.

 

At previous meetings, local citizens and Councillors had raised concerns with several aspects of the development including the delay in establishing and releasing the allotments, access to and from the site and compliance to planning conditions.

 

With reference to an on-screen map of the site, Jennifer informed the Committee that she and Councillor Battlemuch had met with a representative of the developer, Avant Homes, and were able to report the following:

 

(i)  work on the show homes had stopped as an unrecorded coal seam has been found which requires attention before building can progress;

 

(ii)  planned working capacity will now be directed towards establishing the allotments, which it is anticipated, will be available to allotment holders from May this year (after 3 years off site), but a formal sign-off date has not yet been confirmed;

 

(iii)  there is still a lot of work to do on the allotment management plan, particularly as the original management company is no longer involved;

 

(iv)  there have been problems with flooding on the site which has changed the nature of the site and impacted on the gardens of neighbouring properties;

 

(v)  the previous contractor had erected a metal fence on the site boundary with Russell Drive without consultation of the City Council. This has been highlighted to Avant Homes as a breach of planning permission and requested that the fence is replaced with substantial hedging, similar to that which had been removed;

 

(vi)  although heavy plant will remain on site for some time after the allotments have been released, safe access will be available to allotment holders.

 

(vii)  Of the 89 properties allocated for social housing, Nottingham City Homes has applied to manage 14 properties. A further 22 units (approximately 20% of the total units) will be required to be sold as affordable housing. The calculation to reach this figure has been confirmed by the District Valuer and if challenged is unlikely to be reduced.

 

Councillor Battlemuch assured the Committee that he is keen to ensure that the allotment management plan will be appropriate and robust and protect the future of the allotments. It is proposed that there will be up to 180 allotment plots and allotment holders will need to have a say in the running, security and restrictions of the allotments.

47b

FORMER SIEMENS SITE - LAMBOURNE DRIVE

Planning Officers to provide a brief verbal update and respond verbally to questions and concerns.

 

Minutes:

Although not the leading officer for this development, Jennifer Cole, Principal Planning Officer, informed the Committee that an outline planning application for access to the broader site and erecting a potential 110 properties, was to be submitted to the Planning Committee on 18 April 2018.

 

Access to what had previously been the Siemen’s site, had been via a narrow track called Woodyard Lane, but whilst appropriate for Siemens, parts of the track are not suitable for two way traffic and so may consist of some single track stretches. 

 

There are several on-going issues regarding access to the site which had been listed by the City Council as appropriate for residential properties. However, there is a need of additional housing and it is anticipated that that the new properties will easily sell.

 

The development will include open spaces/ play areas so there is no requirement for the developers to provide separate Section 106 funding.

 

48.

NOTTINGHAM CITY HOMES

48a

NOTTINGHAM CITY HOMES UPDATE AND PERFORMANCE pdf icon PDF 142 KB

Report of Chief Executive of Nottingham City Homes

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Paul Howard, Area Housing Manager for Nottingham City Homes (NCH), presented the report which updates the Committee on NCH activity in the Area, provides performance information, and seeks approval to spend funding.

 

Following the Grenfell fire, fire safety specifications for high rise buildings have been reviewed and the City Council has provided £8m to NCH to install sprinklers and new intercom/personal address systems in its high rise properties. Dates for starting this work are yet to be confirmed.

 

It is noted that NCH has been nominated for ‘Landlord of the Year Award’ at the National Housing Awards. The winner will be announced at a ceremony in May.

 

With reference to the discussion earlier in the meeting on recording of ASB, it is noted that different recording approaches are used by different bodies. Whilst the Police may record each report as an individual incident, NCH will open a case and any further reports relating to the parties involved, will be added to that case until it is resolved. ASB can have a huge impact on people’s lives and is considered a serious issue.

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)  to note the performance information and activity updates in appendices  1 and 2 to the report;

 

(2)  to note the  current financial position of the environmental budgets:

 

Ward

Actual Budget (including carry over from 2015/16)

Remaining Budget

Wollaton West

£12,226.17

£12,226.17

Wollaton East & Lenton Abbey

£45,817.57

£45,817.57

 

(3)  to approve the following works in Lenton Abbey Ward:

 

Address

Request

Cost

Bosley Square,

Enderby Square, Hathern Green,

Additional planting and landscaping to supplement and improve the sites.

£5,974.43

 

48b

NOTTINGHAM CITY HOMES AREA CLUSTER REPORT pdf icon PDF 296 KB

Report of the Chief Executive of Nottingham City Homes

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cathy Stocks, North City Housing Manager, Nottingham City Homes (NCH), presented the report which summarises the findings from the Area Cluster Meeting which was held in September, and the responses to the issues raised by Councillors.

 

The information gathered for and from the Cluster meetings is presented in the report and has informed NCH’s Corporate and Team Plans. References in the report include the importance of repairs being successfully completed at the initial visit, Universal Credit preparations, and partnership working with other social housing organisations.

 

Members of the Committee commented on the mutual value of the cluster meetings for Councillors and NCH. It is suggested that greater emphasis is given to the fact that within the two wards, gas usage has dropped the most significantly within the City since insulation has been applied to NCH properties, and that fuel poverty in Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey had surprisingly been the highest within the City.

 

It is noted that whilst a lot of preparation work was already in place, NCH Officers have been working in Job Centres preparing tenants for the introduction of Universal Credit. The waiting period for initial payments has been reduced and access increased to rent protected credit union accounts.

 

RESOLVED to note the report.

49.

WARD REPORTS pdf icon PDF 486 KB

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Minutes:

Pauline Dorey, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report which detailed the progress made in addressing or supporting the priorities of each ward.

 

The report also provides details of forthcoming events and activities and an update was provided in that the Wollaton Community Forum will now meet on Thursday 19 April and not 12 April.

 

Community Protection Officers Bethany Hull and Jodie Moakes have joined the Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey Community Protection Teams.

 

RESOLVED  to note the progress on ward priorities and other supporting information including the issues being addressed by each Neighbourhood Action Team and upcoming opportunities for citizens to engage.

50.

AREA CAPITAL FUND REPORT pdf icon PDF 197 KB

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Minutes:

Pauline Dorey, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report which informs the Committee of the Area Capital spend to date for 2017/18 for both wards and requests funding for a further scheme in the Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey Ward from the Public Realm Ward Budget.

 

It is noted that there are no further requests from either ward to fund Local Transport Plan or Public Realm Schemes, nor any de-commitments at this time.

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)  to approve the following Public Realm Scheme for Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey Ward:

 

Location

Estimate

Details

Woodside

Road

 

£18,687

 

 

Further contribution to expanded reconstruction of footpath on Hathern Green side of Woodside Road (now standalone scheme). 

 

(2)  to note the following Area Capital funding available to each Ward:

 

(a)  Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey Ward

 

2017 - 2018 LTP allocation

£36,400

LTP carried forward from 2016 - 2017

£0

2017 - 2018 Public Realm allocation

£21,900

Public Realm carried forward from 2016 - 2017

£14,404

Total Available 2017 - 2018 ACF

£72,704

Less LTP schemes

-

£36,400

Less Public Realm schemes

-

£38,208

De-committed funds

+

£1,904

Remaining available balance

£0

LTP element remaining

£0

Public Realm element remaining

£0

 

(b)  Wollaton West Ward

 

2017 - 2018 LTP allocation

£31,900

LTP carried forward from 2016 - 2017

£0

2017 - 2018 Public Realm allocation

£19,100

Public Realm carried forward from 2016 - 2017

£38

Total Available 2017 - 2018 ACF

£51,038

Less LTP schemes

-

£30,597

Less Public Realm schemes

-

£5,789

De-committed funds

+

£1,367

Remaining available balance

£16,019

LTP element remaining

£1,303

Public Realm element remaining

£14,716

 

51.

WARD COUNCILLOR BUDGET pdf icon PDF 211 KB

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Pauline Dorey, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report which informs the Committee of the action taken under delegated authority following requests from Councillors for schemes to be funded from Ward Councillor Budgets.

 

RESOLVED to note that confirmation of details will be provided with the initial publication of the minutes.

 

 

 

52.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

To note that the next meeting is provisionally scheduled for 4 June 2018 (subject to confirmation at Annual Council).

Minutes:

RESOLVED to note that the next meeting is scheduled to take place on 4 June 2018, from 5pm in the Dining Room of the Council House.