Agenda and minutes

Councillor Sally Longford – other council business

Inspector Gordon Fenwick

Although not formally declaring an interest, Councillor Steve Battlemuch informed the committee that he was also the Chair of Robin Hood Energy and whilst the agenda item is only for information and no decision is required, he will relinquish the Chair to the Vice-Chair Councillor Cate Woodward for the duration of this item.

Of the meeting held on 4 June 2018 (for confirmation)

Confirmation - subject to amending minute 11a paragraph b (Group Spotlight, North Wollaton Residents Association) to read ‘that whilst the group initially had 60 members, committee members have since dwindled to a few dedicated volunteers’ the minutes of the meeting held on 4 June 2018 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

Matters Arising - further to the matters arising highlighted at the previous meeting, Alan Hall of the Wollaton Historical and Conservation Society requested an update on his proposal that a ‘buildings of local interest list’ is established. The Chair apologised for not responding sooner.

RESOLVED for the Chair to contact the Planning Department and request the criteria for, and implications of establishing a local interest list, and report the findings to the next committee meeting.

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

Inspector Rob Wilson provided a verbal update and highlighted the following points:

(a)  Both Wollaton West and Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey wards are the top two safest in the city;

(b)  the Chief Constable has announced that there are now 2000 police and warranted officers in the county. This position is welcomed, particularly following recent cuts to policing budgets. Recruitment continues but citizens should be assured that there is an increase in patrolling police officers and investigating officers;

(c)  in Wollaton West Ward, compared to the same period of 1 April to 17 September last year, two more burglaries have occurred this year bringing the total to 23;

(d)  there had been a small number of burglaries committed earlier in the year whereby the beading was removed from UPVC doors to enable door panels to be removed to gain entry. These offences are still under investigation but citizens are urged to ensure that their windows and doors are of good quality and appropriately secured, including locking doors whilst at home to prevent providing easy access for criminals;

(e)  an arrest has taken place of an individual who had been knocking on doors, particularly targeting the elderly and vulnerable, claiming that his car had broken down and that he needed bus fare to get home. This was wholly untrue and he has been charged with distraction thefts and fraud offences;

(f)  Wollaton West PCSOs have been focusing on tackling antisocial behaviour in the Calderdale area, the situation is now much improved;

(g)  it’s not been possible to undertake speed checks within the area during the summer but the Police continue to focus on poor and dangerous driving and un-road worthy/dangerous vehicles;

(h)  in Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey wards, PCSO Helen Russell Taylorhas now returned to work in the ward full time following time off and restricted duties due to a damaged knee;

(i)  Police are preparing for the return of students and will be engaging on and off-campus to help prevent student focused crime and student related ASB;

(j)  crime statistics for the area are provided within the ‘Ward Report’ item on the agenda. Whilst there is still room for improvement in tackling crime, Police are working hard to ensure the criminal behaviour is appropriately brought to justice. This includes ensuring that young people understand the massive effects that crime can have on victims as a result of their activity;

(k)  from the statistics provided there appears to be an increase in violence but once the detail is investigated, these figures include physical verbal and online abuse.

Inspector Rob Wilson informed the committee that this would be his last committee meeting as he will soon be retiring. Inspector Riz Khan is an excellent officer and will be taking over the area. Contact details for inspector Riz will be shared with councillors and NDOs.

The Chair commented that the committee had always welcomed inspector Rob Wilson’s contribution, his regular attendance and attention to detail, including reading the agenda before  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

Report of Corporate Director Commercial & Operations

For the duration of this item Councillor Steve Battlemuch passed the Chairing of the meeting to Vice-Chair Councillor Cate Woodward to enable him, as Chair of Robin Hood Energy, to participate in the presentation.

Rob Bain, Finance Director for Robin Hood Energy (RHE), delivered a presentation on the development of RHE 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 Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey ward ranking 9^th and Wollaton West ward ranking 20^th for fuel poverty out of 20 wards in the City.

The following points were highlighted and questions responded to:

(a)  Having been established for only 3 years, RHE now has over 115,000 customers (23,000 are in Nottingham City) and has made a surplus of £202,000, which will be reinvested in the company, including voluntarily signing up to the ‘warm home discount’ scheme ahead of the required timescale;

(b)  RHE is also operating as a white label company, which is where a service is produced by one company that other companies rebrand. As listed in the report, RHE currently delivers energy services to nine white label partners which are then able to deliver cheaper energy to their citizens, whilst making a small profit;

(c)  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;

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

(e)  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 an average of £87 per year by joining RHE;

(f)  RHE is consistently priced cheaper than all of the big six energy companies. Whilst some energy companies offer an initial low-priced transfer incentive to energy customers, this is often provided at a loss and prices rise significantly once the transfer period is finished. RHE is requesting that Ofgem regulate this practice, as it is misleading to customers, and where some companies operating this practice have then collapsed, it has resulted in additional costs to the energy industry and customers;

(g)  RHE has a focus on the environment and can now announce that it has a wholly green offering for fixed tariffs, with energy provided from wind or solar generation;

(h)  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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

Parbinder Singh, Neighbourhood Development Officer for Wollaton West Ward, presented the report which informs the Committee of the accepted nominations of Community Representatives by their community groups.

It is noted that some nomination forms are yet to be received and so some previous community representatives are not included in the list at this time.

RESOLVED to note the following appointments of Community Representatives for the 2018/19 municipal year and welcome new representatives Jacob Collier and Reverend Stuart Bell to the meeting:

Organisation   Name

Lenton Abbey Residents Association (LARA)   -  Adam McGregor

Wollaton Park Residents Association   -  Sylvia Taylor

North Wollaton Residents Association   -  Dr Chris Bignall

Friends of Wollaton Park   -  Rob Kirkwood

Wollaton Historical and Conservation Society   -  Alan Hall

Wollaton Park Community Association   -  Pauline Peck

University of Nottingham Students Union   -  Jacob Collier

Wollaton Churches Together   -  Rev. Stuart Bell

Adam McGregor, Treasurer and former Chair of Lenton Abbey Resident’s Association (LARA) and community representative appointed to the Committee, delivered a brief verbal presentation on the group.

Lenton Abbey Resident’s Association is a small group which represents the residents of Lenton Abbey Estate, operating from the Shelia Roper Community Centre which, with the support of Nottingham City Homes, recently underwent a much needed refurbishment. As a result the Centre is now an attractive and even higher valued community focus. In addition to coffee mornings, Zumba classes, family and arts and crafts session, LARA holds events such as the Christmas Fair, Spring Fair and Summer Fair, for the community and to raise funds for the group. Whilst there is the common problem of attracting committee members, a small core of dedicated volunteers ensure that community events and activities are held and community engagement is good with positive feedback.

Jacob Collier, elected representative of University of Nottingham Student’s Union, informed the Committee that the new academic term starts on 24 September 2018 and assured members that the Student’s Union will be spreading the message that students have got to respect residents and communities, from keeping noise down to ensuring that the different bin system is understood and used appropriately. 

Sylvia Taylor, representing Wollaton Park Resident’s Association, informed the meeting that the group’s committee had been restructured and that there is a concerted effort to introduce a diversity of members;

Susan Twyford, representing the Wollaton Festival, informed the committee that the group would start working in October for next year’s events.

In regard to a topic which is of interest to several local groups, the Chair informed the Committee that there is now a two stage project proposed for the repair and preservation of the walls of the Wollaton Hall Walled Garden. Stage 1 is to repair the walls and outer area so that the space is safe to be used again. The cost of this stage is estimated at £20,000 and whilst the City Council can provide £15,000 from Section 106 funding, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

Report of the Chief Executive of Nottingham City Homes

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.

A revised Appendix 3 was circulated at the meeting.

The following points were highlighted and responses given to the Committee’s questions:

(a)  A total of 1,547 responses were received to the ‘Star’ tenant survey with performance ratings high across all areas of NCH operation, and ratings for ‘tenant satisfaction and involvement’ showing the greatest improvement. Involvement opportunities include street/block champions, tenant academy, mediation service, and garden mentors. Survey responses showed an increase tenant satisfaction and involvement opportunities. In previous years, many of the issues raised in the survey had related to parking but there now appears to be a greater issue of rubbish. Overall the residents stated that there were ‘no problems’;

(b)  Appendix 1 to the report provides information on how tenants and leaseholders can become involved in community activity facilitated by NCH;

(c)  In preparation of the forthcoming ward boundary changes, NCH has started to re-organise and as of 24 September 2018, Sharon Walters and Maureen Birkin will be the Housing Patch Managers covering the area. Contact details for each will be provided to elected members and NDOs;

(d)  NCH has insulated a lot of its properties across the area as the solid wall construction of many properties has compounded fuel poverty in the area.

In regard to the property in Wollaton Park which was proposed to be used by Social Services as a supported home for 2-3 children/young vulnerable people, it had not been specifically purchased for this purpose and now that the proposal has been withdrawn, the property will revert to normal letting stock.  It is noted that it was not appropriate to issue a public consultation on the proposal due to safeguarding children concerns.

RESOLVED

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

(2)  to note the allocation of funds and that no funding has been de-committed:

(3)  to approve the following Area Capital Programme funding as set out in the revised appendix 3 to the report:

Report of Director of Community Protection

Lylse-Anne Renwick, Neighbourhood Development Officer, introduced the report on Area Capital Funding providing councillors with the latest spend proposals under the Area Capital Fund including highways and footways.

It is noted that neither ward requested any funding de-commitments and that no Local Transport Plan schemes are proposed for Wollaton West at this time.

RESOLVED

(1)  note the monies available to Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey and Wollaton West wards as outlined below:

Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey Ward

Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey LTP

Wollaton West Public Realm Schemes

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Parbinder Singh and Lylse-Anne Renwick, Neighbourhood Development Officers, presented the Ward reports which update the Committee on the current priorities and issues within the ward and how it is intended that they are addressed. Also included is a list of community activities and engagement opportunities and a summary of the

performance statistics within each ward since the beginning of the financial year and compares the year-to-date information from last year.

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 and Ward Performance Data.

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Parbinder Singh and Lylse-Anne Renwick, Neighbourhood Development Officers, presented the Ward Council Budget report advising the Area Committee of the current Ward Councillor Budgets.

It is noted that funding for further schemes may have been approved in principal but that the formal process is yet to be completed.

RESOLVED

(1)  to note that no new allocations have been made by Councillors for Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey and that the remaining funds are as follows:

(2)  to note the following allocations by Wollaton West Councillors and the remaining funds:

To note that the next meeting is scheduled for …..

RESOLVED to note that the next meeting is scheduled for 5pm on 10 December 2018 in the Council House.