Agenda and minutes

Councillor Rosemary Healy – unwell

Councillor Sue Johnson - unwell

Councillor Chris Tansley – personal

Greg Feltham

Peter Henson

Deborah Main

Caroline Pickering-Smith

Michelle Graley

None

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 13 September 2016.

The minutes of the meeting were agreed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

Donna Busuttil, Nottinghamshire Police

Inspector Donna Busuttil gave an update from Nottinghamshire Police on current issues relevant to the Dales, St Anns and Mapperley wards.  She highlighted the following information:

(a)  There will be an increased Police presence in the period up until Christmas but this may not always be visible because some officers will not be in uniform.

(b)  There had been some changes in officers within the Dales, St Anns and Mapperley wards, for example changes to the teams in St Anns during the redevelopment period; and moving around of beat managers so that they were not easily recognisable by potential criminals.  Resources are deployed based on risk and identification of problem areas.  Changes will be reviewed to see how successful they have been. 

(c)  There had been an increase in crime on Wells Road.

(d)  There had been an increase in crime in St Anns relating to shop thefts and the Police are focused on addressing this.

(e)  The number of weapons seized had increased but this was due to the proactive and robust approach in the area to dealing with this issue.

(f)  The Police are working with partners on housing and environmental issues.

(g)  There were some concerns about gangs in St Anns and the Police are working to alleviate these concerns.  Officers on patrol are focused on gang issues and in addition to the uniformed Police presence there are also police officers in plain clothing trying to detect issues before they happen.

In response to questions, Inspector Busuttil provided the following additional information:

(h)  Many local people are aware of the new Police Station but councillors and community representatives are encouraged to promote it widely.  Consideration is being given to putting a banner outside the building to promote it.

(i)  The Police are working closely with shop managers, for example at Heron Foods, on crime prevention measures such as staff training.  Experience from successfully tackling shop thefts at Co-Op is being used to deal with similar issues at other sites.

RESOLVED to note the update from Nottinghamshire Police.

Greg Foister, Neighbourhood Development Officer for the Dales Ward

Greg Foister, Neighbourhood Development Officer, provided feedback from the cluster meeting on community protection issues.  The paper circulated with the agenda included feedback from all areas of the City and there will be more detail relevant to the Dales, St Anns and Mapperley wards provided in due course.  Greg also suggested that there were other issues such as CCTV and food safety standards that need to be incorporated.

During discussion the following comments were made:

(a)  There is a role for the Area Committee in holding Community Protection Officers to account but this is difficult when they don’t come to Area Committee meetings.  It was suggested that Community Protection Officers be invited to attend the next meeting and also that a meeting between councillors and Community Protection Officers be held during the intervening period.

(b)  There is an inconsistency in Community Protection Officers across wards.  Issues with officer sickness and officers on secondment had been reported to recent Neighbourhood Action Team meetings and it is useful to be aware of these issues so that the situation can be better understood locally.  It would be good to have a more consistent approach in staffing.

(c)  It would be helpful if community representatives could build stronger links with Community Protection Officers to help tackle enviro-crime issues.

(d)  It would be useful if there was a telephone number that community representatives/ local people could call or text with local intelligence that they have gathered.  It was suggested that the 101 number is not working as effectively as it could.

RESOLVED to request that relevant Community Protection Officers be invited to attend the next meeting of the Area Committee to discuss community protection issues in the Dales, St Anns and Mapperley wards.

Michelle Graley  -  Neighbourhood Development Officer, St. Ann’s

Fi Cusick  -  Neighbourhood Development Officer, Mapperley

Greg Foister  -  Neighbourhood Development Officer, Dales

Greg Foister, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the sections of the ward performance report relevant to the Dales ward.  He highlighted the following information:

(a)  A second week of action had been held focusing on businesses and encouraging local businesses to pledge to clean the areas in front of their shops.  To date 98% of businesses had signed up to the pledge and there had only been one negative reaction.  There will be a follow up to see whether businesses actually carry out the action that they have committed to.

(b)  An additional 10 businesses had signed up to the ‘take a seat’ campaign.

(c)  Young people had been involved in bulb planting.

(d)  New homes are opening and being let locally via Nottingham City Homes.

(e)  Construction had started on the Joint Service Centre.

(f)  Consultation is being undertaken on parking issues.

(g)  Neighbourhood Development Officers are working with the Police and Community Protection colleagues on tackling hot spots in parks, for example alcohol drinking in parks.

Fi Cusick presented the sections of the ward performance report relevant to the Mapperley ward.  She highlighted the following information:

(h)  The camera purchased to identify fly tippers is being moved to the Brewsters site.

(i)  A second mobile CCTV camera is being deployed.

(j)  Housing development is likely to be finished by October 2017.  Nottingham City Homes is looking at its lettings policy to ensure that housing is prioritised for those living in the ward.

(k)  Job fairs had been held in the Wells Community Centre.  There were 35 attendees and one person is now in employment and another is on an apprenticeship scheme.

(l)  There had been no recent sightings of prostitution on Mapperley Road.

(m)Crime and anti-social behaviour on Wells Road had reduced.

(n)  Work is taking place in relation to the future of the Wells Community Centre.  It is hoped to establish a more robust community association and develop future building plans.

(o)  The Coppice Park fireworks display was well attended with no incidents.

The Committee noted that Michelle Graley was not at the meeting to present the sections of the ward performance report relevant to the St Anns ward but that a written update had been provided.

During discussion the following comments were made:

(p)  The housing development at Furlong Close had been completed and had been nicely landscaped.  There were four new tenants from Sneinton and some families had moved into the flats.

(q)  There was still some evidence of prostitution at the end of Chesnut Grove.  Local feedback on this will be passed on.

(r)  There was a lack of progress on repairing/ replacing the panels on the bridge at Trent Lane which looks unsightly.

(s)  There had been a recent meeting to look at improving road safety in Mapperley.  There will be a site meeting with representatives of Nottinghamshire County Council to identify whether any amendments can be made to the road layout.

RESOLVED to note the priorities, current issues and supporting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

Michelle Graley, Neighbourhood Development Officer for St. Ann’s

Fi Cusick, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the Area Capital Fund – 2016/17 Programme report providing the latest spend proposals under the Area Capital Fund.  A revised appendix to the report was circulated at the meeting and (circulated with the minutes).  In an amendment to the original report circulated with the agenda the Committee was asked to approve funding for two schemes relating to the removal of a large tree and grinding of the stump on Tulip Avenue in the St Anns ward; and reconfiguration of the Redcliffe Road/ Mapperley Road junction in the Mapperley ward.

RESOLVED to

(1)  note the remaining monies available to Dales, Mapperley and St Anns wards for 2016/17

Dales  £33,166

Mapperley    £0 

St Anns    £136,374

(2)  approve the following schemes:

St Anns LTP

Mapperley LTP

Fi Cusick, Neighbourhood Development Officer for Mapperley Ward

Greg Foister, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report on the use of delegated authority by the Corporate Director for Commercial and Operations.  A revised version of the appendix relating to decisions within the Dales ward was circulated at the meeting (circulated with the minutes).

RESOLVED to note the actions agreed by the Corporate Director for Commercial and Operations in respect of projects and schemes within Area 6, as detailed in the appendix, as amended at the meeting, to the report.

Update from Francesca Barney, Health and Physical Activity Development Officer

Francesa Barney, Health and Physical Activity Development Officer, gave a verbal update on the Get Out Get Active project.  A background paper was circulated at the meeting (circulated with to the minutes).  She highlighted the following information:

(a)  Get Out Get Active is a new programme funded by Spirit of 2012 that supports citizens to get more physically active through inclusive activities that enable disabled and non-disabled people to be active together.

(b)  Nottingham City Council had been awarded £245,000 over 3 years for this project to develop and deliver a range of sport and physical activity programmes.

(c)  The project will take place in three areas of the City, chosen on the basis of areas of high deprivation.  One of the areas is St Anns and Dales reflecting a context in which 18.1% of residents within Care Delivery Group 6 (which covers St Anns, Dales and Mapperley) state that they have a limiting long term illness or disability.

(d)  A range of activities will be provided including table tennis, swimming, walking and archery, aiming to appeal to a broad range of people.  Activities will be developed and delivered with local partners.

(e)  There will be a dedicated co-ordinator from early 2017 to co-ordinate activity and action plans.

(f)  Three partner engagement days will be held in January 2017 and councillors and community representatives were asked to promote them to local partners and groups (not members of the public at this stage).

RESOLVED to note the update on the Get Out Get Active project.

Cherry Underwood, Trust Executive at The Renewal Trust

Cherry Underwood, Renewal Trust, gave a presentation on the Area Based Grant for Dales, Mapperley and St Anns during 2016-17 highlighting the following information:

(a)  There are currently 15 Renewal Trust partners and approximately 30 voluntary sector organisations indirectly involved.

(b)  The Renewal Trust is working through a range of areas: employment and skills; community cohesion; children and young people; and community associations.

(c)  In relation to employment and skills, performance is above target on the number of job club sessions held but fewer job fairs have been supported.  Adjustments to resourcing and ways of working will be made if necessary to ensure that targets are delivered.  Action is being taken to address performance issues, for example addressing reluctance by some service users to go to Job Centre Plus.

(d)  The Community Learning Network is based on monies previously allocated to support Communities of Identity.  The Renewal Trust is confident that annual targets will be met but to support this further work is being undertaken to better understand the target audience and how to support them.

(e)  £8000 funding is available for residents grants to help remove the practical barriers to employment, for example interview/ work clothes, travel costs.

(f)  There is a reasonably good spread of venues at which employment and skills support is provided across the wards but suggestions of new/ alternative venues are welcome.

(g)  Work with children and young people involves both universal provision and outreach and targeted work.  ‘Hotspots’ for targeting children and young people are identified through Neighbourhood Action Team meetings and the Young Peoples Panel. Through focused case work the aim is to get young people into universal provision.

(h)  Universal provision for children and young people at Greenway is well attended and there is a growing number of different young people attending.  ‘Switch Up’ at The Sycamore Centre’ is also well attended.

(i)  Holiday activities for children and young people are provided by a range of different providers and there were 35 sessions available.  The availability of ice skating activities was really positive especially because many of the young people live close to the Ice Arena but have never been there.  Many of the holiday sessions were attended by the same young people and the Renewal Trust would like to increase the number of unique young people attending. 

(j)  Holiday provision for children and young people in the October half term holidays was changed to try and build relationships with young people through a day trip to Holme Pierrepont.  96 young people signed up to go and 82 attended and took part in a range of activities.  The feedback was excellent and there are plans to build on it for February half term and with a residential trip at Easter to further develop relationships.  It was disappointing that Switch Up, KK Sports and the Muslim Community Organisation didn’t engage with the idea and promote it to young people who then missed out. 

(k)  Community cohesion work is taking place with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

Toni Smithurst, Area Housing Manager

Toni Smithurst, Nottingham City Homes, presented a report updating on the work of Nottingham City Homes in relation to the capital programme and major work; area regeneration and environmental issues; key messages from the Tenant and Leasehold Congress; Tenant and Residents Associations; area performance; and good news stories and positive publicity.  She highlighted the following information:

(a)  The works at Windmill Lane, Sneinton had been completed apart from a small number of access issues and positive feedback had been received.

(b)  Engineers were working at the Victoria Centre to improve the intercom and replace the passenger lift.

(c)  In Dales ward, Tatton Park Garden recently installed a RHS Gold Award garden into Manvers Court.

(d)  In Mapperley ward, consideration is being given to options for improving the wall on Dooland Drive as it is damaged and decaying.

(e)  In St Anns ward, improvements have been made to the boundary to Massey Gardens in addition to the previous improvements at the Stonebridge area.  Phase 2 of the project is being developed.

(f)  The Victoria Centre Roof Garden project is currently in the design stage and consultation had been undertaken with residents.

(g)  Nottingham City Homes had achieved landlord accreditation from the Tenant Participation Advisory Service for its resident involvement.  This means that it is a national leader with best practice in this area.

(h)  Following vandalism at Stonebridge City Farm, Nottingham City Homes apprentices helped to mend facilities and equipment.

(i)  Good performance in dealing with anti-social behaviour had been maintained and overall tenant satisfaction with the anti-social behaviour service had improved.

(j)  Targets in relation to rent collection had been met.

(k)  There were 22 empty properties in the Dales, Mapperley and St Anns wards and the average time to re-let properties in the area was 26 days.  Void processes had recently undergone a major review which was helping to improve performance.

During discussion the following comments were made:

(l)  The relatively low number of empty properties is positive.

(m)It is disappointing that tenant satisfaction with the repairs service is below target.

(n)  It was suggested that new tenants are given a pack of information with details about their local councillors, information about recycling, a list of useful contact numbers etc.

RESOLVED to

(1)  note the update and performance information in appendices 1 and 2 of the report;

(2)  note the allocation of funds for 2016/17:

(3)  approve £4700 from the Area Capital Programme for the following scheme:

Community Representatives

Community representatives present at the meeting gave a brief update on the activities of the organisations which they represent and current issues, including:

(a)  The King Edwards Park had been reseeded and work to put up a fence at the skate park was due to commence shortly.

(b)  Two shops on Dayken Street are unsightly and need to be repainted.  Councillors updated that one of the properties had recently been purchased by the Council and maintenance issues relating to that property will be addressed.  The other two properties are currently being leased and maintenance is the responsibility of those leasees, although the Council would like to obtain these two properties in the future.

(c)  The Chase Community Lunch Club needs more volunteers to help run it otherwise it won’t be able to continue.

(d)  Prettier Whittier is working to make the streets brighter with hanging baskets and making planters out of recycled wood.  New members have recently joined the group.

(e)  The funding for projects at St Anns allotments from the Heritage Lottery Fund is due to come to an end and the management committee is working with partners to develop new partnerships.

(f)  A Jamaican Family Fun Day was held at the Afro Caribbean National Artistic Centre and it is hoped to repeat the event next year.

(g)  There are currently 202 local members of the Friends of Colwick Woods and there are lots of new ideas and initiatives for the forthcoming year.

(h)  St Andrews Church is working to get more people into the church, including removing physical barriers by opening the church and training people to support those with dementia.  The church hall is also open for general hire and currently used by organisations such as the Eritrean Church, Alcoholics Anonymous and various youth groups.