Agenda and minutes

To appoint a new Chair for the remainder of the municipal year 2017/18 following notice that Councillor Dave Liversidge will be stepping down as Chair.

Councillor Gul Khan was appointed as Chair for the remainder of the 2017/18 municipal year.

Councillor Neghat Khan was appointed as Vice Chair for the remainder of the 2017/18 municipal year.

Councillor Sue Johnson

Ethel Anderson

Mark Sunderland

None.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2017

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

Report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services

Fi Cusick, Neighbourhood Development Officer, updated the Committee on the progress of re-appointing Community Representatives. All Community Representatives from the 2016/17 municipal year have been written to advising that they will be re-appointed, the Neighbourhood Development Officers are awaiting responses.

RESOLVED to note the information.

Community Representatives gave brief updates on issues, good news, and the activities of their organisations:

(a)  Noel Martin from Prettier Whittier let the Committee know that they had won a £50 gift voucher for Nottingham nursery as a result of the Nottingham in Bloom competition, which will help in the New Year to buy more plants and soil. Prettier Whittier is also working with local volunteers on planters and some litter picking in the area;

(b)  Pete Wright from the Sneinton Tenants Outreach Programme tenants and residents association let the Committee know that the organisation has won 3 gardening awards, and wished to extend his thanks to the St Ann’s Councillors and Michelle Graley (Neighbourhood Development Officer) for all of their help and support;

(c)  Jonathan Kavanagh from the Friends of Colwick Wood updated the Committee on improvement works. With funding and support from both the City Council and the Tesco plastic bag fund, the path on the nature reserve now has disabled access and is fully accessible. Work is ongoing to install several benches along the route. An event is being held on Sunday 2 December where people can make a full sized festive wreath for £5, this has been made possible using a grant from the Renewal Trust;

(d)  it was noted that it is unfortunate there was no Police presence at the meeting, given the issues on Sneinton Dale recently.

RESOLVED to thank the Community Representatives for their updates and input.

Inspector Donna Lawton, Nottinghamshire Police

The Police representative had not arrived at the start of this agenda item, Councillor Jon Collins spoke of his concerns around policing issues in the city, highlighting the following points:

(a)  there are increasing concerns with how policing is being run across the city, and it may be useful to invite someone more senior from the Police to a future meeting of the Area Committee to get an understanding of why the Police think that crime is increasing again;

(b)  increasingly, the priorities of the Police, such as cybercrime and historic sex abuse, though important issues, do not align with the everyday crime priorities of Nottingham citizens such as burglaries and drug use;

(c)  since the Police have moved away from having a city division, it seems like the priorities are no longer tailored to the needs of a city. Crime has gone up in terms of number of offences, from approximately 25,000 to around 33,0000 since the city division was lost. There is a sense that we may be going back to the way they used to police and the impact that had in the early 2000s, where there were around 75,000 crimes per year in the city;

(d)  there is a particular concern around reports of people not getting a response from 999, when a crime in progress is not considered high priority enough. 101 does not seem adequate at times.

The Committee noted the lack of an agenda item on Community Protection, which would cover some more low level offences that citizens may be concerned with, and Councillor Collins expanded on the issues facing crime prevention in the city:

(e)  the Community Protection Officers are increasingly being pulled into the city centre to deal with the low level issues and crimes that the police don’t deal with anymore. That’s requiring more presence there in the evening from Community Protection Officers, which unfortunately means a reduced availability to attend evening meetings. This is a shame because the Area Committees not only allowed Community Protection to feedback on progress to citizens, but also allowed citizens to feedback on issues to Community Protection.

Richard Hunter, Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant deputising for Inspector Donna Lawson, then arrived at the meeting and provided his update to the Committee:

(f)  the recent disorder in Sneinton was spread over 2 nights. The first night involved a large fight. So far 2 arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing. On the second night there was some damage to top market by males in balaclavas with baseball bats. Despite ongoing investigation, no motive has become apparent. There have been extensive reassurance patrols since the incidents, and no reported issues have arisen since then. It is believed that the incident has been contained;

(g)  an annual violence reduction operation will be taking place soon, if anyone would like to attend as an observer, they should contact Richard Hunter and he can facilitate this. There may also be a documentary team in attendance;

(h)  basic crime  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

Presentation by Emma Bates, Financial Inclusion Support Officer

Emma Bates, Financial Inclusion Support Officer, gave a presentation on Financial Resilience, as attached to the agenda.

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

(a)  there is a need for people to know what help there is available generally regarding money issues. A lot of people don’t know about the services available to them. Work is ongoing surrounding illegal credit and raising awareness of Nottingham Credit Union (http://www.nottinghamcu.co.uk/);

(b)  sessions are being held in primary schools around financial education, with parent sessions planned as well. There is a lot of evidence that knowledge of the importance of saving and good financial education needs to start at primary school level;

(c)  the financial climate over the last few years has meant that there are very few resources to continue this work. The need everywhere is getting worse, but in Nottingham it is particularly severe. Something needs to continue around progressing these issues, and it is worth investigating whether banks would be able to fund some of the work;

(d)  an emerging theme is that citizens are not aware of these services, and language barriers can exacerbate this. The city wide steering group is meeting again in December.

(e)  Experian is asking its employees to provide financial literacy classes as part of their social responsibility. Civic Exchange is a think tank based in Nottingham looking at this, modelling what the future of financial resilience will look like, and how any issues such as increases in rent, mortgage, utilities, food etc. will affect citizens. It has been interesting to model the variables and analyse how many people will be pushed over from any one issue.

RESOLVED TO THANK Emma Bates for her presentation and note the contents.

Presentation by Karla Banfield, Market and Business Partnership Manager

Karla Banfield, Market Strategy and Development Manager, gave a presentation on the LiON Integrated Health and Social Care Directory, highlighting the following points:

(a)  the directory has been live since May 2017. It contains all information, advice, events and guidance in one place, to enable people to have control and practice self-care. It is an amalgamation of 5 online directories, and is accessible 24 hours per day. Over 2,000 services have now registered;

(b)  there is still a way to go and still a lot that is unknown about what information should be on LiON. Capacity is an issue so there’s a phone number or email address to help. The team would like any feedback on the directory, and also for people to spread the word about LiON;

(c)  videos are being developed to reflect the changing way that people use the internet. If anyone requires any further information or would like to add information, the team can be contacted by email: lion@nottinghamcity.gov.uk.

There were a number of questions and comments from the Committee, and further information was provided:

(d)  information from the website can be printed off for those without internet access, or the information can be accessed from libraries. If citizens cannot access the information themselves, then colleagues within City Council departments can use LiON to assist them;

(e)  LiON will be connected to local facebook pages shortly, work is ongoing with Communications and Marketing;

(f)  the directory contains information on both enablement and prevention services, and can also link to external information pages, for example if you click for more information on apprenticeships it will link externally to the Nottingham Futures website, rather than duplicating information;

(g)  there are currently 3 people in the team. To add information to the directory, individuals or organisations can register online, add the information, and it will be vetted by the team. Alternatively the team can be emailed for help;

(h)  citizens will be able to search for local or city wide services;

(i)  LiON will be advertised for the next 3 years in issues of the Arrow, and promoted by Nottingham City Council colleagues across all public facing teams. Any other free advertising avenue would also be considered;

(j)  the primary avenue for contacting the team is by email, as the directory is a digital solution. The phone number will be available in libraries as well, and in the Arrow, but the main focus will be to promote it from a digital perspective;

(k)  LiON is on course to achieve unique hits of around 10,000 per annum, and it is anticipated that this will grow to around 20,000.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  thank Karla Banfield for the presentation and note its contents;

(2)  add events and information to LiON as appropriate, and spread the word about the service: www.asklion.co.uk

Report of the Chief Executive, Nottingham City Homes

Toni Smithurst, Nottingham City Homes, presented an update to the Committee. An updated appendix was circulated at the meeting, and is attached with the first circulation of the minutes.

There was a discussion from the Committee and citizens regarding re-cladding of some Nottingham City Homes flats and the associated costs to owner occupiers within the blocks:

(a)  a problem has arisen due to the amount of money owner occupiers are being asked to pay for the work to be done. The problem hasn’t been solved yet but Nottingham City Council and Nottingham City Homes are looking at how best to resolve it, both for this particular issue and for any works going forward in other locations. A meeting will be held with those owners affected, but there has been a scheduling issue trying to get maximum availability. The project is around insulation and efficient heating of properties, and also covers other efficiency measures such as electric buses, electric lorries, and localised efficient delivery hubs;

(b)  the works are particularly proving to be an issue for pensioners or those on low incomes, who cannot afford it. At Byron Court, owner occupiers have been advised that the costs may be close to £23,000. Many owner occupiers who are now retired or on low incomes cannot borrow that amount of money;

(c)  citizens noted that the scheme itself seems very good, but that the financial options being offered to owner occupiers are not suitable. The main options offered are returning the property to Nottingham City Homes as a vacant possession, or a loan at 4% above the base rate. These options may affect people’s retirement planning and their inheritance. Whilst Nottingham City Homes has stated they will not evict any owner occupiers for refusal to pay, they have stated that there could ultimately be court sanctions, and that they will hold quarterly budget meetings to discuss finances and ability to pay;

(d)  a citizen stated that a case in Oxford recently concluded that such charges for improvements, rather than repairs or maintenance, are unlawful;

(e)  the issue has not arisen during searches for tenants interested in purchasing their property;

(f)  citizens felt that the consultation on the scheme has not been adequate, and some residents still are not aware what the project actually is;

(g)  Toni Smithurst advised that whilst she does not work in the section responsible for these issues, she can feed the concerns back to the appropriate team.

(h)  there has been some positive feedback from those tenants who have already had these works completed, homes are now good quality, warm and well insulated. It is an excellent scheme for local residents aside from the charging issue.

RESOLVED to:

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

(2)  note the allocation of funds for 2017/18:

Ward  Budget  Approved   Committed   Remaining Budget

Dales  £111,649.46  £0  £0  £111,649.46

Mapperley  £56,822.32  £4,939.00  £4,939.00  £56,822.32

St Ann’s   £130,876.44  £37,753.85  £37,753.85  £94,728.84;

(3)  approve the Area Capital Programme funding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

Report of the Corporate Director Commercial & Operations

Fi Cusick, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented a report on the Area Capital Fund 2017/18 programme, asking Councillors to approve the new schemes as detailed in the non-shaded rows of the appendix, and to note a de-commitment and the remaining available budget.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  approve the new schemes prioritised by Ward Councillors since the last Area Committee meeting:

Ward  Scheme type  Scheme details  Estimate

Dales  LTP  Oakdale Rd - Traffic calming measures  £34,500.00

Dales  Public Realm  Oakdale Rd - Traffic calming measures  £13,500.00

Mapperley  LTP  Morley Av – assessment of parking  £2,445.00

Mapperley  LTP  Ransom Rd – assessment of speeding  £2,351.00

(2)  note a de-committed scheme, as funding is now no longer require for a contribution to the re-design and refurbishment of Astley Park (£2,000.00);

(3)  note the remaining available balance for each ward for 2017/18:

  Dales  £24,616.00

Mapperley  £27,769.00

St Anns  £47,070.00

Report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services

Greg Foister, Michelle Graley, and Fi Cusick, Neighbourhood Development Officers, presented updates from their wards as per the report, which focuses on current priorities and issues affecting each ward, and details forthcoming activities within the wards.

RESOLVED to note the information within the report and thank Greg Foister, Michelle Graley and Fi Cusick for the update.

Report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services

Michelle Graley, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented an update on the Councillor Ward Budget, and spend to be noted within each ward.

RESOLVED to note the actions agreed by the Director of Neighbourhood Services in respect of projects and schemes within the Area:

Ward  Scheme  Cost

  Sneinton Festival 2017  £1190.00

  Lichfield in Bloom  £200.00

  St Anns and Sneinton Football Team  £250.00

  Sneinton Tenants and Residents Association  £250.00

  Sneinton Town FC Trophies  £250.00

  Sneinton Play Centre  £300.00

Dales  Let’s Shine and Give a Smile  £100.00

  Kick Into Success  £300.00

  Summer activities for older people  £300.00

  UPKO 2017  £250.00

  Nottingham Music Hub  £250.00

  Dales Ward Support Costs  £100.00

  Dales Christmas 2017 Event  £750.00

  Party on the Park 2017  £1,000.00

Mapperley  Brickyard Summer Blast 2017  £250.00

  Nottingham Music Hub  £150.00

  Volunteers Event 2014  £530.00

  King Edwards Pk Employment Fair & Fun Day  £200.00

St Anns  Room Hire Cost  £300.00

  National Playday Family Fun Event  £900.00

  St Anns Adventure Ntnl Playday Early Help Team  £900.00