Agenda and minutes

Councillor Eunice Campbell is elected Chair for the municipal year 2015/16.

Councillor Ginny Klein and Councillor Alan Clark are appointed joint Vice Chairs.

Councillor Ginny Klein (Health)

Councillor Nick McDonald (Other Council Business)

Doreen Carruthers

Fr Andy Nicolls

Sheila Loades

David Norman

Gillian Slack

Maria Shakespeare

Suki Shergill  )  Neighbourhood Management Team

Heidi May  )

None.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 February 2015, were confirmed and signed by the Chair.

Verbal Presentation by Teresa Allen, Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Support Manager and Kate Fisher, NCC Dementia Practice Development Specialist

Teresa Allen, Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Support Manager, and Kate Fisher, Nottingham City Council Dementia Practice Development Specialist, delivered a verbal presentation on dementia, recognising symptoms, and understanding the condition.

The following points were highlighted:

(a)  dementia is not a natural part of ageing but is a symptom of disease or damage to the brain;

(b)  at times everybody can be forgetful or confused but when someone can’t live their day-to-day lives, this can be an indication of dementia;

(c)  850,000 people, mostly female, have dementia 1/14 are over 65 and 1/6 are over 80 years of age. More than 40,000 people of working age have dementia;

(d)  if people are worried about themselves or someone else, they should refer to the ‘worried about your memory’ leaflet which can help identify early diagnosis of dementia which means that help and support can be provided to help people function in society and their own homes;

(e)  dementia is specific to each individual who will have individual needs and deterioration speeds vary for each individual;

(f)  Alzheimer’s starts very slowly, but vascular dementia follows a stroke and has a staged progression;

(g)  Alzheimer’s is not about losing memory, it starts with short-term memory loss, sufferers retain their long-term memory but they can find it difficult to concentrate and to recall and undertake normal day-to-day activities;

(h)  currently two thirds of people with dementia live in the community. It is important to ensure they can live independently as it is possible to live well with dementia but communities need to support and keep dementia sufferers engaged as isolation is very destructive;

(i)  there are a few drug treatments for people with Alzheimer’s although these are more to slow the deterioration process as there is no cure. Vascular dementia cannot be treated with medication;

(j)  when people are diagnosed with dementia, plans for the future need to be drafted, sometimes with suggested changes to how they do things now, in preparation for the future;

(k)  it is estimated that there are approximately just under 3,000 people in Nottingham with dementia. As our society becomes more aware of the condition, early and appropriate diagnosis is increasing;

(l)  by 2050 it is estimated there will be 2 million people with dementia in England and by 2040 is estimated that there will not be enough care home facilities for people with dementia;

(m)  there are several projects for people in Nottingham with dementia including ‘arts into care homes’, swimming sessions specifically for dementia sufferers, a reading group and a dementia cafe with discussion underway to introduce a further cafe at Woodfield industries;

Further information on dementia can be found on the Alzheimer’s Society website: www.alzheimers.org.uk

Report of Right Track Social Enterprise, Lead Organisation.

Nick Parr, Right Track Social Enterprise Head of Employability and Communities, presented the Right Track Annual Report 2014/15, which provides an outline of the work and activities undertaken within the community during the past year. Some of the young people who initially had taken part in activities and are now involved in leading activities were also in attendance and at the invitation of the Chair briefly outlined their roles activity and achievements as follows:

(a)  session workers are fully trained with regard to safeguarding, help produce session plans and facilitate community activities;

(b)  events and activities are provided for a range of age groups, with different backgrounds and issues across the whole community;

(c)  session workers are able to work towards a qualification in Achieving Leadership, but by taking part in facilitating activities this also builds their confidence and increases their skills base, which can in turn enable them to encourage help support other members of the community to further develop their skills and confidence.

Nick Parr also commented:

(d)  recently, in acknowledgement of their achievements and out of 9,000 nominations, two Right Track session workers were invited to receive an award at the House of Lords;

(e)  with approximately 300 users per week and a contract value of £7 pounds per hour, Right Track have delivered provision at a cost of 4p per hour which has resulted in the ability to expand and attend and provide more events to benefit the community;

(f)  whilst the funding for Jobs Clubs has stopped, Right Track continue to provide the service at Bulwell Riverside and the Job Centre;

(g)  further bids are proposed to provide projects focusing on heritage, sport, and life skills;

(h)  itis important that young people are aware of what is available to them.

Having encountered Right Track session workers and participants at events and working within the community, members of the committee were very impressed with young people’s attitude and abilities and were grateful for their assistance, stating that the young people are a credit to themselves and Right Track.

The Chair commended the achievements of Right Track and the young people involved, and, to better understand how they had benefited, requested further information on the progress of young people who had completed sessions and training with right track.

RESOLVED

(1)  to note the Right Track 2014/15 Annual Report;

(2)  for an update on Right Track activities and progress to be submitted to a future meeting.

Verbal update.

Police Inspector Christine Busuttil verbally updated the Committee on policing priorities in the area.

Police were repeating the seasonal campaign to remind citizens to secure their homes, ensuring that the windows and doors were closed or secured during the warm weather. Burglars are becoming more creative so citizens are urged to ensure that their house and car keys are kept out of sight and away from doors and windows. Although burglars are rarely violent, if are aware that burglary is in progress people should call ‘999’.

Vulnerable and elderly people are often popular burglary targets so it is suggested that they use restrictors on windows and doors, especially as there have been repeat burglaries of some elderly people in the area.

There have been several reports of damage and antisocial behaviour by young people in the Bulwell area. It’s important that parents are aware of who their children are hanging around with and what they are doing.

Violence has increased by 68 offences so far this year, but is this may be a reflection of the category now including malicious communications such as social media and texting abuse.

The majority of reported domestic violence incidents relate to known offenders.

In Bulwell, antisocial behaviour and grass fires are the main areas of concern. Dispersal orders are now easy to put in place and provide a ‘quick fix’ while further courses of action can be considered.

In Bulwell Forest Ward, nuisance behaviour relating to motorbikes has increased but as a result 4 Section 59 Orders have been issued and if the riders are caught again on the same issue, the vehicle will be seized and crushed. Police are aware that some nuisance motorcyclists are not from the Bulwell Forest area but are coming from the Broxtowe area. If a motorcyclist is found to be riding dangerously on the roads without tax and insurance, the bike can be seized, however some types of bikes are not designed for the road and therefore don’t require tax and insurance. It’s important that citizens report nuisance motorbikes to ensure the Police can focus on problem areas. In addition, it’s incredibly helpful if the Police are made aware of the addresses of culprits as this has proved very successful in the past. 

Toni Smithurst, Nottingham City Homes (NCH) Tenancy and Estates Manager, presented the report which identifies schemes requested by the NCH residents, residents living within the environment of NCH properties, and NCH staff.

While financial and project breakdown details were verbally presented at the meeting, Councillors and community representatives requested that all future reports provide a breakdown of what the final costs consisted of, along with more detailed information on what the improvements actually involved.

RESOLVED

(1)  to approve the following Bulwell Ward schemes:

(2)  to approve the following Bulwell Forest Ward schemes:

(3)  to note the performance and tenant/leaseholder update information.

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report which proposes Area Capital and Public Realm schemes.

RESOLVED

(1)  to approve the following Schemes:

(i)  Bulwell Ward

(2)  to note the following financial position:

(i)  Bulwell Ward

(ii)  Bulwell Forest Ward

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer for Bulwell Forest, presented the report which updates the committee on the use of delegated authority by the Director for Communities, and provides an update on the financial position.

It is noted that while some schemes have received Councillor support in principle, the formerly required process has not yet been completed so these schemes are not included in the tables below.

RESOLVED

(1)  to note the following completed delegated to decisions for Bulwell Ward funded by Councillors Klein, Hartshorne and Morris:

(2)  to note the following completed delegated to decisions for Bulwell Forest Ward by Councillors Campbell, Clark and McDonald

(3)  to note the updated financial position of Bulwell Ward as follows;

(4)  to note the updated financial position of Bulwell Forest Ward as follows;

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the Ward Performance Report which provides ward level statistical information from the City Council and partners, relating to ward priorities and emerging issues, including health and crime, in addition to reporting community events and engagement.

The following points were highlighted within the Bulwell Ward:

(a)  A ‘Well Woman’ event included information and awareness raising with regard to domestic violence for which reports are rising in the Ward;

(b)  anti-dog fouling, littering and dumping activity has taken place on the Crabtree Estate;

(c)  lung cancer has been identified as a significant issue in Bulwell Ward;

(d)  Neighbourhood Action Teams are to focus on addressing an increase in child obesity and ball games which are causing antisocial behaviour;

(e)  across the Ward, overall crime levels are rising, including hate crime.

Within the Bulwell Forest Ward, the following points were highlighted:

(f)  a ‘day of action’ has had a positive impact on dog fouling which has now significantly decreased;

(g)  large nuisance trees have been felled with new, more suitable trees being planted to replace them;

(h)  a long-standing fly-tip issue appears to have been resolved;

(i)  shed and garage burglaries have increased;

(j)  there is an increased emphasis on sharing information and communication between partners with regard to raising issues and promoting beneficial services and events;

(k)  the number of deliberate fires has decreased from the last quarter although the total to date is still a significant concern;

(l)  instances of graffiti have reduced by 75% compared to the same period last year;

(m)  overall dog fouling is reduced.

RESOLVED to note the report.

RESOLVED to approve the following meeting dates:

23 September 2015

18 November 2015

17 February 2016

The Chair presented the opportunity for community representatives to suggest future agenda items to be considered by the Committee. Any suggestions needed to be presented at least six weeks before the meeting date to either Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer for Bulwell Forest Ward, or Suki Shergill, Neighbourhood Development Officer for Bulwell Ward.