Agenda and minutes

Councillor Nick McDonald (other Council business)

Councillor Jackie Morris (other Council business)

David Norman

Maria Shakespeare

Colin Bones

None.

Of the meeting held on 17 June 2015 (for confirmation).

Subject to listing Paul Bakajsa as in attendance, the minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2015 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.

Report of Corporate Director of Commercial and Operations

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report of the Director for Communities, which asks the Committee to confirm the Area Committee Community Representatives for 2015/16.

RESOLVED to note the following appointments:

PowerPoint Presentation by Kevin Banfield (Nottingham City Council) and Annabel Taylor (Nottingham Clinical Commissioning Group)

Kevin Banfield of Nottingham City Council, and Annabel Taylor from Nottingham City Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), were in attendance to inform the Committee of a new self-care pilot scheme operating within Bulwell and Bulwell Forest.

In addition to the provided presentation, the following points were highlighted:

(a)  as the demand for health and well-being support is increasing, especially with more complex needs, the pilot scheme aims to better enable healthcare workers and volunteer citizens to more effectively connect citizens in need to the most appropriate social and well-being services, often without the need of GP or specialist referrals by providing a joined up and co-ordinated system of care services which are clearly marked and easily accessible;

(b)  there is an over reliance on health and social care across the City with a significant amount of GP time needlessly spent with citizens who, with little assistance and direction, can access appropriate personal and social services to support their needs, such as self-help groups and co-ordinated activities;

(c)  as outlined within the presentation, the 18 month pilot has a schedule of engagement and communication events which aim to inform and empower citizens to help themselves and each other in accessing appropriate support. The pilot also aims to identify where service gaps exist and how this could be addressed;

(d)  training is currently taking place with a full range of healthcare workers and volunteers to ensure they are aware of the co-ordinated scheme and are able to help direct and signpost citizens to beneficial services, not just to address current personal and social issues but also to prevent potential issues before they arise;

(e)  health care workers and trained volunteers will be able to help identify citizens who, beyond medical needs, would benefit from some sort of personal or social support, and inform care coordinators who can then arrange the support required. Citizens will be able also apply directly for support they feel need and encouraged to manage their own non-medical conditions but with support and advice available if necessary;

(f)  a comprehensive, joined up and up-to-date online information directory providing information on the services available is being compiled and should be available in 2016, but an interim solution will be available from October 2015. In addition, self-care hubs and kiosks will be located in community venues, such as Bulwell Library, Boots the Chemist and Morrison’s Supermarket, to ensure citizens can access the online directory with assistance if necessary;

(g)  during October 2015 the sites of community clinics will be confirmed. These community clinics will provide an opportunity for people to drop-in to enquire about support, seek advice, and even a trial low-level assistance equipment;

(h)  one aspect of the pilot is to consider ways in which citizens who may benefit from services can be identified and engaged, especially when they are not known to health care workers. This is just one area in which local community knowledge can prove very important, especially when some citizens stay very close to home and don’t  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

Presentation by Mark Armstrong, Senior Regeneration Officer

Mark Armstrong, Senior Regeneration Officer, informed the committee of his role as Town Centre Coordinator for Bulwell and Clifton town centres.

The following points were made:

(a)  for many people who are not familiar with the area, Bulwell Town Centre has a negative reputation but this is not the case and whilst Bulwell actually has a very healthy town centre, there is still work to be done and improvements to be made;

(b)  the positive points about Bulwell Town Centre are:

(i)  it has a focus point of one of the best outdoor markets in the area;

(ii)  there is a good mix of national, independent and semi-independent shops and service providers;

(iii)  the needs of the local population can generally be met although  there is a lack of clothing shops;

(iv)  it is well maintained and clean;

(v)  there are excellent transport links with bus train and tram stations and it is not too far from the M1;

(c)  the weaker points for Bulwell Town Centre are acknowledged in the Town Centre Action Plan which are:

(i)  there is poor liaison and communication between business between businesses;

(ii)  the arterial routes to and from the town need attention as some do not create a good impression;

(iii)  there is a lack of leisure and evening attractions with a focus on pubs and takeaways;

(d)  the aim of the Town Centre Action Plan is to have a regeneration focus on improving the area in consultation with local businesses, the City Council and citizens;

(e)  it has been suggested that a conservation area within the town centre be established which could to include the St Mary’s church as it is an architectural asset of the town;

(f)  topics discussed regarding the marketplace area included:

(i)  although the marketplace is a popular attraction, it’s been suggested that this could be further promoted and the appeal be broadened with seasonal markets and special events;

(ii)  street furnishings could be reconsidered;

(iii)  the appearance of the market stalls could be improved with a more uniform look instead of random, patchy sheeting;

(iv)  the barrier of the brick wall which runs along the curve of the road beside the market could be adapted to make it more visually pleasing and practical, possibly providing seating on the market side;

(v)  the walk from the tram stop into the town centre could be made more pleasant, including ensuring that dropped curbs allow reasonable routes to the shops and allowing shared vehicle and pedestrian space over the small bridge towards the market;

(vi)  the market facing large window banners of the Wilkinson’s store could to be more appealing;

(vii)  the rusted railings to the road facing side of the Wilkinson store, with the old banners, could be made far more presentable;

(viii)  the town old town Hall is an interesting building but at one time the amount of signage detracted from the architecture and was overwhelming;

(ix)  the area between Greggs and Boots has been a focus of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

Verbal Update by Inspector Christine Busuttil of Nottinghamshire Police

Police inspector Christine Busuttil updated the Committee on the latest crime statistics for the area.

(a)  there were 46 burglary offences since the last meeting which is down on the same period last year. Several offences are expected to have been the result of a single offender who is now managed and along with five others who have now been detained including a person who was posing as a nurse to get into elderly people’s homes;

(b)  shoplifting is starting to reduced, possibly as a result of images of shoplifters being placed on Facebook and similar forums;

(c)  theft from a person continues although the Police do now have suspects;

(d)  during the Bulwell Forest Week of Action 9 motorbikes were seized, 57 speeding offences were recorded on Bestwood Road, three of which will go to court as they were registered as driving over 50mph in a 30mph zone;

(e)  a Public Spaces Protection Order has been proposed for Merchant Street as a result of the ongoing antisocial behaviour issues.

Mark Armstrong assured the committee that with regard to addressing shoplifting within the town centre, this is part of the Town Centre Action Plan but as the University of Nottingham is to shortly undertake research on the effectiveness of shoplifting deterrents (which would include a provision of radio systems and potentially monitoring equipment), no further development of anti-shoplifting policies or process will take place, pending the outcome of the research.

Question from the committee on the responses given included:

(a)  whilst approximately 46 PCSO posts are to be lost across Nottinghamshire, a restructure will ensure that Bulwell and Bulwell Forest will retain the current cover;

(b)  in addition to the police operation during the week of action, community speed watch on Bestwood Road caught 28 vehicles speeding within the first 45 minutes;

(c)  the speed limit on St Albans Road is supposed to be 20 mph but this is not adhered to with many drivers, including bus drivers, with many speeding beyond 30 mph, so the planned activity by community speed watch in this area is welcomed;

(d)  it is a concern that some PCSOs have told some tenants and residents groups that they will no longer report local crime statistics and issues to tenants residents meetings and that once they have collected information from the group they will then leave the meeting.

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report which proposes Area Capital and Public Realm schemes, along with Nottingham City Homes Environmental Programmes schemes.

It is noted that the work to Norwich Gardens has now been completed and has had a very positive effect on the area.

RESOLVED

(1)  to note the following financial position of Bulwell Ward budget:

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

(3)  to approve the following Public Realm schemes for Bulwell Forest Ward:

(4)   to note the following financial position of Bulwell Forest Ward budget:

(5)  to note the current Nottingham City Homes Environmental budget financial position:

(6)  to approve the following schemes:

Director of Neighbourhood Services

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report which provides detailed performance statistics along with commentary of progress made against area targets.

The Chair requested that in future, if any members of the committee had any issues or questions to raise regarding the contents of the performance report, they informed Neighbourhood Development Officers a few days before the meeting to enable the answers or information to be provided at the meeting.

RESOLVED to note the report.

Report of Chief Executive of Nottingham City Homes

Toni Smithurst, Nottingham City Homes Tenancy and Estate Manager, presented the report which updated the committee on the performance of Nottingham City Homes within Bulwell and Bulwell Forest.

The Committee was informed that there is to be a new Patch Manager for the Bulwell Central Patch.

RESOLVED to note the report.

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report which informs the Committee of the actions agreed by the Director of Neighbourhood Services as a result of Ward member funding decisions and the financial position of the Ward Member Budgets.

It was noted that although some further schemes had been approved, this had taken place after the report had been produced so they were not included but were progressing.

RESOLVED

(1)  to note the following Ward Councillor Budget allocations for Bulwell Ward:

Schemes: Bulwell Ward  Councillor(s)  Amount

Bulbs for Mariner Court   Hartshorne, Morris & Klein  £100

Totley Close Launch  Hartshorne, Morris & Klein  £600

Men’s Health Event  Hartshorne, Morris & Klein  £420

(2)  to note the Bulwell Ward financial position:

(3)  to note the following Ward Councillor Budget allocations for Bulwell Forest Ward:

(4)  to note the Bulwell Forest Ward financial position:

Report of Corporate Director for Resilience

Catherine Ziane-Pryor, Governance Officer, presented the report of the Corporate Director of Resilience which asked the Committee to agree the appointments of Councillors to Outside Bodies.

It is noted that the Outside Bodies below have specifically requested Councillors as Members and that other organisations are enquiring as to the process.

RESOLVED to agree the following appointments:

The opportunity for Community Representatives to suggest future agenda items.

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.

OLDER PERSON’S EVENT – 1 October 2015  9.30am – 12 noon  Bulwell Riverside

THE LEADER LISTENS – 5 October 2015  7pm -8.30pm  Bulwell Riverside

Forthcoming events include:

·  week starting 28/09/15 Older Person’s Events –throughout the ‘Take a Seat’ campaign launched in Market Square;

·  01/10/15 Older Person’s Event in Market Square, 1.30pm-4pm a variety of activities and interest followed by ‘Strictly age friendly dancing’; There was also an Older Persons Event taking place at Riverside in the morning.

·  05/10/15 The Leader Listens (Area 1) Questions need to be provided in advance to ensure that informed responses can be provided and where necessary the route of the tour can include the area of the issue concerned so the Leader can see the issue first hand;

·  VJ Day at the British Legion Railway Club will include a variety of stalls and 2 bands playing;

·  29/09/15 Top Valley Community Centre 10am to 12noon  McMillan Fundraising coffee morning;

·  26/09/15 NCH Tenant Fun day 11am to 3pm at Bulwell Academy with a variety of activities;

·  17/10/15 Rise Park Photography Exhibition, 10.30am to 3.30pm at Rise Park Community Centre.

To note that the date of the November meeting has been changed to 25 November 2015, at 5.30pm from 18 November 2015. The meeting will still be held in Bulwell Riverside.

RESOLVED to note the change of the next meeting date from 18 November to 25 November 2015.