Agenda for Bulwell and Bulwell Forest Area Committee on Wednesday, 17th February, 2016, 5.30 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Bulwell Riverside, Main Street Bulwell, Nottingham NG6 8QJ

Contact: Catherine Ziane-Pryor  Email: catherine.pryor@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

46.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Colin Bones, Joseph Zulu, Suki Shergill.

 

47.

DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

Minutes:

None.

48.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 281 KB

Of the meeting held on 25 November 2015 (for confirmation).

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 2015 were confirmed as a true record and was signed by the Chair.

49.

PARKLIVES HEALTHY LIFESTYLE ACTIVITY PROGRAMME pdf icon PDF 217 KB

Report of Director of Sport and Culture

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture Eddy Curry, Head of Parks and Open Spaces, and Alex Brown, Community Sport and Physical Activity Officer were in attendance to present the report and deliver a presentation and a brief film.

 

ParkLives is a project funded by Coca-Cola which aims to get 1 million people active by 2020. The aim of the project fits well with the City Council’s strategies for parks and open spaces, sport and activity, and health and well-being.

 

The following points were highlighted:

 

(a)  the purpose of the report is to:

 

(i)  help co-ordinators find out how they can best engage and encourage community involvement in ParkLives activities either by taking part in scheduled activities or creating their own independently or with the support of the City Council;

 

(ii)  to gather information on formal and informal groups of citizens already using the park for some sort of exercise. That the information can potentially contribute to funding bids for further park improvements or to help facilitate activities;

 

(b)  currently there are 40 active ParkLives Friends Groups across the City which take part in some sort of activity or enjoyment of the City’s parks and open spaces, doing anything from walking, dog walking, running, or in some way helping maintain the space;

 

(c)  in recent years £20 million has been invested in the City’s parks and open spaces, as can be seen at Bulwell Bogs. However the investment only proves worthwhile when citizens use these spaces;

 

(d)  the ParkLives Team needs to be able to register existing user groups and encourage new activities and user groups, with guidance and support and even activity leaders available to help activities establish and guide citizens to managing the activities independently by offering training to local champions within the community who can then encourage further activity;

 

(e)  a brief film of about Sue from Bulwell was shown. From not doing any exercise whatsoever, she joined a City Council hosted activity group and after 8 weekly sessions she was able to run 5 kilometres. The message of the film is that ‘no matter what age or size you can be involved and can achieve what you didn’t believe you could.’ Sue urged families and friends to get together and spend time enjoying the parks and open spaces;

 

(f)  all ParkLives events are free, fun and open to everyone. The list of the City Council scheduled activities throughout the forthcoming year is attached to the report.

 

Councillors commented on this was an ideal program to involve as many people as possible to improve fitness and help challenge social isolation.

 

Community representatives welcomed the initiative but were concerned that irresponsible and disruptive quad and motor bike riding on Southglade Park was deterring current users of the Park as the bikers presence and reckless riding is threatening and even dangerous. On one occasion bike riders rode through a weekend football match. Eddie Curry responded that with more people using the parks, this would act as a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

50.

EASYLINK BUS SERVICES - UPDATE pdf icon PDF 410 KB

Nottingham Community Transport to report

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Tim Bowyer, of Nottingham City Council Public Transport, informed the Committee that the EasyLink accessible bus service for Nottingham City has replaced the Dial-A-Ride Service and highlighted the following points:

 

(a)  this new door-to-door mobility service is available to citizens within the City who are either permanently or temporarily unable to access public transport . This may be because they have a disability or injury which does not allow them to travel to the bus/tram stop, or that due to their condition, they are unable to travel on public transport;

 

(b)  unlike a dial-a-ride service, there is no requirement that users possess a disability pass;

 

(c)  the Service is available between 8am and 7pm Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays;

 

(d)  the new lower fare pricing structure is based on distance as the crow flies, with fares starting from as little as £1.50 for concession card holders;

 

(e)  although membership registration is required, there is no membership fee;

 

(f)  whilst the Service is liaising with Nottingham City Homes, Age UK, and other relevant organisations, it is keen to ensure that anyone needing the Service is aware of it and can feel confident to use it, especially some of the more isolated and hard to reach citizens;

 

(g)  the replacement of Dial-A-Ride with EasyLink was gently introduced with existing members and is being widely advertised across the City, with officers keen to attend community group meetings to further promote the service;

 

(h)  EasyLink has six brand-new vehicles but retains the former Dial-A-Ride vehicles to ensure that if demand accelerates it can be met. Vehicles are fully accessible and assistance from trained drivers is available;

 

(i)  new booking systems enable journeys to be booked up to 6 weeks in advance with block bookings, or even three months in advance for medical appointments;

 

(j)  new computer software ensures that journeys, are planned as efficiently as possible.

 

Enquiries for further information on registering for the Service or using it, telephone 0115 969 1801 between noon and 4.30pm Monday to Friday, or text 0788 966 950.

 

51.

LOCAL PLAN PART 2: LAND AND PLANNING POLICIES DOCUMENT - PUBLICATION VERSION pdf icon PDF 287 KB

Report of Director for Planning and Transport

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Paul Tansey, Senior Planner, presented the report which informs the Committee that the Local Plan Part 2:Land And Planning Policies Document had been published. This document is very similar to the document reported to the Committee in 2013 with some revised policies. A total of seven local plan site allocations and development principles for potential development sites within the area are identified within the appendix to report. It is noted that the document would be available for a period of six weeks to enable individual or group representations to be made by completing a form, either on paper or online, which must be submitted by 5 pm on Friday 11 March 2016.

 

The full document can be viewed online at The Local Plan and Planning Policy - Nottingham City Council, where representation forms can be found. For paper forms, please call 0115 876 4594.

 

With regard to concerns raised about the water table in Bulwell and ensuring that where front gardens are converted to parking space, the surface is permeable to rain water.  Paul Tansey responded that surface water is taken into consideration within development principles but it is not believed that these apply to existing individual properties. However, as a valid point it will be raised.

 

RESOLVED to note that the Local Plan Part 2: Land and Planning Policy Document (Publication Version) and accompanying policies map has been published for representations and the period for making representations ends on 11 March 2016.

 

52.

AREA 1 JOBS PLAN - RESPONSE TO AREA CLUSTERS JOBS AND TRAINING REVIEW pdf icon PDF 198 KB

Report of Director Economic Innovation & Employment

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Stacey Shillingford, Community Employment and Skills Officer for the North Locality, presented the report which presents the Area Jobs Plan Proposals for 2016/17 and responded to questions raised at Area Chair’s Panel and Cluster Meetings regarding employment.

 

The Chair commented that is important for organisations funded to promote and support local people finding and starting work or training, to be able to demonstrate their achievements, without any risk of duplication or double counting.

 

Concerns are raised that while there are several employment or training options available for young people aged 18 to 29, it is far more difficult for older people, especially aged 50 years and over, to re-enter employment.

 

The success of the new local venture ‘Fast Hands’ was welcomed by members.

 

It is noted that the demographics within the area are changing with increasing BME representation, and this needs to be reflected within statistics being used for local population.

 

To enable focused attention on job and training provision within the area and its success, it is suggested that a working group is established.

 

RESOLVED that an Employment and Skills Partnership is established, jointly with Area 2, with terms of reference, membership, officers, reporting, and frequency of meetings to be decided at a future cluster meeting.

 

53.

AREA 1 COMMITTEE PRIORITIES pdf icon PDF 197 KB

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services 

Minutes:

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report which updates the Committee on the activity to date focused on the Area Committee Priorities of Employment and Employability, Health and Well-Being, Crime and Antisocial Behaviour.

 

Within the supporting document, under each priority heading, actions were identified and officers nominated to undertake those actions and timescales by which the actions were to be completed.

 

The following update regarding employment issues was presented at the meeting:

 

(a)  Top Valley Academy provided a three week programme for Year 10 students during the summer term. The first week involved detailed assessments, the second week was a work experience placement, and the third week involved a mock interview and support with writing CVs;

 

(b)  New College Nottingham provided childcare for some courses. Anyone interested in going on a local course can ask if childcare is available;

 

(c)  96 people had accessed employability related courses through the Nottingham City Homes Tenant Academy.  Of these people, 16% had gone into work and 20% had moved onto further education between February and November 2015;

 

(d)  ‘Adult Numeracy’ and ‘Introduction to English’ classes are currently running every 8 weeks at Bulwell Riverside.  Community groups have been asked to pass this information onto anyone who would benefit from support with English or maths;

 

(e)  following a request from a local group, it had been proposed to hold an event on April 23at Top Valley Academy for voluntary organisations to be able to recruit volunteers.  However, there had been a lower than expected response from community groups to this event and it is likely to be cancelled;

 

(f)  the Mellish Sports Centre has stated that they have helped 25 people into work this year and that they also help people with CVs, college and university applications;

 

(g)  989 people attended the Jobs Fair held at Riverside last year with 145 of those people moving into work.

 

Community representatives expressed concern at the lack of manual jobs available for people who do not excel academically and are unlikely to achieve the generally accepted basic standard requirement of five A-C GCSE grades.

 

In addition it is considered vital that every young person is able to speak with a careers adviser to ensure that they receive guidance to be able to meet their vocational potential.

 

Members recalled that initially Bulwell Academy had proposed to promote vocational training, so it would be interesting  if they could update the Committee on how this approach was progressing, including outcome work placements.

 

With such a strong national emphasis on apprenticeships, the committee requested information on how successful they were in and helping young people into work.

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)  to note the Area Committee Priorities and actions to date;

 

(2)  for further information to be provided regarding the extent, if any, of careers advice available to young people, specifically aimed at pupils who are unlikely to achieve 5 grade A-C GCSEs;

 

(3)  for further information to be brought to the Committee on the activity and performance of ‘Small Steps  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

54.

POLICING UPDATE

Verbal update by Nottinghamshire Police SergeantNev McGeehan

 

Minutes:

Nottinghamshire Police Sergeant Nev McGeehan verbally updated the Committee on the latest crime information for the area, as follows:

 

(a)  overall crime has decreased and criminal damage theft and burglary are down on the same period last year;

 

(b)  overall violence has increased with domestic violence up by 12% (although this may be partly due to the successful drive to encourage reporting of domestic violence), night time economy violence is down by 14%, but other violent crime, including assaults has increased by 21% (this may be partly be a result of Highbury Hospital merging some wards);

 

(c)  antisocial behaviour (ASB) has increased by 2%;

 

With regard to the motor cycle and quad bike problems in parks, the more people who report this as an issue, the more can be done. The ASB Team are able to seize bikes and prosecute riders. Unfortunately the milder weather this winter has resulted in more activity than usual. It is really important that if the culprits can be identified, this information is reported to the Police.

 

Community representatives also raised the following issues:

 

(d)  there seems to be an increasing number of cyclists on the road at night without lights, and even cycling into oncoming traffic;

 

(e)  cycling on pavements continues to be an issue and can be very intimidating, if not dangerous to pedestrians;

 

(f)  it takes an extraordinary amount of time, maybe 10 to 15 minutes, to report any issues to the 101 telephone number, as callers are asked an extraordinary amount of information. This is a deterrent for people considering reporting issues.

 

Sergeant McGeehan responded that cyclists have responsibilities and can be charged with cycling without due care and attention. The enforcement against cycling on pavements has passed to Community Protection Officers who are able to issue fines.  With regard to the length of time amount of information required citizen calling the 101 phone line, it is important to identify who the caller is and where they are so that if the circumstances turn into an emergency they can be found, however, the comments made will be forwarded.

 

RESOLVED to thank Sergeant McGeehan for as update and attendance.

 

55.

NOTTINGHAM CITY HOMES PERFORMANCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES UPDATE pdf icon PDF 124 KB

Report of Chief Executive of Nottingham City Homes

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Toni Smithurst, Nottingham City Homes (NCH) Tenancy and Estate Manager, presented the report the Chief Executive Nottingham City Homes, which updated the Committee with a list of NCH activity in the area, including involvement with community groups, and an overall performance report.

 

The Committee was also updated regarding the ongoing issues around persistently changing Patch Managers due to a seconded post. As a result of the concerns raised by councillors and community representatives, a patch manager realignment has taken place and the post from which a permanent patch manager had taken secondment for an uncertain period of time, has been moved to a different area, meaning that a permanent patch manager, Michael Mosley is now in place.

 

RESOLVED to note:

 

(i)  the update and performance information;

 

(ii)  in the remaining funds of £82,564 for Bulwell Ward, and £18,949 for Bulwell Forest Ward.

56.

FINANCE AND DELEGATED AUTHORITY pdf icon PDF 193 KB

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services

Minutes:

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

 

It is noted that further schemes and events have received Councillor support in principal, but are yet to be formally approved and so are not included in the lists below.

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)  to note the following formally approved allocations by Bulwell Ward Councillors:

Schemes: Bulwell Ward

Councillor(s)

Amount (total in £)

Football equipment

Hartshorne, Morris & Klein

125

Light Switch on 2016

Hartshorne, Morris & Klein

4,000

Older Persons event 2016

Hartshorne, Morris & Klein

250

Extended toilet opening 2016

Hartshorne, Morris & Klein

2,000

Peoples’ Choice

Hartshorne, Morris & Klein

59

Planting barriers

Hartshorne, Morris & Klein

250

 

(2)  to note the current financial position for Bulwell Ward:

 

Balance Brought Forward 14/15

6,200

Councillor Funding 15/16

15,000

Total Funds

21,200

Allocated 15/16

8,730

De-committed Schemes

355

Uncommitted Funds after Allocated Schemes

12,825

 

(3)  to note the following formally approved allocations by Bulwell Forest Ward Councillors:

 

Schemes: Bulwell Forest Ward

Councillor(s)

Amount

(total in £)

Bulwell Forest Week of Action 2016

Campbell, Clark, McDonald

1,500

Volunteer Recruitment Event

Campbell, Clark, McDonald

600

Rise Park and Bulwell Xmas Lights

Campbell, Clark, McDonald

3,900

Scorpion Football Club

Campbell, Clark, McDonald

125

SKN Heritage

Campbell, Clark, McDonald

250

 

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

 

Balance Brought Forward 14/15

78

Councillor Funding 15/16

15,000

Total Funds

15,078

Allocated 15/16

12,176

De-committed Schemes

0

Uncommitted Funds after Allocated Schemes

2,902

 

57.

AREA CAPITAL pdf icon PDF 273 KB

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services

Minutes:

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report which proposes Area Capital and Public Realm (local Transport Plan –LTP) funded schemes.

 

RESOLVED

 

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

 

 

 

2015-2016 LTP allocation

 

£82,000

 

 

LTP carried forward from 2013-2015

 

£0

 

 

2015 - 2016 Public Realm allocation

 

£49,050

 

 

Public Realm carried forward from 2013-2015

£82,467

 

 

Total Available 2015 - 2016 ACF

 

£213,517

 

 

Less LTP schemes

-

£82,000

 

 

Less Public Realm schemes

-

£60,564

 

 

De-committed funds

+

£0

 

 

Remaining available balance

 

£70,953

 

 

LTP element remaining

 

£0

 

 

Public Realm element remaining

 

£70,953

 

 

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

 

 

Location

Type

Estimate

Details

 

 

Hucknall Lane

 

Footpaths

 

 

£30,256

 

 

Resurfacing of Hucknall Lane footpaths from Moor Bridge to Swinger car wash on railway side (LTP contribution) - lead service: Highway Maintenance

 

 

 

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

 

Location

Type

Estimate

Details

Bulwell Schools

 

 

 

road safety

 

 

 

 

£1,850

 

 

 

 

Assess existing street furniture and lining and replace / modify as required outside identified schools in the ward - lead service: Traffic & Safety

Sellers Wood Drive area

road safety

 

 

£8,500

 

 

Junction protection works to improve safety and visibility - lead service: Traffic & Safety

Hucknall Lane/

Naomi Crescent

road safety

 

 

 

£6,600

 

 

 

Junction protection works to improve safety and visibility - lead service: Traffic & Safety

 

Hucknall Lane

 

 

 

Footpaths

 

 

 

 

£26,765

 

 

 

 

Resurfacing of Hucknall Lane footpaths from Moor Bridge to Swinger car wash on railway side (PR contribution) - lead service: Highway Maintenance

 

 

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

 

2015-2016 LTP allocation

 

£49,000

LTP carried forward from 2013-2015

 

£0

2015 - 2016 Public Realm allocation

 

£29,250

Public Realm carried forward from 2013-2015

£526

Total Available 2015 - 2016 ACF

 

£78,776

Less LTP schemes

-

£49,000

Less Public Realm schemes

-

£22,253

Decommitted funds

+

£0

Remaining available balance

 

£7,523

LTP element remaining

 

£0

Public Realm element remaining

 

£7,523

 

(5)  to approve the following Bulwell Forest Public Realm schemes:

 

Location

Type

Estimate

Details

Rise Park Road

 

 

 

 

 

Survey

 

 

 

 

 

£1,925

 

 

 

 

 

Survey of speeding issues on Rise Park Road to include development of potential solutions and address displaced parking - lead service: Traffic & Safety

Rise Park Place sign

 

 

Signage

 

 

 

£2,000

 

 

 

Contribution to the cost of a decorative sign at Rise Park - lead service: Neighbourhood Management

Old Farm Road

 

 

 

 

bus stop

 cage

 

 

 

£700

 

 

 

 

Contribution to introduce measures to Improve safety for public transport users by preventing parking at bus stops - lead service: Traffic & Safety

 

58.

WARD PERFORMANCE pdf icon PDF 747 KB

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services

Minutes:

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, introduced the report which provides detailed performance statistics along with commentary of progress made against area targets and informed the committee that the information had been considered during the Neighbourhood Action Team meeting (NAT).

 

It is noted that if any members of the Committee have any issues or questions to raise regarding contents of performance reports, they can inform their ward Neighbourhood Development Officer a few days before the meeting to enable the answers or information to be provided at the meeting.

 

RESOLVED to note the report.

 

59.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

The opportunity for Community Representatives to suggest future agenda items.

 

Minutes:

There is an 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.

 

60.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Minutes:

Councillor Jackie Morris informed the Committee that a play focusing on domestic violence will be open to citizens on Wednesday, 9 March at 12.30pm at the Council House in Market Square. There is no charge for the event.

 

Nominations for Community Volunteer Awards are being sought. Nomination forms are available from Kevin Banfield (kevin.banfield@nottinghamcity.gov.uk)or by contacting Neighbourhood Development Officers (Celia 0115 8833729 or Suki 0115 8833728). Nominations for the ‘Good Neighbour Awards’ are also welcomed.

 

A dog micro-chipping session will take place at Southgate Park on Wednesday, 9 March from 11 am to 3 pm. As of April 2016 all dogs over the age of 8 weeks old must be micro-chipped. There is no set fee for this service but a donation is requested.

 

61.

NEXT PROVISIONAL MEETING DATE

To note that the Committee is provisionally scheduled to next meet on 18 May 2016. Confirmation of the next meeting date will be available in the new municipal year.

Minutes:

RESOLVED to note that the next provisionally scheduled meeting of the Committee is 18 May 2016.