Agenda and minutes

Councillor Graham Chapman – other council business

Councillor Mohammed Saghir – other council business

Councillor Wendy Smith – work commitments

Councillor Malcolm Wood - unwell

Susan Vickers

None.

Last meeting held 11 November 2015 (for confirmation)

The minutes of item 32 (Delegated Authority Report) from 11 November 2015 will be amended to reflect that the Aspley Partnership received funding for a bid writer, not the Nottingham Tartanaires.

Subject to the above change being made, the minutes for the meeting held on 11 November 2015 were agreed as accurate and signed by the Chair.

Report of the Director of Sport and Culture and the Corporate Director of Commercial and Operations

Alex Brown, Community Sport and Physical Activity Officer and Councillor David Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Sport and Leisure, introduced the ParkLives Healthy Lifestyle Activity Programme 2016, highlighting the following points:

(a)  Nottingham was one of 10 authorities successful in securing funding from Coca Cola;

(b)  there are lots of Friends and Parks groups around the city that need to be engaged with. There will be opportunities to engage local people, get them involved in events as well as providing some training;

(c)  other core cities have been talking about selling off their parks, but Nottingham City Council has invested over £28m, including refurbishing playgrounds, installing outdoor gyms, major improvements to larger parks, and a £3.4m lottery scheme in Highfields Park;

(d)  ParkLives runs up to 2020, and lots of activities will be organised, but ideally it will be sustainable. There can be more than 1 friends group per park, and there could be activity friends groups (such as dog walking, litter picking, walking groups, outdoor yoga etc.) where people may continue after the scheme funding has ended. Friends groups and community support can demonstrate community involvement, which can help with external funding bids;

(e)  last year there were over 450 activity sessions, all free. Some were for adults, some were for families, some were for children and some were for older people. They were held at all times of day and weekends, to remove barriers and be more accessible. This year, activities will be much more locally focused, concentrating on what activities people want and when they want them in their parks.

(f)  the Parks Team can provide coaches or instructors, or provide training to get local people qualified as coaches to make it more sustainable. There is lots of help and support available from the team;

(g)  the main aim of the scheme is to get people to participate in low level activity.

(h)  the Committee commented that it would be helpful for the ParkLives team to attend tenants meetings, parents evenings etc. to find more volunteers.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  note the draft ParkLives programme for 2016;

(2)  request that nominations for Local ParkLives Ambassadors/Activators are emailed to parklives@nottinghamcity.gov.uk.

Report of the Director of Economic Innovation and Employment

Chris Grocock, Employment and Skills Officer, and Stacey Shillingford, Community Employment and Skills Officer, presented a report to the Committee on the Area Jobs Plan, highlighting the following points:

(a)  in November and December 2015, the Employment and Skills Team received 10 question from Area Chairs Panel about how employment and skills provision is delivered within the areas. The main themes that emerged were a disconnect between area committees and knowledge about what is being delivered locally;

(b)  the focus requested by Area Chairs Panel was on good quality jobs, and on targeting harder to reach groups rather than going for quick wins;

(c)  programmes need to be adjustable to be more targeted to local need and specific to each area. The recommended response to the issues raised was to establish local employment and skills partnerships. The partnerships would meet quarterly to assess what is being delivered in each area and facilitate improvement of programmes;

(d)  targets at the moment focus on job outcomes, which can incentivise providers to work with those who are easiest to help into work;

(e)  better links are required between unemployment issues and issues connected to housing, health, mental health, addiction, and learning.

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

(f)  partnerships need to be improved, as there are a significant number of vulnerable adults who can’t avail themselves of traditional learning. Connections also need to work the other way, e.g. those with mental health issues can be referred for employment help;

(g)  Councillors can add an influence and a local accountability to these groups that can improve their function. The groups being Councillor-led gives them weight, which the area leads don’t have. We want to bring to bear the resources we have to facilitate these partnerships, put them at your service. This group will allow us to pull everything under the same roof. Areas have different needs, it’s about tailoring and being accountable;

(h)  there are a lot of fragmented services and organisations operating across to area, not all of whom are accountable to area leads, or any other body, so we want to bring them all together. This proposal will strengthen the work of the Commissioning Team and ensure we’re getting value for money.

RESOLVED to establish an Employment and Skills West Area Partnership with terms of reference, membership, officers, reporting and frequency of meetings to be decided at the next West Area Cluster meeting.

Report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services

Rob Gabbitas, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the Ward Performance Report, as detailed in the agenda pack. The report is a regular report that sets out the key issues and successes, the ward priorities and finances within each ward, and upcoming events.

There were questions and comments from the Committee:

(a)  The Committee approved of the new layout for the report, noting that it is a bit more succinct;

(b)  Councillors requested further information on the impact of domestic violence on young people, as Aspley has one of the highest domestic violence rates in the country;

(c)  Councillors also requested further information on what Small Steps Big Changes are providing within the community, and on free nursery provision for under 2s;

(d)  the next theme for review will be healthy lifestyles. This will start in March with Councillors and Neighbourhood Development Officers being trained, then a review of local need to inform the commissioning of services ready for October/November.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  note the Ward Performance report;

(2)  provide Councillors with further information on the impact of domestic violence on young people, Small Steps Big Changes, and free nursery provision for under 2s.

Report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services

Rob Gabbitas, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the Area Capital Fund 2015/16 report.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  note the following monies available under the Area Capital Fund:

  Aspley – £0.00

  Bilborough – £22,910.00

  Leen Valley – £0.00

(2)  note the following withdrawn scheme in the Aspley ward:

(3)  approve the following schemes:

Report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services

Julianne Christou, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the Delegated Authority report.

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

Report of Nottingham City Homes

Nicky Jarvis, Tenancy and Estate Manager at Nottingham City Homes, presented the Nottingham City Homes report, containing performance information and details of the allocation of environmental and area capital funds.

RESOLVED to:

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

(2)  note the monies available under the environmental budget:

Aspley – £1,041.00

Bilborough – £158,928.10

Leen Valley – £25,082.83

(3)  approve the following schemes:

(4)  note the amendments to the remaining environmental budget for the Aspley ward since the last Area Committee, due a decommitted scheme of £50,000.00.

Report of the Director for Planning and Transport, and the Deputy Chief Executive/Corporate Director Development & Growth

Dawn Alvey, Local Plans Manager, presented a report to the Committee on the Local Area Plan Part 2: Land and Planning Policies Document, highlighting the following points:

(a)  there is a government requirement to produce a planning document, covering a 15 year timescale, which is difficult to do in terms of changing planning policy and economic conditions;

(b)  the plan includes all planning policies that the council needs to rely on when making planning decisions, and allocates development sites. Part 1 of the plan was for high level strategic policies, and has already been approved. Part 2 is more detailed, and has smaller site allocations to meet the needs identified in Part 1;

(c)  several rounds of consultation have taken place already, and the document has now been approved for consultation, open till 11 March 2016;

(d)  the plan has been difficult to produce. There is a requirement to maintain a 5-year housing land supply, otherwise the plan can be overruled by the government. 95% of all new homes are built on brownfield land. All sites over a certain size have to be considered, with a total of 85 sites, for delivery up to 2028;

(e)  there are 12 site allocations in this area, some of which are already under construction or under planning permission. These sites are still contained in the plan because things can change and sites can stall;

(f)  there has been a focus on provision of family homes, tackling flood risk, and restriction of hot-food takeaways near schools to tackle obesity and support the health agenda. This focus may be difficult to defend, but it is hoped that there will be increasing central support going forward;

(g)  there is some local concern on a number of the proposed sites, especially greenfield sites. The consultation deadline cannot be extended, as it is a statutory deadline.  Further information on the consultation can be found at www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/localplan. The plan will be adopted around summer 2017;

(h)  the sites within this area include:

·  Woodhouse Way, Nottingham Business park North - employment use

·  Woodhouse Way, Woodhouse Park - mixed residential, local convenience store and employment use

·  College Way, Melbury School Playing Field – residential and open space

·  Chingford Road Playing Field – residential and open space

·  Denewood Crescent, Denewood Centre – residential / specialist housing

·  Wilkinson Street, Former PZ Cussons – mixed residential and employment use with open space

·  Bobbers Mill Bridge, land adjacent to Bobbers Mill Industrial Estate – residential

·  Bobbers Mill Bridge, Bobbers Mill Industrial Estate – residential and employment use

·  Ascot Road, Speedo – residential

·  Beechdale Road, South of Former Co-Op Dairy – residential

·  Chalfont Drive, Former Government Buildings – residential

·  Beechdale Road, Former Beechdale Baths – convenience retail store and residential;

There were a number of questions and comments from the Committee:

(i)  all Councillors have received the consultation information, the Planning Team is happy to meet with them further, and to meet with any groups who may wish for further information. It is difficult to provide the certainties that people want at this stage, as the planning document concerns planning principles, not specifics for each site;

(j)  if residents have particular concerns, for example regarding increased traffic, then again Councillors and residents can meet with the Planning Team to discuss these issues further. However, certain sites already have planning permission, so it is important not to raise anyone’s hopes that they can change that. Whilst Nottingham City Council cannot influence many developments themselves, they can have some influence on the provision of infrastructure.

RESOLVED to note the Local Plan Part 2: Land and Planning Policies Document (Publication Version) as contained in appendix A of the report, and that the period for making representations ends on 11 March 2016.

Report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services

Rob Gabbitas, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented a report on the Area Committee Priority Action Plan. The Plan is about bringing the area priorities together. It is an ongoing piece of work, with quite broad priorities. It is a positive thing for the West Area Committee to have some guidance on local priorities.

RESOLVED to note the West Area Committee priorities below, and actions as set out in the appendix to the report:

(1)  Glaisdale Drive Development;

(2)  Jobs and Training;

(3)  Health.

Presentation

Tim Bowyer, of Nottingham City Council Public Transport, gave a presentation on the EasyLink accessible bus service for Nottingham City, highlighted the following points:

(a)  EasyLink is the new door-to-door accessible bus service from Nottingham City Council, replacing the Dial-a-Ride service, as that had quite a few barriers to use;

(b)  6 brand new fully accessible vehicles have been introduced, including a full flat rear lift. The service is available for anyone who who lives in the Greater Nottingham area who struggles to use public transport, not just the elderly and disabled;

(c)  the service is door to door, anywhere within a 10 mile radius of the city centre. Drivers are fully trained to help passengers. Escorts or carers travel free of charge;

(d)  if you have a Nottingham City Council Mobility Citycard you can book straight away. For all other users it’s a simple application form. People can also apply online, and there’s no longer a fee to join;

(e)  the service can now be booked in advance – up to 7 days in advance for a single trip, 6 weeks in advance for block bookings, or 3 months in advance for medical appointments;

(f)  a new booking system has been introduced, including new telephone systems, an online booking system, email and text based booking;

(g)  the fares no longer operate on a zonal system, they work on distance as the crow flies, with the cheapest fare (up to 1 mile) £1.50 for a concessionary pass holder, or £3.00 for a full fare;

(h)  the Public Transport team want to promote the new scheme within the community. Leaflets and posters are available (including in accessible formats), there is information on the website. A vehicle can be brought along to any planned events to show potential users.

There were questions and comments from the Committee:

(i)  the Committee agreed that it is very positive news that carers and escorts are not charged to use the service. People should not be financially penalised just because they need extra help;

(j)  previously there were lots of problems and inadequate resources. It wasn’t a bad service, it just didn’t have the resources. Some people couldn’t use it before due to availability and booking issues. With the new vehicles, realistically capacity has been doubled. There are also optimised journeys due to a new computer journey planning system;

(k)  the drivers on the Dial-a-Ride service have always been excellent, and always received great feedback. They know the customers well and are a key part of the service. The same drivers have been kept for the EasyLink service. Their skills have been updated to improve the service they provide.

(l)  Tim was invited to showcase the new service at a tea dance on 22 April 2016. The service has already been showcased at several local events, including other tea dances, pop-up cafes, markets and churches;

(m)  lots of articles are going out across many publications about the service, including the Arrow;

(n)  there are 6 new vehicles, the old vehicles have been retained in case demand increases. The trip figures and membership numbers will be continuously reviewed to ensure that the service is not overwhelmed;

(o)  uptake data will be recorded and can be shared with anyone who is interested.

RESOLVED to note the information and thank Tim for the presentation.