Agenda for West Area Committee on Wednesday, 13th June, 2018, 5.30 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: LB 31-32 - Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham, NG2 3NG. View directions

Contact: Noel McMenamin Governance Officer 

Items
No. Item

1.

APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR

Minutes:

Following a vote, Councillor Marcia Watson was appointed as Chair for the 2018/19 municipal year.

2.

APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIR

Minutes:

Councillor Glyn Jenkins was appointed as the Vice Chair for the 2018/19 municipal year.

3.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Nicky Jarvis – Nottingham City Homes

Kristian Murden – Nottingham City Homes

Maria Summers – Community Protection

4.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Minutes:

None.

5.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 238 KB

Last meeting held on 14 February 2018 (for confirmation)

Minutes:

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

6.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE POLICE

Verbal Update

Minutes:

Inspector Gordon Fenwick from Nottinghamshire Police presented an update on policing and crime in the West Area, highlighting the following points:

 

(a)  policing has now moved back to a city and county geographical model. There have been some recent staff changes, with some new recruits starting in the area soon;

 

(b)  although there has been in increase in crime in the West area, this is reflected across the city division, and all wards within the city remain safe places to live;

 

(c)  across all wards in the area, burglary has increased by eight or nine offences;

 

(d)  in Aspley, violence committed by someone known to the victim has increased by 38 offences. Anti-social behaviour calls have decreased by 26%, which may reflect a fall in reporting rather than a fall in rates. There has been a slight increase in race crime of five more incidents, which have all been categorised as low risk;

 

(e)  in Bilborough, race hate crime has had a slight decrease by three incidents. Off-road bike operations and Trojan bus speeding operations have taken place. Whilst some citizens report there is a perception that Police Officers are always in the station rather than on the street, this is not the case, and computers will soon be removed from the station which will help Officers remain out on patrol. Work has been ongoing on Bracebridge Drive. Vehicle crime is down by 38%;

 

(f)  in Leen Valley, there was an increase of only one race hate crime. Anti-social behaviour was down by 30%, with an increased off-road bike team presence in the ward;

 

(g)  policing boundaries are not linked to political boundaries, and there are no plans to change the boundaries;

 

(h)  crime figures for specific types include attempted crimes (i.e. burglary statistics will include reported attempted burglaries).

 

RESOLVED to thank Inspector Gordon Fenwick for his update, and note the contents.

7.

ITEMS FOR COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES

Minutes:

The Chair invited contributions from Community Representatives. Christine Willetts, representing Nottingham Tartanaires Marching Band, raised issues concerning the local area and shared items of good news:

 

(a)  the Beechdale area, which has predominantly elderly residents, has an issue with availability of public transport, particularly after 4pm. There are no bus routes from the top to the bottom of Beechdale Road. The introduction of parking permits nearby has simply moved the parking problem, and Trinity School has stopped providing parking for teachers, which is also exacerbating the congestion issue. If a local bus route could be diverted to go down Beechdale Road, this would help with traffic and congestion and possibly reduce parking issues. Councillor agreed that public transport in the area was an issue, and the Chair agreed to write to Mark Fowles, the Managing Director of Nottingham City Transport, to ask if there was a commercial case for changing a route. The response will be reported back to the next meeting of the West Area Committee;

 

(b)  a donation was made in 2017 of £500 towards a mini bus. This has been well used by local residents, who have recently enjoyed a tea dance and a day trip to Matlock.

 

RESOLVED to:

 

(1)  thank Christine Willetts for her contribution to the committee and to note her concerns and update;

 

(2)  write to the Managing Director of Nottingham City Transport on behalf of the West Area Committee, asking for an examination of the commercial viability of extending a route down Beechdale Road;

 

(3)  report back to the next meeting of the West Area Committee on the public transport issues in the Beechdale area.

8.

COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES ADVICE SHEET pdf icon PDF 344 KB

Minutes:

Zena West, Governance Officer and clerk to the West Area Committee, provided information on the communication preferences of Community Representatives, highlighting the following points:

 

(a)  in light of recent legislative changes regarding the use of personal data, Community Representatives will be canvassed for their communication preferences for the receipt of agendas for Area Committees. They will be asked to refresh their preferences each year upon appointment;

 

(b)  whilst Community Representatives are entitled to have a hard copy of agenda packs posted to them, this is not the preferred option due to environmental concerns and cost implications. The preferred option is to receive an email alert (which contains a link through the web version of the agenda) or to view the agenda pack using the Mod Gov app on a personal tablet;

 

(c)  anyone wishing to inform the clerk of their communication preferences, or receive guidance on how to install the Mod Gov app on their tablet, should contact the clerk directly by email (zena.west@nottinghamcity.gov.uk) or by post (Constitutional Services, LH Box 28, Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham, NG2 3NG).

 

RESOLVED to note the refresh of communication preferences for Community Representatives.

9.

COMMUNITY PROTECTION UPDATE

Verbal Update

Minutes:

Liam Searle, Neighbourhood Development Officer, read an update on issues affecting the area since 1 April 2018 on behalf of Community Protection colleagues who were unable to attend the meeting:

 

(a)  in Aspley, 25 fixed penalty notices have been issued, including one for not having bags for dog waste and one for breach of a community protection notice. Two community protection warning notices have also been issued;

 

(b)  priorities in Aspley include dog fouling, off-road bikes, littering, and engaging with parents at youth sessions;

 

(c)  in Bilborough, 20 fixed penalty notices have been issued, including one for fly-tipping and five for breach of a community protection notice. Two community protection warning notices have also been issued;

 

(d)  priorities in Bilborough include dog fouling, off-road bikes, arson and criminal damage;

 

(e)  in Leen Valley, nine fixed penalty notices have been issued for littering;

 

(f)  priorities in Leen Valley include littering, fly-tipping and trade waste disposal, mini motos and off-road bikes, and arson.

 

RESOLVED to note the update.

10.

NOTTINGHAM CITY HOMES pdf icon PDF 144 KB

Report of Chief Executive, Nottingham City Homes

Additional documents:

Minutes:

No representative from Nottingham City Homes was able to attend the meeting. Councillors expressed their disappointment, and noted that the Nottingham City Homes report was an important report which required discussion and approval, with someone from Nottingham City Homes available to provide further information. As such, Councillors opted to defer this item to the next meeting of the West Area Committee, and did not approve the scheme detailed in the appendix.

11.

Ward Reports pdf icon PDF 213 KB

Report of Director of Community Protection

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Liam Searle and Debbie Royle, Neighbourhood Development Officers, presented the Ward Reports, as attached to the agenda. Following questions and comments from the Committee, some additional information was provided:

 

(a)  a recent restructure within Neighbourhood Services has resulted in a team working approach, with work shared amongst Neighbourhood Development Officers. The named contacts for the West Area will be Liam Searle, Debbie Royle and Iffat Iqbal;

 

(b)  a partner has been selected by Nottingham City Council for the redevelopment of the former Beechdale Baths site. A confidentially clause prevents the release of the developers name at this time;

 

(c)  the recent Respect Survey will begin to inform ward priorities. Existing priorities will not change, new priorities will be added. If the survey results are informed by perception rather than fact then the priority may be altered accordingly (for example, if they suggest there is an issues with anti-social behaviour when levels have actually decreased, then the priority may be to improve the perception of anti-social behaviour levels, rather than to improve anti-social behaviour);

 

(d)  work is starting on Monday on the new Harvey Hadden children’s playground – it will be open by the summer;

 

(e)  the launch event for the Bilborough Arts Festival will take place on 30 June. Posters are being displayed locally and will be distributed to Councillors;

 

(f)  the opening of the Kennington Road play area was well attended by local citizens;

 

(g)  work will start shortly on Trafford Park, opposite the allotments;

 

(h)  the Melbourne Meltdown will be held on Saturday 11 August from noon to 4pm on Melbourne Park, Melbourne Road. It is a summer fun day which includes inflatables, food and games;

 

(i)  ownership of Melbourne Park has now been transferred to a local community group, who have taken over responsibility for maintenance. It is still open to the public;

 

(j)  the possibility of a community skip was discussed, however recent community skip schemes have been abused and filled with bulky or commercial waste, or subject to arson or graffiti. An attendant would be required, which would make the scheme unaffordable. If local residents have a specific clear-up project in mind they can group together and request a skip.

 

RESOLVED to thank Liam Searle and Debbie Royle for the update, and note the contents.

12.

Area Capital Fund pdf icon PDF 209 KB

Report of Director of Community Protection

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Liam Searle, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report.

 

RESOLVED to note the Area Capital funds available as below:

 

(1)  Aspley – £194,520;

 

(2)  Bilborough – £138,120;

 

(3)  Leen Valley - £85,245.

13.

DELEGATED AUTHORITY SPENDING APPROVALS pdf icon PDF 211 KB

Report of Director of Community Protection

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Liam Searle, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report.

 

RESOLVED to note the following actions agreed by the Director of Neighbourhood Services:

 

(1)  Aspley ward schemes funded by Councillors Graham Chapman, Carole McCulloch and Patience Uloma Ifediora:

(a)  £233 towards the Strelley Village Green Society Family Fun Day;

(b)  £900 for the Hope Centre Summer Day Trip;

(c)  £100 for Youth Session Music Equipment;

(d)  £3,000 for the Melbourne Meltdown;

 

(2)  Bilborough ward schemes funded by Councillors Wendy Smith, Marcia Watson and Malcolm Wood - £543 towards the Strelley Village Green Society Family Fun Day;

 

(3)  Bilborough ward schemes funded by Councillors Marcia Watson and Malcolm Wood - £3,000 for the Bilborough Arts Festival;

 

(4)  Bilborough ward schemes funded by Councillor Wendy Smith - £3,000 for the Bilborough Park Launch Fun Day;

 

(5)  Leen Valley ward schemes funded by Councillor Glyn Jenkins - £350 for Signage on Plantation Estate.

14.

DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS

To agree to meet on the following Wednesdays at 5:30pm:

 

2018  2019

12 September  13 March

12 December

Minutes:

RESOLVED to meet Wednesdays at 5:30pm on 12 September 2018, 12 December 2018 and 13 March 2019.