Agenda for West Area Committee on Wednesday, 13th March, 2019, 5.30 pm

Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Ground Floor Committee Room - Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham, NG2 3NG. View directions

Contact: Adrian Mann  Email: adrian.mann@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

39.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Councillor Carole McCulloch

40.

Declarations of Interests

Minutes:

None.

41.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 252 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2018.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2018 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

42.

Items from Community Representatives

To note the reports of the Community Representatives.

Minutes:

Christine Willetts, Community Representative of the Nottingham Tartanaires, gave a verbal report on Community activities in the Aspley Ward. The following points were discussed:

 

(a)  the funding of an Aspley Christmas Tree for 2018 had been successful and a 2019 tree was being planned, with an aim for greater publicity at an earlier stage. The businesses on Aspley Lane are good contributors who give a strong level of support and it is planned to set up a stall in the area to raise funds.

 

RESOLVED to note the verbal reports of the Community Representatives.

43.

Nottinghamshire Police - Area Update

To note the reports on Policing issues and crime statistics in the Area.

Minutes:

Inspector Gordon Fenwick, of Nottinghamshire Police, gave a verbal report on Policing issues and crime statistics in the West Area. The following points were discussed:

 

(a)  in the Aspley Ward, the figures for February showed that crimes were down from 152 to 110 – but that there had been an increase in street robbery. These robberies occurred within the ‘A610 corridor’ and, following the implementation of a patrol and trigger plan, a suspect was arrested and charged with a number of offences. There had been 3 residential burglaries during February, with 1 during the last fortnight, and 3 vehicle offences. A local team is focusing on instances of anti-social behaviour along the Sherborne Road. During the morning of 13 March, an argument occurred between two girls who attended the same school, resulting in one of the girls being injured with a pair of scissors. The incident is understood to have been a personal dispute, but tensions are being monitored in the ward;

 

(b)  in the Bilborough Ward, the crime figures for February showed a slight increase, but burglaries were down from 9 to 6. Unfortunately, a number of incidents, including one hate crime, had occurred along Bracebridge Drive. Increased patrols are taking place and the Inspector would like to meet with the Neighbourhood Development Officer and Action Team to discuss a dispersal notice and the installation of CCTV;

 

(c)  in the Leen Valley Ward, the figures for February showed a level crime rate with 56 incidents is February, including 2 vehicle offenses (representing a 70% decrease) and 15 reports of anti-social behaviour, which were largely neighbour disputes;

 

(d)  a national initiative to reduce knife crime is underway, with the Police focusing on enforcement against known perpetrators (some of whom are attached to gangs that are active in other areas of the City), home interventions and education. Officers were going into the local schools to talk to Year 11 students, with the ‘Mini Policing’ programme to start in primary schools from Easter. The appointment process for a Schools Officer has nearly concluded and the new role holder will be able to attend West Area Committee meetings in the future, to provide updates;

 

(e)  drugs-related crime remains level, with Police acting on intelligence as it becomes available to carry out raids;

 

(f)  during spring and summer, the Police will be very glad to join councillors at any community engagement events, to help build positive relationships.

 

RESOLVED to note the verbal report of Nottinghamshire Police.

44.

Community Protection Update

To note the reports on Community Protection issues in the Area.

Minutes:

Chelsea Owen, Community Protection Officer, gave a verbal report on Community Protection issues in the West Area from the end of January to the start of March. The following points were discussed:

 

(a)  in the Aspley Ward, dog fouling issues had reduced and work continued on operations and education, with only 1 fine levied and no complaints within the last 2-3 weeks. There had been 21 littering operations, 10 fly-tipping investigations had been carried out and 10 untaxed cars had been removed from the road. The anti-social use of off-road motorbikes is still an issue and high-visibility patrols are in place. Community Protection Officers are carrying out a number of engagements with families and the wider community;

 

(b)  in the Bilborough Ward, dog fouling issues had reduced and work continued on operations and education, but the number of penalty notices issued for littering had increased and 10 instances of fly-tipping were under investigation. Visible patrols are in place and no instances of the anti-social use of off-road motorbikes have been reported. Good work is taking place with landlords relating to problem tenants and a number of community engagement sessions are being carried out;

 

(c)  in the Leen Valley Ward, a new Community Protection Officer has been appointed. Fly tipping has increased and high visibility patrols are in place in problem areas. The anti-social use of off-road motorbikes is decreasing, but there are significant parking issues around a local school leading to problems between residents and parents dropping off and collecting children, which need to be resolved. A community litter pick was carried out and there is one ongoing neighbour dispute due to a barking dog.

 

The Chair noted that, if committee members had any Community Protection issues to raise, they could email these to the Community Protection Officer.

 

RESOLVED to note the verbal report of Community Protection.

45.

Nottingham City Homes Updates and Approvals pdf icon PDF 144 KB

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Nottingham City Homes.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Kristian Murden, Tenancy and Estate Manager for Nottingham City Homes, presented an update on the key issues and themes related to the local priorities and wider housing strategy for the area. The following points were discussed:

 

(a)  recent performance is improving well, rent collection is good, tenancy sustainment is above target and property void times are low. A number of cases of gardens in bad condition are being dealt with. The Big Spring Clean will take place shortly. Officers are identifying the properties most in need of repair and maintenance, and a great deal of work had been carried out to ensure that all of the funding for the closing financial year is spent effectively;

 

(b)  it was requested that a Nottingham City Homes information board on the Bracebridge Green was removed;

 

(c)  Gillian Bainbridge has been nominated for the TPAS ‘Tenant of Leaseholder of the Year’ award for her significant contribution to her neighbourhood;

 

(d)  the Tenant Involvement Team will engage with the residents of Foxton Gardens, Aspley to discuss improvements to the properties, and a summer garden party is being planned;

 

(e)  the proposed new railings for Denewood Crescent, Bilborough are a different design to previous installations, but the work will be carried out under the Ward budget for general area improvements without cost to the residents (all of whom will be contacted), whether they are tenants or freeholders.

 

RESOLVED to:

 

(1)  note the report on the key issues and themes relating to the local priorities and wider housing strategy for the area;

 

(2)  note the allocation of funds for 2018/19;

 

(3)  approve the Area Capital Programme funding request for four projects at a total cost of £176,490.36.

46.

Ward Reports pdf icon PDF 212 KB

To consider the report of the Director of Community Protection.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Liam Searle, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented a report on the current ward priorities, issues and engagement opportunities.

 

RESOLVED to note the Ward Repots.

47.

Delegated Authority Spending Approvals pdf icon PDF 110 KB

To consider the report of the Director of Community Protection.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Debbie Royle, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented a report on the use of the Committee’s authority delegated to the Director of Neighbourhood Services for projects funded by Ward Councillor Budgets.

 

RESOLVED to note the report on project spending delegated to the Director of Neighbourhood Services.

48.

Area Capital Fund pdf icon PDF 211 KB

To consider the report of the Director of Community Protection.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Iffat Iqbal, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented a report on the latest spending proposals under the Area Capital Fund. The following points were discussed:

 

(a)  the installation of a CCTV sign at a playground in the Bilborough Ward at a cost of £70 had been omitted from the report in error and was added to the list of schemes.

 

RESOLVED to:

 

(1)  note the Area Capital funds available to the Aspley, Bilborough and Leen Valley Wards;

 

(2)  approve the four new schemes for the Bilborough and Leen Valley Wards, at an estimated cost of £29,650.