Agenda and minutes

Gary Beaven – North Wollaton Residents’ Association

Pauline Dorey – Neighbourhood Development Officer

The Committee expressed its shock and sadness at the death of David Allen, North Wollaton Residents Association, following a short illness. Councillors and community representatives praised David’s long-standing commitment to the local community, his knowledge of local issues, his role in drawing local groups together and his sense of humour. The Committee observed a minute’s silence in David’s memory.

None.

Last meeting held on 16 November 2015

The Committee confirmed the minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2015 as true record and they were signed by the Chair.

Report of Director of Sport and Culture

Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture and Eddie Curry, Head of Parks and Open Spaces briefly introduced the report of the Director of Sport and Culture, providing a summary of the ParkLives 2015 programme and providing details on getting involved with the programme in 2016.

The Committee also received a presentation from Alex Brown, Community, Sport and Physical Activity Officer, which made the following points:

(a)  The ParkLives programme is funded by Coca Cola GB, currently operates in 10 local authorities and aims to get 1 million people active by 2020;

(b)  The programme aligns with the Council’s Health and Wellbeing and Sport and Physical Activity Strategies, and in 2015 provided a range of activities throughout Nottingham, attracting over 15,000 participants;

(c)  The 2016 programme will operate from April to October, and work is ongoing with parks groups, friends’ groups and community groups to engage and involve the wider community;

(d)  As well as participating in events, there are opportunities for ParkLives Ambassadors and Activators to support the project through delivering sessions, volunteering for high-profile events and advertising the programme more widely, and support and training will be provided to help achieve this.

Several points were made during the discussion which followed:

(e)  The programme is designed to be inclusive and pitched at all levels of ability. Specific ‘start-up’ activities to help people currently leading inactive lives to break that cycle of inactivity were suggested;

(f)  It was noted that there are psychological reasons why people are inactive, and that the programme could also help those in this position;  

(g)  Wollaton Park is an excellent resource for local residents, where activities will be taking place. It was pointed out the very popular 5 kilometre ParkRun events taking place elsewhere in Nottingham were delivered entirely by volunteers.

RESOLVED

(1)  To note the report and presentation on the ParkLives programme;

(2)  To request that community representatives share the information on the ParkLives programme with their organisations, to increase participation in the programme.  

Report of Director of Sport and Culture

James Dymond, Parks Development Manager, introduced the report of the Director of Sport and Culture, updating the Committee on the development of the new children’s play area in Wollaton Park off Sutton Passey’s Crescent.

Mr Dymond explained that slight changes were made to the project following a successful local consultation, and that works will be completed in February 2016. However, the facility will be closed off for several weeks following completion to allow grass around the facility to recover.

Councillors and community representatives welcomed the completion of the project, and recorded their thanks to Parks Department colleagues.

RESOLVED to note the report.

Rob Kirkwood to provide a verbal update on local activity

Rob Kirkwood, Friends of Wollaton Park, gave a brief verbal update on the organisation’s recent priorities and activities, making the following points:

(a)  the organisation has been active for over 3 years, has over 40 paid up members and has a wider support base for one-off activities in the community. The Friends of Wollaton Park also has a Facebook page and a 200 strong email list;

(b)  the group organises Activity Days twice a  month to carry out activities like weeding, shrub clearing and establishing and maintaining bird boxes;

(c)  the group also has contributed to park improvement consulations, and has close links with Wollaton Historical and Conservation Association, liaising on helping develop the Walled Garden proposals;

(d)  upcoming activity includes working on the Wollaton Park Management Plan as the Park gears up to secure Green Flag status.

During discussion, Mr Kirkwood agreed that the Friends of Wollaton Park could act as a liaison point for other groups interested in the management of the Park. Mr Eddie Curry, Head of Parks and Open Spaces, also confirmed that options were being considered to develop the Nissen hut near the entrance to Wollaton Park to bring it into public use, though this depended on accessing new funding opportunities.

RESOLVED to note the verbal update.

Verbal Update from Inspector Wilson

Inspector Wilson of Nottinghamshire Police provided a verbal update on crime and anti-social behaviour issues, providing the following information:

Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey

(a)  There has been a concerted effort to reduce domestic burglary in the ward, and incidents are down 46% on the previous year. The public needs to remain vigilant about leaving doors and windows open to minimise opportunistic crimes;

(b)  reported domestic violence levels are up on last year, but Nottinghamshire Police welcome increased reporting, believing there has been significant historical under-reporting of this type of crime over a number of years;

(c)  cycle theft was a significant issue in the ward last year, but incidents have reduced by over 40%.

Wollaton West

(d)  overall crime levels are down by 8%. Thefts from sheds and outbuildings was a significant issue last year, but a combination of increased vigilance and several key arrests meant that incidents have reduced by 80% this year;

(e)  the positive statistics were skewed by an increase in shop thefts in the ward. The Police continues to work closely with shops to address the issue;

(f)  the Police also act on intelligence about individuals and groups acting suspiciously, and recently intercepted a car, arrested the individuals, who were from Birmingham, and removed them from the area.

During discussion, it was reported that there are plans to streamline LAG meetings. Further information will be made available to councillors and community representatives in due course.

RESOLVED to note the update.

To submit to Governance Officer by Thursday 4 February 2016

In response to a community representative’s query about the closure of a doctor’s surgery in Area 7, Councillor Steve Battlemuch explained that he has written to the Linden Practice and to the Clinical Commissioning Group to determine how the closure will affect wider GP and pharmacy provision in the area going forward.

Verbal Update by Team Leader, Public Transport Operations

Chris Hegarty, Team Leader, Public Transport Operations, and Barry Allitt of Nottingham Community Transport, gave a brief verbal update on the relaunch and rebranding of the EasyLink dial-a-ride bus service for citizens with difficulty accessing conventional bus services.

Mr Hegarty explained that EasyLink offered a door-to-door service Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm. The service was pre-booked and, while there was a charge for using the service, chaperones could travel free of charge, and guide dogs were also welcome. 6 new buses have been added to the EasyLink fleet.

RESOLVED to note the verbal report.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive/Corporate Director for Development and Growth

Matthew Grant, Senior Planner, introduced a report of the Director for Planning and Transport on the Local Plan Part 2: Land and Planning Policies (LAPP) Document as it affects Wollaton West and Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey. Mr Grant made the following points:

(a)  Part 1 of the City Council’s Local Plan was adopted in September 2014, and Part 2 of the LAPP Document was now open for formal consultation until 11 March 2016;

(b)  Local Plan Part 2 addressed ‘in principle’ allocation of land issues in respect of 85 smaller sites across Nottingham City. Mr Grant emphasised that the Document contained no detailed design for these sites which will follow in subsequent planning applications. The allocation of land use was designed meet housing needs up to 2028;

(c)  Appendix 1 to the report contained site plans and Development Principles for 2 sites in Wollaton West ward PA35 – Woodyard Lane: Siemens and PA36 Russell Drive – Radford Bridge Allotments. The main proposed use for both sites was Residential (C3 predominantly family housing), with community facilities and open space also highlighted for the Woodyard Lane site.

The following points were raised in discussion:

(d)  in response to a question about future highway improvements on Lambourne Drive, it was confirmed that there were no current plans to amend the highway. However, improvements may be required should, at any future point in time, access be required to the Woodyard Lane site as a result of development;

(e)  Mr Grant confirmed that discussions have taken place with the Council Strategic Education Department on the Local Plan Part 2 Document. A community representative commented that there was already significant pressure on places at existing schools in the area;

(f)  a community representative questioned whether the existing bridge link at the Woodyard Lane site was sufficiently safe as a means to access schools in the area;

(g)  while development was not imminent on either site, the development process was more advanced on the Radford Bridge Allotments site.

RESOLVED to note that the Local Plan Part 2: Land and Planning Policies Document  and accompanying Policies Map has been published for representations, and the period for making representations ends on 11 March 2016.

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director of Commercial and Operations, informing the Committee of its priorities for 2016/17, and the actions to be taken to address them.

The Chair explained that priorities had been reviewed through a recent round of Area Cluster meetings, and that Area Chairs were developing a series of actions for each priority. The priorities agreed and against which actions have been identified were:

·  Safe and Clean Neighbourhoods;

·  Young People;

·  Health and Wellbeing for Older People; and

·  Parks, Open Spaces, Leisure and Culture.

The Chair asked community representatives to inform their organisations of the Committee’s priorities for 2016/17.

RESOLVED to note the priorities and identified actions for the Area Committee in 2016/17.

Report of Corporate Director for Commercial and Operations

Lylse-Anne Renwick, Neighbourhood Development Officer, introduced a report of the Corporate Director for Commercial and Operations, providing updates on ward performance in key areas linking back to priorities and themes in the Nottingham Plan to 2020.

In Pauline Dorey’s absence, Ms Renwick presented information on both wards, making the following points:

(a)  cleanliness levels were down slightly in both wards, but were still high, and above target;

(b)  agencies were carrying out ongoing intervention measures to address drug and anti-social behaviour activity on the Grangewood estate, with successful diversionary activity being put in place;

(c)  the Christmas lights Switch-on was a huge success, with lots of local businesses and community groups involved;

(d)  dog-fouling and incidents of grafitti have increased slightly, but from a low baseline;

(e)  work on the external wall insulation under the Nottingham Green HousiNG scheme continued to be delivered in Lenton Abbey;

(f)  work had started on organising a Wollaton Arts Festival, to run from 14-17July 2016.

In the brief discussion which followed, Ms Renwick undertook to contact community representatives, advising them how to get involved with community events, including proposed ‘deep cleans’, across the Area.

RESOLVED to note the report.

Report of Corporate Director, Commercial and Operations

Lylse-Anne Renwick, Neighbourhood Development Officer, introduced the Corporate director for Commercial and Operations’ report requesting approval for Area Capital Fund schemes.

RESOLVED to

(1)    note that the following budget remains available:

  Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey  £9,758

  Wollaton West  £2,218;

(2)  to approve the following schemes:

RESOLVED to note without discussion the actions taken under delegated authority as highlighted at Appendix 1 to the report.

Report of Chief Executive, Nottingham City Homes

Paul Howard, Tenancy and Estates Manager, introduced a report of the Chief Executive, Nottingham City Homes (NCH), updating the Committee on key issues and themes linking back to local priorities and strategic themes for Nottingham City Homes.  

Mr Howard reported that both NCH performance and tenancy sustainment were good, and he requested approval for 4 schemes.

RESOLVED to

(1)    note that the update from Nottingham City Homes;

(2)  to approve the following schemes: