Agenda for Wollaton and Lenton Abbey Area Committee (Area 7) on Monday, 27th February, 2017, 5.02 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Dining Room - The Council House, Old Market Square, Nottingham, NG1 2DT. View directions

Contact: Catherine Ziane-Pryor  Tel: 0115 8764298

Items
No. Item

84.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Councillor Jim Armstrong – personal reasons

Inspector Gordon Fenwick

85.

DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

Minutes:

Councillor Georgina Culley expressed an interest in item 4, ‘Proposals for a Scheme Of Selective Licensing for Privately Rented Housing’, and did not take part in the discussion.

86.

PROPOSAL FOR A SCHEME OF SELECTIVE LICENSING FOR PRIVATELY RENTED HOUSES pdf icon PDF 147 KB

Joint report of Corporate Directors of Development and Growth, and Commercial and Operations, to be accompanied by a presentation

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Graham de Max, Housing Strategy and Partnerships Manager, gave a presentation and introduced a report consulting the Committee on a proposal to introduce a citywide selective licensing scheme for privately rented houses. Graham highlighted the following:

 

(a)  the scheme forms part of the Council Plan, and is part of a wider housing strategy to improve standards and living conditions, make improvements for residents and communities and reduce crime and antisocial behaviour;

(b)  licensing is already mandatory for larger Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), and there is additional licensing in place for smaller HMOs. This proposal would potentially cover the majority of the remainder of the privately rented houses in the city;

(c)  Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey ward has a high proportion of privately rented houses, with significant property condition issues and deprivation and large parts of the ward suffering from antisocial behaviour and crime. Wollaton West ward has a smaller proportion of private rental, but has been included for coherence of the scheme;

(d)  further consultation on the scheme and the consultation can be found at www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/qualityhousingforall with an online survey at www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/selectivelicensing. The deadline for the consultation is 31st March 2017;

 

The following points were raised during the discussion which followed:

 

(e)  the existing licensing scheme for HMOs has improved behaviour. The majority of landlords have good standards, but some don’t and this scheme will bring them all up to standard;

(f)  inspection of properties will be done on a reactive basis rather than all properties being routinely inspected. The cost of this will be covered by the license fee. Tenants will be encouraged to report any problems that need resolving;

(g)  there is no legal requirement to register rented properties so some may stay under the radar. However, these will be at a disadvantage legally if discovered. If there is blanket coverage of private rented properties across the city, tenants should realise that their homes should be licensed.

 

RESOLVED to note the contents of the report.

 

87.

POLICING UPDATE

Verbal update from Nottinghamshire Police

Minutes:

Inspector Robert Wilson, Nottinghamshire Police, gave a verbal update on policing and crime in the area, highlighting the following:

 

Wollaton West

(a)  there are ongoing parking issues around the ward. Leaflets are placed on inconsiderately parked cars and around schools. Parking outside schools is a citywide problem and there is ongoing work on this;

(b)  since April 2016, overall crime has reduced by 69 offences, burglary from homes has reduced and theft from cars has considerably reduced. However, antisocial behaviour has increased by 12%;

(c)  there are ongoing speeding operations taking place in the Torvill Drive area, with some success in the afternoon, and more work expected in the mornings;

 

Councillors noted that cameras procured for tackling antisocial behaviour have since been moved to other areas and never returned, and sought assurance that this would not happen again. Inspector Wilson ensured that this would be fed back.

 

Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey

 

(d)  there has been a decrease in antisocial behaviour, but an increase in domestic violence. There has been an reduction of home burglaries but an increase of shed or garage burglaries, mostly at the university;

(e)  there has been a large increase in cycle theft since Christmas of 24 offences. Operations have taken place to tackle this with a tracker bike and CCTV footage;

(f)  the university does have a security team who can gather intelligence and pass information to the police, but they cannot make arrests.

88.

NOTTINGHAM CITY HOMES (NCH) : PERFORMANCE AND ENGAGEMENT UPDATES AND PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES pdf icon PDF 142 KB

Report of the Chief Executive of Nottingham City Homes

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Paul Howard, Tenancy and Estate Manager, Nottingham City Homes (NCH), introduced the report which provided summary updates on the following key themes:

 

·  Capital Programme and major work;

·  area regeneration and environmental issues;

·  key messages from the Tenant and Leasehold Congress;

·  Tenant and Residents Associations updates;

·  area performance;

·  good news stories and positive publicity.

 

Paul highlighted the work to improve the Sheila Roper Centre in Lenton Abbey which is almost complete. NCH recorded their gratitude to Councillors Longford and Webster for their support, as well as the contractors who offered their services for free.

 

RESOLVED to

 

(1)  note the update and performance information in appendices 1 and 2;

(2)  note the allocation of funds for 2016/17, detailed below:

 

Ward

Actual budget

Schemes approved

Schemes committed

Remaining budget

Wollaton West

£6,077.83

£0

£0

£6,077.83

Wollaton East & Lenton Abbey

£38,467.37

£3,872.00

£3,872.00

£33,945.87

 

(3)  approve the Area Capital Programme funding request below:

 

Address

Request

Reason

Cost

Sheila Roper Centre

Installation of new flooring to the centre

Improve community facilities

£3,500.00

Sheila Roper Centre

Installation of a new lighting system to the centre

Improve community facilities

£4,540.00

 

(4)  request a presentation on the Sheila Roper centre at the next Area Committee meeting.

89.

RADFORD BRIDGE ROAD ALLOTMENTS AND DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

Principal Planning Officer, Jennifer Cole, to provide a verbal update.

Minutes:

Jennifer Cole, Principle Planning Officer, updated the Committee on developments taking place on the Radford Bridge Road allotment site.

 

Jennifer told the Committee the planning permission has recently been granted for phase 1 which is work on new allotments, and the application for phase 2 has recently been received. The developers have asked for advice on phase 3, the housing element, and will be meeting with the Planning department on Wednesday 1st March.

 

The following points were raised during the discussion which followed:

 

(a)  in the Local Plan the allotments were designated as open space. However , they are private allotments so not statutory;

(b)  phase 1 was due to start in February but there has been problems with access and the developers are assessing options. The Highways department turned down permission to access the site from Reynolds Drive, stating that is is unsuitable for heavy vehicles;

(c)  there is likely to be very little reason to refuse permission for the housing, unless the developers stay within their boundaries or they increase the number of houses;

(d)  hedgerows and trees that have been cut down around the site have been agreed by Planning officers. These will be replanted and there will be a fence erected around the site;

North Wollaton Residents’ Association are supportive of the reinstatement of the allotments and moving forward, and would like to be informed on progress where possible.

 

RESOLVED to

(1)  thank Jennifer for the verbal update;

(2)  approach the Highways department to negotiate about access to the site.

90.

COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE UPDATE

The opportunity for Community Representatives to raise issues of concern and provide feedback on events.

Minutes:

The following updates were given by Community Representatives:

 

(a)  there have been parking problems in the Lambourne Drive area, and residents would welcome a parking scheme;

(b)  trees on Russell Drive are being removed as there have been problems with roots affecting the pavements and a number of diseased trees;

(c)  there have been problems with erosion of grass verges on Wollaton Vale, and funding from next year’s Area Capital Fund is being considered for this;

(d)  the new café in Wollaton Park is now at the final stages of planning, and should be open for the summer.

91.

AREA CAPITAL FUND pdf icon PDF 368 KB

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services

Minutes:

Lylse-Anne Renwick and Pauline Dorey, Neighbourhood Development Officers, introduced the report providing the Committee with the latest spend proposals under the Area Capital Fund (ACF) including highways and footways.

 

RESOLVED to

 

(1)  note the monies available to Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey, and Wollaton West wards as outlined below:

 

Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey Ward

 

2016 – 2017 LTP allocation

£36,400

LTP carried forward from 2015 – 2016

£7

2016 – 2017 Public Realm allocation

£21,900

Public Ream carried forward from 2015 - 2016

£9,758

Total available 2016 – 2017 ACF

£68,065

Less LTP schemes

-£37,207

Less Public Realm schemes

-£17,604

Decommitted funds

+£1,150

Remaining available balance

£14,404

LTP element remaining

£0

Public Realm element remaining

£14,404

 

Wollaton West Ward

 

2016 – 2017 LTP allocation

£31,900

LTP carried forward from 2015 – 2016

£0

2016 – 2017 Public Realm allocation

£19,100

Public Ream carried forward from 2015 - 2016

£2,218

Total available 2016 – 2017 ACF

£53,218

Less LTP schemes

-£31,900

Less Public Realm schemes

-£21,780

Decommitted funds

+£500

Remaining available balance

£38

LTP element remaining

£0

Public Realm element remaining

£38

 

(2)  approve the Area Capital Programmes of schemes for Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey and Wollaton West, as set out below:

 

Wollaton East & Lenton Abbey Public Realm Schemes

 

Location

Type

Date prioritised

Estimate

Details

Woodside Road footpath

Footpath

9 February 2017

£3,500

Reconstruction of footpath on Hathern Green side of Woodside Road to complement the Woodside Road Cycle Corridor scheme

Wollaton Park Estate

Street Name plate

13 December 2016

£200

Installation of street name plate in Farndon Green area

 

Wollaton West Public Realm Schemes

 

Location

Type

Date prioritised

Estimate

Details

Wollaton West ward

Litter bins

9 January 2017

£1,200

Installation of litter bins at identified sites on Grangewood Estate and Bramcote Lane

 

92.

WARD REPORTS pdf icon PDF 411 KB

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services

Minutes:

Lylse-Anne Renwick and Pauline Dorey, Neighbourhood Development Officers, introduced the report focussing on current priorities and issues facing the area and providing details of forthcoming events and activities.

 

Councillor Webster thanked the Parks and Open Spaces team and the Princes Trust for their work on restoring the pavilion at Lenton Abbey Park.

 

RESOLVED to note the priorities, current issues and supporting information for the Wollaton West and Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey Wards.

 

93.

DELEGATED AUTHORITY pdf icon PDF 309 KB

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services

Minutes:

Pauline Dorey and Lysle-Anne Renwick, Neighbourhood Development Officers, introduced the report informing the Committee of decisions taken under delegated authority that support the local community.

 

RESOLVED to note the actions taken under delegated authority, as detailed below:

 

Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey

 

Item

Recipient

Date agreed

Total

Lenton Abbey Fun Day 2017

Lenton Abbey Friends and Fun Day Association

25th January 2017

£426.00

WELA Christmas Light switch-on and other celebration events from 2017

Nottingham City Council

25th January 2017

£4,000.00

WELA Good Garden Awards schemes 2017 and future years

Nottingham City Council

25th January 2017

£1,000.00

WELA community engagement

Nottingham City Council

25th January 2017

£2,000.00

Neighbourhood Transformation WELA ward

Nottingham City Council

25th January 2017

£4,000.00

Sheila Roper Community Centre development/activities

Nottingham City Council

25th January 2017

£2,500.00

 

Balance brought forward 2015/16

(Including historical funds)

£1,500

(£8,744)

Allocation 2016/17

£10,000

Total available allocation

£20,244

Total allocated at 26/02/2017

£16,111.00

Total unallocated at 26/02/2017

£4,133.00

 

Wollaton West

 

No actions taken under delegated authority for this period

 

Total allocation 2016/17

£15,000.00

Plus uncommitted 2015/16 allocation

£13,247.00

Less committed funds 2016/17

£4,000.00

Total uncommitted balance to date

£9,247.00

 

94.

PROPOSED FUTURE MEETING DATES

To note that the next meeting is provisionally proposed for Monday 5 June 2017, at 5pm in the Dining Room of the Council House.

 

Further meeting dates are provisionally proposed for Mondays at 5pm at the Council House on 18 September 2017, 11 December 2017, and 26 February 2018.

Minutes:

RESOLVED to note that the next meeting is provisionally proposed 5th June 2017 at 5pm in the Dining Room of the Council House, and that further meeting dates are proposed for 18th September 2017, 11th December 2017 and 26th February 2018.