Agenda and minutes

Reverend Andrew Fisher, Bulwell Churches Together

Robin Goodwin, Top Valley Community Association

Dale Griffin, Neighbourhood Development Officer

Nicky Jarvis, Nottingham City Homes

Daniel Pickard, Nottingham City Homes

None.

Minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2019, for confirmation.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2019 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To note the appointment of Reg Knowles of the Bradford Street Allotment Association as an Area Committee Community Representative on the Area Committee for the municipal year 2019/20.

RESOLVED to note the appointment of Reg Knowles of the Bradford Street Allotment Association as an Area Committee Community Representative for the 2019/20 municipal year.

Verbal update of Policing and Community Protection issues in the area.

Police Sergeant Nev McGeehan and Senior Community Protection Officer Darryl Paxford, provided a verbal update on policing issues within the wards, highlighting the following:

(a)  overall, crime has reduced by 10% and violence has reduced by 23%. There have been reductions in burglary, vehicle offences, cycle theft, shoplifting, criminal damage, arson and anti-social behaviour;

(b)  resources and patrols have been increased in the Top Valley area following a recent shooting and attempted murder case;

(c)  traveller activity has been high in the area, but travellers have been generally co-operative and cleaned up quickly;

(d)  there has been a problem with fly-tipping at Blenheim Industrial Estate and funding for 2 CCTV cameras has been found for the site;

(e)  Southglade Food Park is a hotspot for littering so a clean-up has taken place there, and around 12 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued.

Bestwood Councillors reported that they will be meeting with the Police and Crime Commissioner to discuss knife crime.

Presentation  by Romel Davis, Citizens in policing Engagement Officer

Romel Davis, Volunteer Police Cadet (VPC) Engagement Officer, delivered a presentation on youth engagement and intervention through the VPC, highlighting the following:

(a)  the VPC youth engagement programme is a national pilot and targets young people between the ages of 10-18 years who are either vulnerable, socially excluded or involved with crime. This includes young people at risk of joining gangs or becoming first time offenders, people from hard to reach or new emerging communities and people who are assessed as vulnerable by VPC or partner agencies;

(b)  partner agencies include children’s homes, charities, local authorities, schools, religious groups, the police and youth organisations;

(c)  the purpose of the programme is to deter young people from crime, build confidence, aspirations, give them a purpose and positive role models. It should also build increased trust and confidence in the police and build stronger relationships between the police, young people and the diverse communities. It may also lead to future recruitment into the police force if appropriate;

(d)  the cadet programme meets once a week in term time, and offers sport activities, learning about police roles and careers, community work, trips to police departments, crime and personal safety education, and days out;

(e)  there are currently VPC bases in Bulwell, Sherwood, Radford and St Anns, with more bases coming on board from January 2020. The Bulwell base is supported by the mother of Lyrico Steede who was stabbed in the local area;

(f)  young people can come to a cadet session and observe before deciding if they want to take part. There will also be a cadet roadshow starting on 13September which provides sessions during the holidays in other areas, including Bestwood;

(g)  the VPC organises community cohesion events providing free activities and sports for young people. These also include talent competitions, speeches and discussions around youth violence, knife crime and other issues. They also support other community events such as the Stephen Lawrence Day event in Bulwell;

(h)  the VPC also offers mentoring and one to one support for young people and can provide bespoke events depending on the numbers and needs of the young people;

(i)  currently there is only one VPC Engagement Officer and resources are stretched for the cost of venues, equipment and materials. Volunteers are also required to run the programme.

The following answers were provided to questions from Committee members:

(j)  volunteers must be over 18 and DBS checked. Social workers and universities have been approached;

(k)  the age limit was lowered to 10 but due to capacity cannot be lowered further. The mini police programme runs in some primary schools for younger children;

(l)  impact of the programme is difficult to measure, however the number of missing children has reduced and the need has been assessed through the number of referrals made;

(m)anyone can join the VPC programme but vulnerable children are particularly targeted, with spaces held back for them should they wish to join.

Presentation by Donna Denning of Bestwood Partnership.

Donna Denning, Bestwood Partnership, provided an update to the Committee, highlighting the following:

(a)  40% of the Area Based Grant is awarded to Play and Youth. 15 play sessions take place per week , all but 3 of which are free with the rest costing only £1;

(b)  £10,000 will be released for the Community Initiative Fund which will be distributed by Neighbourhood Development Officers;

(c)  9 employment sessions are run each week, including sessions on Universal Credit and employment training.

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, introduced the report providing the Committee with the latest spend proposals under the Area Capital Fund including highways and footways, and  the latest spend proposals regarding Public Realm schemes.

RESOLVED to approve the following Area Capital and public realm schemes for Bestwood, Bulwell and Bulwell Forest:

Reports of the Chief Executive of Nottingham City Homes.

RESOLVED to

(1)  note the update and performance information;

(2)  note the financial information and approve the following schemes:

Councillors expressed concern that no officers from Nottingham City Homes were able to attend the meeting and present the report.

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Suki Shergill, Neighbourhood Development Officer, introduced the report focussing on current priorities and issues facing the Bestwood, Bulwell and Bulwell Forest wards and giving details of forthcoming events and activities.

RESOLVED to note the progress on ward priorities and other supporting information including the issues being addressed by each Neighbourhood Action Team, and upcoming opportunities for citizens to engage and latest CDP statistics.

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Suki Shergill, Neighbourhood Development Officer, introduced the report advising the Area Committee of the use of delegated authority by the Director of Community Protection.

RESOLVED to note the actions agreed by the Director of Community Protection in respect of projects and schemes within Bestwood, Bulwell and Bulwell Forest as detailed below:

Bestwood Ward

Bulwell Ward

Bulwell Forest Ward

The opportunity for Community Group Representatives to suggest potential topics for future agenda.

No items were suggested at the meeting. Item suggestions can be emailed to the Neighbourhood Development Officers before the next meeting.

The opportunity for Community Groups and City Council Colleagues to inform the Committee of forthcoming events.

The following forthcoming events were reported:

RESOLVED to meet at Bulwell Riverside for the remainder of the 2019/20 municipal year

To note that the next meeting is scheduled for 4 December 2019.

The next meeting will be held on 4 December 2019 at 5.30pm at Bulwell Riverside