Agenda and minutes

In the absence of Councillor Audra Wynter, the meeting was chaired by Joint Vice-Chair Maria Joannou. 

Councillor Audra Wynter (unwell)

Councillor Georgia Power (unwell)

Suki Shergill

Dale Griffin

Inspector Christine Busuttil

Dave Lambert

Councillor Eunice Campbell-Clark for predicted lateness

None.

Of the meeting held on 4 September 2019 (for confirmation)

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2019, were confirmed as a true record and signed by the chair presiding.

Matters arising

The Committee were informed of the passing of Mr Hancock Senior, who although not a formal community representative, attended many Area Committee meetings with interest.

Police Inspector Christine Busuttil and Senior Community Protection Officer Darryl Paxford to report

The Police area update was not available due to the absence at short notice, due to illness, of Police Inspector Christine Busuttil.

Darryl Paxford, Senior Community Protection Officer, provided the following community protection update:

a)  for the time of year there has been unusually high activity, possibly due to the mild weather;

b)  there have been issues around refuse and recycling bins, including contamination and change of collection dates due to the Christmas and New Year period. Collections have now returned to the usual schedule and Cleansing colleagues are working to resolve the other issues;

c)  in response to reporting, dog fouling operations have taken place at hotspots and two fixed penalty fines issued. Recently a fine has also been issued following footage captured on CCTV where the owner was identified. Please inform community protection officers of any ongoing dog fouling issues;

d)  there have been several attacks on and towards buses, primarily around the Top Valley and Ridgeway area. Although nobody has yet been hurt, damage to buses has put a strain on Nottingham City Transport services and caused distress to passengers and drivers. If anybody has any information please contact Community Protection or call the Police on 101. Community protection officers have increased their presence within the area;

e)  there was a spate of graffiti but warnings have been issued and it seems to have stopped;

f)  there have been several vandalism attacks to the newly installed play equipment on Bulwell Bogs. Damage may appear minor but is costly and any information regarding culprits would be welcomed by Community Protection or the Police;

g)  shoplifting increased up to and over the Christmas period. Boots now employs a security guard, as does Wilkinson’s, and arrests have been made;

h)  ongoing fly tipping issues at a disused factory site on Blenheim Lane Industrial Estate have resulted in access being blocked and cameras installed on the entry to the road. This has resulted in a reduction however, the knock-on effects is that fly tipping has been displaced and is appearing elsewhere. Nottingham City Council is one of the few councils in the country to offer a free bulky waste collection service, so it is possible that some of the fly tips are by tradesmen.

Information from committee members included:

i)  Community Protection officers are aware of the ongoing issues with a group of youths at and around Top Valley Community Centre. Several have been identified and their parents have been spoken to. If there are any further incidents, they should be reported to community protection as there is the potential to take civil action;

Comments from committee members included:

j)  where fly tipping has been reported, it has been removed very quickly, sometimes the following day. Residents are grateful for this rapid response and good work;

k)  thanks are given to Darren Tattersall and the Street Scene Teams who are generally very responsive to any issues raised by residents;

l)  it is vital that if there is any further  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

Nigel Webster to provide a presentation

Nigel Webster of the Bestwood and Bulwell Food Bank delivered a presentation, which is issued with the initial publication of the minutes.

The following points, further to the information provided in presentation, were highlighted:

a)  the food bank has been operating for eight years and is based at St Philips Church, Knights Close in Top Valley, but serves a much broader population than just the Bestwood area;

b)  it is the biggest and busiest food bank in Nottingham and feeds more people than any other food bank across the City;

c)  this food bank has the lowest re-referral rate of any in the area and focuses on engaging with people to find out what their issues are and getting them the help they need. On average people attend for one half visits every six month period;

d)  graphs in the presentation illustrate referral rates, which are expected to rise again to approximately 3,500 by the end of March 2020. Although there are occasional dips in demand, overall need continues to rise;

e)  the most significant reason for acquiring food support has been the introduction of Universal Credit, where there is a delay in benefit payment;

f)  last year 1,438 children were fed and 1,687 adults. 46% of children were under the age of 16 years, which is significantly higher than the national food bank average of 30%;

g)  demand can vary enormously from week to week and month to month, although there are predicted peaks in winter, particularly in December, and during the summer holidays when free school meals are not available;

h)  access is through referral only via any of the partner agencies although DWP is by far the most active referrer;

i)  Tenancy Support Officers have previously attended sessions and Welfare Rights Officers are now working at the food bank to help support people. By the time people access food banks they are ready to accept help, so this support is welcomed;

j)  60% of attendees are from the Bestwood, Bulwell and Bulwell Forest area, with 40% from further away, including Hucknall;

k)  food donations come from a variety of sources including 30 churches, 40 local schools, 30 community groups, supermarket collection points, members of the public, and supermarkets directly, with a peak around the Christmas period;

l)  last year the food bank gave away approximately 30,000 kg food;

m)  there may be many reasons as to why people are referred to the food bank, but the most common combination is problems with the benefit system, ill-health or challenging life experiences, and lack of support;

n)  approximately 60 people volunteer at the food bank and do an amazing job.

Questions from the Committee were responded to as follows:

o)  people are referred due to a range of difficulties, including those employed but with a very low income. Food bank officers do try to collect information on people’s situations, and offer advice and support on how they can access further help, but not all referring agencies/partners provide comprehensive information  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

Donna Denning (Bestwood Partnership) presenting

Donna Denning, Bestwood Partnership Manager and Get Ahead Advisor, presented the performance statistics for activity across the area and highlighted the following points:

a)  monitoring forms have just been sent out and will be collated at the end of January, the results of which are predicted to exceed the targets for this stage in the year;

b)  many year-end targets have already been met, just six months into the year;

c)  the number of people improving their financial awareness will be higher than that stated in the report due to a reporting errors which have just been identified;

d)  reporting errors have also been identified in the community development and engagement section so numbers will also be higher than stated, including the number of new groups supported is 11 and not 5.

Questions from the Committee were responded to as follows:

a)  Bestwood Partnership links very closely with the Job Centre but it is still possible that the number of people in sustainable work could be counted by both parties. However there are people who will have started work, of whom the Partnership are not aware. This may be part-time work whilst they are still receiving Universal Credit;

b)  with regard to voluntary sector forums, Bestwood Partnership have held the 21^st Annual Volunteer Conference;

c)  the number of training/educational opportunities provided includes courses at Nottingham College and basic skills training. A gap in provision was identified and a non-readers course established which maintained 100% attendance during the pilot scheme and is now in high demand;

d)  Bulwell Job Centre is a valued partner which works well with the Lead Organisation and donates a worker once a week to engage with under 29-year-olds offering guidance and support;

e)  where the Partnership identifies a need, it will try to meet that need, including providing suitable courses where possible;

f)  the starting date of the new manager was unexpectedly delayed and this has had an impact on some targets;

g)  the Partnership works closely with local community groups and community venues to ensure that people can access the help and support they need as many people won’t travel outside of their local area, with the exception of some young people.

RESOLVED to note the update and record the thanks of the Committee to Donna Denning for attending.

Report of Director Planning and Regeneration

Matt Gregory, Head of Planning Strategy and Building Control, presented the report on the Local Plan Part 2, for information, prior to its submission for approval at the next full Council meeting.

All consultation on the Local Plan and planning policies has concluded, as has the public examination process, so no further changes can be made.

The report includes maps of potential development sites within the area and specifies the categories of development which would be acceptable.

Questions from the Committee were responded to as follows:

a)  the proportion of open space within a development is determined by Open Space colleagues during the planning permission process. The proportion may vary depending on the landscape of the site and type of development proposed;

b)  currently developers do not intend to develop the whole of the Stanton Tip site, particularly as a nature interest is now established. However the whole of the site has been included in the plan to ensure the greater picture is available;

c)  with previous flooding issues, it is understandable that residents are interested in the requirement of water permeable surfaces. The Planning Department works closely with the Environment Agency considering run-off rainwater and ensuring permeable surfaces and sustainable drainage are included in new developments;

d)  the development on the Padstow School site includes open space provision whilst there is a park adjacent. This is due to the landscape of the site with some steep slopes, making it difficult to develop, so sections will be dedicated as open space areas. It is understood that Nottingham City Homes has expressed an interest in the site which could include a mixture of social, private and affordable housing. Residents can be assured that all existing healthy trees will be retained;

e)  with regard to Linby Street, planners would work with the landowner regarding any development plans which are more likely to be industrial than residential unless the site is cleaned up;

f)  it is acknowledged that there is a demand for bungalows which would, in turn, release much-needed family housing, but developers tend to opt for the most profitable housing types when considering residential sites, and cannot be forced into alternatives.

Resolved to note the report and record the thanks the Committee to Matt Gregory for his attendance.

Report of the Chief Executive of Nottingham City Homes

Nicola Brake, Area Housing Manager for Bulwell and Bulwell Forest, presented the report which provides an update on performance, activity and engagement and requested approval for a fencing scheme.

If members of the Committee have any questions regarding the report, they are invited to email them to Nicola at nicola.brake@nottinghamcityhomes.org.uk.

RESOLVED

1)  to note the update and performance information;

2)  to note the financial information as follows:

3)  to approve the following scheme:

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance

Catherine Ziane-Pryor, Governance Officer, presented the report which requests that the Committee appoint elected members to outside bodies.

RESOLVED to appoint as follows:

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report, for which a revised appendix was circulated.

RESOLVED

1)  to note the following Bestwood Local Transport Programme scheme which was approved by Delegated Authority in  September 2019:

2)  to approve the withdrawal of the following Bestwood scheme:

3)  to note the following financial position for Bestwood Ward:

4)  to approve the following Bulwell Local Transport programme scheme:

5)  to approve the following Bulwell Public Realm Schemes:

6)  to note the financial position of Bulwell Ward as follows:

7)  to approve the following Bulwell Forest Local Transport Programme schemes:

8)  to approve the following Bulwell Forest Public Realm Scheme:

9)  to note the financial position of Bulwell Forest Ward as follows:

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer presented the report which informs the Committee of the allocations made by ward councillors and authorised by the Director of Community Protection.

RESOLVED to note:

1)  the following Bestwood Ward schemes approved by Councillors Hayes, Power and Wynter:

2)  the financial position of Bestwood Ward Councillor Budgets:

3)  the schemes funded by Bulwell Ward Councillors:

4)  the financial position of Bulwell Ward Councillor Budgets:

5)  the schemes approved by Councillor Barnard, Campbell-Clark and Gardiner:

6)  the financial position Bulwell Forest Ward Councillor Budgets:

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report which outlines current ward priorities and issues within the wards and identifies the Lead Organisation, Partner or City Council Department for addressing those issues.

RESOLVED to note the progress on ward priorities and other supporting information, including the issues being addressed by each Neighbourhood Action Team (NAT), upcoming opportunities for citizens to engage, and the latest Crime Drugs Partnership criminal statistics.  

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

Community Representatives are invited to propose future agenda items for the Committee’s consideration. Any suggestions should be provided to either Celia Knight (Bulwell Forest Ward) celia.knight@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 0115 8833729 or Suki Shergill (Bulwell Ward) Sukhbir.Shergill@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 0115 8833728 or Dale griffin dale.

griffin@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 07506 690329, at least a month in advance of the Committee meeting.

Community representatives requested that representatives from the Cleansing Department attend to respond to the issue of not collecting refuse and recycling which is left beside the wheelie bins.

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

Budget Consultation  ) 23 January 2020 at Bulwell Riverside from 10am to 12 noon;

  ) Bestwood event tbc – please look out for publicity;

Bestwood Walk Launch   – 18 January 2020 at 11am in Southglade Park;

Crabtree and Rufford Schools Clean up session – 16 January 2020;

Events are yet to be confirmed for VE Day 2020.

The last meeting of the municipal year is on 4 March 2020 at 5.30pm in Bulwell Riverside.

The last meeting of the municipal year will be held on 4 March 2020 at Bulwell Riverside from 5.30pm.