Agenda for Bestwood, Bulwell and Bulwell Forest Area Committee on Wednesday, 9th September, 2020, 6.00 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Remote - To be held remotely via Zoom - https://www.youtube.com/user/NottCityCouncil. View directions

Contact: Adrian Mann  Governance Officer

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Robin Goodwin

Paul Bakajsa

Father Andrew Fisher

Suki Shergill

Dale Griffin

2.

Declarations of Interests

Minutes:

None.

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 392 KB

Minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2020, for confirmation

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2020 were confirmed as a true record and will be signed by the Chair.

4.

Community Representatives - Verbal Update

Verbal update from the Community Representatives

Minutes:

Ben Rosser, of the Pythian Club, provided an overview of the organisation, its achievements to date and plans for the future, as follows:

 

a)  The Pythian Club works with young people and has been running for nearly 5 years, based in the New Basford area but offering outreach work in Bestwood, Bulwell, Wollaton and NG5 and NG7 areas;

 

b)  Free youth activities are offered across these areas every day, three times a day and generally focus on boxing, football or music,  whilst providing a positive environment and encouraging development of skills in mentoring and leadership;

 

c)  The Club works alongside other organisations, but does not specifically promote work or education themes. However, promotion of good mental health and a positive mind set is paramount;

 

d)  During COVID-19 lockdown, sessions were obviously stopped, but work continued in a different direction with the production of a 28 page document outlining the services and support available to citizens, including young people, during the pandemic. This was circulated to approximately 500 families and residents. In addition, through partnership working, Pythian Club leaders and many of the young people, volunteered to help support vulnerable citizens by collecting and delivering prescription medicines, liaising with food providers and delivering sports equipment, arts and crafts supplies to families;

 

e)  The City Council has recently provided the Club with a base at a community centre on the Heathfield Estate, where the Club will work with and promote partner organisations to deliver employment projects and workshops to support and encourage young people into work or education.

 

Responses to questions and comments from the committee were responded to as follows;

 

f)  As Neighbourhood Development Officers working on the front line of the Golden Number to support residents through the COVID-19 lockdown, the support from and dedication of the Pythian Club and its volunteers has been tremendous and very much appreciated by colleagues and recipients. This selfless involvement made a huge difference to people who were in desperate circumstances;

 

g)  Although the Club’s base is on the Heathfield Estate, it is the site of the hub and currently no sessions are currently provided in the Sherwood area as the majority of activities are focused within inner city and deprived communities. Heathfield is considered a neutral area, therefore more attractive and accessible for some young people who are reluctant to travel out of their immediate area;

 

h)  approximately 200 young people are involved in activities every week, and that includes two sessions held within Bestwood and Bulwell;

 

i)  The Pythian Club provides several routes for young people to be involved in the leadership programmes, including via Nottingham College, usually with about 10 young people every month, looking at what makes a good leader the basics of leadership. Courses are held every month along with ‘Street Games’ for resilience training which links into teambuilding, leadership, mentoring, training and coaching, which build confidence and can be used as evidencing multiple skills when seeking employment;

 

j)  There may have been concerns that there are pockets  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Lead Organisation

Verbal update from the Bestwood Partnership and the Pythian Club

Minutes:

Donna Denning, of Bestwood Partnership, the Lead Organisation for the Area, provided a detailed summary of the work undertaken and achieved during lockdown and since the last Area Committee meeting, including; 

 

a)  Area Based Lead Organisations were meeting together weekly, then fortnightly and now monthly with the Area Based Grants Team to co-ordinate, plan, and look at how areas were working and how best to work with existing resources;

 

b)  The ‘Summer Thinking Programme’ looked at how to unlock services, initially with play and youth as a priority;

 

c)  Risk assessment training was provided for voluntary organisations and further support and advice for some of the smaller partners to help them understand and comply with, what at times, appeared to be conflicting restrictions and safety requirements from Central Government;

 

d)  Many organisations stated that they had reached more people and a wider audience with a virtual presence during lockdown, than previously. However, it is recognised that digital communication isn’t accessible to everyone so alternative methods were also applied and resulted in the brochure  ‘Supporting You Through 2020’ with a wide range of general information, including details of the support available;

 

e)  The majority of partners responded well, transitioning from usual service provision to amended or even alternative services, including virtual activities with the Toy Library providing activity packs, Bestwood Park Church changing from social eating schemes to delivering food packages and meals, Bulwell Community Garden promoted outreach work, the Pythian Club and Helping Kids Achieving delivering sports packs to young people. Some organisations donated laptops to enable some isolated citizens to interact with other people and access  virtual activities;

 

f)  With regard to employment, Lead Organisations linked with ‘Business in the Community’ which also donated laptops.  More laptops due to be delivered to the North Area of the City shortly;

 

g)  Bestwood Partnership also was one of the response teams for the Golden Number, provided  a range of support with and to partner organisations;

 

h)  An online video was launched ‘we’re here for you’ (which has had 1,300 views) for connecting people, publicising the support available, including support to get into employment during lockdown;

 

i)  Bestwood Park Community Centre has now received approval to open as ‘COVID Safe’ and other venues are starting to open, including Snapewood Community Centre (which is in Phase 2 of opening). Southglade Access Centre opened last week. Everyone is keen to get the community based IT facilities reopened, especially with a range of partners delivering virtual activities and to support employment applications;

 

j)  Unpicking the Central Government information and providing guidance to partners and organisations, including risk assessments, has almost been the equivalent to a fulltime role.

 

Comments from the Committee and responses to questions included:

 

k)  Members of the Committee expressed a massive thanks for adapting and all hard work by the organisation and its partners during lockdown in ensuring that citizens were coping;

 

l)  It was impressive how partners responded almost immediately from week one to deliver support as soon as lockdown happened;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Nottinghamshire Police and Community Protection

Verbal update from Nottinghamshire Police and Community Protection

Minutes:

Laura Arnold, Level 2 Community Protection Officer, provided a verbal update the work of Community Protection during the past six months, as follows:

 

a)  during COVID-19, the work of Community Protection Officers has changed significantly:

i.  engaging with local communities to ensure they understand and comply with government safety guidelines, including patrolling in parks and open spaces;

ii.  undertaking numerous welfare checks, and although this element is still ongoing, there are fewer now;

iii.  delivering food parcels to those told to self-isolate;

iv.  collecting and delivering prescriptions;

v.  responding to the amazing work of the Neighbourhood Development Officers;

 

b)  there had been some issues with delivery of some of the controlled prescription medications where it is not appropriate to ask volunteers to put themselves at risk, so this was done by Community Protection Officers;

 

c)  now that restrictions are easing, it is apparent that there are still families needing support;

 

d)  food banks have done tremendous work, and without them some communities would not have coped well;

 

e)  normal duties and staffing levels are starting to resume and now only 1 member of staff is isolating;

 

f)  a Top Valley resident and persistent fly tipper - has now been prosecuted and fined £300;

 

g)  a new Community Protection Officer, Brian Drummond, has started in the Area and is very keen. He has already made a huge difference on Lytham Gardens by arranging for the removal of a street bin which has significantly reduced fly tipping in the area. He has also engaged with the community and there are now 2 more street clean champions in that area;

 

h)  there was an ongoing fly tipping issue by a resident in a block of flats but with the intelligence from other residents and invaluable CCTV footage, a £300 fine has been issued;

 

i)  Bulwell Forest Community Garden had been experiencing high levels of ASB including damage, harming of wildlife and taking of illegal drugs by people forcing entry to the site. As a result, Community Protection Officers increased patrols in the area and later in the evening;

 

j)  a resident of Bulwell Forest has, under caution, admitted to fly tipping and been charged;

 

k)  general casework has slowed but neighbour disputes, particularly around noise, are ongoing, as are dog foul and litter operations;

 

l)  fly tipping continues to be a big problem. Community Protection Officers are trying to educate residents to use the free bulky waste collection service offered by the Council, but many issues have arisen as a result of the bulky waste collection being paused, for obvious reasons, during lockdown. Prosecution involves a lot of investigation to identify fly tippers, but, if residents feel that there is a problem in specific area, they should contact the City Council and if resources are available, they can be put in place;

 

m)  in the Snapewood Area, officers want to reduce the increased fly tipping in alley ways and gated areas. As a result, 2 zones (2 streets) have been identified for engagement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Nottingham City Homes

Verbal update from Nottingham City Homes

Minutes:

Nicola Brake and Daniel Pickard, Nottingham City Homes Area Housing Managers, were in attendance to provide a verbal update on the work of Nottingham City Homes since the last meeting, including:

 

a)  Since the start of the pandemic, tracking of performance indicators has been abandoned as staff have been mobilised to prioritise ensuring that vulnerable tenants are safe and receiving the services they require;

 

b)  Among those prioritised were tenants of 70 years and over, and people with disabilities. All were contacted and if a response wasn’t received within three weeks following multiple contact attempts, the police became involved;

 

c)  A lot of tenants were provided with the Golden Number (to access a partnership of co-ordinated support) and some referred to social services, to ensure that food and prescriptions could be accessed, and basic needs met. Tenants were often very pleased just to receive contact;

 

d)  The co-ordination of City Council services and partners, including the Police, NCH and other housing providers, local businesses, and local community and voluntary organisations, worked extremely well together and provided much-needed support to communities, for which everyone involved should be proud;

 

e)  Some of the usual problems still occurred, including fly tipping in an alleyway which had been previously gated. Consideration is being given to renewal of the gates following the conclusion of a pilot scheme which will be running Bulwell. If successful, a replacement scheme may be rolled out across the City;

 

f)  As restrictions are beginning to lift, officers are beginning to return to normal duties, but particularly vulnerable tenants are continuing to receive some level of support; 

 

g)  The past few months have been very difficult for everyone, but organisations have worked well in partnership, including councillors, to support communities.

 

Resolved to note the update.

 

8.

Public Spaces Protection Order Extension pdf icon PDF 278 KB

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Abu Belim, Principal Enforcement Officer of the Anti-Social Behaviour Team, presented the report proposing an extension to the existing public spaces protection order (Gating Order 5001) between Haswell Road and Courtleet way in Bulwell.

 

The original gating order was made in 2007 due to ongoing antisocial behaviour. New legislation introduced in 2014 automatically converted the Gating Order to a Public Spaces Protection Order in 2017 and Public Spaces Protection Orders only remain in force for a maximum of three years unless first extended.

 

Consultation on a potential extension was undertaken with Nottinghamshire Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner, local residents in the immediate area, and a local Tenant and Resident Association. The proposal has also been publicised on the City Council’s website. No objections were received, only support in that the measures have proved successful to date.

 

A further review and consultation will be required in three years’ time if it is proposed to further extend the order.

 

Resolved

 

1)  that, being satisfied that the test in Section 59 of the 2014 Act is met, and having regard to the rights of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, the Committee authorise an extension to the Nottingham City Council (Haswell Road to Courtleet Way, Bulwell, Nottingham) Gating Order 2007 (GO 5001) for a further three years from 19 October 2020;

 

2)  to authorise the Director of Community Protection to carry out the necessary advertisements and arrange for appropriate signage to be erected where necessary in accordance with the legislative requirements.

 

9.

Area Capital Fund pdf icon PDF 325 KB

Report of Director of Community Protection

Minutes:

Celia Knight, neighbourhood development officer, presented the report which sets out funding requests for schemes across the three wards.

 

Resolved

 

1)  to note the previously approved scheme and approve the further schemes and funding withdrawals for Bestwood Ward, as set out in the report;

 

2)  to note the current finances available for Area Capital Funding in Bestwood Ward as set out in the report:

 

 

 

 

3)  to note the previously approved schemes and approve the further schemes and funding withdrawals for Bulwell Ward, as set out in the report;

 

 

4)  to note the current finances available for Area Capital Funding in Bulwell Ward, as set out in the report:

 

5)  to note the previously approved schemes and to approve the further schemes and funding withdrawals for Bulwell Forest Ward, as set out in the report:

 

6)  to note the current finances available for Area Capital Funding in Bulwell Ward, as set out in the report.

 

10.

Ward Councillor delegated budget pdf icon PDF 235 KB

Report of Director of Community Protection

Minutes:

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report which lists the schemes and activities funded by Ward Councillors from the Ward Councillor Delegated Budget since the last meeting of the Committee until 31 March 2020, and also during the current financial year. It is noted that the majority of funding allocations for 2020/21 are to support communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Resolved to note the funds allocated.

 

11.

Ward Reports pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Minutes:

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report which sets out the work done to support vulnerable citizens and communities in the Area during lockdown and the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The following points were highlighted:

 

a)  Food banks have been delivering twice as much food during the pandemic and provide a crucial service of food parcels, whilst working in partnership with other organisations, including British Gas;

 

b)  RightTrack have been active in the Area and it was their suggestion to produce an information booklet for the Bulwell and Bulwell Forest Area;

 

c)  Referrals significantly increased to Welfare Rights and the Bestwood Advice Centre for people in dire situations, some furloughed but not received payments or universal credit, others in substantial debt. Both organisations really stepped up and helped support citizens;

 

d)  The Toy Library successfully applied for a grant for nappies and baby food for families who couldn’t access them but urgently needed them. Staff and volunteers were also helping citizens with shopping;

 

e)  Numerous individuals from Nottingham Council for Voluntary Service and also from other organisations, stepped up to help our communities. Some were shielding themselves, but were willing and able to undertake phone volunteering;

 

f)  A vast range of support work was undertaken;

 

g)  Celia led hub for Bestwood, Bulwell and Bulwell Forest with staff supporting from the libraries team, leisure services, and other organisations. More than  500 calls dealt with;

 

h)  The Golden Number Helpline is still running but not as busy. A large part of the work was ensuring that citizens could be self-sufficient and able to order food for themselves and could access the willing support of neighbours and friends etc.

 

i)  It was phenomenal how quickly the response moved, including the installation of a new IT system, and a whole new structure, including for the back line and front line staff involved.

 

Councillors and Committee members commented as follows:

 

j)  Councillors were confident that they were kept fully informed and as a result, are aware of the huge amount of work done;

 

k)  Celia proved to be the ‘ultimate safe pair of hands’. She remained calm at all times and ran a well-ordered hub, with excellent support by Suki. All NDOs were awesome;

 

l)  Everyone involved in the response was amazing and it was particularly impressive as to how quickly everything got off the ground, probably due to the NDOs’ knowledge of the area and communities, along with their trust in NDOs;

m)  Thank you to everyone involved, you’ve been amazing and it’s been a brilliant example of what a combined effort can achieve, demonstrating the good relationship among ourselves (within the Council and amongst partners) and the community.

 

Resolved to thank everyone involved in the community support work during COVID-19.

 

12.

Suggestions for Future Agenda Items

Minutes:

With regard to future agenda items and topics, Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, will contact Community Representatives to ask if there is anything they would like considered.

 

Suggestions from those present included:

 

a)  Nottingham Age Friendly are working with Age UK on a digital training pilot to ensure that those older citizens who wish to, can participate in the virtual world and stay connected. If the pilot is a success, further information could be provided at the December meeting;

 

b)  Potentially an item from Bestwood Advice Centre. Their AGM will be held on 28 September 2020 and is advertised on Facebook;

 

c)  An update on the consultation regarding the fencing to the rear of Muster’s Walk.

 

 

13.

Future Meeting Dates

To agree to meet at 6.00pm on the following Wednesdays (at either Loxley House or via Zoom video conferencing, dependent on the pandemic situation at the time):

 

9 December 2020

3 March 2021

Minutes:

Resolved to note that the next meeting of the Committee is scheduled virtually for 9 December 2020 at 6pm.