Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED for Councillor Audra Wynter to be appointed as Chair for the 2019/20 municipal year.

RESOLVED for Councillors Samuel Gardiner and Maria Joannou to be appointed as Joint-Vice-Chairs for the 2019/20 municipal year.

Councillor Maria Joannou - leave

Councillor Nathan Radford – personal

Chris Easton

Paul Jackson

Reverend David Gray

Celia Knight

Daniel Pickard

None.

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Suki Shergill, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report which outlines the role and responsibility of Community Representatives and informs the Committee of those appointed by Ward Councillors.

It is noted that some former representatives intend to, but are yet to submit the required application form.

RESOLVED to note that the following have been appointed to the Area Committee as Community Representatives for the 2019/20 municipal year:

Verbal update of crime statistics and Policing and Community Protection

issues in the Area.

Police Inspector Christine Busuttil and Senior Community Protection Officer, Darryl Paxford,  

provided a verbal update on Policing issues within the area, including the following points:

(a)  There have been several bicycle thefts from Bulwell;

(b)  A house in Newmarket Road has been boarded up and the resident willingly moved to residential care;

(c)  There has been a fluctuation in reports of theft and damage in the Bulwell Forest Ward;

(d)  The church on Padstow Road has now been demolished but there are still antisocial behaviour concerns regarding the vacant vicarage building;

(e)  Vacant buildings on Knights Close remain a concern but are proposed to be demolished;

(f)  Burglary of dwellings has significantly reduced across the City but it is not clear why;

(g)  There will be some movement of Policing staff within the area and neighbouring districts;

(h)  Concerns previously raised over rough sleepers in the area are no longer an issue as it appears many have moved to the Sherwood area;

(i)  Due to proactive action as part of the knife crime project ‘Scorpion’, there may be an increase in knife -related crime prosecution. It is anticipated that this area of work will receive long term investment;

(j)  Projects currently taking place in Sherwood to tackle shoplifting are predicted to be provided in Bulwell at some point in the future;

(k)  A total of 10 individuals have been charged in regard to the Bestwood firearms incident;

(l)  Operation Reacher is expected to continue into the summer. A finish date has not been announced;

(m)  With regard to the drive-by shooting in Arnold, local Police have not been involved as the incident took place across the City border, but so far, no local connections have been identified.

RESOLVED to thank Police Inspector Christine Busuttil and Senior Community Protection Officer Darryl Paxford, for their attendance and update.

Verbal presentation on rough sleepers outreach work by Kasia Swiatczak.

Following concerns from Community Representatives at previous meetings, as to how to support rough sleepers, Kasia Swiatczak, Outreach worker, was in attendance to inform the Committee of the work of Framework.

The following points were highlighted and questions from the Committee responded to:

(a)  The type of support offered by Framework depends on the needs and circumstances of each individual;

(b)  Rough sleepers can come from any area of the Country but the Local Authority only has formal responsibility to those with a connection to the City and not to people from other areas or countries;

(c)  The Framework Outreach Team aims to engage with all rough sleepers, no matter from where they are from, undertake a welfare check and provide advice on how day centres and night shelters can be accessed (such as Emmanuel House), to which Framework can refer  rough sleepers, and other support services appropriate for each individual;

(d)  Resources are limited and whilst there are only 8 outreach workers covering the whole of the City, the majority of outreach work takes place with 2 officers from 4am to 8am, Monday to Friday, with daily reports of numbers to the City Council. Efforts are made to keep track of people and maintain contact 2-3 times per week, but time and resources are limited;

(e)  There are on average between 50 and 70 known rough sleepers in the City at any one time;

(f)  In addition to actively seeking rough sleepers, citizens and partners are requested to contact Framework with details of where rough sleepers are, so they can hopefully be engaged and potentially referred for support such as housing aid, night shelters and hostels;

(g)  The majority of support can only be accessed via referral from Framework and partners and very little ‘walk-in’ accommodation and support;

(h)  There is often more demand on services and support during winter and particularly in severe weather. Accommodation can be provided but the use of hotels and Bed and Breakfast accommodation is now vastly restricted due to the inappropriate behaviour of some of the rough sleepers previously provided with such accommodation;

(i)  As previously referred to in the Police item, there has been a rise in reported rough sleepers in the Sherwood area recently. This is probably due to the generous nature of Sherwood residents but it is not always clear if there is a genuine need or if beggars are seeking to meet addiction needs;

(j)  If people really want to give to beggars and rough sleepers, it is always better to provide food and not money. Some people can receive a lot of money from begging on the streets during cold weather when sympathy is high, but if they have accommodation and don’t use it, they can lose it and the funds are often spent elsewhere. There is also the possibility that if able to maintain alcohol and substance misuse, rough sleepers are less likely to seek accommodation and support;

(k)  There have been several rough sleeper deaths  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Verbal presentation by Donna Denning of Bestwood Partnership

Donna Denning of Bestwood Partnership, delivered a verbal presentation as introduction to the newly appointed Lead Organisation (LO) for the Area.

The following points were highlighted and questions from the Committee responded to:

(a)  Bestwood Partnership has previously operated successfully as a LO in the Bestwood Area and is now providing Lead Organisation support to the new Committee area;

(b)  There has been a very short turn around period between the award of the LO contract and the contract period starting, and whilst all policies are in place and required checks completed, there have been some minor issues including the withdrawal of 2 key partners meaning that the previously allocated funding is now available for alternative provision;

(c)  As the contract has only just started, comprehensive performance data has not yet been gathered but will be available, as required, for the mandatory due date of 1 July 2019 with a breakdown of all targets and details of project activities and funding, across all three wards, provided to the next Area Committee meeting;

(d)  Bestwood Partnership is working with NCC Youth Provision to ensure that there is not duplication and that activities are co-ordinated and accessible across the area;

(e)  Publicity for events and activities will be shared once finalised and circulated for sharing with partners and uploading to social medial and websites;

(f)  It is requested that partners attend joint meetings and fully engage in networking within the area to ensure they are fully informed and able to share information and signpost citizens appropriately;

(g)  Feedback from participants of activities will be sought to ensure quality control and identify any gaps in provision which may appear so, where possible, they can be addressed;

(h)  Where there are areas and issues of concern, such as older children monopolising play areas in the early evening so that younger children don’t feel they can use the area, the City Council will  be targeting these areas and sign posting young people to universal provision;

(i)  There are activities already running within the area which are independent of the City Council, such as BMX biking and also sports such as basketball at the Bulwell Riverside. There is already a lot of activities and many young people are aware, but sometimes young people need to be encouraged to get involved. Sometimes they are happy just gathering and don’t feel the need to be actively doing anything.

RESOLVED to record the thanks of the Committee to Donna for her attendance and introduction.

Presentation by Officers working on the scheme.

Robert Adkins and Mark Jenkins, Senior Officers of the Major Projects Team, were in attendance to inform the Committee of progress of the River Leen and Day Brook – Blue Green Infrastructure Project, which had initially been considered by the former Bestwood and Basford Area Committee.

The presentation, which illustrates the proposals for flood alleviation measures along City sections of the River Leen and Day Brook, including flood risk levels, is provided with the initial publication of the minutes.

The following points were highlighted and questions from the Committee responded to:

(a)  Funding for the project has been provided jointly by the Environment Agency (EA) and European Finding and once completed, 160 properties will be better protected;

(b)  It is proposed that Jubilee Ponds on the Daybrook, by the Valley Road Park and the deceptively large quarry and pumping station, will be refurbished to increase flood water retention and capacity;

(c)  Implementation of a flood risk management scheme which delivers multiple benefits, namely environmental enhancement, improved biodiversity, habitat creation and improved public access to open spaces;

(d)  One of the issues with the Daybrook is that over many years, the water course running parallel to has been straightened and so to slow the flow, it will be reconfigured to meander with planed flood plains, wildlife areas and leisure facility;

(e)  Phase 1 groundworks of the scheme are proposed to be delivered by December 2019;

(f)  More industrial based solutions are required for the River Leen, which would prove more expensive, particularly as required over flow storage sites are not available and potential developers are not keen to contribute the potential cost of £16-18m.

(g)  With time restraints around the required completion of any work (by the end of the calendar year), and a shortfall of £10m, it has been decided to take a longer term approach focusing on the broader course of the River Leen beyond the City and propose working with the County Council to identify potential solutions. Detailed plans of proposals will be provided within the next 18 months and will benefit approximately 200 properties;

(h)  the source of the upper Leen starts near Newstead Abbey and has 121²km of catchment drains. The lower Leen runs from Basford, through the City to the Trent Outfall;

(i)  Further information on the River Leen in Bulwell can be provided in a future report.

RESOLVED  to record the Committee’s thanks to Robert Adkins and Mark Jenkins for their presentation.

Report of the Chief Executive of Nottingham City Homes

Nicky Jarvis, Area Housing Manager for Nottingham City Homes, presented the Nottingham City Homes Update report which informs the Committee of activity with local groups and organisations, performance against indicators relating to antisocial behaviour, repairs, rent collection, empty properties, and tenancy sustainment. It is noted that there are no requests to fund environmental projects at this time.

RESOLVED to note the report

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Suki Shergill, Neighbourhood Development Officer, introduced the report which outlines current ward priorities and issues within the wards and identifies the lead organisation or City Council Department for addressing those issues.

In addition, an extract of the crime statistics for the Area from April 2019 as appendix 4 to the report.

RESOLVED to note the progress on ward priorities and other supporting information, including the issues being addressed by each Neighbourhood Action Team (NAT), and forthcoming opportunities for citizens to engage.

Report of the Director of Community Protection

The report outlines the allocations of funds to groups and activities by Ward Councillors from their individual ward budgets, as agreed by the Director of Community Protection.

RESOLVED

(1)  to note the Bulwell Ward Budget Allocations:

(2)  Bulwell Forest Ward Budget Allocations:

(3)  Bestwood Ward Budget Allocations:

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Dale Griffin, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report which informs the Committee of previous Area Capital funded projects for each ward and recommends approval for a scheme in Bulwell Forest Ward.

RESOLVED

(1)  to approve the following scheme in Bulwell Forest Ward:

(2)  to note the following financial position of Bulwell Forest Ward:

(3)  to note the following financial position of Bestwood Ward:

(4)  to note the following financial position of Bulwell Ward:

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.uk0115 8833728 or Dale Griffin (Bestwood Ward) dale.griffin@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 07506 690329, at least a month in advance of the Committee meeting.

The opportunity for Community Groups and City Council Colleagues to

inform the Committee of forthcoming events.

Partners and Community Groups are requested to share event information, particularly with the School Summer Holidays nearing. Further information about events will be available on the Ward Facebook pages. 

The following forthcoming events were reported:

15 June 2019  -  International Food Fair  -  Bulwell Forest Community Gardens

15 -21 June   -  Bestwood Culture Festival  -  Various venues across the area

22 June   -  Last Night of the Proms  -  Bulwell Academy 6.30pm

29 June   -   Fun Day  -  Leen Valley Community Centre 2-5pm

6-12 July  -  Bulwell Arts Week  -  Various events throughout the week

9 July  -  Information Day  -  Bulwell Market

13 July   -  Nottingham Pride  -  Nottingham City Centre

1 August  -  Southglade Park Live  -  Southglade Park, 12-4

3 August   -  Family event  -  Bulwell Bogs

20-22 August  -  Bestwood Summer Party  -  The Ridge, 11.30am-3.30pm

7 September  -  Fun on the Park   -  Bulwell Forest 12-4pm

7 October   -  International Older Citizens Day  -  Henry Mellish School

Late August (date tbc)  -  Family Fun Day  -  The Park Church

Discussion by the Committee regarding preferences for future meeting venues.

Following the reorganisation of the Area Committee Structure, the Committee are asked which venues would be preferable to hold the meeting. It is noted that if any venues external to the Council for which room hire costs were incurred, would need to be paid from the Area Committee budget.

The following points and suggestions were made:

(a)  Holding meetings in the local area is preferable to meetings being held in the City Centre at Loxley House;

(b)  Some councillors may not be able to attend meetings starting at 5.30pm which are held outside the City Centre due to existing City Council commitments and meetings;

(c)  Bulwell Riverside is a good venue with good transport links;

(d)  The acoustics in Loxley House meeting rooms are not good so should be avoided;

(e)  Alternative community based should also be considered in preference to Loxley House and Bulwell Riverside.

RESOLVED 

(1)  for the next meeting to take place at Bulwell Riverside;

(2)  for the venue of further meetings to be determined at the next meeting.

It is proposed for the Committee to meet on the following Wednesdays at 5.30pm on:

4 September 2019

4 December 2019

4 March 2020

RESOLVED to approve the following meeting dates on Wednesdays at 5.30pm: