Andy Fisher

Robin Goodwin

Paul Jackson

Danny Paxford

Inspector Christine Busuttil (Sergeant Ollie Vale substituting)

Suki Shergill

None.

Of the meeting held on 9 September 2020 (for confirmation)

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2020 were confirmed as a true record and will be signed by the Chair.

Verbal update on Policing and Community Protection activity in the Area.

Nottinghamshire Police Sergeant Ollie Vale provided the following update for the past 2 weeks:

Bestwood

a)  violent crime and victim based crime has increased but not with any pattern or in any one area;

b)  burglary is down by 75% and there have been no vehicle offences;

c)  shoplifting had increased but this was due to 2 prolific shoplifters who are being dealt with by the Neighbourhood Policing Team;

d)  Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) has reduced significantly by 45%. This may have been a result of higher than expected reports of ASB at the end of last year in the Lytham Gardens and Hove Road areas which has now substantially reduced;

e)  there haven’t been any reported incidents of hate crime within the last 2 weeks;

f)  there has been a sharp rise in criminal damage with the Cherry Orchard Mount area being targeted with arson but a couple of people have been identified as potentially responsible and will be dealt with;

Bulwell Forest

g)  overall there’s been very little movement in reported crimes, but overall down by 2%;

h)  victim based and violent crime has reduced;

i)  burglary is down along with shoplifting and theft in general, possibly due to managing some disputes and continued good partnership working whereby an injunction was sought for an individual;

j)  there has been a reduction in ASB;  

k)  there has been a slight rise in hate crime by one incident. This continues to be from the same sources with no specific individual target for race or religion;

Bulwell

l)  there has no movement in overall crime;

m)  only been a slight variance in victim based crimes but a drop in violent crime;

n)  shoplifting has slightly increased as is seasonal with Christmas coming. Shops are offered advice;

o)  a slight rise in criminal damage but without any identifying pattern;

p)  vehicle crime down;

q)  ASB and hate crime have reduced.

Operation Reacher

r)  Operation Reacher, which was initiated in Bestwood area and provided additional area focused staffing and resources, has now been rolled out across the whole of the City North Policing Area including Bulwell and Bulwell Forest since November, with the majority of activity in Bulwell and Bulwell Forest;

s)  there have been 24 arrests, 7 traffic prosecutions, 34 instances of stop and search, 10 arrest warrants issued, and £14,000 recovered from the proceeds of crime, and 12 drug seizures including heroin and crack cocaine. This work leaves the Neighbourhood Policing Team to focus on neighbourhood policing.

In the absence of Senior Community Protection Officer Daryl Paxford, the following update was read out:

t)  79 Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued across the wards for offences relating to fly tipping, littering and dog fouling;

u)  City-wide operations to tackle anti-social behaviour are being supported by a dedicated ASB Car, which provides extra resources later at night;

v)  Community Protection Officers have been assisting with covid-secure business checks and also ensuring businesses are compliant with their legal obligations throughout the pandemic. As well  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

Verbal Presentation by Rosie Atkin of Connected Nottinghamshire

Rosie Atkin of Connected Nottinghamshire, informed the committee of the digital inclusion work being undertaken across the county to help and support citizens to improve their social and digital inclusion skills and ability. The following points were highlighted and questions from the committee responded to:

a)  this area of work was established as a result of research undertaken in 2018 and several support schemes have been launched to help promote digital communication across the whole community;

b)  the predominant focus for digital inclusion is to increase digital access and interaction with the health sector, but also within and between communities and partners;

c)  the gaps in digital inclusion were recognised prior to the pandemic, but lockdown has highlighted the vast range, and high levels of digital deprivation in relation to access to the internet, devices and also ability;

d)  initially schemes were taken into the community with face-to-face support at digital pop-up hubs at community venues and in job centres, as if a roadshow, but due to COVID-19, a different approach has been taken and support is now provided by telephone;

e)  in addition to community and citizen support, there is a Digital Champion Scheme which trains staff and community workers, such as receptionist at GP surgeries, to teach and assist citizens/patients with digital communication, such as for online booking of appointments and services, and accessing the NHS App to access health information, enabling them to then support other people;

f)  during the past two months approximately 77 citizens have contacted the service for support. This may appear a relatively low figure, but each engagement may take a substantial amount of time and the Digital Inclusion Team only consists of three people;

g)  the Digital Workforce Package is available for small businesses;

h)  the ‘Tablet Lending Scheme’ pilot is aimed at voluntary and community services and organisations to help encourage digital access and ensure members stay connected. The pilot scheme has been well received and is currently operating with one community group but there has been a lot interest shown from other groups;

i)  tackling the inequality in digital inclusion requires a partnership approach and can’t be achieved in isolation so it is important that the Community and Voluntary Sector, partners and individuals promote the roll-out of the opportunities offered.

More information can be found on the Connected Nottinghamshire website: https://www.connectednottinghamshire.nhs.uk/ or by telephoning 0115 883 8873

Councillor Cheryl Barnard, Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People, commented that inequality of internet access within the City has recently been highlighted for school children during the first lockdown when they were required to work from home. It was found that some families were relying on just one device, often a mobile phone, for digital communication. As a result, the Education Department of Nottingham City Council worked to provide laptops to some particularly vulnerable families and although some Central Government funding was provided, the City Council used the pupil premium to support the digital inclusion agenda.

Resolved

1)  to note the valuable  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

Verbal presentation by Sue Foster of Bestwood Advice Centre

Sue Foster, Manager and Senior Advisor at Bestwood Advice Centre delivered a presentation which is circulated with the initial publication of the minutes, and highlighted the following points:

a)  Bestwood Advice Centre is based on Gainsford Crescents and has been operating since the 1980s, providing advice and support for citizens on issues such as debt and financial management, insolvency options, tribunals, utility debts, and welfare applications;

b)  the main source of funding for the Advice Centre is currently form the City Council, but with other short-term contributors including British Gas, Coalfields, lottery, a pilot scheme of support with Life After Debt, and Bestwood Partnership;

c)  the advice centres across the city work together as a consortium of Advice Nottingham to achieve funding, watch for trends and work to advise and support citizens, include working in partnership with multiple local organisations;

d)  although usually a face-to-face service, due to the COVID-19 restrictions adaptations had to be made to remote and online working. This was achieved quite rapidly, including providing further information via social media. Following lockdown only very limited access in person was offered for extreme circumstances; 

e)  last year the service worked with a Nottingham University in providing a 4 week internship to a student. To make the most of this opportunity, Sophie worked with the service for 4 weeks researching the need for advice centres and the value they bring, not only to the individual but to the community as a whole. This project resulted in some excellent research and culminated in a presentation to local partners and agencies, which will also be used to support funding applications. A copy of the report is available electronically on request. Sophie has remained working with the Advice Centre and is now on the Board as Treasurer;

f)  COVID-19 has resulted in a rise in demand from the centre with many people have not claimed benefits or  accessed the service previously, now requesting support, often with multiple issues. The majority of support is provided over the phone and via WhatsApp photos or by post if people aren’t connected;

g)  utility companies have proved very difficult to deal with, especially as they generally hadn’t adapted their working practices due to the COVID-19 restrictions, and some almost verged on obstructive;

h)  it has been highlighted that more financial education is needed to prevent or address poor budgeting and poor financial choices. Talking to some citizens about changing their financial behaviour and choices has been difficult, particularly over the telephone (rather than in person) as some people find it easier to express their anger and frustration at a distance;

i)  during the past 9 months approximately 500 clients have been supported, which is similar to the number of people supported in the previous 12 months. Some client cases require a huge dedication of advisor time, sometimes in the region of 100 hours, particularly where there is digital exclusion;

j)  often when clients approach the Service they are already in debt, do not have capacity to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

Verbal presentation by Jerome Barracks of Communities Unite

As Jerome Barracks was not in attendance, the item was withdrawn.

An opportunity for Community Representatives and officers to update the Committee on recent activity and achievements.

The Committee were informed of the following good news reports and community updates;

a)  Reverend Andrew Fisher asked that the Committee be made aware that the Bestwood and Bulwell Foodbank has opened a once weekly session at St Mary’s Church on Highbury Road, which will make it easier for people in the area. Referrals are through the usual routes;

b)  Chris Easton updated the Committee on the work taking place at the Bestwood Park Church, with Friday meal deliveries continuing and next week marking the delivery of the 6,000^th meal since 27 March 2020. There is still a need with approximately 50 meals sent out on 17^th November and 150 festive meals due to be delivered with the help of the community groups and partners, including the Fire and Rescue Service on Christmas Eve, along with 450 hampers. The national ‘Love Thy Neighbour Scheme is active in the area;

c)  two local mothers had recognised that some families were struggling to buy Christmas presents for children and organised a Community Christmas Gift Scheme at the church with presents wrapped by care home residents of Hawthorne Lodge.  Approximately 250 gifts have been donated and will be distributed prior to Christmas;

d)  there is also now a foodbank operating twice a week in the  Crabtree area on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am-3pm;

e)  Maria Shakespeare is still planning to cook and deliver Christmas meals to elderly residents in the community, as she does every year.

Report of the Chief Executive of Nottingham City Homes

Nottingham City Homes Area Housing Managers Nicky Brake presented the report which provides an update on performance, activity and engagement, and in an updated Appendix 3, which has been circulated as a supplement to the agenda, requests scheme approvals.

Members of the Committee requested an update item to a future meeting regarding the housing developments in Bestwood and Bulwell, including the proposed timelines. It is noted that one scheme is private and the other is by the City Council, and not NCH, but an update can be considered as a stand-alone item for a future meeting.

Resolved to:

1)  note the community engagement activity and performance information;

2)  approve the schemes identified in the revised Appendix 3 as follows:

3)  note the financial position:

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report which requests funding approvals in each ward, and provides an update to budgets.

Resolved :

1)  to approve the following LTP and Public Realm schemes within the Bestwood Ward, noting that no funding de-commitments are proposed:

2)  to note the financial position of budgets held for the Bestwood Ward;

3)  to approve the following schemes in the Bulwell Ward, and note that no further LTP schemes or de-commitments are proposed at this time;

4)  to note the financial position of budgets held for the Bulwell Ward;

5)  to approve the following scheme within the Bulwell Forest Ward, and notes that no further LTP schemes or de-commitments are proposed at this time;

6)  to note the financial position of budgets held for the Bulwell Forest Ward;

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report which provides an overview of the establishment of the Area Partnerships and Community Hubs. Detailed local statistics, including the indices of deprivation, health, education, housing, crime, and age relevant issues are included within the report, including a survey of community organisations within the Area.

It is noted that much of the partnership working has evolved naturally to respond to the needs of the community during COVID-19. Scheduled work, including the establishment of sub-groups to consider and look to address identified local priorities has commenced with positive outcomes to date.

It is proposed that the Area Partnership will be promoted to 22,000 local properties via A5 leaflets which also provide with useful contact numbers. This has been funded by the Bestwood Partnership.

Resolved:

1)  to adopt the four following priorities recommended by the newly formed area partnerships based on the need analysis of the Area;

i.  Food poverty;

ii.  Employment;

iii.  mental health/loneliness and isolation;

iv.  welfare rights and benefits advice;

2)  to note the proposed way forward for agreeing a community hub model for the Bulwell, Bulwell Forest and Bestwood Wards.

Report of the Director of Community Protection

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

Resolved to note the following

1)  Bestwood Ward Budget Allocations since the last report;

2)  Bulwell Ward Budget Allocations since the last report:

3)  Bulwell Forest Ward Budget Allocations since last report

Report of the Director of Community Protection

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development Officer, presented the report which sets out actions against each of the ward priorities, including through the work of the Neighbourhood Action Teams (NAT), provides details of forthcoming events and activities, and the latest Crime Drugs Partnership (CDP) crime statistics.

Resolved to note the progress to address ward priorities and other supporting information, including the issues addressed by each NAT, and upcoming opportunities for citizens to engage, and the latest statistical updates by the CDP.

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

Members of the Committee requested:

a)  an update item to a future meeting regarding the housing developments in Bestwood and Bulwell, including the proposed timelines;

b)  with the success of the Police’s ‘Operation Reacher’, including retrieving proceeds from crime, it would be interesting to hear from the Police Crime Commissioner if such funds could be invested into the local communities, from where they came.

To note that the next meeting is scheduled for 3 March 2021 at 6pm.

Resolved to note that the next meeting is scheduled for 3 March 2021 at 6pm.