Agenda and draft minutes

Cllr Tony Carey was named as Chair.

Apologies were received from Marie Hodge, Janine Marriott and John Eccles.

To note any declarations of interest from the Councillors.  They are asked to indicate the relevant agenda item, the nature of the interest and in particular whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest.

Any declarations of interest made at the meeting which is not on the register of interests should be notified to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion.

As per the register of interests.

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.

Agreed as an accurate record pending the addition of Elizabeth Benn to attendance list, as she was present but not listed.

Up to 30 minutes is allowed for this item *Democratic Services Officer check time limit for your particular Committee*

Any member of the public or Councillor may participate in Public Forum.  The detailed arrangements for so doing are set out in the Public Information Sheet at the back of this agenda.  Public Forum items should be emailed to democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk and please note that the following deadlines will apply in relation to this meeting:-

Questions - Written questions must be received 3 clear working days prior to the meeting.  For this meeting, this means that your question(s) must be received in this office at the latest by 5 pm on *name deadline date*

Petitions and Statements - Petitions and statements must be received on the working day prior to the meeting.  For this meeting this means that your submission must be received in this office at the latest by 12.00 noon on *name deadline date*.

The following petition was received:

1.     Genevieve Taylor - Traffic Calming

·       Genevieve spoke to the petition about traffic issues on First Avenue. Speed bumps had been taken away and it was asked why that happened and what next steps could be to make things better.

·       Nearly everyone on the street had signed the petition.

·       The forum welcomed the petition and felt this was a Brislington wide issue that needed police intervention.

·       A Community speed watch was discussed as an option

·       Local residents in attendance presented their views and concerns on the dangers and speeding issues. Including aggressive behaviour and verbal assault, accidents and damage to cars left on street. Traffic calming signage in place is obscured by trees and makes it very unclear.

Action: The Petition was to be sent to highways for a response. Ariaf had already asked highways to do as piece of work which was ongoing. It was noted that a Speed Survey may not be reflective due to local road closures and less traffic than normal.

A number of treatment options were available pending consultation with officers including speed bumps, one way. Cllr Carey resolved to present the petition at next full council.

To note the content of the report and the summary strategy document – Ward Councillors.

·       It was noted how difficult and unwieldy the consultation process was, forum wished this to be fed back to the Council as it was felt  not to be a usable tool for public engagement.

·       The main items of the Budget proposals for discussion was related to the Neighbourhood Partnership directly were noted. (Papers appended).

It was felt that losing the devolved budget would be a real shame given Brislington’s long history of effective neighbourhood working – a valuable service and outlet for local democracy. The forum was urged to feed into the consultation to speak up for the NP against budget cuts.

More details were requested on Devolution and how NPs might feed into this and hold a Metro Mayor to account.

More information was requested on the alternatives if NP money is cut and the implications.

Key dates for budget:

7^th February - Cabinet

21^st February- Full Council

It was noted that the consultation was available on Bristol City Council’s Website on the front page with hard copies at libraries for those without internet access.

To note some of the major developments and housing projects that are/proposed for the Brislington NP area.

To note how residents can be involved in the decision making process for the planning applications -Ariaf Hussain

A short summary of the types and variety of development currently happening in the NP area was received. (Appended).

The forum were encouraged to engage with proposals for land use around Victory Park to ensure it is developed in the community interest and not lost to developers. In consultation with Avon Wildlife trust (AWT). Series of public consultations upcoming and Kerry McCarthy MP also opposed to development on green field/meadow sites and will been encouraging use of brownfield sites.

John Pier Site Update-Community engagement consultant from Sovereign gave update on their plans for community consultation in the New Year on the development site. Housing mix as yet to be defined but options were laid out for affordable rent, shared housing and housing association.

The earliest planning application was likely to be Easter and finalised summer next year.

Consultation website had been set up – details to be circulated. (Action - Ariaf).

·        The prominence of the site was noted as was the desire for a visually appeasing appearance on the front elevation facing the A4 – real desire to make sure it is something the community can be proud of.

·        Residents aired a strong desire for properly thought through approach to A4 access, lots of issues on a very busy road.

·         Affordable housing and shared housing and the character of the buildings were raised as key issues for the local communities.

·       The pressure on local infrastructure, especially schools, was raised as it was already high in Brislington.

To note the report containing comments and ideas from local people about Brislington, collected at ‘Brizzlewood’; a community event on Hollywood Road in September 2016

Sam Goss        

Sam Goss Presented findings from “Make Brislington Special” event.

·       Submissions now available in different formats to read for anyone interested (appended). Multiple views and conversations resulted from an overwhelming response.

·       A wealth of ideas for the enhancement of the area were presented and members were encouraged to take this forward and use to develop a neighbourhood or community plan to propose strategic solutions to the problems. 

·       All present were encouraged to share the document and ideas to encourage a broad engagement and projects going forward.

·       Better social space and restaurants, better cycle links and an improved retail offer including markets on sandy park Rd were all discussed. The options for forming a working/community group was discussed

Ellie Stevens

A Presentation was received on the key themes emerging from the consultation for improvements to Sandy Park Rd leisure and residential offer – from online responses, hard copy surveys and a public workshop. (Ellie Stevens - Appended).

·       It was noted that there was a strong desire from local businesses to engage as a group to contribute to improving and regeneration of Sandy Park Rd.

·       Ellie encouraged people to contact her if they had specific ideas or skills to start drawing up a draft plan and moving things forward, harnessing the talent in the area.

·       Farmers market one possible idea to help kick start a new shopping and commercial culture.

·       Developing a strategy and targeting the right businesses are vital – need to be entrepreneurial and pitch the area to the right businesses such as Thali Café and green grocers. It was agreed that there was a need for a community hub approach and the right type of developments.

That the Neighbourhood Committee:

1. Notes the Budget

2. Discusses and confirms any changes (where appropriate)

3. Agrees any allocations to the delivery of the NP plan (where appropriate)

Ariaf Hussain

12.  NP Budget Update – this has been frozen so no update forthcoming. This was due to the £30, 000,000 shortfalls in the City Council budget which has led to a freeze in spending.

Breakdown of existing budget was given – attached:

1.     Section 106

2.     CIL

To accept £5000 Transformer’s Youth Fund and administer through the Wellbeing Process as per the conditions within the report. Decisions to be agreed by the whole Neighbourhood Partnership – Hayley Ash

12.  Transformers Youth Fund (report circulated with agenda pack).

·        Overview and background was given to the funding and processes. Want to encourage relevant organisations and projects working with young people in the area towards Ariaf to take advantage of the funding while they can.

·        Recommendations won’t be decided on as there is no funding available. All applicants have been contacted – 3 still waiting for call back – with update on the situation. Advised on other funding opportunities some may be eligible for the Transformers Youth Fund

That the Neighbourhood Committee approves the recommendations from the Brislington Wellbeing panel for the allocation of Wellbeing Funding Ariaf Hussain-(Including Well Being, s106 & CiL)             

·        Recommendations were not decided on as there was no funding available.

·        All applicants had been contacted with update on the situation.

·        They had been advised on other funding opportunities and some were flagged as eligible for the Transformers Youth Fund.

To note and discuss the updates and dates for diaries on the following:

1. To note and respond to the Clean Streets Campaign

2. To note Highways Update – Hungerford Road

3. To note and respond to the Parks and Play Update

4. To note NP changes and developments

5. Dates – 2016/2017

6. Draft Dates – 2017/2018

Ariaf Hussain

•          A Clean Streets Campaign Update was received –Representation to the City Council on cost increases on fly tipping and bulky waste.

•          Action: Issue with crew training and understanding of policy for Kings Road (opposite park). Feedback to the waste team round leaf collections when residents have done their bit and filled bins but not being collected (Engagement officer to update at the next forum).

•          Meetings to carry on for the remainder of the financial year. 

•          The forum aired their disappointment at the lack of police representation at recent meetings and felt the quality of interaction was falling.

•          An update was received on the closure of New Bridge by First.