Agenda and draft minutes

It was noted that Councillor Hiscott would chair this meeting of the partnership.  Councillor Kirk would chair the neighbourhood committee at relevant points during the meeting.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Councillors, officers and other attendees introduced themselves.

Apologies were received from Councillor Olly Mead who was attending a council-related meeting at City Hall.

To note any declarations of interest from 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 declaration of interest made at the meeting which is not on the register of

interests should be notified to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion.

None.

To agree the minutes of the previous NP meeting held on 12 December 2016 as a

correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the partnership held on 12 December 2016 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To note any matters arising from the previous minutes (for information) and to review the NP action sheet.

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting on 12 December 2016.

The latest update of the action sheet was noted.

In relation to action 8a. 12/15, it was noted that discussions were ongoing, involving local children’s centres.  Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust had also been involved in these discussions.

Up to 30 minutes is permitted for this item.

Any written public forum statements for submission to this meeting should be

emailed to democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk by 12 noon on Friday 10 March at

latest.

Public forum statement – pollinator flower bed behind Horfield Parish Church:

It was noted that a public forum statement had been received from Jane Cunningham.  The statement was about the pollinator flower bed behind Horfield parish church.  A local group was awaiting a response from the BCC parks team about whether any planned maintenance would take place on this flower bed.  The group was prepared to take over the responsibility for this flower bed. 

In discussion, general support was expressed for the principle of this group taking responsibility for this flower bed, and any others as appropriate.  It was agreed that a letter should be sent to the parks team expressing the partnership’s view on this.

A presentation on this will be given at the meeting - for more details see goo.gl/StoSVr “Neighbourhood Partnership Plan”.

To be presented by Caroline Hollies

It was noted that the issues that would have been covered in the NP progress report would be considered under other items on the agenda.

To be presented by Alan Sweetman, Groundwork South

The NP received a progress update from Alan Sweetman, Operations Manager, Groundwork South on The Vench playground enhancement project.

Main points raised /noted:

a. Following approval of the allocation of S106 funding by the neighbourhood committee, Groundwork had appointed Splash Projects to design, develop and build the playground enhancements. 

b. Splash had also levered in additional funding from BAE Systems, along with volunteers who had assisted with the build.

c. The site design improvements had been developed through consultation with local children and young people, overseen by the steering group for The Vench.

d. Partners/residents were very welcome to visit The Vench to view the playground and progress achieved.

e. It was suggested that in the context of the consultation on Bristol Youth Links, local people may wish to contribute to the consultation by stressing the importance of adventure play for children and young people.

f. Partners/residents were encouraged to see the Bristol Old Vic “Junkyard” production, which was inspired by the true story behind The Vench playground.

The NP noted the update.

To consider the NP business report.

To be presented by Caroline Hollies.

The NP considered the NP business report and noted/discussed updates as follows:

a. Environment group update:

* The group wished to continue and were looking at the “why and how” aspects of this.

* The group was looking at options for again installing hanging baskets this year on Filton Avenue.

b. Horfield forum update:

* The police had advised there was an increase in shed “break-ins”; hospital crime figures would also be “separated” out from the overall crime statistics for the ward.

c. Lockleaze Forum/special bus meeting update:

* The Romney Avenue bus link would be open to the new 72 bus route on 30 April. However, works to be carried out by Network Rail on the Constable Road bridge meant that the route would be diverted initially.

* United Communities had organised successful litter picks on 4 March as part of the Great Bristol Spring Clean.

* A new police operating framework was being implemented – as a key part of this, police response and neighbourhood teams would be separated to follow their respective disciplines.

* Councillors had provided an update on the Muller Road recreation ground development, developments on the rugby ground and Lockleaze Community Association.

d. Stoke Park activities and events:

* The consultation has now concluded, having attracted 700 responses.  The bid has now been submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund.  Cllr Kirk placed on record her thanks to the assistance provided by Andrew Gordon, Estates Management Team Leader, BCC.

* The Stoke Park Delivery Group had requested that £1400 be released to fund a programme of summer holiday activities and events in the park.

Following discussion, the Neighbourhood Committee

RESOLVED:

That £1400 be released from the devolved Stoke Park Dowry to fund a programme of summer holiday activities and events in the park, as per the request from the Stoke Park Delivery Group.

e. Maskelyne Avenue green space:

* Following on from the recent court case and the noise abatement order issued by the Magistrates Court, the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) would be removed during the coming spring.

* It was proposed that a sum of £1000 of S106 (ref: 07/01523/ Prefab site, Dorian Road, Horfield) should be allocated to fund improvements to Maskelyne Avenue green space.  It was noted that at this stage, it was envisaged that this sum could be used to fund new goal posts at this location; however, the final use of the sum would though be determined following discussion with the local community.

Taking account of and noting the above, the Neighbourhood Committee

RESOLVED:

That a sum of £1000 of S106 (ref: 07/01523/ Prefab site, Dorian Road, Horfield) should be allocated to fund improvements to Maskelyne Avenue green space, noting that the finalised use of this sum would be determined following discussion with the local community.

f. Finances:

* The financial update as set out in the report was noted and endorsed.  This included reference to  the re-allocation of certain funds: £5700 had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

To consider this grant application.

To be presented by Jayne Whittlestone, United Communities

The NP considered a proposal to approve £5,000 of Transformers young people’s grant to Horfield and Lockleaze Children & Young People’s Network.

Main points raised/noted:

a. Jayne Whittlestone presented the report, outlining the following points:

* A structured programme of events had been developed in conjunction with a range of local agencies, and in consultation with local children and young people.  There was a particular focus on families and children and young people who were vulnerable and “at risk”.

* The proposed events were costed and covered a wide range of activities, to take place between May and December 2017, including an arts trail, community events, a children’s university, film clubs, and opportunities for young people to participate in festivals, sport sessions, summer holiday trips and drama.

b. In discussion, partners generally expressed support for the proposed use of this resource and welcomed the variety of opportunities for young people offered by this programme of events.

Taking account of and noting the above, the Neighbourhood Partnership and Committee

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to allocate £5,000 of Transformers young people’s grant to Horfield and Lockleaze Children & Young People’s Network.

To be presented by Caroline Hollies

The NP considered a report providing an update on the Bristol Youth Links consultation.

Main points raised/noted:

a. Consultation on the new “model” for youth services was taking place between 2 February and 27 April.

b. Key aspects of the proposals/new model included:

* An overall budget reduction of £1.2m.

* The 5 key elements of the new model were:

- Tracking of young people still in education or training until they were 18 (£150,000)

- Support for youth sector organisations (£249,500)

- On-line youth service – statutory duty (£120,000)

- Specific support for drug/alcohol and sexual health services (£427,000)

- Local area targeted youth services (£2,167,800) - the draft proposal was for 3 local area contracts (North; South; East Central) or one citywide contract.  There would be a focus on targeting young people living in areas of deprivation; because of this, in overall terms, there was likely to be less resource than before across the north of the city.

c. Concerns were expressed that under the model, there would be less resource available to support area services in this NP area.  Partners and residents, and especially young people in the area were encouraged to participate in the current consultation.

d. Some concerns were expressed about the way in which information was being presented in connection with this consultation.  To an extent, an individual needed to have detailed knowledge of the current provision to be able to assess the implications of the new model. This made it more difficult for individuals to comment informatively on the proposals and the impact of the £1.2m budget reduction.  The consultation documentation seemed to be geared more towards seeking provider input rather than focused on obtaining service user and public comments.  Given this, it was agreed that it would be appropriate for a specific, local consultation meeting to be arranged for this NP area, to enable the proposals, and their impact, to be understood, and to enable local residents to ask questions and make comments.

Action: Cllr Gill Kirk to request this alternative meeting.

Meeting close:

In closing the meeting, the NP expressed their thanks for and appreciation of all the work undertaken by Caroline Hollies as NP Co-ordinator.