Agenda and draft minutes

-        Tony Locke (Neighbourhood Partnership)

-        Councillor TBC (Neighbourhood Committee)

Tony Locke as NP Chair.

These were done.

Apologies were received from David Mock.

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.

Please note that the Register of Interests is available at https://www.bristol.gov.uk/councillors/members-interests-gifts-and-hospitality-register

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.

None.

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

To note the Action Tracker

These were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Matters Arising.

Deborah Yeates, Inspector for Avon & Somerset Constabulary provided the Partnership an update on 2015/16 NP Policing priorities.

The following points arose:-

• ASB – a task group met every two weeks to discuss the main problems and organise extra patrols where there were particular issues. Joint working with the City Council had brought an injunction against a man who persistently caused problems for local people in the Ledbury Road area of Hillfields.
• There was a lot of literature available from Crimestoppers which would be made available to the NP;
• Prostitution – This was an on-going priority . It was more frequently reported now but it was best to assume the Police didn’t know than assume they did;
• Drugs – warrants had been obtained to access premises in the Hillfields and Oldbury Court areas where stashes of drugs were found;
• Education Programmes – The Catch 22 Programme worked with young adults to divert them away from crime;
• Domestic burglary – areas which had experienced this were given priority leafleting;
• The radio system Shopwell system was being used by trading groups to report crimes.

• It was reported that there were 2 street drinkers on pavement outside Sainsburys and they were not homeless. The Inspector agreed to investigate and report back; The Streetwise Initiative was a joint operation with the City Council that worked with homeless people and provided outreach services for them. There was also a website and app called Streetlink where you could report rough sleepers;
• Councillor Threlfall referred to a recent Licensing Committee hearing where a licence was refused as it was close to a rehab centre. She felt the message about such problems was not getting through to Licensing members;
• It was noted that kerb crawlers were sometimes issued with ASBO’s and yet information about these individuals was not available to the community. The Inspector replied that the success rate of the change course was so good that it was often not necessary to issue an ASBO. She agreed to investigate the protocols for sharing such information;
• Discussion took place at the lack of feedback on Neighbourhood Watch matters. A partnership member felt that her local Neighbourhood Watch had deteriorated as there was no rapport with the Police. She understood that policing structures had changed but pointed out that Neighbourhood Watch representatives were a willing resource and should be made use of. The NP Co-ordinator reported that the Greater Fishponds NP had always had a good representation from local Neighbourhood Watch Groups. He suggested that including the establishment of Community Safety subgroup as 2016/17 Police Priority may present a role for a Neighbourhood Watch representatives;

• The NP were asked their priorities and these were agreed as:-

1. Begging and street drinking – there appears to have been an increase in the NP area, perhaps displaced from the City Centre or possibly a new set of people.

2. Parking around schools.

3. Prostitution and exploitation.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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 deadline will apply in relation to this meeting:-

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 Wednesday 13 July.

None received.

The NP Co-ordinator reported that the total spend for 2015/16 was £200,000. This did not include highways spend as that was allocated four years ago, though if included would increase the figure to £300,000. There had been a lot of goodwill and influencing other community groups to achieve this. He thanked the Sub Group and the NP for all their hard work in achieving these outcomes.

Councillor Threlfall acknowledged the NP achievements over the course of 1 year and noted it was helpful that residents could see what actions have been taken.

Upon request, the NP Co-ordinator agreed to put online a breakdown of costs for the East Bristol Map. He added that this had been a joint project with St George NP and that that NP had funded the signage.

Discussion took place regarding signage in other areas including main shopping districts, Fishponds Rd and local parks. It was agreed to defer this to the Environment Subgroup for further consideration.

The NP Agreed to note the progress made and agreed the NP achievements for 2015/16.

Action: NP Co-ordinator to put on the website the breakdown of costs of East Bristol Map.

Neighbourhood Committee and Neighbourhood Partnership to make decision.

The NP Co-ordinator reported that previous membership would be rolled over for 2016/17. It was agreed that the NP Co-ordinator write to Faith Groups regarding their membership of the NP.

It was agreed that Tony Locke take the Chair of the NP for 2016/17 and that David Mock be asked if he would take the Vice-Chair for 2016/17.

It was agreed to continue with 6-monthly rotating Chairs for the NC and that Councillor Bowden-Jones take the Chair and Councillor Alexander take the Vice-Chair for the first six months.

It was noted that a revised Terms of Reference for the Co-ordinating Sub Group to make them more relevant would be considered at its meeting on 8 September 2016.

It was noted that the Devolved Neighbourhood Budget stood at £94,000 which the NP would have to decide how to manage. The budget for the Abingdon Road feasibility study would be refunded to that budget for 2016/17.

The Neighbourhood Officer referred to the Engagement Plan, reporting that it was hoped to move away from the previous forms of engagement at Neighbourhood Forums and to focus on information sharing forums and issue based matters. Councillor Threlfall suggested that the NF website be updated and that social media be used to attract interest in the Forum. Councillor Keen also suggested that posters be placed in shops. Discussion followed. It was agreed to look at the brand identity of the NP and to look at themed meetings. It was noted that Councillors could assist with publicity as they had distribution networks and could place on noticeboards. It was also noted that non-computer literate residents needed to be considered. It was also agreed to include dates for 2017 in the draft Engagement Plan to the October NP for feedback.

During discussion, the success of the Environmental Sub-Group was acknowledged. It was also noted that a sub-group for under 20’s could help tackle ASB.

Resolved:-

1. To note the NP membership and chairing arrangements.

2. To note the NC and NP terms of references and the NC Financial Operating Framework.

3. To note the devolved Neighbourhood Budget for 2016/17.

4. To note devolved powers.

5. To note the Financial Statement & Expenditure form 2015/16.

6. To note the NP meeting schedule including Neighbourhood Partnership, Forums and Subgroups.

Action: NP Co-ordinator to write to Faith Groups regarding their membership of the NP.

Neighbourhood Partnership Chair and Vice Chair

See Agenda Item 8 above.

Neighbourhood Committee and Neighbourhood Partnership discuss and decision

Part 1: Citywide NP Event.

This was noted.

Part 2: Wellbeing Grant.

The NP noted that six Wellbeing applications had been assessed by the Sub-Group on 6 June 2016.

The NP agreed to support the recommendations of the panel.

Councillors Cheney and Keen declared a non-pecuniary interest in the Hillfields Young Mother’s Group as they were on the organisation committee for the event. This did not preclude them from voting.

On being put to the vote, the NC granted the following applications unanimously:-

• The Red Tent Project;
• The Haven;
• Hillfields Haween Group;
• Brook Rd & Tyndale Avenue NWG;
• HillfieldsYoung Mother’s Group;

The NP noted that the Subgroup had spent some time considering the application for Playing Out CIC and was reluctant to support as there were perhaps other streets that could benefit from the scheme. It was agreed to contact Playing Out CIC and ask them to consider working in Lower Eastville Area and to consult with local residents to demonstrate need.

Action: NP Co-ordinator to contact Playing Out CIC.

On being put to the vote, the NC refused the application for Playing Out CIC.

Part 3: Traffic and Transport.

The NP agreed the priorities as set out in Para.13.1.

2016/17 Local Traffic Scheme: Neighbourhood Budget £55, 327.82 + £3, 796.93 underspend -                                                                                                                                                              £59,124.75

                                                            Remaining Neighbourhood Budget - £41, 124.75

On being put to the vote, the NC agreed unanimously to make available an additional £18,000 to finish the Forest Rd North Scheme subject to the circulation of plans.

Action: NP Co-ordinator to circulate plans.

Part 4: Environment.

Councillor Alexander supported the Environment Subgroup recommendation providing Begbrook Park was also included in the development of new play facility for older children. This was agreed.

The NP agreed and endorsed the Environment Subgroup’ recommendations.

Part 5: Co-ordinating Subgroup.

The NP agreed and endorsed the recommendations of the Subgroup.

RESOLVED –

1. The Citywide Event on 20 July was noted.

2. The Neighbourhood Committee agreed the Wellbeing applications received since April 2016 and set out above.

3. That the NP noted progress and agreed the Traffic and Transport subgroup recommendation. The NC approved the additional £18,000.

4. The NP agreed and endorsed the Environment Subgroup recommendations.

5. The NP agreed and endorsed the Co-ordinate Subgroup recommendations.

There were no other nominations so it was agreed that Tony Locke continue as Chair for 2016/17. It was hoped David Mock would agree to be Vice-Chair. See Agenda item 8 above.

Date: 6 October 2016

Time: 7pm

Venue: The Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue, Fishponds, BRISTOL, BS16 2QQ

This was noted as 7pm on 6 October 2016.

Meeting ended at 9.20pm

CHAIR  __________________