Agenda and draft minutes

These were done.

These were received from Councillors Threlfall and Bowden-Jones, Yvonne Sadler, Tony Locke, Pauline Shaw and Fiona Gleed.

It was noted that David Mock would chair in the absence of Tony Locke.

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.

There were none.

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record and to note the contents of the Action Tracker.

The Action Tracker was noted.

Page 11, Part 5: Environment Subgroup. Table title should read ‘NP Budget’. Delete word ‘Environment’.

The minutes were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair, subject to the amendment above.

RESOLVED – that the minutes were agreed and signed by the Chair.

Verbal report of First Bus General Manager, Alan Barret

It was reported that the representative from First Bus was not in attendance. The NP Co-ordinator would follow this up.

Action: NP Co-ordinator to follow up non-attendance.

Verbal report of Creative Youth Network CEO, Sandy Hore-Ruthven.

Lucy Touray addressed the Partnership on the work of the organisation and the following points arose:-

• Individuals could be with the organisation for up to 12 weeks, some individuals needed more time. At the completion of working with an individual, the referrer is informed that contact had now stopped;
• Individuals were taught resilience and techniques to build their confidence;
• Councillor Keen acknowledged the invaluable work of the CYN which saved the authority expenditure. She added that many voluntary hours were given to individuals with complex needs. CYN is a huge asset in Hillfields ward.

NP discussion and NC decision on:-

-        Section 106;

-        Wellbeing Grants;

-        Other NP Business.

Report of subgroups and NP Co-ordinator, Abdulrazak Dahir.

Part 1: Transformers Youth Fund:

The Neighbourhood Partnership heard that Avon & Somerset Police Community Trust managed the Transformers fund, a small grant aimed at working with young people and delivering youth activities It has proved difficult to attract enough projects so the Trust has decided to devolve £5000 to each of Bristol’s NPs. The fund would be administered through the Wellbeing Small Grants Process, the spend would need to be allocated by March 17 and spent by end of March 18. Creative Youth Network agreed to provide support and facilitate a proposal to set-up young people led panel. The NP is asked to accept the funds and transfer to Creative Youth Network, subject to completing an application. The NP heard from George Sloan, the Youth representative who explained that the aim was to create a group like the NP for young people with the aim of improving the community for people of their age.

The following points arose from discussion:-

• The NP Co-ordinator would monitor the funds and ensure there was an audit trail of spend. There was a social value impact which would also be monitored;
• When funds were made available, the structure and membership could be formed;
• Their needed to be some level of accountability for the public;
• Immediate funds were needed for expenses such as travel and snacks.

The NP was asked to show their support for this proposal. It was unanimous.

Part 2: Wellbeing Grant Applications.

The NP Co-ordinator reported that subsequent to the publication of these papers, there had been an immediate across the Council freeze on spending due to the current budget situation. This therefore meant that decisions could not be taken on the Wellbeing applications in these papers. S106 monies could still be spent and guidance was awaited regarding the spending of CIL monies.

The following points arose from discussion:-

• The Wellbeing applications approved at the last NP would be processed;
• The Council should look at all Wellbeing applications to see if S106 could be used instead. It was unfortunate that it would now be necessary to wait until March in order to determine if applications can be funded by S106 monies;
• Clarity regarding the use of CIL monies should be come quickly;
• It was agreed that the NP Co-ordinator would produce a note for the NP clarifying budget pots.

Action: NP Co-ordinator to:-

-             produce note confirming budget pots;

-        To confirm if CIL can be used by the NP;

-        To consider whether the applications not dealt with can be granted with S106 monies in light of      frozen spending.

Part 3: Traffic and Transport Update.

It was noted that subgroup recommendations could not be considered due to the spend freeze.

Part 4: Environment Subgroup.

The Neighbourhood Partnership agreed to note the proposals with respect to S106 funding for PROW improvements between St Matthias College Development and Halfpenny Bridge.

The Neighbourhood Committee were asked to approve the following :-

2016/17 S106 funding available for Roegate House, Whitefield Avenue, Speedwell      £13, 133.75  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

NP discussion and discussion.

Report of Neighbourhood Officer, Georgie Bryant – TO BE TABLED AT THE MEETING.

Georgie Bryant, Neighbourhood Officer, tabled a report and the following points arose:-

• Neighbourhood Forums did not have engagement capacity due to the numbers who attended and the reason people came to them. It was necessary to look at them in a different way in the future, more as an information sharing forum;
• The future of NP’s was also under review;
• It was noted that good works had taken place by groups around the triangle area of Eastville. These groups wanted more funding to do other things and the neighbourhood team could assist in connecting the groups up to resources other than the Council;
• The reason most people engaged in the NP is to have some influence on spending in their community, if budgets remained frozen going forward, this engagement would be lost;
• The future dates for Forums and NP’s should be accepted until informed otherwise.

The NP agreed to support the Engagement Plan.

NP to note progress and discuss.

Report of NP Co-ordinator, Abdulrazak Dahir.

Inspector Deborah Yeates made note of the following issues reported by Partnership members and agreed to follow up those within her responsibility:-

·       There was increased drinking in Fishponds Park;

·       There was intelligence that the Polish Shop was selling illegal alcohol ‘under the counter’;

·       Residents of Symington Road were concerned at the activities of an individual with a yellow car who regularly drove at 60/70 mph on mornings and evenings;

·       A blond lady was regularly seen outside the Lloyds Pharmacy using inappropriate language;

·       Another lady  visited Coffee No 1 often and talked very loudly, displaying some mental instability;

·       Travellers with at least 25 vehicles had moved to Greenbank. It was noted that this was a matter for the Neighbourhood Enforcement Team

·       Air quality in Eastpark area was poor due to car engines left running outside May Park School.

Up to 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

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:-

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 7 December 2016.

Ian Beckey was in attendance and spoke to his statement. Councillor Keen reported that Fishponds Councillors were working with St George Councillors on a more creative option. Councillor Cheney reported that the Council had the resources to build a pool but not to run one.

RESOLVED – the Statements were noted.

7pm Thursday 23 March 2016 at Vassall Centre, Oldbury Court.

This was noted as 7pm on 23 March, 2017.

Meeting ended at 9.10pm

CHAIR  __________________