Agenda and draft minutes

Cllr Eddy took the role of Chair.

The Chair led the welcome and introductions.

Apologies were received from Cllr Quarterly and Andre Coutance.

To note any declarations of interest from the Councillors, relevant to the consideration of items on this agenda.  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.

None received

To agree the minutes of the of the Neighbourhood Partnership held on 20th June 2016:

a)         as a correct record

b)         matters/actions arising – action Sheet

The Neighbourhood Partnership AGREED the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.

a.      Clarification sought under Item 7.c. Hartcliffe and Withywood Community Partnership (HWCP) may be able to refocus some activities which may result in resource efficiencies. 

b.      Residents sought confirmation of the amount of funding going into HWCP.  Councillors confirmed that funding was in flux at present and therefore it was too soon to expect a report, but that this would be provided once there was clarity over future funding arrangements.

Matters Arising

c.       It was noted that Oswald’s community garden had been updated.

d.      It was noted that resurfacing of the car park was programmed for week commencing ???.

(Cllr Brain arrived at 7.12pm and took the role of Chair).

To consider any public forum statements submitted.

The deadline for the receipt of statements is 12 noon on Monday 26 September 2016.

The Partnership received public forum statements, presented as follows:

Statement 1: Jan Bohin - Neighbourhood Partnership Housekeeping and Sub Groups

In discussion the following points were noted:

1. There could be an opportunity for residents to have greater influence if the Pride of Place sub group and the Transport sub group were held on alternate months and if there was a way to engage with the Health and Wellbeing sub group.

2. It was confirmed that the Health and Wellbeing sub group had been set up by Public Health and met every 2 months on a Thursday at the Children’s Centre. The HWCP Community Partnership Manager and public health course champions had previously been invited to the group. 

3. Future minutes of the meeting to be shared with the Partnership. Concerns to be communicated to Gill Brookman Public Health reference the groups invitation-only status. Action: Emily Smith

Statement 2: Jess Wright - Heritage Support  : Zion Community Space

4. After discussion, the Neighbourhood Partnership agreed to support the proposal.

Statement 3: Keith Way - Tree Clearing : Dundry and Hartcliffe Wildlife Conservation Group

5. After discussion, the Neighbourhood Partnership agreed to request that the Council’s Arboricultural officers suspend action on the site until this had been referred back to the Pride of Place subgroup for a decision. Action: Mark and Julian

Statement 4: Shirley Moyes - Universal Credit

After discussion, the Neighbourhood Partnership agreed to invite Shirley Moyes to the December meeting. Action: Emily Smith

To note the contents of the report.

Consider any implications for Dundry View Neighbourhood Partnership.

The Neighbourhood Partnership considered the Equalities Review 2016 report presented by Emily Smith.  The Neighbourhood Partnership was asked to note the report.

In discussion the following points were noted:

1. Members raised concerns that the report layout had been confusing and difficult to read. Feedback to be given to the report author. Action: Emily Smith
2. Dundry View Neighbourhood Partnership survey results had been the most favourable of all NPs with a cross section of returns that mirrored the current census data.  It was suggested that this could due to the impact of the targeted diversity work being carried out in Dundry View neighbourhood partnership area.

The Neighbourhood Partnership AGREED:

To note the report, comments and actions arising.

a.         To note contents of the report.

b.        To note spend and allocations made to date

c.         To note s106 and CIL updated spreadsheets

The Neighbourhood Partnership considered the Budget Update report presented by Emily Smith.  The Neighbourhood Partnership was asked to note the report.

In discussion the following points were noted:

1. Work was due to start on Wilmott Park in October.
2. There had been £5,700 left over from works at Bishport.  It was confirmed that this had moved into the Hengrove, Stockwood and Whitchurch NP area with the boundary change.
3. Residents asked whether the S106 spreadsheet could be updated to show unallocated sums only
4. The Partnership needed to take a look at how best to allocate CIL monies to progress the objectives from the NP Plan.  Confirmed CIL money does not have time limits and was flexible for use anywhere in the partnership area.
5. Residents made reference to a development of three new dwellings on Coldpark Road and asked whether CIL would become available for this. Officers to confirm current position on this development. Action: Emily Smith

The Neighbourhood Partnership AGREED:

To note the report, comments and actions arising.

That the Neighbourhood Committee approves the recommendations from the Dundry View Funding panel for the allocation of Small Grants Funding.

The Neighbourhood Partnership considered the Small Grants and Wellbeing report presented by Emily Smith.  The Neighbourhood Partnership was asked to note the report.

1. The Neighbourhood Committee approved the recommendations from the Dundry View Funding Panel for the allocation of Small Grants Funding in principle but were unable to pass the resolution for the spend as the Committee was not quorate.  A Neighbourhood Committee to be convened in order to formally approve the recommendations. Action: Emily Smith

2. It was confirmed that the Grovers autumn event would involve the council flats plus Knightstone Housing Association.

The Neighbourhood Partnership AGREED:

To note the report, comments and actions arising.

To agree and notethe theme group recommendations as set out in the report.

The Neighbourhood Partnership considered the Theme group recommendations report presented by Emily Smith.  The Neighbourhood Partnership was asked agreed the recommendations in the report.

In discussion the following points were noted:

1. It was noted that there were 2 options for the Cheddar Grove scheme valuing either £15k or £25k.  The Partnership expressed concern that previous highways schemes at Fulford Road and Bishport Avenue had not met the standard expected and were concerned that this could happen with the Cheddar Grove scheme.  Residents were particularly disappointed with the scheme at Fulford Road, which had received a number of complaints due to the depth of the layby and were concerned that there was no redress for a scheme that had not added the value expected.
2. It was important that the Partnership receive clear recommendations from the transport group to ensure that the Partnership received value for money and ensure that schemes were implemented as agreed.
3. It was noted that the land was not registered to anyone.  It was currently in a state of disrepair with lots of pot holes.  The Council can adopt the land but it must first be up to an adoptable standard.
4. It was noted that Walnut Walk had applied for small grants.

The Neighbourhood Partnership AGREED:

         (i)         The process for verge and pavement parking as described in the report.

        (ii)        That the Transport Group is asked to make a clear recommendation on which 2017/18 Highways scheme at Cheddar Grove to take forward.  Plans to be brought back to the next meeting for final approval.

       (iii)       To fund the expansion of the pavement at Church Road pinch points as a minor piece of work in principle

       (iv)       To note the recommendation for Walnut Walk

To note the contents of the report.

The Neighbourhood Partnership considered the Crime and Community Safety Police Report presented by Sergeant Dan Ashfield.  The Neighbourhood Partnership was asked to note the report.

In discussion the following points were noted:

1. It was suggested that future reports could highlight what crimes happen in the area and include crime data for domestic violence and hate crime
2. It was noted that crime against a person was up almost 50% with most relating to domestic violence, which was 4 times that of other areas. Significant arrests had been made in response to a spike in burglary and this should result in a drop in offences. Members asked if the crime data could be shared for the website and circulation.  Action: Sergeant Dan Ashfield
3. Residents confirmed that they would like to receive regular updates on police and crime work in the Withywood area.
4. It was noted that there had been some restructuring in the team. Members asked if the details of the beat manager, officers and pcsos attached to wards could be publicised.  Action: Sergeant Dan Ashfield
5. Representatives of High Ridge and Bishopsworth, and Bedminster Down and Uplands would welcome more engagement from police in their areas. Comments to be passed to Caroline Crane. Action: Sergeant Dan Ashfield
6. Residents suggested that the police publish updates in the local newsletter WAM. Action: Sergeant Dan Ashfield
7. It was agreed that the higher reporting of higher reporting of sexual offences and rapes may be related in part to an increased confidence amongst victims that their complaints will be treated seriously.

The Neighbourhood Partnership AGREED:

To note the report, comments and actions arising.

To note the report for information.

The Neighbourhood Partnership considered the Campus Skate Presentation report presented by Tim Nokes.  The Neighbourhood Partnership was asked to note the report.

In discussion the following points were noted:

1. Phase 1 was the skate park build with an investment of £160k comprised of a business loan from Big Issue, local giving and £10K from the West of England Growth Fund.  The investment was measured by the benefit to the community.
2. Within 14mnths of opening 2.5k members had signed up to use the facility as a skate park. 70% were under 21 and 460 local to the area.
3. Challenges faced, not as many girls and women had signed up as hoped. There was no continuation funding which led to a reduction in paid staff and a need to use volunteers more effectively. There were places subsidised, funded by quartet under a local accessibility project, working with Knowle West Media Centre to engage more girls and young woman with the sport.
4. Phase 3 is the café phase, opening early November with support of £75k from Sport England.  This had created 4 jobs, 2 full time and 2 part time staff.  There was still work to do to leverage the office space.  All members of the community were invited to use the café and the parking was free.
5. Committee Members wanted to congratulate the team on their work to get the swimming pool changed into an indoor skate park. The project had exceeded expectations despite various obstacles.  Since the Community Asset Transfer had taken place between the Council and Campus Skate, not one single complaint had been received. The centre had a large catchment area and drew young people from all over the country.

The Neighbourhood Partnership AGREED:

To note the report, comments and actions arising.

To note the report for information.

The item was deferred to the December meeting. 

For consideration.

The Neighbourhood Partnership considered the Fund raiser report presented by Emily Smith.  The Neighbourhood Partnership was asked to note the report.

In discussion the following points were noted:

1. It was noted that Withywood would like to work with Dundry View to share the cost of a fund raiser to raise funds for projects of joint interest in some of their shared spaces. It was agreed that any joint projects go through Pride of Place and in consideration of parks priorities. Action: Emily Smith/Pride of Place Sub Group
2. A working group to be set up to look at the Fund Raiser contracts that had been adopted by other neighbourhood partnerships and strengthen links with neighbouring Partnerships areas on commissioning a fundraiser.  Cllr Brain, Cllr Eddy and the Neighbourhood Coordinator to progress. Action: Emily Smith/Councillors
3. It was suggested that the fund raiser role should not be limited to parks and green spaces or the Neighbourhood Plan.  Officers advised that the roles may have been the most successful when they have been very target specific and not too generalised.

The Neighbourhood Partnership AGREED:

To note the report, comments and actions arising.

To note the contents of the report

The Neighbourhood Partnership considered the Neighbourhood Plan update report presented by Emily Smith.  The Neighbourhood Partnership was asked to note the report.

In discussion the following points were noted:

1. Updates and comments made on improving the plan have been implemented, work on the priorities within the plan were generally on track. However, there had been little progress under the theme of Working and Learning.  It was noted that the themed sub groups progressed work well and that this format could be considered to make progress under Working and Learning.
2. It was suggested that some work be done to engage with retired people who may struggle to access consultations, Universal Credit or special offers online.  There had been projects in Bishopsworth and St George using the library service and volunteers from HMRC.
3. It was noted that library staff did not currently have the necessary training to assist people properly with computer skills, although the job centres were increasingly sending people to library to use the computers.
4. A better structure was needed to capture and coordinate the project work being progressed by organisations in the area including the HWB and the HWCP.  Concerned had been raised that the South Bristol skills centre had started shutting down classes.  It was suggested that the Neighbourhood Coordinator talk to other partnerships to find out  what was working in other areas.
5. The HWCP representative advised that whilst digital access was a priority, the current computer systems and offer at the centre did not currently meet demand.  It was noted grant funding may be available to set up a digital training offer.  HWV has some experience and could be a key partner. The neighbourhood coordinator to see how this might be progressed. Action: Emily Smith and Julian?
6. Some residents had commented that the current Neighbourhood Plan had been going for a long time and at times it was difficult to follow the progress because of the layout. It was suggested it would be beneficial to discuss the neighbourhood plan more often than at quarterly  Partnership meetings.  The Neighbourhood Plan to be added as a standing agenda item at themed groups. Action: Emily Smith

The Neighbourhood Partnership AGREED:

To note the report, comments and actions arising.

To note the contents of the report.

The Neighbourhood Partnership considered the Highways report presented by Emily Smith.  The report set out the information held on two of the completed schemes for Dundry View at Fulford Road and Bishport Avenue that the Neighbourhood Partnership felt had not delivered as agreed. The partnership was asked to note the report.

In discussion, the Neighbourhood Partnership felt strongly that they had been let down; that the schemes represented for residents a misuse of funds and that there should be some recourse.  The Neighbourhood Committee to refer to the issue to Business Change and Resources Scrutiny. Action: Cllr Brain

The Neighbourhood Partnership AGREED:

To refer their concerns to the Council’s Business Change Resources Scrutiny Commission.