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Environment Sub-Group Decisions and Updates
Minutes:
The Chair then requested all to consider the sub-group recommendation on CIL fund distribution.
1. Jacobs Wells Baths - £6,850
a. This was a late application so not considered by the sub-group during their formal meeting. The sum was required to improve the look of the space to make it more attractive for community use.
b. A representative from the Artspace project, Dina Ntziora, addressed the NP and answered questions posed by partnership members.
c. The centre was closed for a period of time to allow for the refurbishments of the electrics and removal of asbestos. There still remains areas to the rear of the building and around the boiler room that had been made inaccessible to users until renovation works can be undertaken to make that area a safe space to use.
d. The funds already awarded to support the project totals £10,000; £2k from Quartet for staffing and training; £3k from Bristol City Council for the Asbestos and Electric refurbishment; £5k from Architectural Heritage Fund for consultation work.
e. The building suffers from issues arising from water ingress but the aspiration is to source bidders/funds to support further development of the space following the award of the CAT.
The Neighbourhood Committee unanimously Resolved
i) The award of £6,850 to Artspace based at Jacob Wells Baths
The Partnership then considered:
2. St Johns Road Lighting Project - £56,896.93
a. Cllr Denyer provided the up to date costings on the refurbishment/replacement of lamp posts along St Johns Road, Whatley Road and on the corner of All Saints Road.
b. The sub-group were initially advised that the sum required would be around £20,000 but this was an unsubstantiated figure and a best guess. Full costings arrived within hours of the meeting and were shared in the presentation.
c. The survey undertaken amongst residents on and around St Johns Road indicated that there were real concerns about the poor lighting from street lamps and concerns about safety. The tree roots and uneven pavements had become trip hazards made worse by the lack of good light from the lamps. The area had a number of cast iron lamps that would need to be refurbished in order to give better light, which would be a matter of extending the length of each lamp and fitting LED bulbs.
d. The request for CIL had been made because of the City Council’s current financial constraints meaning the street lighting service had adopted a policy limiting provision to one of repair and not of refurbishment to street lamps.
e. The lamps along the road in question are a mix of approximately 2/3 cast iron and 1/3 steel.
f. The costings included the need to reposition some lamps along the pavement to avoid shading from trees.
g. Members considered the costings for improvement to 4 areas along the roads in question. Concerns were raised about the embellishments aspect of the quotes in that some of the work was not a need but a want. In addition although the CIL budget was large there were a number of pending projects that would worthy beneficiaries of funds.
h. Neighbourhood Committee agreed to vote on the four options with costings provided on the slide, detailed below:
Option 1 |
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St Johns Road LC7 to 17 To replace columns with refurbished Cast Iron Columns |
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|
|
|
Refurbish Cast Columns |
£13,662.00 |
New Traditional Lanterns |
£9,522.00 |
Installation Costs & Power supply’s |
£10,232.27 |
Total |
£33,446.27 |
|
|
Option 2 |
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All Saints Road 1 x new column |
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Refurbished Cast Column |
£1,138.50 |
New Traditional Lanterns |
£793.50 |
Installation costs & Power supply’s |
£1,002.93 |
Total |
£2,934.93 |
|
|
Option 3 |
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Whatley Road x 5 Columns To replace columns with refurbished Cast Iron Columns |
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|
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Refurbish Cast Columns |
£5,692.50 |
New Traditional Lanterns |
£3,967.50 |
Installation Costs & Power supply’s |
£4250.95 |
Total |
£13,910.95 |
|
|
Option 4 |
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St Johns Road LC1 to 6 To install traditional embellishment Kits with Lanterns |
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|
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Traditional Lanterns |
£4,761.00 |
Embellishment Kits |
£1,311.00 |
Installation Costs |
£532.32 |
Total |
£6,604.32 |
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|
The Neighbourhood Committee Resolved:
i) Option 1 – work to cast iron lampposts on St Johns Road (LC7 to 17) at a cost of £33,446.27 Unanimously Agreed
ii) Option 2 – addition of lamp post on All Saints Road carried by a 5/1 majority Agreed
iii) Option 3 – Whatley Road refurbishment of 5 lampposts £13,910.95 - 3/3 split with the Councillor chairing abstaining – Not Agreed £Nil award
iv) Option 4 – work to steel lampposts on St Johns Road (LC1 to 6) – 2 for/4 against – Not Agreed £Nil award
The Neighbourhood Partnership then considered:
3. Creative Youth Network - £100,000
a. The Chair shared that there were limitation to the way NP could award funds, they were directed to only provide funds for actual projects and not for speculative projects. In addition any unused funds for a project must be returned. The sub-group had deferred decision on this applicant to the wider partnership to allow for a full discussion and then decision on whether any sums should be awarded.
b. Sandie Hore-Ruthven representative from CYN addressed the partnership. The organisation had to date raised significant funds to refurbishment and turn the former magistrate court building into a viable space. The aspiration was to expand to allow other charities supporting young people to co-exist in the space. Rent was charged for the use of the space generating income revenue for the charity. The award would support the next stage of the bid to Heritage Lottery Grant Fund.
c. The following was noted from the discussion that followed:
i. There was general concern about the risk arising from awarding £100,000 and how the charity would pay that sum back if the bid was unsuccessful. Confirmation was given that the charity held reserves that would be available to support a repayment plan. The charity was prepared to enter into any necessary legal agreement to secure the funds.
ii. The Chair shared that the sub-group had proposed that the partnership considered £100,000 allocation and not the full £150,000 requested. The charity had been directed to Ashley Easton and Lawrence Hill NP to request the £50,000.
iii. It was understood that Ashley Easton and Lawrence Hill NP were not in a position to consider any awards from CIL fund during the transition period. Therefore unlikely to support at this time. There were concerns raised by Derek Pickup that this appeared to be a final decision when a full representation had not been made to that NP. Clarity was sought. Action: Matthew Jones to seek clarity.
iv. The partnership heard from two young persons who used the facility at the former magistrate. One had used the space to assist with University projects and another to find support to overcome lack of confidence and improve communication skills.
v. It was proposed that that the partnership consider awarding £100,000 but to include a number of conditions to ensure that the organisation provided some form of security and a promise to return the funds if the bid was unsuccessful. In addition to enter into a legal agreement the cost of which to be borne by the Charity.
Neighbourhood Committee Resolved:
i- To award the sum of £100, 000 on condition that a legal agreement is drawn up and signed by all parties with the following terms included;
a. That in the event that the bid to Heritage Lottery fails all monies awarded be returned to this Neighbourhood Partnership
b. That CYN provide appropriate security to the partnership to secure the loan
c. That the cost of drawing up the legal agreement be met by CYN