Agenda item

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 been allocated from the neighbourhood budget in October 2016 for Christmas lights on Filton Avenue – this could not be delivered and so funds were instead being allocated to the With-One-Voice Partnership to be used for a Christmas project in 2017.  Also, in relation to wellbeing funding, £500 had originally been allocated in December 2015 towards a memorial bench project  – this was not now being taken forward by the family concerned and so these funds were instead being allocated to Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust for an alternative (but linked) use relating to education and support for young people at risk of drug misuse.

g. Community led action and decision making (post BCC led NP):

Discussion took place in connection with the current consultation on post-NP arrangements. It was noted that documents about the transition process and future options had been circulated in advance of this meeting.

Main points raised/noted: 

* Consultation would take place between May and August on future funding arrangements.  This included options for dealing with decisions on S106 and CIL funding, and funding for community projects.  A budget would also be allocated to support 2 community meetings per year (currently referred to as community spaces).

* In response to questions, it was noted that the parish council model was not considered appropriate at this time.

* There was support for participating in a citywide networking meeting during the week starting 4 April.

* Some views were expressed that moving forwards, there would be benefits in the Horfield and Lockleaze areas operating “separately” in future, but at the same time to be very mindful of the need to work creatively within the new framework and work together, for example on more strategic areas of joint interest.  Partners were advised of comments from Cllr Mead (who was unable to attend this meeting today).  Cllr Mead had suggested that that arranging two meetings per year for local residents of both wards to attend might be a good idea, e.g. to look at cross-cutting strategic issues of mutual interest, and to continue to foster the good working relationship between councillors, supporting each other as necessary as the new arrangements settled in.

* Whatever final form the “community space” meetings took, it was felt they must be transparent, accessible and encourage participation.

At the conclusion of the discussion, and noting that there had only been a limited period for initial discussion of these matters at today’s meeting, partners and residents were encouraged to send any comments on the NP transition and the consultation on post-NP arrangements to the NP Co-ordinator.  In particular, it would be helpful if comments could be sent in about what currently works well (and doesn’t work well) in terms of NP activity.  It was noted that the transition plan would be completed and signed-off by the end of May.

A further NP meeting could potentially be held in June to discuss / refine this NP’s view on the post-NP arrangements.