Agenda item

Formal public meeting - 7.00pm – 8.30pm

 

-       Councillor introductions

-       Ward budgets

-       Ward priorities

-       Youth work update

-       Update from local PCSO

-       AOB

 

 

City of York Council                                           Committee Minutes

MEETING                     HAXBY AND WIGGINTON WARD       

                                      COMMITTEE

 

DATE                            13^th JULY 2016

 

PRESENT                    COUNCILLORS CUTHBERTSON, GATES

                                      AND RICHARDSON

                                      FIONA BARKER (COMMUNITY

                                      INVOLVEMENT OFFICER)

SERGEANT COLIN SUTHERLAND

PCSO JAMIE GIBSON

PAULA STAINTON, FOUNDATION MANAGER, YORK CITY FC

                                      WARD RESIDENTS

APOLOGIES                Ellie Tillotson – Oaken Grove

 

                                                                                               

 

1)      Welcome and Introductions

 

Councillor Ian Cuthbertson welcomed everyone to the meeting.  Apologies were receivedfrom Ellie Tillotson – Oaken Grove Community Ties project.

 

2)      Community Safety Report 

 

          Sergeant Colin Sutherland introduced himself and PCSO Jamie Gibson.  He then outlined details of the local policing team before both officers updated the meeting with information about priorities and plans for the forthcoming months.

 

Sergeant Sutherland explained the aims and successes of Operation Liberate in tackling anti-social behaviour (“ASB”), explaining how the initiative involves working in partnership with various bodies such as the NHS, York City FC Foundation and the Youth Offending Team.  A high visibility police presence visits areas of known ASB where individuals will be engaged with at various levels, including identifying vulnerable young people and taking them to a place of safety. Positive action with partnership bodies can then follow.  The Operation proved to be a success in tackling ASB last year and is to be used again this summer.

 

Operation Joypad will also run within communities over the summer months to raise awareness of how burglars operate and to provide security advice, thus reducing vulnerability to this type of crime.

 

Residents were reassured that crime within the ward was particularly low, although reference was made to the theft of the cash machine from Haxby Co-op.  Sergeant Sutherland also mentioned the role of the police in helping support and reassure the community in the wake of the tragic Springwood explosion in February 2016.

 

Sergeant Sutherland updated residents with details of the new Community Messaging service, designed to allow the police to send out messages such as crime alerts or news of forthcoming events by electronic means (email/text/tweet) to a targeted audience, eg residents in a particular geographic area.

 

Property marking events are also being held where residents can have their property marked and registered using a dot peen machine. Various sized fonts are available and the marking is discreet.  There is a facility for officers to visit residents should they not be able to attend an event.

 

 

3)      Youth Work Update

 

In the absence of Ellie Tillotson, the meeting was provided with a written update on the Community Ties initiative, a project established by Oaken Grove for young people in the local community.

 

    Cllr Cuthbertson then introduced Paula Stainton, the Foundation Manager for York City FC, who gave an overview of the positive opportunities provided by the Foundation for young people in the area.

 

Paula explained that they are working in partnership with the PCSOs to help reduce ASB by engaging with young people and providing them with positive alternatives, including providing access to coaches and facilitating activities at quality venues.

 

The activities are fully inclusive and are available to young people of both genders.  Whilst the focus is primarily football based, other activities are provided and others are being explored, for example, boxing, performance arts, drama and barista training.  It is hoped that a wider range of activities will further increase the inclusive nature of the initiative.

 

Cllr Cuthbertson thanked Paula for her detailed presentation.

 

4)      Ward Budgets and Priorities

 

Cllr Cuthbertson updated residents with details of the annual ward budget and spend so far.

 

The ward budget at the start of April 2016 was £55,020 plus a separate budget of £30,400 for the ward highways programme.  To date, the spend from the ward budget is approximately £17.5k, leaving approximately £37.5k to spend. 

 

Grants awarded so far are as follows:

 

·        Haxby Memorial Hall Trust – contribution to the roof replacement

·        Activ8 Learning – helping fund a support group for those wishing to get back into work

·        Haxby Town Council – renovation of Wyre Pond

·        Wigginton Parochial Church Council – purchase of replacement chairs

·        Haxby Netball Club – contribution to resurfacing the netball court

·        Musical Connections – provision of music therapy

·        Haxby United Charities – elderly persons’ strawberry tea

 

Cllr Cuthbertson emphasised the need to ensure the money was spent during the current financial year since it was unlikely to be carried over into the next year.  Applications for ward grants, particularly those in line with the priorities of enhancing the environment and green spaces, increasing road safety and reducing loneliness and social isolation, would be particularly welcomed.  Fiona Barker explained that the ward grant approvals process takes about three weeks, although efforts are being made to speed this up as much as possible.

 

Residents questioned the standards of the Council’s grass cutting service.  Cllr Richardson explained that a new team had been brought in and that they should have more time to get the job done.  He also commented that a team is able to go in where areas are missed.  It was suggested that residents take photographs of areas where they believe the service to be sub-standard.

 

In response to a query, Cllr Cuthbertson explained that making improvements to the snickleways could prove tricky, in that by making any improvements, you may be deemed to be accepting responsibility for that snickleway.

 

5)      Ward Councillor Update

·        Pedestrian crossings:

Cllr Richardson explained that there is currently a consultation regarding a new pedestrian crossing on Greenshaw Drive and that the Council is considering installing LED-type beacon lights for the crossings at The Cottage Inn and Haxby shopping centre.

In response to a query, Cllr Richardson explained that prices were being obtained for belisha beacons on two pedestrian crossings in Haxby.  Cllr Cuthberton added that investigations were underway for a ‘halo’ around the beacons on the crossing at the Cottage Inn which should improve safety by making them more visible.  One resident suggested converting the zebra crossing near the Cottage Inn into a raised crossing.  Cllr Richardson explained that this would depend on the results of the feasibility study.

It was suggested that a Lollipop Person be employed outside Headlands School.  Councillors explained that this was an issue they were aware of, although it was proving difficult to employ someone in this capacity as the hours were not particularly attractive.

·        Local Plan:

It was reported that the Local Plan will be open for consultation for eight weeks as from Monday 18^th July.  Cllr Gates explained that the plan included a proposal for 750 new houses, including a range of housing types.  He further explained that concerns about the green belt had been listened to and that green areas and recreational spaces had been built into the current plan. 

ACTION: Cllr Richardson to clarify whether the cemetery has been classed as a green space.

Consultation comments forms are available on the Council website, or alternatively from Fiona Barker: fiona.barker@york.gov.uk

·        No 20 Bus Service:

 

This service will be retained, running from Monks Cross to Clifton Moor via Huntington, New Earswick, Haxby and Wigginton. 

 

·        Haxby Library:

 

Structural issues mean that the library building was evacuated and alternative premises found for the book stock.  It was reported that all the children’s and some of the adults’ books had been relocated to Oaken Grove.  It is aimed to keep usage of the book stock as high as possible in order to retain the readership.  It may be possible to include the mobile library as part of this plan.

 

·        Community Involvement Officer:

 

The new officer for the ward will be Neil Gibson.  Fiona Barker was thanked for her hard work and commitment and both councillors and residents would be sorry to see her go.

 

6)      Any Other Business

          The meeting discussed the possibility of using reconditioned ‘bus due’ signs in the ward.

ACTION: Cllr Richardson to investigate.

A number of concerns were raised about the general maintenance of the speed signs around the ward.  Councillors agreed to investigate a solution to this issue.

 

7)      Date of the Next Meeting

Cllr Cuthbertson thanked residents for their attendance and contributions.  The date of the next Ward Meeting would be publicised nearer the time.

 

Cllr I Cuthbertson

(The meeting started at 7:00pm and finished at 8:25pm)