Agenda and minutes

The meeting was preceded by a drop-in surgery which had provided residents with the opportunity to meet and speak informally with ward councillors, the street environment officer, the safer neighbourhood policing team and the neighbourhood management officer.

To approve and sign the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 27 February 2012.

RESOLVED:       That the minutes of the meeting of 27 February 2012 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

A representative from the Policing Team will talk about and answer questions on their work in the ward.

PCSO Buchanan of the Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team gave an update on current issues within the wards.  Details were given of the crime statistics for the wards.  There had been a reduction in crime, including a significant fall in the number of thefts at the university.

Residents asked if more could be done to promote safer cycling.  They raised concerns about the number of cyclists who did not use lights or wear high visibility garments.  A number of cyclists also used earphones which posed a further risk to safety.   The PCSO stated that he regularly spoke to university students about this issue, including advising them of the £30 fines that could be imposed for some offences.  The Police also took action when they observed cyclists using the pavements.  PCSO Buchanan stated that he would seek to do more enforcement work on this issue.

At this point in the meeting you can raise any issues or concerns you may have in respect of the ward.

An opportunity was given for residents to raise any issues or concerns they may have in respect of the wards.  The following issues were raised:

(i)           Horses on verges

The Council was reviewing the way in which it dealt with tethered horses on verges.

(ii)          Fly posting in Heslington Village

The street environment officer was made aware of fly posting in Heslington village.

(iii)        Speed Reduction Humps

Concerns were expressed that the new traffic calming measures in Heslington Lane, Fulford, were creating a noise nuisance to residents in the vicinity.  They were also causing difficulties for cyclists.  Councillor Aspden reported that he had already passed on the concerns of local residents to the Council and would be working with them to further highlight their concerns.

(iv)        Removal of Waste Bins

Discussion took place regarding the problems caused by the removal of waste bins, for example a bin had been removed from Fulford Main Street close to a food shop.  Concerns were expressed that 12 of the 27 bins in Fulford had been removed without any consultation.  Councillor Levene stated that the criteria that had been used when deciding which bins should be removed had included the amount of litter that was collected from them, their proximity to other bins and whether they were being used for domestic or commercial waste.  Councillor Aspden reported that he was very concerned about the removal of litter bins, had already reported issues to the Council and raised the associated problems that this may cause.  The street environment officer stated that if she was made aware of problems in particular areas she would feed back this information.

(v)         Students Union

Residents were informed that the Students Union had set up a grant scheme whereby local community groups could apply for a grant of up to £1000.  They were also establishing a community representatives scheme.  It was hoped that the student representatives would attend future ward committee meetings.

(vi)        Your Ward Newsletter

Concerns were expressed that a number of residents had not received the Your Ward newsletter.  Details were given of the changes in the delivery agents.  Residents suggested that the newsletter should include the proposed date of the next edition to enable them to identify if it had not been  received.

To formally agree the schemes to be funded through the Ward Committee for 2012/13 (to view the schemes for the ward go to www.york.gov.uk/wards/)

(i)           Community Contracts

Residents were informed of proposed community contracts.  The contracts were agreements between ward committees, the community, council departments and other organisations that provided services.  The content of the contracts would include a profile of the ward, specific challenges that it faced and the ward priorities.  It would also detail how residents could engage and be involved in ward activities.  It was hoped that this information would also be available electronically so that information about the ward was easily accessible.

Some residents raised concerns about the costs of producing the contracts, as well as the need to look more closely at the content.  They were advised that the contracts would be mainly web based with hard copies available in libraries and community centres and in a format to meet a particular need such as impaired sight. 

It was agreed that officers would meet with parish councils to discuss the proposed contracts prior to further consideration being given to the contracts at the next ward committee meeting.

(ii)          Changes in Ward Funding Arrangements

It was noted that ward funding had now been divided into three components:

·        Ward budgets – to commission local voluntary and community organisations to meet identified needs.

·        Other voluntary sector support – funding to support those voluntary sector organisations that provide services to more than one ward committee.

·        Ward credits – to be allocated to identified wards to be used to commission new services, either from within the council or from other partners.

Decisions on the voluntary sector support would be made by Your Consortium – the criteria they would use in their decision-making was available on the council’s website.  There would be a focus on building capacity and on innovation.  Information about the changes to funding had been sent to parish council clerks. 

(iii)        Double Taxation

An update was given on the situation in respect of double taxation.  Details were given of the savings that the council was seeking to make.  A review was to take place later in the summer and the findings would be reported to the Cabinet Member.  Any changes would be implemented from April 2013 and hence there would be no impact in the current financial year.

Details of two funding pots that Parish Councils could access were described.  Information on the situation in respect of double taxation would be circulated to parish councils and a  further “Tell Me More” session would also be arranged for those wanting more detail.

(iv)        Ward Committee Funded Schemes 2012/13

[Councillor Aspden declared a personal interest in this item as a Governor of St Oswald’s Primary School, Fulford, a member of Fulford Parish Council, a member of Fulford Show committee and a member of Fulford in Bloom]

Details were given of the schemes to be funded through the ward committee for 2012/13.  The £2,780 was to be allocated as follows:

·        £150 to Beekeepers After School Club and Holiday Play Scheme to purchase sporting equipment

·        £240 to Fulford Show for a climbing wall

·        £1000 to Fulford  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Graham Terry,  Assistant Director Adults, Children and Education, gave an update on the Fordlands Road Care Home.  In May, Cabinet had approved the development of Fordlands and hence a new 55 bed residential care unit would be built on the existing site.  Residents had moved out of the home in March and the home was now closed.  Property guardians were providing security for the building.  Concerns had been raised regarding the upkeep of the grounds and the council had responded by reintroducing the grounds maintenance arrangements pending the demolition of the building.

Following a tendering process the demolition was due to take place at the end of August/September.  The hours of work would be limited to take into consideration nearby residents.  A survey had found bats to be present on site and hence the relevant license would be sought. 

An architect and construction manager would be appointed and their remit would include engaging with the community and inviting them to contribute.  The care home was scheduled to open in April 2014.

Residents requested that the lorries did not use Main Street and that building materials were recycled wherever possible.  They also drew attention to the fact that the home was on an ancient battlefield site and suggested that archaeological excavation be explored.

Residents were assured that they would be kept update on the progress of the new care home.

RESOLVED:       That the update on Fordlands Care Home be noted.

REASON:            To ensure that Members and residents are kept informed of progress.

To help identify issues to be the focus for the next informal meeting.

Residents were informed that, under the new ward committee arrangements, there would only be one formal ward committee meeting a year.  There would, however, be the opportunity to hold two informal meetings.  Residents were asked to identify issues to be the focus for the next informal meeting.

It was agreed that further consideration should be given to the ward contracts.  Prior to this, discussions would take place with the parish councils.  Consideration was given as to whether it would be appropriate to hold two separate ward committee meetings, one for Fulford and one for Heslington.

RESOLVED:       (i)      That the next informal meeting be held at

                                      Fulford.

                             (ii)      That, at the meeting, there would be two

separate workshops – one focussing on the community contract for Fulford and one on the contract for Heslington.

REASON:           To give consideration as to the format and content of the community contracts for the wards.