Agenda and minutes

Holgate Ward Committee - Wednesday, 1 October 2008 6.30 pm

Venue: Poppleton Road Memorial Hall, Junction of Oak Street and Poplar Street

Items
No.	Item
1.	Surgery - 6.30pm You will have an opportunity to talk to: Cllr James Alexander Cllr Denise Bowgett Cllr Sonja Crisp Your Street Environment Officer The Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Team Your Recycling Team Your Neighbourhood Management Officer Minutes: This was an opportunity for residents to talk to their ward councillors, report any street environment or any other ward-based issues.
2.	Main Meeting 7.00pm - Welcome and Introductions
3.	York Fire Service Review Minutes: Cecil Pugh gave a review of the York Fire Service: § Proposals are to be made regarding the relocation of fire stations within the city and the residents of York will be asked for their opinions about these proposals. Issues raised by residents were: § Is there a deadline for opinions? o No, the proposals are still being considered and opinions of the public will then be asked. § It doesn’t matter where the fire stations are, as long as the engines are there within 5 minutes of a fire being reported. § How can a risk analysis be carried out when there isn’t an agreed location yet for the fire station(s)? o Work is ongoing with the risk assessment. § Is the station at Clifford Street just being replaced with a new station? o The station could be kept at Clifford Street, or it may be replaced. Ideally, relocation would involve immediate access to the river for the boat. All of the proposals are still under construction.
4.	Citizens Advice Bureau Minutes: Andrea McCartney reported on the benefit take up the campaign in the ward and provided dates and locations: § Wednesday 29^th October, Poppleton Road Memorial Hall, 11am – 2pm. § Thursday 4^th December, St. Barnabas Church Hall, Salisbury Terrace, 4pm – 7pm. § Residents pointed out that some printed leaflets advertising the event on 4^th December have got the wrong road on for St Barnabas Church Hall. The above address is correct.
5.	Police An update from your Neighbourhood Policing Team on ward issues and your chance to ask any questions. Minutes: PC Jon Bostwick gave an update from the Neighbourhood Policing Team: § He is a new PC in the area § There will also be a new Sergeant (Sgt. Prendergast) and 2 new PCSO’s joining the team later in the month. § The number of burglaries from dwellings went down from 27 in August 2008 to 15 in September 2008 (a reduction of 12). § The number of other burglaries went down from 18 in August 2008 to 8 in September 2008 (a reduction of 10). § The number of incidents of criminal damage (including graffiti) went down from 35 in August to 29 in September (a reduction of 6). § The number of incidents of violence increased from 12 in August to 15 in September (an increase of 3). § The number of car crime incidents increased from 9 in August to 13 in September (an increase of 4). § The number of thefts from shops decreased from 38 in august to 28 in September (a reduction of 10). § The number of drug related crimes (from spot checks and raids) increased from 2 in August to 3 in September (an increase of 1). § The number of reports of ASB decreased from 87 in August to 75 in September (a reduction of 12). § The team is currently targeting burglary by making their presence known within the ward, particularly to those suspected of the crimes. § In the last month, 4 acceptable behaviour contracts have been issued to youths in an attempt to reduce anti-social behaviour. § Encouraged residents to go to www.immobilise.com and register the serial numbers of their personal items. Issues raised by residents were: § What can we do to protect our property if we have no internet access? o Postcode your property with a UV pen – put your postcode, followed by your house number. § How are the police going to monitor the ward. By vehicle, on foot or cycling? o Personally hope to cycle around the ward. § Are the figures a seasonal trend, particularly surrounding burglary? o No, the darker nights usually mean increased crime, not a reduction (although the figures for anti-social behaviour may have gone down for this reason because this often decreases when it gets darker earlier in the evenings). o Recent arrests may have led to the decrease in burglary. o Remember to keep all of your doors and windows locked. § Do the police have partnerships with local organisations? o Yes, they work with estate managers, the council, and Housing Associations. They liaise with each other and reports are made to them regularly. § Is neighbourhood watch being set up in Leeman Road? o Adam Wood is working on this and it is to be discussed at future meetings in that area. § Do the police use any undercover policemen in order to arrest criminals? o The police are uniformed to act as a deterrent. They rely on neighbours reporting incidents to inform them of where ... view the full minutes text for item 5.
6.	Recycling in Holgate Your chance to hear the latest recycling news and initiatives for the Holgate ward and raise any issues. Minutes: Rachel Buxton from the Waste Strategy Team reported on recycling in the ward and across the city: § At the moment, 43% of all waste collected across the city is being recycled. § A report has recently been sent to members for approval about what the city hopes to do in the next 3 years. § This includes a target of recycling 50% of waste across the city, and having kerbside recycling available to all residents by 31^st December 2010. § There will be a trial in The Groves in 2 weeks time using different recycling containers and wheelie bins to identify the most effective recycling methods. Issues raised by residents were: § Does the other 57% of waste go to landfill? o Yes § How do the recyclable items get recycled? o There are different compartments on the lorry that collects the boxes and bags from the kerbside. Machines are used to separate tins and glass and then it all goes to local recycling companies. There is less contamination using bags and boxes than when wheelie bins are used. § Do we still need to separate cardboard and paper? o No, you used to, but now all of this can be put into the same bag. Contact 551551 if confused about this matter. § When are the new recycling calendars being produced? o At the end of November. § Can we put pressure on retailers to put more recycling details onto cartons? o Waste strategy can work with Trading Standards to put the pressure on retailers to do this. § The green box is too small and items often fall out of it. o You can have more than one box, and this is the best method for recycling to avoid contamination (which is common when wheelie bins are used). § Can Leeman Road have recycling facilities to put in the back alley? o The trial in The Groves is being used to identify possibilities for this.
7.	Poppleton Road Memorial Hall Hear what goes on and what activities are available at the Hall for the community to be involved in. Minutes: Paul Hepworth gave an update about the Memorial Hall and events that take place there: § The room can be hired and is used by a number of different groups currently. § The booking secretary is Vanessa Simons. § You can also now book online at www.poppletonroadhall.org using the online booking diary.
8.	Ward Schemes 2009/2010 Have your say on the ward schemes for your area. Also an opportunity for groups who have made a grant request to speak about their group. Minutes: People were given the opportunity to speak about the ward schemes for 2009/2010: § Sonja Crisp gave apologies from Jo Gilliland from Active York who was unable to attend the meeting. Jo encourages people to vote for the “Funds for the Gifted” scheme on the ballot paper to help talented athletes in the City of York. Go to www.activeyork.org for more information. § Becky from St. Paul’s Church encouraged people to vote for funding to the church to purchase a new sound system (applicable to the Hamilton Drive area only). The church is used by lots of groups, including the local school, and for a number of community events. § A resident protested against the £1500 to install new benches, plant shrubs, flowers and trees on the verges of Hollybank Road (HOH-09-06 on the ballot paper) because he feels that they wouldn’t last long as they would be vandalised. Also, benches would attract youths to congregate in the area. § Alison Shepherd from York Playspace encouraged residents to vote for their scheme, providing free sessions in open spaces throughout the ward. A resident asked where they would take place? She said there would be 10 sessions throughout the ward if the scheme got the funding. § Jack Archer (Chair of Older Citizens Advocacy York) encouraged residents to support their request for funding for an advocacy service. The service helps a lot of people with their problems. § Chair of the Poppleton Road Over 60’s Club encouraged residents to vote for their scheme to help fund transport for their outings (HOP-09-12 on the ballot paper). § A resident asked others to vote for a grant to Holgate Luncheon club to help with transport costs for hot meals for older people (HOP-09-11 on the ballot paper). § President of the York Railway Institute Sports Club asked residents to vote for funding towards the building of a cricket scoreboard at the club (HOH-09-10 on the ballot paper). § A representative form Street Sport encouraged residents to vote for funding for the team to provide sessions for the young people of the ward. § A resident also asked others to vote for the funding of a summer fair in West Bank Park in June 2009 (HOH-09-12 on the ballot paper).
9.	Have Your Say Your opportunity to discuss concerns on local issues affecting you within the ward. Minutes: The next meeting will be held on 28^th January 2009. Residents were asked if there was anything they would like to be put onto the agenda: § A discussion about parking outside St. Barnabas School. Could the bollards be extended because cars are parking illegally and children are having to walk on the road to get around them? o Cindy Benton to go and have a look in the area. § Bus service on Hollybank Road – it has been cancelled because cars park on the sides of the road and buses can’t get down the street. A resident asked if double yellow lines could be painted on the road sides so the bus service can be resumed? o Cllr. Alexander said that not all residents would be happy with this. He has spoken to residents and not all agree on what should be done. o A resident suggested putting double yellow lines just on the corners of the road, where parking is most dangerous. This is a possibility that can be looked into. o Another resident suggested that FirstYork could come to the next committee meeting. Cindy Benton to arrange this. o A resident asked if the council can fund buses to pick up down Hollybank Road? § No, they won’t subsidise FirstYork services. The York North West consultation will be presented at the next meeting.