Agenda and minutes

The drop-in surgery gives you the opportunity to talk to your councillors, Street Environment Officer, Safer Neighbourhood Team, Neighbourhood Management Officer or visiting speakers informally. At this meeting there will be a representative from Group Response.

1.1   Residents had the opportunity to talk with Cllr Tom Holvey and Cllr Ann Reid. Matthew Ward, Neighbourhood Management Officer, Suzanne Prance, Street Environment Officer. Sgt Lindsey Robson, Pc Paul Maloney and PCSO Louise Harness of the Safer Neighbourhood Team. Chloe Schroeter Hotspots The energy efficiency partnership. Matt Boxall, Trading Standards Manager. Liz Levett, York in Bloom Coordinator.

1.2   Free high visibility cycle vests were available for residents.

The main meeting will begin at 7.00pm with welcome and minutes

2.1 Councillor Tom Holvey welcomed everyone to the meeting and gave some background to the purpose of the ward committee.

2.2 Apologies were given for Councillor Sue Sunderland.

2.3 Thanks were given to the residents who made their representations in regard to the planning application for the doctors surgery which was discussed a the last meeting.

2.4 The meetings of the last meeting were agreed as an accurate record of the last meeting and signed.

Matt Boxall, Trading Standards Manager will give an update on the cold calling zones for the Ward.

3.         Matt Boxall, Trading Standards Manager, provided an update on Cold Calling Zones, the benefits of them and how they can be set up in the ward.

3.1             More people are wanting no cold calling, but it is not illegal. Cold calling zones show traders that residents are not willing to buy from door step traders.

3.2             There are 17 no cold calling zones in the Dringhouses and Woodthorpe ward, and a total of102 zones city wide (4,526 houses).

3.3             In the ward 5 zones have been declined in the ward due to lack of support from residents. Over 50% of residents in a proposed area need to support the introduction of the zone for it to go ahead.

3.4             The zones are not a legal sanction and can be ignored by traders, but if residents remind traders then they have a positive impact. A new card system will soon be rolled out in the zones, residents will issue the cards to traders ignoring the signage and repeat calling will be an offence.

3.5             The zones work most efficiently in small concentrated areas, residents in the zones are surveyed every year, results show a 60% reduction in fear of cold calling in the first year.

3.6             The mail preference service and phone preference service were outlined for residents to use if they want to reduce unwanted junk mail and phone calls.

3.7             Consumer direct contact number was given as 08454 040506 for reporting issues and applying for a cold calling zone.

Residents were given the opportunity to ask questions, the following were raised.

Q -       Can it be clarified, that all residents have to sign up to a proposed zone or will it go ahead if there is a majority?

Zones will go ahead if the majority of residents support the proposed zone, +50%.

Q -       Can a street be split, for those supporting the introduction of a zone?

Yes, this has been done and works well, it may be that one end of a street is more affected by cold calling so they want a no cold calling zone.

Q -       Is the scheme aimed at just traders?

Yes, it isn’t aimed at religious groups, just pressure selling on your doorstep.

Q -       If a proposed zone is rejected by the residents is it worth trying again?

Retry is possible, especially if the residents have a change of thought, or new people come into an area. Other methods such as ‘Doorstep callers not welcome’ stickers can also be used.

The team will give an update on their recent activities and the results of the survey about their priorities.

4.            Pc Paul Maloney updated residents on the current work being done in the ward.

4.1       Two new members to the Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) were introduced, Sgt. Lindsey Robson and PCSO Louise Harness. The team is now up to it’s full quota. The team compromises of 1 Sgt, 3 Pc’s and 10 PCSO’s who cover Dringhouses, Woodthorpe and Westfield beats. 4 PCSO’s cover Dringhouses and Woodthorpe, this is proportionate to the reported crime levels.

4.2       Statistics for the ward show that there is a 15% reduction of all crime in the ward.

4.3       A slight rise in Theft other, which is cycle and shop theft has been recognised in the area of Tesco and the College site.

4.4       Problems at Chapman’s Pond are on going, but there are a lack of reports coming in to the police so residents were urged to call in all information.

4.5       Cycle marking is continuing in the ward to try and reduce the incidents of cycle theft.

4.6       Several arrests have been made in connection with Anti-social behaviour at Chapman’s Pond and Wain’s Grove, these have reduced the number of incidents in these areas.

4.7       A slight rise in shed burglaries has come about due to the time of year, so residents were urged to be vigilant and do their bit by securing sheds and tools.

4.8       A chart outlining the SNT rota was shown, highlighting the coverage in the ward. Again it was urged that residents report all points of interest to help the police.

Residents were given the opportunity to raise questions.

Q -       Do PCSO’s patrol in pairs or single?

Dependant on the times of day or duty they are on, usually daytime solo and night time in pairs.

Q -       How many work on the rota shown?

            All the SNT work at the same time giving coverage across the ward.

Q -       What are the powers of PCSO’s?

            Numerous for low level crime, confiscation of alcohol etc and are fully backed up by police colleagues. 63 powers at present which can be outlined at the next meeting.

Find out from Community and Neighbourhood Services about the York in Bloom Initiative.

5.                  Liz Levett, gave an overview of the York in Bloom initiative.

5.1             2010 will be the fourth year running that York has entered the initiative, after having a ten year gap.  

5.2      The committee is made up of council officers, and residents.

5.3             York enters in the 100,000 population group and has received a silver gilt for 2007, 2008 and 2009.

5.4             The spring judging round has already taken place. York is up against Hull and Barnsley.

5.5             The idea behind representing York is to show the true beauty and increase civic pride. The competition is used to drive services and focus ward ambitions.

5.6             There are over 60 ‘in bloom themes’ for Ward Committees.

5.7             All year round involvement has to be proved rather than just doing work at competition times of the year.

5.8             The 20 major roundabouts in the city are now sponsored by local businesses. Sponsorship pays for the ‘Welcome to York’ displays at major entrances to the city.

5.9             A scheme to sponsor a hanging basket for £53 runs which covers watering and care for the lifespan of the basket.

5.10         The committee is currently encouraging independent entries to the competition.

Residents were given the opportunity to ask questions.

Praise was given by residents for the florals on roundabouts and the May blossom being the best seen in years.

Q -       What can be done at Moorcroft shops?

            The Street Environment Officer for the ward will be informed and will look into what can be done. There is also an incentive with volunteer groups to transform an area which could be looked into.

Q -             Woodthorpe Shops has always returned to an area of disrepute, what can be done?

            This is largely due to numerous changes in ownership of the supermarket, work has been done to enhance the area and is being looked into again.

            Community involvement was asked for by the ward committee.

The planning panel will tell the meeting about their work and how you can get involved.

6.                  Roger Jennings, clerk for the residents’ planning panel explained the purpose and function of panel.

6.1             The panel view all planning applications for the ward and using their knowledge, experience and views give a recommendation of approval, rejection or changes for the plans.

6.2             They don’t have a say on the final outcome but pass comment on the plans.

6.3             More members are always welcome as there are 6 at present and more members means the work load can be shared.

6.4             Training is offered for members.

Residents had the opportunity to raise questions.

Q -       What number of planning application do you look at?

            The workload depends on the number of applications and time of year although meetings are planned each month.

Q -       Are consultations carried out with people affected by developments?

            No contact is made as the panel must remain impartial, but consideration to their concerns is made.

 Q -      Are sites visited?

            If a site is known recommendations can be done from the plan, if the site is not known then a visit can be carried out.

Q -       Can written notes please be typed as they are not always legible on the website if hand written?

            To be looked into.

Q -       What happens if a member of the planning panel has an interest in a proposal?

            Members are to remain impartial. (Will be looked into and feedback given).

Q -      How are views of the planning panel considered compared with neighbours?

            Comments carry a similar weight. The panel is set up as the ward doesn’t have a Parish Council, who would usually oversee applications.

The current members of the planning panel agreed to stand again.

Members of the planning panel for 2010 will be

Mr R Jennings (Clerk)

Mrs A Gray

Mr I Tomlinson

Mr P Foster

Mr Robinson

Mr C Wells

Mr R Sydes

Miss V Plitt

Thanks were given to the planning panel for their work over the past year from the ward committee.

Your chance to ask questions about local issues and concerns.

The meeting will be chaired by Cllr. Tom Holvey.

7.                  Resident’s had the opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns about the ward.

Q -      What is been done Japanese Knotweed in the ward? Mayfield Grove has some and it is spreading, mortgages are been denied and house prices effected?

            This is been looked into, although it is a landownership issue, no one is taking responsibility for the land. Management of Mayfield Nature reserve needs looking into as it is a valuable space, currently been run down and spoilt. Arrangements will be made to get an officer out on site with councillors and residents to discuss options.

Q -      The road surface at the Race Course, Cherry Lane is appalling and should never have been made accessible to vehicles. There are huge potholes?

            Ownership of the area is to be looked into.

Q -      The plans fort he old Edmund Wilson site haven’t been seen, can they be seen?

            This will be looked into and plans made available if possible.

Q -      What is the proposal for development at the doctors surgery?

            The proposal is to replace the bungalow with a purpose built surgery. The same footprint but more interior space. Rather than a converted house the building will be bespoke and offer a greater service.