Agenda and minutes

Micklegate Ward Committee - Thursday, 5 February 2009 7.00 pm

Venue: Southlands Methodist Church

Contact: Matthew Ward 

Items
No. Item

1.

Surgery

Come and talk to:

§         Cllr Julie Gunnell

§         Cllr Dave Merrett

§         Cllr Sandy Fraser

§         Kristina Davey, Senior Neighbourhood Management Officer

§         Clair Bailey-Lane, Street Environment Officer

§         The Safer Neighbourhoods Team

 

Plus: Information from the Friends of Rowntree Park, give your views on the revised Terry’s Site Development Brief and find out about Myplace.

Minutes:

This was an opportunity for residents to:

§         speak to their local councillors, the Street Environment Officer and Inspector Mark Khan about any local issues.

§         find out about what is happening with the Terry’s site development and the St. Clements Hall Preservation Trust.

2.

Welcome and Minutes

Minutes:

o       Cllr Fraser opened the meeting by introducing himself, other councillors and members of the council team.

o       The minutes from the previous meeting (9th October 2008) were agreed as accurate by all.

3.

Terry's Site - A Revised Development Brief

Find out what’s happening to progress the development of the former Terry’s site and how you can have your say.

Minutes:

Derek Gauld, Principle City Development Officer introduced himself and gave some information on the current situation of the Terry’s site development.

 

  • The first council development brief was produced 3 years ago and much has happened since then.
  •  The development plans were refused in August 2008, main reasons being:
    1. the impact on local roads and junctions
    2. lack of clarity in original plans
    3. overdevelopment

 

  •  Since 2005 there have been changes to national policy so the development plans need to be updated anyway. York has now been approved as a focus for growth.
  •  The revised brief now incorporates more detailed sections on traffic and transport, cycling, crime prevention, etc. to ensure better clarity and advice for developers. The revised sections are in red.
  •  A review of local employment is still being put together but the development looks like it will provide a good opportunity for new jobs.
  •  Housing market assessment proved housing need and affordability levels.
  •  A traffic and transport review is looking into a possible bypass route for Bishopthorpe to deal with the potential traffic increase problems.
  •  Community involvement must be taken into account when the development is being planned.
  •  Community Forums are an opportunity for local residents to discuss their issues with the development. Community forums meet every month. This is an important part of the process, as they come up with broad options, which are then fed into wider public exhibitions.
  • The aim is to come up with a ‘masterplan’ of preferred options.
  • The consultation on the Council’s (separate) planning brief started on the 12th January 2009 and will run until 23rd February. 2000 copies have been distributed to local houses. They can also be found in local libraries and public buildings and are available at this meeting.
  • First meeting of the Community Forum was last week and there is a public consultation at St. Chad’s church hall on this coming Saturday.

 

Questions raised by residents were:

 

  • Q: The public consultation being held on the 14th February is put on by the developers only. Is there any participation on behalf of the council?

 

A: Developers are keen on holding their own exhibitions, but council officers will be there on the day.

 

  • Q: One resident offered congratulations to the councillors on taking on local residents’ views on the previous development plans.  He then queried that the major issue was traffic increase and there seemed to not be a lot planned except the Bishopthorpe bypass.

 

A: Yes this is a major issue and they have stated in the brief that it is absolutely critical that there is a bus service.  They are also looking into a Park and Ride service and cyclist access. They are working with Highways to look into traffic problems. There are 6 junctions to look at around the site.

 

Q: The resident highlighted that there are particular problems with parking around local streets and unless policed this cannot be stopped. People cannot be forced to take a bus. He was in opposition to the double  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

St. Clements Hall Preservation Trust

Minutes:

Pauline Buchanan from the SCHPT stood to give a brief update:

§        There has been a large grant from the government to make St. Clements Hall fit for purpose again. However this is going straight to the council.

§        The SCHPT have no income of their own so they need to fundraise to get money for extra activities and ‘bits of kit’ to help get the building ready for community use as soon as possible.

§        They hope to appoint a manager with some of the money to get business flowing.

§        They hope that the building will be ready to use by the end of the year.

 

Cllr Fraser commented that St Clements Hall was a priority for the ward committee and the government funding was a major step towards the ambition of getting the hall back in use.

5.

Planning Panel Elections

We shall be holding elections for the 2009/10 Micklegate Planning Panel.

Minutes:

  •  Kristina Davey explained what a planning panel is for residents who might not know. She commented that Micklegate’s planning panel has been functioning very well for over 10 years.
  •  All existing members were restanding for election, along with three new people.
  •  Andy Chase (previous clerk) has set up a date for the next meeting, where a new clerk can be elected.
  •  There is training available for planning panel members (information on sheets at front) and there is also a yearly expenses budget, where any leftover is given to the clerk as an honorarium.
  •  Cllr Fraser offered the opportunity for other volunteers to put themselves forward.
  •  No others volunteered but all listed nominees were agreed upon to form the new planning panel.
  •  Andy Chase stated that the next meeting would be held on February 9th at 7pm at Clementhorpe Community Centre. The planning panel also has a representative on the Terry’s Community Forum. He has taken this role so far but he suggested that someone else might want to replace him for next year.

6.

Update on 08/09 schemes

Minutes:

Cllr Merrett gave an update on the schemes of the current financial year, reminding residents of the four key policy areas in the ward plan which had been agreed in light of the consultation with residents last year. He gave information on several projects:

  • The project for fixed recycling sites is going slowly but they are continuing to have meetings to discuss potential sites.
  • Projects including alleygating and planting have been ongoing and helping to improve local environment.
  • Funding for young people has been spent on youth clubs and the URBIE bus, as well as other activities, especially in school holidays.
  • They have also funded new facilities, for example the table tennis table in Rowntree Park. This was a result of the Millthorpe School consultation where pupils suggested a list of things they wanted, from which the ward committee is now working to improve facilities for young people.
  • Age concern was funded last year but they are dropping the scheme from next year.
  • Councillors have regular (monthly) meetings with the local police team to look at current issues with crime in the ward and discuss what can be done to address these issues.
  • Money is also being spent on street lighting on Moss Street and on closing off the Scarcroft View entrance to Scarcroft Green in the near future.
  • Race days – they have trialled the use of portaloos on the Little Knavesmire and Scarcroft Green on a previous race day, which seemed quite effective. They have been speaking with licensing officer about controlling drinking on race days. Also hoping to get better signage to encourage visitors to the racecourse down a route straight to town, avoiding residential areas as far as practicable.
  • Q: A resident commented that the toilets previously placed on the Knavesmire were good, but not taken away the same day which meant that some school students pushed them down.
  • A: Cllr S.F.: They are hoping to get a budget through the council for toilets on race days. These will probably be for the main meetings – the John Smiths meeting and the Ebor Meeting.
  • Q: A resident wanted to thank councillors for their effort put into the access to Scarcroft View and Scarcroft Road problem.

7.

2009/10 Local Improvement Scheme Decisions

An opportunity for you to tell us what you think, before the final decisions are made at this meeting on how to spend the 2009/10 ward committee budget.

Minutes:

Cllr Merrett introduced the new schemes for the 09/10 budget to be formally agreed.

 

  • He commented that some categories were made broader in order to include schemes which were voted for positively but ended up with fewer votes. Some schemes had been squeezed to allow at least some funding for important schemes like St. Clements Hall which had fallen below the cut off line in terms of votes cast against money available.
  • The scheme concerning geese culling will only be considered after other alternatives have been considered and within the context of the wider review of options to be undertaken, bearing in mind the legal constraints. They are consulting with Dave Meigh to come up with the most appropriate solution which will be reported back to the ward committee.

 

  • Q: A resident suggested that making the grass unsavoury with some kind of chemical might discourage the geese.

 

  • A: This is one of the options that the councillors intend to look into.

 

  • The point was made that this is a city wide issue, and this scheme will just be a contribution to how we can develop a city wide strategy.

 

  • The budget for this year is based on the last financial year, and is roughly £35,000.  This is contingent on the council approving the ward committee budget.
  • Everyone agreed to the proposed schemes as detailed below and the councillors formally endorsed the decisions.

 

Agreed schemes:

 

           

Ambition 1: Increased Recycling

MK-09-01

Fun to increase recycling opportunities in the ward

£5,000

Ambition 2: An Enhanced Environment

MK-09-05

Improve the riverside walkway - clean up old leaves and refurbish the platforms looking out onto the river

£2,000

MK-09-04

Funding for 2 litter bins, including 3 years emptying costs.

£2,468

MK-09-10

Fund to support Micklegate planning panel

£200

MK-09-09

Cull the geese population in Rowntree Park to reduce the level of goose droppings (subject to research)

£1,500

Ambition 3: Young People And Community Life

MK-09-19

Grant to Club SC at Southlands to provide youth club facilities for two evenings per weeks for age 12+

£4,000

MK-09-20

Grant to Southlands Methodist Shell Group to provide  two activity sessions for 7-14 year olds every week

£883

MK-09-18

Grant to Active York to provide financial, coaching, academic and expert support to young athletes resident in the Micklegate ward

£250

MK-09-21

Commission York Playspace to provide 10 play sessions in various locations throughout the ward during school holidays

£1,950

MK-09-25

Grant to Older Citizens Advocacy York to fund advocacy service for Micklegate Older Residents

£2,000

MK-09-26

Ward Community Chest Fund to enable the ward committee to respond to issues that arise throughout the year

£800

MK-09-13

Replace and improve some of the play equipment on Scarcroft Green

£5,000

MK-09-22

Youth Fund. Could be used to fund Rowntree Skate Park lessons and Street Sport York sessions.

£3,000

MK-09-23

Grant to St Clements Preservation Trust to employ a part-time centre manager before the public opening of the hall to generate business

£3,000

Ambition 4: Community Safety

MK-09-32

Street lighting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Have Your Say

Your opportunity to discuss concerns on local issues within the ward.

Minutes:

  • Pauline Buchanan advertised the SCHPT fundraising event to the audience.
  • Q: What is happening with the seat opposite The Swan pub?
  • A: It has returned!
  • Q: There is a concern over cyclists on pavements, which is dangerous and frightening to pedestrians. Can we have some clarification on where we stand?
  • A: The law is clear in saying that it is illegal to cycle on the footpath. However over the years people have started to cycle on the pavements to avoid dangerous traffic.  The police generally turn a blind eye to children, as long as they are cycling sensibly, but they should, and will, take action against adults. The councillors have raised this issue with the policing team. If you have any particular areas they can tell the police to check these.
  • Kristina Davey commented that in other wards the Safer Neighbourhood Team have done cycling campaigns in ‘hot spot’ areas. This could also be done in Micklegate.
  • Cllr Merrett commented that there are police campaigns for all road and pavement users.
  • Q: At the top of Nunnery Lane the pedestrian/cyclist triangle became very icy after the snow was cleared off by a vehicle. What was the vehicle? It would have been better if not cleared at all.
  • A: Unsure what the vehicle is but Kristina Davey will ask Clair Bailey-Lane to look into it.
  • Q: Is there a speed limit on disabled buggies?
  • A: Unsure, but PCSOs can talk to them if they are driving unsafely.
  • A resident commented that the Older Persons’ Forum is taking this issue up with Hugh Bailey, in the hope of raising legislation after a major accident occurred.
  • A resident confirmed that the buggies do not have a speed limit. They also commented that cyclists cycle on pavements because the roads are so dangerous – drivers should take more care.
  • Q: A grit bin in Clementhorpe has not been topped up. Someone in Highways Agency said grit was allocated this year in terms of how much grit was left at the end of last year.
  • A: Cllr D.M: Clementhorpe Community Association is funding some bins.  He will chase this up. The Association’s Estate Improvement Grant (EIG) can be returned if not fully used. Cllrs will check after this meeting what has happened.
  • Q: Can the Promenade Club site be approached to get the site cleaned up?
  • A: Cllrs continue to raise this issue every time it gets littered.
  • Earlier this week they went on a walkabout and it got cleaned up, but they are aware it is an ongoing problem.
  • The fencing around it is inadequate and possibly a hazard.
  • They are talking with the SEO to pursue this issue.
  • Q: A resident confirmed that Clair Bailey-Lane (SEO) is keeping an eye on it and has warned developers that an enforcement order may be issued if it continues to be a problem.
  • Q: Cyclists not stopping at red lights is frightening.
  • A: This can be included in discussions with the neighbourhood police team.

 

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