Agenda item

6.30pm     Welcome & agree last meetings minutes and sign.

6.35pm            York Local Involvement Network

Annie Thompson – Project Co-ordinator

     6.55pm            Planning Panel Elections

7.05pm    Local Improvement Schemes 2008-09 and Budget Decisions 2009-10

     7.20pm            Have Your Say

5 residents attended the formal meeting.

3.1.   6:30pm – Welcome and minutes

Cllr. Tina Funnell welcomed everybody to the meeting.

The minutes from the October meeting were agreed.

3.2.   Discus Bungalows

Russell Trewartha and Marie Lodge gave some information about the progress of the Discus bungalows development:

3.2.1       There are currently three Discus Bungalows sites set for re-development in the city, Richmond/Faber Street in the Heworth ward and Regent Street and St. Ann’s Court in the Fishergate Ward.

3.2.2       At Richmond Street, plans will see the development of 24 new bungalows for older residents and a further mix of 61 affordable homes.

3.2.3        The current bungalows do not meet Decent Homes Standard, so the Council agreed to the re-development of these sites to create new homes for older people and other much need affordable housing in the city.

3.2.4       196 homes are being built across the sites and the total development process will take 2-3 years.

The project team is planning to hold a further Discus residents and wider community event in April to keep people posted on the project.

3.3.   York Local Involvement Network

This was an opportunity for residents to find out more about the LINk organisation, from Annie Thompson.

3.3.1       The original community health councils changed to LINk from the 1^st April 2008.  This was needed to get health and social services to work together.

3.3.2       LINk is the community’s voice for raising issues and making positive changes.

3.3.3       The service will be geared towards the local perspective, rather than the whole country.

3.3.4       LINk is mostly comprised of community voluntary groups, but also some individuals.

3.3.5       They are hoping to get more people involved in giving their views about local issues. People can be involved as much or as little as they like.

3.3.6       LINk has certain statutory powers from government, for example, they have the power to request a visit to care institutions which people may have concerns about. They can also write reports which will be looked at by higher bodies, such as the healthcare commission and the quality commission.

3.3.7       LINk is a brand new concept and it has taken 5 months to get all materials, such as the constitution etc., together and now they have the structures in place to start getting people involved.

3.3.8       At the launch event on 15^th September 2008, 18 people signed up.

3.3.9       They are looking for a committee of 14; seven ‘community representatives’ from seven areas in York, which have been divided to include 3 wards in each area, and seven individuals who have interests in particular issues.

3.3.10  They are hoping to recruit some LINk ‘experts’; people who have knowledge and experience of the health and social care systems.

3.3.11  They are looking into training for members to be able to conduct interviews etc. They also hope to run a readers’ panel, in which four people are interested so far. This would be to proofread public publications to check their clarity.

3.3.12  They are addressing complaints in 14/15 areas, and at the AGM on 26^th March 2009 they will discuss these areas and vote on the first four priority areas.

3.3.13  Annie stressed that if anyone was interested in being a part of LINk they should speak to her about getting involved.

The residents had an opportunity to ask questions:

3.3.14  Q: Are you taking on the statutory inspection of nursing homes?

A: No, that will continue independently. LINk’s role will be trying to make it work locally. They will look into issues if there is a trend of complaints about the same thing.

3.4.  Planning Panel Elections

3.4.1       Kristina Davey explained the function of a planning panel.

3.4.2       There were 6 nominations this year, 4 existing members and 2 new members.

3.4.3       All nominations were formally ratified.

3.4.4       Members were offered information sheets about upcoming training courses.

3.4.5       David Betteridge, current clerk, said the next meeting will be next week.

3.5.   2008/09 Budget Update

Cllr Potter explained last year’s budget ambitions and residents looked at the current schemes update sheet.

3.5.1       Kristina Davey gave an update on the River Foss scheme:

§         The plug planting (item 21b) has been ordered and will go in gaps in trees on the riverbank. This is also where the picnic bench will go.

§         We also now have a location for the fishing platform.

3.5.2       Cllr Potter gave an update on Youth Clubs:

§         There are 30 regular attendees to Tang Hall Youth Club.

§         There are 18 regular attendees to the 68 Centre,

§         Both Youth Clubs are holding a range of activities and outings, as paid for by the ward committee budget.

3.6       2009/10 Budget

Cllr Potter explained that this year’s budget amount is currently based on last year’s (£37,000), until the council makes it’s final decision on their budgets next week.

3.6.1       It was mentioned that the Citizens’ Advice and York Credit Union scheme was pushed forward because it was felt that it was strongly needed in the current economic climate.

3.6.2       All planned schemes for next year were summarised and formally agreed. The schemes are detailed in the table below:

A Safer, Cleaner Community:

A Greener Environment:

Caring for People in Our Community:

3.6.3       The residents had an opportunity to ask questions:

Q: Where will the play equipment be?

A: An investigation will be needed to find out where is best. The councillors will work with Dave Meigh (head of Parks and Open Spaces) and the owners of the strays. They will then consult the community when there is a more detailed plan.

Q: Concerns were raised about the Monk stray being very wet.

A: We do need to look into drainage on the stray. This point was also raised by someone in the surgery.

Q: Will it effect local houses?

A: This is something to be looked at further when we have a more concrete proposal.

Q: Concerns were raised that the equipment would need to be vandal-proof.

In response, Cllr Potter asked PSCO Mike Cooper if youths were causing trouble by congregating on the stray.

A: PSCO Cooper said he was not aware of a problem at the moment, probably because of the current weather, although there were problems with youths in this location in the summer.

Cllr Potter assured residents that this is something that will be considered when planning further.

3.7       Have Your Say!

This was a chance for residents to give their opinions about issues in their ward. Due to the very small number of residents attending this part of the meeting (5 residents) no questions were asked, although thanks were given to the councillors for the yellow lines that have been painted on the bottom corner of Forest Way.