Agenda item

This report updates members on progress in the scrutiny review of the Council-owned land in the Tang Hall area.

Members considered a report, which updated members on progress in the scrutiny review of the Council-owned land in the Tang Hall area, particularly in relation to activities which have taken place since the last meeting.

Members of the Scrutiny Sub-Committee held consultations with residents at Heworth and Hull Road Ward Committees in January and February 2007.  They also held a meeting with representatives of community groups at Tang Hall Community Centre on 13 February 2007. A summary of the comments raised by people attending these meetings could be found at Annex C. On 2 March 2007 officers from Property Services met with Ward Members and Service Representatives to discuss the structure of the Area Asset Management Plan.

In addition, at the last meeting, Members wished to find out what options would be available to consult with the public in the Heworth and Hull Road ward areas. The supporting Scrutiny Officer had made enquiries and ascertained estimated costs of a postal survey, leaflet distribution, insert to or questions within a ward newsletter, online survey, leaflets in libraries or focus groups discussions.  These costs could be found at Annex A.

Officers from Property Services updated Members on the meeting with Ward Members which took place on 2 March. It was reported that the feedback from the consultation meetings with Tang Hall residents (Annex C) and other issues were discussed. Officers felt that there was enough information available to put a draft Asset Management Plan together by end of March. It was proposed that the draft plan be circulated to the Scrutiny Ad Hoc Committee members at a meeting in April and then the agreed draft be taken to Ward Committees and Community Groups for their views during May 2007. Approval from the Executive would be sought in June/July 2007,

The following priorities were raised by officers:

• The use of Glen Gardens. It was proposed that the play area already there be replaced and the southern end be tidied up with a new entrance by the family centre.
• The use of the playing fields. It was suggested that ownership of the playing fields could be transferred to the council to be used as a public open space. The southern end could be fenced off to make a formal community facility and the northern end opened up for community use. It was proposed that Section 106 money in the area could be used to manage the site and provide revenue from leisure facilities.
• Affordable housing sites were needed. Four possible areas had been identified: -
  • Garage site on 5^th Avenue. However there was a planning application submitted for this site already.
  • 8^th Avenue allotment site. However, there was a sub station on it which restricts access. The Electricity Board was looking to remove it though.
  • The strip along the allotments on the corner of 6^th Avenue.
  • South West corner of playing fields.
• The use of the library. The consultation revealed that the library was also used by residents of Osbaldwick and that the library was considered to be in the right place. There was an intention to make a bid for lottery funding which needed to be in by the end of March. However, the outcome of the bid would not be revealed until the end of the year.

Officers further reported that the definition of the Area Asset Management Plan had changed. A copy of the new definition was circulated at the meeting.

Cllr Potter attended the meeting to inform Members of the outcome of some consultation she had undertaken with school children in Year 5 at Tang Hall Primary School. She reported that the school was going to incorporate an Integrated Children’s Centre, which was due to open in April 2008 and the back playground was going to become a multi use games area, which hopefully would be opened up for community use in the evenings. The children were asked what they would like to see in Tang Hall and what they thought about the feedback from consultation. Feedback from this consultation was circulated at the meeting. Suggestions included a BMX park, climbing frames for small and bigger children and improve St Nicks Park and Glen gardens. It was commented that some of the suggestions could be incorporated into plans for the playing fields or Glen gardens.

Cllr Kind requested that her disappointment with how long it had taken to get to this point be recorded. She highlighted her concerns that if this issue had been dealt with earlier, something more radical could have been done, especially in relation to the school.

Members discussed the following points: -

• Enhancing and developing a green corridor which linked Heworth Holme and St Nicholas Fields, through the playing fields, with Osbaldwick could be an option to investigate further.
• A mobile skating facility could be set up which alternated between Burnholme Community School and Tang Hall Primary School.
• It was agreed that there was a need to expand play provision for older children in the area through Leisure Services.
• Closing 6^th Avenue and putting bollards in to reduce traffic, improve school safety and change the character of the area was considered an option to have in the plan. People would still be able to access the school and allotments but the road would become closed off to through traffic.
• The four possible sites available for affordable housing. It was noted, however, that there was already a lot of affordable housing in the area and that there was a need and desire by residents for more open public space, in particular on the playing fields.
• It was agreed that the library would remain where it was but that the profile needed to be raised with improved signage.
• It was agreed that there was no need to do any further consultation before the draft plan was sent out.
• It was agreed that the consultation template should not be used as an absolute template, as there was a need for flexibility because the city was so varied. It was recognised that there was a need for significant involvement with ward councillors who would know where to consult and which groups to consult.

The following were agreed as options to include in the draft plan:

• Ways of expanding play provision for older children in the area through Leisure Services, such as the mobile skating facility.
• The need for affordable housing sites, which could be sited on one of the four sites listed above or on a little bit of the allotments.
• The need for more public open space in the area, in particular on the playing fields site.
• Closing 6^th Avenue with a bollard to reduce traffic and improve school safety.

It was agreed that the draft plan would go back to ward committees and community groups for consultation in May 2007 and then to the Executive for agreement in June/July 2007. Members highlighted other interest groups who could be consulted on the draft plan. These included representatives from the allotment users, Glen Lodge, Alex Lyons house, and Friends of Heworth Holme. Furthermore, the library could be asked to make copies of the plan available to residents and to advertise and display it for comments.

RESOLVED:             That the results of the consultations be used to inform the Area Asset Management Plan for Tang Hall.     

REASON:                  In order to meet their responsibilities as an Ad-Hoc Scrutiny Sub-Committee and carry out the responsibilities agreed by SMC.