Agenda item

·       Discussion with representatives from the Police and Community Safety Partnership. An opportunity for residents to come together and support each other.

·       Have your say

1.    Welcome and introductions

Councillors Myers and Wells welcomed everyone and set out the housekeeping rules.

2.    Community Safety

Councillor Myers outlined that the meeting is held in response to the violent incident last month and is an opportunity for residents to hear from the NYP and council’s Neighbourhood Safety team. A similar meeting was held last week at St Luke’s Church and matters discussed at that meeting were summarized.

Local PCSOs introduced themselves and reassured the meeting that ongoing Police operation is taking place resulting in warrants. If ASB is witnessed Officers would intervene and speak with culprits.

Paul Morrison, Neighbourhood Safety Manager at the Council gave an overview of matters that his team is involved with, namely breach of CYC housing tenancy and environmental crimes i.e. fly tipping. 

Michal Czekajlo, Community Officer for the ward introduced himself and summarized his role which is to support Ward Councillors and work with partners with the aim to address local priorities.

Claire Douglas from York Learning spoke about available courses including dress making and self-defence. Clifton Unseen and Unexpected photography project promotional flyers were shared with the meeting.

It was offered to promote the above mentioned coursed on Clifton Residents Facebook page.

At this point Cllr Myers outlined that tonight’s meeting is part of a broader community engagement initiative called Connecting Clifton. Events have been held at local schools and future events will be organised with the view to discuss what happens in the community and enable residents to be heard. We have seen an increased Police presence as part of the Home Office led initiative designed to eradicate crime called Clear, Hold, Build. Additional resources are available to the Clifton area as part of the initiative and as a result of multiagency work crime figures have dropped by 10% over the last year. A newsletter promoting activities, local projects and reporting on the Clear, Hold, Build actions was produced recently, and the next edition is planned for autumn this year. A programme of free to access activities for young people is being organised for this summer as positive and constructive work with young people is helping to prevent future criminality. 

Cllr Myers opened the floor for discussion.

A resident raised a matter of motorbikes riding on paths on Bootham Stray. Is there a direct route to report that? Please report via 999, or 101 depending on circumstances. The Police undertake spot checks, and we are aware of the issues on the Stray. Neighbourhood Safety Manager offered to investigate it. Please keep reporting any instances of motorbikes on the Stray to the Police to help with evidence gathering.

A resident asked who is responsible for maintenance of the Bootham Stray perimeter fence? Parts of the fence, gates and stiles are in poor state of repair. City of York Council will be responsible, and we would expect for any repairs to be undertaken promptly now that the Clear, Hold, Build project is in operation. Please provide Ward Councillors with specific locations and we will investigate it. Another way to report it is via the Have Your Say on the City of York Council website.

Is sale of illegal tobacco an issue in the area? It is very much an issue locally and nationally. We have had some successes earlier this year and seizure of sizeable quantity of illegal vapes recently. The problem is that illegal stock is being replenished, however work to tackle root of the issue is ongoing behind the scenes. Premises selling alcohol are under our scrutiny. The public can play a big role in tackling the issue by providing reports. Anonymous report can be made via Crimestoppers, an independent UK charity taking crime information and passing it to the Police anonymously https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ . Ward Councillors also pass intelligence on to the Police. Telephoning 101 is another good way to report. The service has improved over the past few months with 90% of calls being answered within 3 minutes.

A resident raised an issue with recent damage to the St Joseph’s Church building, namely broken windows, broken glass door and incidents with youngsters trying to trespass and enter the church buildings. It was reported to the Police on four separate occasions; however, no response was received, or action taken. Whilst reporting you will have been given a reference number that could be used to follow up. If you could provide details, we can investigate it. Ward Councillors thanked the resident for raising the issue and offered to take details after the meeting and follow it up at a higher level and with the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Cllr Myers outlined local improvement project to repair notice boards across the ward so that they can be used to promote activities and groups in the area. Posters can be shared with Councillors and the Community Officer who will have access to notice boards.

Ward funding allocation changed to a formula where indices of multiple deprivation are used, meaning that Clifton Ward is in receipt of one of the highest amounts in the city. Funding can be used towards projects that help to address local priorities. We can award grants to community and charitable organisations and commission services for the ward. Recent examples of ward funded projects include mobile youth club at Ashton Park, chair based physical activity sessions for adults at Marjorie Waite Court, football and multisport sessions for young people at Homestead Park and Ashton Park over the summer. We want to ensure that we meet all the needs and welcome grant applications from groups towards projects.

Both PCSOs had to leave the meeting at this point due to a call out, however no further questions were raised with them.

Is there any update on the future of Morrell House? City of York Council is looking to sell it to a partner organisation to redevelop and manage as social housing flats. The process is nearing the end and a housing association interested in purchase and taking the project on has been identified. There has been a lot of ASB while Morrell House is empty, however the situation will improve once the imminent redevelopment takes place.

Cllr Myers spoke about the SEND Hub that is expected to open next to Clifton Green Primary in September this year. The new Hub will accommodate existing family services which are already based there and will serve children from across York. The Hub will bring huge benefits to the area and will be widely promoted.

A question was asked if the new Hub will also provide support with mental health?

We will need to check that. Respite and advice for parents will form part of the Hub offer.  York Inspirational Kids, a support group for families of children and young people who have a disability and/or additional need already operate from the building. Organisations such as York Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIAS) and Special Needs Activities and Play Provision for York (The SNAPPY Trust) will also be based at the Hub.  All those services will work together to navigate the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), however CAMHS will not be based at the Hub.

Cllr Myers gave an overview of the expected central fund towards play area improvements. Expected in autumn this year, the fund will be allocated to play areas based on indices of multiple deprivation statistics and used to improve those play areas which have not had any improvements over the last decade. Both Ashton Park and Crombie Avenue play areas are in need of an upgrade, and it is hoped that funds towards it will be obtained from the new central fund.

Councillors thanked everyone for their contributions and closed the meeting at 19:55.