Agenda and minutes

Councillor Dawood was elected as Chair for the meeting.

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no Declarations of Interest made at this time.

The minutes of the previous Spinney Hills Community Meeting, held on 3 December 2012, are attached at Appendix A and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

 

RESOLVED:

                        That the Minutes of the previous Spinney Hills Ward                                      Community meeting held on 3 December 2012 be confirmed                     as a correct record.

 

Officers from Welfare and Benefits have been invited to provide information on Welfare Reform.

Reiza Khan, Welfare Rights, gave a presentation on the proposed changes to the benefits system next year.

 

During the presentation the following points and issues were mentioned:-

 

·         Council Tax Benefit would be replaced by Council Tax Support from April 2013 and local authorities would receive 10% less government grant for the scheme so recipients would pay more towards Council Tax.  It was estimated that this could impact upon 40,000 people in the City.

·         There would be a Benefit cap of £500 per week for families and lone parents (£350 for singles) and would affect mainly families with 4 or more children.

·         Housing Benefit paid to people of working age would be changed to reduce the level of eligible rent by 14% for 1 extra bedroom that was unoccupied and by 25% if two or more bedrooms were unoccupied. The level of benefit would then be calculated on the lower amount of eligible rent. 

·         The Disability Living Allowance would be abolished in April 2013 and replaced with a new scheme that would cut out the lowest level of allowances.  Current recipients would be gradually re-assessed from the old system to the new points based system.   

·         A new system of Universal Credits would come into operation in April 2013 and was designed to simplify the current large number of means tested benefits into one payment. New claimants and existing claimants with change of circumstances would transfer to Universal Credits on 1 October 2013. Existing claimants, who could benefit from Universal Credits, would be transferred from April 2014 and everyone else would be transferred from the end of 2015 to the end of 2017.

·         Some of the existing premiums, including disability and carers allowances were being abolished. It was envisaged that claimants would not be worse off at the point of change over; but there would be a gradual reduction in the level of benefits over a period of years.

·         The qualification rules for Pension Credits were also changing.  In future, Pension Credits will only be available when the youngest person in the partnership reaches pensionable age, rather than the oldest person as at present.

·         Future Payments will be made monthly and be paid direct to the claimant and only one claimant per partnership.  It will then be the claimant’s responsibility to pay their rent and Council tax.

 

Reiza referred to the appeals process and to the high levels of appeals which had already been received.  It was reported that Incapacity Benefit appeals had caused significant pressures, whereby medical evidence was required to process each case.  It was also reported that the process undertaken to assess whether people were fit for work had received a large amount of criticism.

 

In reply to questions Reiza confirmed that details of the proposed changes had been issued to all people that were likely to be affected with their council tax bills.

 

The need to ensure that information was disseminated effectively was raised and it was noted that many people in the Ward who would be affected  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

Officers from Transport Strategy have been invited to provide information on highways improvement works in the Ward.

Robert Bateman, Team Leader, Highways & Traffic Design, updated the meeting with transport issues concerning the Ward.

 

He referred to the proposed works to open up Vulcan Road following consultation with residents and commented on the delay in commencing the physical works which had been due to the necessary legal process. 

 

It was suggested by the Chair that, in view of the delay with the physical works, residents be informed that the scheme had been approved and advised of the likely commencement date.

 

Robert reported that double yellow line parking restrictions at various junctions were to be extended to prevent problems currently being experienced by refuse collection vehicles.  These junctions included those within the streets recently made into one-way streets as part of highway improvement works in the Ward. 

 

Members of the community thanked Councillors and Officers for the successful introduction of the one-way scheme and requested that the Mere Road area also be considered for a similar highway improvement scheme, possibly by the introduction of parking restrictions.

 

In respect of the recent road gritting operations, the primary and secondary gritting routes were described in response to concerns raised.  It was suggested that the roads around Hartington Road be considered for inclusion on the list of approved secondary routes, it was also noted that grit bins were located in that area for residents’ use.

 

In reply to a question the differences between the extension of existing parking restrictions, the introduction of restrictions as part of a wider scheme, and the introduction of new restrictions were explained. 

 

It was clarified that the Traffic Regulation Orders required for new restrictions were often held in lengthy priority lists and this explanation was reported as the probable reason for the delay affecting the suggested introduction of restrictions in the Apollo and Atlas Road area.

 

The requirement to ensure effective enforcement was highlighted and problem areas where greater enforcement action was required were raised by residents.  These problem areas included locations where cars were parked adjacent to traffic calming measures and road humps which led to an unreasonable restriction of the carriageway.

 

In conclusion the Chair reported that a ‘patchwalk’ site visit was to be convened where Ward Councillors and community representatives would meet to walk around the Ward with officers to identify traffic and transport problem areas.

 

The transport update was noted and Robert was thanked for his attendance.

 

The Police will provide an update on their activities within the Ward.

It was reported that due to an operation in the Ward the Police representatives were unable to attend the meeting.  The apology was noted.

 

Nazira Vania, Anti-Social Behaviour Co-ordinator, Community Safety Team, referred to her ongoing crime prevention work in the Ward undertaken in liaison with the Police.

 

She commented on the consultation exercise undertaken prior to the removal of hedges around Spinney Hill Park and reported that instances of anti-social behaviour had reduced as a result of the hedge removal works.  In reply to questions Nazira referred to the overwhelming support of residents to have the hedges removed following the consultation and commented that she understood that some of those residents consulted had wanted the hedges to remain.

 

In conclusion Nazira reported on the youth intervention work which was looking at the needs of young people and advised of activities being run.  She reported further on the possible formation of the Highfields Late Lounge which was a proposal for a youth engagement project to provide activities targeted at preventing anti-social behaviour.

 

In the absence of the Police it was reported and noted that the crime statistics for the Ward were available online on the Police website.

 

Nazira was thanked for her attendance and report.

 

The City Warden will provide an update on environmental issues and enforcement.

Darren Evans, City Warden for the Ward, informed the meeting of his enforcement and educational activities and reported on the numbers of fixed penalty notices issued.

 

He commented in particular on the work being undertaken to reduce fly tips, dog fouling and cars for sale on the street.  In respect of the St Matthews area he advised that a litter-pick and clean-up had been undertaken in liaison with Housing Officers and residents.

 

In conclusion Darren informed the meeting of a reward which had been offered for information relating to recurrences of graffiti and he displayed a poster showing the graffiti ‘tags’ concerned.

 

In response to comments and questions it was suggested that a greater number of litter bins could be provided in some areas.  It was considered that careful consideration of the location and design of bins would help to prevent littering.  It was also proposed that the litter-pick and clean-up activities could be extended to other areas of the Ward including Spinney Hill Park.

 

Darren was thanked for his attendance and report.

 

Councillors are reminded that they will need to declare any interest they may have in budget applications, and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

 

The Member Support Officer will present the latest position with regard to the Ward Community Budget.

 

The following applications have been received:

 

 

Application   1          (3010)

 

Applicant       MBCOL

 

Amount          £ 500

 

Proposal        IT Equipment Support

 

Summary      Replacement computer for designing and producing educational                publications and day to day office use

 

 

Application   2          (3012)

 

Applicant       Highfields Community Association

 

Amount          £ 2000 (£ 6000 between 3 Wards)

 

Proposal        Highfields Festival 2013

 

Summary      Highfields Festival and activities for the community to be held on                29 June 2013

 

 

Application   3          (3014)

 

Applicant       iReach

 

Amount          £ 420

 

Proposal        iReach Charity Fete

 

Summary      An event to raise money for the Ethar Relief charity who deliver                   aid to East Sudan

 

 

Application   4          (3015)

 

Applicant       Champion Boxing Club

 

Amount          £ 500

 

Proposal        Boxing Award Booklets

 

Summary      Booklets containing information covering healthy living, exercise,               drug and alcohol awareness and boxing learning programmes

 

 

Application   5          (3016)

 

Applicant       Matwad Volleyball Club

 

Amount          £ 500

 

Proposal        Club equipment and tournament

 

Summary      New club kits and sundry equipment and the organisation                            of a tournament for clubs from across the midlands.

 

 

Application   6          (3017)

 

Applicant       Somali Advice and Information Services (SOMINFOS)

 

Amount          £ 948.66 (£ 2846 between 3 wards)

 

Proposal        Monday Advice Sessions

 

Summary      Weekly sessions over 26 weeks to advise the Somali community                on issues such as housing, education, training and employment

 

 

Application   7          (3018)

 

Applicant       St Peters and Stoughton Street Tenants and Residents Assn.

 

Amount          £ 1000

 

Proposal        Photocopier

 

Summary      Photocopier required by the Tenants and Residents Assn. to                        enable work to be carried within the premises

 

 

Application   8          (3019)

 

Applicant       Somali Community Parents Assn. (SOCOPA)

 

Amount          £ 1980

 

Proposal        Space 4 Youth

 

Summary      Sporting events, leisure activities and study support events for                     young people aged 7-16 years

 

 

Application   9          (3020)

 

Applicant       The Spark, Arts for Children

 

Amount          £ 150 (£ 900 between 6 wards)

 

Proposal        ‘Shiny’ Performance Event

 

Summary      An interactive performance event for early years children (6                          months – 4 years) and their families

 

 

Application   10        (3021)

 

Applicant       Residents of Hart Road, Vulcan Road and Keythorpe Street

 

Amount          £ 795

 

Proposal        Alley Gates Project

 

Summary      New gates to secure alleyways to prevent crime and anti-social                    behaviour and repairs to existing gates in Keythorpe Street

 

 

Application   11        (3022)

 

Applicant       Khidmah Organisation

 

Amount          £ 2500

 

Proposal        Khidmah Sports and Comm-Unity Event

 

Summary      Community based leisure, sports and social activity including                      community information stalls to build partnerships

 

 

Application   12        (3023)

 

Applicant       Community Football Academy

 

Amount          £ 450

 

Proposal        CFA Open Day and Presentation

 

Summary      Open evening and awards ceremony for children aged 5 – 13                      and their families to promote the Academy.

 

 

Application   13        (3024)

 

Applicant       Sahara Centre

 

Amount          £ 307.50 (£ 1730 between 5 wards)

 

Proposal        Health awareness day

 

Summary      Health awareness day celebrating International Women’s Day                     to be held in March at AK Fitness women’s only gym

 

 

Applicant      14  ...  view the full agenda text for item 43.

The Member Support Officer provided an update on the latest position with regard to the Ward Community Budget.

 

The following applications for Ward Community Grant funding had been received:

 

Application   1          (3010)

 

Applicant       MBCOL

 

Amount          £ 500

 

Proposal        IT Equipment Support

 

Summary      Replacement computer for designing and producing educational                publications and day to day office use

 

RESOLVED:

                        that the application be supported in the sum of £ 500

 

 

Application   2          (3012)

 

Applicant       Highfields Community Association

 

Amount          £ 2000 (£ 6000 between 3 Wards)

 

Proposal        Highfields Festival 2013

 

Summary      Highfields Festival and activities for the community to be held on                29 June 2013

 

RESOLVED:

                        that the application be supported in the sum of £ 1000

 

 

Application   3          (3014)

 

Applicant       iReach

 

Amount          £ 420

 

Proposal        iReach Charity Fete

 

Summary      An event to raise money for the Ethar Relief charity who deliver                   aid to East Sudan

 

RESOLVED:

                        that the application be supported in the sum of £ 420

 

Application   4          (3015)

 

Applicant       Champion Boxing Club

 

Amount          £ 500

 

Proposal        Boxing Award Booklets

 

Summary      Booklets containing information covering healthy living, exercise,               drug and alcohol awareness and boxing learning programmes

 

RESOLVED:

                        that the application be supported in the sum of £ 500

 

 

Application   5          (3016)

 

Applicant       Matwad Volleyball Club

 

Amount          £ 500

 

Proposal        Club equipment and tournament

 

Summary      New club kits and sundry equipment and the organisation                            of a tournament for clubs from across the midlands.

 

RESOLVED:

                        that the application be supported in the sum of £ 500

 

 

Application   6          (3017)

 

Applicant       Somali Advice and Information Services (SOMINFOS)

 

Amount          £ 948.66 (£ 2846 between 3 wards)

 

Proposal        Monday Advice Sessions

 

Summary      Weekly sessions over 26 weeks to advise the Somali community                on issues such as housing, education, training and employment

 

RESOLVED:

                        that the application be supported in the sum of £ 500

 

 

Application   7          (3018)

 

Applicant       St Peters and Stoughton Street Tenants and Residents Assn.

 

Amount          £ 1000

 

Proposal        Photocopier

 

Summary      Photocopier required by the Tenants and Residents Assn. to                        enable work to be carried within the premises

 

RESOLVED:

                        that the application be supported in the sum of £ 1000

 

 

Application   8          (3019)

 

Applicant       Somali Community Parents Assn. (SOCOPA)

 

Amount          £ 1980

 

Proposal        Space 4 Youth

 

Summary      Sporting events, leisure activities and study support events for                     young people aged 7-16 years

 

RESOLVED:

                        that the application be supported in the sum of £ 750

 

 

Application   9          (3020)

 

Applicant       The Spark, Arts for Children

 

Amount          £ 150 (£ 900 between 6 wards)

 

Proposal        ‘Shiny’ Performance Event

 

Summary      An interactive performance event for early years children (6                          months – 4 years) and their families

 

RESOLVED:

                        that the application be supported in the sum of £ 150

 

 

Application   10        (3021)

 

Applicant       Residents of Hart Road, Vulcan Road and Keythorpe Street

 

Amount          £ 795

 

Proposal        Alley Gates Project

 

Summary      New gates to secure alleyways to prevent crime and anti-social                    behaviour and repairs to existing gates in Keythorpe Street

 

RESOLVED:

                        that the application be supported in the sum of £ 795

 

 

Application   11        (3022)

 

Applicant       Khidmah Organisation

 

Amount          £ 2500  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

There were no items of Urgent Business.

 

The meeting closed at 7.55 pm.