Agenda item

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environment Services submits a report providing an overview of progress to date of the Transforming Neighbourhood Services Programme, summarising the results of engagement work and consultation carried out in the North West area of the city and setting out the proposals that are intended to be implemented by the TNS programme in relation to the north west area.  The Commission is recommended note the progress made to date, feedback and lessons learned regarding the engagement activity in the north west area and to comment on the proposals made in relation to the north west area.

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submitted a report that provided an overview of the progress of the Transforming Neighbourhood Services (TNS) Programme. The report also set out the results of the engagement work and consultations that had been carried out and the intended proposals for the North West area of the City.

The Chair reported that a representation had been received from Councillor Byrne expressing concerns from constituents in the Abbey Ward, and in particular from the Thursday night Bingo Club, which related to the possible closure of the Stocking Farm Community Hall building on the Community Centre site.   Councillor Corrall added that he used to be a Councillor for New Parks and had been lobbied by residents there in relation to the possible closure of the Braunstone Frith community facility.

Members heard that the consultation, which had commenced in 2014, had been extensive and a very good response had been received. The Commission considered the report and the ensuing discussion included the following comments:

·         Would it be possible for the New Parks Youth Centre to be adapted to provide toilets for people using sporting facilities at New College? Concerns had previously been expressed that the new cycle track, which had recently received planning permission, would be sited too far away from the College’s nearest toilet facilities.

Members heard that this could potentially be a possibility.

·         Did the Braunstone Frith Community Centre have the capacity to accommodate some of the community groups that had nowhere else to go?

Members heard that if Braunstone Frith was leased under the Community Asset Transfer scheme, there would be a condition that access to the centre must be offered to other community groups.

·         Did the Council now own the old New Parks Police Station? There was no mention of this in the report.

The City Mayor responded that the Council had submitted a bid for the Police Station but he was not aware that the bid had been successful. He added that this would be checked.

·         In cases of Asset Transfer, would buildings be in good condition before they were handed over?

The Commission head that the condition of the building would be a part of the negotiations and the Council would make every effort to ensure this was carried out correctly.

The Chair then invited Councillor Unsworth to the table to contribute to the discussion. Councillor Unsworth explained that he represented the Western Ward; which was one of the Wards affected by the TNS programme.

Points made by Councillor Unsworth included the following:

·         Concerns were expressed regarding the proposed community asset transfer of the Braunstone Frith Community Centre. The area was not wealthy and there were concerns that there would be insufficient people willing to be involved in such a scheme.

·         There were health and unemployment issues in the area.

·         There was a perception that residents in the area were being neglected. The Police Station had closed down, there were reductions in the bus service to Kirby Frith and there had been little investment in properties in the area.

The Head of Libraries and Information Services responded that everyone involved in the project understood the importance of the Braunstone Frith Community Centre and had been seeking a long term solution. The first option was for asset transfer, and any parties that came forward would be given advice and guidance on the process. There was a fall back plan however if asset transfer was not feasible.

The Chair referred to previous community asset transfers and queried how well they had worked elsewhere in the City. The Commission heard that lessons had been learned from previous asset transfers. The checks and balances had been tightened up considerably to try to overcome any risks -  inappropriate groups or activities. The Council tried to ensure that people applying for a community asset transfer fully understood their responsibilities.  In response to a question, Members heard that interested parties could receive help from an independent organisation, which would check their business case and offer guidance and support.

The Chair referred to the report which stated that there were four Council run pre-schools operating in Neighbourhood Services buildings in the north-west area of the City. The Head of Neighbourhood Services explained that if any of those pre-schools were located in a building that might be an asset transfer, the Council would ensure that provision was made in agreements where required.

The City Mayor stated that they were very keen to continue to engage with Ward Councillors and to listen and talk prior to making any final decisions.

AGREED:

                   that the Commission:

1)    Welcomes the wide-ranging consultation in respect of the  Transforming Neighbourhood Services Programme;

2)    Considers it vital that community groups are made fully aware of the implications and responsibilities involved in Community Asset Transfers; and

3)    Considers that the re-shaping of services should ensure that the most vulnerable and deprived communities retain ready access to a wide range of services.