Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies from members unable to attend the meeting

Apologies were received from Cllrs Cereste, Serluca and Benton

Members to declare any personal/personal prejudicial interests in any items on this agenda

No declarations of interest were received.

Approve the minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2011.

The minutes of the meeting held 21 September were agreed as being an accurate record.

The Neighbourhood Manager tabled an update report and advised the committee that updates were also included on display boards.

Presentation from the Youth Forum on progress of the project to introduce new play/recreation equipment at Heritage Park play area, Park Farm.

Jenny Humphries introduced members of the Stanground Youth Forum who presented information on proposals for the spending of funding received which focused on the Park Farm area.

The committee was advised that surveys had been conducted with 100 young people along with discussions in life skills lessons to determine the best proposals to progress further and then costs and equipment needed would be considered.

Responses to questions and comments included:

·                                               Good ideas had been put forward so far and the work was progressing well.  Consultation with residents would be next and then costing of chosen projects.

·                                               The Park Farm area does need a separate play area for younger children to use which should address any bullying of younger children by older ones in the joint area.

·                                               The Youth Forum was looking to address issues for older children but could look at pre-school play equipment provision in the future.

·                                               It would be for the Police to deal with incidents of bad or anti social behaviour including use of alcohol on the play area site.  Police would be consulted to determine any issues they had with future equipment installations.

·                                               This exercise was purely to address play provision in the Park Farm area this time rather than the whole of Stanground.

·                                               Cllr Lee – lots of money in Fletton and Woodston was spent on play equipment for all ages and therefore the Youth Group could be used to determine any improved provision there.

·                                               J Bray – need to let people know, including the Neighbourhood Watch, when the door to door activity would take place with residents so they were aware.

Opportunity to hear about the scheme launched in Peterborough for volunteers who want to improve their local communities by reducing crime, ASB and hate crime.

Christine Graham, representing Peterborough Neighbourhood Champions, presented information on a new scheme aimed at reducing crime and empowering residents and communities as well as providing information to assist with various other community issues.

The committee was advised that the Group now had a management committee and various governance policies and anyone could apply to join but they would need a CRB check.  Training would be provided for volunteers for the issues that the group would operate with.

Comments and responses to questions included:

·                                               Would be applying for first CRB checks in the New Year and volunteers were currently on initial training;

·                                               Training courses were to be on Monday evenings initially but could be Saturday mornings in future but would be tailored to trainees’ future requirements;

·                                               The volunteers would not be expected to be experts in everything but would be able to direct people to relevant services who were experts;

·                                               It was felt that the service was needed as some people won’t contact the Police but would be more comfortable with reporting problems to a neighbour or other resident;

·                                               Safeguarding policies were in place regarding data protection and retention of personal details and sensitive information.  All submitted details would be in confidence unless safeguarding issues were identified (such as for children).  Training on Data Protection act would be provided to ensure compliance;

·                                               The group has applied to various funding streams and also seeking sponsorships to carry out its work;

·                                               The main aim of group was to deal with antisocial behaviour, rather than domestic abuse and intervening in dangerous or violent situations; 

·                                               Cllr Lee – Councillors could be willing to fund volunteers in their areas as it was acknowledged that some people won’t contact Police or other authorities.

Opportunity to hear about the progress for provision of a new primary school to serve the development along with other educational developments in the area.

Jonathan Lewis presented information on school developments in the area of Fletton, Stanground and Woodston, including new school developments and issues around school places.

Comments and responses to questions included:

·                                               J Bray – well done Heritage Park on 100% KS2 result.  All schools doing seem to be doing well;

·                                               Peterborough is below the national average of free meal take up and there was no current link to this and performance;

·                                               Rebuild of Nene Park Academy (Orton Longueville School) begins in January 2011 and expected to be finished for 2013 school year.  Results and standards at the Academy have gone up as were numbers attending;

·                                               The City Council doesn’t run schools; it is the Head Teacher and governing bodies.  The governing body left Nene Park Academy and a new one installed to make necessary changes to improve;

·                                               Have had many new teachers trained and the council was working with local universities to increase teacher qualifications.  Science provision was acceptable but more teachers were needed to be recruited for English and Maths.  Many new schools were opening and more academies were being established so should be able to attract high quality staff.

An opportunity for any member of the public, elected and co-opted members of the Neighbourhood Committee to raise anything that affects your area and to suggest items for future meetings

Attendees of the meeting were given the opportunity to ask questions and raise issues affecting the area in which they lived.

Issues raised included:

New Pharmacy building

·                                               Shabbir Domani, Pharmacist - planning application for a porta cabin at Stanground Doctor to allow Co-op pharmacy to move onto the site.  There were many safety issues in basing a pharmacy in a portacabin here as it would increase demand on the car park and access ways; could result in higher traffic risks; harder to access as on edge of Stanground; and there would be 2 pharmacies very close to each other. 

·                                               Cllr Rush - have objected to the application already.

·                                               Julian Bray – would only have a post office at Stanground Central area and if pharmacy leaves, feel post office might leave too.  What need is there to move Co-op pharmacy from its established building?  Is any money being used to secure the application?  Should support Halls Chemist.

·                                               Cllr Walsh – Regarding the access to the area, would not like to see increased traffic activity on that site.

·                                               Cllr Rush – if anyone wants to object to the application, they cannot use loss of business to others as a planning consideration.  Have to object on planning grounds such as traffic increase.

·                                               S Domani – The Council highways team have reconsidered the concerns raised about the site.  Halls Pharmacy started at its premises in 2003 and began serving only in 2010.  Need more space than a single portacabin to run a pharmacy.  Need to get to planning committee for Councillors to determine the application.

·                                               Cllr Lee – ward councillors can refer an application to committee and also large public interest/objection would ensure a planning application was referred to committee for a decision.

Parking Restrictions on Fairfield Road

·                                               Fairfield Road resident, sometimes wardens/officers drive through in the car so how they can spot which permits valid for that area and not another?  Could they walk around in evening too not just day time?

·                                               Cllr Lee – the council car does film infringements of parking restrictions.

2 Empty Houses on Fletton Avenue

·                                               Process to tackle these premises was ongoing.  Will get an update.

Drugs and Alcohol

·                                               Congregation of around 6-8 people around the public toilet area in the day time on Fletton Avenue. LE – will pass details on to PCSO.

·                                               Cllr Lee – this was a Neighbourhood priority from the Police panel and sounds like those involved may have moved location.

·                                               Drug dealers operating in Fletton area around Fairfield Road.  LE will pass information on to Police.

Parking Near Schools in Stanground

·                                               Chris York – need more work around schools to stop parking on pavements etc.  Need greater time commitment from parking wardens over a longer period of time, not just a couple of days.

Overgrown bushes

·                                               The Neighbourhood Officer had undertaken good work in solving issues. Further requests for work should be reported to Roy Clark.

The next meeting will be held on 29 February at the Riverside Community Pavilion.

29 February 2012 at the Riverside Pavilion, Sugar Way.