Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies from members unable to attend the meeting

Apologies were received from Councillor Samantha Dalton.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

Approve the minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2009

The minutes from the previous meeting held 15 December 2009 were approved as a true and accurate record.

The Chairman agreed to vary the order of the agenda to allow a discussion to take place on a number of display boards which had been set up in the meeting room. The display boards contained information on the Annual Scheme of Works, You Said We Did, Sustainable Travel and the Bus Service.

After a 10 minute break in proceedings to allow all those present adequate time to study the display boards, questions and comments were welcomed.

There were no questions or comments on the item.

Updates and developments on the Community Action Plan

The Neighbourhood Manager introduced the item and advised all those present that the document they had before them outlined the findings from the recently held Community Planning Event for Peterborough West. The document would aid in the production of the Community Action Plan for the area and was currently in draft form therefore it could be added to and revised.

Views and comments were sought on the document and after a 20 minute break in proceedings to allow adequate time to discuss the Plan, the following issues and observations were highlighted:

• A member of the public questioned how the Community Planning Event for Peterborough West had been publicized as he had not been aware of it going ahead. The Neighbourhood Manager advised that the event had been for invited members only, however over the coming months more events were to be held at various times of the day. Problems with publication had also occurred due to recent website issues.
• A further query was raised regarding how people were chosen to receive an invitation to the event. The Neighbourhood Manager further advised that the list was drawn from previous attendees of the Neighbourhood Council meetings and in future there would be a standing invitation list. 

Opportunity for discussion on how City Council owned land will be used in your neighbourhood over the next 5 years.

The Neighbourhood Manager gave an overview of the item and advised the meeting that on each table was a map highlighting the proposed development sites for the North and West 3 area.

The formal consultation process on the suggested sites was due to commence over the coming months and forms for comments would be available in the local libraries and on the Peterborough City Council website.

The Neighbourhood Manager stated that if anyone had any comments or questions, they could be submitted to the Planning Officers via the form located on the back of the maps provided.

After a 10 minute break in proceedings to allow all those present adequate time to look over the maps, questions and comments were sought on the proposals and the following issues and observations were highlighted:

• A query was raised regarding the RAF officers mess situated at Cottesmore Close. At a previous meeting of the Neighbourhood Council it had been advised that a Peterborough City Council Officer would look into the proposals that the building was to become a building of architectural interest. Were there any updates available on these proposals?

ACTION:

The Neighbourhood Manager advised that she would look into this query.

• A further query was raised regarding the Westwood Allotment site, had the site been extended?

ACTION:

The Neighbourhood Manager advised that she would look into this query.

• Councillor Sandford expressed concern that there had been no members of the Planning Team available at the meeting to present the Site Allocations Development Plans.  The Head of Neighbourhood Services addressed the meeting in response to this concern and stated that in future, Strategic Planning would be attendance and if required, an additional meeting with Strategic Planning could be arranged for the North and West 3 area before the consultation process resumed.

• Councillor Arculus questioned whether there was a specific reason why the Peterborough District Hospital site had not been shown on the plan.

ACTION:

The Neighbourhood Manager advised that she would look into this query.

• A member of the public advised the meeting that the plans only highlighted City Council owned land. Could other land that was to be developed also be shown, specifically the station quarter and Peterborough District Hospital?

ACTION:

The Neighbourhood Manager advised that she would look into this query.

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

Attendees of the Neighbourhood Council meeting were given the opportunity to ask any questions or to make any comments in relation to the area in which they lived.

Issues and observations which were highlighted included:

• A member of the public commented on the appalling state of the footpaths in Bretton Park due to vehicles driving over them. When would something be done about this? The Neighbourhood Manager advised that the Street Spring Clean which was due to take place would address some of the issues. Also, if the problem was highlighted in the Community Action Plan then it would be targeted in the future. Trees and bushes in the park were also to be looked at.
• Further comments were made regarding the pathways and cycle ways in Bretton Park. There had been severe deterioration over the last 30 years, with the deterioration over the last 2 years being the worst. The cycleway and pathways were extremely dangerous to use particularly in frosty weather and the mud was knee deep in some areas. School children had to use these footpaths and their current state was not acceptable. The Head of Neighbourhood Services stated that a site visit would be arranged with the Neighbourhood Manager, key colleagues and partners from City Services and if the member of the public who had brought this issue to the attention of the meeting was available at the time, they were more than welcome to attend.
• A further query was raised regarding the parking situation on Hartwell Way. People were using the grass verges to park and mud was being distributed all over the road. The Head of Neighbourhood Services advised that this area would also be incorporated into the proposed site visit,
• A member of the public commented that similar issues were occurring in Pendleton, Bretton.
• Inspector Glazebrook advised that Hartwell Way was a clearway and that the parking issue would be looked into and warning letters would be issued and if necessary, enforcement action taken.
• A member of the public further commented that there were numerous untaxed vehicles parked on Hartwell Way, could this be looked into? The Neighbourhood Manager advised that this request would be looked into.
• A query was raised regarding the off licence in Netherton. There had recently been two incidents of underage sales at the premises, could this be reported back to the licensing team? Clarification was also sought as to whether the signage outside of the premises had received planning permission. The Neighbourhood Manager advised that these queries would be looked into. Inspector Glazebrook further advised that he would report back on test purchases at the next meeting.
• A query was raised regarding the current status of the proposed phone mast at Hyholmes, Bretton. Councillor Fitzgerald addressed the meeting and stated that this subject had been discussed at the recent Bretton Parish Council meeting. It was proposed to take a petition to the meeting of Full Council and letters would be sent  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The date of the next meeting will confirmed once agreed after full Council on 14 April

The Chairman advised all present that the date of the next meeting would be confirmed after the Full Council meeting on 14 April 2010.