BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL LADYWOOD WARD COMMITTEE 18 DECEMBER 2014 MINUTES OF A MEETING OF LADYWOOD WARD COMMITTEE HELD ON THURSDAY 18 DECEMBER 2014 AT 1900 HOURS AT THE ORATORY RC PRIMARY SCHOOL, OLIVER ROAD B16 9ER PRESENT: -
Councillor Kath Hartley in the Chair Councillors Sir Albert Bore and Carl Rice
ALSO PRESENT Clive Skidmore, Ward Champion Pat Whyte, District Community Development & Support Officer Sergeant Clem Samuels, West Midlands Police Graham Lennard, Transportation Policy John Carrigan, Project Manager Sarah Royal, Birmingham Open Spaces Forum Kay Thomas, Area Democratic Services Officer There were 45 local residents in attendance
NOTICE OF RECORDINGS 1188
The Chair advised the meeting to note that members of the press/public may record and take photographs except where there are confidential or exempt items. ____________________________________________________________________________ MINUTES
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The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2014, copies having been circulated were confirmed and signed by the Chairman. Matters Arising:Reference was made to the previous meeting when the cleanliness of the cycle track from Chamberlain Gardens Estate had been raised but there had been no cleaning and the track was still covered in a great deal of litter. The Chair asked that the matter be referred to Brendan Duffy. The Chair referred to the District Convention and to an environmental strategy being worked up by the Better Environment Group. It was hoped that each of the Wards in the District would have a focus on the environment at their March meetings. 320
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CODE OF CONDUCT 1190
The following code of conduct for the Ward Committee was submitted and noted; (See Document No 1) ____________________________________________________________________________ PETITIONS No petitions were submitted. ________________ ____________________________________________________________ LADYWOOD TV NEWS
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The TNT News team showed a film from the young people’s reporting team based in the Ward. The recording of ‘Tonight in Ladywood’ showed news items and events from around the Ward since the last Committee meeting. Topics covered included:• • • • •
Chamberlain Gardens Park – tree planting Centenary Square Remembrance Day Service Renovation of World War II aircraft Opening of the Coffin Works Museum Opening of the German Market
___________________________________________________________________________ BIRMINGHAM CYCLE REVOLUTION 1192
Graham Lennard explained that the City Council had made a bid to Government for Cycle City Ambition grant and had been successfully awarded £17m. The focus of the programme was the City Centre and areas within a 20 minute cycle ride, which included Ladywood. The funding would allow cycling improvements by improving cycling conditions on routes into the City Centre, provide quiet cycle routes and 20mph areas in residential streets, upgrade towpaths and develop green cycling routes through parks and open spaces. The first phase would involve Soho Road to Constitution Hill, Calthorpe Road to Five Ways and through to Broad Street. A further route around the Jewellery Quarter and one linking Bristol Road with Five Ways was being considered. There was also work being undertaken on green routes in the City and in time improvements would be made to Harborne Walkway and it was hoped to make improvements to the path from Barford Road to Northbrook Street in the spring. Top up funding of £6m had been provided by the Local Enterprise Partnership for phase 2. The West Midlands Cycle Charter lead by Centro but supported by all key partners also linked to the Birmingham Cycle Revolution by encouraging cycling, linking cycling to local stations and increasing the viability of the public transport network. John Carrigan then explained how Birmingham Big Bikes fitted into the Cycle Revolution. 5000 new bikes had been procured and of those 3000 would be given to local residents living in priority areas with access to cycle routes. There would also be hubs in local parks and open spaces from where bikes could be borrowed. There would be links with local businesses to encourage people to cycle to work. Prior to any bikes being given away recipients would have to undertake a safety and maintenance course. 321
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Councillor Sir Albert Bore said that the aim of the project was to encourage people into a more healthy lifestyle and that bikes would be fitted with a tracker to ensure that they were used. John Carrigan said that the tracker was fitted by the manufacturer and assured the meeting that the information obtained would only provide data regarding the health benefits of cycling. Councillor Sir Albert Bore stated that Birmingham was the only City undertaking such a project and the data collected would allow the City Council to discuss with the CCG’s the health benefits to residents and allow the Council to bid for additional funding to extend the programme further. A local resident, having notified the Chair, read from a prepared statement regarding the need for making all existing cycle/footways and towpaths fit for use by non-motorised transport and made the following points; • • • •
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In view of population growth, climate change and health issues it was imperative to make existing cycle footways and towpaths fit for use by non-motorised transport. The alternative to road and rail was in place but well below par, especially along towpaths that were ideal commuter routes into the City for cycles. More car commuters could be encouraged to make the switch but the infrastructure must be made fit for purpose Cycle and walk ways needed to be widened to accommodate walkers and cyclists more safely as had been done on the towpath near the Icknield Port Loop to accommodate repairs to a wall and this stretch of path was now well used by cyclists and walkers. It was suggested that an extension to the Harborne Line cycle/walkway towards the City Centre to reinstate the cycle/footbridge would be well used. Examples of where cycle/footbridges had been built in Wales were provided and the Committee was advised that doing this in Birmingham would reduce chronic and increasing road congestion and residents and Councillors were urged to support the suggestion.
A local resident while welcoming greater use of bikes queried what training would be provided to people receiving and borrowing the cycles as many existing cyclists did not adhere to the highway code. The Committee was advised that training would be given prior to a bike being given out to National Standard Level 2 but that existing cyclists could also take advantage of the training. All bikes would be provided with a bell, lights and lock. A local resident said the use of towpaths was to be encouraged and referred to existing cycle training courses that were provided and hoped that people could also be encouraged to become trainers and leaders for bike rides as part of the programme. It was also suggested that, as was the case in other European cities that consideration be given to widening pavements to enable part to be given over to cyclists as this was safer than cycling on the road. It was queried whether GP’s had been approached with a view to cycling/hire of a bike being prescribed as part of a fitness plan and the Committee was advised that the new Well Being Service was pursuing this. In response to questions the meeting was advised that it was hoped to get the scheme on site by the spring but that a letter drop and exhibitions would be undertaken prior to the scheme going live. There were some comments regarding the consultation process and Graham Lennard said that he would impress upon the team the urgency to engage with local residents. Chris Lowe, Push Bikes, also referred to the importance of consultation with local residents and groups. He added that Push Bikes had campaigned for cheaper bikes to be made available so 322
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that cycling could be accessible to all. With regard to parks it was suggested that paths be made 3metres wide so that they could be shared with pedestrians and cyclists, as for example in Cannon Hill Park. While the creation of quite routes was welcomed, cyclists could not be pushed onto these routes all of the time and the use of 20mph routes and mandatory cycle routes would create safer road cycling opportunities for cyclists. Graham Lennard advised that paths in parks were generally 2½ metres wide as there needed to be a balance between usability and aesthetics. There would be consultation on the highway plans and the schemes would link into the mobility action plan. Concern was expressed that essential services were being cut but that a vast sum of money was being spent on cycling. Councillor Sir Albert Bore explained that the Government grant allocated for the scheme was ring fenced and could be used for the cycling programme only and could not be therefore used for other services. Residents again expressed concern at the lack of publicity given to the scheme and that in view of the benefits it should be celebrated and promoted. ____________________________________________________________________________ CHAMBERLAIN GARDENS PARK 1193
Sarah Royal, Birmingham Open Spaces Forum, explained that the Forum supported volunteers who supported local open spaces and parks. The Ladywood District had a large number of Friends Groups, many of which were from within the Ladywood Ward. The Friends of Chamberlain Gardens Park had been set up and had organised consultation which led to the establishment of the outside gym and plans to refurbish the pagoda. A bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund was being prepared so that the pagoda could be brought back to standard and working with the local history group there were plans to have historic information panels displayed. The Chair added that 1300 properties had been consulted by addressed mail funded from development money from the Cawdor Crescent scheme and a good response had been received. Funding dedicated for community use had been used to provide the outdoor gym equipment and to undertake a structural survey on the pagoda. Photographic images of the restored pagoda were shown to the meeting. In response to questions the Chair said that the business case for a café had not been viable. The cost of the restoration was in the region of £60,000 and a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund and match funding was hoped to cover the cost. Sarah Royal encouraged residents involvement in a Friends Of group and to take part in Active Parks activities at Chamberlain Gardens Park. ____________________________________________________________________________ NEW HOMES IN LADYWOOD a) Monument Road and Cawdor Crescent
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Clive Skidmore said that the development had commenced at Monument Road in October and an artists impression of the completed development was shown to the meeting. There would be 45 properties split between rent and sale through the Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust. The completion of the flats was due in August 2015 and the houses for rent in October 2015. There would be a mix of flats (3 storey) and houses to make best use of the site and a consultation 323
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event had been held in respect of the design of the properties which would reflect the Georgian houses opposite but would have a modern element and a strong relationship to the park. In response to a question the Committee was advised that a traffic impact study had been undertaken as part of the planning application. There would be fewer properties built on the site than originally there and car parking spaces would be provided on the development so it was not envisaged that the new properties would increase traffic congestion. A local resident said that the area was very congested with traffic between 4.30-6pm and it was considered that this was due largely to the sequencing of the traffic lights at Plough and Harrow Road. A local resident queried whether existing local tenants would get first choice of the new properties, especially families living in the tower blocks. The meeting was advised that local lettings policies were not used but new lettings would only be allocated to existing tenants. Councillor Rice expressed his concern regarding the new properties becoming buy to let if land lords were able to purchase the flats. Clive Skidmore said that the City Council was resistant on all new schemes to sales to investors. Councillor Rice referred to a housing scheme that had been built some time ago in Browning Street and there had been a policy whereby local people had been able to put their name on a list and names were drawn from that list for first choice to purchase a house and stay living in the area. He queried whether this could be considered for developments in the Ward. Clive Skidmore undertook to have the suggestion considered. A local resident complimented the officers involved on the scheme for Monument Road which would put family housing back into the area, extend the community and improve the environment. In response to concerns regarding traffic congestion it was queried whether cycle racks would be provided as part of the development to encourage cycling. It was also suggested that there be some publicity about BMHT and the developments it was producing. It was further suggested that new residents be provided access to the Chamberlain Gardens Priority Parking Scheme. The Chair asked that if there was any Section 106 funding available from the development she would like to see repairs and improvements made to the existing maisonettes. b) Development at St Vincent Street/Lighthorne Avenue 1195
Clive Skidmore referred to a site next to the NIA where it was proposed that Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust would build a development of high quality private apartments for rent. Due to the shape of the site and the height of the surrounding buildings it was suited to apartments which would be wholly owned by the Council but rented out by a private management company on behalf of the City Council. Each apartment would have a dedicated car park space including some at the NIA and there would also be bike racks. The high density of the development supported housing growth towards the numbers of new homes needed across the City and would set a standard for private rented homes. It was hoped that other derelict land sites would be identified and could be used for further house building. In response to questions the meeting was advised that there would be a building manager on site and Section 106 monies from the development could be used to fund other improvements in the Ward. It was planned to complete the scheme by summer 2016. The Chair queried whether the funding could be used to improve properties at Kilby/Lighthorne.
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In response to comments regarding the shortage of one bedroomed flats the meeting was advised that the development would be a mix between 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. The scheme would generate income for the City but it was yet to be determined whether the profits would be spent in Ladywood or across the City. In response to further comments Clive Skidmore confirmed that the rents would be charged at market rent and in line with private rented accommodation they would be let on 6 month leases. A local resident commented on the location of the development on the corner together with the increase in traffic from the tram works made it difficult to cross the road and it was queried whether the opportunity could be taken to make it easier to cross. Clive Skidmore undertook to refer those comments to the appropriate officer. ____________________________________________________________________________ JEWELLERY QUARTER NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM 1196
The Chair advised that this item would be deferred to a future meeting. ____________________________________________________________________________ MATTERS OF URGENT LOCAL CONCERN a)
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The Chair of the Ladywood Housing Liaison Board referred to the recent tragedy at a tower block in Druids Heath and advised that the matter had been raised by residents at the HLB meeting as they were concerned about access to the tower blocks since the loss of the concierge service and were also afraid at night as the corridors in the blocks were dark. The HLB were taking up the matter but discussion at a future meeting with housing officers was requested. b)
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Plough and Harrow Hotel
A local resident referred to congestion caused by delivery lorries to the Plough and Harrow Hotel parking on the road. It was queried whether any action could be taken as there was a large car park to the rear of the hotel. The Chair asked that the District Engineer be requested to investigate. c)
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Concierge Service
World War I Exhibition
The Chair referred to an exhibition organised by the Ladywood History Group on 10 and 11 January 2015 at the Oratory Church about Ladywood people who fought in World War I. ____________________________________________________________________________
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ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS 1200
The Chair reported that items on the agenda for the next meeting would include; 1. Paradise redevelopment 2. Coach parking and enforcement ____________________________________________________________________________ OUTSTANDING MINUTES LIST
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The following outstanding minutes list was submitted and minute no 1173 was discharged. (See Document No 4) ____________________________________________________________________________ AUTHORITY TO CHAIRMAN AND OFFICERS RESOLVED:-
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That the Chairman is hereby authorised to act until the next meeting of the Committee except that, in respect of the exercise of the Council’s non-Executive functions, the appropriate Chief Officers are hereby authorised to act in consultation with the Chairman and that the Director of Legal and Democratic Services is authorised to affix the Corporate Seal to any document necessary to give effect to a decision of the said officers acting in pursuance of the power hereby delegated to them; further that a report of all action taken under this authority be submitted to the next meeting and that such report shall explain why this authority was used.
The meeting ended at 2115 hours.
------------------------------------CHAIRMAN
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