BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL LADYWOOD WARD COMMITTEE 20 JANUARY 2014
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE LADYWOOD WARD COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY 20 JANUARY 2014 AT LADYWOOD HEALTH & COMMUNITY CENTRE, ST VINCENT STREET WEST PRESENT:- Councillors Sir Albert Bore, Kath Hartley and Carl Rice ALSO PRESENT:Lesley Poulton, Head of Ladywood District Pat Whyte, District Support Officer Brenda Gallagher, Area Housing Manager Ghaz Hussain, Area Planning and Regeneration Manager Jacob Bonehill, Senior Development Planning Officer Kay Thomas, Area Democratic Services Officer There were approximately 30 residents present. In the absence of the Chair, Councillor Hartley, it was: RESOLVED:1134
That Councillor Carl Rice take the Chair for this meeting. ___________________________________________________________________ APOLOGY
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An apology for lateness was submitted on behalf of Councillor Hartley ___________________________________________________________________ MINUTES
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The Minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2013 having been previously circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman. ___________________________________________________________________ CODE OF CONDUCT
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The Code of Conduct for meetings of the Ladywood Ward Committee was received and noted. (See document No. 1) 290
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No petitions were submitted. _________________________________________________________________ LADYWOOD TV NEWS The meeting was advised that TNT were unable to report to this meeting. ___________________________________________________________________ NIGHT TIME SECURITY/CONCIERGE SERVICES – RESIDENTS CONSULTATION
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Brenda Gallagher outlined the report and advised that the options as detailed in the document were currently out for consultation with tenants. Councillor Rice said that the consultation was important as tenants needed to voice an opinion on the service that they wanted. In response to questions the Committee was advised that the concierge service would remain as it was but that staff would receive further training for the future. A local resident referred to the system for night time security and asked whether customer satisfaction would be recorded. The cost of the external assessment of the survey was requested. Complaints were made regarding the situation at Canterbury Tower. A local resident referred to the large sum of money that had been invested in Brecon, Truro and Canterbury Towers and that without night time security there was a threat of crime and property needed to be protected. The removal of the night time security service would be seriously detrimental to residents and it was queried whether an impact assessment had been undertaken. There were concerns expressed that there had been a deterioration in City Council housing and this was a further erosion of services. There was also concern regarding the number of temporary lettings being made to people with mental illness and dependency issues who would not engage with the community and did not assist with the maintenance of the area. Councillor Rice said that the cost was secondary to the service provided and that there needed to be quality control to ensure that the service was up to standard. Brenda Gallagher encouraged residents to complete and return the survey. In response to questions raised she undertook to find out the cost of the external validation of the survey. She assured the Committee that there were no plans to outsource the concierge service and the proposals offered a balance between the cost of the service and service provided. The day time concierge staff, under the preferred option would provide a broad service working primarily on community safety, anti social behaviour, enforcement issues and relationships with the community. The night time security service would enable a proper response to be provided to issues that arose and would create a feeling of security.
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Ladywood Ward Committee – 10 December 2013 The issues raised regarding temporary lettings were acknowledged and there was liaison with the temporary lettings team and other agencies to try to ensure that the impact was not felt by existing residents. ___________________________________________________________________ Councillor Hartley attended the meeting. __________________________________________________________________ At this point in the meeting, the Chair (Councillor Rice) agreed to take the following item as a matter of urgent local concern as there was a limited timescale in which to consult residents. LADYWOOD DISTRICT BUDGET SAVINGS PROPOSALS 1140
Lesley Poulton presented the Ladywood District Budget Strategy for 2014/15 and 2015/16 and advised that by the end of the week the information would be available on the District website following completion of staff briefings. The Committee was advised that in view of reduced Government funding, equal pay bill, an increase in the ageing population and the statutory responsibilities of the City Council there was a budget gap of ÂŁ825m over the next two years. There had been consultation on the Service Reviews of all City Council services to seek views on how to spend the remaining budget after the statutory services had been taken into consideration. The Sport and Leisure services were being considered separately and in Ladywood District due to the population demographics it had been recognised that all facilities in the District would be funded via Health money to support health outcomes. There was a need to focus on providing services that would make the most significant difference to residents and by targeting services better, co-locating and releasing under used buildings. The District budget had been determined having considered population and deprivation and in Ladywood there needed to be ÂŁ1.8m of savings made over the next two years which represented a 50% cut to the current budget. The District Committee had reviewed the situation and agreed that one facility be kept in each Ward and in Ladywood Ward it would be the Health and Community Centre. It was hoped to work with partners to provide a range of services from the building and that other partners would also co-located to the Centre. Other proposals included schools paying for the school crossing patrols, closure of 2 libraries but maintaining access to a library for all residents within a 1 mile radius, using the Library of Birmingham but expanding advice and IT services. Further proposals included the integration of advice services and to no longer provide a play service across the District. The budget would be considered by Cabinet on 17 February and agreed by City Council on 4 March. The District Committee would make its final decision with regard the savings proposals at its meeting on 11 March. Councillor Rice stated that the residents of Ladywood were in greater need of services than residents in more affluent areas and that in the present climate to 292
Ladywood Ward Committee – 10 December 2013 achieve this, partners needed to work collaboratively to maintain as many services as possible that could be built upon in the future. Councillor Sir Albert Bore said that the budget cuts reflected on the City as a whole and that £375m had already been removed from the budget with a further £100m this year and more the following year so that by 2018 the reduction in the City Council’s budget would be £840m, representing two thirds of the Council’s controllable budget. Representations had been made to the Government and a cross party delegation was meeting with government officials the following day to explain that continued imposition of the cuts would render local government unsustainable. From 2014/15 this would have a huge impact on local communities and by 2015/16 Birmingham would have to stop services altogether to submit a balanced budget. Through the consultation on the White Papers it had been clear that people valued public services and were worried about the impact of the cuts on support services such as youth service, adult care and street cleaning and to this end 61% of those consulted would pay an additional 2% or more in Council Tax. The cuts in Government grants had been administered unfairly across the Country and in some parts of the South East Government spending had increased. Those areas most in need had been subject to the largest cuts. A local resident referred to the closure of libraries and felt this was contrary to City policy that libraries were needed in the most deprived areas. In response to further discussion Lesley Poulton said that not all Districts had been allocated the same savings targets and therefore would not have the same savings proposals. Ladywood had the largest savings target. She stressed that the proposals reported were for consultation and no decision had been made but that if residents wanted to retain a library then another facility would have to be closed, therefore resident’s views were important. There was concern that the proposals had been brought with no proper avenues of debate and that it should have been a topic for discussion at last years District Convention. Spring Hill library was a vital facility to a number of schools and its closure would have a detrimental impact on the community. The proposals would be damaging to poor communities and would also affect the young, old and most vulnerable and it was not practical to think that volunteers could run services such as libraries. Spring Hill Library provided for the communities social needs and was used all week by different groups, ages and sections of the local community. The very young and elderly would be unable to travel to The Library of Birmingham. Councillor Rice referred to the 2014 District Convention which was being held on 8 February where thematic and geographical issues could be discussed. In response to questions Councillor Sir Albert Bore said that there was a crisis in revenue and capital spending. The equal pay claims had been settled out of Birmingham and £700m was left to be found. The Government would not allow the Council to borrow to meet the claim and it could not be found from revenue therefore the disposal of assets was the only way to meet the costs, so over the coming years there would be a series of asset disposals. 293
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With regard to questions regarding sport and leisure facilities Councillor Sir Albert Bore explained that public health money was to be invested into leisure and community facilities to transform them into Health and Well Being Centres. £36m was being invested to build 6 new swimming pools across the City and any pool identified for closure would remain open until a new pool was operational in that area. In Ladywood, Newtown Pool was earmarked for closure but would remain open until the swimming baths being built as part of the Icknield Port Loop had opened. The new facility would be multi functional and its preferred site was that of the former Monument Road baths. In response to questions the Committee was advised that the Council was working with some developers who would build and develop new facilities at no cost to the Council, while still allowing the fees and charges to be set by the authority with a profit sharing agreement. Harborne Pool was operating on this basis. ___________________________________________________________________ THE GREATER ICKNIELD DRAFT MASTERPLAN/ DUDLEY ROAD/SPRING HILL PLANNING APPLICATION 1141
Ghaz Hussain set the context of the Greater Icknield Draft Master Plan and Dudley Road/Spring Hill planning application within the Birmingham Development Plan. The Birmingham Development Plan set out plans to deal with Birmingham’s growth over the next 20 years in terms of housing, economy and connectivity. The City’s population was growing rapidly and it was anticipated that to cope with that growth 80,000 new homes would be required with 100,000 new jobs. Economic growth would need additional floor space and office space as well as new infrastructure such as schools. The Development Plan was currently out for consultation and residents were urged to send in their comments. The Greater Icknield Framework provided the opportunity to create an exemplar neighbourhood with 3,000 new homes, retro fitting existing homes, 1,000 new jobs with improved infrastructure and connectivity. New homes would be family orientated with a distinct identity and of high quality and design. Within that framework was the Icknield Port Loop which had permission granted for 1400 new homes and the creation of 400 new jobs. The development was subject to a joint venture between the City Council, The Canal and River Trust and the Homes and Communities Agency. A development partner was being sought. The development of the City Hospital site was dependant on Government approval for a new hospital in Sandwell but the site was earmarked for residential led mixed use development with room for approximately 1000 new homes. A planning application for Spring Hill was expected for approximately 200 new homes and other uses where the development of existing businesses would be encouraged. Other developments within the Plan included 150 homes at Ledsam Street, 45 new homes at Chamberlain Gardens and 100 new homes at Waterworks Road. With the development of so many new homes there would be a need for new facilities to support the community made possible through funding from the 294
Ladywood Ward Committee – 10 December 2013 developers and this included a new secondary school on Council owned land adjacent to Nelson JI School. While market conditions were difficult there were signs of improvement and the Icknield Port Loop site had outline planning approval for development, a substantial part of the site had been cleared and a development partner was being sought. A local resident referred to the consultation document and considered it to be misleading, in particular the details provided regarding the school site as the area size quoted was incorrect. There was no provision made for parking in the plan and access, given the shape of the site was difficult and would mean additional traffic through St Marks Estate. There was also a concern regarding noise from the school and the loss of open space. A local resident expressed concern that Kilby and Lighthorne Estate had been missed from the plan. In response Ghaz Hussain referred to the document and the size of the overall site, including green and brown sites but that it was not intended to build on the site in its entirety and the proposal would be more effective taking in Nelson School. There was no intention to build on all of the open space and it was important to note that a substantial number of places were being provided by Free Schools in the area and that this could affect the need for a new school. The points regarding noise and access had been taken on board. Kilby and Lighthorne had not been omitted and retro fitting would be looked at for existing homes. Councillor Sir Albert Bore referred to the opening of Perry Beeches 2 at Newhall Street, Perry Beeches 3 at Attwood Green and the possibility of the school opening a further two sites within Ladywood. The Local Authority had no say over the location of free schools but should further schools open this would take away the need for a local authority secondary school in the area as places would be available elsewhere. Councillor Rice said that the relocation of the hospital and provision of a secondary school was dependant on issues that had yet to be decided and therefore the Planners had to use a ‘best guess’ when developing plans. There would however be new development in Ladywood and local people were able to influence the plans. A local resident expressed concern regarding the consultation document and a number of inaccuracies around cycle distances, the inaccurate numbering of locations and reference to Spring Hill junction with the Middleway. The new swimming baths had also been missed from the map. Icknield Port Road was also missing from the plan and presented a problem area for congestion and therefore unless the road was widened the area would be compromised. Ghaz Hussain said that there would be junction improvements around the sites and the development would encompass traditional street patterns. Cycling and walking were being encouraged where possible but it was recognised that certain roads would need improvement. With regard to Icknield Port Road Jacob Bonehill advised that there were highway improvement lines in place but funding was an issue. It was hoped that funding would come out of the development as the issues raised were acknowledged. He undertook to renumber the locations on the map. Reference was made to Chamberlain Gardens Park and public open space at Guild and Rodney Close and the rear of St Johns School and caution was expressed that
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Ladywood Ward Committee – 10 December 2013 these green spaces did not become part of the redevelopment as had been the case at Attwood Green. A local resident said that Ladywood was already a high density area and that new development should be at a lower density with the appropriate facilities and adequate car parking provision. The area was already grid locked and new homes would exacerbate the situation so the highway network needed to be improved to take account. Ghaz Hussain said that the aim of the development was to build communities and that transport corridors would be enhanced but that to develop sustainable communities other alternative means of transport such as cycling and walking needed to be encouraged. To accommodate the numbers of new homes required family housing was essential and to ensure that density was not too great homes would have smaller back gardens and car parks but each development would have a communal space. A local resident said that density was a UK wide problem and congratulated the officers on the plans. A local resident said that despite encouragement to take up other forms of transport people would still use their cars and especially if building family homes there would be additional cars in the area and these needed to be catered for. The road system needed to be improved to take account of the additional traffic but Icknield Port Road could not be widened unless buildings were demolished. Reference was made to the cut to the District budget and therefore developers needed to provide funding to assist with services that the Council was struggling to provide. The Committee was advised that if a scheme required public open space the developer would provide in the plans the maintenance and upkeep funds. The comments made regarding Icknield Port Road and the use of the car were acknowledged but given the proximity to the City Centre a balance had to be reached but it was stressed that this was the draft plan and a great deal more detail needed to be worked into the schemes. The Chair thanked officers for the presentation and urged residents to express their views further and take part in the consultation. ___________________________________________________________________ MATTERS OF URGENT LOCAL CONCERN 1142
The following matters were raised on behalf of the members of the Ladywood Housing Liaison Board; a) Request that the Ward Councillors obtain a list of proposed housing investment in the period 2013-2014, including proposed demolition, clearance and investment under the Environmental Improvement budget. b) Request Ward Councillors to enquire about the loss of funding to the Ladywood Project. Also why no Management Committee has been established. c) Request that Councillors investigate how the Greater Icknield Draft Plan has so many fundamental flaws in the map and that it be withdrawn and a new accurate map be presented for consultation.
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Ladywood Ward Committee – 10 December 2013 The Chair said that the matter at 3 had been dealt with during discussion on the Greater Icknield Draft Master Plan and officers had taken on board the comments made regarding the inaccuracies. Councillor Rice undertook to investigate the matters at 1 and 2 and report back to the Chair and Vice Chair of the Housing Liaison Board. __________________________________________________________________ ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS 1142
No items were raised ___________________________________________________________________ OUTSTANDING MINUTES LIST
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Consideration was given to the schedule of Outstanding Minutes and all minutes were continued (See document No.3) ________________________________________________________________ AUTHORITY TO CHAIRPERSON AND OFFICERS RESOLVED:-
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That the Chairperson is hereby authorised to act until the next meeting of the Committee except that, in respect of the exercise of the Council’s Executive functions delegated to it by the Cabinet, the appropriate Chief Officers are hereby authorised to act in consultation with the Chairman and that the Corporate Director of Governance 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 2110 hours.
……..……………………………. CHAIR
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