BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL
LADYWOOD WARD COMMITTEE 29 JULY 2013
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE LADYWOOD WARD COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY 29 JULY 2013 AT 1900 HOURS AT LADYWOOD HEALTH & COMMUNITY CENTRE, ST VINCENT STREET WEST PRESENT:-
Councillor Kath Hartley in the Chair Councillors Sir Albert Bore and Carl Rice
ALSO PRESENT:Clive Skidmore, Ward Champion David Harris, Transportation Policy Rob Groves, Argent (Property Development) Services Dav Bansall, Glenn Howells Architects Louise Robinson, Area Planning Manager Anne Shaw, Head of Access & Development Karen Creavin, Head of Community Sport & Healthy Lifestyles John Tomlinson, Adults & Communities Nick Glover, Corporate Resources Norman Bartlam, TNT News Pat Whyte, District Support Officer Kay Thomas, Area Democratic Services Officer (There were approximately 35 members of the public present). ___________________________________________________________________
MINUTES The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2013 having been previously circulated ere approved and signed by the Chairman. w __________________________________________________________________ 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) PETITONS No petitions were submitted. _________________________________________________________________
LADYWOOD TV NEWS
The TNT News team showed a film from the young people’s reporting team based in
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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:-
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Live broadcast from Holland covering a memorial for 34 crew members who sank with their submarine in 1940. One of the crew was Ladywood man, James Settigue. Ladywood Convention Music – Concert Generation Ladywood Dragon Boat Race
___________________________________________________________________ PARKING REVIEWS – UPDATE ON THE NEXT STEPS IN ST MARKS & CENTRAL LADYWOOD
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David Harris reported on the outcome of the first part of the consultation to assess support for a residents parking scheme and advised that 86% of residents had agreed that they would like to know more about the next stages. The next stage was to enter into a more detailed conversation about the process, restrictions etc and a further update would be provided to the Committee on that stage in due course. In response to a question regarding the next consultation phase the Committee was advised that the initial consultation had been to gauge residents interest and the majority response had been in favour so there would be a further period of consultation but the time period had not yet been decided. Residents would be contacted in due course. The Chair confirmed that there would be extensive consultation at the next stage and would involve meetings, plans etc and would not just be reliant on a survey. The areas were being considered together due to the ‘knock on’ effect schemes in one area had on others but the relevant issues to the individual areas would be recognised. A resident from the St Marks Estate referred to the parking problems in the area and said that action was needed. David Harris said that the comments received from the first stage were being analysed and would be built into a detailed design with restrictions for each road. The financial plan was being arranged so it was hoped that the second stage of consultation would begin in the Autumn. The Chair of the St Marks Residents Association extended an invitation to the next meeting being held on 11 September. A resident from Rodney Close expressed concern that emergency vehicles could not access the close due to parked cars but said that she and her family cared for her mother and was concerned about the cost of the permits. The Committee was advised that when parking restrictions were in place then prosecutions could be made for parking on the pavement. The frustration of residents in relation to motorists who used residential roads around St Marks and Central Ladywood as a ‘car park’ was recognised and the parking schemes would improve matters. The cost of the permits would be £15 and while the concerns relating to cost were recognised the price could not be reduced further. In response to comments regarding former garage sites being used for parking the ownership of those sites was being addressed so that they could be included in the scheme. Councillor Rice said that it was vital that all areas of land, including non-highway land, be included in the scheme or it would not be successful. Residents expressed their frustration at the lack of enforcement action being taken against drivers who parked and obstructed driveways, pavements and garages. David Harris said that although not all residents were in favour of a parking scheme action had to be taken to address those issues that suited the majority of people as had been the case in Chamberlain Gardens. A resident from Chamberlain Gardens said that local residents had fought for 10 years to be granted a residents parking scheme and that the problems that they had experienced had largely been solved. The cost of the permit was worth the improvements that the scheme had brought to the area and the wardens did enforce where parking without a permit occurred. It was suggested that housing officers be involved in the discussions at an early stage. Another resident echoed the comments
made and said that the introduction of the scheme had improved safety, reduced noise, pollution and crime and improved the estate for all. In response to concerns raised David Harris undertook to investigate problems being experienced by contractors working in the Cawdor Crescent / Sadlers Walk area and the Chair said that special consideration could be given to exceptional circumstances, such as where there were a number of carers needing access to a property. A local resident said that those who are driving into the area to park should be issued with tickets and the money generated should pay for the parking scheme rather than charging residents to park outside their homes. In response to questions the Committee was advised that businesses would also be charged for permits and that the maximisation of sites was being investigated so that where there was a possibility income could be generated. A resident from Central Ladywood referred to the issues associated with coaches parking in residential streets and welcomed a scheme that would improve the situation for residents. He urged other Central Ladywood residents to vote in favour of a scheme or he feared that problems would escalate if schemes were introduced in other areas. While welcoming the proposals a resident said that it was also hoped that more cycle stands would be introduced as part of the scheme to encourage more people to cycle to work. The Chair welcomed the update and said that progress on the next stage of the proposals would be reported to the Committee in due course.
PARADISE CIRCUS DEVELOPMENT 1113
​Dav Bansell and Rob Groves, with the aid of a power point presentation, outlined the plans for the Paradise Circus redevelopment and detailed the site layout, new buildings and the treatment of the roads on the boundaries of the site. Paradise Forum was one of five transformation sites highlighted in the Big City Plan. The site was an important one given the number of land mark buildings, heritage buildings and new buildings such as the new library, New Street Gateway including John Lewis and the Metro extension but was also a challenging site due to the tunnels, car parks and highway network. It was proposed to create a series of squares that connected to other areas of the City that pedestrians could walk between. This was an outline application therefore the design details had not yet been decided but the scheme would be privately maintained and would generate income. The work on the development would be worked around the bus stops, bus routes and tram routes etc to minimise disruption and the developers were working with Centro to adopt a common sense approach, having learnt lessons from previous developments at Brindley Place and Kings Cross. Given the complexity of the site the development would take some time, with an estimated start date on site of 2014 and completion of the first buildings in 2017/18, however it was important that over that time the site did not look like a permanent building site and the best use of the site would be made during the construction phase. In response to a question regarding financing the project the Committee was advised that Argent had underwritten the funding of all of the buildings. Residents asked that ample provision be made for grassed and planted areas throughout the development for the benefit of the health and well being of residents living within the site area. The link between Chamberlain Square and Centenary Square during construction was essential for pedestrians. It was also queried whether an archaeological study had been undertaken. The Committee was advised that the developers had spent considerable time planning and ensuring that access would be maintained during construction and with regard to the archaeological study this was part of the planning conditions. A desk top survey had been undertaken but the site was largely governed by the A38 that ran under the site and the damage that had been done during the 1960’s therefore nothing of significance was expected to be found.
Anne Shaw advised that the Transport Act was already in place and proposals for the Metro extension would be reported to the Ward Committee in due course. The Chair said that further updates would be requested during the development process.
___________________________________________________________________ COUNCIL SERVICE REVIEWS 1114
The following Green Papers were submitted; (See Document No 2 ) Councillor Sir Albert Bore explained the financial situation facing the City Council and that following the Chancellors latest spending review the gap between expenditure and costs would by 2016/17 be £710m, representing a reduction in the Council’s controllable budget of 50%. In response to this the Council had no other option than to change the way it operated and this meant that some services could no longer be provided. The purpose of the reviews was to obtain residents views regarding which services to stop providing, which to reduce, maintain or operate differently. Residents were able to comment in a number of different ways, via social media, email, post, People’s Panels or at Ward Committee meetings and Councillor Bore stressed how important those views were in shaping the future of City Council services. Reference was made to the four Green Papers that had been circulated at the meeting and Councillor Sir Albert Bore advised that District Committees would be working on the transformation of sport and physical activity facilities over the coming few months. Funding that was related to Public Health was now available to the Council and the use of this and changes in the way that facilities were delivered would be used to improve the health and fitness of residents thus reducing health costs for people in later life. Further Green Papers on other services would be available in September for discussion at Ward Committee as all services delivered by the City Council were to be reviewed in future months. Clive Skidmore, with the aid of a power point presentation explained the 4 areas of the service reviews that were being considered at the meeting adding that adult social care accounted for £1 in every £3 spent by the City Council and while the demand for services was increasing the budget was decreasing. Education services related to school transport, school improvements, early years and the school learning services but not main stream education related services. The situation was being complicated by the number of schools converting to academies and free schools. The review of sports facilities was underway to consider how to reduce health inequalities across the City and reduce the wider burden on the public purse. Local residents then made the following comments; • •
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Some residents living in Ladywood Ward did not live near to a library, swimming pool or other types of facilities discussed and had to travel to use Council services. Birmingham had become the ‘lap dancing capital’ of the Midlands and money created through that entertainment culture should be reinvested in the City to reduce local unemployment etc. Major projects such as the improvements to the tunnels should use a local workforce. Action should be taken to address the number of empty properties in the City. It was recognised that the City Council would be unable to provide all the current services in the future but those who were unable to care for themselves, young people and the unemployed needed protecting. It was unrealistic to expect that volunteers could be expected to fill all the gaps. As there were insufficient jobs for those that were unemployed a method of using their time usefully and to their advantage should be considered as those people were an asset that should be used. When considering public health improvements, cycling was a very important
asset for health benefits but a cycle network needed to be built into a modern transport strategy to ensure it was a safe alternative mode of transport. Investment was required but the health benefits would pay back that investment. Services that the Council was obligated to provide could be provided in a different more cost effective way. A review of the way that Birmingham received Government funding should be demanded as the amount of funding provided in relation to the amount of tax paid was unfair. A City the size of Birmingham should be in control of its own finances. There was concern that Government was inflicting damage on local communities and that volunteers did not have the capacity to keep services going.
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In response to some off the comments made Councillor Sir Albert Bore stated that there would be consultation on transport that would include all aspects and residents views on a 25 year plan – Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan – would be sought in the future. The need to assist young people had already been recognised by the use of £2m from Community Chest funding to match fund schemes through the National Apprenticeship Scheme and provide young people of Birmingham with greater access to Government schemes. A multi agency shop had been set up on Broad Street to work with employers to get young people into work and with the Department of Work and Pensions to assist families most affected by the Welfare Reforms. Local authority borrowing was controlled by the Government and the City Council was not allowed any more public borrowing therefore more reliance rested on the disposal of assets. The work undertaken by volunteers was vital as they assisted the Council in providing varied and far reaching services, without such assistance the City Council would be unable to maintain its current levels of service and it was inevitable that the Council would have to reach out to its volunteers further to ensure that the budget it did have could be used as effectively as possible. ________________________________________________________________
COMMUNITY CHEST 2013/2014 The following report of the Service Integration Head was submitted; (See Document No 3) RESOLVED:1115
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That the remaining Community Chest Fund allocation for 2013/14 as detailed in the report submitted be noted.
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That funding in the sum of £5000 from the Wards 2013/14 Community Chest for Summer Young Peoples Activities be approved;
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That the Service Integration Head progresses the project in line with the City ouncil C financial regulations. ___________________________________________________________________
MATTERS OF URGENT LOCAL CONCERN Dispersal Order – St Marks Estate 1116
The Chair said that she had received a request for a Dispersal Order to be arranged for the St Marks Estate to deal with the issues of anti social behaviour being caused by youths from the estate and the wider Ladywood area. She said that she had raised the issue with Inspector
Little and it would be raised at the next Ladywood Tasking Group meeting on 1 August where it could be discussed in detail. The Chair indicated the Ward Committee’s support in principle for the request.
__________________________________________________________________ ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
No items were raised. ___________________________________________________________________ OUTSTANDING MINUTES LIST
Consideration was given to the schedule of Outstanding Minutes and minute no 1105
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(Paradise Forum Update) was discharged and all others continued. (See document No.2) ________________________________________________________________
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 2115 hours.
……..……………………………. CHAIR
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