NORTH EDGBASTON WARD MEETING NOTES WARD: North Edgbaston DATE:28 February 2019 VENUE: City Road Methodist Church, City Road START/FINISH TIMES: 7pm to 9.10pm COUNCILLOR Carl Rice NOs OF ATTENDEES: 70+ OFFICERS IN ATTENDANCE: APOLOGY – Councillor Sharon Thompson Sergeant Sandu, West Midlands Police Matt Smith, Private Rented Sector Team Craig Rowbottom, Development Planning Manager Pat Whyte, Community Support & Development Officer Kay Thomas, Community Governance Manager MATTERS DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING: 1. Police Update Sergeant Sandhu gave the following update; − Burglary, robbery & vehicle crime were local priorities − Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Birmingham University were within the Edgbaston team area and adversely affected figures − Information regarding Operation Park Safe provided − Residents asked to sign up to WMNow and encourage neighbours In response to residents questions, Sergeant Sandhu made the following comments; − Street Watch members to ask Sgt Lawless regarding the availability of personal alarms − The police did work with groups such as the Princes Trust and with schools. Sgt Sandhu undertook to investigate work in Summerfield Park and working with another agency to target those young people who would not engage with the police. − Procedure for arresting prostitutes explained – 3 street cautions had to be served in a 3 month period before an arrest could be FINAL, ND-C, ver 3 made. The police worked with the NHS outreach teams to help tackle the problem. Residents urged to provide information via 101 or the web chat. − Sgt Sandhu undertook to report back to the appropriate teams on issues raised regarding anti-social behaviour around the Reservoir − With regard bail hostels on Portland Road/Hagley Road there was only one authorised bail hostel in Edgbaston and it was well managed. Others were often hotels that were run as hostels. Councillor Rice pointed out that the new North Edgbaston ward was policed by neighbourhood teams from Edgbaston, Harborne, Ladywood & Soho but he was working to seek a re-alignment of the police boundaries with the city council. He undertook to meet regularly with Sgt Sandhu and work more collaboratively. 2. a) Houses in Multiple Occupation & Licensing Scheme Matt Smith made the following points; − An HMO was a property where any number of individuals lived not as a single household. − There was one licensing scheme which was mandatory for properties housing 5 or more tenants − If there were 4 or fewer tenants living in a property, a licence was not required. This was not dependant on the height of the building. − There were rules and regulations that applied to landlords eg fire safety and landlords could be prosecuted − A property run by a registered provider did not need a licence under the mandatory scheme and could not be fined under the legislation. − The North Edgbaston area had a high number of HMO’s − The Private Rented Team could only deal with properties under the legislation − Tenants with any issues regarding the property they lived in or their landlord should contact the team at [email protected] In response to residents questions the meeting was advised; − Selective licensing was being considered for all PRS properties & an announcement was due shortly FINAL, ND-C, ver 3 − Planning legislation related to properties with 6 or more people living there. − There was a list of registered HMO’s on the Council’s website − Consultation on Be Heard – Development Management in Birmingham – was also consulting on HMO’s in planning terms − Details of a property on Heath Green Road to be provided to Matt Smith at conclusion of meeting b) Empty Properties Matt Smith asked residents to advise [email protected] of any privately rented properties that had been left empty so that steps could be taken to get them back into use. Return to use took some time but there were powers that could be used to tidy gardens, replace doors and secure etc. 3. Reservoir Master Plan Craig Rowbottom advised the formal consultation was due shortly. Partners were involved, councillors had been briefed but the communities response to the consultation was required to influence the draft. Residents commented on issues around the use of the car park for drug dealing and other anti-social behaviour and the effect on the amenity for family use. The upgrade of paths for cycling and the future of the Tower Ballroom were also questioned. Councillor Rice said that the Master Plan would be considered in more detail at the ward meeting in May and that together with the police a strategy would be put in place before the summer to combat anti-social behaviour. Residents commented that the Reservoir was linked to the Icknield Port Loop development that was progressing fast and action was needed to ensure the reservoir was not left behind. The Master Plan needed to be brought to the community in view of the importance of the Reservoir as a community asset to so many people through events/stands etc as not all belonged to groups etc. 4. Community Clean-Ups Information and contact details provided for local clean-ups for those wanting to get involved along with advise from the Waste Reduction Unit. Anyone wanting to take part in the Harborne Walkway litter pick to contact Councillor Rice for details. Councillor Rice provided an update on the current situation with the bin strike. At the suggestion of residents he undertook to suggest to FINAL, ND-C, ver 3 the Cabinet Member that adverts be placed in local newspapers re advice on collections as there was considerable confusion. c) Carisbrook Road Residents Group – Kulbinder advised that residents from Carisbrook Road had organised themselves into a residents group in response to the amount of crime affecting the road including drug dealing, prostitution, car crime & burglaries. There were a number of properties on the road that operated as hostels and this had a detrimental effect on the road. Residents were extremely concerned for their safety, especially as women and young girls were being approached by men looking for prostitutes. Help and support was sought from the police as it was felt that the issues were not being seen as real. Councillor Rice gave an undertaking to meet with the group. Councillors (s) Signed: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Councillor(s) Name(s) (please print): ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. FINAL, ND-C, ver 3 .