SOUTH AREA COMMITTEE

14th January 2008 at 7.52 p.m.

PRESENT: Councillor Farooq (Chair); Councillors Ireland, Raquib, Taylor and Timoney.

1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE (REF: 1)

Apologies for absence from the meeting were received on behalf of Councillors Ashraf, Harris and M. Hussain.

2 MINUTES (REF: 2.1)

Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 2nd October 2007, be taken as read, approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

3 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME (REF: 9)

There were no questions raised by members of the public on this occasion.

4 EAST LUTON CORRIDOR SCHEME - UPDATE (REF: 11)

Mr. Alan Jones, Public Liaison Officer, Birse Civils Ltd. updated the Committee with regard to the work on the East Luton Corridor as follows:

• There had been a considerable delay at the Eaton Green roundabout as during excavation work last summer a large number of services had been located which had not previously been chartered on any service drawings which meant a new survey had been required and a new design for the road layout proposed, no further work had been able to be done whilst awaiting the survey to be undertaken and results provided; • The amount of traffic cones were a cause of concern at the Eaton Green roundabout, but cones were in place to protect the open trenches • Work would re-commence by the end of January 2008 and should be completed by the summer. • Work on the four bridges was 95% complete with minor work such as handrails to be completed. • In October 2007 a party of 10, year 11 pupils from Barnfield Academy were given a comprehensive tour of the site and a talk on the project and construction in general. The pupils were all studying construction at GCSE level and were all enthusiastic about the visit. • On balance the traffic management for the entire project had gone extremely well and traffic had kept moving especially with the many weekend closures and diversions that had taken place. In many

ways the project has progressed very well considering the technical challenges that had been faced. • Need to finely balance the needs to undertake the work and at the same time cause minimum disturbance to local residents and try and maintain reasonable traffic flow. • regularly updated their website page with details of forthcoming diversions and road closures. • Freephone helpline: 0800-032 9760

Councillor Taylor requested that if temporary traffic lights were necessary that they be used sparingly at peak times and that consideration be given to traffic flow.

Resolved: That the report (Ref: 11) be noted.

5 THINK LUTON, THINK SUCCESS – THE NEW LUTON (REF: 12)

The Head of Engineering and Transportation gave a presentation (attached at Appendix 1/08 to these minutes) which gave an overview of the following initiatives in Luton:

• Town Centre Development Framework • Town Centre Transportation • Luton Busway • St. George's Square • The Mall Arndale • Luton Gateway Railway & Bus Station • Power Court • Napier Park • Butterfield – Technology Village • Innovation Centre & Business Base • Butterfield – Park Centre • East Luton Corridor • London • – Master Planning • MK & SM Sub-Regional Strategy L/D/HR Spatial Strategy • Future Schemes o Luton Northern Bypass o Luton Eastern Bypass o Dunstable Bypass • Building Schools for the Future • University of Master Plan • Other Initiatives o Luton Safe o No Cold Calling • And an overview of the indicative infrastructure over the next 25 years

A member of the public enquired why the work to the East Luton Corridor and Napier Park had not been undertaken at the same time.

The Head of Engineering and Transportation advised that the East Luton Corridor work was a Government initiative and Napier Park was a development by a private company.

A member of the public enquired if it was planned to locate public toilets in St. George's Square.

The Head of Engineering and Transportation could not confirm that public toilets would be placed in St. George's Square but felt that due to the planned use of the square as a venue there was a duty to provide public toilet facilities on the site.

Resolved: That the presentation (Ref: 12) be noted.

6 LUTON YOUTH SERVICE – UPDATE (REF: 13)

A representative of Luton Youth Together for Everyone (LYTE) advised that LYTE:

• consisted of 21 young people • was the voice of Luton's young people • met once a month • the group did not currently have their own budget • youth service staff were helping the group • the group facilitated a workshop for 130 adults in connection with the CHIPS launch • the group carried out consultation • the group worked with the Luton Youth MP • the group had applied to the area project scheme for funds of £500 (please see Area Report at Minute No. 8 below) • a budget had been set aside for the next financial year so there would be no need to reapply for funds for the group

The Senior Area Youth Worker and Area Worker in attendance updated the Committee on activities that had taken place recently:

• In August 2007 the SLA with was re-negotiated to provide use of the college (Rotheram Site) on two evening a week for the youth club – Tuesdays and Thursday 6.30 – 9.30 p.m. • Promotion of the Youth Club at its new venue had been advertised • A new youth support worker had been appointed recently to support the development of the provision by establishing a members committee and encouraging more young women to access the provision • Work with South Luton High School had led to the service and the school jointly delivering the 4 modules of BHAPS (Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire paramedic service) leading to 160+ young people achieving a nationally recognized qualification

• Workshops had been delivered in partnership with the Fire Service, PCSOs, drug and alcohol awareness agencies and work had been done on community cohesion to encourage greater interaction between young people from PKYF youth group based in Ward and young people from the Farley ward • Work was planned to deliver, via PSHE lessons, subjects such as drugs/alcohol, sexual health, community cohesion and mental health • Work had been done to invest in more equipment requested by young people • There was evidence of increased participation by young women and young people involved in the running of the club

Resolved: That the report (Ref: 13) be noted.

7 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (REF: 14)

The Unit Development Manager submitted an update to the Committee on the following Centres:

Park Town Community Centre

• Centre staff planned and delivered a play-schemes programme during the October half term holiday. Local volunteers and the local PCSO's were also involved, and it proved to be very successful. Staff were now looking at February and Easter Programmes. • The Centre ran a few Christmas events such as the Children's Christmas Party and Christmas Bazaar all of which were a great success. • Centre programme continues to thrive and was always being reviewed by the Staff team. • Some interesting talks were taking place with the Pre-school learning alliance and Community Development to see about the possibility of developing the Centre to include a Children's Centre. However this was in the early stages at the moment. There would be a further report on this as/if it progressed. • A Community information day was taking place at the Centre on Monday 28th January 2008, 3.00 – 6.00 p.m. The feedback from the local community would enable proposals to be shaped as they went forward.

Farley Community Centre

• Christmas Bazaar – November – was well attended by the Community and was very successful. • Over 50's New Year Party was due to take place on Saturday 19th January 2008. The event catered for the elderly and vulnerable in the community and not just users of the Centre, but, also residents from the local sheltered accommodation i.e. Felmersham Court.

Staff would provide an afternoon and evening of entertainment, a buffet and transport to those who needed it. • Staff looking at new projects to develop the centres programme – looking at the introduction of a Saturday morning Fun Club, possibility of starting a Lunch Club. • The Bingo Group was back and ran on a Thursday evening, and also ran a session for the Centre on a Wednesday afternoon, which was going well. • It was planned to meet with local ward councillors at the earliest opportunity to look at further developments. • The areas over 50's holiday (which included Farley, Park Town and Raynham Way Community Centres) took place in November 2007 (average age was 75 years) was proved to be very successful. The holidays provided much needed support, encouragement and security to the older users in the community as without the holidays/breaks they would not be able to go away. • Area South/East had been given additional resources in terms of staffing. Recruitment was underway and was anticipated that new staff would join the area team on a permanent basis by the end of February subject to clearances. Service provision should improve where it had suffered from staff shortages.

Resolved: That the report (Ref: 14) be noted.

8 AREA REPORT (REF: 15)

The Area Committee Support Officer updated the Committee on issues that were raised following the last meeting on 2nd October 2007 and informed the Committee of the latest position in regard to the area projects budget.

He presented four area project applications as detailed below:

Project Project Cost of Amount Amount No Project Requested Agreed CH 264 Luton Youth Together for Ongoing £500.00 £500.00 Everyone per area Agreed committee

DA 266 Mary Seacole Housing £6,815.00 £5,000.00 £500.00 Association Agreed

DA 268 Beech Hill Bowling Club £742.00 £742.00 £742.00 Agreed

SO 269 Starlight Youth Club 'Past to £2,500.00 £2,000.00 £400.00 Present Project' Agreed

Suggested submission to other area committees as a town wide project.

The Area Committee Support Officer advised of a new way of operating area meetings which had been implemented as a Pilot at the East and West Luton Area Committees with a report back to the Area Committee Board on the outcome.

Resolved: (i) That the report (Ref: 15) be noted.

(ii) That the above applications to the Area Project Scheme be decided as indicated.

9 AGENDA PLANNING (REF: 16)

No items were identified by the public for submission to the next meeting.

(Note: The meeting ended at 9.14 p.m.)