North Luton Area Committee
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AGENDA ITEM 2.1 NORTH LUTON AREA BOARD 11 th June 2013 at 8.00 p.m. PRESENT: Councillor Garrett (Chair), Councillors Burnett, R. J. Davis, Foord, Hinkley, Knight, Lewis, Titmuss and Worlding 19. APOLOGY FOR ABSENCE (REF: 1) An apology for absence from the meeting was received on behalf of Councillor Campbell. 20. MINUTES (REF: 2.1 AND 2.2) Resolved: That the minutes of the meetings held on 7th March 2013 and 21 st May 2013 be taken as read, approved as correct records and signed by the Chair. 21. CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS (REF: 3) The Chair commended the students of Lealands High School for their informative tour of the recently rebuilt school and requested that the Area Board Support Manager write a letter of thanks to the Headmaster. He went on to update the Board in regards to communications that had taken place with Central Bedfordshire Council to secure their attendance at the North Luton Area Board. Unfortunately no attendance at a public meeting by them had been forthcoming with only an offer of a meeting between respective Officers and Councillors of each Authority. Members had before them a chronological list outlining the events between Central Bedfordshire Council and the North Luton Area Board. Councillor Davis commented that he was of the opinion that Central Bedfordshire Council were spinning out the situation in order to avoid direct contact with members of the public. He added that Members of the Board should agree to meeting with them, with the first item of the Agenda being that of a public meeting. If they did not agree to this then the meeting would cease. The Chair added that if Central Bedfordshire agreed to a public meeting before the next meeting of the Board in September, he would call an emergency meeting. He added the residents of affected villages had also raised objection to the proposals. A Member of the public suggested that if Central Bedfordshire Council were unwilling to attend a meeting in Luton, then residents should attend a meeting there. The Chair replied that they were duty bound to meet with residents on Luton. Councillor Burnett suggested that the Board should attend a meeting at Central Bedfordshire, with buses laid on for residents from Luton to attend, with a press release also being added. This was put to the vote but not carried. Members of the Board suggested that Officers and Councillors be invited to a meeting with Members of the Board before Mid September to discuss a way forward for a public meeting. If this was not forthcoming, Membes of the Board would not discuss the North Luton development any further and leave the meeting. Resolved: (i) That the Area Support Manager on behalf of the North Luton Area Board write a letter of thanks to the Headmaster of Lealands High School commending the students for the tour of the recently rebuild school. (ii) That the Area Support Manager invite Officers and Members of Central Bedfordshire Council to a meeting before Mid September with Members of the North Luton Area Board to discuss a way forward for a public meeting in Luton regarding the proposed development to the North of Luton. 22. FEEDBACK FROM WARD FORUMS (REF: 4) Feedback on key issues discussed at each ward was provided as follows: Bramingham Ward • Continued issues with delivery lorries for Sainsbury’s parking in Quantock Rise. • Bus Shelters in the ward need to be upgraded. • Dead Trees need to be cut down. Icknield Ward • Road markings at the junction of Riddy Lane and New Bedford Road need to be repainted. • Recovery Truck parked on pavement at Parys Road causing damage to kerb and pavement. • Inconsiderate parking by parents at Icknield Junior School. A camera vehicle should be sent out. Limbury Ward 2.1/1 • Two extensions in Black Swan Lane with block paving had been built. Have these been inspected by Planning for any flood risks ? • The amount of illegally spaced vehicle Number Plates in the area. • Shootings in North Luton Northwell Ward • General problems with speeding • General issues with parking. • Nuisance youths in the play areas until 2-3 a.m. Sundon Park Ward • New children’s play quipment required in Sundon Park • Parking Issues around the Community Centre at Lealands High School. More spaces required. • People parking in disabled bays without displaying a blue badge. Resolved: That the feedback on the top key issues from the Ward Forums be noted. 23. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME (REF: 5) A member of the public raised concern at the number of dogs not on leads near the allotment in Limbury. He added that when confronted, owners were very abusive. The Chair replied that the Council were aware of the problem and that it would be dealt with. A local resident raised concern that travellers were repeatedly breaking into land at Marsh House and setting up encampments. He added that at present there were fifteen caravans on site and that when one group left they were immediately replaced by another. The Chair replied that the Council and Police were bound by Human Rights Legislation and were no longer allowed to move travellers on within twenty-four hours. A member of the public commented on the amount of reports in the local press regarding dissatisfaction with patient discharge arrangements from Luton & Dunstable Hospital. Councillor Worlding replied that these issues had been brought to the attention of the Task and Finish Group set up by the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Board which had prompted the Hospital to take action. As a direct result of the work undertaken by the Task and Finish Group, the hospital now employed a Discharge Officer on each ward and three porters to distribute medicine to patients being discharged. Resolved: That the above question be noted. 24. AREA NORTH – COMMUNITY REPORT (REF: 7) The Board received the report of the Community Development Project Officer, providing a comprehensive update of the Community Development Service activities and developments across all of the North Area. A presentation was also given by two young people in regards to how projects had helped them as individuals. Resolved: (i) That the report be noted. (ii) That the two young people be thanked for their presentation. 25. OVERVIEW OF CENSUS WARD PROFILES FOR THE NORTH LUTON AREA (REF: 8) The Board had for before it a report outlining the key outputs from the 2011 Census for the Bramingham, Icknield, Limbury, Northwell and Sundon Park Wards. Resolved: That the Report (Ref: 8) be noted. 26. AREA REPORTS (REF: 7.1) The Area Board Support Officer reported on two applications for funding which had been received: Project Project Cost of Amount Number project requested/ Resolved IC 500 District Camp Event £1,754 £1,000/ This is an application for assistance with the district £1,000 camp event which is taking place at Tolmers Scout Campsite, Hertfordshire from the 27 th to 29 th September 2013. This will involve all scout groups in the Icknield District. 2.1/2 LI 501 St. Augustines Scout Group £980 £980/ £980 The group need to renew the existing double doors wooden doors at their scout hut which are in poor condition and are currently held together with metal plates. This work is essential to ensure that the children attending have safe and easy access to the building and do not endanger themselves. Councillor Davis commented on the unfortunate and worrying events of the past few months relating to gun and gang crime in the north of Luton. He added that all parties and organisations needed to find ways to stop such events happening again and do more than they were doing now. He went on to say that several meetings had taken place with the Council, Police and various other organisations and voluntary groups to discuss a way forward with all groups pledging to work together and pool together any funding they may have. Therefore he suggested that a sum of £2,000 from the North Luton Area Board budget be ring fenced and used on projects before Christmas that would combat Gun and Gang Crime. Resolved: (i) That the report (Ref: 9) be noted. (ii) That the applications for Area Projects as detailed above be Approved. (iii) That a sum of £2,000 from the North Luton Area Board budget be ring fenced and used on projects before Christmas that would combat Gun and Gang Crime be agreed. 27. HEALTHWATCH LUTON UPDATE REPORT – MAY 2013 (REF: 10) Members had before them an update report regarding Healthwatch Luton for noting. Resolved: That the report (Ref: 10) be noted. 28. ITEMS FOR NEXT BOARD MEETING (REF: 11) • Luton North Development • Overview of Census Ward Profiles • Presentation by the Police & Crime Commissioner • Fear of Crime 29. DATE OF NEXT MEETING (REF: 12) 17 th October 2013 • 6.30 pm North Luton Ward Forums • 7.30 pm North Luton Area Board (Note: The meeting ended at 9.35 pm) 2.1/3.