BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL BARTLEY GREEN WARD MEETING THURSDAY 27 APRIL 2017 7:30PM BARTLEY GREEN SECONDARY SCHOOL ADAMS HILL BARTLEY GREEN MEETING NOTES Present: - Councillors Des Flood, Bruce Lines and John Lines Officers: Sue Amey – Parks Department Karen Bailey – Place Manager, Bartley Green Marie Brown – District Engineer Sgt Dave Cotter – West Midlands Police Beverly Edmead - Community Governance Team Joe Hayden – Parks Department Steve Hollingworth - Service Director, Sports, Sparks and Events Carl Taylor – Director, Accord Housing Association Clive Wright – Resilience, Drainage & Flood Defences Team There were 14 residents present Cllr J Lines in the Chair The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and a special welcome was given to Sgt Dave Cotter, newly appointed Sergeant for the Ward. 1. NOTICE OF RECORDING The Chairman advised that members of the press/public may record and take photographs except where there were confidential or exempt items. 2. APOLOGIES An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Keith Dugmore, District Lead. 3. LOCAL NEWS FROM YOUR WARD COUNCILLORS/MATTERS ARISING - Local Innovation Fund – Bartley Green Community Hub The Chairman confirmed that the proposal for the development of a Community Hub for the Ward had been completed and fully supported by the Councillors. Bartley Green Library would be the base for the Hub. The proposal would be submitted to Cabinet Committee Local Leadership for final Approval and a further update would be given in due course. The Chairman commended the efforts of everyone involved with the discussions and developing the idea and a special thank you was given to Kerry Brewer for 1 pulling the written proposal together. 4. WARD OPEN SPACES – INFORMATION UPDATE Members and residents welcomed Steve Hollingworth, Service Director, Sports, Parks and Events. Several representatives from Parks and Open Spaces were also present. Steve Hollingworth briefly advised of the initial proposals to reduce the costs to the Ranger Service by 20%. However, following a series of consultation with over 150 ‘Friends Of’ Groups and the City Park Rangers who worked alongside these groups, a revision of the reduction in costs to the service provision was agreed to 10% - which was equivalent to approx. £1.2M. The Grounds Maintenance Contract had also been reviewed; proposals had been put forward for approx. 20% reduction in grass cutting and maintenance across the city. the maintenance of shrubs and flower beds were also included in the review of the contract; proposals had included selective mowing and general maintenance in designated areas, and limited/reduced cutting and weeding in other areas. However the specification for litter-picking would remain unchanged. Locally, every effort would be made to maintain the current maintenance arrangements, with Park Rangers working alongside the invaluable number of volunteers and ‘Friends of’ Groups, so there would be very little change to the current arrangements at Woodgate Valley and Senneleys Park. Whilst welcoming the update and the current arrangements for the Ward’s Parks, Members advised of the following:- - The lack of consultation/information sharing with Ward Cllrs of the consultation with the Friends Of Groups and other volunteers. Members expressed their disappointment and frustration at the lack of communication and regard shown to them regarding the process, and that it was imperative that Ward Cllrs were advised of consultation/proposed changes to service provision in the first instance instead of being notified by residents or the media. - Senneleys Park continued to suffer from a lack of maintenance and investment; the changing room facilities were in desperate need of refurbishment as currently, they were not fit for purpose and could not be used by the football teams based at the park. - Greater efforts should be made to engaging and working with other agencies to Improve the financial viability of Senneleys Park. A number of ideas had been put forward by Members, residents and regular park users however they had not been taken on-board. 2 Acknowledging the comments made, Mr Hollingworth advised that income generating for parks/open spaces were included in the consultation/discussions with the ‘Friends Of’ groups. The need to include other partner agencies had also been recognised, and had been taken on-board. Section 106 monies had been identified to develop sports facilities and Senneleys Park had been identified as a priority for investment. The Parks Officers were currently working alongside Strategic Sport Officers to scope out ideas and suggestions for the park, along with identifying and addressing areas of concern. Mr Hollingworth added that the consultation phase with the Friends Of groups Was due to complete at the end of May; however discussions would continue until a suitable solution could be found. Members would continue to be kept informed. The Chairman thanked Mr Hollingworth and his team for their attendance and update and expressed concerns that whilst the Ward was blessed by having a natural vast open and green space, there were a number of reservations at the Department’s ability to maintain its assets, which included the much valued green open space, and stressed that all efforts must be made to retain and maintain it. Action: The update be noted 5. WOODGATE VALLEY/AMBLESIDE – FLOODING CONCERNS Members and residents welcomed back Clive Wright, Resilience, Drainage and Flood Defences Team. Mr Wright briefly advised of the findings from the Residents Drop - In and Consultation day, which took place following the flash flooding last June. The information gathered had been very useful and had been included in a bid to secure government funding for a feasibility study for Woodgate and Perry Barr, which were two of the worst affected areas in the city. Other work carried out to date included:- - A full inspection and assessment of Bartley Brook culvert – no blockages had been identified. Partner agencies Severn Trent Water and the Environmental Agency were also involved. - Approx. 500 properties across the city had been affected by the floods. A full report with details of the findings would be published at the end of May. - Looking at more preventative work and measures to reduce flooding – including drain modelling work and a more in-depth study of the water flow Members advised that many residents remained fearful of a repeat of the flash flooding which caused significant damage and distress, and sought further information on what could be done to manage residents’ anxieties. In addition, there were a number of sites in the ward which historically were known to be flooding hot 3 spots and steps should have been taken to provide adequate flood protection measures. A local resident who lived in Ambleside, which was one of the worst affected roads, also advised of her concerns and those of her neighbours, and felt that sandbags should be deployed to residents as a preventative measure in readiness for any future flooding. The 2-3 year timescale plan to divert the flow of river at Bournbrook was also a cause for concern as residents remained extremely fearful of the prospect of further flooding, and the proposals to build additional homes on the former Coopers Public House would add to the flooding concerns. The resident further advised of the difficulties many of the home owners faced regarding obtaining affordable household insurance. Responding to the concerns raised, Mr Wright advised that it was not possible to supply every house with sandbags, however, the contractors used by the City Council and partner agencies would be able to do so as quickly as possible. There was also a requirement for the application for all major developments (10 or more homes) to be referred to the Resilience, Drainage and Flood Defences Team to ensure that adequate drainage and ‘green-field run-offs’ were included. Referring to the plans for Bournbrook, Mr Wright advised that in the meantime, a number of options were being considered by the partner agencies including using Senneleys Park as a storage point for the water. However, all options would need to be fully robust. Karen Bailey, Place Manager advised that each home owner or tenant was actively encouraged to have household insurance, and officers from both the Resilience and Housing Teams worked together with the partner agencies to ensure that residents had the necessary support to make their homes watertight. Mr Wright further advised that where possible, necessary ‘quick fixes’ had been carried out in the hot spot areas, however these areas required properly sustainable protection for which funding was being sought. The Chairman thanked Clive Wright for his attendance and update, and invited Mr Wright to attend the next meeting to provide a further update. Action: All to Note Clive Wright/Resilience Team to provide a further update on the ward flooding concerns. 6. MATURE/SHELTERED HOUSING PROVISION IN THE WARD Karen Bailey, Place Manager briefly advised of changes to two high rise blocks – Beech Hill House and Kempson House. The flats within these blocks would now be available for general let; anyone of any age and family make-up would be able to bid 4 for one of these properties through the allocation scheme as they became available. Prospective tenants would be required to sign a ‘Good Neighbour Agreement’. Residents currently living in these blocks had been advised of the changes. Two other tower blocks – California House and Bridport House would remain as Sheltered Housing to those aged 55 and over. An open day would be held at California House on 10 May 2017 from 11am onwards for residents to find out more. Residents over 55 were actively encouraged to attend. Action: All to Note 7. CLENT WAY/ASHRAM MOSELEY HOUSING ASSOCIATION Members and residents welcomed Carl Taylor, Director, Accord Housing Association. Mr Taylor advised of the following:- - Ashram Moseley Housing Association had now merged with Accord Housing Association with effect from 1st April 2017.