AGENDA ITEM 10 AREA BOARD: NORTH LUTON BRAMINGHAM, ICKNIELD, LIMBURY NORTHWELL & SUNDON PARK WARDS DATE: THURSDAY 16TH OCTOBER 2014 SUBJECT: AREA REPORT REPORT BY: HEAD OF POLICY & PERFORMANCE CONTACT OFFICER: GARY J. ROBERTS 01582 546985 IMPLICATIONS: LEGAL COMMUNITY SAFETY EQUALITIES ENVIRONMENT FINANCIAL CONSULTATIONS STAFFING OTHER WARDS AFFECTED: BRAMINGHAM, ICKNIELD, LIMBURY NORTHWELL & SUNDON PARK WARDS _____________________________________________________________ PURPOSE 1. To bring before the Board an update on the issues that were raised following the last Area Board held on the 10th June 2014 RECOMMENDATION(S) 2. The North Luton Area Board are recommended to note the report and make recommendations on further action where required. BACKGROUND 3. This report encapsulates the progress of the area board since the implementation of the initiative in October 2001. In addition it includes information on projects and activities supported by the committee and following liaison and mediation with both internal and external service areas, pursues the concerns raised by both the local community and Members of the council. REPORT 4. Members of the public who appear on the current database were informed of this meeting by post on the 25th September and publicity for this cycle of meetings appeared in the October edition of Lutonline, the Luton on Sunday and Luton & Dunstable Express during week commencing the 5th October 2014. Additionally, posters in keeping with the new style advert and corporate approach to area committees were also dispatched to every General Practitioner, Dental Practice, Chiropodists, Chiropractors, Educational establishment, Library, Sports Centre, Community & Youth Centre, Day Centre, Places of Worship and Sheltered Housing provision, across the borough. The information gave dates for every Area Board across the town. 5. The Area Board web site is regularly updated and can be accessed on www.luton.gov.uk/areacommittees This address is soon to be changed to www.luton.gov.uk/areaboards COMMUNICATION 6. I would like to remind the Area Board that the web pages on www.luton.gov.uk/areaboards are regularly updated and members of the public can access all of the following on these pages:- Information – What are area boards? What are ward forums? Dates of all meetings Ward Forum issues/updates Agendas Minutes Reports Area project proposal form AREA BOARD ATTENDANCES 7. The following are up to date attendances at the North Luton Area Board for the period June 2012 to June/July 2014. Area June October/ February/ June/July October/ February/ June/ Board 2012 November March 2013 November March July cycle 2012 2013 2013 2014 2014 North Luton 55 75 81 58 67 70 59 BUDGET UPDATE 8. The following table shows the budget for the North Luton Area Board. North Luton Bramingham, Icknield, Limbury, Northwell & Sundon Park Wards Allocation 2013/2014 £10,000.00 AREA PROJECTS 8. There are three applications for Members to consider at the meeting this evening. Project Project Cost of Amount Number project requested NT 539 Marsh Farm Futures – Healthy Eating Project £2,100.00 £1,800.00 One of the community priorities for Marsh Farm Futures is around health for the local community, and October 2014 is the start of different health initiatives for Area North. We will be running courses on healthy cooking and healthy eating on a budget, as well as planning a health fayre for local residents to come along to and access information and advice, while they are here, they will also be able to have a health check. The funding that we are now applying for is to enable us to offer some low cost exercise classes to the local community that will take place at Futures House. These will initially run once a week, with the hope that in time we can increase this to twice a week. We will need to buy exercise mats whilst also ensuring that we have a qualified instructor who will take the class. There will also be a contribution made for the cost of the hall. NT 540 The Non Violence Alliance £1,900.00 £1,570.00 With different conflicts still being quite high in the area, we are looking for funding to facilitate conflict management training. This will be for anyone over the age of 16 and will help people to manage conflicting situations in a positive manner. This training will also offer them a level accreditation, which would be a very good qualification to put on their CV if looking for employment. This training is something that they could use every day of their life and is especially important to the younger adults. A training provider would be sought and we will be looking to help attendees towards costs of training resources, folders etc, as well as providing refreshments. Funding would also go towards rental of the premises. All of these things promote community cohesion, offer Skills that could be used in future employment and will help improve the health and well being of younger people by helping them to know how to manage themselves in a conflicting situation Project Project Cost of Amount Number project requested NT 541 Marsh Farm Fireworks Group £5,550.00 £1,500.00 The money from this application will be used to fund all aspects of the Community Firework display as well as any equipment that may be need on the night, lights, generators etc and the money will be used for the Firework element of the display. Further funding will be sought and in the past we have had funding from various sources. We have a large donation from a local business on Marsh Farm, and without this support, the fireworks would not be able to continue. The event has always take place on 5th November on Lea Manor Playing Field Northwell Drive. We will provide a safe and fun Firework Display with background music stalls and fairground rides on the 5th November 2014. PROPOSAL/OPTION 14. It is proposed that Members of the North Luton Area Board note the report. 15. In terms of the application under the Area Board Projects Scheme Reference NT 539 Reference NT 540 Reference NT 541 Members may consider the following: (i) Granting the full application. (ii) Making a different contribution towards the scheme. (iii) Deferring the application for future consideration. (iv) Refusing the application EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS 16. Much of the work conducted by the Area Board will have an impact on Council services and will address issues such as accessibility, local participation and the general quality of life within the Borough. COMMUNITY SAFETY IMPLICATIONS 17. A large amount of the work being pursued and undertaken by service areas and other outside agencies will make a major contribution to community safety and need to be considered alongside other schemes that may be under consideration or being implemented. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 18. Any contribution made by the Area Board will be met from existing budgets. ENVIRONMENT IMPLICATIONS 19. The implications of the work being undertaken will address and improve the environment, create safer communities and address the quality of life for local people. LIST OF BACKGROUND PAPERS LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972, SECTION 100D None .