Housing and the Environment
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 6th April 2006 at Groundwork Creswell
NOTES OF THE LOCAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT GROUP
GROUNDWORK CRESWELL OFFICES, CLOWNE
6TH APRIL 2006
PRESENT
T Trafford (TT) AHEAG
P Bryan (PB) Fire Service
S Kekus (SK) Environment Agency
J Sherwood (JWS) BDC
A Lowery ( AL) BDC
B Cavanagh (BC) Derbyshire Advisory and
Inspection Service
J Ritchie (JR) BDC
K Sharp (KS) Langwith Society
J Neeve (JN) Involve CEN
D Kelly (DK) Pinxton Development Group
T Oliver (TO) BDC
M Connley (MC) BDC
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
T Edwards National Trust
L Khella CEPT
N Price CEPT
R Colgrave CEPT
A Hill English Heritage
I Coope Derbyshire W T
A Evans Derbyshire W T
G Clarke BDC
G Stokes SMURA
J Ralston McArthur Glen
T Crofts Fire Service
J Ford BDC
K Mayhew Groundwork
J Derricott NED PCT
R Sowerby NED PCT
D Finch Housing 21
2/3. NOTES OF MEETING HELD 22ND MARCH 2006/MATTERS ARISING
The minutes were checked for accuracy and there were no matters arising.
7. SAFER NEIGHBOURHOODS – JOHN RITCHIE
As JR and BC had to leave early for another meeting this item was brought forward.
JR explained that the scheme had been taken to the Community Safety Group and he had written to the Heads of the other Action Groups. They had come to solicit support as they were seeking monies directly from the NRF pot rather than going through the commissioning process for each group. JR and BC are seeking to secure £585,000 over a two year period against a £3.9 million total project cost.
BC thanked the group for giving him the opportunity to talk about the Safer Neighbourhood Scheme.
BC is an Assistant Head Teacher who has been seconded to DCC to help define the citizenship curriculum in secondary schools which has been compulsory since 2002. Anti social behaviour concept is delivered by teachers in schools to teach pupils how to take responsibility for their actions in the community.
Part of the criteria for Practical Citizenship is to have Officers from Local Authorities and Councillors going into schools and also pupils coming out of secondary schools and visiting Councils to view the democratic process and other Council services within Environmental Health, Planning, Community Safety etc. BC went on to explain that as part of his scheme, he would have Local Authorities and pupils working together. He had designed ‘pods’ of funding as follows: - £3,000 in the first instance and students were invited, in association with the Council, to come up with sustainable projects which should be related to the environment or democratic process etc. A second stage is to have larger ‘pods’ of £15,000 which would be run in conjunction with the University of Leicester , who would carry out surveys within the district to determine the needs of the public. The University would support and assist the pupils to interview the public and council staff. Initially only secondary schools would be involved but there will be a drive to include primary schools at a later date.
The educational part of the scheme would need £134,000 for each year over two years. As part of the scheme there would be youth diversity activities and also the Citizens Advice Bureau and Youth Service would be involved. There would be rewards for students and a publicity campaign. The Chief Constable of Derbyshire was seeking to get all the utilities companies and the Post Office etc involved in the scheme. It was agreed that the latest version of the bid would be sent out through SAS prior to the next meeting. Some discussion took place and questions were asked about involving the different communities within schools and also sustainability of the scheme. BC thought that we need to get the Head Teachers on board and the sustainability part would be the learning resources which would be available year on year, including teaching notes.
JN spoke about the Grot 2 Green environmental issues which had already started in a small way to involve schools and pupils had taken part in competitions. BC said that recognition for pupils was very important and medals, plaques, rewards, educational trips etc were all acceptable parts of the scheme. CC queried the involvement of Leicester University as the Community Strategy was only just being completed and a great deal of information and consultation had already been undertaken to inform that document.
The timescale for the scheme was laid down as starting by the end of April/May and some preparatory work would be undertaken during the school holidays, engagement with teachers etc. It would be hoped that this scheme would start in schools in September 2006.
JR confirmed that there were no other funds in place as yet and he had just put the project brief together, aimed at NRF. If the bid fails, he would have to aim it at the LEA.
BC had visited all secondary schools within the Bolsover District Council area and two Heads had said this would fit in with their curriculum whilst a further Head had wanted to know more although they thought this would be useful. SK asked whether the project could be piloted on a trail system to determine whether it was sustainable.
CC left the meeting at 3.40 pm .
JR and BC left the meeting at 3.45 pm .
Some discussion took place on the impact this project would have across all groups and what percentage of the Housing and Environment Group’s budget would be required.
It was agreed to read the brief prior to the next meeting and make comments after that. This would be discussed at the next meeting and TT asked that members make their views known to him.
4. GROT 2 GREEN – REPORT ON DAY EVENT AND COMMISSIONING FOR 2006-08
JN spoke about the event which had been held on the 30th March 2006 . Eighteen Community Associations had participated and they had all sent in photographs of grot and green spots.
Eighty plus people had attended on the day and suggestions had been made which had identified ten further environmental projects. There had been a poster competition and the two winners had each received a medal for their artwork. Two schools had been involved and they had been presented with plaques.
JN spoke about the briefing for 2006-08 and had met with JWS to discuss this further. He was concerned that the brief did not address more targets and would like to consult further with BC, PM, JWS and re-write the brief to so that the targets were achievable.
It had been agreed previously that BDC would be the accountable body for the project.
Discussion took place within the group and it was agreed that JN would re-visit targets and make sure they are focussed.
5. GREEN WASTE COMMISSION
AL had reconsidered the project costings and ways in which the scheme could be delivered. A proposal sheet was circulated for the group’s attention.
Three proposals which could be put together in various ways were discussed. This would give scope for funding from £62,250 upwards. AL commented that to have a proportion of any one of the proposals was not possible. Proposal One is absolutely critical at the absolute minimum. All three together would be absolute maximum.
The site which has been secured at Grassmoor for the composting facility by DCC has an educational element within it and community groups, school children and individuals etc could visit the site. Some discussion took place. It was agreed that £80,000 had been ringfenced and we would take Proposal One and Three at this stage and review later on in the year to see if we could fund the second proposal in the future. AL explained that as the year progressed, hopefully the cost of Proposal Two would come down but there would be a cut off point at which it would make no sense to continue with proposal Two because of the length of time the collections could be made.
AL explained how the figures were made up and that the £11,500 was a collection over a two week period. It was agreed in principle that Proposals One and Three would be acceptable and AL is to submit his document to Laura Khella, this would be scored by the Group.
6. BCP UPDATE
CC had had to attend another meeting but had given TT an update sheet. This would be included with the minutes.
All bids were up to date, outstanding targets had been met and monies paid. The BCP had received a letter from the NRF for funding for 06-08 which had been well scored.
8. FUEL POVERTY
This is one of the Group’s targets and would be an increasing problem because of the increased energy costs. TT wanted the Group to think about issues and see what initiatives we can take part in.
Some discussion took place on initiatives such as a solar panel and renewable energy measures. TT spoke about microgeneration of which Powergen is a leader in the field. He thought it might be worthwhile talking to them about schemes.
JWS commented that they had looked at a Biomass Scheme in Whaley Thorns. John Leney from BDC is involved in energy schemes and it was suggested he would be invited to attend the next meeting.
SK had attended a seminar at which EcoTeam who are part of the Global Action Plan were present. This organisation works with communities in that they educate and talk about a sustainable way of improvement, which covers energy savings etc. This scheme helps reduce household costs and brings communities together. This could also link into schools and was aimed at low income areas. SK to contact them to see if they would give us further information.
9. COMMUNITY STRATEGY
The official launch of the Community Strategy is on the 25th April 2006 at Van Dyk Hotel in Clowne and invitations had been issued.
10. FIRE SAFETY FIGURES
PB has produced a handout indicating figures and types of fires which the Fire Service had attended in 2005 in the BDC area. In 2004 and 2005 there were no fatalities in accidental house fires. The last time fatalities had occurred was in 2003 and five had been killed. PB confirmed that accidental dwelling fires are on the increase. Discussion took place on fire safety checks which Groundwork Creswell, CAN Rangers and Fire Service were undertaking along with the fitting of smoke alarms. It was thought that the increase in smoke alarms in properties was linked to the zero rated fatalities as people were escaping the fires earlier.
PB said the Fire Service were disappointed that they had difficulty in getting into private rented houses as the landlords did not seem to want to come on board and the private sector tenants were not willing for the Fire Service to enter their premises.
PB said that if on a home check if the resident was over sixty and vulnerable the Fire Service would, subject to availability, replace their chip pan with a deep fat fryer.
Electric blanket safety checks were also undertaken.
11. DATA COMPILATION FOR TEN SYSTEM
NP had given her apologies and this would be postponed until a further meeting.
12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The SSP had put in a rolling call for funding bids for Objective 2. This would be the last call for ERDF monies.
13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
18th May 2006 at 2.30 pm at Groundwork Creswell, Clowne.