Housing and the Environment
Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 8th August 2006 at Sherwood Lodge
NOTES OF THE LOCAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF THE HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT GROUP
SHERWOOD LODGE, BOLSOVER
8TH AUGUST 2006
PRESENT
T Trafford (TT) AHEAG
T Oliver (TO) BDC
J Sherwood (JWS) BDC
K Sharpe (KS) Langwith Society
R Colgrave (RC) BDC
M Cox (MC) Involve
D Kelly (DK) Pinxton Community Forum
A Heath (AH) DCC
L Khella (LK) BLSP
M Connley (MC) BDC
P Campbell (PC) BDC
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
S Kekus Environment Agency
J Lewis BDC
T Glover Junction Arts
D Betts New Houghton Comm Association
N Price BDC
D Finch Housing 21
J Neeve Involve CEN
J Derricott NEC PCT
TT thanked everyone for attending the additional meeting the purpose of which was to discuss phase 2 commissioning and reserve bids. Peter Campbell, Head of Housing, was welcomed to his first meeting. It was noted that the green composting scheme was ongoing and funding from phase 2 was not required which released additional monies for other commissions.
2/3. NOTES OF MEETING HELD 22ND JUNE 2006/MATTERS ARISING
Page 1, Page 2, Item 5 Phase 2 Commissioning – Grot 2 Green
A further 7 projects had been agreed upon. Adverts would be placed in local papers during September asking for expressions of interest from community groups.
Page 2, Item 4, 2005/06 Self Assessment – Partnership and Action Group
Confirmation had not yet been received from GOEM but LK thought it was very likely that they would award a green for the groups self assessment.
Green Flag Park
JWS explained that the Council through their Patch Management Group had signed up to a ‘Reputation Agenda’ part of which entailed having a green flag park within a 12 month period. The only feasible space to put forward for assessment would be the Sherwood Lodge area.
MC confirmed that Leisure Services were currently undertaking a survey of parks and open spaces and this would be completed by September.
AH thought that the development of a management plan was onerous, however the rest of the criteria to be met were fairly straight forward – welcoming, healthy, safe, secure, well maintained etc.
An agenda item to be included in the September agenda for further discussion and JWS to prepare a briefing note to go out with the minutes.
Page 3, item 5, Revised Action Plan
LK confirmed that until Phase 2 commissioning bids were included within the Action Plan it could not be approved. It was expected that the action plan would go for approval at ESG in September.
AH to email TT with BCP outputs for inclusion within the action plan.
JWS will require figures and outputs to input in the TENs system.
Page 5, item 8 Reports back on BCP
All targets are on course with the exception of education. The educational budget has been allocated to the grot to green scheme and this will not be noted as an outcome for BCP.
Page 6, Item 9 Any other business
LK to confirm if the £3,000 is available and has been carried forward from this year. LK will take a report to ESG in September. These monies could be used to provide a training day as the initial event had proved successful.
2. PHASE 2 COMMISSIONING AND RESERVE PROJECTS
Funds in the sum of £120,000 with an additional £67,000 was available.
Outline projects had been submitted by AH and TO (copies enclosed)
AH spoke about his projects as follows:
1. Five Pits Trail
There are problems with graffiti and anti social behaviour at the point where the Five Pits Trail crosses the High Street at Tibshelf. A substantial fence is to be erected which would divert the trail over the road. It was hoped that the tunnel could be in filled in due course. DCC is working with Tibshelf School who have committed £9,000 towards cycle lockers as part of their sustainable transport plan.
2. Creswell Meadows
Not an immediate priority, this project is part of the downgrade of the Crags Road , details of which are to go to the Secretary of State later this year. This would be a good link between Frithwood Trail and join up with Creswell Heritage Trail. This is seen as a sustainable link which would help to encourage cyclists. Negotiations with Welbeck Estates have to be entered into regarding the land. If this was put on the reserve list AH was uncertain that the funds would be expended before end of financial year. It may be more prudent to keep this as a reserve for next year.
3. Rowthorne Trail, links and car park
Anti social behaviour is evident at this site. This trail is mainly accessible to walkers but the intention is to upgrade to encourage cyclists and horse riders. No issues with land ownership. AH confirmed this scheme was not high priority as plans have been drawn up for the last 2 years. Some improvements could be carried out with only part funds awarded.
4. Frithwood Trail
Some elements were done last year and this would rationalise all the trails from Clowne to Poulter Country Park . Negotiations with land owners needed. This would strengthen the future development of routes to join up with Creswell.
The Five Pits Trail scheme would meet various targets – anti social behaviour, transport, liveability.
AH prioritised the scheme as follows: Nos 1 and 4. 2 and 3 could be in reserve with 2 having elements which could be broken down.
TO spoke about her projects as follows:
1. Establish independent forum of people with a common interest in Housing within the Bolsover District
Forum formed independent of the Council but affiliated with the LSP. Undertake a major consultation across the district with all who have a vested interest in housing such as estate agents, private sector landlords, RSL, developers etc. Forum to be marketed, admin support and location for properties provided for an 18th month period.
2. Comprehensive database of the state of the district housing stock
Essential in identifying hidden issues such as environmental problems, vulnerable households, tenure, build type etc. Incorporation of results would be fed into GIS and would therefore be available to other depts. This would achieve a detailed basis on which this group could raise concerns.
There are 34,000 households across the district and it was recognised that some extrapolation would be necessary to complete the survey on a sample basis, eg build date of a row of terraced properties. Tenders could be sought immediately for appropriate consultants if costs were under £50,000.
LK confirmed that projects could run over a 2 year period as it was unlikely that approval and funds would be released prior to October 2006.
Following debate the following schemes were agreed and would be put forward as commissions:
1. Five Pits Trail £50,000
2. Frithwood Trail £17,500
3. Comprehensive database of the state of the district
housing stock £60,000
4. Establish an independent forum of people with a
common interest in Hsg within the Bolsover District £40,000**
£167,500
**This scheme would be commenced 2007/08
The remainder of the allocation this year may be used for Grot to Green schemes.
Reserve List -
1. Creswell Meadows
2. Rowthorne Trail, links and car park
TT would amend the action plan and forward to LK.
3. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
TT had attended a meeting of Chairs and Vice Chairs of the action groups to look at cross cutting issues. One of which was energy/affordable warmth. The group could consider ways of encouraging new initiatives, ie take up of renewable energy methods, starting businesses to install and maintain renewable energy equipment.
JWS confirmed that Meden Valley Making Places Ltd had agreed to fund the 5 properties at Shirebrook which would be used as an exemplar of good energy practice.
4. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed to cancel the 17th August 2006 meeting, therefore the next meeting will be 21st September 2006 held at Groundwork Creswell in Clowne commencing at 2.30 pm .