Agenda and minutes

The Chair gave permission for Richard Taylor to film the meeting. It was confirmed that the filming would cease if members of the public or speakers expressed a desire not to be filmed. Members of the public were given an opportunity to state if they did not want to be filmed.

 

Apologies were received from Councillor Scutt and Councillor Onasanya.

Item	Councillor	Interest
14/27/NAC	Price	Personal: Son is a Special Constable
14/30/NAC	Manning	Personal: Grant Application numbers: N5 & N6 as secretary of Chesterton Community Association N8 as a member of the Chesterton festival committee N19 having given general help, advice and guidance to residents on setting up the group, and being a non-voting member of their committee

 

The Minutes of the meeting of the 6^th February 2014 were discussed and the Committee requested a number of amendments. The amended minutes would be agreed at the next meeting

 

The Committee noted the actions as detailed on the action sheet. The following oral updates were also noted.

 

13/81/NAC: Councillor Onasanya was not present to update the Committee and the item would be carried over to the next meeting.

 

14/9/NAC: West Central had responded and West Central Area Committee shared the North Areas concerns regarding inconsiderate cycling.

 

14/9/NAC: Councillor Price reported that consultation on the use of enforcement notices to deal with pavement parking had been completed. The issues would remain on the action sheet until follow-up action had been agreed.

 

14/9/NAC: Councillor Kerr reported that remedial work to address problems on Chesterton Recreation Ground would be carried out in early April.

 

14/13/NAC: Use of CCTV in Green End Road. Councillor Pitt would report on this matter at the next meeting.

 

14/13/NAC: Councillor Ward had nothing to add to the comments noted on the action sheet. However, this matter would remain on the action sheet to allow officers to discuss it further with the Police.

This item is for information only.

The Committee noted the briefing note and thanked officers for the update.

7.40pm

1.   David Halliman: Expressed concern that the roots of a large tree opposite the Co-op in Green End Road where pushing up and were a dangerous trip hazard.

 

Councillor Manning stated that he was aware of the problem and removal of the tree had been requested. However, this was not a simple operation. Progress regarding this matter would be reported at a later date.

Action: Councillor Manning

 

2.   Leila Dockerill: The government have promised monies to repair pot holes. Can the Committee ensure that Cambridge will receive this money and that it is not used for other parts of the County?

 

Councillor Manning stated that whilst the sums might appear large, when spread across the Country they would be small. However, the County would fully engage with the bidding process to secure as much as possible for this area.

 

3.   Mike Sargeant: The consultation on 20 mhp in Victoria Road did not include speed data for the rest of the North Area. In future can additional data be provided so that maximum speeds are available?

 

Councillor Ward will ask for this information to be added to the website.

Action Councillor Ward

 

 

4.   Lil Speed: Why did Councillor Manning class me as an activist on Twitter?

 

Councillor Manning responded that he had used the term as that is how Mrs Speed had been identified in Labour Party Literature.

 

Other Councillors suggested that this term should be seen as positive and was not intended to cause offence.

 

5.   Dr Peter Sarris: The situation regarding aggressive begging in Green End Road is still happening. The installation of temporary CCTV had made the area feel safer but had now been removed. Could they been reinstalled?

 

Councillor Manning stated that action had been taken. Arrests had taken place and action to remove the offenders from the area was on-going.

 

6.   Dr Timothy Grout: What, if anything, is there in the ‘City Deal’, for the North Area of Cambridge?

 

Councillor Ward stated that the City Deal was not prescriptive. The City Deal comprised of a bundle of projects which included a number for the North Area.

 

7.   Dr Timothy Grout: Is the new Railway Station a part of the deal?

 

Councillor Ward stated that the station was not specifically a part of the City Deal and would be going ahead whatever decisions were made about the City Deal. However, the station area may benefit from the deal.

 

A special meeting of the Strategy and Resources Committee would consider the City Deal on the 26^th March and the County Council would also be considering this shortly.

 

8.   Lil Speed: Why does the Council spend money on cycle paths, when cyclists insist on using the pavements?

 

Councillor Pitt stated that improving cycle paths and adding ASB cycling as an area Police Priority was intended to improve safety for all.

Presentation followed by an opportunity for public questions.

8.10pm

The Committee received a verbal presentation from the Police and Crime Commissioner, Sir Graham Bright highlighting the following:

 

     i.        The role of the Commissioner was to set out priorities and to be the voice of the public.

    ii.        It included holding the Police to account regarding the budget.

   iii.        The role was not to direct day to day Police operations.

  iv.        Locally, successful outreach work had been achieved in the North of the County and it was planned to replicate that in the South.

   v.        A fund for youth organisations had been provided.

  vi.        The following priorities had been highlighted:

·        Neighbourhood watch.

·        Improved use of technology.

·        Increasing the number of Special Constables.

·        Problem families

·        Delivering more with reduced budgets.

 

Public Questions

 

1.   Richard Taylor: You do not publish your decisions or details of the performance in answering 101 phone calls and meetings are held in private with agendas not published. Why?

 

Decisions, meetings, reports and performance information are published. Performance with telephone answering had been poor and improving this had been a priority. First stage call answering had been considerable improved down to average response time of 7 seconds. However, the second stage of the call handling, directing the call to the correct department, needed further improvement,.

 

2.   Richard Taylor: How can the Commissioner support local decision making and ensure that this Committee gets better information?

 

The public should ask the Police when they attend the Committee and if they are not satisfied, they should contact the Commissioner.

 

3.   Lil Speed: Young people’s services locally have been reorganised. Is the Commissioner able to suggest ways of keeping young people occupied?

 

The Commissioner shared Mrs Speed’s concerns regarding the impact of youth crime both for the individual and society. Funding was available to encourage young people to help themselves. There were plans to develop a Police Cadet unit. This would be a uniformed organisation and would work with other Police services. 

 

4.   Michael Bond: I was recently the target of a telephone scam. An initial call to the 101 number was abandoned due to time taken to answer. A later call was answered but the Police were hampered by data protection rules preventing the call from being traced.

 

Mr Bond was invited to send full details so that the Commissioner could look into this matter.

 

5.   Kay Harris: You speak of valuing Police on the streets but what sort of officers would they be?

 

Future plans involve using technology (Smartphones)  to release officer time and allow them to spend as much as 33% more time on the streets.

 

Councillor Questions

 

1.   Councillor Bird: PCSO’s are very good and build up relationships with communities. However, they then move on. How can we hold onto them?

 

PCSO are encouraged to take additional training to allow them to specialise in issues such as Domestic Violence or Mental Health. They also move on to develop their careers by becoming Police Officers. This is to be encouraged and benefits the service as a whole.

 

2.   Councillor Ward: Having spent time with on-duty officers in the past, it appeared that they spent a great deal of time on paperwork back at the station. How will the new technology help?

 

Given time, the system will be developed to provide a two-way process for report submission and prompts to front line staff. It would alert them to issues needing attention and to the location of colleagues. It will provide a joined up service. The goal is to fully utilise the existing technology by joining it all up to increase efficiency.

 

3.   Councillor Price: When you say there will be no reduction in numbers, do you mean no reduction in paid officers? Are unpaid Special Constables being used as Policing on the cheap?

 

Overall numbers have been increased as this area was undermanned. Special Constables are important and are valued. They are expensive to train and are not seen as a cheap alternative.

 

4.   Councillor Manning: Have you looked into the Manchester experience of ‘Hot Spots’?

 

The Commissioner agreed to look into this.

 

5.   Councillor Manning: Can statistics on pick up times for 101 calls be published.

 

The Commissioner would ask for a full breakdown to be published.

 

6.   Councillor Todd-Jones: The Arbury area has benefited from having the same PCSO in the area, long-term, who had built up good community relationships.

 

The Commissioner agreed that recruiting the right people and keeping them was of great value to the community.

Presentation followed by an opportunity for public questions.

8.40pm

 

The Committee received a verbal presentation from the Managing Director of Stagecoach which highlighted the distinction between commercial bus operators and supported services.

 

Questions from members of the public:

 

1.   Mike Sargeant: Buses used to be a public service. Can the City Deal offer anything for bus users? Do we need to bring back regulation for buses? Residents in the Milton Road area suffered from a constant stream of busses up and down the road, none of which stop to pick up passengers. (This point was raised by a number of other attendees at the meeting).

 

The Guided Buses and the Park and Ride Services do not stop in Milton Road as they are intended as a rapid transport system for those coming from further afield. The number 9 offers a half hourly service on Milton Road.

 

Regulation is unlikely to return. Areas that use regulation, such as London, have invested heavily in supporting infrastructure to support the bus networks. That is not possible locally. However, bus use has doubled in recent years.

 

2.   Public Question: What buses will serve the new Railway Station?

 

A change to the Citi 2 services was being considered to allow it to serve the new station.

 

3.   Kay Harris: What changes were likely following the implementation of 20 mph limits across Cambridge?

 

Some changes to routes had already been made to accommodate lower speeds and further changes may be needed when the wider impact is fully understood.

 

4.   Kay Harris: Buchan Street currently has no service.

 

This area was covered by Whippet services.

 

Councillor Price: Buchan Street now had a bus shelter but currently had no regular bus service. Could the Citi 1 pick-up from here, perhaps on alternate trips?

 

Splitting routes was not always successful but could be investigated.

 

5.   Kay Harris: The Citi 1 often waits for some time at the Arbury Community Centre and passengers are sometimes asked to change to another bus. Why?

 

Service routes and timetables are registered. Recovery time is incorporated into timetable to allow drivers to catch up following delays. This may result in buses waiting for their scheduled departure time before completing journeys. All vehicles are fitted with radios.

 

6.   Mr Jennings: London buses are not subject to delays caused by drivers issuing tickets.

 

A range of ticket options are available to limit such delays and more are in the pipeline, such as 5 day tickets and the use of mobile phone technology.

 

7.   Michael Bond: Traffic management can cause delays. However, the 20 mph limit should reduce the need for traffic light controlled junctions. What impact do you expect this to have on bus timetables?

 

There are a number of changes in the pipeline which might impact on bus timetables. Proposals for floating bus stops have the potential to cause problems and to increase conflict between bus users accessing bus stops and cyclists.

 

Questions from Councillors

 

1.   Councillor Sales: Members of the public have reported that the Park and Ride Buses are speeding down Histon Road.

 

More details, including date and times, were requested to allow further investigation.

 

2.   Councillor Tunnacliffe: A bus stop on Milton Road opposite the Westgate Centre was requested and a 6 months trial proposed but it seems not to have happened.

 

An additional stop was requested when parking spaces were under threat. No action was taken as there was insufficient demand.

 

3.   Councillor Tunnacliffe: Buses do not appear to stop at the Downham’s Lane stop.

 

The number 9 bus stops as all stops on Milton Road.

 

4.   Councillor Pitt: Why is there no specific Citi service for Milton Road?

 

Milton Road is served by the number 9 which is a combination of a rural / city service.

 

5.   Councillor Todd-Jones: The Citi number 8 and the Park and Ride B on Histon Road are mistaken for each other. Can the numbers be made clearer?

 

The buses are different colours.

 

6.   The change to the route of the Citi 2 has left some passengers with a long walk to their destination.

 

The route was changed to reduce the mileage and avoid delays. There are a number of buses from the drop off point of the Citi 2 to the Bridge Street area.

 

7.   Councillor Manning: What are the regulations regarding no smoking signs in bus shelters?

 

Bus shelters are not the property of Stagecoach. However, the current regulations require a no smoking sign to be in place if the bus stop has three or more sides.

 

8.   Councillor Kerr: Can you give the Committee an update on the trial of audio messages on buses to assist the visually impaired traveller?

 

Further trials were planned but the current results although good on the guided busway, were disappointing when bus stops are only short distances apart. Unless these difficulties could be resolved, the system would not be implemented.

 

9.   Councillor Kerr: What training was given to bus drivers regarding cyclists?

 

Drivers are given initial training and then annual refreshers. Additional warning signs for cyclist, to be displayed on the rear of buses, was under investigation.

 

10.               Councillor Tunnacliffe: when will the bus stop outside the Old Spring be updated to include real-time information?

 

All buses had been fitted with the necessary equipment. However, bus stops were under the control of the County Council.

9.10pm

 

The Committee received a Project Appraisal from the Head of Community Development regarding improvement to Buchan Street Neighbourhood Centre.

 

The Committee discussed the current childcare provision area and addition needs from areas such as Orchard Park were considered.

Resolved (unanimously) to approve the project appraisal as detailed below.

 

Financial recommendations -

 

a)      To agree, subject to tender and relevant planning and building regulation approval, the project to improve Buchan Street Neighbourhood Centre by increasing space for childcare provision to an optimum size (to take 24 children) and adding a new meeting room.

 

Summary

 

The project includes the addition of a meeting room and additional childcare space at Buchan Street Neighbourhood Centre.

 

The County Council have agreed to fund up to £70k towards the cost of the additional childcare space as this will help to meet the high demand from families in the Kings Hedges and surrounding areas.

 

Target Dates
Start of Procurement	April 214
Award of Contract	June 2014
Start of project delivery	August 2014
Completion of construction	November 2014
Childcare provider start	January 2015

 

The Cost

 

Total Project Cost                  £170,000

 

Capital Cost Funded from:

 

Funding:	Amount:	Details:
Reserves	£
Repairs & Renewals	£
Developer Contributions	£100,000	From North Area’s developer contributions programme  – see Appendix B
Climate Change Fund
Other	£70,000	From the County Council

 

Revenue Cost
Year 1	0
Ongoing	0

 

The Procurement

 

The works will be procured through a competitive procurement exercise and project managed by City Council officers.

9.30pm

The Committee received a report from the Operations and Resources Manager regarding Community Development and Arts & Recreation Development Area Committee Grants 2014-15.

 

The Operations and Resources Manager confirmed the following in response to comments and questions from the Committee:

 

     i.        Ref No. 4: This had been referred to the city-wide grant pot as it was not North Area specific.

    ii.        Ref No. 10: Members expressed regret that there was a need to support Foodbanks.

   iii.        Ref no. 33: No comments or complaints had been received regarding the religious links of the Beavers. 

 

Resolved (unanimously):

 

To note the grant applications received and officer comments regarding proposed awards detailed in Appendix 1 of the Officer’s report.

 

To agree the proposed awards detailed in Appendix 1 of the Officer’s report and summarised in the table below:

 

Ref	Organisation		Purpose		Award
N1	Arbury Townswomen's Guild		Meetings with speakers		£330
N2	Bermuda Community Room		16 winter teas and Christmas event		£420
N3	Bridho Society		Monthly meetings and trips		£1,500
N4	Cambridge Lawn Tennis Club		School tennis sessions		£0
N5	Chesterton Community Association		Flyers for garden competition 2014		£116
N6	Chesterton Community Association		Coach hire - seaside summer outing		£650
N7	Chesterton Eagles Football Club		Under 6 and 7s children's football		£1,500
N8	Chesterton Festival Committee		Chesterton Festival 20-22 June		£4,320
N9	Church of the Good Shepherd		Purchase of equipment		£791
N10	Church of the Good Shepherd		Tables for Foodbank		£238
N11	City Life Church		Parenting Puzzle programme.		£1,500
N12	Darwin Drive Youth Organisation		Weekly sports activities, trips, events		£1,500
N13	Friends of Histon Road Cemetery		Newsletters, events, admin		£1,200
N14	Hurst Park Estate Street Party Committee		Street Party 21st June 2014		£500
N15	Kings Hedges Brownies		Punting and trip to Wickstead Park		£851
N16	The Kings Hedges Family Support Project		Playworker for summer drop ins		£750
N17	Kings Hedges Mohila Shomity		14 meetings, trip and 2 Eid parties		£933
N18	Knitted Together		Weekly knitting group		£300
N19	The Mariners' Club Community Group		Start-up costs of new group		£266
N20	Meadows Centre Bowlers		2 hour weekly bowls sessions		£1,000
N21	The Meadows Children and Family Wing and Moonbeams Playgroup		Quality toys and bookcase		£1,500
N22	North Cambridge Sports Association		Sport activities including a weekly girl’s activity		£1,000
N23	Romsey Mill		New monthly music project		£5,000
N24	Royal British Legion - Arbury Manor Branch		Day trip to Clacton		£500
N25	St Andrew's Hall		Celebrate 'May Day' drop in event		£278
N26	St Andrew's Hall		Chesterton Carols' event		£241
N27	St George's Over 60's Club		21 meetings and Christmas outing		£850
N28	Sport Cambridge		3 week summer holiday sport activities for primary school children		£2,700
N29	Sport Cambridge		20 x  2x1 hour badminton sessions		£1,500
N30	Sport Cambridge		20 x 2x1 hour football sessions		£800
N31	Sunshine Group		Meetings and outings to garden centres		£280
N32	Under Fives Roundabout		Two 2hr wildlife and discovery sessions at Milton Country Park		£600
N33	18th Cambridge Beavers		Trip to seaside and sleepover		£260
N34	St Luke's Church and Community Centre		Amplification equipment		£2,000
		Budget available	£44,660
		Total awards	£36,174
		Budget remaining	£8,486

 

 

8^th May 2014 at Buchan Street Neighbourhood Centre

The Committee noted the date and venue of the next meeting. The Committee suggested that, in future, details of items planned for the next meeting should be included in this section of the agenda.