HELD ON WEDNESDAY 7th MAY 2008 AT ALL HALLOWS’ CHURCH HALL.
Present: 69 including Councillors Mallender & Blount 

Apologies: Marie & Will Murray

The Chairman welcomed all present & introduced Allen Graham, Chief Executive Officer of Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC):

“Future Challenges” Allen has now been Chief Exec of RBC for 18 months. His post is a politically neutral one – elected members make the decisions. RBC’s activities are affected by the policies of national, regional & loc government. Allen has offered to visit wards throughout the borough to look at local issues with local councillors & this offer has been taken up by the elected members for Lady Bay ward on 2 occasions.  Lady Bay is clearly a strong community; full of spirit.
It appears that the economy is on the turn & public spending is likely to be restricted – this is a significant challenge to RBC.  The government wants loc. communities to have a voice through the “place shaping” agenda: to develop a sense of place to reflect different communities’ aspirations & needs. There already seems to be a sense of ID & pride in Scotland & Wales – not so much in England. Similarly, the E. Midlands region is a very diverse area & has little cohesion, unlike the W. Mids. The E. Midlands comprises the counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Northants and Rutland. At a regional level the idea that “big is beautiful” seems to be in the ascendant: in the future it will be unlikely that leaders from borough & district authorities will be represented on strategic regional bodies – only leaders from county/unitary councils.
People want effective services delivered by their borough/district on a day-to-day basis.  RBC is undergoing a Comprehensive performance Assessment (CPA) the result of which will be made known in Jun ’08.
Housing is a big issue in Rushcliffe: Nationally, regionally & locally there is a need for more housing, particularly affordable housing, for future generations. The question is: Where are these new homes to be built? In this area national government wants more growth & more housing with a target of 14,000 homes. The view is that Nottingham city needs to “spill out”. No communities want these developments. A mature debate is needed to envision what future communities will look like. There have been periods of housing growth in the past as can be seen in W. Bridgford during several periods. In the recent past developers have built houses rather than communities – we need to build communities. We need to think about what the aspirations of our children will be – where will they want to live in the future? It seems that everyone wants to live in Rushcliffe but young people cannot afford to move into the area.  At the moment RBC has no Local Plan so the authority is vulnerable to developers; each application will have to be considered. The Local Plan will be replaced with a Local Development Framework (LDF). National government would like an “eco-town” in Rushcliffe; originally this was proposed for Kingston-on-Soar but, as it is a Greenfield site another site is to be allocated for the development. The “eco-town” could be part of the 14,000 housing allocation for the borough & the only substantial brown field site in the borough is the former RAF Newton.  
Residents are concerned with the local environment; one of the positive sights in Lady Bay is the graffiti wall on the side of the skateboard ramp on the Hook, showing that local youths are involved in looking after their environment. Another is the scheme to care for the planters. Local authorities should be encouraging local communities to help themselves & this is an interesting & empowering project with which RBC will be prepared to help.
Lady Bay is surrounded by sports venues which can have a detrimental affect on local residents especially with regard to parking. Decriminalisation of parking will affect residents as well as visitors. Decriminalised parking will come into force on Mon. 12th May & enforcement of parking regulations will increase. The challenge is to review what parking is required – will residents’ parking schemes be needed? Is there a need for more double yellow lines etc? Parking problems will not be solved by decriminalisation immediately it comes into force.
RBC is the 3rd best authority for recycling in the UK& has the highest satisfaction rate out of all districts/boroughs in UK. But the council wants to improve & has new corporate priorities:
1.    Help children & young people to achieve their potential & make a positive contribution to society. This needs to be done in partnership with RBC, local communities & young people themselves. Young people are often seen as a problem.
2.    Help to deliver a sustainable environment. RBC needs to work as a facilitator to help communities & local businesses to be as green as possible. The Green Party councillors have influenced this policy.
3.    Reduce levels of crime & anti-social behaviour (ASB) to make people feel safe. Crime levels are low in Rushcliffe as a whole. In W. Bridgford there is some spill over from the city – this tends to be low-level crime e.g. ASB/car crime. Within the cohort of similar councils, Rushcliffe’s crime figures are high. RBC needs to work together with the city council. RBC’s Crime & Disorder Partnership is working hard on this priority. W. Bridgford now has a night-time economy. The challenge is to reap the economic benefits but reduce the associated problems by making the area attractive to more discerning customers.  
4.    Pursue effective partnership working to deliver improved & accessible public services within Rushcliffe & the E. Midlands region. Value for money is very important. RBC has amongst the lowest council tax for a district/borough in the UK. Further economies are to be made: working in partnership with other councils & the private sector. In order to achieve economies of scale. E.g. the new library/Community Hub (CHUB) in partnership with the county council, will be a “1 stop” shop for all council services & re-invigorate the library; the loan to Nottinghamshire Cricket Club has enabled the club to construct the new stand, which was integral in the club being able to hold 20,20 World Cup Cricket – the only place outside London.  
5.    Deliver efficient & effective high-quality services
6.    Increase community involvement in decision making. The “place-shaping” scrutiny committee helps elected members to help communities, e.g. with the planters scheme in Lady Bay & consultation in villages e.g. Keyworth & Bingham regarding car parking.
     
Questions & Comments:
Alan Bell expressed concern that the land E. of Lady Bay is under threat. The County Council own Simkin’s Farm – how can RBC help us to resist?
The Environment Agency’s view that the land is unsuitable due to flood risk is the best resistance.  
Simon Anthony asked whether the corporate priority of sustainability can be achieved with more & more building.
We need to build communities. W. Bridgford has never gone through a decline. We need to maximise what is there 1st. When Gamston was developed there were just houses – building will not be done like that now. How do we maintain the most sustainable use of houses & other places e.g. if the Civic Centre/City Ground are moved?
Simon Anthony asked whether the community can have any influence on the no. of houses built so that it can be kept at a sustainable level
There will not be building for building’s sake – we need to consider infrastructure so that new development will not lead to traffic congestion.
James Strawbridge asked, in consideration of infra structure, whether the former colliery railway line to Cotgrave could be preserved as a branch line? The city council’s tram link to Clifton could link up with the Great Central at Ruddington & a rail link to E. Leake.
Will continue to look into all possibilities
The Chairman mentioned that W. Bridgford has always protected its boundaries, is there a danger of a larger unitary authority being formed covering all of S. Nottinghamshire?
     This is happening all over the country. RBC is doing joint working with Charnwood to provide back-office services – this should help with economies of scale. Since the ‘70s national government has been creating bigger local authorities & fewer of them.  
Why is there no local plan? What does RBC have instead?
The plan was supposed to be replaced by ’07. The plan was defeated at full council. There are other authorities in the same position. RBC has a non-statutory Local Plan & new guidance. The developers that wish to develop the Sharphill site are consulting with the community on their plans. If the developers fail to obtain planning permission the developers may win on appeal. This has happened in E. Bridgford.
Can RBC influence the PCT, a body that is not democratically accountable, to provide GPs in a community?
The PCT has been restructured. Strategic documents can specify where GPs can be e.g. in Bingham. In the future elected members will be able to invite other bodies to explain why decisions have been made.
There is too much traffic on Trent Boulevard, including large delivery vehicles.
This is the responsibility of the County Council – there may have been a study on Trent Boulevard. In the Local Area Agreements congestion has to be investigated. The way of working is frustrating, e.g. a road has to be an accident black site before action can be taken.
Fiona Boyd asked whether a safe cycling route to Rushcliffe School could be set up as in many places in London.
Nottingham City & Nottinghamshire have 1 of the best bus services outside London. At the launch of the RBC Corporate Plan Pedals (Nottingham’s Cycling Campaign Group) were asked to input. The issue will be looked at in the Community Strategy. During an economic recession developers will tend to drop cycle routes etc. We need to consider carefully where cycle routes are needed.
Could there be residents’ parking in Lady Bay?
With decriminalised parking being implemented from Monday 12th May the enforcement of parking offences will be the responsibility of local authorities not the police. RBC & the county council are setting on a private contractor to control parking. It is likely that parking problems will come to light so residents’ parking schemes may be needed in more areas. An explanation of the change has been the subject of an article in a Forest F.C. match programme.
A resident asked whether the Home Zone 20mph speed limit could be extended as vehicles speed up when they reach Adbolton Lane where there is a60mph limit.
The Chairman explained that the 20mph limit is advisory. 60mph is common in rural areas 30 in urban so the limit on Adbolton Lane makes the area appear more rural.   
The Chairman asked why the footbridge over the ha-ha in Bridgford Park has not been repaired after it was damaged by vandalism last year.
Will discuss this issue with the relevant officer tomorrow
A resident mentioned the disgusting state of the public toilets in Bridgford Park.
They are in poor condition. New public toilets will be provided when the CHUB is built. RBC does try to keep the present ones clean – they are often misused. It will be better when the library has the public toilets within the building. The planning application for the CHUB should be under discussion at the next RBC Development Control Committee meeting on Thurs 22 May.
A resident expressed concern over the excessive height of Riverside Crescent block of flats on the other side of the River Trent. She also was concerned about the expensive price of the apartments – resulting in poor sales.
Nottingham City Council has consulted RBC on the building but RBC has no decision making powers on development on Nottingham City Council land.
What does “affordable” mean in the housing context?
Usually social housing for rent, in RBC in a new development of more than 15 dwellings, 30% must be affordable.
Julie Palmer said that she finds RBC website hard to use.
Will look into this
A resident stated that there is a lot of noise nuisance from the other side of the river.
Will contact the environmental health officers – leave names & details of the nature of the problem with the councillors at the end of the meeting for them to pass on.
 
The Chairman thanked Allen.

FIELDS Report: The County Council is likely to apply for planning permission for the park & ride site soon. This is nearer to Lady Bay than the original proposal.
FIELDS was set up in 1987 to campaign to prevent the development of the land east of Lady Bay. The 4th Trent crossing was a major issue at 1st but this is no longer a threat. FIELDS supported the farmer in keeping the land in agricultural use but now the farmer has died. A new FIELDS committee is to be set up – please add your details to the list at the back of the room if you are interested.  
Alan Bell reported that the Simkin’s Farm & Community Group (the Greenies) continue to cultivate 3 ½ acres of land, growing beetroot, potatoes, leeks & fruit trees. There are 6-8 people regularly working on the land. If any one else would like to join please see Alan at the end of the meeting or ring him on 914 0806.
Questions& comments:
Is the farmhouse a listed building?
Yes, it is grade II listed. When the building is auctioned it will probably be developed with the farmhouse being converted & the land around built on.
Simon Anthony suggested that the land be planted with trees – a Lady Bay forest.
The Chairman considered that the County Council are likely to try to obtain planning permission for housing on the land. If they are unsuccessful who knows what might happen in the future.
Julie Palmer stated that there are rumours that that all the land is for sale.
Saville’s Estate Agents are selling the farmhouse & adjoining land – we will see what is for sale soon.
Fiona Boyd commented that the piece of land at the back of the farm house is an archaeological site. She asked what has happened to the 3 stones that used to be at the front of the farmhouse.
Julie Palmer answered that the stones have been stolen –they were not part of the original building.
 The Chairman stated that FIELDS has money in the bank account for a future campaign.

 The chairman introduced Fiona Boyd

Planters Fiona gave a presentation about the scheme for local residents to adopt the planters. Councillor Mallender presented Fiona with a cheque from RBC to start the scheme off.

The chairman thanked Fiona & introduced Don Read of Neighbourhood Watch.
 
Neighbourhood Watch Report &Data Link Scheme The police were here from 19:30-20:00 to discuss crime issues.
Crime levels are very low.
The Data Link scheme involves personal information e.g. next of kin, name of GP, allergies, medication etc being stored in a specially labelled film case stored in one’s ‘fridge. A sticker on the front door indicates that the resident has a Data Link case. The scheme was originally setup for elderly people living alone. But it is good for everyone including families. 15,000 kits have been prepared for distribution in W. Bridgford. They are available from Lady Bay Pharmacy, Blades, B & H News, Morrison’s Gamston, Co-op W. Bridgford, all W. Bridgford GP surgeries & Trent Boulevard Post Office. People may have a kit from 2001. Check it! It may well be out of date. Kits are available to take home this evening. It is a good idea to have a 2nd kit in one’s car. Take 3 – 1 for you, 1 for your car & 1 for your neighbour!

The chairman thanked Don & introduced Jane Turner.

Footpaths The county council & W. Bridgford Equestrian Centre have locked gates & placed fences across well-used paths on the land east of Lady Bay. There are no official rights of way across the land. Forms are available at the back of the room to fill in to show that you have used paths for 20+ years. There is also a piece of paper for you to add your contact details on to if you would like to be involved in a footpaths group.

The Chairman thanked Jane & introduced the Secretary, Sue Blount:

Plastic Bag Free Lady Bay If you would like to be involved in a campaign to make Lady Bay plastic bag free please leave your contact details on the list at the back of the room.

Meeting closed at 22:10