WALTON AND WEST COMMUNITY FORUM. Tuesday 23rd November, Present -

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1 1 WALTON AND WEST COMMUNITY FORUM Tuesday 23rd November, 2010 Present - Representing Chesterfield Borough Council His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Keith Morgan (Chair) Councillor Eleanor Draycott (formerly Holmes) Councillor Denise Hawksworth Mark Evans Lead Officer Mary Stead Support Officer Stephen Oliver Assistant Solicitor Trevor Durham Safer Neighbourhoods Officer Co-opted Members Rachel Driver Representing Derbyshire County Council Andrea Bond Democratic Services Representing Derbyshire Constabulary PC Dave Randell Approximately 20 members of the public were present DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PREJUDICIAL INTEREST BY MEMBERS RELATING TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA No declarations were received APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND CORRESPONDENCE Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Brown, Kitch, Russell and Diouf, and from Jack Palmer-Coote, Eleanor Fear, Marjorie Harrison, Richard Lombers, Denise Howard, David Williams, Helen Barlow, June and David Muxlow and Bob Mansell. Mr Umpleby had resigned from the Forum, on health grounds, and was thanked for his contribution to the work of the Forum APPLICATION TO SERVE AS A CO-OPTED MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY FORUM The Forum considered an application to serve as a co-opted member.

2 2 That John Boult be elected to serve as a co-opted member of Walton and West Community Forum DESIGNATED PUBLIC PLACES ORDER CONSULTATION Stephen Oliver, Senior Solicitor at the Borough Council, presented a proposal to extend a Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) into Southern Chesterfield, including part of the Forum area. This would become an alcohol control zone, where drinking alcohol in public places was not banned, but where the Police had greater powers to combat alcoholrelated anti-social behaviour in public places, including parks, roads, footpaths and streets, but excluding licensed premises. Events in parks licensed to serve alcohol were exempted, if people were drinking responsibly there. Within a DPPO the Police could stop people drinking and confiscate alcohol. Any refusal to comply with a police request could result in arrest, a fixed penalty notice and prosecution leading to fines of 500 maximum. There had been a DPPO in force in the town centre for six years, and this DPPO would be the second in Chesterfield. Trevor Durham, Safer Neighbourhoods Officer, explained that crime pattern analysis had been used to identify areas where alcohol-related problems occurred regularly, Concerns were expressed that a DPPO could have the effect of transferring problems beyond its borders. Walton Dam, Walton Shops and Somersall Park were areas where problem drinking had been observed, but Sgt. Randell reported that anti-social behaviour in these areas had been prioritised, resulting in few calls for service, so that these areas had not been included in the DPPO. Sergeant Randell explained that the Police already had powers to use with under-age drinkers, and were working closely with the youth service to minimise the problems caused by this age-group, and the risks to themselves. Youth workers from the Peter Webster Centre were returning young people found drinking in public places to their parents, with a warning about putting themselves at risk.. A DPPO would apply to those who were legally old enough to drink, since under-18s were already subject to other legislation. Concerns were raised about Chesterfield s night-time economy, and the impact of the activities of nuisance-drinkers which deter others from visiting the town centre at night. Progress had been made with controlling the sale of alcohol by off-licences and shops, but multiagency work was still needed to support alcohol-dependent people.

3 3 The consultation on extending the DPPO would end on 31st January, 2011 and people were encouraged to write in with their comments before then. The Scrutiny Board had agreed in principle to the proposed DPPO, but had expressed concern at the lack of evaluation of the town-centre DPPO, before a new DPPO was set up. The Forum shared the Scrutiny Board s belief that evaluation would show whether or not a DPPO were the best way to deal with alcohol-related disorder, but also expressed support for the proposed DPPO. Trevor Durham stated that the night-time economy of the town centre was very different to the economy in the area covered by the new proposals. Licensees in the town centre had introduced measures to reduce assaults, for example serving drinks in plastic rather than glass bottles, and policing was targeted on town centre disorder. The Forum requested an update on the situation at its next meeting, including more detailed information on the identified hotspots and the reasons why the boundaries had been drawn to include some areas and not others. That subject to the provision of further information on the town-centre DPPO and more details of the proposed DPPO, the Forum supported this initiative in principle, as a means of controlling alcohol-related antisocial behaviour POLICE LIAISON/COMMUNITY SAFETY ISSUES PC Randell provided crime statistics for October from the police website which highlighted the trends in Walton and West. He had held a Community Safety Panel meeting on 28th October, 2010, and local priorities had been set. Burglary and vehicle crime had been reduced, and were replaced as priorities by measures to deal with anti-social behaviour by young people at Hazel Drive, and on Walgrove Road, and to target purse-dipping and handling of stolen items, particularly at Morrisons supermarket. The Panel would meet again on 3rd February, 2011, to review these priorities. An increase in burglary at the time of year was predicted, and the use of the Ringmaster community messaging service was recommended. Details had been circulated, and anyone wishing to register should contact or phone for further information. An update was provided on the problems of purse theft in Morrisons, and theft of cash near the external cashpoints. The Police Business Crime Prevention Officer was working with Morrisons management to reduce the incidence of theft in the shop. That the report be noted.

4 HIGHWAYS UPDATE AND DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL ISSUES Responses were provided to questions on: - obtaining traffic count information for Chatsworth Road - removal of overgrown vegetation on Foxcote Way - removal of loose chippings on Walgrove Road - the possibility of altering traffic signs and road markings to improve the safety of the exit from Morrisons. New information and requests included: - information on traffic calming proposals on Heaton Street, and consideration of the relative merits of speed humps and chicanes. Parked cars along the roadside were not sufficient to slow down through traffic, and any residents parking scheme would be unpopular with shops and cafes in the area - a request for information on the duration of roadworks on Foljambe Road, Storrs Road, Old Hall Road, Whitecotes Lane and Rutland Road. That progress be noted, and that an update on proposals for traffic calming and control of parking on Heaton Street be requested from Derbyshire County Council OPEN SESSION Information was requested on the plans for tree-felling in the Somersall Park Masterplan, to ensure that only those trees that needed to be felled on safety grounds were removed. The Lead Officer agreed to seek clarification from the Borough Council Landscape Development Officer. Concern was expressed about parking on double yellow lines in Bobbin Mill Lane, where enforcement and improved signage was requested. Spirepride were thanked for removing overgrown foliage in Park Hall Gardens, but local residents requested a larger green bin for their garden waste. The Lead Officer agreed to seek further clarification on the process for obtaining larger green bins. That updates would be provided at a future meeting FORUM STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN There was discussion about the need to update the Forum s Strategy and Action Plan. A meeting would be arranged in the New Year, for Members of Council,

5 5 co-opted members and members of the public. A meeting would also be held to set up the Friends of Somersall Park. A provisional date of 25th January, 2011 was suggested, and the date and venue would be confirmed. That two open meetings would be held early in 2011, to set up a Friends of Somersall Park group, and to start the process of updating the Strategy and Action Plan PROGRESS REPORT FROM PLANNING SUB-GROUP Apologies had been received from Bob Mansell, but he had asked that the issue of the proposed 0 2 phone-mast on Acorn Ridge be discussed. It was said that this would be at the roadside, not far from Holymoorside primary school, although just outside the Borough, in North East Derbyshire. The Borough Council would be consulted about the planning application. Councillor Morgan would ensure that residents concerns were included in the Borough Council comments on the planning proposal. It was stated that because the research on the possible effects of mobile phone masts on human health was inconclusive, the only valid reason for objecting to these masts would be on amenity grounds, as suggested at Item 3 on the Forum s Action Plan Oppose the siting of telecommunications masts in inappropriate areas. Concerns were raised about the possible effects of phone masts on the value of surrounding houses. Councillor Hawksworth also suggested that any consideration of the siting of phone masts should take into account the precautionary principle of avoiding any possible risk to the local population. The Forum s objections would be explained in a letter to be drafted by Councillors Morgan, Hawksworth and Draycott, with the Forum Lead Officer and Support Officer. Councillor Hawksworth agreed to investigate a proposal to build new houses on Chatsworth Road near Wash House Lane, as infill, because concerns were raised about the impact of this work on surrounding properties. That the Forum s objections to this planning application would be stated BUDGET Budget Statement A Budget Statement was provided, and a report on possible uses for the

6 6 remaining funds was considered. Chatsworth Road Floral Displays The Forum requested more detailed costings for the provision of hanging baskets and other floral decorations along Chatsworth Road. They asked for other providers to be approached, to see whether they could provide a similar display at a reduced cost, because it was necessary for the Borough Council to demonstrate value for money. It was also suggested that local shopkeepers could be approached to see whether they would be willing to sponsor parts of the display. A decision would be taken, based on this comparative information, at the January meeting of the Forum. Grit Bins The Forum was reminded of the Derbyshire County Council criteria used when approving the site of suggested new grit bins. The Derbyshire winter maintenance programme was focused on keeping main roads clear for traffic, and the County Council only provided grit bins that it would fill where they were required for safety on these routes. Other grit bins were the direct responsibility of the Borough Council, or were funded by Community Forums. Some Community Forums had a policy of not funding any grit bins. Concern had been expressed by Forums about the theft of grit from Forumfunded bins. The Borough Council Scrutiny Board was considering the funding of grit bins, and would be receiving a report from the Scrutiny Panel chaired by Councillor Morgan at its meeting on 16th December, Community Forums had agreed to defer deciding to fund any more grit bins until the Scrutiny Board had made its recommendation on funding for these grit bins. The Forum would continue to pay for two fills per year for its four existing grit bins at Medlock Road, Upland Rise, Walgrove Road and Delves Close. It was suggested that a fifth bin, at Park Hall Gardens, be added to this list, to be filled twice a year, when Derbyshire County Council had installed it. The estimated cost to the Forum would be approximately 450 for two fills per year for five bins. Other proposed grit bins, including the one requested at Netherleigh Road, would be considered when the Scrutiny Board had made its recommendations.

7 7 That two fills per year be funded by the Forum for grit bins at Medlock Road, Upland Rise, Walgrove Road and Delves Close, and that two fills per year be funded by the Forum for a grit bin at Park Hall Gardens, when it had been installed by Derbyshire County Council PROGRESS REPORT ON THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETINGS AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Progress was reported on establishing a Friends of Somersall Park group, on street cleaning in Park Hall Gardens, Netherleigh Road and Walgrove Road, and on inspection of a culvert under Somersall Lane. Information items included: - Census job opportunities - Work for Yourself training opportunities - Healthy Place Award - Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service advice and public consultation information COUNCIL TAX CONSULTATION Nominations were requested for representatives to attend public Council Tax Consultation meetings. That Steven Goodban, John Boult, Richard Lombars and Margaret Marcombe would represent the Forum at Council Tax Consultation meetings CONSULTATION ON EXECUTIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE BOROUGH COUNCIL The Forum s opinion was sought on two options for new Executive Arrangements: an elected Leader and Cabinet (Option 1) or an elected Mayor and Cabinet (Option 2). Local examples of elected mayors were considered, as was the value of the civic mayoral role to local people. It was reported that the Community Forum Liaison Group had supported Option 1 (Leader and Cabinet). That the majority of the Forum attendees supported Option 1 (Leader and Cabinet Executive) STREETSCENE IMPROVEMENTS FOCUS GROUP Nominations were requested for a Focus Group on Streetscene Improvements.

8 8 That Rachel Driver, Steven Goodban and Charles Brown would represent the Forum at the Streetscene Improvements Focus Group BOROUGH COUNCIL PETITIONS SCHEME The extension of the Council s Petitions Scheme to include e-petitions was explained. That the report be noted MINUTES That the Minutes of the meetings on 28th September, 2010 and 4th October, 2010 be agreed as a true record MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES A serious accident had been reported at the roundabout near Morrisons supermarket. It was suggested that Friends of the Inkerman be requested to report on their funding application DATES AND TIMES OF FUTURE MEETINGS The next meeting of the Forum would be on Tuesday 18th January, 2011, at 2.00 p.m. at St John s Church Centre. A special daytime meeting to consider updating the Forum s Strategy and Action Plan would be arranged at the Town Hall, during January. An inaugural meeting of the Friends of Somersall Park would be arranged, at a date and venue to be confirmed.