Agenda item
TO RECEIVE ANY DEPUTATIONS OR PETITIONS
The deputations and petitions received for presentation to the Council Meeting are set out in the attached agenda item 5.
Decision:
DEPUTATIONS
5.1.1 Deputation re: the effect of the economic downturn on residents
Ms. Claire Palmer addressed the meeting in support of the deputation.
DECISION
That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director of Resources for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Chris Naylor, Corporate Director of Resources)
5.1.2 Deputation re: living standards on the Exmouth Estate
Mr. Dave Coker addressed the meeting in support of the deputation.
DECISION
That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Paul Evans, Interim Corporate Director, Development and Renewal)
5.1.3 Deputation re: Latham House
Mr Aleyk Miah addressed the meeting in support of the deputation.
DECISION
That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Paul Evans, Interim Corporate Director, Development and Renewal)
PETITIONS
5.2.1 Petition re: Tesco Express Supermarket on Bow Road
Petition not heard as no representative of the petitioners was in attendance.
5.2.2 Petition re: Island Homes
Mr Terence Austin and Jenny Fisher addressed the meeting in support of the petition.
DECISION
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Paul Evans, Interim Corporate Director, Development and Renewal)
5.2.3 Petition re: anti-social behaviour on the Devons Road Estate
Mr. Tazul Islam addressed the meeting in support of the petition.
DECISION
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
(Action by: Stephen Halsey, Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture)
Minutes:
DEPUTATIONS
5.1.1 Deputation re: the effect of the economic downturn on residents
At the invitation of the Mayor, Ms. Claire Palmer addressed the meeting in support of the deputation. She re-iterated the points made in the printed agenda on the effect of the economic downturn on residents.
Ms. Palmer responded to questions from Members of the Council.
Councillor Joshua Peck, Lead Member for Resources and Performance responded to the matters raised by Ms. Palmer. The Council was required to set a balanced budget which meant balancing what it spent on services with its income, including the income it derives from Council Tax.
The Council was committed to ensuring that services for local people are capable of meeting local needs and also to setting a Council Tax that is affordable. Councillor Peck outlined a number of the Council’s initiatives to support local residents across a range of service areas and stated that the authority would continue to work with local partners to ensure an effective and affordable respond to the economic situation.
RESOLVED
That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director of Resources for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
5.1.2 Deputation re: living standards on the Exmouth Estate
At the invitation of the Mayor, Mr. Dave Coker addressed the meeting in support of the deputation concerning the decline of living standards on the Exmouth Estate since it had been transferred to Swan Housing.
Mr. Coker responded to questions from Members of the Council.
Councillor Marc Francis, Lead Member for Housing and Development responded to the matters raised by Mr. Coker. Councillor Francis stated that he had also visited the Exmouth Estate on four occasions and had noted the door entry systems, lighting that had been vandalised and the poor caretaking. He had met with Senior Officers at Swan Housing and as a result Swan had given a commitment to deal urgently with the caretaking issues and had revised the schedule of works for the door entry systems to be made fully operational.
In relation to the redevelopment of Brayford Square, Swan proposed that the existing shops and community interests would be relocated into new premises along the Commercial Road frontage. Residents across the estate would be consulted on the redevelopment proposals in the coming months. Regarding compliance with the offer documents, the Council was satisfied that Swan’s current proposals did not represent a departure but the position would be kept under review.
RESOLVED
That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
5.1.3 Deputation re: Latham House
On the invitation of the Mayor, Mr Aleyk Miah addressed the meeting in support of the deputation concerning Latham House.
Mr. Miah responded to questions by Members of the Council.
Councillor Marc Francis, Lead Member for Housing and Development responded to the matters raised by Mr. Miah and said that the Council had entered into a 15 year management agreement with Family Mosaic Housing in March 1996 and this included knock throughs to create additional family units. Those living in Latham House had been granted an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, which had only very limited security. The people who moved in originally were principally homeless or in severe housing need. Some of those had become overcrowded. The situation was unsatisfactory and a Project Team had been established to determine options and discuss management issues. Councillor Francis said that he would ensure that residents were kept informed.
RESOLVED
That the deputation be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
PETITIONS
5.2.1 Petition re: Tesco Express Supermarket on Bow Road
This petition was not heard as no representative of the petitioners was in attendance.
5.2.2 Petition re: Island Homes
At the invitation of the Mayor, Mr Terence Austin and Ms. Jenny Fisher addressed the meeting in support of the petition. They re-iterated the points raised in the written petition and called on the Council to investigate the actions of Island Homes and instigate mediation with a view to reinstating the constitution of Island Homes as a local, responsive and resident-led association.
Mr. Austin and Ms. Fisher responded to questions from Members of the Council.
Councillor Marc Francis, Lead Member for Housing and Development responded to the matters raised in the petition. He said that Councillors shared the concerns of residents regarding One Housing Group’s refusal to reinstate a resident majority board for Island Homes and regarding the fundamental changes made to service delivery. Councillor Francis had written to the Housing Minister to ask her to intervene and copies of the letter had been circulated. He had also met the Chief Executive of the new Tenant Services Authority, Mr Peter Marsh. A further meeting was arranged for the following day and Councillor Francis would continue to push for an early resolution to the issues raised.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Development and Renewal for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
5.2.3 Petition re: anti-social behaviour on the Devons Road Estate
At the invitation of the Mayor, Mr. Tazul Islam addressed the meeting in support of the petition concerning anti-social behaviour on the Devons Road Estate.
Mr. Islam responded to questions from Members of the Council.
Councillor Abdal Ullah, Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener responded to the matters raised in Mr. Islam’s petition. The Council are committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and negotiations had taken place regarding additional police officers and neighbourhood enforcement officers to support and work alongside the safer neighbourhood teams. These new teams would be available from April. In addition, the authority had made significant investments in CCTV and Rainhill Way and Stroudley Walk had been identified as sites for CCTV systems subject to funding.
RESOLVED
That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture for a written response on any outstanding matters within 28 days.
Supporting documents: