BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL

Transcription

1 BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL SUTTON TRINITY WARD COMMITTEE THURSDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2013 MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SUTTON TRINITY WARD COMMITTEE HELD ON THURSDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2013 AT 1930 HOURS IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, SUTTON COLDFIELD TOWN HALL, SUTTON COLDFIELD PRESENT: - Councillor Margaret Waddington in the Chair:- Councillors Philip Parkin and David Pears ALSO PRESENT: Charles Ashton-Gray Adults & Communities and Ward Champion Beverly Edmead Democratic Services Officer Sgt. S Hensley Trinity Neighbourhood Team, West Midlands Police PC Kiernan Trinity Neighbourhood Team, West Midlands Police Olive O Sullivan District Support Officer 566 APOLOGIES (There were 22 members of the public in attendance). None submitted. Welcome ************************************* The Chairman welcomed Akash Thumba, Ethan Duddridge and Ryan Sabzevari, Year 6 pupils at The Shrubbery Primary School and Lucy Green, Year 6 pupil at Whitehouse Common Primary School, who were attending the meeting as part of their Rotary Junior Community Award. The Ward Committee wished the pupils well with their completion of the award. 316

2 567 MINUTES Sutton Trinity Ward Committee 14 November 2013 The Minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2013, having been circulated to Members were taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chairman. Matters Arising There were no matters arising. 568 MATTERS OF URGENT LOCAL CONCERN Parking Issues College Hill A local resident Clare Johnson expressed concerns at the lack of residential parking at College Hill, which had been made worse following the increase in eateries, bars and express convenience stores in the immediate area. None of the houses had driveways or off-road parking facilities and it was increasingly difficult for residents to park outside or near to the homes on a daily basis. Mrs Johnson added that she was aware of the proposals to provide additional parking on Manor Hill, however felt this would lead to an increase in customers to the facilities in that part of the town centre, and would have very little impact providing parking provision for residents. Mrs Johnson further added that they would be willing to contribute towards a residents only parking scheme, as would other residents if it meant they were able to park outside their own homes without fear of being fined or having their personal safety compromised by having to park elsewhere. Councillor Philip Parkin confirmed that he had been dealing with the concerns raised by Mrs Johnson, and had been in regular contact with Mrs Johnson and Karl Randall, Senior Services Manager, Engineers to see how the issues could be resolved; the current restrictions had been in place since 1986, and in the main, had worked for a number of residents. Councillor Parkin further advised that any proposed alterations to the existing Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) would require consultation with the residents, which may not achieve the desired outcome. Councillor David Pears added that requests for residents only parking schemes were frequently requested; however they were very expensive to implement and maintain, and where implemented, were done as a part of a much wider parking management scheme often associated with schools or football stadiums. Following further discussion, the Chairman proposed that a letter was sent to the Senior Services Manager, Engineers on behalf of the Ward Committee requesting that the parking issues in College Hill be reviewed, and to see what other steps could be taken address the concerns raised. There were no other matters raised. 317

3 (i) (ii) That a letter be sent to the Senior Services Manager, Engineers on behalf of the Ward Committee requesting that the concerns raised regarding parking in College Hill be reviewed and to see what other steps could be taken to address the concerns raised. That a further update to be given at the next meeting of the Ward Committee. 569 RECEIPT OF PETITIONS (IF ANY) None submitted. 570 WHITEHOUSE COMMON PRIMARY SCHOOL INFORMATION UPDATE The Chairman advised that a meeting was due to be held with the Head Teacher, the Architect and Council Officers at the school on Friday 15 November; a feasibility study would be undertaken and the findings available early January. Officers will be attending the Ward Committee meeting in January to give a full update regarding the proposals for the possible expansion of the school. That the verbal update be noted, and that the appropriate Education and Planning Officers be invited to the next Ward Committee meeting to provide a full update. 571 BIRMINGHAM DEVELOPMENT PLAN (GREEN BELT DEVELOPMENT) The Chairman advised that the revised proposals would be formally submitted to City Council on 3 December Planning Officers would be attending the next Ward Committee meeting in January to give a presentation and full update regarding the revised proposals and details of the consultation process if the proposals were approved by City Council. In the meantime, the full report and associated appendices were available on the City Council website. Councillor David Pears expressed his disappointment that Planning Officers had not attended this meeting, given the strong views and concerns of local residents and Councillors of the proposed destruction of Green Belt land for the provision of extra homes, and that it was essential that residents fully understood what had been proposed and the grounds and criteria for any objections. The Chairman added that a significant number of residents living in the ward would be affected by the proposals and stressed the importance of making their views and concerns known. 318

4 Councillor Pears requested that full copies of the proposals and associated appendices must be made available in the local libraries. That the verbal update be noted and that Planning Officers be invited to give a full presentation and information update at the next Ward Committee meeting, 572 BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL SERVICE REVIEWS The Chairman welcomed Charles Ashton-Gray, Adults and Communities who was attending the meeting to advise of the reviews of all services currently being undertaken by the City Council and how residents could contribute and/or participate in the discussion process. A PowerPoint Presentation was handed out to all present at the meeting, along with copies of the Green Papers for the following service areas:- A Well Managed and Resilient City Developing a Successful and Inclusive Economy Support Services 2 Developing Successful and Inclusive Communities Safe, Clean and Green Neighbourhoods (See Document No. 1) Mr Ashton-Gray advised of the ongoing savings required to be made by the City Council over the next few years which could not be achieved solely through the efficiency savings programme, and outlined the following points:- Consideration to the restructuring of services so that they become more income generating this could include the introduction of charges for daily car parking in parks and public open spaces. Increasing the charges that we currently make for existing services. Consider new ways to generate income, which could include charging other agencies or smaller councils for specialist services or expertise. Reviewing the locations from where services were provided. Buying in functions and services from outside providers where this was more cost effective. Moving towards the provision of more online services, including selling advertising space on the City Council website. Attracting more businesses, investments and events to Birmingham. 319

5 Mr Ashton-Gray further advised that the Service Review consultation period would close on Friday 15 November. The Budget consultation process would commence in December, with a number of events and meetings taking place across the city, which residents could attend to share/submit their views and comments. During discussion, Councillor Parkin and Pears commented on the poor layout and format of the information contained in the document; there was too much information for residents to take in and make informed decisions about the future of council services within the time period, and not enough attention paid to providing relevant information or to making the document more reader friendly. Councillor Pears expressed concerns at the proposals to increase cemetery charges and strongly advised that any changes must be handled sensitively. He expressed further concerns at the proposals to introduce charge for car parking in Sutton and Rectory Parks, adding that this was not welcomed and would increase the problems with on-street parking already being experienced by local residents. Councillor Parkin added there was no mention of the assets held by the City Council in the Green Papers or the excessive costs charged by Service Birmingham for the provision of IT facilities and services. The Chairman thanked Mr Ashton-Gray for his attendance and presentation. That the contents of the Service Reviews Green Papers and presentation be noted. 573 ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA The following items were suggested:- Birmingham Development Plan (Green Belt Development) Whitehouse Common Primary School Highway Issues Wheelie Bins Implementation Programme That the items be noted. 574 PLANNING APPLICATIONS The weekly lists of Planning Applications for the period 13/10/2013 to 09/11/2013 were tabled at the meeting:- 320

6 (See Document No. 2) Referring to Planning Application 2013/07104/PA 57 Birmingham Road, for a change of use from existing Retail unit (use Class A1) to Pub and Bar (use Class A4), Councillor Pears expressed concerns that residents living near to the premises may not have been made aware of the application and requested that confirmation of this was sought from the Planning Department. There were no additional comments or objections made in respect of the weekly lists. (i) (ii) (iii) That the weekly lists of Planning Applications for the period 13/10/2013 to 09/11/2013 be noted. That confirmation be sought from the Planning Department that Residents living in close proximity to Planning Application 2013/07104/PA were notified of the application. That a Planning Officer be invited to a future Ward Committee Meeting to address concerns regarding the increase in fast food takeaway outlets in the town centre. 575 OUTSTANDING MINUTES The following schedule of Outstanding Minutes was submitted:- (See Document no. 3) The Ward Committee requested that the Outstanding Minutes be continued. (i) That the Outstanding Minutes be continued. 576 OTHER URGENT BUSINESS MEMBERS ONLY None raised. 321

7 577 AUTHORITY TO CHAIRMAN AND OFFICERS RESOLVED: - That the Chairman (or in his/her absence, the Vice-Chairman if appropriate) be and is hereby authorised to act until the next meeting of the Committee except that in respect of the exercise of the Council s Executive functions delegated to it by the Cabinet, the appropriate Chief Officers are hereby authorised to act in consultation with the Chairman and that the Director of Legal and Democratic Services is authorised to affix the Corporate Seal to any document necessary to give effect to a decision of the said officers acting in pursuance of the power hereby delegated to them; further that a report of all action taken under this authority be submitted to the next meeting and that such report shall explain why this authority was used. The meeting closed at 2030 hours CHAIRMAN 322