Agenda item

To receive an update from the Scrutiny Officer regarding the Review of Neighbourhood Centres.

The Scrutiny Officer gave an update regarding the Review of the Neighbourhood Centres following the site visits to Oaks Cross, The Oval, Symonds Green, Bedwell and St Nicholas. Photographs of the visits were circulated and shown at the meeting.

Members agreed that the outcomes of the Community Centre Review which was currently being undertaken by the Council would have an impact on this review.

The following issues were raised:

Oaks Cross

·         Trees had been removed from the planters;

·         Some Members had used locality budgets for neighbourhood improvements;

·         Fly tipping at the rear of the commercial premises was an issue;

·         Unsightly barbed wire around a storage area;

·         Possible evidence of drug use;

·         The area could be enhanced by changing colours of the concrete around the centre which was all one colour and very drab;

·         Half finished painting on the wall.

Symonds Green

·         The area to the rear of the shops was unsightly particularly where the scaffolding was in place;

·         Members were pleased to hear of the successful programme at the recently expanded Community Centre.

St Nicholas

·         Unsightly security fence probably from the 1990’s;

·         2 concrete planters previously situated in the Town Centre had been purchased through a Member’s LCB allocation which would be installed shortly. Clarification was sought regarding whether or not a fee should be payable for these previously used planters which were currently stored at Cavendish Road Depot to be redeployed in Neighbourhood Centres;

·         A new notice board would be put up in the centre;

·         The telephone box had now been removed;

·         There was a dispute regarding the ownership and responsibility for the damaged wall and flagstones to the rear of the community centre which was currently being looked into;

·         Officers agreed to check to see if the area was included on the replacement programme for rails and shrub beds;

The Oval

·         The damaged steps were dangerous and could easily result in accidents and potential claims. There was still a dispute regarding ownership and responsibility for the repairs between SBC and HCC. Strategic Director (TP) agreed to take the matter up with the appropriate officers. Councillor Callaghan also advised she would speak to the HCC Portfolio Holder responsible for highways;

·         New signage and a new mural would shortly be in place;

·         The flower beds would be full of wild flowers in the summer. Cllr Callaghan as Chair of the Community Garden advised that a national charity offering crocus bulbs had been approached and that these would be planted late in the year for flowers to come up early next year.

Bedwell

·      All but one of the shops were let;

·         Paint was peeling on some of the railings and a deep clean was required;

·         Graffiti on walls including the mural which needed updating;

·         Cash machines all charged a fee for use.

Members were keen that any lessons learnt from this review should be fed into new developments such as the Town Centre and Bragbury End.

It was RESOLVED:

(i)            That the individual actions noted above and those included in the Scrutiny Officer’s report be picked up by officers;

(ii)          That a further report be brought back to this Committee in the new Municipal Year;

(iii)         That the Assistant Director (Housing Development) be invited to a future meeting to report on future regeneration plans and timescales for the Neighbourhood Centres.