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Minutes – Community Affairs Committee – 4 March 2024

The agenda and papers for this meeting are available here: Community Affairs Committee – 4 March 2024 – agenda and papers

The minutes of this meeting are presented below.

You can also download a PDF copy of the minutes here: Minutes – Community Affairs Committee – 4 March 2024

Additional reports were received after the meeting had finished:

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Minutes

Date: 4 March 2024

Time: 5.30pm – 7.15pm

Location: The Council Chamber – The Council House • North Street • CHICHESTER • West Sussex • PO19 1LQ

PRESENT: Councillors Apel, Chant, J Gershater, Knight, Kondabeka, Hitchman, Vivian (via Zoom)

EX-OFFICIO: The Mayor (Councillor C Gershater)

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: The Town Clerk, Councillor Butler, Councillor Pramas, Civic & Council Support Officer, Community Officer, Helen Marshall (CEO and Chairman of Chichester BID), Judith Ratledge (Whyke Residents Association – WRA), Pam Bushby (Community Wardens), Allison McDonald-Hughes and Robert Long (New Park Community and Arts Association NPCAA), Graham Roberts (Kingsham Area Action Group KAAG)

53. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

RESOLVED to accept and approve apologies and reasons for absence from the meeting from Councillor Loxton.

54. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE IN MATTERS ON THE AGENDA FOR THIS MEETING

The Mayor declared an interest as a Public Governor (for Chichester) for the Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.

55. MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 4 DECEMBER 2023.

RESOLVED to approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Community Affairs Committee meeting held on 4 December 2023.

To correct the pronoun used to refer to Councillor Chant in minute 40 from his to their.

Agreed as a correct record and signed.

At this point the Chairman took agenda item 5a.

56. COMMUNITY WARDENS

Pam Bushby reported that the team have been working hard on anti-social behaviour in the City, while working closely with police and partners and directly intervening in problem cases (e.g. home visits, acceptable behaviour contracts, etc). The Wardens were enjoying a new on-the-go reporting app, whilst out in the field.

The Committee was advised that Chichester District Council would be sending out contribution invoices and a revised Memorandum of Understanding soon and wanted to thank Chichester City Council (CCC) for their support and contribution to the service.

The Chairman asked about the perception of knife crime in Chichester amongst young people as some believe that gangs are starting to carry knives and that this had been perceived as a growing and escalating problem, which was making many young people feel unsafe. Ms Bushby replied that this perception of knives being carried may not actually be reality, but they are aware that it was a potential problem and are monitoring behind the scenes.

Cllr Chant requested that wardens consider the use of language (e.g. young people instead of youths) in their reports, as currently, it could be seen as stigmatising.

Cllr Kondabeka requested the report be updated to reflect that it is the UK Harvest Food Hub that is potentially moving, not the Chichester District Foodbank.

At this point the Chairman took agenda item 7.

57. PRESENTATIONS FROM OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS

a) New Park Community and Arts Association

Allison McDonald-Hughes and Robert Long gave a presentation on proposals to improve the New Park Community Centre, including re-roofing the entire building, improving the entrance area, upgrading the toilets, expanding the café/bar area, and improving the brand identity and signage on the site.

The current priority was the new roof project, which is critical for the ongoing use of the building. They have a reputable architect in place undertaking survey work with the project to be completed in three phases. Phase one of the roof is likely to be undertaken early next year, with the remaining phases to follow in future years. A multi-year contribution to each phase of the roof project would be greatly appreciated as it will help when approaching larger funders for match funding.

At present they have not secured any other funding commitments.

Cllr Chant invited the Centre to attend the Community Arts Forum.

The Committee thanked them for their presentation and AGREED to make a recommendation to Full Council that a total of £150K of CIL monies should be made available for the roof project, subject to match funding being secured from other sources for the completion of the works. Funding to be phased and made available at a rate of £50K per phase.

b) Whyke Residents Association

Judith Ratledge gave a presentation on the work that had taken place to develop a community-led arts scheme for the S106 funds held at Chichester District Council (CDC) for public art, related to the development of the former Bartholomew’s site (£3,496 funding available).

Following extensive consultation with residents, the proposal is to install stone seating at Florence Park, which is carved with appropriate natural imagery (grains, seeds, etc) to reflect the history of the Bartholomew’s site.

The project would be deliverable within the S106 budget if the stones were installed directly on to the grass at Florence Park. The total project costs including installing on to a hard standing base would be £4,800. The Clerk advised the installation costs could be reduced if the works were carried out in-house by the maintenance team.

Committee RESOLVED to proceed with the project, subject to gaining approval from CDC Parks and Open Spaces team for the installation and to request the funds from CDC. Installation of the hardstanding to be completed in-house by CCC maintenance team. Any shortfall in artist costs to be funded via the CCC Public Realm budget up to a maximum artwork cost of £4,500.

At this point the Chairman took agenda item 5b.

58. POLICING AND SECURITY IN THE CITY

Chichester BID

Helen Marshall advised that the City Ambassador scheme has launched, successfully. Feedback from business levy payers and the public has been very positive so far. One of the ambassadors has been assaulted in a shoplifting incident, with police arriving fast and the ambassador was seen at A&E. The individuals were caught fleeing the scene with bodycam footage being useful for the police investigation.

BID are working closely with the police, particularly tackling the anti-social behaviour in the Cathedral grounds. Collaboration with the police is improving and the police presence in the City Is far more visible.

The ambassador team has undergone a robust training scheme to include, holistic, safeguarding, and mental health programs. Hopefully, residents will notice this in the improved quality of the service and their interactions with the public.

At this point the Chairman took agenda item 7.

59. BENCH FOR WHYKE OVAL

Graham Roberts requested funding of £2,000 for the Kingsham Area Action Group (KAAG) towards the installation of four benches and picnic tables at Whyke Oval. Additional funds totalling £3,000 have been secured from the Basil Shippam and Alsford Trusts. Total project costs are estimated at £5,000.

The Committee RESOLVED to approve support the project by contributing £2,000 towards the installation of picnic tables and benches, to be funded from the CCC Public Realm budget.

Agenda returned to original numbering.

60. UPDATES ON ACTIONS FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES NOT COVERED ELSEWHERE ON THE AGENDA

a) Councillor Gershater to talk to the NHS Community Trust about Stonepillow clients accessing services.

Cllr Craig Gershater had prepared a paper on the current provision within the local NHS Trust for homeless residents.

The Chairman recommended that the paper should be discussed at the next Homeless Forum meeting.

b) Write to Matt Davey at WSCC asking for clarification of Friends of Centurion Way archway responsibilities.

WSCC have now agreed that they will insure the gateway and the project is progressing.

c) Organise Voluntary Sector Promotion and Recruitment Event in the New Year

Katie Coffey reported that a volunteer-drive is being planned with VAAC, to include charity groups and also offer volunteering opportunities to the wider public. The date will be confirmed following a meeting with VAAC.

d) Complete ward-based community asset mapping

North and West wards still to report.

e) Provide Councillor Vivian with questions for the PCC Katy Bourne for overview & scrutiny meeting in the New Year.

Cllr Vivian had to leave the meeting and the Committee requested that a written update be supplied for circulation with the meeting minutes.

f) Get more detailed costs, permission from the family and cemetery approval for the war victim headstone.

Item deferred to a future meeting.

61. POLICING AND SECURITY IN THE CITY

(b) Chichester Police

The Committee noted that the report would be circulated with the meeting minutes.

62. TO NOTE REPORTS RECEIVED FROM THE FOLLOWING:

  • Friends of Chartres
  • Friends of Ravenna
  • Friends of Speyer
  • Friends of Valletta
  • Chichester Tree Wardens

The Committee noted receipt of the reports from all above groups.

63. VERA HOAD – MEMORIAL TREE AT GRAYLINGWELL

The Chairman explained the background to this item and the murder of Vera Hoad in 1924.

The Committee RESOLVED to fund the tree planting at Graylingwell in memory of Vera Hoad, with the costs to be paid from the Public Realm budget.

64. PROPOSAL TO IMPROVE THE STORAGE LOCKERS AT STONE PILLOW GLASSWORKS SITE

The Committee noted the Property Officer report and RESOLVED to install the all-weather lockers as proposed at a cost of £1460.70 to be funded from the Public Realm budget.

65. GALA UPDATE

The Committee noted the report on the Gala plans and thanked the team for their hard work.

66. D-DAY 80th ANNIVERSARY

Councillor Apel advised that 6 June 2024 was the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings and that Chichester had been a key command location for the coordination of the invasion. She suggested that the City Council should be involved in ensuring the day be remembered with activities across the City.

The Committee RESOLVED to contact Chichester University, Tangmere Aviation Museum and The Harbour Hotel to see if they would be willing to open up their premises and assist in participating in events on the day and to write to the Duke of Richmond to see if he would consider hosting a beacon lighting event at Goodwood.

67. LGBTQ+ ISSUES

Councillor Chant requested that the LGBTQ+ and Pride Flag Issues be considered together as one item.

Councillor Pramas explained the importance of showing allyship and support for minority communities to demonstrate that the council takes equalities seriously.

Councillor Chant then explained the issues of discrimination and intimidation that were regularly experienced by members of the community and supported the motion that the City Council could show solidarity and support with the LGBTQ+ community by flying the Pride Flag for the month of June every year.

Councillor Knight read a statement from the local Chichester Pride Committee, who could not attend the meeting as they had an alternative commitment.

The Committee RESOLVED to adopt Option 1 of the motion and fly the Intersex Pride Progressive flag during the month of June (except for D-Day, Sussex Day and Armed Forces Day).

68. ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA

  • Gala Update
  • D Day Update
  • Grant Applications
  • Community Arts Forum
  • Community Advice Worker Proposal

69. DATE OF NEXT ORDINARY MEETING MONDAY 8 APRIL 2024

The meeting closed at 7:15 pm

Actions arising from this meeting

Minute ref.Agreed actionAssigned for action to
57(a)Advise New Park Community Centre of the Committee recommendationClerk
57(b)Advise Whyke area residents association and CDC of the Committee decisionClerk
59Advise Kingsham Area Action Group of the Committee decisionClerk
60(a)Present paper on access to health care services at next Homeless ForumCllr C Gershater
60(c)Advise councillors of date of volunteer recruitment event when confirmedCommunities Officer
60(d)Complete asset mapping for North and West wardsWard Councillors
60(e)Provide written update on meeting with the PCC, Katy BourneCllr Vivian
60(f)Get more detailed costs, permission from the family and cemetery approval for the war victim headstoneCouncillor Scicluna
61(b)Circulate local Police report with meeting minutesClerk
63Liaise with Chichester Community Development Trust to purchase tree for planting in memorial of Vera HoadCommunities Officer
64Arrange purchase and installation of outdoor lockers at the GlassworksProperty Maintenance Manager
66Contact Chichester University, Ship Hotel, Tangmere Aviation Museum and Duke of Richmond to request assistance in marking D Day on 6th JuneClerk
68Order and ensure the Intersex Pride Progress Flag is flown during Chichester Pride Weekend and the Month of June.Property Maintenance Manager.
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