Minutes:
Councillor Peter Barnes (Environment)
· Congratulations to the team of Officers working on the Gedling Country Park, which was a runner up in the Nottingham Evening Post awards recently.
· The 25,000 solar panels have now been installed on the Gedling Country Park site.
· The Arnold Flood Forum is due to meet on 27 November.
· Parks and Open Spaces have been shortlisted for an APSE award.
· A meeting has recently taken place with Gedling grounds staff to brainstorm ideas for the open spaces around the Borough.
Councillor Henry Wheeler (Health and Housing)
· A person who has recently spent time in the housing team as part of a DWP work placement has now found employment and moved on.
· Affordable housing projects at the site of the Grove pub and Dunstan Street are progressing.
· NCHA are developing the Rutland Road site, creating 6 housing units for people with learning disabilities.
· The Severe Weather Protocol is in place and ready for use should temperatures drop in the coming weeks.
· Meetings are currently being held to look into becoming a breastfeeding friendly Council.
· The Gedling Older Persons’ Group will launch on the 17 January.
· A dementia awareness project is being delivered in primary schools across the Borough.
· A recent visit to the Cornwater Club, Ravenshead has prompted work to look into how the model employed there could be rolled out to other groups around the Borough.
· A health stakeholders’ event will be held at the Richard Herrod Centre to look at the health and wellbeing of the homeless population of the area.
· The Youth Council recently met with the Leader, Deputy Leader and Chief Executive for a question and answer session. Invitations to attend and talk to the Youth Council have been extended to the Opposition Group leaders.
Councillor Michael Payne (Public Protection and Communications)
· £120 was recently raised for Children in Need by a Councillor “bake off”. Congratulations to the winner of the bake sale, Councillor Sarah Hewson.
· Recently met with the new police inspectors for Gedling North and South, both were grateful for the support of the Council and its elected Members.
· Concerns remain about the forthcoming closure of Arnold and Carlton Police Stations. The Police will continue to station staff at the Home Brewery building in Arnold to continue police presence in the Borough, however it is not currently the plan to respond from the building. A letter was recently sent to the Police and Crime Commissioner, as requested by members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, detailing the Council’s concerns.
· The push to create a community hub at Carlton Police Station will continue.
The Chair invited Policy Advisors, Councillor Sandra Barnes, Councillor Collis and Councillor Ellis to provide updates on their recent activities.
Councillor Sandra Barnes (Policy Advisor)
· Visits made to lots of older people’s clubs across the Borough.
· Wrote a letter to the Nottingham Evening Post, which has been published, following a visit to the Cornwater Club in Ravenshead. Looking at what lessons can be learnt from the club and how the model can be rolled out across the Borough.
· The lack of available toilet facilities in the community has been raised a problem for older people. Looking into way that this might be improved through working together will local business to provide access to facilities.
· Carrying out community development projects in the area.
Councillor Roxanne Ellis (Policy Advisor)
· The Older Person’s Plan has now been adopted and implementation is being monitored.
· 57 frontline officers have now been trained as dementia friends, with more training scheduled for the New Year.
· Work underway to ensure that Dementia Friend training is included in the new Member induction plan.
· Work is underway to make connections with local Women’s groups.
· Recently attended a national event on female genital mutilation, which was held in the Borough, and was the only elected Member present. Confirmed with the organiser that they would be happy to deliver a further event in the East Midlands.
· Met with the Mellish Rugby Club regarding the white ribbon campaign. The Club are making great strides in connecting with harder to reach males and will be holding a charity rugby match to support the campaign.
· Currently working with Women’s Aid on an anti-domestic violence campaign, looking at how best to target the campaign and how the message should be portrayed.
· Work is underway to create a Breast Feeding Friendly Gedling, working with the CCG and the Gedling Health and Wellbeing Delivery Group.
Councillor Bob Collis (Policy Advisor)
· Following a decision to remove the birds from the Aviary in Arnot Hill Park, most have now been rehomed. An alternative use for the building is now being investigated.
· A final draft of an animal welfare policy has now been approved.
· Discussions are currently ongoing, with partners at Nottinghamshire County Council and Veolia, as to how we might best promote the recycling of Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs.
· Solar panels have now been installed on the Solar Farm at Gedling Country Park and these can barely be seen.
· Hoping to arrange for the installation of solar panels at the Druids Car Park to provide power to Arnold Leisure Centre.
· A £2 million programme for the installation of cavity wall insulation by Gedling Homes could be rolled out in Arnold, funding permitting.
· Further progress is being made to become a “compassionate Council”, including the provision of dementia friend training, partnership working with Nottingham Credit Union and potential work to promote fostering locally.
Councillor Clarke left the meeting and Councillor Payne took the Chair.