Agenda and minutes
PDF 227 KBVenue: Bishop Andrewes Church, 57 Wigmore Road, Carshalton SM5 1RG
Contact: Cathy Hayward Email: committee.services@sutton.gov.uk
Media
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Welcome and introductions Minutes: The Chair, Councillor Bobby Dean, welcomed those present.
The Chair announced that the agenda would be reordered and agenda item 7, Community Showcase: in Celebration of International Women's day would be taken before agenda item 6, Update from the Safer Neighbourhood Team. |
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Apologies for absence Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Sheila Berry. |
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Declarations of interest and minutes of the previous meeting Minutes: There were no declarations of interest.
RESOLVED:
1. That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 1 December 2023 be agreed as an accurate record. |
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Any urgent business To consider any items which, in the view of the Chair, should be dealt with as a matter of urgency because of special circumstances (in accordance with S100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972). Minutes: There was no urgent business.
Councillor Sheldon Vestey submitted an item for Urgent Business but the Chair indicated that it was not a matter for this Committee. |
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Update from the Safer Neighbourhood Team An update on the four ward priorities in the area and community safety issues. Minutes: The Sgt James Carvey provided a presentation which summarised the newly appointed commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley’s, Turnaround Plan 2023-2025. Sgt Carvey encouraged attendees to take part in the consultation which would be open until the end of April 2023 and to view the entire presentation on the Metropolitan Police website. It was noted that support to access the online report and consultation was available at the Circle library.
The full version of the Turnaround Plan and a link to the consultation is available at www:met.police.uk/turnaround-plan
Members discussed tackling moped crime, it was noted that the police were aware of residents’ concerns, however noted that there had been no further increase in issues reported since December. A preventative plan would be drawn up as the weather improved which would involve joint working with the SNT teams, parks teams and specialist traffic teams. The Sergeant encouraged residents to report concerns to the police via 101, 999 or the Met police’s website. |
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Community Showcase: in celebration of International Women's day Listen to poetry from the women who attend the Sutton Women's Network writing group and then view some of the work from the ‘Art Against Domestic Violence’ exhibition which features an assortment of artistic creations completed by local women who attended Art for Wellbeing sessions.
The sessions above were delivered by Anna Virabyan from Intuit Art at Sutton Women's Centre. Minutes: The Community Engagement Manager introduced the item and explained that poetry would be read by members of the Sutton Network Women’s Writing group, this would be followed by an opportunity to view art produced by the Sutton Women's Centre- Art for Wellbeing session attendees which has been prepared as part of a Domestic Violence exhibition. It was explained that the art and poetry aimed to support expression and communication by the groups’ members.
The Chair, Committee Members and attendees applauded the women who presented both art and poetry and thanked them for attending and sharing their work. |
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Local Funding Update: Neighbourhood Fund A summary of local projects funded via the Neighbourhood Fund in 2022/23, and information about the application process for 2023/24 Supporting documents: Minutes: The Business Development Manager provided a presentation.
Officers drew attention that the window for applications to the Neighbourhood Fund was available between April and July 2023, guidance would be published to the council’s website on Monday 20 March 2023 and that the team could be contacted via email at planningobligations@sutton.gov.uk.
The Chair encouraged residents to make applications to the fund and added that councillors would be happy to support residents to make applications if they had ideas which may benefit from the funding available.
Officers explained that community groups were also able to apply for funding through the Public Realm and Events, Fees and Charges schemes. |
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Housing: Local Challenges and Responses A brief presentation from Sutton Housing Partnership and Encompass and a discussion about local housing challenges and how we can work together with local communities to address these. Supporting documents: Minutes: The Assistant Director, Housing, Planning and Regeneration provided a brief introduction, and the introduced Nigel Williams, and Victor Igbins, Encompass, Micheal Lepinere, Sutton Housing Partnership (SHP) and Beatrice Balcu, Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).
Residents then joined breakout groups supported by the officers above.
The main points raised in the groups included:
· Discussion about a homelessness application. · The role of Encompass was explained to include work related to the prevention of homelessness, housing advice, housing register and adult social care. It was added that Encompass had a responsibility to place clients in an interim accommodation either under prevention or Relief duty until a full assessment of their housing situation was established. · Placement of homeless households or individuals: Encompass’s aim was to search for accommodation within the borough first and only if there is no suitable accommodation in Sutton search would include neighbouring boroughs, gradually extending the catchment area depending on availability. Encompass' obligation was to ensure that all clients referred as homeless were placed in an interim accommodation on the day. · Clients fleeing domestic abuse: Encompass worked to establish clients' risk areas and place them appropriately and would not knowingly place victims in areas that were known to be of high risk. · Determination of where clients were placed was dependent on accommodation available on the day, avoiding known risk areas for clients. If suitable accommodation was available within the borough, that would be offered to the client. If there was nothing within Sutton other locations had to be considered. Naturally, many clients would prefer to remain in the borough but this request can not always be met. There was generally a rental property shortage and Encompass were heavily dependent on the private market to procure accommodation. · Encompass caters for all categories of people and occasionally somebody may be placed in a suitable accommodation but the anti-social behaviour of others within that facility may make it unsuitable for many reasons. In these cases, Encompass expected clients to inform them so appropriate actions could be taken. An example was discussed where this had happened, which had resulted in a positive outcome. · Discussion expressing concerns about rent increases, high energy prices and cost of living crisis were discussed. |
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Public questions This item is an opportunity for members of the public to raise questions about local issues. Questions must be submitted using the form available on the council’s website. Questions can be submitted from the day the meeting agenda is published (ordinarily ten days before the meeting) until 10:00am on the fifth working day before the meeting. Where possible, written responses will be provided before the meeting.
The Chair has also allocated time during the meeting to hear supplementary questions. Your question will be published, along with your name and any organisation you are representing (if applicable) and will also be included in the minutes of the meeting. Minutes: There had been no questions submitted by members of the public in advance of the meeting.
A resident asked if there was an update on progress of the Wandle river project in the area between Millside and Culvers Retreat. The Chair explained that he was due to meet South East Rivers Trust shortly regarding the project, and would ask if it was possible for residents to attend.
The Chair explained that he would be happy to consider agenda items suggested by residents, and that he hoped to encourage resident engagement in the meetings of this Local Committee.
Residents expressed concerns about lorries parking on the yellow lines in proximity to the Circle Clinic, that this blocked disabled access and made using the crossing very dangerous. The Chair explained that he would raise this with the council’s Highways team, and asked that any further concerns were reported to councillors.
The Chair added that if any resident had difficulty submitting a question to the Local Committee via the council’s website they should contact a councillor who would be able to help. |