Minutes for Homerton Neighbourhood Forum meeting, Jan 14 2010, 7.00PM official page

1.1  The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained that in addition to the agenda items, Meg Hillier MP and the Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent Steve Bending, would be making brief presentations to the Forum.

2.1  Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Akehurst, Boyd, Kemp, Laing, Patrick, Siddiqui and Stops.

3.1  There were no declarations of interest.

4.1  The minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd September 2009 were approved as a true and accurate record.

4.2  Matters Arising/Actions from the last meeting

4.2.1  Agenda item 5.1 matters arising from Housing Policy (Land at the corner of the Tryon Crescent and Primrose Square E9)

  Ian Williams, Corporate Director of Finance and Resources, advised that a written update would be contained in the minutes of this meeting. 

ACTION IAN WILLIAMS

Post meeting note:  Planning permission on this site was granted for the erection of a two storey building for use as a sports hall with ancillary dance studio and fitness centre at first floor level and 21 car parking spaces on 25th April 2002. However, the development was not implemented and the planning consent expired on 25th April 2007.

In relation to the specific point about ownership of this site, it has been identified that the site was transferred to the Council by the Greater LondonCouncil in 1986 and is held by the Housing Revenue Account.

5.1  Joanna Sumner, Deputy Chief Executive (Policy and Performance), was in attendance to provide an update on the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 and its relation to betting shops.  The officer explained that in Hackney there were 60 betting shops, which was 3 times the national average of betting shops in a local authority.  Residents were concerned at the number of betting shops opening and despite large opposition to new shops opening, more shops continued to be opened.  On 30^th July 2009, the Council made a submission under the Sustainable Communities Act and had recently been short listed to meet with Government and the Local Government Association to discuss possible changes to legislation to provide local communities greater control over their high streets.  Under the Act, the Government would have to explain its reasoning if it chose to reject the Council’s proposals.  The officer emphasised the need to obtain a response from Government before the Easter recess, and was lobbying MPs, contacting the media and was planning to undertake a postcard campaign in order to raise the profile of the campaign.

5.2  It was argued by a member of the public that fixed odds betting terminals had resulted in the large increase in betting shops.  Councillor Kennedy explained that the terminals were allowed under the Gambling Act 2005 and it was thought that the machines provided 50% of a shops business.  It was also suggested by a local residents that planning legislation should allow for greater control of premises and that whilst betting shops were out of character with neighbourhoods, problems surrounding online betting also needed consideration.

5.3  Following a question from the Chair, all those present indicated their support of the Council’s approach to tackling the problems surrounding betting shops under the Sustainable Communities Act and it was agreed that a letter from the Chair would be sent to the Deputy Chief Executive to highlight the Forum’s support.

ACTION THE CHAIR

6.1  Stephen Jolly, from the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), gave a presentation to the Forum on traffic issues during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  A copy of which is available upon request from Democratic Services.  It was noted that the ODA was currently liaising with local authorities to discuss the Olympic Route Network (ORN) and its implications.  It was hoped that draft measures would be formalised by July 2010 and consultation on the proposals was expected to be undertaken over the summer.  Following consultations, the ODA would have to submit approximately 20 to 29 Traffic Regulation Orders, to which the public would have the right to object.  Stephen Jolly outlined how existing infrastructure was expected to be improved and used during the Games.  .

6.2  A local resident emphasised his concern that a large number of stations on the Underground did not have step free access.  In response, Stephen Jolly explained that there was an ambition to make the Games the most accessible Games ever, however resources were not available to provide step free access to all Underground Stations.  Instead, wheelchair users were encouraged to use the existing bus network to access the Olympic Park. 

6.3  In response to further questions from the Forum, Stephen Jolly advised that: more detailed maps would be produced once plans for the ORN had been finalised; some roads could be subject to specific measures, such as closing pedestrian crossings; the majority of athletes would be accommodated on the Olympic Park but some would need transporting to events outside of the park, whilst media and journalists would be accommodated in central London.

6.4  Another resident in attendance stated his disappointed that the presentation had failed to answer the questions noted during the pre-meeting between the ODA and co-opted members of the Forum, particularly concerns surrounded the possible draconian measures discussed within the media.  In response to comments from the resident, Stephen Jolly explained that weekly meetings were being undertaken with the Council and that the ODA had been engaging with 30 stakeholder groups and had attended 500 meetings over the last year.

6.5  Following a question from the Chair, it was agreed that the ODA be invited to the autumn meeting of the Forum to discuss their formal proposals for the ORN.

ACTION DEMOCRATIC SERVICES

7.1  Simon Palastanga, Interim Senior Performance Information Officer, Olexandra Stepaniuk, Age Concern, and Eve Oldham from the Primary Care Trust were in attendance to discuss services for older people.  Simon advised that it was difficult to predict the demographics of Hackney in 25 years time due to the fact that thousands of people moved in and out of the Borough every year, however it was estimated that 10% of the population would be 65 or over by 2030.  Olexandra Stepaniuk explained that with an ageing population came greater challenges, however she hoped to see a framework introduced which included flexible working for older people, adequate floating support services, an increase in advice and advocacy, and an increased opportunity for social engagement.

7.2  During the discussion, local residents stated that it was difficult for older people to gain employment in an ageist society.  It was noted that had it not been for the failure of the pension system, many older people within the Borough would not be a position where by they had to seek employment/

7.3  Another resident explained that the decline in services for older people had a large impact on the quality of life of older people, such as the cut back in luncheon clubs which resulted in decreased opportunities for social engagement amongst older people.

7.4  One resident made reference to an elderly relative who had not been receiving the housing benefit that they were entitled too and advised that a large number of calls had to be made to resolve the matter.  Councillor Lloyd explained that the Forum was not the appropriate place to raise casework, however the Revenue and Benefit Department had improved greatly and there were examples of the service being pro-active in contacting residents to inform them of the benefits which they were entitled too.  It was also noted that officers regularly held meetings in libraries to provide advice to local residents.  Ian Williams agreed to check the Revenue and Benefits section was being proactive in ensuring that older people, as well as families, were receiving the help to which they were entitled too and agreed to provide examples at the next meeting of the Forum. 

ACTION IAN WILLIAMS

Post Meeting note:  Set out below is a summary of the activity to encourage take up of benefit;

1. The rules on capital for Pensioners changed in November 2009. The Department for Work and Pensions gave the Local Authority the option to request supporting evidence for capital up to £10,000.00 the Authority decided not to request supporting evidence for capital up to £10,000.00 to encourage more pensioners to claim Housing Benefit /Council Tax Benefit.

1. The Benefits Service ran a report to identify pensioners in receipt of Incapacity Benefit. The Benefits Service liaised with the Pension Service to visit those aged 60 or more to claim Disability Living Allowance. There will be no non dependant deduction if the pensions qualify for Disability Living Allowance.

1. Benefits publicised cold weather payments in Hackney Today

1. There was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.1  Ian Williams advised that the Service First Centre was due to open in February 2010.

8.2  Inspector Walker was asked to send a memo to Police in Hackney regarding the dangers of Police Officers cycling on the pavements.

8.3  The Chair apologised to the Forum for the meeting running 25 minutes over schedule in order to accommodate presentations from the Borough Commander and Meg Hillier MP.

8.4  Presentation from the Borough Commander

8.4.1  The Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent Steve Bending, was welcomed to the meeting.  The Borough Commander provided a brief presentation to the Forum, and explained that there had been a reduction in crime within the Borough since 2003, however people’s perception was often very different and it was therefore important that the Police attempted to re-assure the people that they served.  The Commander outlined that his three main priorities were to continue the reduction in robbery and burglary, tackle the gang culture and continue to support the Safer Neighbourhoods Team. 

8.4.2  In response to questions from the Forum, the Borough Commander advised of the following -

·  The Commander was confident that the 1% reduction in burglaries would be achieved this year.

·  Hackney Police had the 5^th highest detection rate in the Metropolitan Police, which was the result of quicker responses to calls.

·  There was no easy solution to tackling the gang culture which existed, however the Police in Hackney worked closely with Operation Trident and intelligence was used to target particular individuals.  Search warrants had been successful and reference was made to a search of a premises in Islington which uncovered 13 converted firearms.  In addition, the Safer Neighbourhood Teams targeted particular areas, and mobile intervention teams worked closely with the Youth Offending team to divert young people away from gangs.  It was also noted that Hackney was also part of a remediation project in London.

·  The Olympics was currently having very little impact on the Police force however it was expected to do so approximately 6 months before the start of the Games – a specialist team had been set up and would be responsible for policing the Olympic Park.

·  Murder rates in Hackney were currently running at between 4 to 10 per year and were comparable with other inner-London Boroughs.

·  There had been a 12.9% reduction in serious youth violence so far this year.

8.4.3  The Borough Commander was thanked by the Chair for his attendance.

8.5  Presentation from Meg Hillier, MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch

8.5.1  Meg Hillier MP was welcomed to the meeting.  She explained to the Forum that she had been an MP since May 2005 and had previously sat on the London Assembly.  Meg Hiller explained what proposed legislation was being discussed in Parliament, which included a Home Office Bill, which sought to provide greater controls on wheel clamping, and a National Care Service Bill, which sought to provide care for the most vulnerable in their homes.

8.5.2  In response to questions from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.