BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL SUTTON TRINITY WARD COMMITTEE THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SUTTON TRINITY WARD COMMITTEE HELD ON THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012 AT 1930 HOURS IN THE CRUSH HALL, SUTTON COLDFIELD TOWN HALL, SUTTON COLDFIELD PRESENT: - Councillor Margaret Waddington in the Chair; Councillors Philip Parkin and David Pears ALSO PRESENT: Jaswinder Didially Education Emma Leaman Education Ian McLeod Development Directorate Olive O Sullivan District Support Officer Karl Randall Senior Services Manager, Engineers Hywel Ruddick Democratic Services (There were approximately 120 members of the public in attendance) ************************************* 491 APOLOGIES 492 MINUTES There were no apologies submitted. The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. The Minutes of the meeting held on 27 September 2012, having been circulated to Members were taken as read, confirmed and signed. 279
493 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST No declarations were made. 494 WHITEHOUSE COMMON PRIMARY SCHOOL Ms J Didially and Ms E Leaman were in attendance to report on this matter. Ms Leaman advised that the temporary expansion of the school had been for a class of thirty for one year. She acknowledged that the consultation undertaken had been poor. It had been suggested that after the new places had been confirmed that a planning application would then be submitted. She stated that she was grateful for the concerns expressed through her Directorate and local Members and acknowledged that the Council needed to be held to account and hear the views of the public. She advised that the pressure on primary school places in Sutton Coldfield, and across the City, would be similar but, as yet no decision had been reached on the temporary expansion and that any expansion in 2012 would be temporary but advised that there would be no decision without consulting the Governing Body, the local Members and the data from the applications received by January. Members of the public made the following comments and Ms Leaman provided the following response:- A resident of Cotysmore Road stated that he and neighbour had properties located either side of the school entrance and had never had any problems or cause for concern. However a new initiative by the school, "Pedals for Medals" was causing now causing problems. He advised that the scheme was to reward children who cycled or used a scooter to school and that parents were driving to the school and then allowing their children to cycle or scooter from the parked vehicle to the school. He stated that this caused additional parking problems, particularly in Boldmere Road and suggested that with the increase in vehicles and children on self propelled vehicles that is bicycles or scooters that there would be a serious accident. Ms Leaman advised that she would take these issues up with the Head Teacher, the Governing body and the District Engineer. A resident commented that people worked at Good Hope Hospital and advised that their inconsiderate parking was adding to the problem. Mr Randall, District Engineer, advised that the District had undertaken a number of schemes in Cotysmore Road and surrounding roads to alleviate parking problems. He stated that single yellow lines had been installed, one hour waiting signs, some areas of double yellow line. However with the expansion of the Good Hope Hospital there had been an increase in the number of vehicles and that the District had changed some single yellow to double yellow lines provided a bus bay at the school and enhanced the zigzag markings. However he stated that people still looked for ways around these parking control methods. In the latest scheme parking had 280
been allowed for 20 vehicles on various roads with enhanced restrictions where it was unsafe to park. In July 2012 160 fixed penalty notices had been issued to vehicles parked illegally. He stated that the camera car had proved effective but acknowledged that there was a need to address the new concerns. He advised that Education had helped with a specific approach for a Warden in the morning and afternoon and stated that funding was in place to drive the message home. He advised that officers were considering the next scheme, possibly no loading. A resident asked if people had to wait for fatality and stated that people were parking opposite the zig zag lines outside of the school. Mr Randall advised that at present, even where there were double yellow lines, people could park their vehicle and unload for up to five minutes. In regard to the Warden patrols Mr Randall advised that they operated in Bedford Road, Birchcroft Road, Moor Meadow etc. On a question on enforcement Mr Randall advised that they were considering a no loading/unloading restriction but reiterated that people would still have a five minute time slot. On a question regarding Good Hope, the Chairman advised that they had been not been co-operative. On a question regarding school places provision, Ms Leaman advised that her Department were considering two options for 2013 around location and build-ability. She advised that they would consider parental preferences and the leadership capacity at the schools and advised that it was principally Whitehouse and St Joseph affected but stated that New Hall School was also borderline in regard to the potential need for an expansion. The Chairman advised of the time constraints on the Agenda and asked that any further questions be addressed to elected Members. Councillor David Pears added that officers were in attendance and could continue their discussions with members of the public outside of the meeting. Following these comments, it was:- 494 That the update on Whitehouse Common Primary School be noted. BIRMINGHAM DEVELOPMENT PLAN CONSULTATION ON GROWTH OPTIONS Mr McLeod, Development Directorate gave a presentation on the proposals for the Birmingham Development Plan s Growth Options to 2013. A member of the public commented that the consultation events attended by officers were scheduled at unsuitable times and stated that officers should attend the District and Ward meetings. Mr McLeod advised that the libraries were not open in the evening. 281
Councillor Philip Parkin agreed with comments that the 6 week consultation period was inadequate. He stated that there would presentations that people could not attend and commented that this was a mistake. He stated that the presentations should be undertaken in major shopping areas across Sutton Coldfield and held at weekends. He stated that there should be an extension to the consultation period. Mr McLeod advised that the Council were under pressure to adopt the plan and advised that if the Council did not move forward then the decision could be taken out of the City s control and there would be potential to lose planning appeals. A member of the public reiterated the concerns expressed by Councillor Philip Parking and Mr McLeod advised that eh would take these concerns back to his office but advised that there were resource implications regarding extending the consultation exercise. On a query whether Good Hope had been contacted, because of the potential impact on Sutton Coldfield s infrastructure, Mr McLeod advised that this was part of the consultation process. Councillor David Pears stated that he supported the comments made and stated that there would be issues on the local capacity of schools, the hospital, transport routes. Mr McLeod acknowledged that the existing infrastructure was an issue and stated that a Sutton Coldfield relief road would be a requirement. Councillor David Pears advised that the document did not advise whether the proposed developments would occur on Council owned land and asked that officers seek to work with Government as immigration had increased the pressure on land use. A member of the public commented that properties on the Harvest Field development had not been sold. Mr McLeod advised that in relation to demographics the forecast increase in the City s population was not just an increase from an international population move but included people living longer and a significant increase in the birth rate. In relation to Harvest Field, he advised that work was being undertaken with the developers. On a comment that the consultation was a foregone conclusion Mr McLeod, advised that he was a professional planner and that the consultation was there to consider all options. A local GP advised that she had approached Good Hope Hospital with three questions and had been advised that: - no discussions had taken place between the Council and the Hospital in relation to the possible increase in the number of patients; that with their current capacity they could not cope with and increase of 20-25 000 people; and in relation to upgrading the existing provision, there were no plans in the pipeline as there had been no discussions about Birmingham s future growth options. Mr McLeod reiterated that the Hospital would be consulted within the consultation exercise being undertaken. Members of the public queried why a new town option had not been considered, given the forecast increase in the population and that, with reference to sustainability, what was sustained for existing residents. Mr McLeod advised that 282
sustainability referred to homes and employment for future residents. He advised that the loss of greenbelt land was not a consideration under the term sustainable. A member of the public referred to the figures provide, that is 150 000 population increase by 2031; 80 000 new homes required; 40-45 000 homes to be built on existing brown field sites; 5-10 000 homes to be built on green belt land; and commented that this would still leave the City 25,000 homes short and asked if there was a penalty imposed if this were to remain the case. Mr McLeod referred to the Duty to Co-operate of neighbouring local authorities. However before the City could identify land in those areas for development they needed to evidence they had undertaken a robust exercise to identify as much available land in their environs. Reference was made to Harvest Fields and the 500 000 levy payable to Arthur Terry School, which had not happened. He queried how officers would ensure they got the infrastructure right and what was the view of the Secretary of State. Mr McLeod advised that if the City only identified brown field sites, the Plan would be challenged by developers. Reference was made to the aforementioned discussion on Whitehouse Common Primary School and the impact on the existing infrastructure. Mr McLeod advised that there would be a need to develop the existing infrastructure. A member of the public commented that there was potentially 10,000 new homes to built in Sutton Coldfield and expressed concern that there was no detail of the infrastructure to meet this increase. He queried how many empty properties there in the City. Mr McLeod acknowledged the points made and advised that he would present elected Members with the additional statistics requested. It was asked that if Sutton Coldfield residents expressed an emphatic NO to the consultation would it not proceed. Mr McLeod stated that the consultation would take into account all the views of Birmingham s residents and that a NO answer was not strong enough as there needed to be evidence why proposals could not proceed. Councillor Philip Parkin advised that because the City owned a significant amount of land identified in the plan this should be know to the public. He stated that he did not feel the answer was to build on the green belt, commented that everyone in Sutton Coldfield wanted to protect the green belt and that the number of empty properties across the City should be identified. Councillor Philip Parkin and his fellow elected Members agreed that they were totally opposed to the options outlined in the Growth Plan in relation to Sutton Coldfield and advised that in reaching the decision Members and the public in attendance had raised the following concerns with officers:- a) The consultation period undertaken was too short and poorly timed, given the proximity to the Christmas and New Year festivities. Further, the public 283
consultation events attended by officers were scheduled at unsuitable times - for short periods during the working day - and in the wrong locations. b) No consideration had been given to the impact of 10 000 new homes on the greenbelt and the associated infrastructure pressures of an increase in population on local schools, the road network and local health facilities; c) Concerns had been raised in relation to the Council owned land holding on the green belt in Sutton Coldfield and whether this had been earmarked for any early development. Following these comments, it was 495 i) That Sutton Trinity Ward Committee are opposed to any development on the greenbelt in Sutton Coldfield District; and ii) That Councillor Tahir Ali, Cabinet Member for Development, Jobs and Skills, be notified of the Ward s concerns and requested to report back to the Committee. 496 MATTERS OF URGENT LOCAL CONCERN Maney Hill Road A member of the public referred to concerns he had raised on behalf of residents regarding the erection of 8 metre lighting columns instead of 6 metre lighting columns. Councillor David Pears advised that he had been contacted by a number of residents and advised that the work had stopped in June 2012. He advised that he had conducted a survey along with Members in Sutton Vesey Ward and advised that the majority had been in favour of the 8 metre high lighting columns. He stated that he was aware that the resident in attendance had a set of different figures and stated that he would not comment on the method used to collect those statistics. The item was noted. 497 RECEIPT OF PETITIONS No petitions were submitted. 498 THE JERICHO RE-USE CENTRE RILAND ROAD The Chairman welcomed Mr Smallwood, Jericho, to the meeting. 284
Mr Smallwood advised the meeting on the of the proposed project for the re-use centre, which would utilise the derelict Depot site on Riland Road and provide work for young unemployed people. He advised that it would be a two year project. Councillor David Pears queried consultation undertaken with local residents. Mr Smallwood advised that all local residents in Riland had been consulted. He stated that one objection had been received regarding parking and stated that signs would be erected to encourage resident only parking and that the access to the site would be via the existing car park. That the verbal information update be noted. 499 COMMUNITY CHEST FUNDING 2012-2013 The following report of the Service Integration Head was submitted:- (See Supplementary Papers No. 1) Olive O Sullivan, District Support Officer presented the report and gave details of the following project applications. ORGANISATION PROJECT SUMMARY AMOUNT Jericho Re-use Centre, Riland Road 10 000 Birmingham City Council Festive Lights 3 700 Birmingham City Council Floral Enhancements 800 Total 14 500 It was:- i) That Sutton Trinity Ward Committee approved Community Chest Funding for the projects detailed above; ii) That the Service Integration Head processed the approved projects in accordance with the Community Chest procedures and the City Council s financial regulations and standing orders as appropriate. 500 ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA Members proposed that there was a need for an update on the greenbelt issue. It was:- 285
That issue in relation to Birmingham Development and Growth Options be reported back to the next meeting of the Committee. 501 PLANNING APPLICATIONS The weekly lists of Planning Applications for Sutton Trinity Ward were tabled at the meeting. (See Document No. 1) There were no comments or objections made to the weekly lists of Planning Applications. It was:- That the weekly lists of Planning Applications for Sutton Trinity Ward be noted. 502 OUTSTANDING MINUTES The following schedule of Outstanding Minutes was submitted:- (See Document No. 2) It was:- That all outstanding minutes be continued. 503 OTHER URGENT BUSINESS MEMBERS ONLY There were no other urgent matters raised. 504 DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING Thursday 7 February 2013, 7.30pm, Sutton Coldfield Town Hall. 505 AUTHORITY TO CHAIRMAN AND OFFICERS 286
RESOLVED: - That the Chairman be and is hereby authorised to act until the next meeting of the Committee except that in respect of the exercise of the Council s Executive functions delegated to it by the Cabinet, the appropriate Chief Officers are hereby authorised to act in consultation with the Chairman and that the Director of Legal and Democratic Services is authorised to affix the Corporate Seal to any document necessary to give effect to a decision of the said officers acting in pursuance of the power hereby delegated to them; further that a report of all action taken under this authority be submitted to the next meeting and that such report shall explain why this authority was used. The meeting closed at 2100 hours. ----------------------------------------- CHAIRMAN 287