Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Gibbs and Rae, and County Councillors Bridgeman and Johnson.

Resolved:

that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 4 January 2023 be signed as a true record.

Resolved:

that the Order of Business be varied to consider Agenda Item 11 (CAC/22/17) Provision for Funding of the King’s Coronation Community Grants after Agenda Item 7 (CAC/22/13) Area Committee Budget Update.

Councillor Holmes declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 9 (CAC/22/15) Funding Request: Eastern Angles Theatre Company as he was previously a Trustee of Eastern Angles.    

Residents are encouraged to ask questions at Area Committee meetings. Questions will be answered by an appropriate Officer or Councillor.

To ask a question, residents simply need to email areacommitteequestions@ipswich.gov.uk including their name and address, a contact telephone number, their question, and which Area Committee they wish the question to be asked at. We ask that questions be submitted by 10am two working days before the day of the meeting in order that relevant information can be brought to the committee; for this meeting the deadline is 10am on Monday 27 February 2023. 

Questions may be asked by residents without prior notice having been given, with the permission of the Chair, however it may not be possible for an answer to be given at the meeting. Priority will however be given to those residents who have submitted questions in advance.

All questions must either be:

·       relevant to the area committee they are to be asked at, or;

·       relevant to Ipswich as a whole and be asked by a resident of the area covered by the committee it is to be asked at.

Please note that questions or representations must not contain:

·       references to identifiable individuals (whether by name or other information) unless the consent of that individual has been obtained and included with the notification;

·       potentially defamatory or provocative or abusive comments;

·       discriminatory remarks.

If for any reason a question which has been submitted in advance is not able to be asked at a meeting, the Council will, within 14 days of the meeting date, reply to the resident asking the question explaining why and if possible providing a written answer.

54.1.     The Chair reported that 4 questions had been received in advance of the meeting.

54.2.     Question 1: Is there a definitive plan of where the waste bins are in the Westgate area? Over the years many of the bins have disappeared and not been replaced, why? One bin in particular in Boss Hall Road went missing but people still leave their dog waste bags beside the post on which it used to be, not very pleasant, even in winter when they don’t smell as much.

54.3.     The following response was provided by the Council’s Head of Waste and Fleet:

The Waste and Cleansing Team had a map of bins across the entire Borough. When a bin was lost or stolen, a review was completed based on footfall, capacity and ASB potential. This process was constantly updated and was currently going through a revision to look at using the My Three Words app to improve accuracy of locations. The Service Area was aware of one particular bin that was a target for ASB on Boss Hall Road. This container had been reported 10 times in the past 2 years. In consultation with the Parks Team, this bin was being replaced with a larger multi-use container, which should alleviate the ASB problems.

Residual waste streams were sent to the Energy from Waste (EFW) processor in Great Blakenham. Dog waste specific containers had been phased out over the Borough when a replacement bin was required. Multi waste containers were more suitable and reduced odours associated with animal waste only containers.

The Council was not responsible for bins on private land. The Boss Hall Road estate had a mixture of commercial and private land and Council land. The Council did not deal with the loss of private litter bins.

54.4.     Question 2: Does the Committee believe it is fair that the amount of requests for funding being made upon the Central Area Committee purely on the basis of the event/exhibition being in the town centre (and thereby falling in this areas remit) when other areas enjoy funded events that are specifically to the benefit of that area? An example (not specifically this organisation though) is the funding request for Windrush, which is not a specific event that the Central area will benefit from; however, because it is being planned for the town centre, where all will benefit, it is the Central Area funding pot which is expected to fund it.

54.5.     The following response was provided by the Chair of the Central Area Committee:

Each Area Committee had a budget that the Councillors for the wards within that area could allocate for funding in accordance with the Action Plan. In many cases that funding would be for activities or projects taking place in that Area and for the benefit of residents in that Area. As Alexandra Ward included the town centre, activities might well be enjoyed by residents living in other parts of Ipswich or even outside the town itself, but  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

55.1.     The Chair introduced Inspector Domenic Mann from the Ipswich Central Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) who provided the following policing update.

55.2.     Inspector Mann reported on the fatal stabbing which occurred in January 2023 and praised the actions of the people who had helped at the scene. Following the incident there had been huge resource implications; however, the backlog had now been cleared and this remained an active and ongoing investigation.

55.3.     It was confirmed that incidences of theft from motor vehicles had increased; however, a suspect was being actively traced and following this, incidents had reduced.

55.4.     A meeting was held with the Police, various departments from IBC and the Ipswich Historic Churches Trust regarding the ASB in St Lawrence’s churchyard where it was agreed that cameras, lighting and landscaping changes would be implemented with the aim to find a future long-term solution. Work had also been undertaken with the Cardinal Park McDonalds around issues occurring in the evenings.

55.5.     The Kestrel Team was providing additional presence in and around the town and funding from the Safer Streets scheme would be used as part of a campaign to change attitudes towards violence to women and girls.

55.6.     Councillor Jones commented that the increased PCSO and Police presence had made a real difference and it was important that this be maintained. It was noted that month on month the crime figures had remained relatively stable which helped to provide reassurance to the public. 

55.7.     The Chair thanked Inspector Mann for his update.

56.1.     Mr Ian Blofield, Director, reported that the Area Committee had an opening balance of £3,845.26. The funding bids to be considered, if funded in full, would total £7,060.

56.2.     It was confirmed that Area Committees were allowed, should they wish, to allocate money from the 2023/24 budgets in advance of the new Municipal Year for projects that would take place in that year, with any such funding allocations not being paid until the 2023/24 financial year.

56.3.     The Committee agreed to hear all funding request presentations before deciding what funding would be allocated to each Group.

Resolved:

that financial update attached at Appendix 1 to the report be noted.

Reason: to provide clear and transparent details of the amount of funds available to the Area Committee to support priorities in Central Ipswich.

57.1.     Mark Whiting, Head of Commercial Development, reported that £1,000 was being requested to support community celebrations in Central Ipswich as part of the events to celebrate and mark the Kings Coronation on Sunday 7 May 2023. Community Groups could apply online towards the costs of provisions such as refreshments and bunting, with a maximum award per event of £333. 

57.2.     The success of the events held following the community grant funding for the Queen’s Jubilee last year was noted with a number of street parties taking place across the Central area. Due to this success, it was anticipated that an increased number of bids might be submitted; however, the fair process previously used would be followed when requests were considered.

57.3.     Councillor Cook welcomed the proposal and advised that following the success of last year, the Committee should follow this precedent and moved that funding be allocated from the 2023-24 budget which was agreed.

57.4.     Councillor Inga Lockington noted the importance of ensuring events were inclusive for all residents to attend and asked if most of the events funded would be for street parties. Mr Whiting confirmed that three of the five events funded the previous year by the Central Area Committee for the Queens Jubilee had taken place in clubs/community centres and other central events for all to attend would be taking place on the Cornhill, such as the screening of the Coronation.

Resolved:

that the Area Committee authorise the Assistant Director for Governance to invest up to £1,000 for the Central Area Committee in community led and based events, at a maximum value of £333 per event, to celebrate and mark the King’s Coronation on Sunday 7 May 2023; prior to deciding whether or not to commit any funding, the Assistant Director for Governance should consult with the relevant Ward Councillors for the event area.

Reason: to provide funding to assist community led and based events held to commemorate the King’s Coronation.

58.1.     Hugh McElhinney and Jess Prosser, representatives of St Elizabeth Hospice, presented the funding application which sought £1,400 funding to enable the installation of a “Before I Die” wall in May. Every year over 3500 patients received care from the hospice with 70% of care provided within the local community and at people’s homes.

58.2.     Mr McElhinney confirmed that this would be the first “Before I Die” wall installed in East Anglia which offered an inclusive and rare opportunity for people to reflect on their lives publicly and share memories and aspirations. A QR Code would also be available which could be scanned for further information about what local support was available. The wall would be featured on the Waterfront throughout the month of May whilst other important events took place, such as “Dying Matters” week and the St Elizabeth Hospice Midnight Walk.

58.3.     Concerns were raised due to the large proportion of funding requested for permission to use the wall which was owned by Ipswich Borough Council and leased to Eat Art. The costs also included support and project management from Eat Art to ensure the wall was managed properly and volunteers would be directly recruited from the IP1 postcode. It was confirmed that costs for materials were low as only chalk paint and chalks would be needed to decorate the wall.

Resolved:

that the Central Area Committee allocate £450 from the Central Area Committee budget to St Elizabeth Hospice to enable the installation of a “Before I Die” wall in May 2023.   

Reason: to enable emotional expression, serve as an art feature and signposting tool to other support services and increase footfall to the Waterfront.

59.1.     Jess Baker, representative of the Eastern Angles Theatre Company, presented the funding request which sought £2,160 to support a project officer in managing The Work Furnace Project. The Work Furnace was a heritage project which celebrated those who had worked in various industries within Ipswich and would comprise of a street procession and audio heritage trail and exhibition.

59.2.     The street procession would take place on 17 June 2023 and an audio heritage trail was currently being created which involved recording individuals’ stories and creating a map and walking guide to go alongside this. An exhibition had also been planned for June which would be shared with other community organisations.

59.3.     Following the initial launch of the project, a huge public response had been received whereby large numbers of people from different industries from Ipswich had attended the reminiscence sessions to share their stories and provide support. The project would also be supported and encouraged by more than 7 local partners, including Ipswich Museum and BBC Look East.

59.4.     Councillor Inga Lockington asked if people attending the sessions were predominately from the Central area of Ipswich. Ms Baker confirmed that information about where people lived had not been collated; however, it was known that some had attended using public transport and from outside of Ipswich.

59.5.     Councillor Jones noted that due to the historic element of the project, many people may have moved within Ipswich, or outside of the town, since working in these industries.

59.6.     Eastern Angles currently engaged with 15 different groups within the community, and it was hoped that the project would help to engage new people and create a lasting legacy. The funding would be used to help support the project officer with the unexpected demand.

Resolved:

That the Central Area Committee allocate £1,900 from the Central Area Committee budget to Eastern Angles Theatre Company to support a Project Officer in managing The Work Furnace Project.

Reason: to provide opportunities for working class communities to see their societal contributions recognised.

60.1.     Ivy Scott, representative of the Caribbean and African Community Health Support Forum, presented the funding request on behalf of the ‘Windrush Select Committee’ which sought £2,500 towards holding an annual exhibition in June 2023 to bring communities together in a celebration of the Windrush Celebration 2023.

60.2.     This year was the 75^th anniversary of Windrush, which was a national celebration, but Ipswich was important due to being one of the towns where people from the Caribbean had settled.

60.3.     Some of the previous exhibitions undertaken included celebrating the lives of Windrush elders.  Other activities included visiting schools and raising awareness about the legacy of the Windrush generation and expanding their knowledge.

60.4.     The benefits to Ipswich included attracting people to the town centre, developing community cohesion, building networks and increasing business in the town. The Cornhill event would also provide an opportunity for people to come together to share their own stories.

60.5.     It was noted that the funding would be used to enable ten panels to be created to represent topics such as elders’ stories, the NHS, the Caribbean and looking at where the Windrush generation had begun. The panels would then be transferred to The Hold to form the exhibition. A book about Windrush elders in the community had also been created which could be purchased by the public.

60.6.     Councillor Kreidewolf praised all three groups for their presentations which demonstrated great enthusiasm about Ipswich and passion for their projects.

60.7.     It was confirmed that funding had not been requested from Suffolk County Council; however, it was suggested that Suffolk County Councillors could be approached for locality funding.

Resolved:

that the Central Area Committee allocate £1,500 from the Central Area Committee budget to the Caribbean and African Community Health Support Forum on behalf of the Windrush Select Committee to hold an annual exhibition in June 2023 to bring communities together in celebration of the Windrush Celebration 2023.

Reason: to bring communities together in celebration of the Windrush Celebration 2023.

61.1.     The Chair reported that at the last meeting, a question was raised on whether the Council would consider introducing an anti-idling zone within its AQMAs which would enable the Council to enforce anti-idling in these areas and issue fixed penalty notices. A response was received from the Council’s Head of Public Protection as follows:

61.2.     The Council already had an action within its Air Quality Action Plan that specifically referenced anti-idling: Item 1A – Development and implementation of anti-idling campaign, including where appropriate an enforcement regime.

61.3.     The Council together with neighbouring authorities had previously launched the Suffolk Idling Action Campaign. As part of this campaign, officers had progressed with educational measures to promote anti-idling, particularly around schools. To date, all drivers approached who were found to be idling, had switched their engines off when requested. This suggested that an educational approach had a positive impact on reducing vehicular idling without the need for enforcement.

61.4.     In addition, officers had provided training to internal staff who conducted site visits. This had empowered them to approach and educate the public whom they might see idling on routing patrols, whether within or outside of an AQMA. It was hoped that over the next year, the Council would work with its partners, including Suffolk County Council Public Health, to conduct further anti-idling education and awareness events with the public. Most authorities, like Ipswich, were focusing on education as it achieved positive results.

62.1.     Councillor Cook reported that he had been assisting with a number of planning issues inhis ward. He had appreciated the Police response following the recent incident in the Town Centre, which had prompted the Police & Crime Commissioner to consider what resources Ipswich needed.

62.2.   Councillor Inga Lockington reported that fly-tipping remained an issue; however, work had been undertaken with IBC Officers in a known problem area and the person involved had been identified which had currently resolved the matter.

·            Wednesday 21 June 2023, 7pm

·            Wednesday 6 September 2023, 7pm

·            Wednesday 1 November 2023, 7pm

·            Wednesday 3 January 2024, 7pm

·            Wednesday 21 February 2024, 7pm

Resolved:

that the dates of future meetings be confirmed as:

·         Wednesday 21 June 2023, 7pm

·         Wednesday 6 September 2023, 7pm

·         Wednesday 1 November 2023, 7pm

·         Wednesday 3 January 2024, 7pm

·         Wednesday 21 February 2024, 7pm