Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Forster. Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Xhaferaj.

Resolved:

that the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 November 2024 be signed as a true record.

Resolved:

that the Order of Business be confirmed as printed on the Agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

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 Tuesday 14 January.

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.

 Please note that responses will not be provided where the question requires the disclosure of confidential or exempt information.

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.

There were no public questions.

34.1.    Sergeant Woodward gave an update on Policing in the area. The priorities for the Ipswich West Safer Neighbourhoods Team included Drugs and Safeguarding Cuckooed Addresses, Rural Burglaries, and Vehicle-Related Anti-Social Behaviour.

34.2.    In the Caste Hill and Whitton Wards there had been a slight increase in criminal damage relating to fence panels and doors. There had been a reduction in the number of burglaries. The number of drugs offences had increased but this was due to proactive work by the police. There had been a number of vehicle related offences over the night of 11/12 January and arrests had been made in relation to this. 9 Anti-Social Behaviour offences had been reported, of which 1 was recordable. There had been one instance of Grievous Bodily Harm in which the individuals were well known to each other.

34.3.    In Whitehouse there had also been an increase in criminal damage, whilst both burglaries and drugs offences had reduced. The had been 4 breaches of Community Protection Orders and one instance of a weapons offence where an imitation firearm had been reported. 2 robbery incidents had taken place, but the individuals involved in these were known to each other. There had been issues with thefts at supermarkets and of parcels from doorsteps.

34.4.    The Chair thanked Sergeant Woodward for his update and encouraged residents to follow crime prevention advice.

35.1.    Charlotte Richardson, representing the Beeches Community Hub, gave an update following a grant from the Committee in March 2023. The intention was to allow the use of the Beach community building for more activities. Activities now included: a foodbank; a coffee and catch-up session at which charities gave advice; a toddler play and singing session, and; and exercise class. Homestart in Suffolk also used the building for a monthly SEN session for under 5s.

35.2.    Councillor Murray asked whether Ms Richardson had spoken to the Community Hub at Westbourne Academy as they might be able to provide support in arranging activities. Ms Richardson explained that she worked with staff at Highfield Children’s Centre who provided support.

35.3.    Councillor Shaw asked whether trust had been built up with families. Ms Richardson confirmed that families trusted her as she had known them for many years and that helped to get them to engage in activities.

35.4.    The Chair thanked Ms Richardson for her update and congratulated the Beeches Community Hub on its work.

36.1.    The Chair reported that he had agreed to obtain an update on Parks, which he asked the Director – Operations and Place to read.

36.2.    The Director – Operations and Place, James Fairclough, reported that the new play area at Whitehouse Park was really well used, and had also reduced the amount of Anti-Social Behaviour in the park. The Sherrington Road Recreation Ground play area had included accessible seating and was often visited alongside the library. The Council continued to operate a Tree Warden Scheme and residents were encouraged to volunteer.

Whitton Ward

37.1.    Councillor Shaw reported that a lunch of community leaders was held at St Mary’s Church every two weeks; this was open to all interested in community work and was a great opportunity to network. The Cardinal Medical Practice had received a good report following their Care Quality Commission inspection; Councillor Shaw hoped that they would extend their work in the community.

Whitehouse Ward

37.2.    Councillor Wright reported that Bramford Road would be closed from 27 January to 28 February between the A14 and Weaver Close to facilitate the building of the new link road, Europa Way.

37.3.    Councillor Trenchard reported that the North West Ipswich Big Local Trust was winding down but that it had provided grant funding for many activities; a series of wellness sessions were planned in Whitehouse Park from the Spring, and a commemorative mural was to be commissioned. There was also discussion around the potential for a ‘Friends of Whitehouse Park’ group being started. The Flying Horse Pub continued to put on lots of community events.

Caste Hill Ward, and Whiton and Whitehouse Division

37.4.    Councillor Murray reported that the traffic lights on Sproughton Road were to be repaired again and it was hoped that this would improve the traffic flow; she also aimed to persuade Suffolk County Council to change the timings at Meredith Road with the aim of further improving traffic flow. Councillor Murray noted that the new accessible seating area at Sherrington Road Recreation Ground was well used but asked that a path to this be laid.

37.5.    Councillor Murray reported that Suffolk County Council had agreed to install posts for Speed Indicator Devices but noted that she was still trying to get their policy changed to meet the needs of Ipswich. The Autism Communication Board at Castle Hill Community Centre had been well used since being installed and more were due to be put in around the Borough. The pavements on Henley Road were to be replaced, and improvements on the Dales were also due to be made.

37.6.    Councillor Murray reported that Patrick Spenser MP had called a meeting about Cardinal Medical Practice and it was hoped that an additional building could be used to provide services.

37.7.    Councillor Murray reported that a motion regarding a Knife Crime Strategy had been taken to Suffolk County Council and this was to be considered by the Safer Stronger Communities Board.

St Margaret’s and Westgate Division

37.8.    Councillor I Lockington reported that the Ipswich Dementia Action Alliance met each Monday in Meredith Road.

38.1.    The Director – Operations and Place, James Fairclough, reported that the North West Area Committee had an unallocated budget of £9345.81.

Resolved:

that the Financial Statement in 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 North West Ipswich.

Thursday 13 March 2025, 7pm, Whitton Baptist Church

Resolved:

that the date of the final meeting of the North West Area Committee be noted as Thursday 13 March 2025, 7pm at Whitton Baptist Church.