Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Frost, Downes, El-Safty and County Councillors Harsant, Smith and Farrow.

Resolved:

that the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 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.

33.1.    Inspector Richards provided the Policing Update and introduced PC Lucy Rout, Police Constable for Gainsborough & Holywells. It was announced that a new service that used digital technology to support victims of domestic abuse had successfully gone ‘live’ following a pilot of the scheme. The service carried out by the Domestic Abuse Video Response Team allowed victims to contact the Police remotely via a video link and enabled a much quicker process for digital evidence to be uploaded. It was noted that the traditional police response would still be carried out in certain circumstances, such as whilst a crime was in action.

33.2.    The Digital Asset Management System (DAMS) had been launched across 5 Police forces in the region, including Norfolk & Suffolk, which enabled businesses to share CCTV footage and other evidence electronically. This provided a quicker and easier route for uploading/receiving digital evidence that could be viewed and shared by the Police.

33.3.    Consultation had started on the Police & Crime Commissioners new Police & Crime plan. This covered 2025-2029 and was split into three themes: efficient and effective police force, commissioning services which support victims of crime and the PCC’s engagement with communities and role in partnerships to enhance community safety and criminal justice. Further information about the consultation could be viewed via Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner website..

33.4.    Online Police Surgeries were due to be held quarterly for residents who were unable to attend meetings in person. A monthly in-person surgery would be held, alternating between the wards, and dates for upcoming meetings would be published on social media. The surgeries would be held by the local Policing Team to provide residents an opportunity to engage with their local Police Officer.

33.5.    Theft from a motor vehicle continue to be a priority and residents were reminded to ensure vehicles were safely secured and that no valuables were left on display/in the vehicle. Safety around the home was also important and it was recommended that windows/doors be locked, CCTV considered, and high value items (such as power tools) be kept securely locked away. Crime prevention advice could be sought online which included information about police approved products (for more information see: www.securedbydesign.com).

33.6.    Some contactless car keys could be operated from 20-30 metres and posed a security risk as the key could be cloned from outside the house. a signal blocker or faraday bag was recommended as this blocked the signal.

33.7.    A resident thanked the Police for their help and advice regarding the safety of their business and advised that if a police surgery was held in the Rivers Estate, this could be published via their business.

33.8.    A resident raised the issue of electric scooters and the speed at which they drove and asked who would be liable in the event of an accident. Inspector Richards advised that any Road Traffic Accidents required an accident book to be completed, and action would depend on if any injuries were sustained. If an injury had occurred, an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

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 brough to the committee; for this meeting the deadline is 10am on Monday 6 January 2025.

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.

34.1.     The Chair confirmed that two questions were received in advance of the meeting.

Question 1:

Athena hall side a disgrace I don’t know what the cleaning policy is. Leaf’s fall September and cumulation. Also, the actual kerb full of rubbish and weeds and doesn’t endear. Duke street a total utter disgrace.

Could the relevant committee member please advise, what is the current pavement cleaning policy. The area in front of Athena Hall in Duke Street is a public disgrace. Weeds growing rubbish and leaves, which presumably fell in autumn. 

The road edges here in Duke Street, on the Duke Street roundabout and Cliff Road/Patteson Road, are thick with grass and weeds. This hardly encourages residents to take a pride in their community.

There is a considerable Community Charge area in this tight area, what exactly is this being spent on its certainly not pavement or road cleaning.

34.2.     The following response was provided by Ipswich Borough Council:

34.3.     Ipswich Borough Council has a directive to manage detritus build up under the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse 2006. This does not stipulate or mandate the frequencies of sweeping or specifically road and pavement sweeping but does apply a duty to “ensure that the highway or road is, so far as practicable, kept clean of “litter and refuse”.

34.4.     As such Ipswich Borough Council completes a road street sweep 4 times per year and a pavement detail once a year and is budgeted accordingly. The Borough of Ipswich and roads the Borough Council are responsible for (not all roads fall under the Borough responsibility) are split into zones based on the Code of Practice. This determines the level of cleansing resource that is deployed based on the use and footfall in that zone. For example, the main town centre receives daily, weekly, and monthly work, a majority of the Borough will receive monthly work.

34.5.     Any sweeping and cleansing completed is in “live conditions”, we do not close roads or suspend parking in these areas. As such the effectiveness of the sweep is determined by parked cars and access and environmental factors.

34.6.     The area mentioned in the question was serviced in October 2024 and Cliff Road received an additional sweep in December 2024 as it forms part of the Town Centre zoning. Athena Hall and the Waterfront areas will receive the same litterpick treatment as Tavern Street and Buttermarket in the Town Centre and has recently seen an increase in litter provision and capacity. This includes the “Report It” sticker pilot encouraging reporting of issues. To date no reports have been received of overflowing containers in this area.

34.7.     The following response was received from Suffolk County Council:

34.8.     SCC confirms that the Cyclic Weed Spraying Program of footways (generally undertaken in the spring/summer) in Suffolk has now finished for this financial year, and it is currently anticipated that it will begin again in April 2025. Ipswich Borough Council are responsible for street cleansing.

34.9.     The Chair  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

35.1.     Ms Stannard, Head of Parks & Cemeteries, confirmed that the South East Area Committee had an unallocated budget of £12,394.75 remaining. The Ravenswood Community Fund had £8,150.00 remaining.

Resolved:

that the financial statement in Appendix 1 of the report be noted.

Reason: To provide clear and transparent details of the amount of funds available to the Area Committee to deliver the priorities in its Action Plan.

36.1.     The Chair confirmed that Suffolk County Council had advised that extra engagement was required with local businesses regarding the permanent road closure on Cavendish Street. It was anticipated that this would be completed in April 2025.

37.1.     Councillor Muhith reported that he had been helping residents with social housing issues such as repairs and improvements to living conditions. The Royal Bengal Sport Club Association was a newly established group based at Murrayside Community Centre who offered cricket, badminton and football and aimed to support more children into sport.

37.2.     Councillor Muhith confirmed that he had been working with a number of taxi operators within the Town regarding a national taxi company who were not paying operators what they were owed which effected both the operator and taxi drivers. This had been raised with the local MP and Secretary of State for Transport for assistance.

37.3.     Councillor Bartholomew noted that there had been no further reports of people attempting to open car doors on Nacton Road however, as recommended by the Police residents were encouraged to be vigilant about ensuring valuables were not left in cars. There had been reports of cars being vandalised on the racecourse estate and any instances should be reported to the Police. It was noted that Taco Bell had recently opened on the Ravenswood Industrial Estate and Priory Heath Councillors would be keeping an eye on any rubbish generated there.

37.4.     Councillor Lankester confirmed that he had attended the Police Surgery at Rosehill Library and said this was a good opportunity for residents to attend to speak to their local police and community support officers. Work had been undertaken with the Friends of Holywells Park and it was noted that the Illumination Event had been extremely successful.

37.5.     Residents commented that there had been confusion about the exits and entrances to the park and noted that parking had also been an issue. It was noted that concerns had been raised with the organisers and would also be considered by the communications team at IBC.

Update from PHOEBE

Following the grant of funding in June 2022 towards the costs for a self-esteem project that aimed to improved the wellbeing and life outcomes of children and young people (SEAC/22/03) PHOEBE will provide an update to the Committee.

Update from Let’s Talk Reading

Following the grant of funding in September 2023 towards the costs for continuing weekly parent/baby sessions in Gainsborough (SEAC/23/12) Let’s Talk Reading will provide an update to the Committee.

38.1.    John Helleur, Let’s Talk Reading, provided an update to the Committee regarding the funding which was provided in September 2023 towards the costs of continuing weekly parent/baby sessions in Gainsborough.

38.2.    Mr Helleur confirmed that Let’s Talk Reading aimed to improve literacy levels in Ipswich by engaging parents in reading to children from birth. Work had been undertaken within the South East Ipswich for 10 years and included early years settings such as playgroups, nurseries and primary schools.

38.3.    A weekly ‘mums and baby’ group was held at All Hallows Church Hall every Friday morning and had been running for 3 years. Over this time, 127 weekly sessions had been held of which 54 of these sessions had been delivered using the funding given. 82 families had been engaged with over the last 15 months which was better than anticipated and approximately 10 to 15 families were engaged with per week. The sessions provided support towards baby development and group support to the parents. Three more groups had been established within Chantry, Whitton and Whitehouse.

38.4.    Story time sessions were held in early years settings where volunteers would read to children and demonstrate to staff/parents the importance of reading with children at a young age and encourage parents to read to their children every day. A free book was given to every child in the play groups at Christmas and books were also provided at no cost to children who received free school meals in Primary Schools; 3000 books had been provided over this period.

38.5.    Mr Helleur explained that when the funding was provided it was suggested that 1500 people would benefit however, it was believed to be around 2400. Three community events had been held to engage with parents, and schools had been delighted at the level of interest shown. It was noted that there were 30 adult literacy coaches within Ipswich.

38.6.    The National Charity Book Trust had chosen Let’s Talk Reading as their local partner to deliver book packs to preschoolers. In November, Let’s Talk Reading were awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. A substantial grant had also been provided by Suffolk County Council which had been used to enhance their programme which would end in March 2025.

38.7.    Let’s Talk Reading were working with Ravenswood Primary School to improve literacy levels and training had been offered to Early Year’s Staff to become adult literacy coaches. Screening tests for Irlen Syndrome would be carried out in a number of local schools and it was hoped that for some children who required glasses, this would be funded.

38.8.    Councillor Mortimer congratulated Let’s Talk Reading for their Kings Award which was echoed by the Committee, who noted the fantastic service provided which gave long term benefits and made a huge difference.

38.9.    The Chair confirmed that unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances PHOEBE were unable to attend to provide their update.

Future meeting dates are:

·       Wednesday 5 March 2025, 7pm at Nansen Road Baptist Church

It was confirmed that the next meeting would be held on Wednesday 5 March 2025 at Nansen Road Baptist Church, 7pm.