Minutes:
2. Presentation on Neighbourhood CIL
2.1 Cllr Kalu introduced James Lee, Director of Culture and Community Development who gave an overview of the process so far and presented feedback received from the on-line consultation, Commonplace. A copy of the presentation is appended to these meeting notes.
2.2 James gave an overview of Neighbourhood CIL explaining what it is, an outline of the approach that Lewisham has adopted & examples of projects that have been undertaken in other boroughs.
1.1. There is £574,474.89 available for Evelyn. James explained how Commonplace had been used to identify overarching priorities for further conversations about how both NCIL and remaining Section 106 funds should be spent. The priorities as identified on Commonplace were as follows:
· Open/Green spaces and nature
· Transport and streets
· Community Safety
· Air Quality
· Community Facilities
Q – It was asked what percentage of the overall population of the ward had responded to the online consultation.
A – Numbers of respondents and an estimate of the total population for the ward were given.
Q – It was asked whether people who were not resident in the ward were able to respond to the consultation.
A – It was confirmed that the tool did allow for anyone to contribute as it was for people who also work or study in the ward.
Q – The point was strongly made that those who did not have access to ICT were excluded from participating in the consultation.
A – The same tool was used across the borough, and some organisations did make off-line forms available to residents.
Q - It was suggested that an additional priority could be around a stronger, fairer society/social inclusion.
Q – The question was raised as to why Pepys did not appear as a separate location.
A – James explained that the details on the slide show the top priorities and locations as identified by residents. Some of these, like the 2000 Community Action Centre, are in Pepys.
2.3 There was a query regarding the figures in the table outlining access to Commonplace for the ward. These figures have subsequently been checked and the slide updated accordingly.
2.4 James outlined that going forward, we will be working in Evelyn to provide NCIL workshops, and working with Cyta Consulting to develop partnership building. There would be an open call for bids for projects under the agreed prioroties which would be launched in March. Residents would then be involved in selecting a preferred project in the round of Assemblies taking place in June & July.
2.5 Cllr Kalu invited questions on the presentation.
Statements were made with the following themes:
· The priorities desmonstrated a disconnect with people living in poverty as they had no way of contributing to the consultation
· The process should be paused to allow wider engagement
· EveRest had pulled together community feedback on a master plan for the ward, and particularly for Pepys. They had spoken to many in the community to shape ideas
· S106 money should be spent locally, in the ward in which it is generated
· A lasting legacy is important - some of the money should be used for tangible projects, and some for non-tangible projects.
2.6 James responded to the above points by confirming that priority setting had been discussed at Mayor & Cabinet, and expressed the view that while Commonplace may be limited in terms of what it can deliver, it is the start of a journey, and we need to be scrutinising rather than pausing, as this will set us back. James explained that part of this process is to identify what might not have been said and suggested that a sixth priority could relate to social inclusion.
2.7 Further observations were made with the following themes:
· Some of the issues raised should be responded to by the Council, not via NCIL
· Land owners would need to be engaged if the Council do not own the land
2.8 James outlined that useful information from this consultation would be shared with Council colleagues – e.g. transport and road issues.
2.9 A number of community representatives made points on the following themes:
· Residents skills were being exported out of the ward as there are few new employers
· A significant amount of engagement work had taken place with communities outside of Commonplace through a range of organisations (many had bought their outcomes to share with residents)
· The Newsletter produced for the ward was not reaching all residents, therefore not everyone knew how to participate
· Evelyn ward requires a master plan which considers transport, S106 funds and NCIL
· Any decisions to be taken at the meeting should be delayed to ensure all voices have been heard
· Community need and community benefit should be explored with representatives of community groups
· Cradle to grave play should be a sixth priority
· Previous consultation work has been undertaken in the ward, and should be included in the planning.
2.10 James suggested a vote should be taken on the sixth priority based on suggestions given in the room, but some attendees felt no vote should be cast if the range of representation at the meeting was open to question.
2.11 James highlighted that if no sixth priority could be agreed then the 5 existing priorities would be agreed for Evelyn Ward.
2.12 No formal vote took place and the 5 existing priorities were agreed for Evelyn Ward. These are:
• Open/Green spaces and nature
• Transport and streets
• Community Safety
• Air Quality
• Community Facilities
3 Community Updates
Community updates were given as part of the previous agenda item
4 AOB
Feedback sheets and close
4.5 Cllr Kalu thanked everyone for attending and reminded them to complete the feedback forms.
Note: These are not verbatim minutes therefore some questions and answers have been summarised.