Inverness West Ward Forum
Kinmylies Church Hall, 8 September 2009
Attendance
Councillor Alasdair Christie – Chair
Councillor Alex Graham
Councillor Pauline Munro
Chief Inspector Andrew Maclean, Area Commander Northern Constabulary
Malcolm Macleod, Development Plans Manager
Conan Farningham, Planner
Stewart Wardlaw, Ward Manager
F. McWilliams, Inverness West Community Council
G. D. Greig, Inverness West Community Council
Lord Burton, Inverness West Community Council
D Patterson, Inverness West Community Council
Roger Reid, Muirtown Community Council
Ruth Macleod, Muirtown Community Council
Barbara Lynch, Muirtown Community Council
Brian Smith, Muirtown Community Council
G Grant, Ballifeary Community Council
A MacDonald, Ballifeary Community Council
Jennifer Laws, Ballifeary Community Council
Tom Wall, Charleston Community Complex
Anne Gunn, Kinmylies Church
Mike More, Comunn nan lios
C More, Comunn nan lios
Jess Christman, Servite Housing Association
and local residents:
D Davidson
K Davidson
A Grant
P Grant
G Pembroke
1 Community Safety
Chief Inspector Andrew Maclean, Northern Constabulary’s recently-appointed Area Commander for the City of Inverness, addressed the Forum.
The Chief Inspector highlighted recent police successes (included the drugs “busts” the previous weekend) and emphasised the importance of intelligence, planning and organisation for such operations. All contacts with the police helped with this, and although sometimes it is not possible to take immediate action, the information given is generally useful.
A focus for the police in the near future was driver behaviour. There would be a partnership approach which would involve public sector partners, businesses and organisations such as the Institute of Advanced Motoring.
The Forum noted that the IAM was shortly to introduce a new training course.
Driver behaviour was discussed at particular locations, including Leachkin Road. The Council was to consider traffic calming options in the area.
Action - to draw up a scheme by the end of the year for consultation with the Community Council. To consider appropriate signs that might be used within the 30 m.p.h limit.
2 Youth Shelter Review
Chief Inspector Maclean circulated copies of a report; “Results Analysis Charleston Youth Shelter”.
The background issues that led to the development of the Shelter was discussed. There were references to the Youth Project that involved the young people in choosing the type and location of leisure equipment (not only the shelter but also the new play equipment that has been installed in Blackpark and Assynt Road play parks).
There was a notable decline in the level of anti-social behaviour incidents. The Chief Inspector was generally supportive of the continued development of youth shelters as an additional facility for young people and as focal points for youth work.
The location of the shelter had not had a detrimental impact on the Community Centre but appeared to be encouraging young people to the Centre.
It was agreed to reassess the youth shelter impact after a further year, when levels of usage in each of the seasons might be considered. On incident statistics, it was noted that one unfortunate incident involving a number of youths might skew the statistics, and future analysis would require to account for that.
During the forthcoming year Northern Constabulary was also to embark on a community consultation that would address perceptions of safety. This consultation may lead to other initiatives. The Forum was keen to continue to seek ways to engage with the young people, including attendance at Community Councils. A new Youth Development Officer for the Charleston Academy area, Simon Brooks, was appointed in the Summer.
Ward Members highlighted their continued support for young people, including the deployment of the Ward Discretionary Budget for play equipment and for the Multi-Use Games Area, recently completed at the Academy.
3 The Local Development Plan
Malcolm Macleod, Development Plans Manager from the Council’s Planning and Development Service, briefed the Forum on the process and timetable for the introduction of the Highland-wide Local Development Plan.
Malcolm invited views of the Forum on what should be in the Plan. Responses may be viewed by following this link;
Local Development Plan
Noted issues included planning enforcement, allotments (reference to power to compulsory purchase), open space, public transport. There was positive feedback on the Council’s 20p park & stride scheme.
4 General Points
Response to Storm Damage 8.9.09
The Councils quick response to clearing the debris created by the high winds was congratulated.
Skatepark
An enquiry was made if improvements were planned for the skatepark facility in Bught Park.
Action - Stewart Wardlaw to enquire re the current status of a development project and report directly to Mrs Davidson.
Ward Forum
The Chairman invited feedback on how successful Ward Forums were, after roughly two years of operation. Across the City, some Forums had suffered from low attendance from members of the public; others had been well attended, particularly if there had been a significant issue to discuss e.g. the Bridge Protocols. More City Forums were being held, to maximise attendance and minimise duplication. Comments included;
- Forums are a great thing, fantastic opportunity for local people to be heard
- We should begin to think like a City
- If you hold a Forum, you need to see something happen as a result
- Local representation might be lost at a City Forum, where it might be difficult to speak.
Action – Stewart Wardlaw to arrange for microphones to be provided for speakers at future events.
5 Date and location of next meeting
19 November at Charleston Academy, 6.30 p.m. start. Meeting to include reviewing the effectiveness of the new Bridge Protocol.