1. Welcome & Apologies
The meeting was chaired by Andrea Hickman and minutes taken by Trisha Weller.
Committee present:
Andrea Hickman (AH), Richard Batley (RB), Lis Broome(LB) & Trisha Weller (TW), Bernard Walsh (BW), Martin Hinchcliffe (MH), Amanda Martin (AM), Javed Arain (JA),
Apologies:
Councillors Karen McCarthy and Bridget Jones (full Council meeting tonight) Sarah Savage Special Constable. From membership : Liz Robinson, Les Sparks, Doris Turland, Michael Toolan, John Gale, Sarah Colles, Viv Child, Marianne England, Diane Rance.
AH welcomed members and guests. She hoped the registration process was not too onerous but stressed SPPOA was keen to update their records and be in a position to communicate more effectively with the members.
AH stated that we have all had another strange year and for some many difficulties to overcome. Activity on the estate has more or less reverted to normal with the attendant problems on the roads, parking speeding, and for Kensington Road some inconvenience due to pavement resurfacing. SPPOA have become aware of an increase in crime in the area and information provided by the Police will be reported later in the meeting. Recently several properties have exchanged ownership which has resulted in new members, some present at this AGM.
There was a very good turn out for the public consultation on the CAAMP document, about 40 people, and a good opportunity to be reacquainted with neighbours. SPPOA were impressed with the document which was felt to give a good representation of the estate, with an ongoing management plan giving opportunities for positive change. This will be reported on later.
Committee were able to re-start face to face meetings in September and AH expressed her gratitude to Lis Broome for hosting these. Lis sends out the weekly notification of planning applications, and it remains SPPOA’s priority to review all these at the monthly meetings.
2. Election of Principal Officers
Chair: Andrea Hickman for re-election
Proposer: Trisha Weller, Seconder: Richard Batley
Secretary: Trisha Weller for election
Proposer Andrea Hickman stated she was grateful to Trisha for taking over this role before the AGM and for her invaluable work in preparing for this meeting.
Seconder Lis Broome
Treasurer: Martin Hinchliffe for re-election
Proposer Trisha Weller Seconder Richard Batley
All positions were agreed
3. Minutes of 2020 General Meeting
Minutes were delivered to members’ homes with the AGM papers
4. Matters Arising
No matters arising.
AGM minutes agreed and signed.
5. Annual Report and Questions from the members
It was assumed that last years AGM minutes had been read by those present, however, AH was keen to update the AGM on the draft CAAMP consultation.
Following a request from the Council, there was a further meeting with AH & RB from SPPOA, Andrew Fuller City Design Officer and Julie Shaduwa Conservation Area Project Manager. This has resulted in the SPPOA committee writing a further letter clarifying their position, and asking for their comments to be taken into consideration regarding the extension of the Conservation Area. This extension was the proposal of the Council as outlined in the CAAMP document, not SPPOA.
Concerns have been expressed by the Council officers over the architectural value of some areas identified for inclusion in the Conservation Area. These concerns were not made clear before the completion of the draft CAAMP document or SPPOA’s view at the public consultation meeting.
The following points have been made to the council:
We understand, the clearest support by residents of the roads proposed for inclusion in the draft CAAMP came from Bournbrook Road and The Stables. Opposition came from one or two residents of Southbourne Close. No particular view came from residents of the lower part of Upland Road, Selly Park Road and Kensington Road. Of the roads, the officers seemed to support the inclusion of Bournbrook Road and our view that the bungalows on Kensington Road might be included for the historical reason that they were built in 1926 using slate for the structure of the buildings as an innovative form of construction.
The view of SPPOA’s committee is that the proposed areas should be assumed to have met the professional judgement for inclusion in the Conservation Area. Otherwise, why
propose them? It follows that Bournbrook Road and the Stables should be included because residents have shown strong support for the proposal.
Selly Park is notable for its diversity with examples of every wave of residential architecture.
The response from the council is awaited, however, this will delay the CAAMP process until the New Year.
Comments/questions from audience:
Ann Davies one of the contributors of the CAAMP document stated a lot of damage has been done to a number of properties architecturally in some roads already e.g. the Pershore Road end of Upland Road where there was no Conservation area control. She emphasised that the planning department did not recognise covenanted areas, however the Land Tribunal did.
Roxy Gale asked what was the breakdown of the three questions posed at the public consultation meeting. AH replied that information had not been disclosed by the council.
Report from local Councillors Brigid Jones and Karen McCarthy
There is another visit from the Mobile Household Recycling Centre on Friday 17 December, on Selly Park Road from 7am to 12 noon. They will take most waste and recycling, including mattresses and garden waste, but not large furniture, white goods or paint and oils.
Planning
It was understand that no appeal has yet been submitted for the Sainsbury Triangle site at Selly Oak, where the City Council and local groups successfully defended an appeal.
There were impressive submissions from Bournbrook Road residents about an application for No.69 to become an HMO, which was refused by BCC. There really is no substitute for that level of local knowledge.
955 Pershore Road: getting the site cleared was also down to local vigilance, which enabled dumping on site not only to be filmed but also linked to a nearby site in the same ownership.
Exempt Accommodation
There is a paper going to Full Council today on exempt accommodation, which is causing problems across the city, and in Selly Park mostly along the Pershore Road. What’s needed is more powers to control this “supported” housing, where support is inadequate and both tenants and neighbours are badly let down.
Other Issues
An update was expected very soon on the parking scheme for the Avenues. There was no agreement in the SPPOA area about which type of scheme would work, therefore this cannot be revisited until the existing programme is finalised. It was noted that the Dental Hospital, Private Hospital and Care Home were impacting on the local residents and the through traffic within the area.
The road safety on the Pershore Road, particularly speeding but additionally junction issues, will be assessed in the future.
Police Report
The Police were unable to attend the meeting due to a rest day.
| Stats for 3 months 2021 | September | October | November |
| Residential Burglary | 46 | 45 | 33 |
| Vehicle Interference | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| Theft from Motor Vehicle | 13 | 8 | 17 |
| Theft of Pedal Cycle | 1 | ||
These statistics are for Selly Oak Ward, not just Selly Park. It was noted that if the property burgled was an HMO with e.g. 6 beds that would be classed as 6 burglaries. Therefore the figures could be misleading. The Police report that the team are out on foot or in a vehicle in the Selly Park area daily, with the areas changing depending on what has been reported the previous few days.
Sarah Savage reported that she had been out on the bike a few times which has been quite eye-opening, particularly in relation to the condition of some of the roads and the impact this has on cyclists’ safety (she will be reporting via Fix My Street).
Drug trafficking was noted at the bottom of Selly Wick, although there was no update.
Comments/questions from audience:
John Gale (via Roxy) raised the question re number of objections to planning applications. SPPOA when objecting states that it represents the committee and x no of local members it represents. It was suggested that a guide on how to object would be useful especially for those not used to the process.
SPPOA will discuss at their next committee meeting and this guide could go out with the weekly planning list circulation.
Nick Devas asked what was happening to the Awentsbury Hotel. AH stated that the application had been withdrawn but that SPPOA are alert for any future applications.
He also commented on the merit of repairing small areas of road when other similar areas in close proximity were ignored.
Sue Moodie stated that parked cars often made resurfacing difficult but increased notice of this intention was required.
Amanda Martin stated that by attending Ward meetings these concerns can be made directly to the local councillors for action.
Richard Batley reported no date has been set for the next ward meeting.
Nick Devas commented on the planning application for the “tin” garden shed at Selly Wick House. AH reported that SPPOA had made an objection. The closing date for objections was noted as 16/12/21.
6. Community Partnership for Selly Oak (CP4SO) Barry Toon
CP4SO formed 10 years ago. Selly Oak a large development area with £1000m plan of investment. No overseeing body until CP4SO. All involved are volunteers. Involved with Battery site development.
Sainsbury’s triangle site – 1200 bed student accommodation block turned down after persistent lobbying. At Appeal strongly supported by local residents, consent was
again turned down. Possibility of developers going to the High Court but no news at present. These planning objections were a major success.
Selly Oak Development Trust has been set up for the benefit of local residents with the profits to go to the Trust. Registered with Homes England. A grant of @£140,00 given to the Trust. There will be a mixed development area for future development of the Bournbrook Recreation site. This will consist of 10 houses at affordable rent, retail – developed jointly with Aldi who want to develop their store, plus a recreation area.
Selly Oak Library – RB actively involved. Legal status being established as to if it is a trust or not and with the development work.
Exempt Housing. This is an increasing trend locally in Selly Oak, which is more profitable than HMO’s. No council controls as it is assumed that Housing Associations are
supporting residents needs, although this does not appear to be happening. The Council are discussing this at their meeting on 7/12/21.
7. Annual Accounts and Matters Arising
Accounts circulated with the AGM papers.
No matters arising
8. Election of Committee
There is one nomination – Adam Simcox
Proposer Andrea Hickman: Adam has lived in Selly Park for many years and has been a long time member of SPPOA
Seconded Trisha Weller
All Agreed.
The members attending were asked if there were any nominations for the committee. None put forward.
AH mentioned that Les Sparks has said he will be available to join the committee in the Spring and we will therefore co-opt him at the appropriate time.
AH also mentioned that Linda Cullen maybe available to join the committee next year but that is to be confirmed.
Retiring from Committee
Lis Robinson was thanked for all her work with SPPOA over the years and the last 2 years as Secretary.
Amanda Martin was thanked for all her help and support and for liaising with St Stephen’s for the setting up of the AGM meeting.
Continuing committee members:-
Richard Batley
Javed Arain
Lis Broome
Bernard Walsh
Diane Rance who remains on Sabbatical.
9. Any other business
Roxy Gale mentioned the Martineau Gardens and the pop-up bike collection day on December 11th. The bikes would be reconditioned and given to refugees.
Liz Simcox asked what was happening to the BT exchange on Dogpool Road. This has had planning approval for student accommodation despite local opposition.
It was questioned what was happening to the building next to Selly Park Girl’s School on the Bristol Road which has been derelict for many years. Suggested perhaps empty Houses department should be involved. Pop-up
Trisha Weller asked what was happening about the Travellers who have camped at the Triangle site. The site was a mess. Barry Toon replied that the council could do nothing as it was Sainsbury’s responsibility as they owned the site. Further development plans were expected as Sainsbury’s had paid £40m for the site in the 1980’s.