Agenda item

The Student Community Partnership (or SCP) is a bridge between the University of Bath and its Students’ Union, Bath Spa University and its Students’ Union and Bath and North East Somerset Council. It supports student residents and permanent residents in coming together and living in the community of Bath.

The SCP campaigns for neighbourly relations, safety, sustainability and other aspects of community awareness. The partnership helps all residents to work together to benefit the community and ensures all residents have an active voice. The SCP also offers support when issues arise as we all live life together. The SCP is here for the community of Bath as we all have a share of our city.

Kalyn Mallard, SCP Community Liaison Co-ordinator and Ben Palmer, University, Bath Student Union are attending the forum to provide an overview and take questions about the work that the SCP are undertaking in Bath.  

Kalyn Mallard thanked the forum for the opportunity to present and also for the Community Empowerment Funding to financially support the Student Community Partnership (SCP) for the next 2 years. The SCP is a partnership between the University of Bath, Bath Spa University, their Students’ Unions and Bath and North East Somerset Council

The Co-ordinator role is funded by all the partners and works alongside them all in various capacities and organises quarterly meetings to discuss the work of the SCP which includes:

•  Handling complaints regarding noise, waste and recycling and anti-social behaviour related to students in the community

•  Working with several local councillors and officers at the Council on community projects and in handling complaints

•  Managing and promoting positive campaigns

•  Organising volunteering opportunities

•  Planning community events

This role is predominantly focused on handling issues within the community:

Waste and recycling: 60 complaints reported to the SCP since September 2017

·  Emailing the students

·  Contacting BANES Waste Services

·  Education visits

Noise: 62 recorded directly to the SCP

·  Emailing the students with advice

·  Contacting BANES Environmental Protection Team

·  Property visits or meetings on campus

·  Disciplinary hearings at the university

Anti-social behaviour: 18 recorded, many repeat complaints about the bus stops

·  These are addressed through messages to students and meetings with students are identified

·  The majority of recorded complaints have been handled by the SCP without having to contact the Council

The Good Neighbour Campaign October 2017

·  The Purpose of the campaign is to encourage both student residents and permanent residents to introduce themselves to one another when they move in

·  For students, we offer a move-in checklist, tips for living in Bath and waste and recycling information, including how to order bins if necessary

·  This academic year, with the help of several volunteers, we door knocked over 1,000 properties around Bath, the majority in Oldfield Park

·  Most complaints I receive are a result of neighbours not introducing themselves to one another- such an important part of living in a community which is why we will aim to expand the campaign this coming October

The Pack for Good Campaign

·  Pack for Good is a Student Move Out Campaign which supports the British Heart Foundation by donating unwanted items in the temporary donation banks across Bath. This is our third year co-ordinating the campaign.

·  Last year, the campaign raised over £150,000 for the British Heart Foundation, with over 10,000 bags donated in Bath.

·  This year, there are 10 temporary banks in Bath, with more banks on the university campuses. While there have been concerns about aesthetics of the donation banks, Bath has raised over £36,000 already. This a tremendous increase from this time last year.

·  We are encouraging all residents of Bath to make use of the donation banks. They are temporary and will be removed this July

Joe Simmonds gave an explanation of the work on River Safety:

·  Working group of the Council, both Universities and Bath College to promote river safety, especially among students

·  Bath College students and #GotYaBack campaign

·  Safe Route Home Map and September launch with takeaway discounts

·  Contacting landlords and student blocks with river safety advice

Ben Palmer gave an explanation of the work on #NeverOK:

·  University of Bath initial involvement

·  What is it about? Why promoting it?

·  Bath Spa’s involvement

·  Plan to make campaign consistent across Bath

Kalyn Mallard gave an example of a student volunteering project:

Litter Picks in Oldfield Park including Great British Spring Clean with McDonald’s with over 60 volunteers

Questions and Comments:

Cllr Patrick Anketell-Jones asked if there was enough education given on responsible drinking and the dangers of alcohol.

Response from Ben Palmer – There is support in student services and the student union, wellbeing support and events and introductions given at Fresher’s Week.

Rosie Phillips added that DHI also carry out work with the Universities.

Cllr Bob Goodman expressed his thanks for the work of the partnership and felt that the improvements that are gained and the volunteering achievements all indicate that the partnership is moving in the right direction.

Cllr Peter Turner asked how quick are the reactions to complaints, what hours are covered and does this fit in alongside enforcement.

Response from Kalyn Mallard – My working hours are weekdays 9-5 when I am contactable. Most communications come in by e-mail which needs to be defined as student properties, we then need to confirm that a formal complaint is being raised, these are recorded on a database and letters are sent out. 

Cllr Peter Turner asked how we can tap into the volunteering for help with projects.

Response – Either contact the SCP or either University

Cllr Andrew Furse explained that the student accommodation in his ward (Kingsmead) is ever revolving each year, where introductions are made it helps in communication. The students do hold noisy parties, what sanctions can be taken?

Response – The SCP acts as a bridge between the Council and the Universities, if a complaint is made and it is formal it will be recorded, in serious or repeat offender cases the universities can take disciplinary action. 

Cllr Will Sandry felt that the conversations that we have about students are the same every year. This year the working arrangements appear to be going well and residents have been positive about the work Kalyn is carrying out. There has to been level of understanding given to young people as this for most is the first time that they have live alone, hard measures should be avoided where possible.

Response from Joe Simmonds – The conditions of some of the housing that students have to contend with does not help, when people have poor standards or are sofa surfing the care that is given back is not always what is expected.

Roger Driver suggested that the #gotyourback campaign could find links with the street pastors.

Shaun Stevenson-McGall asked (i) is there any plans to work with Norland Nannies and Bath College (ii) are there any measures that could be taken in from other student towns (iii) there are good initiatives from the SCP, what capacity is there for further projects.

Response – (i) There is a meeting scheduled for next week with the College, We have reached out to Norland Nannies without success, if anyone has a good contact to follow up please let us know. (ii) Resources are available through the Town and Gown listing where best practices are shared. (iii) The ideal situation would be for Bath to employ five student ambassadors to work for the SCP (as happens in Bristol); this would give capacity for the co-ordination for the level of projects that could be achieved.

Dine Romero asked (i) what wards the HMO complaints are from. (ii) What is the context of the off campus complaints.

Response - (i) Mapping complaints is something we aim to make happen in the future. (ii) The number of students living in the City is more than 20,000 and 130 complaints were recorded last year = 0.0065% of the population. The contribution of 8,500 volunteering hours into the community gives back in many different ways.