Agenda and minutes

The Chair will introduce those present and make any necessary announcements.

The Chair and any other Councillors who are present will make any declarations as required by the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor Whittle (as Chair) welcomed those present and led the introductions.

Apologies for absence were received from City Warden Darren Evans and Grant Butterworth, Head of Planning.

There were no declarations of interest.

The action log of the previous meeting, held on 3 March 2020, is attached for information and discussion.

The Action Log of the previous meeting held 3 March 2020 was agreed as a correct record.

Ward Councillors will provide an update on local ward issues.

Ward councillors provided feedback on work they had been doing since the last meeting which included the following points:

·       Concerns around parking behaviour outside Overdale School was ongoing. Councillors were requesting PC or PCSO presence. It was noted that two car parks were encouraged for use as a park and stride option for parents at Knighton Park and Kenwood Club. Councillors discussed and invited ideas and methods of encouraging park and stride use.

·       It was noted that a new pilot scheme only permitted residents of Northfold Road and Eastcourt Road to park on the roads between drop off and pick up times. The pilot was quite successful, noting better visibility and space during school times and may possibly be adopted elsewhere.

·       A member of the public raised concerns over displaced parking on other roads as a result of the pilot scheme, which included parking on both sides of the road and dangerous driving around bollards and buses. Westgate Road was noted to be congested.

·       Following a consultation, residents had voted in favour for traffic calming, which would see the installation of speed bumps on Carisbrook Road. It was noted that installation would begin following the appointment of an engineer.

·       The first ‘play’ street was welcomed in October on Knighton Church Road, which saw the street closed from traffic to allow children to play freely. A play street would be planned once a month on the first Sunday for the following year between 2:30pm and 4:15pm. It was noted that the event would be arranged with residents and vehicles would be moved accordingly.

·       A report was due by the end of the first week in November regarding the workplace parking levy following a consultation period.

·       It was noted that in consideration of the cost-of-living crisis, 16 libraries and churches were being kept open as a warm place for those struggling. Residents can register at https://www.warmwelcome.uk/ to offer a warm space or find their nearest space. It was further noted that any concerns residents had regarding the cost of food could contact Councillors to be signposted to the nearest available food bank.

A Planning Officer will be in attendance and an update will be given on the planning proposals in the Knighton ward.

Grant Butterworth (Head of Planning) provided a written update in his absence, which noted the following:

·       The public consultation period of the Local Plan ended in December 2020.

·       3500 responses had been received and considered in the finalised version of the Plan. The proposed 6-week consultation stage was expected in January 2023, after which would be submitted to the Government in June 2023 for an independent examination in public, and formally adopted in early 2024.

·       The Local Plan detailed a need for 39,424 dwellings in the city, of which not all can be accommodated. Leicester City Council had formed an agreement with several districts in the County to assist in the provision of these dwellings and employment land.

·       71% of homes proposed were on brownfield sites with the remaining 29% on greenfield sites.

·       The Plan contained specific policies on climate change, affordable housing, employment, biodiversity, public health and open spaces.

Councillors raised concern over the sites proposed in the Knighton ward which included the old site of the Mary Gee Houses, which proposed residential housing for the elderly, and Welford Road fields beside the University Playing Fields.

A member of the public enquired about the Mary Gee Houses, noting that they had been vacant for three years and the planning proposal had been opposed by members of the public and the NHS, due to concern over medical staff not being able to cater to more in the area. It was noted that Mary Gee was dependent on funding and its application process, as it would go to the Planning Scrutiny for approval. The current situation noted that the site application had been turned down, but a new application may be made in the future.

Members of the public enquired about the owner of the fields on Welford Road. It was noted that the fields belonged to a private family in Knighton and that a member of family was looking into developing the area, potentially extending the housing and keeping fields behind them. Members of the public expressed concern that the fields involved in the application were a part of the floodplain. It was noted that the site proposed was not a part of the floodplain.

A member of the public enquired about the proposed development of cycle lanes in the area. It was noted that consultation was underway and had yet to be confirmed. It was noted that there may still be changes made to the application after the consultation period.

Councillors were noted to be enthusiastic to get the Plan approved after agreement had been reached with Leicestershire districts, which could assist in addressing half of the 39,424 target dwellings for the Plan.

A Planning Officer will be in attendance to discuss the planning concerns around Saffron Brook.

Samantha Woods, Nature Conservation Department and Project Manager for Planning, Development and Transportation, was present to provide a verbal report on the Save Saffron Brook project. The following points were highlighted:

·       Due to some members of the public not knowing its official name, it was noted that it was locally referred to as the ‘washbrook’ or the ‘woggy’.

·       Funding had been received from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) during the Covid-19 Pandemic and a project had been created to design natural wildlife corridors. The funding was provided in 2021 and works in Knighton Park would be completed by the end of March, 2023.

·       The Council was working in partnership with organisations and businesses between Oadby and Soar Valley, including Knighton Wild and Trent Rivers Trust.

·       The project revolved around 2 kinds of intervention, physical restoration or habitat creation, and the main aim was to connect people with nature and encourage its use.

·       Community engagement and wildlife walk programmes were ongoing to encourage schools and residents to visit and explore nature, as well as to note the good water quality of the brook.

·       An otter spotters’ group had been formed after it was noted that otters had started using the river as their territory.

·       Physical intervention and re-naturalisation work had started in the area at the Golf Centre on Knighton Park’s boundary. The work being done on the riverbed would increase the capacity of the river and reduce flood risk for the future.

·       It was noted that work would be started in a few weeks at the Washbrook nature area near Lancaster Boys School, which involved cutting back trees to let in more light and increase wildlife, as well as adding to the river to assist the habitat.

·       Work was being done at Overdale School to create a nature trail linked to education for the provision of skills sessions.

·       Volunteering at Knighton Spinney to restore wildflower areas was ongoing. It was noted that 65 volunteering activities and 17,000 volunteer hours meant the original target had been surpassed, which 14 schools participated in.

·       Work was planned to deepen the slope, increase water capacity near the concrete flood barriers and create new ponds at Knighton Green on Kenwood Road. The work would be completed by the Christmas period.

·       Due to the erosion of Knighton Park’s brook bank, the aim was noted to encourage visitor entry only in specific areas and dissuade use in other areas to ensure safe access to the river.

·       A nature walk was noted to be in development at the old St Mary’s orchard, which was noted to be a circular path that would run through St Mary’s and Hughenden Drive.

Councillors questioned the intention of the work beside Knighton Park. It was noted that it would be a social space, noting that the work wouldn’t impact the flood defences. The ground was noted to be reinforced and artist interpretation installations and benches may also be a possibility.

A member of the public questions whether a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

Highways officers will give an update on highways issues in the ward.

Rupert Bedder, Highways Network Asset Manager, Planning, Development and Control, was present to provide an update on Highways related issues in the ward, which noted the following:

·       In the past year, 458 footwear and carriageway repairs had been undertaken including Welford Road, which had been matched funded by Department for Transport, Stoughton Road and Queens Road.

·       It was noted that ongoing resurfacing work had been impacted due to road closures.

·       Bollards had been installed on Ramsbury Road and Kenwood Road, under the Safer Streets scheme following a public consultation. Displacement was expected and other methods were being reviewed.

·       Concerns about speed and parking outside Overdale School were noted to be ongoing and work was underway alongside parking wardens to remind parents of the available Park and Stride area. The Road Safety team held a trial prohibition of entry, which had been met with positive feedback and had since been made permanent.

·       Regarding proposals for Carisbrook Road, proposals and a plan had been drawn up following consultation.

·       Work with the city fire team was ongoing to address the issues of telecoms installing structures in incorrect locations.

·       The shared junction between Queens Road and Northcote Road continued to have speeding concerns. It was noted that a petition had been put forward on the matter and research was being carried out to gather statistics, speed surveys and accident data.

Councillors enquired about the time frame for the Northcote / Queens Road petition. It was noted that a plan would be produced within three months. ACTION: A plan of the location to come back to the next Knighton Ward Community meeting.

Councillors and members of the public discussed ongoing parking issues outside Overdale School and including the possibility of putting in bollards, installing a camera or extending yellow lines to address these concerns. It was noted that parking enforcement were aware of the issues and would address however possible. It was noted that the Highway Officer would take back comments made during the course of the meeting with hopes of improving the issue. It was further noted that between 25 and 30 officers were on duty during the day and regularly patrolled the school area in the morning.

A member of the public thanked the Highways Officer for the road improvements on Queen’s Road and brought up concerns about pavement parking  as residents were facing difficulties parking in the area. Suggestions of alternate day parking were made, which was noted and would be taken back for consideration.

A member of the public reported tailgating and overtaking concerns on Kenwood junction on Carisbrook Road and requested an analysis on the effect on cyclist safety. The junction was noted to be a kill zone for cyclists and the extension of yellow lines was underway, however, following The Healthy Streets approach and assessment, the lines could be removed if it resulted in an improvement for cyclists.

Members of the public raised speeding concerns on Shanklin Drive and discussed the effectiveness of chicanes over speed humps. It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

Officers from Leicestershire Police will be at the meeting to provide an update on police issues in Knighton Ward.

PCSO Lynette Steadman was present to provide an update on policing issues in the ward.

PCSO Steadman reminded members of the public of the increase in burglary or theft of cars and homes during this time of year and advised those present to ensure safety of their belongings by keeping lights on in homes and removing all valuables from vehicles, and keeping vehicles and homes locked.

Members of the public raised concern about the theft of catalytic converters on cars. The PCSO noted that work was ongoing to tackle catalytic converter theft, however, advised those with vehicles prone to theft, such as Honda or Toyota cars, to reduce the chances of theft by reversing close to walls or garage doors. Application of the SmartWater marking method could allow stolen converters could be traced.

Members of the public enquired about the plausibility of chasing a suspect, following a resident that had been attacked with a machete after preventing a theft. The PCSO highlighted the difficulty of pursuing suspects and noted that if an arrest was made more could be done to trace other suspects and stolen goods.

Members of the public raised concern about the lack of police presence in the ward. It was noted that only 1 Police officer and two Police and Community Support Officer were currently assigned to the ward due to affordability concerns and that while forces were spread as much as possible, officers still may never be in the right time or place.

A member of the public raised frustration from attempts to contact of the Police and Crime Commissioner, which had not seen a response.

Members of the public raised concern over e-scooters and health and safety. It was noted that e-scooters were hard to enforce against and may yet be made a legal form of transport.

Councillors noted concerns about Anti-Social Behaviour near St Mary’s Church and had worked alongside police to ensure more patrols in the area.

Councillors noted the lack of entertainment available for older teens in Knighton Park and would be conducting a survey to investigate options available.

The Chair noted a prior action in the action log from 2020 for fire rescue attendance and declared the action closed as those present could not remember the reasoning for their attendance.

The City Warden will give an update on issues in Knighton Ward.

Apologies for absence were noted from City Warden, Darren Evans.

Councillors are reminded that under the Council’s Code of Conduct they should declare any interest they may have in budget applications

An update will be given on the Ward Community budget.

The Ward Community Engagement Officer provided an update on the Knighton Ward Community Budget.

It was noted that 10 applications for funding had been received with 7 applications supported. A balance of £14,109 was left available until 1 April 2023.

Councillor March noted their provision of support to breakfast clubs for schools in the area and requested members of the public provide Ward Councillors with any ideas or assistance for projects or food banks that could help those during the cost of living crisis.

Members of the public remarked at the success of St Marys book exchange. Damage to Perspex holders were noted and a request for advice on how to repair them was made. ACTION: Councillor March to explore means of Perspex reparation and contact St Mary’s with the results.

Members of the public raised concern with a fence that had been put up in the ward without planning permission. It was noted that the fence in question would have likely received planning permission, had the owner applied, so no action was taken.

Members of the public discussed uses for the Ward Community Budget. It was noted by the Democratic Support Officer(DSO) that the Braunstone Park and Rowley Field Ward had granted budget to Leicestershire Police for a new portable CCTV camera in the ward, which had been used in collaboration with CrABSU and had had positive effect on criminal activity and concern in the ward.  

Councillors discussed the uses of a ward specific camera in consideration of the long waiting list for CCTV cameras with Leicestershire Police. ACTION: DSO to put Knighton Councillors in contact with Braunstone Ward PC to discuss a portable CCTV camera.

There being no other urgent business, the meeting closed at 19:26pm.