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 Dempster, Chair for the meeting, welcomed everyone and led introductions.

Apologies were received from Nicole Powell – City Warden.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Action Log of the meeting held on 30 November 2016 is attached at Appendix A and Members are asked to confirm it as an accurate record. Any update on actions taken since the last meeting will be reported at the meeting.

The action log of the meeting held on 30 November 2016 was agreed as an accurate record.

The Humberstone and Hamilton Ward Councillors will provide an update on the issues they have been dealing with in the Humberstone and Hamilton Ward.

·         Following Councillor Sandhu’s visit to Brompton Road, it was noted that this road would be adopted soon.

·         Three new bus shelters had been approved at Maidenwell Avenue, Sandhills Avenue and Carty Road.

ACTION - Residents were requested to report fly tipping to the City Warden and inform other residents that fly tipping was unacceptable.

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

There were no Local Policing Officers present at the meeting to provide an update.

An update will be provided on a number of transport and highways issues in the Ward.

Robert Bateman – Team Leader for Highways & Traffic Design discussed the following:

• Highways were currently engaging with developers regarding a start date for road widening on Keyham Lane.

ACTION – Highways noted a tentative date would be during May 2017 – this was to be confirmed.

ACTION – 20mph limit traffic calming would be implemented on Keyham Lane.

• The Arriva bus company representative, who was in attendance at the meeting suggested more parking bays be provided on Keyham Lane. The Chair advised that if the bus company had good reasons for the suggestion, they should contact the Highways Team.
• Robert noted that parking surrounding schools was being addressed.

ACTION – Highways were ensuring all ‘Keep Clear Signs’ near schools and a plate/ sign indicating times of school were marked out correctly, as this would allow for better enforcement.

Residents’ concerns:

·         It was noted that the roundabout approaching Kestral Lane/ Maidenwell Avenue and the second roundabout approaching Kestral Fields School still both required sign marking.

ACTION – Robert to feedback to team and look into this.

• In regards to issues surrounding school parking, a resident suggested that an agreement could be looked into with Tesco supermarket Hamilton so that parents/ carers would use the Tesco car park to park and have a walking bus to Kestral Fields Primary School.

·         The exit and entrance for the Sainsbury’s supermarket next to Hope Hamilton School required road/ junction markings as there were reported concerns.

ACTION – Robert noted the above resident’s requests and would look into them.

ACTION – Councillor Dempster requested that Highways send Councillors an email in regards to the Sandhills Avenue area near Nirvana FC, as this area had no speed bumps and residents felt that this was a necessity. However, the Council had previously noted that there was not much pedestrian traffic in this area and therefore this was not a prioritisation for Highways. Councillor Joshi requested vehicle activation signs in this area.

The City Warden will give an update on environment and enforcement activities in the Humberstone & Hamilton Ward.

Punum Patel – Ward Community Engagement Officer (WCEO) read the update provided by the City Warden, which has been attached to this action log.

Residents’ concerns:

ACTION - Request for City Warden to check the litter bins on Topaz Way and just outside the Tesco by the Chinese takeaway as they were reported to be in a bad state.

A written update will be provided on the outdoor gym.

Punum Patel – WCEO distributed sketches showing the range of gym equipment that would be provided and Councillor Dempster read the update provided by Adrian Edge regarding the Hamilton Park outdoor gym developments. The sketches are attached at the end of this action log.

·         It was noted that the location for the outdoor gym had been agreed with the Ward Councillors and would be located on Topaz Walk opposite the play area.

·         The equipment was delivered to the Landscape Development depot last week. ACTION - It was noted that installation works would commence next week and would take approximately two weeks to be completed.

ACTION – Councillor Dempster noted that once the equipment had been installed, Councillors would look into hiring a professional to demonstrate the correct usage of the equipment. It was noted that funds from the Ward Community Budget would probably be used to hire the professional.

ACTION – A resident requested that Adrian take into account colour co-ordinating the equipment with colours from the park/ play area and existing themes surrounding the gym.

A representative from the Arriva bus service will be present at the meeting to give an update.

John Wright - General Manager for Arriva Midlands Thurmaston Depot was present at the meeting and noted resident’s requests.

·         It was noted by Councillor Dempster and residents that there were requests from several residents for a bus route from Hamilton to Belgrave Road.

·         The Hamilton Residents Association (HRA) noted that a petition had been submitted to the Council/ Arriva in respect of the residents request for the bus route.

·         The HRA representative requested the contact details of John Wright in order to forward him previous and future correspondence with Arriva. These contact details were exchanged following the meeting.

·         It was noted that a re-routing of an existing service could suffice if a specific designated service could not be provided.

John Wright noted the following:

·         John reported that he had not been aware of the bus route request but would look into it and see if anything could be done.

·         An idea of the expenses which would be involved in implementing this type of service was provided and it was expressed that a high demand would be necessary for this to be feasible for the bus company.

·         Arriva were currently going through a review of the Leicester network.

·         There would be changes to some timetables in the ward.

·         A withdrawal from Columbine Road had taken place as it was not a suitable route and was not regularly used.

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

An update on the Ward Community Budget will be provided at the meeting.

Punum Patel – WCEO gave an update on the Ward Community Budget. The Ward Community Budget is attached at the end of this action log and reflects all applications received and considered in the 2016/17 budget.

·         A resident mentioned an application which was submitted after the online link had already closed for 2016/17. Punum noted that information was being awaited from the IT department to determine whether the application could still be considered for this financial year.

·         A representative from the art club held in Hamilton library requested the non-teaching rate as it was not a teacher who led the class but more of a guide assistant.

ACTION - Councillor Dempster requested Punum to contact Lee Warner and copy in Councillor Kirk Master requesting that the art club pay the non-teaching rate of £5 instead of £14. It was also requested for the WCEO to ask what date this would commence.

·         Councillor Dempster requested attendees to inform community groups who fit the criteria that could benefit from the Ward Community Budget to contact Punum Patel.

·         Punum noted that any new applications for the 2017/2018 Ward Budget would be accepted from 5 April 2017. Residents who required assistance could be supported by the WCEO at a community centre or library. The online application link was as follows: www.leicester.gov.uk/communitymeetings.

Marlene Blake – Neighbourhood Housing Team Leader was present at the meeting and requested residents to contact her if they had any ideas for developments, capital receipts and environmental budgets spend for Council Housing/ land and estates in the Ward.

Residents had concerns on the following:

·         Pearl Way – A fallen tree.

·         Columbine Road to Mallow Close – Overgrown tree and slippery paths.

Marlene to look into these issues.

The Chair declared the meeting closed at 7:46pm.