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 Cassidy as Chair led on introductions and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Members were asked to declare any interest they might have in the agenda items to be discussed. No declarations of interest were made.

Attached for information and discussion.

The Action Log of the previous meeting held on 22 February 2022 was confirmed as a correct record.

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

The Chair notified the meeting that the agenda items would be heard out of order.

The Chair introduced Councillor Clarke, Deputy City Mayor with responsibility for Transport, Clean Air and Climate Emergency. He thanked the ward councillors for allowing him the opportunity attend the meeting to inform residents of plans for the area in terms of highways. The Chair explained the role of the Executive to residents.

Officers provided the following information on works undertaken in the ward over the past 12 months:

·         Inspection of the Ward’s roads continued, with works including patch-up, gully work and fencing repairs undertaken.

·         Railings and bollards had been fitted along Tudor Road / Tudor Close.

·         Blackbird Road speed had been reduced from 40mph to 30mph as part of wider works for the area.

·         Residents were consulted over residents parking schemes in Woodgate and Tudor Road. Woodgate online consultation (90 responses) was held from 11 March to 24 April 2022, and public exhibitions (32 visitors) held.

·         An update was provided on the Safer Walking / Cycling route from Beaumont Leys to Five-Ways, through to Woodgate and then Highcross Street, to provide a safer corridor, and link from the city centre to Beaumont Leys:

·         In order to reduce the impact of motor vehicles on the environment, several experimental road closures, such as the one on Buckminster Road, were being brought in around the city in order to improve walking and cycling facilities. It was noted that the Authority could have gone ahead with a permanent closure. An experimental closure could be in position for 18 months, with the objection period for the first six months. Officers had until mid-May 2023 to make a decision on the Buckminster Road closure. If the decision was made to make the closure permanent, it would need to be considered by an independent inspector.

·         Feedback had also been received from other parts of the area, from residents who were grateful for the road closure as they had seen a reduction in traffic.

·         Traffic counts had been undertaken before and during the enclosure, and another count would be undertaken late September 2022, in order to view changes in traffic flow. It had been noted there had been a significant reduction in vehicle movement in the area, but the issue was that more traffic had been moving along Colwell Road, which was being addressed.

Residents were then given the opportunity to provide feedback and to raise concerns:

·         Colwell Road was a narrow compared to Buckminster Road, with frontages of the houses close to the road. It was calculated that the volume of traffic was up by 80%, with large lorries and vans using the road. It was thought that over time it could undermine the foundations of the houses which were so near the road.

·         Speeding on the road was an issue, with worries of damage to parked vehicles.

·         When using off road parking, it was difficult to drive out onto the road or to park because of a blocked view from other  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

A Fosse Ward newsletter is attached for information.

Councillor Waddington reported on the following:

·         Residents had been consulted on residents parking. There had been two public events and leafleting.

·         Response figures had been low but were higher in Woodgate than Tudor Road.

·         People that responded wanted a 24 hour, 7 days a week scheme.

·         Another leaflet consultation had taken place with a ‘Yes /No’ answer to if people wanted a scheme.

·         Tudor Road had a low response with main issues arising towards King Richards Road / Tudor Close area.

·         Residents Parking Scheme would be brought to a future meeting in the Ward.

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

It was reported that:

·         Issues of cars parked on Bradgate Street had been difficult to address as it was privately owned the land.

·         Car obstruction was being looked into.

Residents raised issues on:

·         Concern that people would use Aldi as a cut through from Blackbird Road when the Five Ways junction works commenced. Bradgate Street Aldi access was no entry.

·         The other issue in the area were people using one-way streets the wrong way in Woodgate.

·         Cyclists / electric bikes / scooter problems needed to be addressed.

Councillor Waddington requested that crime figures for the area be brought to the next ward meeting.

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

An update was provided and is attached for information.

Residents were also encouraged to report obstructing vehicles to the City Warden.

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

It was reported that since 1 April 2022, 17 applications had been supported totalling £10,638. The balance was £9,346.

It was explained that there could be no carry forward of funding because of the local election in 2023.

Groups were encouraged to apply for funding before then end of the financial year, but preferably by February 2023.

Maxine and Rachel from Woodgate Adventure Playground provided information on their Alice in Wonderland themed tea party that had taken place for children, family and friends, and brought art pieces to the meeting to display. Some 269 people had attended the event which was free of charge to the local community. Positive comments had been posted on Facebook.

Councillor Waddington said it had been a wonderful event and thanked everyone that had taken part to make it a success.

Geoff Forse reported that the hanging baskets on Woodgate had been provided through funding.

A new floor had also been installed in the Resource Centre following a funding application.

·         St Pauls in the Ward was now a Conservation Area.

·         The Selective Licensing policy had been introduced by the Council, which was the option that would benefit Fosse Ward the most.

·         It covered areas with high numbers of noise and anti-social behaviour complaints, the disrepair of houses and fly-tipping.

·         Private landlords would need to register with the Council.

·         The Council now had powers to enter a property.

·         The Council was working with all organisations to find out what properties were rented out privately.

·         Anyone in private rented accommodation would report issues to Councillors. It was noted there would be a specific team looking after the licensing of landlords, the costs for which would be financed through the scheme.

The Chair asked that an update on the Fosse Road school development be brought to the next meeting.

The meeting ended at 8.10pm