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

Apologies were received from Charlotte Glover, City Warden.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Action Log of the previous meeting held 16 November 2020 is attached for information and discussion.

The Action Log of the previous meeting held 16 November 2020 was confirmed as a correct record. 

Matters arising included the following:

Item 34 “Highways Update”

It was noted that the issue with bushes blocking the view of buses on the Tilling Road Bus Stop had still not been addressed.

Councillors will provide an update on ward information,

It was noted that:

·         Beaumont Leys Sopping Centre was under new ownership. Councillors had met with the new owners to discuss the continuity of community work at the Shopping Centre.

·         There had been no opportunity for community events due to the pandemic, therefore money for those events was instead invested in public health efforts.

·         Councillors had met with Officers responsible for the proposed Ashton Green development.

·         Councillors had objected to the length of the proposed Groby Road bus lane.

·         The underpass on Strasbourg Drive had been removed.

·         There had been numerous complaints of loud motorbikes around Castle Hill Park, Councillors stated they would bring this issue to the City Mayor.

·         The Leicester Transport Plan was currently out for consultation and would set out the Council’s transportation vision. Consultation would be closing on 17 September, the Consultation could be found on https://bit.ly/3ypTTtK.

·         A fly tipping issue on Barnsdale Road had been reported and resolved.

·         The provision of allotments for the Ashton Green development was raised as a potential item for a future meeting.

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

PCs Oliver Allen and Megan English were present and gave an update on Police issues in the ward. It was noted that:

·         Adam Woolman had left his role as a beat officer for Beaumont Leys.

·         The issue of theft from motor vehicles had been reduced and vehicle crime was now low.

·         The main focus of local Officers was now nuisance motorbikes, however powers on this issue were limited. Work would be ongoing to engage with local residents more on the issue and plain clothes Officers would be deployed to parks to monitor.

·         Work was ongoing to work with children who were exploited into the drug trade.

Councillors raised concerns around the safety of the shopping area on Home Farm Close. It was suggested that notices could be put up about the CCTV cameras in operation in the area. It was also suggested that the café in the area could be used as a daytime Police office as it was Council owned. Action: Police to put up CCTV notices in the Home Farm Close area. Action: The possibility of using the Palm Tree Café as a daytime Police office be investigated.

Councillors requested that the new Inspector for the area be invited to the next meeting. Action: The Ward Community Engagement Officer to invite the new Inspector for the area to the next Beaumont Leys Ward Community Meeting.

An update will be given on housing issues in the ward.

Ramila Dhobi, Neighbourhood Housing Team Leader, was present to give an update on housing issues in the ward. It was noted that:

·         All projects for 2020 had been completed.

·         Work had been completed clearing shrubs from Harris Road and Iona Close.

·         Work to put extra parking bays on Scalpay Close and Thornholme Close would commence towards the end of 2021.

·         Active anti-social behaviour cases included complex cases with joint agency work which would take some time to resolve.

·         All staff were now working from home. With site visits being caried out but not home visits.

·         Wardens were now working weekly in the ward.

Councillors noted that the Housing Scrutiny Commission was currently carrying out an investigation into anti-social behaviour.

Councillors noted fly tipping issues on Blue Gates Road.

Councillors enquired if there were appropriate numbers of Wardens in the ward. Officers stated that there was more capacity for Wardens in the ward. Action: Ramila Dhobi to provide a breakdown of Warden numbers across the city.

An update will be given on highways issues in the ward.

Rupert Bedder, Highways Network Asset Manager, gave an update on highways issues in the ward, it was noted that:

·         The Tilling Road bus stop was due to be moved forward as part of the Bus Shelter replacement scheme. Officers would seek to prioritize this stop in that scheme. The possibility of buses stopping at the stop without request would be explored.

·         Guard rails and bollards were proposed on Little Wood Close and Campion Walk.

·         A report was being considered to install road humps outside Buswells Lodge on Strasbourg Drive, a TRO was also being developed for Beauville Drive.

·         A 20mph scheme around Glebelands School was in consultation stage.

·         Covid 19 banners, signs, and cones around schools were in the process of being removed.

·         Widening and resurfacing work was ongoing on Beaumont Walk and Lismore Walk.

·         The Beaumont Leys Park and Ride site was still in the planning stage.

·         Construction works for the Anstey Lane Corridor were on track.

Councillors expressed concerns about persistent potholes on Cornwallis Avenue despite recent works to fill them in. Action: Rupert Bedder to ask Highways Officers to revisit Cornwallis Avenue.

Councillors expressed concerns about the condition of Ashton Green Road, it was agreed that it was in a poor state. It was stated that resurfacing works would take place after construction in the area, but Councillors wanted it earlier. Action: Rupert Bedder to investigate options for accelerating resurfacing works on Ashton Green Road.

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

Charlotte Glover, City Warden, was not present at the meeting. The Ward Community Engagement Officer read the information provided. This update has been attached at the end of this log.

Councillors reported issues with loose dogs on Trigo Close and Amadis Road. Action: Ward Community Engagement Officer to inform City Wardens about dog issues on Trigo Close and Amadis Road.

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

a)    An update will be given on the Ward Community Meeting budget; and

b)    A list of grant applications submitted for consideration at this meeting is attached.

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

It was noted that since the last meeting the following applications had been received:

·         African Network LLR - £1700 for Celebrating Black History Month

·         Arise Leicester - £500 for Schools Out Splash Event

·         St Patrick’s fundraising group - £5000 for resurfacing car park not supported

·         Stokes Wood Allotment Society - £480 for rainwater collection equipment

·         Home Farm Dental Practice - £500 for play equipment and educational videos

·         One People One Movement One Goal – £250 for community event

·         The Cooke E-Learning Foundation - £1160 for Beaumont Bees Community Garden

The remaining balance in the community budget was noted as being £14,810.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 7.06pm.