Agenda and minutes

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

Any apologies for absence will be noted.

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

Councillor Dempster as Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were given.

An apology was received from City Warden Charlotte Glover.

With regard to highways issues in Action Log Item 2, Councillor Westley declared that he lived on Beauville Drive.

The Action Log of the previous meeting held 13^th February 2019 is attached for information and discussion.

The Action Log of the previous meeting held 13 February 2019 was agreed as correct.

Highways issues in Ward Councillors’ Feedback

Robert Bateman of Highways referred to the issue of factory workers parking on Croft Road, explaining that as there were no double yellow lines it could not be enforced.  Writing to the factories was suggested as an option. 

Councillor Rae Bhatia recalled that it was agreed to mark the corners of Croft Road with double yellow lines.   Action: Robert Bateman to enquire.

Councillor Rae Bhatia also enquired as to the status of private drives that needed to be ‘H’ marked.  Action: Robert Bateman to enquire.

Mr Bateman reported that trees had been planted to replace those removed in the works on Anstey Lane, and more were to be planted once the works were complete.

With regard to reports that speed bumps on Ashton Green Road were causing damage to vehicles, Mr Bateman stated that they were within government requirements, but they would be looked at.  Action: Robert Bateman to investigate.

Issues from the previous meeting surrounding two lanes being formed in a single lane area of Glenfrith Way were raised.  Action: Robert Bateman to investigate options.

The bike sharing scheme had been put out to tender and would be going ahead soon.

Concern was raised about a taxi firm blocking Littlewood Close.  Action: Officers to engage with the taxi firm.

Mr Bateman reported that a 20mph zone on Stokes Drive was in the programme but would not happen immediately.

Issues surrounding school-run traffic particularly on Beauville Drive inconveniencing residents and potentially impeding emergency services were raised.  The police reported that some tickets had been issues and some cars seized, but this issue was not a police priority due to gang issues in the area.  Highways officers were working with schools and SUSTRANS to try and encourage parents to walk their children to school instead of driving. Action: Robert Bateman to arrange a meeting to discuss options.

Councillor Dempster stated that schools expanding numbers without increasing parking was unacceptable.  Action:  Councillors to raise issue with the City Mayor and Executive Member for Housing and Education.

Councillors will provide an update on ward information.

Councillor Westley raised the problem of overgrown trees in the Ward.  Action: A representative from Trees and Woodlands to be invited to the next Ward meeting.

A representative from the E2 centre requested that responses to questions that he had emailed be answered.  Action: Councillors to respond to the questions directly to the E2 representative.

Local events would continue and patch walks, once finalised, would be going ahead.

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

PC Adam Woolman gave an update on local policing issues across the Ward and crime statistics were noted.  Points made during the update included:

·         Burglaries were down to 15 over the three-month period April-June compared with 28 in the same period the previous year.

·         Hate crime was down to 10 incidences in this period compared with 23 in the same period the previous year.

·         More weapons on the street were being encountered with four having been found this month.  Government funding had been granted to help tackle knife crime. Two arrests had been made the previous Saturday and one hunting knife found discarded.

·         Anti-social behaviour was down on the same period the previous year.  Most anti-social behaviour related to motorbikes.  Some motorbikes had been seized and some people had gone to court, however it was often difficult to identify and arrest those connected with such behaviour.

·         There had been a spike in car crime.  Police were investigating the theft of catalytic converters from cars.  Ward funding money was being used to offer drivers caps to attach to the screws attaching the number plates to prevent them being stolen. 

·         A problem-solving plan was being implemented to tackle drugs in the Ward.  Many drug warrants had been issued.  Residents were encouraged to call the police with information on drug dealing in the area as it increased the chances of obtaining a warrant.

·         Police had undermined most of the organised crime groups dealing drugs.  New gangs were replacing them, but these too were being targeted by the police.

·         Police had been working with the E2 centre to tackle knife crime and with Leicester City Council and the Housing Association to tackle anti-social behaviour.

·         Staffing:  One constable would temporarily be away from the Ward on a diversion scheme.  Two new beat officers and one new Community Support Officer would be starting on the Ward.

Councillor Rae Bhatia reported that he had suggested a joint review to a Police and Crime Commission panel as to how funding can be obtained for mobile camera systems to help prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.

Concern was raised about areas left vulnerable on match days due to police concentration around the stadium.  It was suggested that the Chief Constable should be written to, or the Police and Crime Commissioner communicated with as to how this could be addressed.  Councillor Rae Bhatia suggested that building a good relationship with Leicester City Football Club would encourage them to help tackle the issue. 

In response to a query about crime hotspots, PC Woolman identified Temple Walk for drugs and motorbike-based anti-social behaviour and Home Farm for littering, robbery, drugs and knife crime.  He reported that police have worked with schools to try and prevent young people from becoming involved with gangs.  Marie Murray of Housing reported that community schemes such as football had helped young people avoid gangs.

It was noted that it had been raised on the Police and Crime Commission panel for the panel to make a representation to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Housing officers will give an update on housing issues in the ward.

District Manager for Housing, Marie Murray, gave an update on housing issues in the Ward which included the following:

·         Tenancy visits were continuing, but calls were triaged.

·         £58,000 had been allocated to Beaumont Leys this financial year for projects now in progress, including:

o   Removal of shrubs and replacing slabs on Wymar Close.

o   Creation of a footpath and installation of a fence to separate cars from the footpath on Collett Road.

o   Internal painting on Calder Road, Grassington Close and Scalpay Close.

o   Cleaning on Lime Grove Close and Cross hedge Close.

o   Footway alteration on Barnett Janner house.

·         Projects for next financial year were being looked at and officers would be working closely with councillors due to the regeneration project.

·         There were 46 void properties in Beaumont Leys that week including long-term voids and special projects.

·         There was an average 81-day turnaround time for void properties, however properties that needed asbestos treatment could cause delays.

·         There had been 33 cases of anti-social behaviour in the last three months.  The highest number of these were to do with conflict with neighbours.

·         There had been three evictions in the past three months. One eviction was due to excessive hoarding (it was acknowledged that this was the first eviction of this kind for LCC, officers had worked with this family for eight years to try and resolve the issue, but it was now a fire risk).  The other two evictions were due to rent arrears.

Councillor Westley announced that he was setting up a scrutiny meeting to look at the issue of empty properties and that a task group was being set up to look at ways to speed up the repair service.

In response to a query about mediation of disputes between residents, Marie Murray stated that housing officers were not trained mediators, but they could look to other agencies to help with mediation, particularly if mental health issues were apparent.  Councillor Rae Bhatia added that the council were beginning to look into bringing in trained mediators who were also trained in languages and cultural issues.

It was acknowledged that Housing officers worked with the police on anti-social behaviour, and that in some cases people had to be moved out of fear of reprisals.  PC Woolman encouraged people to photograph or video anti-social behaviour, if safe to do so, as this helps the police.

It was suggested that Beaumont Leys could be a pilot scheme for a restorative justice approach.  Action: Councillors to write to Executive Member for Housing and Education.

It was requested that a representative from the Housing Association be invited to the next meeting.  Action: Community Engagement Officer to invite a representative from the Housing Association.

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

Apologies for absence were received from City Warden Charlotte Glover.  A written report was circulated (attached).

Information was requested on how long the City Warden spends working n each of the Wards she is responsible for.  It was also requested that in the case of future absences for meetings that a deputy attend the meeting so that issues could be raised.  Action:  Community Engagement Officer to liaise with City Warden.

An officer will be present to provide information on the Adult Skills and Learning Service.

Salado Ahmed and Kathryn Birks of Leicester Adult Skills and Learning Service (LASALS) gave an update from their presentation at the last Ward meeting.  Points included:

·         Work had commenced on the Bishopdale Adult Learning Hub.

·         Courses offered included English, Maths, Cooking, Sewing and Computer Skills.

·         LASALS had been working closely with the foodbank at Christ the King Church.

·         Barriers to people participating, such as childcare, travel and financial issues had been identified and officers were investigating ways to mitigate them.

·         It was hoped that the hub would open in October and an open day would be held, although this was subject to building works.

A questionnaire was circulated, and feedback was requested.

A request for future updates was made.  Action: LASALS officers to keep Councillors and residents updated on developments.

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

An update will be given on the Ward Community Meeting budget.

Councillor Rae Bhatia declared an interest in that he lived in Bradgate Heights and as such would not be involved in any funding application from that area.

The Community Engagement Officer gave an update on the Ward Community Budget and informed those present that 11 applications had been supported since the beginning of the municipal year as follows:

·         Beaumont Leys Policing team- Emergency Service Day 2019. £500

·         Saturdads- Summer Trip. £400

·         Bradgate Heights Community Fete. £450

·         Chizor Onwuegbute- Sea Side Trip. £500

·         Beaumont Leys Library- Specialist Arts and Crafts session. £318

·         ICAP- Irish Cultural Activity Programme. £800

·         Guinean Community- Eid Celebration. £75

·         Beaumont Leys Muslims- Eid Community Fun Day. £1000

·         Essential Rejuvenation- Summer Scheme. £650

·         The Cooke E-Learning Foundation/E2- £1000

·         Yonnell Fashion Show- £500

The deadline for the next round of funding was 30 September 2019.

Those present were informed that all applications needed to be made online and that those without internet access could use Council Libraries where Neighbourhood Service Assistants would be on hand to help.  The phone number for funding enquiries was 0116 454 1940.

It was requested that a rational was given for why certain projects were not funded or only partly funded.  Action: Community Engagement Officer to add comments in future meetings.

Ideas on how to increase engagement in Ward Community Meetings were encouraged.

Barriers to better engagement were identified including childcare issues, distance of the venue from the estates and the concern that people felt unsafe leaving their houses in the evenings.

Ideas to improve engagement included more patch walks, better advertising, use of social media both for advertising and interactive streaming, moving the venue to a more convenient location for residents and avoiding holding meetings during school holidays.

Action: Councillors and Community Engagement Officer to consider options.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8:00pm