Agenda and minutes

Councillor Batool as Chair, led on introductions.

There were no apologies of absence.

The first main item on the agenda is Declarations of Interest where Councillors have to say if there is anything on the agenda they have a personal interest in. For example if a meeting was due to discuss a budget application put forward by a community group and one of the Councillors was a member of that group, they would not be able to take part in the decision on that budget application.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

There were no declarations of interest.

The action log of the previous Spinney Hills Community Meeting, held on 10^th December 2019, have been circulated, and Members will be asked to confirm them as a correct record.

The Action Log of the meeting of the Spinney Hills Ward Community Meeting held on 10 December 2019 was confirmed as correct.

During the feedback, it was noted that:

·         there were no surgeries held during the pandemic, but regular surgeries were set to commence from November on each Friday of the month

·         Residents were welcome to attend in person at PYCA (Earl Howe Street Leicester)

·         Members updated residents on the recent patch walk with the Highways Team

·         Door to door visits had been completed following the installation of the one-way system.

An Officer from the Highways Team will provide an update on highways matters in the ward.

Robert Bateman from the Highways Team provided a highways related update on work that had recently been completed.

As part of the discussions with local residents, it was noted that:

·         The give-way that  had been introduced recently on Gwendolen Road had positive impacts locally but needed to be highlighted as the junction at Dorothy Road had become hazardous

·         Residents suggested that an introduction of a one-way street would benefit the flow of traffic in the area and a suggestion of a s direction flow of traffic would be most impactful

·         Resident suggestion for pavement parking to was noted and would considered for future options

·         H markings outside factories that were no longer used as factories were causing tensions between neighbours and a suggestion for shortening the length of the marking was given as a possible solution

·         Request for additional visits from the Parking Enforcement Officers was requested

·         A Request was made to the Highways officer for consideration for a Residents Parking Scheme in the area as the introduction of the local gym, the wedding venue and the factories in the area over the years had impacted on available parking spaces for local residents.

ACTION: The Highways Officer noted the request and would deliver the message to the correct team for consultation.

In further discussions residents raised their concerns with the garage on Dorothy Road that parked cars that were being brought to the garage on the street which further impacted on the available spaces for the residents. The City Warden in attendance noted the details of the garage and proposed to visit the garage.

The police Officers in attendance noted that any concerns residents had with uninsured or untaxed vehicles could be reported through 101.

Housing Officers will be in attendance to discuss housing related matters in the ward.

The Ward Community Engagement Officer provided a verbal statement which had been received from the Housing Officer.

It was noted that :

·         If residents had a situation whereby anyone is about to become homeless or if they have received notice from a private landlord they should, at their earliest opportunity call 01164541008 and choose Option 3 and they should also, if appropriate go online and start a housing application.

·         Following which an appointment and at that appointment a full assessment would be carried out and a declaration of homelessness taken if, they are in fact homeless or at risk of homelessness within 56 days.

·         Their notice as appropriate will be validated to ensure that the correct and lawful process has been followed.

It was further noted that for Domestic Abuse residents should call the same number or contact Freeva on 08088020028.

In the case of an emergency, out of office hours regarding homelessness residents should call 01162212770.

Officers from the Local Policing Unit will be in attendance and provide an update on police issues in the ward.

Sergeant Karl Burden and PC Marcus Forrester were in attendance and provided a local update. It was noted that:

·         There had been a 77% decrease in Anti-Social Behaviour

·         There had been increasing issues on Spinney Hill Park and that a problem management plan had been put in place

·         As a result of the ongoing drinking and public nuisance issues on the park a Public Space Protection Order was being considered for Spinney Hill Park

·         A Pod Cam had been installed at the entrance to the park on Park Vale Road

The Police further noted that, following reports of children’s behaviour on the park, the police had been contacting parents and that work was underway with new communities to the area on what was acceptable behaviour in public.

It was further noted that a number of warrants had been carried out at numerous addresses across the ward which had taken a number of criminals of the streets.

As part of the discussions with the local residents, it was noted that:

·         Residents around the Dorothy Road area were concerned with the increased number of break-ins in recent months

·         Reports of street drinking outside the off-license on Constance Road

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

The City Warden in attendance provided an update. It was noted that:

·         Following being appointed to the role the Officer was familiarising themselves with the local issues

·         Community Protection Orders had been given out for untidy gardens

·         Actions on highways issues including residents concerns with household bins that were being left on the street following bin collection days would be followed up with repeat offenders facing penalty charges.

The Details for the City Warden are as follows:

Dawn Eagland

City.warden@leicester.gov.uk

www.leicester.gov.uk

City Wardens,

York House

91 Granby Street

Leicester

LE16FB

Councillors are reminded that they will need to declare any interest they may have in budget applications, and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

An update will be given on the Ward Community Budget.

The Community Engagement Officer provided an update on the Ward Community Budget and noted that the funding was available for local residents for projects that would support the local area.

It was noted that, to date £7,675.00 had been spent and there was £10,892.00 remaining with the deadline approaching in February.

An applicant from a previous application provided feedback following the completion of a project.

Ward Members noted that a WattsApp group had been set up to circulate ward related matters.

There being no further items of urgent business the meeting closed at 7:41pm.