Agenda and minutes

Councillors will elect a Chair for the meeting.

The Chair will introduce those present and make any announcements.

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

Councillor Master as Chair led on introductions.

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies for absence had been received from the police.

The action log of the previous meeting held on 12 March 2019, is attached for information and discussion.

The action log from the last meeting held on 12 March 2019 was noted.

Councillors will provide an update on ward related matters.

·      It was noted that Stoneygate had one of the top turn outs for elections and Councillors were here to serve the ward and constituents

·      With recent concerns raised with anti-social behaviour (ASB), a meeting had been planned in September where the Police Crime Commissioner Willy Bach and the Local MP John Ashworth would be present to listen to residents’ concerns.

·      Additional streets were being considered as additions to broadening Zone E of the Residents Parking Scheme, it was noted this would be going to planning as there had been objections received.

·      Officers were working on drawing up plans to redesign the footpath on Evington Road to help with the flow of traffic on the main road. Reports had been completed and Officers were checking with  the load barring capacity and cables beneath the road surface.

·      The roads around Evington Valley School were being considered to be a part of the 20mph road scheme.

·      Disabled Access Regulations require the minimum footpath width to be 1.8 meters and retail units that put products out on the footpath required a licence to do so.

·      Noted that fly-tipping numbers had reduced

·      Work on housing related matters was on going

·      Ward Surgeries were held on the first Friday of the month at Trinity Church and the last Friday of the month at Leicester Central Mosque.

Residents shared their concerns with Upper Tichbourne Street and ASB around the area. It noted the police had suggested removing the tree and opening up the road to vehicles. ACTION: Councillors suggested a patch-walk to visit the area to get residents suggestions of how to neaten up the area.

Residents were informed removing the tree was not something that Councillors would be in support of and residents would be consulted.

Officers from the Local Policing Unit will be at the meeting to provide an update on police issues in the Stoneygate Ward.

There were no local police officers available to attend the meeting and they had shared their apologies.

Residents from St James Road were in attendance and shared their concerns with the levels of anti-social behaviour (ASB) taking place, particularly on this road. Residents were concerned that this had been an ongoing issue and a long-term solution had to be sort after.

Residents noted that previously when there were regular patrols of the area the problem was controlled but this was no longer the case.

The Chair suggested that a meeting with the local beat officers and local residents be arranged. ACTION: Ward Community Engagement Officer to liaise with Councillors and the police to arrange a meeting with residents from St James Street.

It was noted that residents concern with speeding vehicles on Staveley Road has been logged with the Highways Department who would review and assess the situation.

Residents from the Evington Road area shared their concerns with street drinkers loitering on the bus stop outside Blue Point Takeaway opposite Barclays Bank. It was causing inconvenience to those who use the bus service and residents were concerned for their safety.

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

Darren Evans the from the City Wardens Team was in attendance and provided an update.

It was noted that the City Warden was aware of the situation with bins that were left out on the streets and was working to get this issue resolved.

Residents concerns with littering on streets around the Evington Road area from cars visiting the local take-aways was something that the City Warden Team and the local take-aways were working on.

Residents were informed they could also report these issues by taking pictures and using the Love Leicester App. This evidence could then be used to issue fines.

Residents were informed that with the return of students upcoming, the City Warden was working with landlords in the area to inform them on their duty of care and their responsibility in informing their tenants of their duties. Landlords were also made aware of the penalties they could be penalised with if they do not adhere to their duties as a landlord.

The City Warden would be actively working with the students, so they are aware of the services available to them provided by the Council. This would help educate the students and help bring down the cases of littering and fly tipping in the ward.

Residents were concerned with the potential rise in the level of fly tipping as a result of students moving out from accommodation in the ward and Requested that the City Warden provide Stoneygate Wards position on the list of fly tipping cases in the city. ACTION: City Warden to provide information for next meeting.

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.

It was noted that all applications were online applications and the Ward Community Engagement Officers were available to support and guidance for applications.

Residents suggested that successful applicants who receive funding should come back to ward meetings to present what projects they carried out with the funding they received and how the project benefitted the ward.

Residents were concerned that the location at the old Natwest Bank building were in the process of opening a take-away at 2 Draper Street, it was noted that no planning application for change of use could be found online and requested that the chair look in to this matter.

The plans for redesigning the road layout for Rowsley Street had been submitted with additional streets being considered to improve the flow of traffic.

Residents shared their concerns with inconsiderate parking on bus stops on Evington Road where it was causing bus users inconvenience as the bus is unable to stop at the designated bus stop. It was suggested that a solution to this problem must be found as there has already been accidents in the past.