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 O’Donnell as Chair led introductions for the meeting.

Apologises were received from Councillors Broadwell and Cole, Highways and Housing.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Action Log from the meeting held on 9 March 2020 is attached and Members will be asked to confirm it as an accurate record.

The action log of the previous meeting held on 9^th March 2020 was confirmed as a correct record.

Councillors will provide an update on ward related matters.

It was noted that:

·       There were issues in the ward around speeding. There were ongoing campaigns for traffic calming measures around Letchworth Road and school parking.

·       Councillors had met with the City Mayor to discuss implementing speed reduction measures on Hinckley and Glenfield Road. The idea to add speed cameras on Hinckley Road from the park and ride to the shops. Another meeting was due to be held with the Traffic Wardens team.

·       Councillors Cole and O’Donnell had met with the Highways team to discuss the impact of speed calming measures at Dovelands School and a report was produced.

·       A further meeting to discuss traffic calming measures was due to take place with Deputy City Mayor Adam Clarke.

·       Research showed Tatlow Road had more bus traffic than anywhere in the city, with 14 buses between 8-9am when children were walking to school. Contact to be made with the bus companies.

·       Additional enforcement was being given to Dovelands and Christ the King up until Christmas.

·       Dovelands School had extended the gate opening times, which saw a positive impact noted in a discussion with the Head Teacher.

·       The Central Reservation on Glenfield Road has received funding from the Government to create a meadow, that would house poppies for around 4 months of the year and be a nature habit for wildlife, supported by the Bee Road Strategy.

·       The ward had three functioning food banks that were feeding 300 families per week.

·       Help was available for vulnerable families through covid support grants, action homeless, reaching people and the Council.

·       Ward funding throughout the pandemic was used to support the food banks.

·       The Pepsi Co Walkers RePlay was open as a hub and to support the community.

·       Antisocial behaviour issues had calmed down and staff at the hubs and ward councillors were working together to make a difference.

·       The Western Park Festival was well attended after recommencing following the pandemic.

·       900 attended the Team Hub with lottery funding for a Jubilee Party.

The local Police Teams will be present to provide a Policing update.

PCSO Sally Morgan of Leicestershire Police gave an update on local policing issues.

It was noted that:

·       Car key burglaries were on the rise, all across the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland area. It was advised not to keep car keys in or near front doors.

·       There had been an increase of targeted Asian Jewellery burglaries.

·       Antisocial Behaviour had reduced due to the hard work from the hub. Higher levels of respect were showed to local residents.

·       An increase in officers was expected by the new year.

·       Motorbikes were continuing to cause a nuisance on Western park. Discussion to be held with new Police Constable.

·       Currently awaiting trials to be completed and for Government Legislation on electric scooters. Ring 101 to report.

An update on Highways works in the Western ward will be given.

A Highways Officer was unable to attend the meeting.

It was noted that:

·       Resurfacing on Liberty Road and Kirk Walk was being completed on two long term projects.

·       Highways had visited Hinckley Road and only 5 points had met metrics to be repaired.

·       A camera van had been deployed once to monitor speeds around Glenfield Road, Letchworth Road and Christ the King School.

·       The city boundary sign outbound sign was on order to be replaced.

The local housing team will provide an update.

A Housing Officer was unable to attend the meeting.

It was noted that:

·       Surveys completed in the summer showed a back log of repairs with 128 outstanding, this figure had been reduced to 40.

·       Braunstone Frith had 30 empty properties, with 490 across the city.

The local City Warden will present information on environmental works within the Western Ward.

City Warden Matt Davinson gave an update on environmental issues in the Ward.

It was noted that:

·       There had been 66 fly tips in the ward that had been investigated for any evidence and action taken

·       Throughout the pandemic the wardens were restricted to no face to face contact, no touching fly tipping and no door to door. They helped monitor shop queues.

·       2 complaints had been received around littering on Battersbee Road, close to the working men’s club.

·       Dog fouling complaint received on Glenfield road by the nursing home.

·       A litter collecting group was running across the ward.

·       Report through my account on Leicester City Council Website, My Clean Streets and Love Leicester.

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

An update will be given on the Community Ward Budget.

The Community Engagement Officer provided an update on the Ward

Community Budget.

It was noted that the budget had all been spent for this year.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 7:41pm.