Agenda and minutes

Councillor Potter was elected Chair for the meeting.

There were no apologies for absence.

The first main item on the programme is Declarations of Interest where Councillors have to say if there's anything in the programme they have a personal interest in.  For example if an Area Committee wanted to talk about digging up a road and one of the Councillors lived on that road, he or she would have to say they had a personal interest in that.

Councillors are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business on the agenda, and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

There were no declarations of interest made at this time.

Councillors will decide whether they agree that the record of the last meeting of the Area Committee, held on 14^th November 2007, is a correct record.

The record of the previous meeting, dated 14^th November 2007, having been previously circulated, were agreed as a correct record.

There will be a report back on the responses to questions raised by members of the public at the last meeting.

The Chair drew the meetings attention to the report that gave responses to questions asked at the previous meeting of the Area Committee.

The following comments were made at the meeting: -

Question 70 – Raven Centre Funding

Gerry Burke, Area Youth Work Manager, stated that this question had previously been asked, albeit in a different form. Gerry stated that if local youth activity providers were to get into a partnership arrangement then there would need to be a sharing of information. Councillor Allen stated that attendance figures and running costs would have been helpful and Gerry agreed to provide the relevant information and respond to the questioner direct.

Further discussion took place around the reponse to the question and felt that it was somewhat misleading and was not what people really wanted to hear. Gerry stated that there had been staffing issues at the Raven Centre and estimated that the Centre had closed about 10 times due to lack of staff availability.

Councillor Scuplak questioned when it was anticipated that the Raven Centre could be upa nd running and successful. Gerry stated that, allowing time for the recruitment of staff, that the Centre should be fully up and running by May 2008.

In concluding it was suggested  that a progress report relating to the Raven Centre be made available prior to the first meeting of the Thurncourt Community Meeting.

RESOLVED:

that a progress report relating to the Raven Centre be circulated prior to the first meeting of the Thurncourt Community Meeting.

A report is attached that sets out for the information of the Area Committee that sets out the background to Ward Community Meetings and sets out information around how it is likely that the Ward Community Meetings will operate.

The Corporate Director of Resources presented a report that set out information relating to the introduction of Community Meetings across the City, staring in April 2008. It was reported that the meetings would replace the present Area Committees, the last round of which were taking place during January and February 2008.

Concerns were expressed that the allocated budgets for the new meetings represented a reduction compared to the allocations made to Area Committees. It was reported that where there were previously two wards within an Area Committee the budget allocation was £25k, and under the new proposals this would be £20k, or £10k for a single ward Community Meeting. This figure would rise to £15k per ward in the second and subsequent years.

It was stated that Community meetings covered a smaller geographical area and the Council were keen to see Community Meetings structured around an agreed focus, a form of Area Plan. It was expected that the meetings would comprise informal and formal sessions and there would also be information sharing with information stands.

A launch event had been arranged on Thursday 28^th February at the Leicester Tigers stadium, with an afternoon and an evening session. Some 200 places were available and forms were left for those interested to complete.

In concluding it was stated that it was intended to publicise the dates of the first Community Meetings during March and publicity would be distributed as widely as possible.

To receive an update on issues relating to Neighbourhood Policing in the area covered by the Area Committee.

The Police reported that the consultation that was currently underway to determine local policing priorities was to conclude soon. It was intended to keep the Thurncourt Road shops as a priority. Issues around the use of mini motorbikes had improved to the extent that they would no longer be considered a priority. Feedback would be welcomed by the Police on what local people felt were important priorities.

To receive an update on youth provision in the area covered by the Area Committee

The Chauir stated that she accepted the issues raised earlier in the meeting  regarding the lack of lighting on the Ball Park and issues around the opening times of the Armadale Centre.

Gerry Burke, Area Youth Work Manager stated that a detached team was in place and were looking to alleviate problems, although there were some youths that did not want to participate in organised activities. Two workers had recently resigned from the Armadale Centre and a recruitment process was underway. There were also issues around the training of staff, and the view that staff were not best equipped to deal with certain incidents, particularly racism.

The Police stated that they wanted to flag up Summer Youth provision in the area and the Chair stated that this was under consideration by the Council and proposals had been prepared for consideration by the Cabinet.

Jayne Linney, Members Support Officer stated that a Scrutiny Review had been undertaken on Youth Facilities. The findings of the review had been referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board in November, and been approved, and these were now to be referred to Cabinet in February.

In conclusion it was stated that youth activities were very important and should receive due consideration by the Council, and ensuring that plenty of time was allowed to put the necessary arrangements in place.

Jayne Linney, Members Support Officer to the Area Committee, will give an update on the current position of the Area Committee Budget.

Details of Budget requests received since the last meeting are attached as follows: -

D1       - Netherhall Access Project.

D2       - Netherhall Theatre Dance Group.

i)            Willowbrook Activity Centre          

Graham Cornish stated that an application had been submitted in September 2007 to obtain funding to enable the Centre to open one additional night per week until the end of the year. The Area Committee had supported the application but had stated that they were prepared to fund 50% of the requested sum, but would require 50% matched funding from Children and Young People’s Services (CYPS). Graham stated that he had heard nothing since.

Jayne Linney, Members Support Officer stated that she was still awaiting a response from CYPS.

It was Agreed that £1200 be allocated to this project, provided that a further £1200 is provided by Children and Young People’s Services.

ii)            Thursday Drop-in Groups (Netherhall Neighbourhood Centre)

            End of Year Lunch

The Chair reported that this application for funding for £200 had been refused at the last meeting on the grounds that the Group had previously received Area Committee funding. This was stated to not be the case and was in fact a first application.

It was Agreed that £200 be granted.

iii)            Netherhall Access Project

A budget proposal was presented in the sum of £2000 from Dolphin Private Hire to establish a partnership between a local business (Dolphin Private Hire) and local people to provide transport twice per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) for elderly and disabled residents. These residents would be collected from their homes anywhere on the estate and taken to the local shopping centre, doctors surgery, lunch club etc. Return trips could be booked as well as a free service for pre-booked emergency appointments. The sum requested was estimated to be sufficient to operate the scheme for one year.

Following discussion it was stated that the scheme should extend to Thurncourt Ward to cover Humberstone residents.

It was Agreed that £2000 be allocated to this proposal, subject to Councillor Potter, Councillor Scuplak and Jayne Linney meeting to work up the proposal in greater detail, and look to include residents of Humberstone.

iii)            Pallisade Fencing – Wintersdale Road/Perkyn Road

Councillor Allen stated that there was currently fencing on one side of this footpath adjoining Willowbrook Park but the proposal was to install fencing on the other side of the footpath and estimates were likely to be in the region of £9,000.

Discussion took place regarding the future maintenance and the fact that if the City Council installed the fencing they would be liable for future maintenance.

It was Agreed that, subject to funding being available and subject to the residents affected being satisfied with the fencing, that the proposal be supported.

iv)            Invitation to Participate in a Production at Sadlers Wells Opera             House

A proposal for £3080 was presented on behalf of the Netherhall Theatre Dance Group to take 42 local children who attend the group and who have been invited to Sadlers Wells to join a Mardi Gras Festival.

It was Agreed that the proposal be supported in the sum of £985.

v)         Ball Court Lighting

Councillor Mugglestone stated  ...  view the full minutes text for item 228.

Members of the public will be invited to present petitions to the Area Committee on local issues of concern.

CCTV – Humberstone Village

It was reported that a petition was being circulated to request the provision of CCTV cameras in Humberstone Village. 400 names had been collected so far.

This is an opportunity for items of information to be shared.

Councillor Surgery

The Chair reported that there would be a Councillor Surgery in Humberstone on the 2^nd Thursday of each month, between 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm, venue to be notified.

The Chair declared the meeting closed at 8.52 pm.