Agenda and minutes

Councillors will say if there is anything on the programme which they have a personal interest in.

There were no declarations by Councillors.

Councillors will decide whether they agree that the record of the last meeting is correct.

It was pointed out that question there was a mistake recorded in question 58. The question referred to the use of facilities by youth groups up until 5pm. This should have read, use of facilities until 10pm.

RESOLVED:

that, subject to the above amendment, the record of the meeting held on Thursday 27 October 2005 was agreed as a correct record.

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

As requested as part of Question 59, an officer will be in attendance to respond to any further queries arising from the response.

There were no points raised about the responses to questions.

The Area Committee will hear representations from local residents who wish consideration to be given to the provision of a playground on the area to the rear of Neston Gardens, known locally as the ‘Mud Dumps’.

Anna Parr from the Kingfisher Youth Centre introduced a proposal for the development of a playground on the area to the rear of Neston Gardens, known locally as the ‘mud dumps’. Young people had been consulted on what they would like to see on the site. They had a number of ideas of what they would like to see. The results of the consultation would be discussed with the Neston Gardens Action Group.

Local young people gave their views about what they would like to see on the site. They wanted a basketball court, somewhere to play sports and a quad bike track. They felt that if this area was provided it would give them somewhere to play sports without annoying residents. They also felt that there would be less vandalism as they would have somewhere to play.

John Thompson, Neighbourhood Housing Manager said that the idea of the play equipment would be to prevent anti social behaviour. He felt it would be a good site for such equipment. He had been advised by Voluntary Action Leicester that funding could be available to provide the equipment. He said that it would hoped the Committee could provide a view as to whether they thought the play area would be a good idea or a nuisance.

Councillors thanked the young people for coming along to the meeting, commenting that it was good to have their positive input. They said that it was important that they looked at the site. They also said that it was important that Council Officers and residents were supportive of the proposals.

It was requested that consideration be given to avoiding the historic public right of way which goes through the site.

AGREED:

that a site visit be organised with local Councillors invited and relevant Council officers.

Members of the Committee have asked Officers to attend the meeting to discuss issues that were raised over the summer period with regard to grounds / area maintenance.

The Committee will receive an update on developments to local sports facilities.

Clive Morrison from Leicester City Council’s sports services updated the Committee on progress with developments in local sports centres. He noted that the gym equipment and free-weights from Saffron Lane Sports Centre had now been moved to Aylestone Leisure Centre. The Saffron Lane track was currently closed and being upgraded and would be re-opened in the summer.

A resident expressed concern over security at the site and what was happening on the site. The Chair asked that this matter be put forward as a question.

Councillor Porter commented that a planning application for the housing on the site would be submitted in due course and the public would be able to comment on that application.

A resident expressed a general concern about the loss of sports facilities in the city over recent years. Councillors on the Committee explained that they felt this was due to under investment over a long period of time. Investment was now being made into sports facilities.

A resident expressed concerns about the lack of funding for Southfields Sports Centre. It was queried when charging would be brought in at the centre, and who would be responsible for administering this as there didn’t seem to be any staff at the centre. The Chair requested that this be put forward as a public question.

Inspector Paul Mansfield will give the Committee an overview on the work of the Police Joint Action Group. This will consider ways in which the Group can feed in to the work of the Area Committee in the future.

Inspector Paul Mansfield gave the meeting an introduction to the work of Police Joint Action Groups. These were the bodies that were replacing the previous crime and disorder meetings. They were held every six weeks. He wished to extend an invite to anyone who was interested. He was particularly keen to get younger people involved in the meetings.

The meetings considered four different types of offences, these were:-

1) anti social behaviour and low level crime

2) Acquisitive crime, such as burglary

3) Prolific Offenders

4) Violent Crime – Domestic and Non Domestic

The meetings took place every six weeks. Any matters that the public raise at the meeting will be recorded. Where action is required a ‘Tactical Assessment’ will take place. This will be a course of action to address the problem and a named person will be responsible for taking it forward. The action can be challenged at future meetings.

The Chair welcomed the success that had been achieved on reducing burglary but commented that it was still high. He felt that further consideration needed to be given as to how support can be give to burglary further. He also requested that the JAG provide a report on levels of domestic violence. Inspector Mansfield said that he was pleased with the reduction in burglary which was down 24% on the previous year, but would continue to look to reduce this even further. He noted that there was a meeting of the Domestic Violence Forum in the week following the meeting. He would bring details of the work of the Forum to a future meeting.

Inspector Mansfield also invited all members of the public to a Police Authority, Police & Public Consultation Meeting that was taking place on the following night at Southfields Drive Community Centre.

Members of the Public are welcome to put forward budget proposals for the expenditure of the £25,000 general budget allocated to the Area Committee. There is also a specific sports budget of £10,000. The Committee has previously agreed to divide the budgets equally among the three wards covered by the Area Committee.

The City Council’s Cabinet makes the final approval on expenditure of the budget. The expenditure already considered by the Cabinet is attached to the papers.

If residents do wish to put forward proposals for expenditure of the budget, they can either raise it at the meeting or forward it to the Committee Administrator, who will ensure it is raised at the next meeting. Councillors on the Area Committee will then decide which requests are to be forwarded to the Cabinet for final approval. It would be helpful if as much detail as possible can be provided with regard to the request, including costings.

There are three requests for funding which have been received, they are attached to the papers.

The Committee had a budget of £25,000 for general matters and £10,000 for sports. Details of the amounts that had already been spent out of the budget were included with the agenda papers.

The meeting heard representations from residents and representatives regarding proposals for expenditure of the Area Committee budget.

Bid from Aylestone Farm Horse Owners

Miranda White submitted a request for £1500 to fund consultants to consider whether proposals to provide better facilities for horse riders would be feasible. Officers provided an email which stated that they could provide the service free of charge to find out whether the proposals were feasible. It was recommended that any funding from the Area Committee would be better spent on carrying out works rather than funding consultants. It was agreed to hold a meeting between interested parties and officers from the Council to find a way forward on this matter.

Employment of Extra Advice Worker to Clear Backlog

Saffron Resources Centre submitted a request for £2400 to employ an experienced sessional advice worker.

The Chair stated that he would defer this item to the next meeting as neither of the ward Councillors were in attendance. It was part of the agreed procedure that Councillors from the ward affected must give their support to any budget proposal.

Peter Thomson commented that this was disappointing. He asked that a quick decision on this issue be provided.

Magpie Youth Centre – AXLR8 Motorbike Project

Gwynneth Carter and two young people introduced the request for £4000 for the AXLR8 motorbike project which aimed to give young people active involvement and participation in a programme around safer motorbike experiences and awareness.

Members of the Committee agreed to recommend to Cabinet that funding be as follows:- £3000 from the general budget, £500 from the sport budget and £500 from crime reduction funding.

Eyres Monsell Club for Young People

Louise Kaufman introduced a request from the Eyres Monsell Club for Young People for a grant of between £1000-2000 to enable the club to undertake repairs to the fabric of the building because it has problems with leaking radiators, damp carpets and a faulty heating system.

Members of the Committee agreed to recommend to Cabinet to support the Club up to a maximum of £2000 to help with capital repairs to the building.

Saffron Out of School and Saffron Community Enterprises – supported by St. Christopher’s Church

A request for a total of £1900 was made by the above organisations. This was for the purposes of bringing back in to use, the vicarage located on the corner of Marriot Road and Whitwell Row. Some of the money would be used to upgrade the premises telephone, security and electrical systems. The rest of the money would be used as rent for the premises for two months, gas and electricity and telephone charges.

Karen Pickering explained that following the proposed closure of Unit 9 of Linwood Workshops Saffron Community Enterprises and Saffron Out of School would lose their premises. It was therefore  ...  view the full minutes text for item 88.

A summary of the Council’s budget proposals are included with the agenda papers. Views are welcome on the proposals and can be considered as part of the Council’s budget process.

The Chair outlined for the meeting, the key points of the City Council’s budget proposals for the forthcoming year. The main points of this were that the Council was planning to make significant efficiency savings, it was operating in an environment of budgetary restraint and a low Council tax rise was planned. It was also noted that further funding was planned for Area Committees.

Residents raised concerns about the proposals to cut woodwork classes at the Linwood Centre. Many felt that these classes, although they didn’t lead to qualifications, would give people confidence to go on and achieve on courses which did lead to qualifications. It was noted that there were difficulties with health and safety, particularly with dust extraction and it would cost £9000 to remedy the situation. Concern was also expressed that the kiln had been closed down, also for health and safety reasons. It was agreed to put this forward as a public question. Members of the Committee indicated that they would support getting these classes reinstated.

Residents raised concerns about proposals for charging for early years groups. It was felt that the increase to £3.50 was too sudden and would be counter productive as it would put people off attending these groups. It was felt that a lower rise would have been preferable, as it would still allow more people to attend. The Chair in response pointed out that the Learning and Skills Council would pay the fees of those that couldn’t afford them. He also stated that a common price across the city would make it fairer as prices currently varied considerably.

Residents pointed out a recent course called ‘Cooking on Budget’ which cost £75 for 10 weeks and pupils still needed to purchase their ingredients. They felt that this was too expensive.

Attached to the Papers is a briefing note, which outlines what Leicester’s Local Area Agreement is. It is intended as information only, but if there is interest in the subject it can be discussed in greater detail at a future meeting.

The Chair noted that the briefing note was included with the agenda papers mainly for information, although if there was interest in the subject, it could be discussed in greater detail at a future meeting.

Residents raised concerns about the imposition of a Neighbourhood Manager on the Saffron Lane Estate without consultation as part of the Local Area Agreement. The Chair commented that the Government had set down guidelines for the employment of such managers which gave no time for consultation. The conditions of employment were also heavily prescribed by the Government, for example the salary that could be paid to the manager. The Manager would however be based in the community and local Councillors would be working closely with the manager to develop local priorities.

It was agreed to have a further report on this matter at the next meeting.

Attached to the Papers is a briefing note, which outlines the current situation with the Saffron and Eyres Monsell Employment Project. It is intended as information only, but if there is interest in the subject it can be discussed in greater detail at a future meeting.

This item was noted for information only.

Members of the public will be invited to ask questions about local issues. The purpose of this session is to collect and clearly record the questions.

The Committee administrator will write the questions down. If we know the answer we will give a response immediately, but in most cases we will need to take the question to a relevant officer after the meeting for a full response. You can get more information about how to submit questions and what will happen to them from Your guide to Area Committees.

Members of the public will be invited to present petitions to the committee on local problems.

You can get more information about how to submit petitions and what will happen to them from Your guide to Area Committees.

There were no petitions.

Members of the public and Councillors will announce any forthcoming events in the area.

There was a Police Authority, Police and & Public Consultation meeting being held at Southfields Drive Community Centre on 19 January.

Karen Pickering informed the meeting that there were substance and alcohol misuse events taking place on February 9 and 16 at 10am – 2.30pm. These would cover basic awareness and intervention and referral.

Committee Members are asked to confirm the dates and venues for future meetings:-

Wednesday 22 March 2006 2pm – Eyres Monsell Community Centre

Thursday 25 May 2006 – Aylestone Baptist Church

Suggestions for items of business at future meetings are welcome.

It was proposed that the next meeting be held on Wednesday 22 March at 2pm. There was disagreement about whether it was a good idea to hold the meeting at 2pm. A vote of all those present showed a clear majority in favour holding the meetings at 6.00pm.

It was therefore agreed to hold future meetings as follows:-

Wednesday 22 March 2006, 6.00pm – St Hugh’s Church Hall (This venue was arranged subsequent to the meeting)

Thursday 25 May 2006, 6.00pm – Aylestone Baptist Church

Councillors will be invited to raise any other urgent business.

PORK PIE AND ATTLEE WAY/GLENHILLS WAY IMPROVEMENT

Councillor Farmer noted that the Council’s Cabinet had deferred a decision on this transport scheme. He said that he remained concerned about road widening proposals. He said that he would continue to object to the scheme.

Councillor Porter made a number of points in relation to this item.

-     He expressed concerns about the cost increase of the scheme proposed in 2002 of £1 million to the current scheme which would cost £3 million.

-     Following investigations, he claimed that improvements to air quality had been overstated and in some cases would get worse.

-     He said that no ‘cost / benefits analysis’ had been undertaken, but a letter he had received stated that this had been done.

-     He felt that the claims put forward about the accident record of the pork pie island were misleading. He felt that information he had obtained from the Police and the insurance industry showed that there were worse accident hotspots in the city.

-     He felt that under current government noise guidance, (PPG24), the houses on Glenhills Boulevard wouldn’t receive planning permission today. He therefore felt that the road widening would create unacceptable noise levels.

-     Overall he felt that a scheme should be proposed that residents wanted and which decreased the amount of traffic in the area, not increased it.

A resident commented that accident statistics should always be considered carefully, the criteria for recording by the Police and the Insurance industry varied widely.

A resident expressed a concern that when the City Academy was opened in 2007, the traffic situation would be complicated further.

The Councillors on the Committee then agreed the following resolution:-

AGREED:

that it be recommended to Cabinet that the Area Committee is opposed to the scheme as it stands and a new scheme is requested with full community consultation.

The meeting closed at 8.35pm.