Agenda and minutes

Councillors will elect a Chair for the meeting.

Councillor Bhatti was elected Chair for the meeting.

Councillor Clair gave apologies for leaving the meeting following item 5. Sky Ride.

The first main item on theagenda 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.

Councillors are asked to declare any interest 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.

The minutes of the previous Rushey Mead Community Meeting, held on 12^th January 2010, are attached and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

Item 8. Highways and Transport

It was reported that the 52 Bus Service would no longer operate along Woodbridge Road.

RESOLVED:

the minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2010 were agreed as a correct record.

To receive an update on the Sky Ride planned for August.

Andy Salkeld, Transport Development Officer, gave an update on the Skyride cycling project. He noted that there were a number of events taking place over the summer to encourage more people to participate in cycling.

The main event would take place on 29 August between 10am and 4pm. A number of roads would be closed, with a focus on opening out the city to residents and cyclists. The event would target all levels of cycling ability, with an easy route running from Pumping Station Museum to Town Hall Square and Cultural Quarter. It was estimated that it would take no more than sixty minutes to ride the whole route. There was no single starting point. There would be several 'Activation' areas with entertainment & free activities to encourage people to stop and have fun. It was anticipated that there would be up to fifteen thousand family riders involved, including VIPs and celebrities. In response to a question Andy explained that the event was open to both children and adults.

Free basic cycling lessons were taking place in Abbey Park on Tuesday nights at 6.30pm through the summer. There were currently around thirty people attending each lessons.

Andy suggested that an organisation could be nominated by the community for a grant to help facilitate their participation. It was discussed that a proposal under £500 could be considered before the next meeting.

The Councillors welcomed the project and praised the success of last year’s event

To receive information on the Trail leading from Watermead Park.

Jerry Connolly, Members Support Officer, gave a briefing on the Climate Trail at Watermead Park. He noted that this was a new project at the park aimed at involving visitors in the environment and raising awareness. Jerry volunteered to pass any questions to Brian Stafford, Projects and Development Officer.

Members of the public queried what measures were being taken on the park to prevent any more deaths, following the fatal accident on the frozen lake in January 2010. It was noted that methods of making the park safer were being investigate.

A member of the public asked if there were problems with crime on the park, especially in relation to leaving vehicles parked. Members commented that they had not encountered any problems. Martin Sneath, Leicestershire Police, noted that there were few problems around the park and any occasional anti-social behaviour issues were managed by a police presence.

To receive an update on work planned at Herrick School.

Rachel Webster and Harry Boyd Pick, Project Team, gave an update on the school’s development. They reported that boards were being erected to separate the site from the school. Incorporated in these boards would be a screen to create a viewing area. It was anticipated that the whole site would be completed by the end of November 2011.

It was intended that regular updates would be given on the progress of the development and continuing communication maintained with residents. Leaflets had already been distributed to local residents and school pupils were working with the contractors to produce a newsletter. It was hoped that a virtual walk through of the new school would be available for their next presentation.

To receive information on ‘One Clean’ Leicester

Kristan Parmer, City Warden for Rushey Mead, gave a presentation on the role of the City Wardens. He explained that the City Warden service had initially run as a pilot and was now being rolled out to all wards in the city. He identified some of the issues covered by the City Wardens. These included the following:

·        Littering – On the spot fines would be handed out.

·        Dog Fouling – This was an illegal act if the owner did not remove the dog foul.

·        Bins on Streets – No wheelie bins, either business or residential should be left on the street outside of collection days.

·        Fly tipping – There were duty of care inspections where the waste disposal procedures of each business were inspected.

·        Graffiti – A fix penalty could be issued if someone was caught doing graffiti. If there was offensive material then this was removed within 24 hours however any graffiti on private property needed the permission of the property owner before it was removed.

·        Nuisance Vehicles – Vehicles for sale should not be left on the public highway.

If residents had any of the above problems they could contact the City Wardens on 0116 252 7001.

A member of the public expressed concern regarding rubbish in the car park next to Sandfield Close Primary School. It was noted that there was a lot of glass accumulating, which was dangerous for the school children. It was noted that the pub who were responsible for the land found it very costly to repeatedly clean, especially as the rubbish was not from their premises. Residents noted that rubbish was often left by customers of the shops and cars. It was queried if a sign could be placed in the area. Kristan agreed to speak to the pub and look at installing a sign.

The Meeting praised the City Warden’s for the good work that had already been carried out.

To receive an update on local policing issues in the area.

Police Constable Martin Sneath, introduced himself to the Community Meeting as a new member of the Rushey Mead Beat Team. He had been with the Police Service for eighteen years and lived in the area. He explained that there were two principal crime areas of focus at the present time. These were the reduction of speeding on Gleneagles Road, which would be tackled with temporary speed checks and the reduction of anti-social behaviour on Longhurst Close. In addition he noted that there was a patrol car dedicated to combating anti-social behaviour. Therefore if an incident was reported the officers could attend quickly. Martin also reported the crime figures from June 2009 and 2010 and noted that they had fallen in 2010.

A member of the public expressed concern regarding a spate of burglaries in the area last year. Martin reported that there was a target hardening operation in Leicester to combat summer burglaries. This involved highlighting the need to avoid temptation, such as closing down stairs windows at night.

In response to a query Martin explained that there was not a set beat patrol pattern. Usually patrols would focus on areas, within the ward, where incidents had been reported. Martin emphasised the importance of reporting crime, as this demonstrates where a police presence is needed. He added that if the issue was not a police matter they could pass it to their partner organisations. Members agreed that reporting small incidents often helped the police to prevent crime.

A member of the public expressed concern regarding crime at Dunblane Avenue Children’s Home. Martin noted that problems at the home had been reduced. In addition the Chair explained that complaints were no longer received and that the home was very good.

The meeting discussed issues around parking hazards at Soar Valley Community College. Members stated that parents were encouraged to allow their children to walk or cycle to school, however many still drove.

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.

The Members Support Officer to give an update on the Community meeting Budget and of any applications for funding that have been received.

Jerry Connolly, Members Support Officer, gave an update on the Community Meeting Budget and presented three applications.

Ward Action Plan Budget

Summer Football                                                                                        £2,500

Leicester City Council/ Steve Walsh and Muzzey Izzet

Surj Virk, Sports Regeneration Manager, explained that the summer football project was to build on the success of the previous years programme and was to work in co-operation with Steve Walsh & Muzzy Izzet Soccer Academy. It aimed to achieve a level of cohesion and diversionary activity and provide structured sporting provision in Rushey Mead. It would benefit 40 young people per day, who would join through their local school.

Police Constable Martin Sneath volunteered coaching assistance from the local police who were trained in level 1 football coaching. He explained it would be a valuable opportunity to allow young people to approach the police and provide diversionary tactics.

Members of the public suggested that the number of places could be limited to ten per school and children could be selected to help improve behaviour. Rita Purkayastha, Leicestershire Constabulary, agreed that diversionary tactics helped to improve behaviour. Surj noted the suggestions and explained that Steve and Muzzy would discuss selection with the individual head teachers.

The Members expressed their support for the scheme.

RESOLVED:  that the application be approved in full.

Bikes For Local Police                                                                              £320

Leicestershire Constabulary

RESOLVED: that it be noted that this application had been approved in full by 

Ward Councillors under delegated powers.

Community Cohesion Budget

40^th Highfield Rangers Celebrations                                                     £500

Highfield Rangers

Jerry noted that the application had arisen from a larger application to support the organisations 40^th anniversary celebration and family fun day. This application was referred to the central Community Cohesion Budget and received £10,000 from that fund. The amount requested from the Community Meeting was to help meet the balance of the application and also to recognise the presence and activated of the club within the Rushey Mead Ward.

RESOLVED::that it be noted that this application had been approved in full

by Ward Councillors under delegated powers.

The meeting closed at 8.30pm