Agenda and minutes

Councillors will elect a Chair for the meeting.

As previously agreed Councillor Bhatti chaired the meeting.

Apologies were received from Councillor Willmott and Satish Sedani (Resident).

The first main item on the agenda 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 made at this time.

The Community Meeting is asked to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 29 June 2010, previously circulated, as a correct record

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the meeting of Rushey Mead Community Meeting held on 29^th June 2010, as previously circulated, were agreed as a correct record.

Reg Francis from the Highfield Rangers will give a verbal presentation on the past and future of the Highfield Rangers.

Reg Francis, Treasurer of Highfields Rangers outlined the history of the group, from its inception to the present day.

It was stated that Saturday mornings were regarded as ‘open’ at the project and gave an opportunity for local youths, even without skills, to go and play football. Senior Citizens activities were also available. Highfields Rangers also regularly undertook fund raising events, the most recent being for the Pakistan Floods Victims.

Paul Campbell, who was part way through studying for a Phd at De Montfort University, was working with Highfields Rangers to study it’s role in the local and wider community and also charting the history of the club from 1970 to the present day. The club was important for the Black Minority and Ethnic community as well as the local community. Support for the club had been pledged by the East Midlands Universities Association, Leicester University and De Montfort University.

Reg Francis stated that regularly young people came to Highfields Rangers who were not able to afford to buy football kit but every endeavour was made to help them.

Regarding the future, volunteers were sought to help in various capacities and also help was sought to re-furbish the now 30 year old premises. The aim was to establish partnerships with local organisations.

Following the presentation questions were asked from the public present: -

i)          A member of the public expressed serious concerns regarding night time usage of the Highfields Rangers premises, with music being broadcast often until 3 in the morning.

            Reg stated that they had a noise limiter fitted at the club premises but it was realised that a false ceiling was required to help capture noise. Permission was in place to play music until 2 am. The club were aware of the noise problems and were anxious to raise sufficient funding to seal noise more effectively inside the building.

ii)         A member of the public questioned what restrictions to membership were in place by Highfields Rangers.

            Reg responded by stating that an open policy was in place whereby young players were encouraged to come along. Local advertising encouraged young players and all races had in fact been encouraged since the inception of Highfields rangers in the 1970’s.

iii)                A member of the public questioned whether Highfields Rangers had links with other local clubs, such as the club based at Gipsy Lane.

Reg stated that that this was the case and Highfields rangers had in fact shared resources with the club referred to.

RESOLVED:

that the information be noted.

Julie Chapaneri, Extended Services Coordinator, will give a verbal presentation on the Extended Schools Programme.

Julie Chapaneiri, Extended Schools Co-ordinator attended the meeting and gave a brief presentation on the extended schools programme and of projects that had been funded.

Julie stated that any funding bids received were considered by a Steering Group once per school term to determine which would be funded. Details of the scheme were available from Julie, although the bidding forms were currently being revised and would be sent out by the end of September.

Julie was thanked for her presentation.

Gwenda Brown, Integrated Services Neighbourhood Manage, will give a verbal presentation on the Woodbridge Centre and Neighbourhood Management.

Gwenda Brown, Integrated Services Neighbourhood Manager attended the meeting and gave an update on the Childrens Centres in the area and of the facilities and activities available. Gwenda stated that there were 3 Centres in this area, Woodbridge, Belgrave and St. Matthews. Woodbridge was the newest of the 3 Centres and it was responsible for undertaking outreach work in the Rushey Mead neighbourhood. The Centre had worked with 0-5 year olds initially but this had now been extended to 12 yr olds, and would later be extended further to 19 yr olds.

A member of the public questioned whether the Centres linked with the work of local community groups. Gwenda stated that the Centres were working with several local schools and also local sports clubs that offered activities for young people, but within their respective catchment areas.

Gwenda was thanked for her presentation.

RikHarrold and Kristan Parmar, City Wardens, will give an update on the work of the City Wardens in the Rushey Mead Ward.

The City Warden for Rushey Mead Ward was present and stated that any problems relating to dog fouling, litter, graffiti, abandoned vehicles etc. could be referred to him to be dealt with. He stated that he was always carrying frequent foot patrols around the area.

A member of the public stated that recently there had been a lot of litter on the nearby park that had been reported and had been cleared in a few days, but it was questioned what would happen if the problem recurred.

PC Martin Sneath stated that Leicestershire Police were running Anti-Social Behaviour courses and if they were made aware of the culprits who were responsible for dropping the litter they could be apprehended and placed on such a course.

A member of the public stated that there was an ongoing problem of rubbish gathering in the car park adjoining Sandfield Primary School, this was seemingly emanating from the local fast food premises. The City Warden stated that the owner of the fast food premises referred to actually cleared the rubbish 3-4 times per year even though most of the rubbish did not originate from his premises.

A member of the public stated that a number of youths gathered daily between 10.00 pm and 5.00 am on the grassed area Between Silverstone Drive and the former Thorn Lighting factory, this area was also subject to large amounts of dog litter. The person concerned was concerned because her house had been burgled recently and sought advice. The City Warden stated that, through the City Council, an assessment of what action could be taken would be made in liaison with the Police.

A member of the public stated that dog fouling was prevalent on the corner of Gleneagles Avenue and that dog bins would be useful. The City Warden stated that, under new legislation, dog mess could if wrapped, be put into any ordinary litter bin. There was therefore no need to re-locate existing dog mess bins.

RESOLVED:

                        the information be noted.

An officer from Leicestershire Constabulary will give an update on their priorities and actions in the Rushey Mead Ward.

PC Martin Sneath attended the meeting and stated that over the past month crime figures had been lower than expected, as follows: -

0                    - Robberies

0                    - Theft of Motor Vehicles

6                    - Burglaries

68               - reported crimes over the past month.

A member of the public stated that a number of youths were gathering in various local alleyways smoking and generally being a nuisance. The Police asked whether they had been contacted to be told that the incidents had been reported a few months previously and no action had been taken, so no further calls had been made. The Police stated that, as part of a new initiative, they responded to such calls as quickly as possible. Calls were graded in order of importance and Grade 1 crimes were given the highest priority.

It was suggested that maybe that CCTV cameras be installed as the area was a magnet for youths. The Police stated that there were cost implications to this suggestion, as well as the fact that CCTV cameras were installed in accordance to priority.

The Police stated that the public generally, should they suspect a person(s) of drugs crimes or thefts then they could record details of clothing worn, vehicle details etc. or even photos, but not whilst at a school or public swimming pool. This sort of information could be passed to the Police and they would then act on it.

In response to a question the Police stated that following the reporting of a crime by the public each job was graded in importance as it was not possible to respond immediately to every crime reported. Grade 1 Crimes were deemed the most important (Robbery with violence for example), and it was understood by the Police that the public were frustrated when an immediate response was often not achieved. All incidents reported were however recorded and this enabled the Police to build up an overall picture of crime across the City.

The Police stated that maybe a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme could be established in the area as this assisted in areas of high crime and, should interest be shown, the Police could offer advice and support in setting this up. The Chair stated that the Community Meeting would be able to assist with funding should this be required.

A member of the public stated that there were ongoing car parking problems on Peebles Way, three times a day during term time when children were being picked up/ dropped off at school. The Chair stated that a junction improvement scheme would be reviewed at Peebles Way.

RESOLVED:

                        that the information be noted.

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.

The following application has been received:

·        Leicester Schools Football Association (LSFA), Leicester Schools Football Association – Young Coaches Scheme - £500.                      Appendix A1

Jerry Connolly, Members Support Officer, gave an update on the Community Meeting Budget and reported the following applications for funding: -

                                                                                                              £

i)          Leicester Schools Football Association                      500 (per ward)        

Request for funding to provide around 18 male/female coaches with the opportunity to gain their Football FA Level 1 and 2 qualifications    , inside a structured and professional setting. In return the coaches wouldcommit 50 hours of their time to assist the LSFA with coaching work inside schools and the LSFA.

Resolved:

that the application be noted but that schools be approached to provide the necessary funding.

ii)         Junction of Woodbridge Road, Berridge Lane

andFieldhouse Road

It was reported that an investigation had been carried out into the conditions at this junction and it was apparent that the main cause of concern was the visibility of the junction leading to drivers overshooting the junction. As a suggested remedial measure it was proposed to that a ‘Give way’ sign with an associated road marking at an estimated cost of £400, for which there was no funding available within the Highways Budget. It was suggested therefore that an application be made to the Community Meeting.

Councillors Bhatti and Clair were in support of making £400 available from the Community Meeting budget, subject to a formal application being made.

Resolved:

that the proposal to fund the provision of a ’Give Way’ sign and road marking at this junction, at a cost of £400, be supported, subject to a formal application being made.

i)          Patch Walk

John Coster, Citizens Eye attended the meeting and stated that he wanted to identify some of the problems in the area, in liaison with the City Wardens, capture the information and try to get something done. John stated that he wanted to encourage local people to join the Patch Walk that had yet to be arranged.

ii)         21 Bus Service

It was stated that the 21 Bus Service had been curtailed and would no longer serve Peebles Way area which meant that people would be stranded as they would no longer be able to access the shops or the Health Centre. John Coster stated that he would take this issue up and pass it to the Senior Citizens Eye.

iii)        Soar Valley College

A member of the public stated that the road layout outside Soar valley College was not adequate for the cars that parked there at certain times of the day, leading to safety problems.

The Chair declared the meeting closed at 8.28 pm.