Agenda and minutes

Councillors will elect a Chair for the meeting.

Councillor Willmott was Chair of the meeting.

Apologies were received from Councillor Bhatti and Councillor Clair.

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.

No declarations were received.

The minutes of the previous Rushey Mead Community Meeting, held on 8 December 2010, have been previously circulated and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the previous meeting be agreed as a correct record.

The City Wardens will give an update on the work of the City Wardens in the Rushey Mead Ward.

One Clean Leicester

Barbara Whitcombe, Team Manager (City Wardens) informed the Community Meeting that there was a mobile phone application available to report environmental problems, in addition to reporting problems via email, telephone, text and computer. It was noted that with the phone application, a GPS connection was needed to report the location of the problem.

The Community Meeting was informed that when a problem was reported, a confirmation email was sent to the individual reporting the problem. The photo submitted would then be checked and placed on the website and a further email would be sent confirming this. Individuals were able to view their report on the website and monitor its status. Once the problem had been resolved, an email would be sent notifying the individual of this. Residents were informed that they needed to search for City of Leicester on the Council’s website to report a problem. It was stated that problems via ward could be seen so residents were able to see problems in their area.

Barbara explained some of the issues that could be reported, these included, abandoned and nuisance vehicles, bins on streets, dog fouling and fly posting. It was noted that to remove environmental problems on private land, permission from the landowner needed to be sought.

In response to a question it was explained that the response time to a query was five days, although some issues could take longer.

It was queried how people who did not have access to new technology would report problems. Barbara commented that people could still contact their local City Warden and handouts were available with information.

Barbara noted that information could be provided on the number of people using the service in Rushey Mead. 

Rushey Mead Ward

Kristan Parmer, Rushey Mead City Warden, gave an update on the environmental issues in Rushey Mead Ward. Kristan noted that problems that had been cleared included graffiti and flytipping. Enforcement would be carried out against those that committed environmental crime.

It was reported that building signs had been incorrectly placed on Troon Way, the City Wardens were trying to have these replaced with the correct type.  In addition there had been a number of flyposting cases which were being handled.

Lucy Birch, Health Through Warmth Co-ordinator, Leicester City Council will give a presentation on the Health Through Warmth scheme.

Lucy Birch from the Health Through Warmth Project explained the project to residents. She stated that the project was initiated by NPower and implemented through the City Council. The aim was to improve warmth and quality of life for vulnerable residents through insulation, grants for boiler repair and replacement, and radiator or storage heater replacement. It was for private households where one or more people were vulnerable to cold or damp. It was not means tested. A contribution of 50% was provided to replace appliances and for those who could not afford the rest, the team would seek the shortfall through charities.

The meeting was informed that the project had existed sine 2003 and that they were funded until the end of 2011.  Applications were being submitted for future funding.  There was £150,000 to be spent in 2011 and £85,000 was spent in 2010.

In response to a question it was explained that around half the households that were visited needed items to be replaced.

Pamela Barber, Senior Probation Officer, Probation Service, will explain the Community Payback Scheme.

Irek Staszak, Probation Services Office, informed the meeting of the Community Payback scheme operated by the Probation Service. Irek explained that offenders would carry out unpaid work within the community. Members of the community were given an opportunity to suggest what work could be done by people who had been given community service by the courts in Leicestershire and Rutland. Residents were informed that the work carried out would have cost a considerable amount if completed by paid staff.

The meeting were informed that all work was supervised by a professional. Work carried out included:

• Street cleaning,
• Work to overcome anti social behaviour,
• Painting and decorating,
• Maintaining gardens.

Irek explained that the work done could help reconnect offenders to the community they belong to and provide work experience.

Further information was available through the Leicestershire and Rutland Probation Service website.

An Officer from the Planning Department, Leicester City Council, will be present to give an update on the General Electrics Lighting Site.

Alison Bowen, Planning Policy and Design, Leicester City Council, explained that the former GE Lighting site on Melton Road was classified as a high quality employment site and it was intended that this use would be retained. There was a covenant on the site to prevent house building and the woodland was also protected under a tree preservation order.  Alison explained that no planning application had been received for the site, although one was expected by the end of the year.

A representative from First Industrial Developments explained that work had started to clear the site and explained the timetable. An ecological survey was carried out and security had been placed on the site to ensure it was secure. Work was underway to remove any contaminates from the area and following this, demolition of the old building would take place. To minimise noise and dust the end and middle part of the building would be demolished first. It would take a further twelve weeks to take down and open out the area. The remediation stage could take up to twenty six weeks.  

In response to a question it was confirmed that there was asbestos on the site. It was not expected that many contaminates would be found on the land, and these would mostly consist of oils from the previous industry.

The meeting were informed that the company’s phone number would be written on the gate of the site and information would be distributed locally. They were keen to ensure that the surrounding community were kept informed to alleviate any problems.

Gary Geldard, Building Control, explained that letters had been sent out regarding the building control application. Gary noted that there had been problems with pest control in the past; however a contract with the Council’s pest control team was now in place.

The Chair felt that the site was an ideal location for local businesses to create employment in the area.

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

Sgt Wayne Nimblette provided an update for policing in the Rushey Mead Ward.  Wayne introduced himself and explained that he was new to the post and he had served in the police for ten years.

There were three Rushey Mead police priorities based around anti-social behaviour.  There had been improvements in this area and residents would be consulted on maintaining the priorities.

The crime figures for the area were reported.  The figures for core crime and burglary were significantly lower than the year before. There had also been a reduction in vehicle crime, although robbery had increased. The increase in robbery was thought to relate to one individual.

It was reported that there was a website where serial numbers from possessions could be logged and linked to the police.  This would better enable the police to reunite people with their possessions.  It was noted that a considerable amount of property was uncovered each year, which could not be claimed.

The meeting was informed that most police officers were carrying out their patrols by walking, on bikes and on the bus. This was due to restrictions in resources for vehicles and a restructure. In addition this would allow officers to provide better one to one contact with the public. 

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.

James Schadla-Hall, Member Support Officer will present an update on the current spend on community meeting budgets and introduce applications that have been received.

The following budget applications will be considered:-

Application 1

Applicant: Mamta Ladies Group

Amount: £1940

Proposal: Mamta Ladies Group

Summary: The funding would cover 12 weeks hall rent, 10 exercise sessions and 2 out of town trips for members of the Mamta Ladies Groups.

The group consists of 58 members, most of whom are elderly and some are with physical disabilities.

Application 2

Applicant: Transport Development Officer, Leicester City Council

Amount: £2,000

Proposal: Cycle racks across the ward

Summary: To provide cycle racks for secure parking at key points within the

      ward.  Locations to be consulted on but likely to include Barkby  

      Road (adjacent to post office) and Victoria Road/Gipsy Lane.  The

      equipment is to be installed by the Council’s Highways Services.

The meeting was informed that the meeting was not quorate and therefore no formal decision could be taken in the meeting.  It was agreed that the applications would be discussed with the other ward members and passed to the Cabinet Lead for Front Line Service Improvement and Neighbourhoods and the Leader of the Council for approval.

Applications

James Schadla-Hall, Members Support Officer, reported the following applications for funding: -

i)          Santana Football Club                                                                  £2,2400         

A representative from the club explained that funding was sought to provide training bibs for different ages, training and match balls of different sizes, ‘respect’ banners and stakes, fruit and milk and consumables.  It was explained that the ‘respect’ banner was part of a campaign to remind parents and spectators to respect the referee.  The banner would also mark out the pitch area.  It was explained further that a number of the young people did not participate in sports at school and the football club gave them move confidence.  The football team were second in the league and enrolled in a tournament.  It was hoped that a girl’s team would be started in the future.

The Chair welcomed and supported the application. 

RESOLVED:

that it be noted that £2,2400 be supported by the Community Meeting, subject to agreement from ward members and approval from the Cabinet Lead for Front Line Service Improvement and Neighbourhoods and the Leader of the Council.

ii)         Mamta Ladies Group                                                                     £1,940

James Schadla-Hall reported that the group had received funding from Voluntary Action Leicester for rent of the hall and that the applicant requested funding for the remain years rent, two day trips and exercise sessions.

The Chair welcomed and supported the application. 

RESOLVED:

that it be noted that £1,940 be supported by the Community Meeting, subject to agreement from ward members and approval from the Cabinet Lead for Front Line Service Improvement and Neighbourhoods and the Leader of the Council.

iii)        Cycle Security                                                                                 £2,000

James Schadla-Hall reported that the application was from within the Council and was to install cycle racks.  The Chair thought it was important for the positioning of these racks to be considered carefully.

RESOLVED:

that the application be discussed further with the ward members and if in agreement the application be send to the Cabinet Lead for Front Line Service Improvement and Neighbourhoods and the Leader of the Council.

Update on previous applications

Play equipment

James Schadla-Hall gave an update on the play equipment application and explained that following the last meeting the location had changed to Barnes Close.  The equipment would accompany existing pieces on the site.  Sergeant Nimblette noted that Barnes Close was a police priority area and suggested that improved lighting accompany the equipment to help prevent vandalism.

Newsletter

James Schadla-Hall reported that £1,000 was allocated towards the Ward newsletter.  This would include information about Rushey Mead Community Meeting and where funding had been spent.  The Chair explained that this would provide publicity for the fund and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

Mellor Primary School

Residents discussed the meeting that was held at Mellor Primary School, which provided an update of developments of the new school building. Concern was expressed that the numbers at the meeting were low. It was noted that leaflets had been created and distributed in the area.

The meeting closed at 8.10pm.