Agenda and minutes

Councillor Potter was elected as Chair for the meeting.

Apologies were received from Gerry Burke (Area Youth Work Manager) and Revd. Liz Rawling.

There were no declarations of interest made at this time.

The minutes of the previous Humberstone and Hamilton Community Meeting, held on 5^th December 2012, are attached and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the Humberstone and Hamilton Community Meeting held on 5^th December 2012 be agreed as a correct record.

Linda Holmes, Youth Operational Manager at Leicester City Council will be attending the meeting to give an update on the provision of Youth Services, following her previous visit to the Community Meeting in December 2012.

Linda Holmes, Operations Manager, Youth Services attended the meeting to give an update on changes to Youth service provision since her last update at the 28^th September meeting of the Community Meeting.

Linda reported that the first Citywide conference of youth representatives had now been held and the second conference would be held in June.

Linda stated that the City would be divided into four areas, with two Integrated Centres in each. Each area would have a Key Youthwork base, the local base being the Armadale Centre. An Area Manager would be based at the Armadale Centre plus full time youth workers and some family workers.

Gerry Burke, Area Manager would be based at the Armadale Centre and would be moving over within the next couple of weeks. As soon as the Centre was staffed contact would be made with young people locally to ascertain what they require. The workers based at Armadale would cover an area larger than just Humberstone and Hamilton.

The Gym equipment referred to at the last meeting was now in the process of being moved from Armadale to the Netherhall Centre. IT equipment at the Armadale Centre that had been non-operational for some while was to be reinstated and operational for for general use. Discuaaion had been held with Annie Vestey, City Council Catering Manager regarding the catering standard kitchen equipment that had been installed at the Armadale Centre somewhile ago and never used, the idea being to utlise the kitchens and equipment as part of a Catering Course for young people.

The newly appointed Youth Involvement Officer for this area would hopefully be working closely with the Community Meetings and the also the Youth Council. Each of the four City Youth Areas would have their own designated Youth Involvement Officer and Bez Killeen would remain as the liaison for the Youth Council citywide. It was anticipated that the work being undertaken could be expanded.

Linda stated that she was aware of the concerns around the lack of youth activities in the Hamilton area and it was hoped that, under the new arrangements, a close look could be taken of this area and an assessment made of the activities in place and those that were required.

In concluding the Chair stated that the local Housing Office had arranged for the outdoor gymnasium equipment, referred to at the last meeting, near to the Blue Fish bar on Netherhall Road.

RESOLVED:

                        that the information be noted.

The Community Meeting to receive an update on local policing issues.

Ps. Wayne Nimblette attended the meeting and reported that over the last 90 days 396 incidents had been recorded a lot of which were non-crimes. The crimes were listed as follows: -

·         77 Assaults

·         18 Burglaries

·         20 Damages

·         3 Racist Incidents

There were ongoing ASB problems in the Netherhall area and a couple of operations had been carried out over the last couple of months, since then the incidences of ASB had reduced. Several youths had been identified who were the main perpetrators and one arrest had been made the previous day. It was stated that a number of the youths did not actually live in the Netherhall area.

The Police were currently looking at the on-going problems of car-parking outside schools and were trying to police it. Work was being undertaken to put a plan together.

A member of the public stated that there were ongoing problems of vehicles parked on kerbs on various parts of Hamilton estate causing disabled people to walk in the road to negotiate the obstructions. Ps Nimblette stated that Police officers had been to the area to assess the extent of the problem.

In concluding local residents were urged to use the 101 number to contact the Police for non-emergency calls, the 222 2222 number was being phased out. A further way to keep in contact with local Police officers was via Twitter and people were urged to use this facility.

RESOLVED:

                        that the information be noted.

The Community Meeting to receive an update on Local Housing issues.

Andy East, Team Leader, Area Housing Office attended the meeting and update the meeting.

Andy stated that the Housing Environment Budget was available locally each year to improve areas within Council Housing and had recently funded a number of improvements around the Netherhall Road shops. For 2013/14 funding would again be available (£50k, as in previous years) and it was apparent that more car parking bays were required and a number of sites had been identified, including Keyham Lane West.

The Chair informed the meeting that there were a potentiakl 300+ new homes to be built on a site off Keyham Lane West and suggested that officers delay any proposed layby works here as these could be dug up again as part of the new housing development. Officers also needed to be aware of bus routes that operated on roads that were to be treated to laybys.

A member of the public stated that he was concerned at the state of the lower brick courses on a couple of properties on Manor House Gardens that appeared to be deteriorating as if the dampcourse was not functioning. Officers agreed to visit the properties in question.

RESOLVED:

                        that the information be noted.

The Community Meeting to receive an update from the City Warden.

There was no update available at the meeting.

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 Community Meeting will be informed of funding applications received since the last meeting: -

Application deferred from the last meeting

i)          LE5-Boxercise-Fitness for All                                                     £3,500

Application received from Forgotten Estate Community Association to fund specialist equipment for a new Boxercise/Fitness Centre in the area.

At the last meeting it was agreed that, whilst the application represented a good project, it was felt that the project should secure a base to operate from and also apply to other Community Meetings and other funding sources before funding was granted by this Community Meeting. The Community Meeting therefore defer the application.

Applications received since the last meeting

ii)         Toddler Time at Hamilton Library                                              £250

An application has been received from Hamilton Library to fund a stock of craft materials and some new toys for existing Toddler Time sessions that run at the Library on Wednesday mornings for Under5’s and their parents and carers. The materials/toys to be purchased are to replace depleted stocks and worn out toys.

iii)        Educational Awareness Evening –                                           £1429.30

            Somali Community in Leicester

Application received from Horn of Africa Services and Develop Organisation (HASDO) to fund an educational awareness seminar on 21^st July 2013 at Taylor Road School, St. Matthews Estate. The seminar is aimed at giving attendees a broad picture of the UK education system.

The applicants are also seeking similar funding from Latimer, Coleman and Spinney Hills wards.

The Community Meeting was informed that the remaining Community Meeting Budget, as at 4^th March, was £19,564.81. This figure included committed funds carried forward from 2011/12 of £2,851.

The following budget applications were reported as having been received: -

Application deferred from the last meeting                                            £

i)          LE5 Boxercise- Fitness For All                                                   3,500

Application received from the Forgotten Estae Community Association to fund specialist equipment for a new Boxercise/Fitness Centre in the area.

Since the last meeting it was stated that progress had been made and the project was based in the Scout Hut at Thurnby Lodge. The official opening to take place on 22^nd March 2013.

Resolved:

                        that the project be  supported - £1,000.

Aplications received since the last meeting

ii)         Toddler Time at Hamilton Library                                              250

Application received from Hamilton Library to fund a stock of craft materials and some new toys for an established Toddler Time sessions that run at the Library on Wednesdays.

Resolved:

                        that the project be supported - £500.

iii)        Educational Awareness Evening -                                            1429.30

            Somali Community in Leicester

Application received from Horn of Africa Services and development Organisation (HASDO) to fund an educational awareness seminar on 21^st July 2013 at Taylor Road School, St. Matthews. Funding was also being sought from Latimer, Coleman and Spinney Hills Ward.

Resolved:

that the application be deferred pending discussion with the other Ward Councillors of the Wards referred to above, the funding to be allocated, subject to the outcome of the discussions a maximum of £1,000.

Late Applications tabled at the meeting

iv)        Summer Holiday Club                                                                   1,000

Application received from Hope Hamilton Church to part fund a Summer Holiday Club.

Resolved:

                        that the application be supported - £1,000.

v)         Family Fun Day – June 2013                                                       1,000

Application received from Hamilton Residents Association to part fund a family Fun Day in June 2013.

Resolved:

                        that the application be supported - £1,000.

Proposals received prior to the meeting

vi)        Grit Bins

Proposal put forward by Ward Councillors on behalf of residents to supply and stock several grit bins across the Humberstone and Hamilton Ward.

It was reported that the estimated cost of each bin would be £200.

Resolved:

that the proposal be supported to a maximum of £2,400. (Maximum of 20 bins at locations to be agreed).

vii)       Community Gardening Project                                                  447.47

Proposal submitted by Netherhall Gardeners to fund a Community Gardening Project.

Resolved:

                        that the proposal be supported - £447.47.

Late Proposals made at the meeting (completed applications to follow)

viii)      Danbury Gardens - Dancing sessions                                     650

for residents and neighbours

            Proposal to fund several dancing sessions at Danbury Gardens for the benefit of residents and neighbours.

            Resolved:

                                    that the proposal be supported - £650.

ix)        JAROME Garden Project                                                             1,000

            Proposal from Hamilton Library to fund the purchase of educational tools and a bird table in connection with a new Community Garden Project located behind the Library, to be open at the same times  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

Academy Status – Humberstone Junior School

A member of the public raised this issue and sought clarification from the Ward Councillors.

The Chair responded by stating that there were issues being investigated by the City Council around the processes followed by the school in agreeing to pursue Academy status. The Council were working hard with the school to try and get a closer working relationship established and conclude arrangements for the future running of the school.

It was agreed that this issue would be put on the Agenda for the next meeting with a view to receiving an explanation of the consequences of a local school opting out of the Local Authority system, and to ascertain whether, as a direct result of the forthcoming new housing developments in the area, whether a new school was planned for the Humberstone and Hamilton area.

Welfare Benefit Changes

It was suggested and agreed that an item would be included on the Agenda for the next meeting highlighting the impact the newly introduced Welfare Benefit Changes were having in this area.

The Chair declared the meeting closed at 7.37pm.