Agenda and minutes

Councillors will elect a Chair for the meeting.

The Chair will introduce those present and make any necessary announcements.

The Chair and any other Councillors who are present will make any declarations as required by the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor Patel chaired the meeting.

Councillors Potter and Sandhu were also present.

There were no apologies for absence.

In respect of Agenda Item 9 “Housing Update” Councillor Potter declared that she was a Council tenant.  In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, this interest was not considered so significant that it was likely to prejudice Councillor Potter’s judgement of the public interest.  She was not therefore required to withdraw from the meeting for that item.

The action log of the meeting held on 30^th June 2014 is attached and Members are asked to confirm it as an accurate record.

The Action Log of the meeting held on 30 June 2014 was confirmed as a correct record.

Councillors will provide an update on the proposed development at Tesco Hamilton.

It was reported that the planning application at Tesco Hamilton had been considered by the Council’s Planning and Development Control Committee and had been granted conditional consent.

Councillor Potter had attended the meeting and had voted against the proposal.

Representations from Councillor Patel and Keith Vaz MP were taken into account in granting the consent and a condition requiring 50% of the unoccupied existing space to be put into use before any new development commenced had been imposed.

The Community Engagement Officer, Anita Clarke, will provide information and an update on starting a Foodbank.

It was confirmed that supplies of food would be collected for distribution by Tesco on a bi-monthly basis.

The distribution would take place either at Tesco or at the Netherhall neighbourhood Centre.  In this respect it was clarified that Netherhall had been chosen as it was a central facility in the most deprived area of the ward.  Ongoing discussions were being held with Tesco to determine their future practice on distribution and it had been suggested that part of their unoccupied units be used for this purpose.  A meeting was to be held in the near future with representatives of Tesco, Councillors, and the Community Engagement Officer.

The use of volunteers, including the Star project team was being clarified to ensure that the foodbank could become operational in the near future.  Visits to other schemes were being organised to help determine the criteria for the distribution of food.

The meeting supported the work being undertaken and noted the positon.

A Police Officer will be at the meeting to provide an update on local policing issues in the Humberstone and Hamilton Ward.

PS Merrill and PC Catlow were in attendance to update the meeting on crime statistics in the ward.

The changes to the operational structure were explained and it was noted that the existing 15 Local Policing Units would reduce to 8 Neighbourhood Police Units.  The changes reflected the need for officers to be more involved in reported issues and local policing, rather than being involved in longer term investigations, which would be taken on by a separate team of officers.

The revised hours of operation of the Hamilton Police Station were noted, and it was confirmed that the station would be closed on Sundays with operations being run by officers at Beaumont Leys or Mansfield House Police Stations.

In respect of the reporting of crime and anti-social behaviour, the use of the 101 phone number was encouraged, rather than 999 calls.  The policy to arrange appointments to deal with reported incidents was discussed and it was considered that the perceived reduction in policing had led to the reduced numbers of reports.  In some cases it was considered that there had been a lack of response or action to reported incidents and that this had led to a reluctance by the public to continue to report problems.

It was suggested that representatives of LASBU be invite to the next meeting to clarify the position.  The changes in the Anti-Social Behaviour Act and the effect on the reporting procedures, which allowed more control to the Council over its tenants were explained.

Having regard to the reported crime statistics, it was noted that fixings were available for vehicle number plates to be securely fastened, as an increase in number plate thefts had been experienced.

It was noted that signage of the Neighbourhood Watch Areas needed to be updated and the officers present agreed to assist in providing new signs.

In conclusion it was suggested that future police reports should include details of the ‘clear-up’ rate of crime and details of how many had been solved and action taken.  It was considered that many local crimes were being reported but that perpetrators did not seem to be challenged.

An officer of the Highways Team will be present to give an update on issues in the Humberstone and Hamilton Ward.

Robert Bateman (Transport Strategy) updated the meeting on activities in the ward and gave details of the amount of footway and highway repairs undertaken since April 2014.

It was reported that 20 mph zones were being introduced across the city with some areas of the ward being affected.  These mainly involved areas of new development and areas around schools.

Two new pedestrian crossings had recently also been approved, including a crossing at the Gypsy Lane junction adjacent to the Emerald Centre.

The meeting note the position and asked for an update on the adoption of roads, as it was considered that there were many in the ward where developments had been completed although the roads servicing the developments remained unadopted.

In response to questions it was confirmed that road speeds were regularly monitored.  Concerns at the speed of construction traffic had been raised and contractors were being advised of their responsibility to use main arterial routes rather than residential roads.

The works to replace rubber speed cushions would be investigated as it was reported that the replacement tarmac speed humps were ineffective.  Examples of works on Ivy Church Crescent and Netherhall Road were discussed to emphasise this problem.

It was requested that a report be provided at the next meeting, particularly to address the amount of construction traffic using residential roads and to include an update on the ongoing discussions with contractors to solve the problem.

A local Housing Officer will provide an update on housing issues in the Humberstone and Hamilton Ward.

Tracey McAllister (Housing) updated the meeting on housing issues in the ward.

Particular reference was made to the environmental improvement works being undertaken in 2014/15, including tree planting and bulb planting in a greatly increased numbers than previous years.

Having regard to the need to protect the new planting, knee-high fencing had been approved for installation around some highway verges, to prevent parking on the newly planted areas.

Improvement works at the Netherhall parade of shops was also being undertaken including external painting works and painting of the railings.

It was confirmed that regular discussions with ward Councillors and patchwalks were undertaken to determine priority areas for improvement.

The City Warden will give an update on issues in Humberstone and Hamilton Ward.

The City Warden could not be present.  An information leaflet was circulated outlining environmental and enforcement activities in the ward.

Councillors are reminded that under the Council’s Code of Conduct they should declare any interest they may have in budget applications.

An update will be given on the Ward Community Budget. A summary of grant applications submitted for consideration since the last meeting is attached.

The following applications had been received and were determined as indicated:

Hamilton Residents’ Association

Christmas Event

£750

SUPPORTED

Hamilton in Bloom

£960

SUPPORTED IN PRINCIPLE subject to further information being received.

HAMILTON IN BLOOM SUCCESS

It was reported that a silver award had been received and that the Royal Horticultural Society members were arranging a media event on 23 October 2014 to celebrate the achievement.

The next meeting will take place on Monday 12^th January 2015 at 6.00pm at a venue to be confirmed.

Noted as 12 January 2015, commencing at 6.15 pm.

The venue was to be confirmed.

The meeting closed at 7.50 pm.