Agenda and minutes

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 Potter in the Chair.  Councillors R Patel and Sandhu also present.

Everyone welcomed and introductions given.

Councillor Potter declared an Other Disclosable Interest in that she is a Council tenant.  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.

Apologies for absence were received from Charlotte Glover (City Warden)

The Action Log from the meeting held on 30 September 2014 is attached

Received and noted

Officers are seeking an update on the proposed development at Tesco Hamilton, which will be presented to the meeting if received in time.

All to note:

·           Tesco had not provided an update on the proposed development of its Hamilton store

·           51% of the existing units had to be in use before any new development could begin, but only one unit currently was in use

·           Planning permission for the development was valid for three years from date of approval

Residents to raise any concerns about the proposed development at Tesco Hamilton with the Ward Members.

Ward Members to consider if a meeting about this development is needed in view of concerns raised by residents.

Ward Members to discuss concerns already raised with Keith Vaz MP.

Planning Officers will be at the meeting to introduce the current public consultation on the Issues and Options stage of the new Local Plan.

Residents invited to submit comments on issues and options to be included in the new Local Plan.  Comments to be submitted either in writing, by e-mail or via the Council’s website.

Planning Officers to add the following to the new Local Plan, if not already included:-

·           The ageing population;

·           Manor Farm be classified as green space; and

·           No further development on Hamilton Park.

All to note:-

o    The next consultation as part of the preparation of the new Local Plan is likely to be in the summer of 2015.

o    A consultation will be carried out shortly by the Council on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which replaces Section 106 payments from developers.

o    Developments often have been on small plots, on which Section 106/Community Infrastructure Levy payments often have not been required.

o    A minimum of 10% of CIL payments would be available to use in a Ward.  If an area had an adopted Neighbourhood Plan, that area would receive 25% of CIL payments.

Ward Councillors to investigate the feasibility of establishing a group of community members interested in developing a Neighbourhood Plan for the whole Ward.  (See also action 35, “Housing Issues”, below)

Community Engagement Officer to ask housing associations with the most tenants in the Ward to attend future meetings, (one at each meeting), to discuss how their expenditure on properties in the Ward is decided.

Councillor Potter will give an update on the operation of the foodbank.

All to note that:

·           The request for a foodbank in Netherhall, (to be operated by Leicester Charity Link), was unsuccessful.

·           The Chair of the charity will be meeting the Ward Councillors on 16 January 2015 to see if anything else can be provided instead.

·           The former canteen unit at Tesco and Netherhall Community Centre were suggested as possible locations for a foodbank.

Officers from Leicestershire Police will be at the meeting to provide an update on police issues in the Ward.

All to note:-

·           Sergeant Morrell would be replacing Sergeant Niblett from 9 February 2015.

·           The number of reported crimes/incidents was lower than the same time last year.

·           The only significant increase in crimes was in the number of incidences of damage to motor vehicles.

·           Youths congregating in Columbine Road had been the subject of a Problem Solving Plan, but targeted patrols had led to a sufficient reduction in the problem to close the Plan.

·           A Problem Solving Plan had been opened in late 2014 due to an increased number of people gathering near McDonalds.  Targeted patrols had been increased and the Police were consulting McDonalds on possible action.

·           The misuse of “laughing gas” by young people was of concern, due to its potential health risks.  Large numbers of empty capsules lying together could indicate use of the gas at that location and should be reported to the Police.

·           Joint Action Group meetings for the Police and partner agencies were being reorganised.  In the future, this Ward would come under East Leicester.

·           Although parking on pavements was a problem, if a wheelchair or pushchair could pass the vehicle it was not obstructing a pavement.  The Police only had limited enforcement options.

Residents asked to report anything they see that seems suspicious to the Police.

The Police to include the Ward Councillors on the list of key contacts for incidents in the Ward.  Contact to be made by text.

The meeting thanked Sergeant Niblett for his work, including the way he had addressed concerns raised, and passed on its best wishes to him for the future.

Housing officers will give an update on housing issues in the Ward.

All to note:-

·           Approximately 34 trees have been planted.

·           Nearly one mile of crocuses and daffodils have been planted along Nether Hall Road.  More to be planted next year if funding is available.

·           Consultation is underway regarding the installation of knee-high railings around greens, to stop people parking on the greens.

·           Landscaping and internal painting has been completed.

·           68 houses have been built, 20 of which have now been let.

·           If possible, work to improve the area behind the shops on Nether Hall Road will be carried out on an on-going basis, but this is dependent on funding being available.

If a Neighbourhood Plan is to be developed, (see action 32, “Public Consultation – Issues and Options Stage of the New Local Plan”, above), the group co-ordinating this requested to consider including provision to prevent parking on verges.

The Housing Area Manager for Rowlatts Hill and Humberstone asked to let the Ward Members know if there is any truth in recent rumours that “arm’s length” management is to be introduced for Council accommodation above local shops.

The City Warden will give an update on issues in the Wardnot covered elsewhere on the agenda.

All to note the update attached at the end of this Action Log.

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.

a)     An update will be given on the Ward Community budget; and

b)     Details of grant applications received will be presented at the meeting for consideration.

·           Festive Season Class (Archery) (1264) – Request for a grant of £590 by Darul Arqam Educational Trust not supported

·           Double Fire Door (1273) – Grant of £950 to Humberstone Royal British Legion & Local Community Meeting supported

·           Seated Exercise and Social Activities (1276) – Grant of £700 to Young at Heart supported

·           Solar Christmas Tree Lights (1278) – grant of £960 to New Shoots Garden Club supported

·           Tutors and Materials (1290) – grant of £500 to Avago supported

Ward Councillors to reconsider the request for a grant for a barrier to prevent motorcycle access to Humberstone footpath at the end of the financial year if any grant funds remain unallocated at that time

Ward Councillors to discuss with the Senior Community Librarian at Hamilton Library and Learning Centre whether a gate could be fitted to provide access to the community garden without going through the Library

Residents invited to contact the Council’s Housing service if they are aware of a community use for surplus ornate gates.  The new owners to be responsible for the cost of installation and making sure all appropriate assessments had been completed, (eg, risk assessment)

All to note:

o    £5,834 remained in the Ward Community Budget for the 2014/15 financial year

o    As this was an election year, any Ward Community Budget funds not committed by the end of the financial year could not be carried forward

o    Applications for grants submitted at a meeting cannot be considered at that meeting, as they have to be processed first

o    The following grants have been supported under the Council’s fast track procedure:

§  Artistic Writing (1258) – Grant of £500 to Darul Arqam Educational Trust

§  Girls and Boys Craft Classes (1265) – Grant of £270 to Darul Arqam Educational Trust

§  Lunch Club Short Term Sessional Cook and Helper (1270) – Grant of £500 to Netherhall Drop In and Twilight

§  Remembrance Tree for Cynthia Bunten (1275) – Grant of £500 to Humberstone Village Community Village Forum

o    The following grants were not supported under the Council’s fast track procedure:

§   Girls Baking Classes (1263) – request for a grant of £475 by Darul Arqam Educational Trust

§   Boys Karate Class (1266) – request for a grant of £435 by Darul Arqam Educational Trust

§   Prevention of Motorcycle Access to Humberstone Footpath (1277) – request for a grant of £500 by Leicester City Council Community Safety

The next meeting will be held at 6.15 pm on Monday 23 March 2015.

(Venue to be agreed)

6.15 pm on Monday 23 March 2015.

Hamilton Library to be booked if possible.

Community Engagement Officer to send the meeting’s congratulations to the Right Reverend Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester, on his retirement, along with its best wishes for the future and thanks for his support of Humberstone and Hamilton.

The meeting closed at 8.30 pm