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 Dempster, elected as Chair, welcomed everyone and led introductions.

Apologies were received from Councillor Joshi who was abroad and unable to attend the meeting.

No interests were declared.

Nicole Garrett, Service Development Officer will give a presentation on the recycling project.

Nicole Garrett, Service Development Officer presented information on the Hamilton Recycling Project. The presentation handout is attached.

·         A recycling campaign to increase awareness and encourage more residents to use the orange recycling bags would take place during September & October 2015 in the Hamilton area.

·         The recycling team would be looking into sending recycling information via email.

·         Some residents requested the Officer/ Team to look into ways of contacting residents in newly occupied residencies and providing language translations for the service.

Highways Officers will be present to give an update on Highways issues in the Humberstone and Hamilton Ward.

Martin Fletcher from the Highways Team gave a presentation on highways activities.

The following was discussed:

·         An overview of the city in terms of highways assets, revenue and maintenance was provided.

·         Grit bins in the ward had recently been supported following requests from residents.

·         It was reported that this year the 20mph scheme would be looked into for Quakesick Valley and extensions to Keyham Lane.

·         Parking problems on Columbine Road especially on match days – highways were looking into how issue could be addressed, possibly with Local Environment Works (LEW) budget.

·         Currently piloting formal pavement parking controls in a few areas of the city.

Residents’ concerns:

·         Parking issues on Maidenwell Avenue, Rosebarn Way onto Netherhall Road (parking on the corners). Parking near schools – Martin detailed current highways education programmes to address this issue.

·         Brompton Road (difficulties of passage if vehicles do not park on kerbs). Martin Fletcher to look into a letter being sent out to nearby residents and possible work with City Wardens.

·         Some residents had concerns regarding the controlled pavement parking scheme. The Chair requested that a full consultation with residents go ahead prior to any implementation, if the scheme were to happen in this ward.

·         An attendee with a previous concern of water seeping downhill and freezing in winter by Victoria Road West traffic lights was advised by the Chair to provide contact details to be passed onto correct ward Councillor, as the area in question was no longer in the new ward boundary.

·         Roundabout issues on Maidenwell Avenue/ Redhill Houses/ Kestral Lane turning – request for arrows to be painted on the roads and street signs. It was stated that many drivers did not understand the roundabout. The Chair confirmed that this was a crucial issue which needed to be dealt with before the winter season.

·         Hamilton Circle – large roundabout, many people don’t realise a roundabout is approaching. More signage was required.

·         Discussions took place on the adoption of roads. Attendees were informed of developers’ duties, estimated time scales and necessary procedures for the Council to adopt roads from the developers.

·         Residents requested update on new road through Hamilton Park.

·         Chestnut Avenue on entry from Keyham Lane – the 20mph was said to be ineffectual. Request for a sign placed on each side.

·         Resident who had previous correspondence with Highways team regarding double yellow lines near Kestrels’ Field Primary School – requested an update.

·         The Chair requested bus shelters opposite Sainsbury’s supermarket.

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

There was no Housing Officer present to give an update at the meeting. For the next meeting the Chair requested a Housing update regarding the whole ward and an update regarding private housing rentals.

The City Warden will provide an update on environmental and enforcement activities in the Humberstone and Hamilton Ward.

Charlotte Glover, City Warden for the Humberstone & Hamilton Ward provided the following information:

·         A dog fouling campaign was in place which included dog fouling stencils and other methods, due to dog fouling issues throughout the ward. After the campaign completion, the data would be collected.

·         Request for residents to use the Love Leicester app to report City Warden related issues.

·         The flytipping on Mundesley Road had now been cleared.

·         Request from Ward Councillors on behalf of Humberstone Village Community Forum for City Warden to ensure the bins were emptied and the site cleared up on Main Street in time for the ‘It’s your Neighbourhood’ event the following day.

·         Residents had concerns that there was a build-up of litter at Sandhills Avenue near shops and flats area which was private land. Councillors stated a letter would be sent out to the land owners requesting the site to be kept clean and clear.

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

Sergeant Rob Merrall and PC Catherine Burnham from the Local Policing Unit were in attendance to update the meeting on issues in the ward. The discussion was a follows:

·         It was reported that since the end of July 2015 there had been 15 burglary dwellings in the ward, of which suspect arrests had been made. More information would be reported once the suspects were charged.

·         Attendees were reminded to ensure their houses were secure in order to avoid burglaries.

·         Advice on starting a ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ was given, such as; the neighbourhood watch website and more advice could be provided at Hamilton Residents Association (HRA) meetings.

·         The Police encouraged for any crimes to be reported by calling 101 or 999.

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 following applications will be considered at the meeting:

It was noted that:

·         Members requested applicants to submit applications as early as possible.

·         Applications would be brought to the ward meeting to take into consideration the views of attendees/ residents.

·         Members wanted to ensure applications with the most value to residents would be approved, especially those supporting younger people, raising aspirations, providing youth skills, supporting older people, loneliness and quality of life.

The following applications were considered at the meeting:

5088: Rushey Mead Bhajan Sandhya – Requested £679 for support towards room hire costs and social activities – Grant of £300 SUPPORTED

5089: The Dream Academy of Dancing – Applied for £500 funding to take local children (many from low income families) who are part of the Dance Academy to perform on a west end stage – Grant of £500 SUPPORTED IN FULL

1442: 1^st Scraptoft Guides – Requested £2,000 to purchase camp equipment for a camping trip for about 100 girls – Grant of £2,000 SUPPORTED IN FULL

1443: Hamilton Library – Applied for £607 to modify the side gate to enable easier access to the Jerome project community garden without the need to go through the library – APPLICATION NOT SUPPORTED

1452: Hamilton Indoor Bowls – Requested £500 to have a Christmas luncheon together with the senior citizens group – Grant of £500 SUPPORTED IN FULL.

5101: The Nelson Mandela Community Programme – Requested £300 for an event to support community cohesion – APPLICATION NOT SUPPORTED

5073: Thurnby Kick Start Academy – Applied for £600 to support the Kick Start Academy football development programme – Grant of £600 SUPPORTED IN FULL

1448: Humberstone Heights Golf Club – Requested £500 funding to support a schools golf league – Grant of £500 SUPPORTED IN FULL

1487: Netherhall Drop in & twilight – Requested £500 to hold a Christmas lunch – Grant of £500 SUPPORTED IN FULL

1488: Drop in/ twilight – Applied for £500 support to take the group to a place of interest – Grant of £500 SUPPORTED IN FULL

1489: Leicester East Dance – Requested £900 for the purchase of movable mirrors for the dance class – Grant of £900 SUPPORTED IN FULL

1501: Young at Heart – Requested £720 towards the hire costs of St Mary Church Hall for seated exercise with Age UK – Grant of £720 SUPPORTED IN FULL

1502: Hamilton Residents’ Association – Applied for £500 funding to hold a Christmas event – Grant of £500 SUPPORTED IN FULL

1513: Hope Hamilton CofE Church – Requested £400 to support a ‘Light Party’ family event – Grant of £400 SUPPORTED IN FULL

1517: Ricky Latto – Requested £1,000 support to carry out improvement works to the Hamilton Lane – Hamilton Park and purchase required cleaning tools and equipment – Grant of £1,000 SUPPORTED IN FULL

Applicants were given details of other contacts/ groups that may be able to support this project. The Chair requested that when the group were in a position, following the works completion, would they consider having an event for young/  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

It was noted that:

·         The ward currently had no community centre; however, it was suggested by the Chair and members of the community that part of Hamilton library could be used as a community centre.

·         Any items for Any Other Business (AOB) should be requested to the Chair prior to the start of the Ward Community Meeting.

The next Humberstone and Hamilton Community Meeting will be held on Tuesday 24 November 2015 at 6pm – venue to be confirmed.

The next Humberstone & Hamilton Ward Community Meeting would take place on Tuesday 24^th November 2015 at 6.30pm - venue to be advertised nearer the date.

The meeting closed at 8.16pm