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 Waddington as Chair led the introductions and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Leicestershire Police.

No declarations were made.

The Action Log for the last meeting, held on 21 February 2019, is attached for information and discussion.

The Action Log of the previous meeting held 21 February 2019 was confirmed as correct.

With regards to Item 24, Repton Street Draft Guidance, Councillor Cassidy reported that there was to be a special meeting about the Local Plan which would be progressed over the summer and autumn and would all areas for development and the provision of new houses.

All other actions would be addressed in the agenda.

Ward Councillors will provide an update on local Ward issues including the Hinckley Road recovery.

·         With regard to Hinckley Road recovery, Councillors reported that this site had been sold and they would consider planning applications as they were received.

·         The Recovery Committee had finished.  Issues arising from it would be brought to the Ward meeting on 13 February 2020 at the Charles Napier pub.

·         Councillor Cassidy expressed his objection to the planning permission that had been granted to a Gentlemen’s Massage Parlour on Hinckley Road and reported that local residents were planning to make a complaint to the Ombudsman that it had not been publicised correctly.  Councillor Waddington added that the City Mayor had been requested to ensure that all future applications for massage premises went to Committee.

·         Councillors would meet with Ombudsmen in September to discuss environmental priorities.

·         A consultation was to be held regarding a petition to re-open the park on Vernon Street, discussing how the park could be used and how Anti-Social behaviour could be deterred.

·         Councillors were undertaking area walks each week to talk to residents about local issues such as parking and potholes.  Issues identified on Clifford Street were in the process of being resolved.

Issues regarding parking in the Ward were raised by residents.  Councillors encouraged those residents to meet them at their surgeries to discuss the issues.

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

Apologies were received from Leicestershire Police.

A written report (attached) was circulated.

Councillor Waddington referred to the fact that there were only three PCSOs for Fosse Ward but six for Westcotes Ward.  Action: Councillor Waddington to ask Police why this is the case.

Councillor Cassidy drew attention to the shooting that had taken place on Stephenson Drive in the early hours of 11 July 2019, and urged residents to be patient with the police as they often had to deal with serious incidents such as this and so lower priority problems such as traffic issues could not always be addressed immediately.

The City Warden will give an update on issues in the Ward.

Charlotte Glover, City Warden, gave an update on issues across the Ward.

In addition to the written report circulated (attached).  It was reported that a camera would be installed on Tudor Road in the following weeks to deter fly-tipping.

Councillor Cassidy reported that a defunct air pollution monitor had been removed from Bassett Street.  He also reported that pigeons had been nesting on the same street and making a mess.  Action: City Warden to monitor.

With regards to the pile of stones left on Tudor Road (see report), Rupert Bedder from Highways informed those present that such activity required a licence, and expressed hope that the Licensing team had controlled the situation.

Highways officers will give an update on highways issues in the Ward.

Rupert Bedder, Highways Network Asset Manager, gave an update on highways issues across the Ward.  Points included:

·         There were currently gaps in the carriageway on Blackbird Road due to ongoing works.

·         Vernon Street was in need of resurfacing work.  30% would be patched in late August with more treatment next year.  It was hoped that this work would add 10 years to the life of the surface.

·         Measures had been taken to stop people turning left out of Gimson Road.

·         Footway improvement works were in progress on Hinckley Road.

·         Officers were to meet with Councillors in September to discuss issues and priorities regarding highways.

·         Works on Ravensbridge Drive and Blackbird Road were due for completion in mid-November, however, utilities damaged in the course of the works had caused delays.  The objective was to improve the capacity of the junction.

·         The design for the Five-Ways junction was progressing well and was to be shared with Councillors in the Autumn.

·         There would be a drop-in consultation with the local community on plans for the Groby Road bus lane on Wednesday 7 August, 11am-7pm at Woodgate Resources Centre.

·         Railings had been installed around verges on Clifford Street to prevent people parking on the footpath.

·         Bollards were being installed on Hinckley Road between Carlisle Street and Bolton Road.

Concern was raised about speeding on Medina Road.  Mr Bedder assured that such issues would be dealt with in a consultation (separate to the bus lane consultation).

Issues surrounding pollution around Medina Road and Groby Road were brought to the attention of the meeting.  Action: Rupert Bedder to relay to Highways to investigate the possibility of pollution monitoring.

It was enquired as to whether the Five Ways project had taken the plans for a new school into account.  Councillor Waddington relayed that Liz Kendall MP was to call a public meeting to discuss such issues.

In response to a query about cycle lanes either side of the A50, Mr Bedder relayed that this would be looked at in consultation.

Issues surrounding speeding, traffic calming and parking on Tudor Road, Buckminster Road, Hinckley Road and Woodgate were brought to the attention of the meeting.  Action: Rupert Bedder to relay to Highways to investigate options.

Concern was raised about a van-hire business in the Ward who’s parking on Streets was causing inconvenience.  Rupert Bedder recommended that this also be brought to the consultation and assured those present that Traffic Wardens would enforce any restrictions.

It was enquired as to whether trees removed due to the Blackbird Road works would be replaced.  Action: Rupert Bedder to ask designers of the scheme.

It was asked whether the 109 tickets issued to a vehicle would be enforced.  Mr Bedder explained that the car could be towed, but the cost of doing so had to be weighed against the possibility of the fine being paid.

Potholes were reported on Courtenay Road.  Mr Bedder acknowledged that roads were inspected twice a year and that potholes of over 40mm would be fixed.

A complaint  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

There will be an update on progress concerning Waterside Primary.

Councillor Cassidy gave an update on Waterside Primary.  Points included:

·         The new Executive Member for Schools was pursuing information on Waterside primary.

·         The council were continuing to look at figures for school places.

·         Liz Kendall MP would be arranging a public meeting in September to discuss issues.

Questions were raised over the fence that had been erected on the site.  Action: Community Engagement Officer to investigate.

In response to a question over whether the asbestos had been removed Councillor Cassidy reported that the issue was being reviewed.

It was reported that litter had been cleared from the site but had since returned.  Action: Councillors to monitor the situation.

It was acknowledged by councillors that there was frustration amongst residents over the lack of information available on the issue.  Councillor Waddington encouraged residents with issues to email herself and Councillor Cassidy.

There will be an update on the Ward Community Budget.

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

The community engagement officer gave an update on the ward community budget and informed those present that nine applications had been supported since the beginning of the municipal year as follows:

·         Woodgate Residents’ Association for an advertising campaign- £480

·         Woodgate Residents’ Association for a music taster session for young people- £485

·         Gimson Road Whatsapp group for Gimson Road Summer Street party- £700

·         Chinedu Vincent Akuta for Planting economic trees in Primary Schools in Nigeria- £500

·         Inglehurst Junior School for therapeutic classrooms/’Zumos- How to be Happy’- £500

·         Groby Road Allotment Society for Sheds on Plots 2019- £498

·         Kanayo Njideska for a fashion show- £2000

Councillor Cassidy requested that recipients of funding come to future Ward Meetings to discuss how the funding had been used.  Action:  Community Engagement Officer to invite funding recipients to next Ward Meeting.

Clarification was requested on the plans for a road and cycle lanes on the Rally Park. 

Councillor Waddington assured that there would be a consultation in the Autumn followed by another before the plans went to government.

Councillor Cassidy explained that the local plan would have to go through scrutiny.

It was acknowledged that the Community Engagement Officer had taken notes on the issue.

In response to a query form a resident, Councillor Cassidy confirmed that the Castlemead Academy would be going ahead.

The next Ward Community Meetings would be:

7 November 2019 at Fosse Library

13 February 2020 at the Charles Napier pub.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 7.20pm