Agenda and minutes

Councillor Waddington was elected Chair for the meeting.

Apologies were received from Geoff Forse (Woodgate Residents Association).

There were no declarations of interest made at this time.

The minutes of the previous Fosse Community Meeting, held on 5 October 2011 have been circulated and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the meeting of the Fosse Community Meeting held on 5^th October 2011, as previously circulated, be agreed as a correct record.

There will be an update with regard to the latest proposals for Fosse Library.

Councillor Russell attended the meeting and gave a brief presentation on the City Council General Fund Budget 2011/12 that covered the following areas: -

·         What are we now facing

·         The Approach

·         Expenditure Projections

·         Budget Summary

·         Budget – Savings

·         Where do the Savings Fall

·         Key Proposals

·         Resource Forecasts

·         Taxation

·         Libraries

·         Self Service Model

Detailed discussion took place around the future of the library service, centred on the 3 libraries (Aylestone, St. Matthews and Fosse) that had been identified as requiring attention. The actions proposed at these venues centred on reducing book stocks and reduction in staff and, in the case of St. Matthews and Aylestone a move to share other premises. Part of the proposals also include a move to a self-service operation at these 3 locations, although it was intended to retain computer availability for public use. It was stated that the reason the 3 locations referred to had been identified was because the cost per visitor to each of these libraries was far in excess of other libraries across the city.

Fosse Library

A member of the public stated that she had fought long and hard for Fosse Library and was a regular user. It was stated that there now seemed to be more services for younger people being provided across the city and services for older people, such as the libraries were being reduced. In the case of Fosse Library, due to its location off the main road, not many people knew it existed but the hours of opening could be extended. Newfoundpool across the other side of Fosse Road had very few facilities in comparison.

Officers stated that regarding the opening hours of Fosse library, it was intended to open the library whenever the Centre was open to provide access to books and computers. The technology for the self-service facility was based on that in supermarkets. The Library Service wanted to work with other organisations to encourage local interest groups to meet in library premises. A core group of staff would remain based in Fosse Centre to cover most areas of work, including the library. Trained library staff would visit periodically to deal with library specific issues. Several options remained available at Fosse Centre.

The Chair referred to a letter received from a local resident who made reference to the proposed cut to the minibus service that operated to bring the elderly to libraries to select books. The resident urged that the service be not cut as it provided a valuable lifeline to a number of elderly people and enabled them to meet other people.

It was stated that cuts in funding were inevitable but that a number of options were still being considered, in the case of the mini bus service a ‘befriending service’ operated in Braunstone whereby people were able to be taken out to where they wanted to go in the locality, this scheme could potentially be rolled out to other areas of the City.

As a suggestion it was stated that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 116.

A representative from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue will be in attendance to present an overview of the work with the Princes’ Trust and will provide guidance on how local young people can become involved with the trust.

There will be information provided on the Care and Repair service which offers housing adaptions for elderly and/or disabled homeowners.

A representative from Care and Repair attended the meeting and stated that the project did not get involved in Social Services adaptations to properties but rather gave advice to people who were able to pay for their own adaptations. The advice given was free and unbiased. The project was small and funded by the City Council, 2 staff dealt with some 900 enquiries each year.

Care and repair worked with a list of recommended contractors and their work was monitored on a regular basis. Should a recommended contractor be selected to undertake work then Care and Repair inspected and assessed the standard of work carried out and to ensure that the necessary certificates could be issued. Persons interested in contacting Care and Repair were urged to do so by telephone, via the website or write.

There will be an update on the Square Mile project

Jason Wood, representing the Square Mile Project attended the meeting an d gave an update on the work of the project that had started in September 2011, that included a Christmas Fayre and an event at the University involving some 250 young people showing them how the Stock Market worked.

Jason stated that there had in fact been 2 separate Christmas events, one at Fosse Neighbourhood Centre and the other at Tudor Gardens. The project had worked closely with the City Council, the Police and Fire and Rescue and the outcomes had resulted in a lot of community spirit and the creation of new networks.

It was stated that on the previous Monday five student Youth Workers had been based at Fosse and Newfoundpool Neighbourhood Centres to enhance youth participation in the area.

A further initiative by the project was to introduce IT equipment at Newfoundpool Neighbourhood Centre for local people to use, this was likely to commence in February/March.

From the work undertaken to date the project had received feedback that local people were seeking activities that would bring the community together. Members of the public were urged to contact the Square Mile Project with any ideas they might have.

In concluding it was reported that Liz Kendall M.P. would be attending a Health Consultation Event at the Woodgate Resource Centre on Thursday 19^th January 2012.

A representative from the Local Policing Unit will be present to provide a crime update for the area.

Sgt Rod Smart attended the meeting and gave an update on local policing activities since the last meeting.

The following crime statistics for the 3 month period November to January were reported, comparing 2011/12 to 2010/11.

                                                            2012                           2011

Burglaries                                          29                                32

Robberies                                          5                                  7

Vehicle Crime                                  8                                  4

Anti-Social Behaviour – no figures but incidents reported as being down on the previous year.

The meeting was informed that there were currently two Problem Solving Plans operational in the area as follows: -

i)             Battenberg Road – problem family that lived on street. After much work the family had been evicted and the problem resolved.

ii)            Central Road – been operational for some 2 years in effort to solve ASB issues and create youth provision. Have been working with Street Vibe and Groundwork to provide activities, particularly for the ring leaders to take part in during evenings and it was anticipated that problems on the street will then reduce.

It was stated that the police were using an office on the 1^st Floor of Fosse Neighbourhood Centre two days per week and local people were encouraged to drop in.

The Square Mile Project stated that they were due to meet with Groundwork with the aim of establishing a Community Garden involving local youth.

The City Warden for the Fosse ward will be present to provide an update on environmental issues in the area.

Jethro, the local City Warden reported that he was still in the process of tackling the problem of bins on streets, although it was taking between 6-8 weeks per street to take the actions necessary. To date a couple of Court cases had been held and had resulted in £200 fines being awarded to two householders.

Increased patrols were taking place in the area to try and identify the owners of dogs responsible for fouling the area.

Fines were also being issued to persons responsible for littering in the area, particularly when they could be identified.

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.

There will be an update on the Community Meeting Budget. Please find summaries of applications received for consideration below.

The following budget applications have been received:

Application 1

Applicant:Woodgate Residents Association

Amount: £3,000

Proposal: Music Development Programme

Summary:

The Music Development Programme which is held at the Woodgate Resource Centre, teaches children to play the guitar, keyboards, violin, recorders and singing.  The programme has been running for over five years starting with just guitars and keyboards. Two to three years ago a grant was received from Youth Music to increase the number of classes both in guitar and keyboards but also introducing violin, recorders and singing. At the moment there are about eighty children taking part in the programme.

The Youth Music funding ran out on 31^st March 2011. We are therefore looking for various funding opportunities to continue and expand the programme including an additional lesson each term and “master classes” during the school holidays. We have succeeded in getting some grants (about £15,000) and are in the process of applying for grants from trusts and lottery based funding organisations to continue funding to at least 31^st March 2013. We also charge the children for the music lessons, currently £25 for an eleven week term.  A grant from the ward fund will help us to leaver in money from other sources.

We will be able to judge the success of the programme by the numbers attending and the improvement in the skills of the children participating.

Application 2

Applicant:Groby Road Allotment Society

Amount: £1,400

Proposal: Environmental / Wildlife Pond Project

Summary:

·         To create an environmentally friendly pond on the embankment of Groby Road Allotment Society overlooking 60+ plots.

·         To encourage frogs and other wildlife and plants to flourish in the pond.

·         The pond will be in a communal area where seating will be installed for use of plot holders and children and grandchildren.

·         Local schools will be invited to visit, observe and learn from their nautal habitat.

·         Most plot holders live in the Fosse ward and each year’s open day encourages more local people to visit and participation from all over the county.

·         The Committee is contributing £150 for hire of mini JCB towards the project.

Application 3

Applicant: King Richard III Infant and Nursery School

Amount:  ...  view the full agenda text for item 122.

James Schadla-Hall, Members Support Officer presented the Community Meeting Budget and stated that the current balance remaining was £8,862.

The following applications were submitted for consideration: -

1)    Woodgate Residents Association                                 £3,000

Application received for funding to continue and expand the current Music Development Programme at Woodgate Resource Centre, involving some 80 children. It was reported that the previous funding ran out on 31^st March 2011.

Members were minded to support the project but stated that, due to the funding remaining in the 2011/12 Budget £1,500 could be funded from the 2011/12 Budget and the Community Meeting would look favourably to supportanother bid from this organisation from the 2012/13 Budget, this was Agreed.

2)    Groby Road Allotment Society                                       £1,400

Application received to create an environmentally friendly pond on the communal area of the embankment of Groby Road Allotments, facing the allotment plots.

Members were minded to support the application in full. It was Agreed that the application for £1,400 be supported.

3)    King Richard III Infant and Nursery School                £500

Application received to part fund, with Westcotes Community Meeting, the difference in the cost per head and the parental contribution to enable Year 2 children to go on a residential trip to Beaumanor Hall, Woodhouse, Leicestershire. A number of adventurous activities would be available to the children that were not possible at the school.

Members were minded to support the application in full. It was Agreed that the application for £500 be supported.

It was reported that the balance of the Budget remaining after funding the above new applications was £5,462.

It was reported that Ward Councillors had met with the providers of youth services in the area.

Brian Quinn, Street Vibe reported that his project, although based in Braunstone actually covered the whole City and outlined the work that his project was undertaking. It was reported that there were four main providers of youth services in the Fosse ward area, although these were mainly concentrated in one part of the ward.

The Chair stated that Ward Councillors now had a picture of what youth services were provided and where they were taking place. The Square Mile Project were looking to put in a bid for funding for youth activities.

Former St. Augustine’s Church, Fosse Road

A member of the public questioned whether there was anything planned for this site containing the remains of the former St. Augustine’s Church.

The Chair stated that, following a recent walk around parts of the Ward with the City Mayor, this site had been highlighted as requiring further attention. It was Agreed that this would be brought back to the next meeting.

It was noted that the next meeting would be held at 6.00pm on Wednesday 21^st March at a venue to be confirmed.

The Chair declared the meeting closed at 8.06pm.