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 Alfonso was invited to take the Chair.

There were no apologies for absence from Councillors. 

Attached for information and discussion.

The Action Log of the meeting held on 24 September 2015 was agreed and noted.

An officer from Leicester City Council will be present to update on any work being carried out within the area and answer any questions.

Steve Warrington (Highways Services) updated the meeting on the 20 mph zones being introduced as capital schemes across the city primarily adjacent to school sites.  He updated on the intention to introduce such a zone in the Fosse Road North and Woodgate area.  Details were given of the extent of traffic calming measures, involving ‘built out’ crossing kerb points and speed cushions.  It had been proposed to extend the scheme to allow a ‘built-out’ crossing at Marshall Street/Bonchurch Street junction.

Councillors were considering the plans prior to wider consultation and members of the public present were encouraged to submit their views on the proposals, particularly in respect of the location of crossing points in the ward.

In response to questions, officers were asked to clarify the situation with the traffic scheme recently implemented at Lidl supermarket (former Empire pub site), as the traffic scheme had been a significant matter during the consultation on the application and had been made a condition of the planning consent.

In response to further questions, officers considered that adequate signing existed in respect of one-way streets in the ward, but that the situation with enforcement could be monitored.

In conclusion, officers also agreed to monitor poor lane discipline in the Woodgate area, following a suggestion that lane markings required an update.

There will be a presentation from De Montfort University’s Square Mile, on a new local campaign, which aims to tackle and work on minimising Graffiti within the Fosse Ward.

De Montfort University’s Square Mile project advised the meeting of a new local campaign, which aimed to tackle and minimise Graffiti within the Ward.

Hughie Blair (Street Cleansing Services) reported on the number of incidents reported from April to November 2015, which had risen from 11 to 47. 

In respect of permissions required from property owners to have graffiti ‘tags’ removed, it was noted that in some cases it had proved difficult to make necessary contact with landlords and owners, which delayed the process.

Police Offices present advised that arrests had been made and fewer incidents had been reported as a result. 

The City Warden also reported on his liaison with City Cleansing services to ensure that racist or other obscene tags were removed without significant delay.

The University reported on the suggestion and willingness of students to repaint areas, in order to provide high quality local artworks.  Other initiatives to encourage removal, education through school competitions and campaigns, and other schemes to discourage ‘tagging’ were discussed.

It was accepted that the matter could only be addressed by collaborative working and it was suggested that an update be submitted to the next meeting as part of the City Warden’s report.

Following on from a recent fundraising event, a member from the Adventure Playground will be present to talk about the event and any other upcoming festivities.

Maxine Han, from the Woodgate Adventure Playground reported on the success of a recent bonfire night event, which had raised significant funds for the continued operation of the playground and pre-school nursery.  She thanked representatives of organisations for their attendance and support.

Maxine further reported on the forthcoming Santa’s Grotto event and the Carols Service organised with the All Nations Church.

Maxine was thanked for her report and update.

The local Police team will provide an update on the Policing work within the area.

The local Police team provided an update on their activities in the Ward.

In respect of recent reports, it was noted that incidents of ASB and street drinking in the Tudor Road area and gardens had resulted in increased patrols. 

An increase in burglaries was reported and members of the public were advised to ensure that they maintain secure homes, out-buildings and garden sheds.

A new project titled ‘never too late’ had been introduced to encourage children and young people aged 10-16 years to visit the police station to experience the custody system and the reality of the justice system. The project was aimed at youngsters becoming involved in low level crime and ASB.

The police were notified by residents of specific matters causing concern and the details were noted.

The police were thanked for their attendance and report.

The local City Warden will provide an update on the work within the area.

Richard Sutton (City Warden) provided an update on environmental and enforcement issues, making particular reference to the anti-graffiti campaign reported previously.  An update would be provided at the next meeting.

It was noted that an IT problem meant that printed material could not be circulated at the meeting.

Richard was thanked for his attendance and update.

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

There will be information on the Community Ward Budget and an overview of all applications received. Previous applicants will also be present to talk about their activities, which the Community Ward Budget has funded.

Details of the Ward Community Budget were presented, with applications received.

In respect of those bids, three applications were approved for funding, and one refused.

Applicants that were successful had attended to provide details of their applications and to answer questions of residents and Councillors.

The following previous applicants were in attendance to provide feedback on their activities, which the Community Ward Budget had funded:

• Sharon Bromley

Halloween party

• Geoff Forse

Music Development and concerts

• Maxine Han

Adventure Playground events, as reported previously (Minute 14 refers).

A50 Improvements

It was noted that the improvement scheme to declutter and generally improve the A50 corridor had been submitted to a previous meeting.  It was reported that a temporary bus stop sign and other issues were in need of removal/attention.

Officers made note of the issues to action.

The meeting closed at 7.15 pm.