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 Moore (as Chair) welcomed those present and led the introductions.

Apologies for absence were received by Darren Evans, City Warden.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Action Log of the previous meeting held on 1 November 2022 is attached for discussion and Members will be asked to confirm them as a correct record.

AGREED:

That the Action Log of the previous meeting held 1 November 2022 be confirmed as a correct record.

A Highways Officer will be present to provide an update on Highways issues in the ward.

Rupert Bedder, Highways Network Asset Manager and Sally Slade, Active Travel Team Leader, were present to provide an update on highways related matters in the ward, which included the following points:

·       A petition regarding Northcote Road junction had been reported back to Councillors following several recent incidents, which had been investigated. A seven-day camera had been installed on the junction on 7^th February 2023 and the footage was currently being reviewed to identify issues.

·       An experimental order had been placed on Craighill Road since February 2022. While objections had been received early on, no objections remained. A public surgery had been held and results were being analysed. 

·       Regarding road maintenance, the following points were raised:

o   Queens Road and Aston Boulevard roadworks had been completed.

o   Chelmsford Road was currently being worked on.

·       Bollards were being installed across the ward, noting 15 were being installed around the Stoneygate Islamic academy.

·       Regarding issues on Carisbrooke Road, highway works on the crossing point had completed in January 2023. Installations on speed bumps were still awaited, following the finalisation of contracts for the rubber.

·       Regarding speeding and rat running issues on Gilford Road, a traffic calming scheme was being implemented and was noted to be the current top priority.

·       A report was being drafted regarding a petition involving rat running issues on Heather Road and would be reviewed soon.

·       Temporary school measures had been made permanent on St Thomas More School. Measures for Overdale school was currently still in the experimental stage.

·       The Clarendon Park Phase 3 parking scheme would be live from 10^th March 2023 and signs were being put up around the area inside the Knighton ward.

A member of the public enquired whether there was a permanent scheme to block off the end of Knighton Drive or if the plastic bollards would be left there. It was noted that the scheme was still in the experimental stage for 18 months, awaiting any potential objections. A request for funding had been sent out in hopes to make the area more attractive, such as using planters. It was noted that the bollards would either be made permanent or taken out within the next six months.

A member of the public raised concern about speeding vehicles on Knighton Drive and Ratcliffe Road and requested traffic slowing measures be implemented. Councillors noted that Ratcliffe would be addressed following resolution of issues on Guildford, Northcote and Heather Roads.

A member of the public noted that most speeding issues on Northcote and Craighill Roads were at quiet times at night.

A member of the public requested the dates that the data for Northcote Road was taken. The Highways Officer agreed to take the request back and find out. It was noted that the data covered the whole area between May and October for 2019, 2021 and 2022.

Councillor Whittle highlighted that residents felt traffic speeds had been slower on Queens Road since its resurfacing, which was contradictory in comparison to beliefs that smoother roads  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

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

Apologies for the City Warden were noted. A verbal update had been provided in lieu and the Ward Community Engagement Officer provide the update, which included the following points:

·       A decrease in fly-tipping in the ward was noted.

·       The City Warden noted that he would be addressing issues with bins left on streets within the next few months, noting Palmerston Way and Allendale Road’s were the most highly reported.

·       Members of the public were encouraged to contact the City Warden at his email address: Darren.Evans@leicester.gov.uk, if there were any issues they would like to discuss.

A member of the public raised concern about large quantities of rubbish outside Gainsborough shops. The Chair noted the concern and agreed to contact councillors for the Castle ward regarding the issue.

A member of the public requested more trees planted in the ward. Councillors confirmed that the intentions for the ward was to increase tree presence but were limited on a number of factors such as road or pavement space, cost and best time for implementation.

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

There were no Police Officers from Leicestershire Police in attendance.

Councillor March noted known statistics, including decrease in burglaries and violence against females in open spaces.

A member of the public raised concern about catalytic converter thefts around Westminster and Dovedale Roads. ACTION: Councillors to take back concerns to Leicestershire Police.

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

An update will be given on the Ward Community budget.

The Ward Community Engagement Officer provided an update on the Knighton Ward Community Budget.

It was noted that 11 applications had been received, considered and supported since the last meeting in November 2022. The Ward Community Budget had been fully spent for the municipal year.

The Chair reminded those present of the criteria for application funding.

It was noted that funding had been provided to the Scout Hut near St Mary’s Church for use as a designated premises for community events.

There being no other urgent business, the meeting closed at 8pm.