Agenda and minutes

Councillor Grant was elected as Chair for the meeting.

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the previous Knighton Community Meeting, held on 14 March 2011 have been circulated and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the Knighton Community Meeting, held on 14 March 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

There will be information provided on the Community Payback scheme which exists to provide opportunities for offenders to pay back to the community by placing them on supervised community projects.

It was reported that the officer was unable to attend this meeting due to a family illness. The Chair explained that the Community Payback initiative was to allow the public to select projects to be completed by anyone who had been told to do unpaid work by the Courts.

Information will be provided on the different play schemes and activities available this summer.

Jo Clow, Extended Services Co-ordinator informed residents of the different play schemes and activities that would be taking place this summer.

Jo informed residents that extended services had spent £18,000 on projects and activities such as music, sports, arts and crafts, a reading challenge, the funding of a summer school and a basketball camp. Residents were informed that there was a football event at Aylestone Park which was being attended by the children in the area.

Jo explained that as much information had been attempted to be gathered for the programme however certain events may have been missed. There were also events taking place at Knighton Tennis Centre and at Carisbrooke Tennis Centre. Residents were informed that there were a number of places available on play schemes across the city.

The City Warden for the Knighton ward will be present to provide information on how environmental issues are being tackled in the ward.

Nik Krneta, City Warden provided an update on the environmental issues being tackled in the ward.

Nik explained that some of problems he dealt with included littering, fly tipping and dog fouling. Residents were informed there had been nuisance car parking on Pendlebury Drive and an issue with dog fouling on Dawson Way. He encouraged residents to contact the City Warden service if they had witnessed any environmental problems.

In response to a query about bins for dog waste, Nik explained that this type of waste could be placed in any bin. A resident queried what should someone do if they witnessed dog fouling. Nik explained that residents should phone the Council on 0116 2527001 and if someone was caught then they would be fined.  In response to a query about reporting anti-social behaviour issues, Nike commented that work could be done with the Police on this.

A resident raised concern at the people parking on the pavement on Knighton Church Road. The Chair stated that if the person was parking on double yellow lines then this would be dealt with by the Council however if the person was obstructing the highway then this would be dealt with by the Police.

A resident raised concern at the broken paving slabs which were a trip hazard on Knighton Church Road.

A resident raised concern at the keep left sign at the top of Shirley Road stating that the road was not wide enough for the sign to be there. It was also stated this was obstructing traffic.

Officers from Leicestershire Constabulary will be present to discuss policing issues in the Knighton ward.

PC Dave McCartney provided a policing update. The following information was provided:

·         Anti-social behaviour - The number of anti-social behaviour incidents was varying across the area with particular problems on Baldwin Road and there were on-going discussions with the City Council with regard to this. There were also possible problems with Knighton Park however these issues were being addressed.

·         Assaults - The main report in this area of crime was domestic assaults. It was reported there had been 35 assaults in the last three months,

·         Burglaries – There had been eight burglaries in the area however there was no specific hotspot. Six of the burglaries had taken place in somewhere other than a dwelling.

·         Criminal Damage – There had been 21 offences of criminal damage however there was no particular hotspot.

·         Motor Vehicle – There had been 13 offences of motor vehicle damage and across the winter months 33 car tyres had been damaged.

·         Bikes – There had been nine bikes stolen with a couple of these from Knighton Park. The message to lock bikes was being reiterated.

·         Robberies – There had been five robberies with three of these in Knighton Park and the other two were still under investigation.

·         Drugs – There had been six instances where drugs had been seized from people.

A resident queried whether there was still a Crime Prevention Officer with the local policing unit. It was reported that there was and his name of Alan Cook.

A resident raised concern about speeding in the area particularly on Holmfield Road, Eger Avenue and Stoneygate Road. PC McCartney explained that if there was a problem then the Police could be contacted and a rubber stamp could be installed across the road which monitors speeding and traffic. Residents were encouraged to let their ward Councillors know of any areas where speeding was constantly occurring.

There will be an update on the current situation with the Overdale School Road Safety Improvements.

The Chair provided an update on the Overdale Road Safety Improvements. It was explained that flashing lights had been installed when the school opened and closed. The consultation for the improvement proposals had closed on 24 June 2011 however the responses had not been created. The Chair explained that it was aimed to get a meaningful response before the issue was discussed again at the Community Meeting.

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.

The following budget application has been received:

Applicant: Saffron Fete Committee / Saffron Community Enterprises Ltd

Amount: £950

Proposal: Summer Fete

Summary:

To stage a Saffron Fete on Aylestone Recreation Ground on Saturday 20^th August 2011

This will be a repeat of the Fete 2010, which was supported by this community committee in Saffron & Eyres Monsell.  We would very much like to extend the fete and get surrounding areas involvement as much as possible.  In order to be inclusive of all the areas we are asking for a small grant to help to promote this in the Aylestone & Knighton areas.

Last year we had in excess of 1500 Saffron, Eyres Monsell and Aylestone residents who had stalls or attended the event with over 34 stalls and information stands from the various community and local services as well as activities and events happening throughout the day.  The event also included the provision of a stage and sound rig, which provided the entertainment for the day, and gave particularly local young people, the opportunity to showcase their talents.

Plans are already underway to repeat the event this year and thus we are seeking similar funding support to ensure that the event can be run as successfully and safely as last year and build on the community spirit that resulted from the day.

Finance is sought to provide advertising and distribution for the event to publicise it adequately so that we give every opportunity for the public from saffron and the surrounding areas to attend the fete.  Due to the increased amount of people who attended the Fete last year we also need to take out public liability insurance to cover those small community stalls that do not have and insurance. 

Palbinder Mann, Democratic Services Officer presented the Community Meeting budget.

Palbinder reported that the Community Meeting had access to £15,000 which residents could apply for funding to for community projects. Residents were informed that Members were able to approve applications for £500 or less between meetings however all other applications had to be considered at Community Meetings.

The following applications were submitted for consideration:

·         Summer Fete, Saffron Fete Committee/Saffron Community Enterprises Ltd - £950.

It was explained that the application was to help fund the Saffron Fete on Aylestone Recreation Ground on Saturday 20^th August. It was noted that a similar application had been submitted to the Aylestone Community Meeting. Members were not in support of the application due to concerns with regard to how the application would benefit the ward. They added that they would be willing to fund a similar event that was held in the ward.

RESOLVED:

                        that the application be rejected.

·         Replacement of Pinus Nigra on Dawson Way, John Woodiier - £522.04.

It was explained that the application was for the replacement of a tree that had been previously removed. Members supported the application in principle however wanted to explore the possibility of the tree being funded through the pledges in the City Mayor’s 100 days programme to plant more trees

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported in principle however it first be explored whether the tree could be funded through the pledge in the City Mayor’s 100 days programme to plant more trees. 

·         Two trees Prunus Variety for Chiltern Green to shelter play area, James Oliver Green - £844.08.

It was explained that the application was for two trees to be planted in the Chiltern Green play area to enhance the visual amenity in the area and provide shade in the summer months. Members supported the application in principle however wanted to explore the possibility of the trees being funded through the pledges in the City Mayor’s 100 days programme to plant more trees

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported in principle however it first be explored whether the tree could be funded through the pledge in the City Mayor’s 100 days programme to plant more trees. 

·         Renewal of Benches on Dawson Way, John Woodier - £1,080.

It was explained that the application was for two benches to be installed on Dawson Way for local residents to sit down on.

RESOLVED

that the application be supported and £1,080 be allocated subject to final approval from the relevant Cabinet Lead.

·         Small goal posts on Chiltern Green plus shrub and bulb planting, Reece Harris/Sam Allen - £4,000

It was explained that the application was for the installation of goal posts on Chiltern Green along with shrub and bulb planting. Members requested making more enquiries into this application in relation to the goal posts due to previous concerns raised by nearby residents.

RESOLVED

that the application be deferred until the next meeting allowing for further enquiries to be made.

·         Temporary Traffic Road Order, Parks Services - £500  ...  view the full minutes text for item 124.

There were no items of any other business.

The meeting closed at 7:40pm.