Agenda and minutes

Councillor Grant was elected as Chair for the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the previous Knighton Community Meeting, held on 18 January 2012, have been circulated and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2012 were confirmed as a correct record.

A representative from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service has been invited to the meeting to present an overview of the service’s work with the Princes’ Trust.  Guidance also will be provided on how local young people can become involved with the Trust.

Lindsey Dunn, a Deputy Team Leader with the Prince’s Trust, introduced herself to the meeting.

She explained that the Prince’s Trust ran a 12-week personal development programme for young people aged 16 – 25.  This was targeted at unemployed young people, ex-offenders, under-achievers and those in, or about to leave, care. 

The programme was free to attend and simply aimed to achieve a positive outcome.  (For example, a young person could be encouraged to enter higher education, or decide what they wanted to do with their life).  A recruitment day was held before each course started, at which potential participants could decide if they felt the course would be of benefit to them.

During the first week of the programme, the young people got to know each other.  Activities included basic first aid training and basic food hygiene courses.  Certificates were awarded for successful completion of these.  Then during week two a structured residential team-building course was undertaken.  The young people were expected to do their own cooking and cleaning and to be out of bed at a certain time to meet the instructors.  This could be very challenging for the participants, but also enabled them to form strong bonds with each other.

In weeks three and four the participants planned, and undertook fundraising for, a community project.  This included finding the resources needed to undertake the project.  The community project was then completed during the fifth and sixth weeks of the programme.

Individual work placements were undertaken during weeks seven and eight, with the purpose of encouraging participants to consider what they would like to do in the future.  Some participants had found employment through this and others had been given references and built up contacts.  To encourage the participants to use their new skills, consideration was given to the next steps each would take during the ninth week of the programme.

A final team challenge was undertaken during the tenth and eleventh weeks, which needed to assist the community in some way.  This could be very challenging for some participants, as they often had not previously mixed with people outside of their peer group.

During the twelfth week, a final team presentation was made, describing the team’s experiences during the programme and what each member had achieved during it.

Nominations for young people to attend the programme could be given by contacting the Prince’s Trust Team, care of the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service.  Young people also could refer themselves, or be referred by bodies such as Connexions, the job centre, or the Youth Offending Agency.

There usually were about 16 people on each course, (due to the size of the mini buses used).  Some did drop out of the course.  It was a voluntary programme, but they were encouraged to stay where possible.  However, if a young person registered on a course did not attend at the start of it, investigations were made to ensure that there were no barriers to that person attending.  If someone left  ...  view the full minutes text for item 154.

Members of the community will be given a presentation on the Be Clear Project, which seeks to raise awareness of the early signs and symptoms of cancer.

Teresa Spillsbury, from the Leicestershire Partnership Trust, introduced herself to the meeting.

She explained that:-

·           The Trust was expanding some projects to become City-wide, one of which was Cancer Awareness;

·           Cancer awareness measure surveys had been undertaken in New Parks, Braunstone Parka and Beaumont Leys.  People had been interviewed and then were questioned again later and had shown a significant increase in awareness;

·           The Trust worked in partnership with other agencies and volunteers.  Anyone interested in participating should speak to James Schadla-Hall, Members Support Officer with Leicester City Council, who would pass details on to Teresa Spillsbury;

·           GPs did not see many patients with cancer, so it was hoped that this programme could raise their awareness as well;

·           The approach taken under the programme would be tailored to each area according to need;

·           Two one-month campaigns would be held in the City, one in April and one in November 2012.  Each would cover different wards, with Knighton being included in the April campaign.  The campaign in November would be focussed on non-English speakers;

·           Cancer affected one in three people and it was known that early diagnosis saved lives.  People therefore needed to be aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer and of the need to go to a doctor if these continued for three weeks or more.  It also was hoped that awareness of cancer screening services could be increased through this project;

·           Signs and symptoms of some of the more common cancers included:-

o    Breast cancer: lumps and / or thickening in the beast and / or armpit, nipple changes, skin changes (for example, puckering), changes in the size or shape, pain;

o    Bowl cancer: blood in faeces, loose stools for three weeks or more;

o    Lung cancer: a cough lasting three weeks or more, significant changes in irritation experienced from things such as dust, repeated chest infections; and

·           As people could be registered to a doctor’s practice, rather than a particular GP, they did not always see the same doctor, so patterns of symptoms could be missed, such as coughing up blood, unexplained persistent breathlessness, or pain in the chest and/ or shoulder.

As well as focussing on the most common cancers, it also was intended to look at prostate cancer over the coming year.  It currently was not planned to target skin cancer, but a Vitamin D campaign was planned.  This would explain to people how long they needed to be in the sun to obtain the 90% of the required daily dose of Vitamin D that could not be obtained from food.

On behalf of the meeting, the Chair thanked Teresa Spillsbury for her presentation.

Members of the Local Policing Unit will provide a crime update for the area.

PC Dave McCartney, Knighton beat officer from Leicestershire Constabulary, introduced himself to the meeting.

He explained that there had been a spate of thefts of number plates from vehicles.  These were then used when driving vehicles away from petrol stations without paying.  As a result, Home Office funding had been obtained for kits that contained tamper-proof number plate screws, boxes that looked like car alarms and stickers warning that the vehicle was protected.

The Police would visit people who had had number plates stolen to give them kits, following which the scheme would be rolled out to the community.  It was noted that some of the funding would be available before the end of March 2012 and the rest would be received in the 2012/13 financial year.

PC McCartney then gave the following update:-

·           A community consultation would be held from 12.00 noon to 2.00 pm on Friday 23 March at Holbrook Hall.  At this session, member of the public could meet local Police officers and raise queries.  Council officers would be there to fit tamper proof screws to vehicle number plates;

·           Over the last three months there had been 5 anti-social behaviour arrests in the Ward.  These problems tended to happen in the Tesco / Aberdale Road area.  The Police were aware of what was happening and would address any increase in anti-social behaviour as needed;

·           There had been 17 burglaries over the area.  It was being noted that the number of burglaries across the City was increasing, probably due to the current economic situation;

·           Over the last three months there had been 9 burglaries across the area at premises other than dwellings;

·           7 cases of criminal damage had been reported.  This could cover a wide range of damage.  For example, it could be accidental and could be small or large amounts of damage;

·           4 cars and 12 pushbikes had been stolen;

·           There had been 19 thefts from motor vehicles.  This included break-ins, as well as number plate thefts; and

·           2 robberies had occurred in Southernhay Road.  The culprits had been apprehended.

PC McCartney reminded the meeting that a grant of £300 had been approved to the Police from the Community Meeting Budget towards the purchase of SmartWater to help deter bicycle thefts.  The local Joint Action Group also had given £300 for this purpose.  The meeting noted that stolen bikes often were stripped and sold for spares.  SmartWater could be put everywhere on a bike and a registration code contained in the SmartWater could be seen under ultraviolet light, which meant that parts could be traced.  (A registration form was supplied with each pack of SmartWater.)

One session of applying SmartWater to bikes already had been held at Knighton Park and these would be on-going in the Ward.  The Fix My Bike shop from Saffron Lane also would be involved in the programme, marking bikes that were bought or repaired at the shop with SmartWater.

In reply to a question, PC McCartney advised that SmartWater could  ...  view the full minutes text for item 156.

The City Warden for the Knighton ward will provide an update on environmental issues in the area.

Nik Krneta, the City Warden for the Knighton Ward, introduced himself to the meeting.

He advised that reports had been received of problems with dog fouling in the Pendlbury Drive area.  Dogs had now been seen fouling the area and a £80 Fixed Penalty Notice issued.  It was hoped that reports of this would be circulated and other people deterred from allowing their dogs to foul the area.  New notices, at eye level, had been put up around the Ward, advising dog walkers of this. 

In response to a query, Nik Krneta advised that two weeks were allowed in which to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice.  If it was not paid during this time, the person issued with the Notice was taken to court and could be fined, with the Council’s costs awarded.  All income from this was used for community funding.

It was noted that members of the public could help by reporting incidences of dog fouling, (for example, advising of times, days and places).  If they were willing to make a statement, this could be used in court if a Fixed Penalty Notice was not paid.  However, people should not put themselves at risk to do this.

The following points were then raised in discussion:-

·           Residents had heard that people had been arrested for doing the pink graffiti that had reappeared in the Ward.  It was noted that the City Warden service could clean the NTL boxes and that the graffiti by the Wash Brook would be removed by people working on Community Payback;

·           A lot of litter was being left by roads.  All complaints were acted on, but it could be difficult to find out who owned the land.

AGREED:

That the City Warden be asked to do a letter drop in the area affected by the most recent dog fouling issues, advising people of the consequences of letting their dogs foul the area.

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 applications have been received:

Application 1

Applicant: Zoe and Nigel Brady

Amount: £4,782

Proposal: Spring Fair 2012 – Allendale Road / Francis Street – Stoneygate Shops. Food and Drink Festival in honour of the Golden Jubilee. Sunday 3^rd June

Summary:

 We would like Allandale Road and Francis Street to host a successful and exciting event in the community which entices all members of all local wards and all surrounding areas. The event will be similar to the Queens Road events which are proving very popular and growing each year. We also hope for it to be an annual event however this year is unique in that it coincides with the Golden Jubilee. A great way to start us off.

There will be circa 50 stalls as per the Queens Road events which are to be sold to local suppliers and makers in the Leicestershire Area. This will include small local suppliers/retailers to larger producers all of which will be Leicester based. Advertising will go out in local publications: Leicester Mercury, Great Food Magazine, Swift Flash (and similar) to both sell the stalls and advertise the event and they will be sold on a first come first serve basis.

We hope that event will go some way to reinvigorating the Stoneygate Area and encourage locals to shop locally! Also for it to be an annual social event to put in the diary. It is hoped that the event will serve a dual purpose, the first of which being to encourage the public to return to the Allandale Road/ Francis Street shopping district and to showcase this unique area. The second function is to also showcase the fantastic produce that Leicestershire and Rutland have to offer and to encourage the general public to buy quality produce from independent producers.

The benefit of a food and Drink theme is that it makes the event universally appealing and we feel this theme does not exclude anyone. (A brave claim but we think an accurate one!)’

Application 2

Applicant: West Knighton Senior Citizens Group

Amount: £600

Proposal: Days Outings – Sight Seeing

Summary:

The Members of our group are aged between 70 – 90+. Most of them hardly get out at all except for coffee mornings. Last year we sadly lost four members which means that numbers are dropping down making it very difficult for us to afford high coach fees.

They really do enjoy a nice day out and being together as a group they feel safe and secure, understanding each other’s problems. They are already asking if we can go anywhere so even just one day out would be very grateful. They just can’t wait.

a)    Spring Fair 2012 – Allendale Road / Francis Street – Stoneygate Shops (Zoe and Nigel Brady) £4,782

Mr Brady explained that traders in the Stoneygate area were now competing against large commercial outlets, such as Highcross shopping centre.  The proposed Fair would give a boost to the local shops and other facilities for residents and, if successful, could become an annual event.

Mr Brady confirmed that there was no element of profit in any of the costings provided.

AGREED:

that the application be supported and £4,782 allocated, subject to final approval from the Cabinet lead.

b)   Days Outings – Sight Seeing (West Knighton Senior Citizens Group) £600

AGREED:

that the application be supported and £600 allocated, subject to final approval from the Cabinet lead.

c)    Tennis 4 All (Carisbrooke Lawn Tennis Club) £3,000

Peter Wilkinson, Manager of Carisbrooke Lawn Tennis Club, explained that the Club wanted to encourage people of all ages and sexes to try tennis.  It was recognised that some tennis clubs could be unwelcoming, so wanted to remove perceived barriers by holding at least 4 free introductory tennis sessions, with coaches, in Knighton Park, followed up with similar sessions at the Club. 

The introductory sessions would not be sufficient to develop skills to properly enjoy a game of tennis.  Coaching sessions therefore would be provided, at which all equipment would be provided.  10 twelve week courses would be offered, at a subsidised rate.  There would be a maximum of 5 people per group.

The Club hoped that these sessions would enable people to get to a level where they could play a game of tennis with someone and to find a partner of the same level.  Concerns that tennis was an expensive sport were recognised, but it was felt that, in the long run, it did not need to be.  For example, a good racquet would last for many years.

A flyer would be designed to advertise the project.  This would be delivered to every house in the Ward and put up in appropriate locations.

Through this scheme, the Club hoped to increase interest in sport of all kinds.  There were a number of tennis clubs in the Ward, so this scheme would not just benefit the Carisbrooke Club.

AGREED:

that the application be supported and £3,000 allocated, subject to final approval from the Cabinet lead.

d)   Event Infrastructure for Knighton Park Community Fun Day (Parks Services Area 4) £1,115

Infrastructure costs for the Community Fun Day included first aid cover by the St Johns Ambulance service, toilets and costs associated with the services provided by Hospital Radio Fox.  These were all essential for the smooth and safe running of the event, which regularly attracted over 5,000 people.

It was noted that funding towards infrastructure costs was awarded from the Ward Community Budget every year, but the amount given varied, depending on what was needed.

AGREED:

that the application be supported and £1,115 allocated, subject to final approval from the Cabinet lead.

e)    Small Goal Posts  ...  view the full minutes text for item 158.

a)    Lord Lieutenant’s Jubilee Award Scheme

It was noted that the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire was operating an Award Scheme for the Diamond Jubilee year to recognise work done for the community by community groups.  Details of this could be obtained from James Schadla-Hall, Members Services officer with Leicester City Council.

b)   Parking in the Francis Street / Allandale Road Area

The Chair reported that a meeting had been held with officers on 15 March 2012 about parking issues in the Francis Street / Allandale Road area.  They had recognised the problems being experienced with commuters parking there now that parking restrictions had been removed and the possibility of looking at ways of creating additional parking had been discussed.

Officers also had been made aware of work that was on-going to try and have the Post Office re-instated there, as the current parking issues could impact on this.

c)    Re-Instatement of Post Office

Councillor Gugnani reported that he had spoken to the City Mayor about the possibility of re-instating the Post Office and the City Mayor had been very willing to support the proposal.

It was noted that a 1,100 signature petition would be handed in for presentation at the Council meeting on 29 March 2012.

d)   Review of Community Centres

Councillor Dr Moore explained that the City Council was considering reshaping community centres in the City in order to make savings and ensure that they were providing best value.

At present, Knighton did not have a community centre.  Facilities were available for community use, but were spread out around the Ward.  Councillor Dr Moore therefore asked that people let her know where they used facilities and if they felt that it would be useful to have a central facility.

Those present at the meeting suggested that the answer to these questions could change depending on which part of the Ward was being asked.  For example, some people would use facilities at Clarendon Park library, which was out of the Ward.

Residents were invited to contact Councillor Dr Moore outside of the meeting if they wished to discuss this further.

e)    Parking Outside Overdale School

Councillor Dr Moore reported that a meeting had been held with the Head teacher of Overdale School to discuss parking problems outside the school.  As a result, the school would be investigating establishing a Walking Bus and the use of the car park at Knighton Bowls Club.

Ward Members also were considering whether signage could be put up outside the school, (possibly on a temporary basis), to deter speeding and parking in the vicinity of the school.

Residents reported that the flashing (warning) lights near the school had not been working for several months, even though this had been reported several times.  The Ward Members undertook to find out why they had not been repaired.

The meeting closed at 7.57 pm