Agenda and minutes

Councillor Moore 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 19 March 2012, are attached and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2012 were confirmed as a correct record.

Spring Fair Feedback

Zoe and Nigel Brady were present to provide feedback on the Spring Fair which had taken place in the area. It was explained that that the event had raised awareness of independent traders in the area and of the area itself. Nigel explained that they had been asked to hold a Christmas market as well.

Parking

Concern was raised that people were parking on Allandale Road and Francis Street and then walking to work which took valuable parking space away from traders and this also had an impact on residents in the area. It was suggested that designated parking bays be introduced in the area.

Residents were informed that there was not enough funding available to introduce parking measures. A request had been made for restrictions in the area which did not allow people to park for eight hours continuously. Concern was also raised that people left cars parked continuously on Guilford Road. Residents were informed that if cars were causing obstruction, they should phone the 101 number to contact the Police.

A suggestion was made that an advice leaflet be produced by the Police and this be placed on the windscreens of parked cars. It was noted that this note could only be placed by a Police Officer or a Police Community Support Officer.

There will be a presentation on the introduction of Health Watch

John Gater, Volunteer, Healthwatch was present to provide a presentation on Healthwatch.

The main points of the presentation included:

·         The current Local Involvement Network was being evolved into Healthwatch.

·         Primary Care Trusts would be changing into Clinical Commissioning Groups which would be run by local GPs. There would also be a new Health and Wellbeing Board which would be run in conjunction with the City Council and would decid what provision was needed locally.

·         From April 2013, there would be 158 local Healthwatch groups across England which would gather views on experiences and services at a local level. This information will then be considered by the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Clinical Commissioning Group. It was also explained that Healthwatch had statutory powers.

·         Workshops would be held to capture views and residents were encouraged to volunteer and get involved.

In response to a query, John explained that Healthwatch could have input in areas such as ensuring the conditions of a GP surgery were of a correct standard and would also have an input in the budget.

There will be a policing update for the area.

Pc Jim Mungovin was present to provide a policing update for the area.

The following update was provided:

·         The instances of robberies in Knighton Park had been resolved and the Police had aimed to be more visible in the area. It was explained that the Police could be found in the Green Cabin in the Sensory Garden when on site.

·         With regards to crime in the area for the last 100 days, the following update was provided:

o   There had been 21 burglaries to houses.

o   There had been 4 motor vehicles stolen.

o   There had been 4 cycles stolen.

o   Residents were informed that with regard to instances of anti-social behaviour, Knighton was not affected as much in comparison to other areas.

·         PC Mungovin explained that in general, crime figures had been reducing for the last 3 years

In response to a query concerning smart water, residents were informed that smart water was available and was held by a local stockist in the area called ‘Fix my Bike’ who was supplying it on behalf of the Police.

Concern was raised at the youths gathering on Francis Street/Allendale Street along with Aber Walk. PC Mungovin stated that the Police Community Support Officer did attend the area and there was also CCTV in the area. Residents were informed that any incidents should be reported to the 101 number.

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

Nik Krneta, City Warden provided an update on environmental issues in the area.

The following update was provided:

·         There were currently 16 City Wardens in the city and this was a reduction on the initial number of 22. It was explained that the reduction in number was due to each ward not requiring a City Warden.

·         An initiative had been commenced to remove bins on Allandale Road. It was explained that the initial fixed penalty notice of £110 had been deemed to be too severe and had been reduced to £80 per household.

·         There had been illegal cars for sale for a considerable time on Greenhill Road. It was explained that action could be taken under the Town and Country Planning Act. Residents were informed that the person responsible had been asked to remove the vehicles otherwise they would be removed by the City Council.

In response to a query concerning the length of time for which bins were allowed on streets. Nik explained that bins were allowed to placed outside after 7pm before the day of collection and then would have to removed from the street by 7am on the day after collection.

It was agreed to have this extra item.

Mark Laywood, Programme Manager for Olympic 2012 for Leicester City Council and Shimul Haider, 2012 Games Legacy Director for Leicestershire were present to discuss the programme of events for the Olympic Torch Relay.

It was explained that the torch would arrive in the city at around 5:44pm on 2 July 2012 and route of the torch involved passing through London Road, Victoria Park, the city centre and then onto Abbey Park where there would be a celebration event. Following this, the torch would leave on the next morning from the National Space Centre. Residents were informed that there would be road closures for the relay.

Shimul explained that the torch relay was about bringing the games to the local communities. Residents were encouraged to support local torch bearers and it was explained that there were maps of the relay available to download from the City Council’s website.

Residents were informed that there would be an impact on residents in the London Road area and they would be getting a leaflet explaining what they had to do on the day.

With regard to the celebration event at Abbey Park, it was explained that tickets were required and could be acquired through local community centres. Residents were also informed of the ‘Big Eat’ initiative where restaurants in the City Centre would be opening with discounted prices on the day of the relay.

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.

The following budget applications have been received:

Application 1

Applicant: Southfields Community Association

Amount: £500

Proposal: Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

Summary: We are hoping to celebrate the Jubilee with a street party that will be moved indoors should there be bad weather.

We will provide food and drink and entertainment for both adults and children. We will also provide a goody back to take away to help people remember the day. These bags will also contain advertising products to showcase what the Community Centre and the services within it have to offer the community as a whole.

All individuals that use Southfields Community Centre will be invited to attend, young and old, these individuals come from all the ward within the areas: Eyres Monsell, Aylestone, Freeman and Knighton.

It will be an ideal time to bring the communities together to celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee.

Application 2

Applicant: Saffron Support for Elderly People

Amount: £1425.78

Proposal: Luncheon Club Refit

Summary: We are hoping to refurbish the kitchen at Southfields Community Centre. At present the cookers and washing up facilities are very dated and extremely inefficient.

We currently offer a luncheon club five days a week for local elders from Saffron, Eyres Monsell, Aylestone and Knighton. Refurbishing the facilities within the kitchen will assist the workers and volunteers in making the cooking and cleaning more practical and less time consuming.  

Application 3

Applicant: Surjit Singh

Amount: £500

Proposal: Fitness Club 50+

Summary: Request for jogging suits for the setting up of a new group for elderly people.

The following funding applications were submitted for consideration:

·         Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, Southfields Community Association - £500.

It was explained that this application was for a street party to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. The Chair reported that this application had been rejected as the event was taking place outside of the ward.

·         Luncheon Club Refit, Saffron Support for Elderly People - £1,425.78.

It was explained that this application was for the refurbishment of the kitchen at Southfields Community Centre. The Chair reported that this application had been rejected as the venue was located outside of the ward.

·         Fitness Club 50+, Surjit Singh - £500.

It was explained that this application was to purchase jogging suits for the setting up of a fitness club for elderly people. The Chair reported that this application had been rejected as the costs for the suits were not deemed value for money.

Friends of Knighton Park

Helen Lang, Friends of Knighton Park encouraged residents to get involved with the group. It was explained that next year would mark the 10^th anniversary of the group.

Vehicle Activated Signs

The Chair reported that the City Council had purchased four temporary vehicle activated signs however research had shown that the signs were only effective for a short period of time as when drivers got used to them and then ignored them. It was explained a sign had been installed on London Road, close to the junction with Morland Avenue and two signs had also been installed on Guilford Road.

Trees

The Chair reported the following concerning trees in the city:

·         It was highways policy not to replace trees unless they are located in Conservation Areas or are subject to Tree Preservation Orders.

·         It was explained that there were around 20,000 trees in the city and the general age and condition of trees across the ward was considered as semi mature to mature and in good condition.

·         There was £30,000 in the budget for replacement tree planting if a tree fell in the category for replacement and any remaining funds went into planting replacement trees on ‘A’ roads. It was explained that the predicted replacement costs per annum were in the region of £40-50,000 and it was unlikely the money in the budget would fully over all replacements.

·         Residents were informed that a replacement cost for a tree in the highway was £422.04.

The meeting closed at 7:55pm.