Agenda and minutes

Councillor Ross Grant was elected to Chair the meeting.

There were no apologies for absence.

The first main item on the agenda is Declarations of Interest where Councillors have to say if there is anything on the agenda they have a personal interest in. For example if a meeting was due to discuss a budget application put forward by a community group and one of the Councillors was a member of that group, they would not be able to take part in the decision on that budget application.

 

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

 

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the previous Knighton Community Meeting, held on 7 January 2014 are attached to the agenda, and Members will be asked to confirm them as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 January 2014 were approved as a correct record.

Officers from the planning service will be in attendance to give a presentation which will give a general introduction on planning policy, in particular in relation to conservation areas and also to draw resident’s attention to any significant planning matters in the ward.

Ian Jordan, Senior Planner, and James Simmins, Building Conservation Officer from Leicester City Council were both in attendance to provide information in relation to planning policy, conservation areas, and to discuss any significant planning matters raised by those present.

 

Ian provided an overview of the Planning Policy team and detailed ways in which members of the public can help to influence planning matters. The three areas of policy which were currently in place to help determine planning applications were as follows:

 

(i)            The Planning Policy Framework

(ii)          The City of Leicester Local Plan

(iii)         The Core Strategy

 

It was noted that work was being undertaken to combine (ii) and (iii) into one document to simplify matters of strategic planning policy and to cover all planning matters.  In terms of present planning priorities, he spoke of the importance in identifying the current levels of housing need in and around Leicester.  Ian also explained that the City Council was to launch an options consultation, thereby seeking the public’s views on matters of priority. 

 

James gave greater detail behind his role.  He stated that there were two conservation areas within the Knighton Ward; the Stoneygate Conservation Area and the Knighton Village Conservation Area.  It was the role of he and colleagues to take conservational and historical factors into consideration when determining planning applications.  Planning Applications that fell within conservation areas were required to be advertised within the Leicester Mercury, and signs informing residents of such applications were to be erected for a period of at least 21 days.  It was noted that conservation areas were not exempt from development, but it was noted that the Stoneygate Conservation Area was covered by an Article 4 directive, which generally restricted planning development. 

 

A discussion followed which in part encompassed recent planning applications that had been submitted, as well as a discussion around the general role and powers of developers and applications submitted on or behalf of large companies and organisations. 

 

On this particular point, several residents were of the view that the planning system was predominantly developer-led, and that there a greater degree of honesty and clarity in planning processes was required.   Ian maintained that the City Council treated all who engaged in planning processes equally and fairly, and did not share the view that the Planning Authority’s role was dwarfed to that played by developers.  

 

Several questions were raised in relation to communicating forthcoming planning applications, and how views were established by officers around the consultative sample sizes.  James explained that this predominantly depended on the size and location of a particular planning application, but that many factors that could potentially affect residents by planning applications were taken into consideration when notifying those affected.  In answer to a specific point, officers agreed that those who lived on the opposite side of a road to a particular application would ordinarily be directly consulted. 

 

Those present were generally of the view that there was a need an enhancement of community and neighbourhood powers in influencing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

There will be a short presentation on the Ready to Switch scheme which is a scheme that enables the collective switching of energy suppliers to achieve lower prices.

Hemali Thakar from the Home Energy Office provided information on the Ready to Switch Scheme.

 

It was reported that scheme was free to join and registration was available online.

The scheme had been ultimately designed to help people save the amount of overall money spent towards gas and electricity in the home.

 

It was estimated that the scheme would help bill payers save up to approximately £200 a year.  It was noted that 76% of users had saved in excess of £100 per annum. 

 

In response to a question from Councillor Grant, Hemali stated that some companies did charge a termination fee should residents choose to leave their scheme.

 

Should residents wish to obtain further information, they were asked to do so by emailing hemali.thakrar@leicester.gov.uk

Details will be available of a consultation being undertaken to identify areas where bus ‘pinch points’ (blockages of any kind which prevent a bus from keeping to its timetable) exists and whether the funding that is available can be used to address the problems.

Councillor Grant reported that the Council was interested in asking members of the public to input into a programme of possible future highway improvement schemes to improve services.

 

Possible solutions cited included adjusting traffic signals, providing intelligent transport solutions, greater parking enforcement, bus lane enforcement, establishing Traffic Order Amendments and Highway infrastructure alterations. 

 

Should residents wish to participate in the work, they were asked to contact Steve Warwick from the City Council Highways Division on 0116 4546044 or e-mail Steve.Warwick@leicester.gov.uk.

There will be a Policing update for the ward.

PC Lou Whittle, was in attendance and gave the meeting details of crime figures from 1 January 2014 to the present date in the Knighton Ward. 

 

-       30 burglaries from dwellings/sheds/garage, with many of these in the Kingmead Road area though there was no particular pattern. One suspect had been arrested.

-       6 thefts from motor vehicles

-       3 personal thefts, particularly targeting the mobile phones of younger people

-       1 anti-social behaviour

 

A resident asked how did the figures compared with previous periods. PC Whittle said that while the overall crime figures had increased, there had been a fall in incidences of burglaries and vehicular theft.

 

Another resident spoke of incidents of motorists persistently driving through red traffic signals and had recently witnessed several incidents of this. PC Whittle said that the police were more likely to catch such offenders via the use of unmarked police vehicles.  The police also relied on the use of traffic cameras.

 

In terms of encouraging residents to avoid becoming victims of house burglaries, PC Whittle advised residents to take logical measures to protect their possessions such as moving valuable items upstairs and not to leave items such as car keys in viable locations downstairs.

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

Caroline Walsh from the City Warden service was in attendance to provide information on the areas of work being dealt with in the Knighton Ward. She provided a table which detailed the work carried out during recent months. 

 

A resident asked what was meant by sign posting. Caroline explained that this was about being able to direct queries to appropriate teams and individuals and cited an example of this is as identifying broken street lights, and quickly ensuring that the appropriate set of Council officers were tasked to respond.

 

Another resident asked whether City Wardens dealt with cars parked on the pavement. Caroline said that the City Wardens team did currently not enforce such matters but that they could potentially acquire full powers to do so in the future.

 

A resident asked whether the overgrown hedges between Shanklin Drive and the Racecourse could be looked at. Caroline agreed that she would investigate. 

Councillors are reminded that they will need to declare any interest they may have in budget applications.

 

A statement outlining the current budget position is attached to this agenda.

 

Applications for consideration

 

Application 1

 

Applicant: Cleansing Services

 

Amount: £800

 

Proposal: 2 litter bins for the Knighton ward.

 

Summary: Following the discussion at the previous meeting, 2 locations have been identified for the provision of bins in the ward. One would be near to Overdale School’s back entrance on Ashclose Avenue and the other would be next to a bus shelter on Welford Road near the junction of Highgate Drive.

 

                     Both locations have a high pedestrian usage and these bins would be helpful in keeping the city clean.

 

Application 2

 

Applicant: Manpreet Kaur

 

Amount: £360

 

Proposal: Indian Dance Fitness for All

 

Summary: This is a project to hold regular dance and music workshops in an area where is thought that no such activities exist. It is hoped that they would benefit the participants in social interaction across communities and establish networks to improve chances of employment as well as physical and mental health benefits.

 

The workshops would be held at the Geeta Bhawan Mandir on Clarendon Park Road and would be led by a professional tutor.

The funding will be used to pay the tutor’s fees.

 

Application 3

 

Applicant: Stoneygate Shops Retailer Forum

 

Amount: £2779.50

 

Proposal: Allandale Road / Francis Street Community Market (Spring)

 

Summary: A Community Market is to be held on Allandale Road and Francis Street on Sunday 25^th May between 11am and 4pm. It will consist of stalls on the street from both local traders and external stall holders.

 

The purpose of the event is to increase footfall, awareness and sales in and around the Stoneygate shops area, as well as provide a seasonal event for the local community to participate in.

 

The funding would be used to pay for stalls, event management, licenses and notices, publicity and entertainment equipment.

The Members Support Officer introduced the Knighton Ward Budget. 

 

Pene explained that the following budget applications were submitted for consideration:-

 

Application 1

 

Applicant:     Cleansing Services

 

Amount:        £800

 

Proposal:      Two litter bins for the Knighton Ward.

 

Summary:     Following the discussion at the previous meeting, two

locations had been identified for the provision of litter bins in the ward. One would be situated close to the rear entrance of Overdale School on Ashclose Avenue and the other would be alongside the bus shelter on Welford Road near to the junction of Highgate Drive.

 

Both locations were viewed as having a high pedestrian usage and the bins would be helpful in efforts to enhance the City’s cleanliness.

 

RESOLVED:

                                    The proposal was supported, and that £800 be granted from the Ward Community Budget.

 

Application 2

 

Applicant:     Manpreet Kaur

 

Amount:        £360

 

Proposal:      Indian Dance Fitness for All

 

RESOLVED:

                        The proposal was withdrawn 

 

Application 3

 

Applicant:     Stoneygate Shops Retailer Forum

 

Amount:        £2779.50

 

Proposal:      Allandale Road / Francis Street Community Market (Spring)

 

Summary:     It was noted that a Community Market was to be held on Allandale Road and Francis Street on Sunday 25^th May between 11am and 4pm. It would consist of stalls on the street from both local traders and external stall holders.

 

                        The purpose of the event was to increase footfall, awareness and sales in and around the Stoneygate shops area, as well as provide a seasonal event for the local community to participate in.

 

                        Any funding granted would be used to pay for stalls, event management, licences and notices, publicity and entertainment equipment.

 

                        The applicant was in attendance at the meeting and outlined the application and detailed a revised proposal, which effectively amounted to an additional £500, given that Stoneygate Ward had not agreed to support the application in part. The applicant was now requesting:

 

                        £600 – immediately to reserve the required stalls

                        £2679.50 – to be made available from the 2014/15 Ward Budget.

 

RESOLVED:

                        That the full requested sum be granted, with £600 provided immediately and the balance of £2,679.50 to be paid from the 2014/15 Ward Budget.

 

Application 4

 

Applicant:     Residents of Carisbrooke Road, Arreton Close and Knighton Church Road.

 

Amount:        £1500

 

Proposal:      South Knighton Flood Defences

 

Summary:     To acquire sandbags & hydrosacs to have in place in preparation for flood conditions.

                        Following periods of extended rain flooding becomes more likely and heavy rain can cause flooding which puts houses on Carisbrooke Road, Arreton Close & Knighton Church Road at risk.

                        Sandbags can be used to cover air bricks and openings at risk of water ingress.

 

RESOLVED:

                        That the proposal be supported in principle, and that £1,500 be granted from the Ward Community Meeting budget, subject to not being able to successfully obtain funding via alternative sources.

 

 

Application 5

 

Applicant: Joint application with Aylestone (£1714) and Eyres Monsell (£858)

 

Preschool Learning Alliance

 

The PLAce – multi-purpose venue

 

Amount requested: £1,714

 

RESOLVED:

            That the application be deferred to obtain further information from the applicant.

The meeting closed at 8:38pm.