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, in the Chair, welcomed everyone to the meeting.

None of the Councillors declared any interests.

Attached for information and discussion.

Minute 4 – Feedback on Previous Street Market – the possibility of support from the Council’s Economic Regeneration Team for the Allandale Road / Francis Street retailers– the Chair asked that this be brought back as a future agenda item.

Minute 5 – Planning Matters – the issues around Houses of Multiple Occupation in the Knighton Ward would be considered again by the Planning Committee.

Minute 6 – Police Issues Update – Councillor Moore was not aware she had agreed to check up on issues with National Grid vehicles / work ongoing outside of Overdale School. It was however noted that the issue had been dealt with by installing a designated pathway.

An officer from Leicester City Council will be present to provide an update on flooding issues.

Philip Thompson, the Council’s Flood Risk Manager gave the meeting a presentation as part of a consultation on plans being made to draw up a local flood risk management strategy.

Residents made comments on the following areas, to be considered as part of the consultation:-

-       There were problems with people paving over gardens, not seeking correct permissions and enforcement not taking place.

-       There was a general lack of awareness of the rules regarding block paving; publicity / leafleting should take place to make people aware.

-       Incentives not to block pave or alternative options could be provided to residents.

-       There were difficulties in providing evidence for block paving being laid unlawfully, but conservation area societies had made photographic records which could help.

-       Residents were urged to raise contravention issues with Ward Councillors who could take the matter up.

-       There was a view that drains / gulleys were not cleared on a regular basis, or did not focus on problem areas. It was noted that these were cleared once a year, but parked cars made it problematic. Specific problems were responded to.

-       It was thought to be unfair to suggest that homeowners should seek additional insurance as this was problematic for those people who lived in a flood risk area.

-       There was a particular issue with the gulleys in Ratcliffe Road.

-       The planning approval for residential properties on Knighton Church Road seemed to be at odds with flooding issues. In addition it was thought that the Council was not using correct data and was being inconsistent in applying risk management approaches. Councillor Moore agreed to raise this matter at the Audit and Risk Committee.

An officer from the Leicester City Council Festivals Team will be present to talk about the Allandale Road / Francis Street community market.

Dawson Smith from the City Council’s Festivals and Events team hosted a discussion on the future of the Allandale Road / Francis Street Community Market. Residents / Councillors made comments as below, these to be explored further with a view to making the market more sustainable and not reliant on ward meeting funding:

-       The difficulties the market faced to be certain of viability going forward were noted.

-       Ongoing funding for the market was not available from the Festivals and Events team.

-       Festivals and Events could help with looking at costs and examining what is hoped to be achieved to potentially explore a cheaper alternative approach.

-       A family fun day approach could be considered.

-       The income achieved from one market could be utilised to fund the next one, similar to the approach taken for the fun day at Knighton park.

-       A more commercial approach (in terms of charging for stalls) could be considered, but it was noted that this would change the nature of the event.

-       An approach with just table top stalls and street entertainment could reduce costs.

Councillor Dr Moore will provide an update on a number of highways issues.

All to note that:

-       Councillor Moore had raised a number of issues with the City Mayor based on residents’ complaints. These included speeding on Craighill Road, the development of a crossing on Welford Road near Muston Gardens and measures to prevent cyclists speeding on Newmarket Walk.

-       Councillor Moore had asked a question at full Council about traffic calming and pedestrian safety.

-       The resurfacing works on Knighton Church Road were undertaken as a result of a residents’ petition.

-       There was a problem with inconsistent signage on parking restrictions whilst the works on Knighton Church Road were being undertaken.

-       Aberdale Road was thought to be in a very poor condition where white lines have been painted through potholes.

-       Church Lane was also thought to be in a poor condition with a poor surface and confusing road markings.  Extra gulleys were suggested if work were to be undertaken on this road.

-       Overdale School area – it was stated that the area had been left untidy follow recent works undertaken by National Grid.

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

Police Constable Jim Mungovin provided an update on policing statistics and asked residents in particular to note:

-       There had been 7 burglaries in the last 40 days – 2 people had been arrested in relation to one of the incidents.

-       A robbery of a mobile phone had taken place in Knighton Park – plain clothes patrols took place following the incident.

-       Thefts from motor vehicles continued to be a problem with 20 in the last 40 days. Residents were urged to ensure that cars were left locked and without goods of value in them. A ‘bait’ vehicle was left in the area to try and catch the culprits but this was unsuccessful.

-       The Police were present at Knighton Park Fun Day.

-       The Council were undertaking operations outside schools to address problem parking issues.

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

Caroline Walsh, the City Warden provided an update on issues she had been dealing with in the ward.

-       The City Warden had a new contact address: Caroline Walsh, City Wardens, Phoenix House, 1 King Street, Leicester, LE1 6RN.

-       There were currently problems with the LoveLeicester app, but it could still be used.

-       Untidy gardens had been a big focus of the City Warden’s work in the past quarter.

-       There were currently some issues relating to the incoming students for the new academic year.

-       Caroline encouraged residents to raise issues on any matter. Even if she could not deal with it personally, she could forward it on to the relevant service area.

-       A resident raised a concern about on-street car sales in the Green Lane Road / Gwendolen Road area of the City. It was noted that a similar issue in the Knighton ward had been dealt with in 48 hours.

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

a)     An update will be given on the Ward Community budget; and

b)     The following funding applications will be considered at the meeting:

2570: South Knighton Flood Defences (Bid deferred from the previous meeting)

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

Amount requested: £1500

5007: Allendale Road / Francis Street Community Market (Bid deferred from the previous meeting).

Applicant: Stoneygate Shops Retailers

Amount requested: £3279.50

Details of the Knighton Community Meeting budget are attached at Appendix B.

The following budget applications were considered at the meeting:

2570: South Knighton Flood Defences (bid deferred from previous meeting).

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

Amount Requested: £1500 – bid deferred again.

Discussion took place at the meeting with Phil Thompson, the Flood Risk Manager. He noted that mitigation measures for those were being looked at as part of the emerging flood risk management strategy. An investigation could be undertaken looking into the wider causes of the flooding rather than dealing with problems at individual properties. Councillor Grant undertook to provide Phil with a list of properties which were affected by the flooding in the summer.

5007: Allandale Road / Francis Street Community Market (bid deferred from the previous meeting).

Applicant: Stoneygate Shops Retailers

Amount Requested and supported: £3279.50 –

Residents / Councillors made a number of comments in relation to this bid:

-       It was noted that bids similar to this were received very regularly.

-       The amount provided by Stoneygate ward was disappointing in view of how close the market was to the ward boundary.

-       If there was a large demand for the stalls, could the charge be increased, or possibly charge a percentage of the takings?

-       Consideration to be given to an expansion of the commercial element of the event, with significantly increased charges.

-       Consideration to be given to building up a funding pot to pay for future events, and do this on an ongoing basis.

Along with other suggestions made earlier in the meeting, it was requested that these be given consideration prior to the submission of future funding applications..

1014 Artbeat – Clarendon Park Arts Festival

Applicant: Sue King

Amount requested and not supported: £2100

5048 STARS Dance (joint bid with Coleman and Castle wards)

Applicant: Su Tucker

Amount requested and not supported: £2640

Other matter – A resident fed back thanks that the 63^rd Leicester Scout Group now had their storage unit in place which the ward meeting had funded.

Neighbourhood plans.

A resident, Simon Bennett made a proposal that a future item be considered on the development of a Neighbourhood Plan. This could develop local planning policies which would reflect this specific nature of the local area.

It was agreed to have this as a main agenda item at the next meeting, possibly with external advice from someone with relevant experience.

Leicester Cycling Campaign Group

A resident, Claire Scott informed the meeting of the work of the group and the type of issues they campaigned on such as lower speed limits and safer routes to schools. She encouraged people to get involved in the group.

Pavement Parking / Parking issues

It was noted that there were experiments being undertaken in the City for restricting pavement parking, but unfortunately this would not be in Knighton. The views of residents were sought in relation to pavement parking.

A resident referred to problems on Southernhay Road where a parked car was seriously damaged and this had led to residents actively part parking on the pavement. It was felt that car speeding restriction measures were required.

There were problems on South Knighton Road which the City Warden became involved in.

The type of paving on Queens Road was queried.

The introduction of a cycle lane on Allandale Road was queried.

The lack of staff parking required as part of the planning approval at the Prime Life development on Stoneygate Road meant that parking problems had been seen in the local area. It was felt that the Planning Authority should learn from issues like this for future planning applications.

The meeting closed at 8.30 pm.