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.

Everyone was welcomed and introductions were given.

Apologies for absence were received from Mr Richard Cheetham.

Attached for information and discussion.

Item 24: Action Log  - Flooding Issues

The meeting was asked to note:

·         A letter had been received from the Leicester City Council Flood Risk Manager which stated that due to the concerns of flood risk in the area, particularly in respect of Knighton Church Road, Carisbrooke Road and Arreton Close, a flood risk management study into the Holbrook was being undertaken.

·         A depth gauge had been installed in the brook and information was being gathered in the area. The council would work with Severn Trent Water PLC and the County Council as they were investigating flooding issues around Meadowcourt Road and the A6.

Any information regarding roads, footways or properties being flooded in the area was requested in order to contribute to the study.

Concern was expressed that action on this issue was needed.

There will be an update from a member of the Neighbourhood Planning Group,

Mr Simon Bennett provided an update on the Neighbourhood Plan. The meeting was asked to note:

·         A meeting was held recently at Holbrook Hall, which was attended by approximately 30 people.

·         The Neighbourhood Plan was a formal plan that allowed a defined neighbourhood area to have its own planning policy to sit alongside the local authority’s plan.

·         The plan would not apply to the whole of Knighton, but to a specified area within the ward. At the meeting, an area had been proposed, which was thought to have a cohesive feel about it, and consultations were taking place to seek people’s views as to whether that area seemed right.

·         The group would report back on their proposal for the area and the aim to form a Neighbourhood Plan for that part of Knighton.

It was noted that the boundaries of the ward would change at the election in May 2015; an issue that would be considered at the next meeting of the Neighbourhood Planning Group.

Councillor Dr Moore will provide a briefing on Knighton as a historic village.

Councillor Dr Moore provided an update on Historic Villages in Knighton. The meeting was asked to note:

·         Councillor Clarke had been appointed as Heritage Champion in Leicester, and he and the City Mayor had been looking at the issue of Historic Villages in the city.  Knighton had been included as one of those historic villages.

·         It was proposed for a small working group to be formed, which would include amongst others, the three councillors in the Knighton Ward, Councillor Clarke and a representative from the Knighton Society.

·         It was intended to walk around Knighton and take photographs of the area which would be put onto banners and displayed around the ward.

·         It was hoped that this would be an aid to tourism and would encourage people to come and look around Knighton (and the other historic villages). As well as the use of banners, as a promotional aid there would be a Knighton website.

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

The meeting was asked to note the update (attached).

Efforts were being made to tackle dog fouling and members of the public were asked to provide information to the warden, where possible, such as approximate times and locations where they noticed incidences of dog fouling.

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

The meeting was asked to note an update on police issues:

·         The main problems in the ward during the past 40 days had been from acquisitive crimes; one vehicle and 5 cycles had been stolen and there had been 6 thefts from motor vehicles.

·         There had been problems with discarded nitrous oxide canisters but the situation was improving.

·         The police were patrolling outside schools in attempts to tackle congestion, but this was a problem throughout the country and was a difficult issue to deal with.

·         There had been significant changes to the way policing was organised in Leicester, but the new system appeared to be working well. More time was now dedicated to neighbourhood policing.

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)     A list of grant applications submitted for consideration at this meeting is attached.

Members were asked to note an update on the community meeting budget:

The following funding applications had been agreed:

·         Artbeat – submitted by the Clarendon Park Community Arts Festival Committee: £2000

·         Knighton Thursday Club for rent and coach cost – submitted by Mavis Mason: £600

·         Coffee Morning / Drop In – submitted by Geoff Whittle: £600

·         South Knighton Neighbourhood Planning Group – submitted by Simon Bennett: £150

A balance of £483 remained after the above funding applications had been approved.

A further bid of £470 had recently been received from Wayne Walker for the Owls Athletic Club. This would be considered outside of the meeting and if supported by councillors could be fast tracked for payment. Applicants for any further bids would be advised to re-submit in the new municipal year.

Concerns were expressed that the Allandale Road / Francis Street Community Market had received significant funding from the community meeting budget and that the organisers should produce a profit and loss account.  Councillors responded that this issue had been previously discussed as concerns had been raised before. Views were expressed that it would be appropriate for funding for the event to be financed through the council’s festival and events budget.  Councillors added that money had been given to kick start the market, but they should get to the point where the market was self-funding.

The meeting was asked to note that £1500 from the community meeting budget had been put towards flood defences to help those areas which were most prone to flooding. A view was expressed that the council needed to do more to address this issue.

Applicants who have previously received funding from the community meeting budget will be invited to provide feedback on their projects.

There were no updates from previous applicants in relation to their funding bids.

PLANNING ISSUES

Members of the community raised concerns relating to breaches of planning permission involving a listed building and a building in a conservation area.

Councillors asked members of the public to continue to bring breaches of planning permission to the attention of planning officers at the council.

EXPRESSION OF THANKS

Councillors expressed their thanks to members of the public who had attended the community meetings over the past four years and officers, the City Warden and the Police who had supported the meetings.

The meeting closed at 7.30 pm.