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, Chair for the meeting, welcomed everyone and led the introductions.

There were no apologies for absence.

Attached for information and discussion.

The Action Log from the meeting held on 16 February 2017 2017 was received and noted.

Councillors will provide information on events / news for Knighton Ward.

All to note:

·         Flood Action Plan – meetings were held with residents, the City Mayor, Severn Trent, the Council and councillor briefings.

·         The city was prone to flooding due to the river soar and tributaries. A draft strategy had been prepared looking at four areas in the city, including Knighton. Estimated costs to implement works in the plan were £39.1million.

·         Suggestions included looking at retaining water in Knighton Park, which would be enhanced as a soakaway.

·         A 12-week consultation period was underway, following which responses would be considered. The link for the consultation can be found on the Council’s website at https://consultations.leicester.gov.uk/communications/flood-plan/

·         Periodic works would continue with Severn Trent to keep culverts clear.

Information on the Local Plan in relation to Knighton Ward will be presented.

Jeevanjot Dhesi (Senior Planner) and Paul Statham (Planner) were present delivered a presentation on the Local Plan Consultation (attached).

All to note:

·         The consultation was an opportunity for members of the public to be involved, with interactive consultation pages on the web (https://consultations.leicester.gov.uk/sec/local-plan/). Hard copies of the documents could be found at libraries. Exhibitions were scheduled on 15/16 August and 12/13 September in Highcross shopping centre.

·         The presentation provided an overview of the local plan for the whole city and included local issues for Knighton. The Neighbourhood Plan would set the context for Knighton.

·         The plan highlighted how the city had grown over 60 years, and now filled the administrative boundary.

·         The local plan would also consult on public health, including a policy on the control of fast food outlets.

·         Reference was made to key issues and challenges in the city, and the following points were made:

o   If buses were more affordable, more people would use them. Car parking was cheaper than some bus tickets. Without a good transport system people would continue to use cars and create pollution.

o   There were special plans to look at flooding issues. The neighbourhood plan would carry as much weight as the local plan and would form part of the city’s development plan which the planners would have to comply with.

o   With regards to the hub at Toton and HS2, the government had been asked for the compatibility to connect to the hub, but the government had decided there would be no funding for the electrification of midland mainline.

o   The cycling strategy would be looked at to see how it could be implemented in the local plan.

o   A council officer was available to advise on the Neighbourhood Plan.

o   Relevant comments made on the consultation pages would be shared with the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.

Transport and Development Officers will deliver an update.

All to note:

·         A speeding problem was identified and surveys were undertaken about 12 months ago. Various options had been discussed. Put forward was the idea to have islands in the middle of the road to create narrow sections of road.

·         There were seven locations identified where islands could be put that wouldn’t impede driveways. A suggestion was made to install one of the islands on Meadvale Road between Carisbrooke Road and Ashclose Avenue.

·         Priority give ways took up too much kerbside space. Islands were easier to install.

·         The islands were not people refuge as the road was not wide enough. Parking would not be allowed adjacent to a refuge.

·         A crossing would be difficult to install because of driveways and junctions, and there were cost implications of dropped kerbs.

·         Speed camera installation was dependent on the number of people killed or injured, and would have to be enforced by the police. On this occasion the criteria had not been met.

·         Any thoughts, suggestions or concerns could be passed on to Ward Councillors or to Graham Seaton, Transport Development Officer.

There will be an update from local residents.

Deb Tull, Chair of Friends of Knighton Park provided the following information:

·         The group had received funding from the Community Ward Budget towards the Knighton Park Fun Day. A company would be used to plan the event scheduled for Saturday 2^nd September, 11.00am to 5.00pm.

·         Cost for the stalls have been increased. The event would have Leicester-based community stalls to maintain the community feel of the event.

·         The group was looking for extra people with a bit of time, with different experiences to be on the committee for Friends of Knighton Park, which currently had 10 members and met six times a year. Ideally they would like someone to join with a younger child focus, and someone who could provide support for the Facebook page for the group.

·         The group wanted to do more work to develop the local gardening group, and it was important that green spaces were protected.

Information will be given on the forthcoming Knighton Park Fun Day.

Information provided above.

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

Harvey Roberts, City Warden, informed the meeting he would be covering Knighton and Castle Wards, and could be contacted regarding any issues in the ward, for example, fly-tipping. Residents could also use the Love Leicester App, a download available for most smart phones. Residents could also call the generic customer services number (0116) 4546354.

The Chair noted that people were please with the City Warden Service.

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

The Police were not present at the meeting.

The Beaver and Scout leader informed the meeting the scout hut had been broken into three times, and there had been signs of drug use. Information would be given to Ward Councillors and advice sought on preventative security measures for the building.

A resident noted the police had not been represented at the meetings on more than one occasion.

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.

A summary of the Ward Community Budget was reported and approved amounts listed as follows:

·         The Friends of Knighton Park – Knighton Park Show - £2,215

·         St John the Baptist Church, Parish Room – Project Update - £2,000 (joint bid with Castle Ward for £8,000)

·         Sally White, Jasmin Sore, Natalie Voight – Northcote Road Playing Out - £107

Balance Remaining - £13,927.86

An update on recent activities by the Knighton Neighbourhood Forum was given (attached for information).

The meeting closed at 8.07pm.