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 Myers led introductions as Chair.

Apologies were received from City Warden, Darren Evans.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

The action log of the previous Castle Ward Community Meeting held on Wednesday, 19 October 2022 is attached and Members will be asked to confirm them as a correct record.

The Action Log of the meeting held on 19 October 2022 was confirmed as a correct record.

Councillors will provide an update on recent activities in the Ward.

The Ward Councillors provided an update on events and issues in the ward.

An agreement had been made for a public passage through the Wyggeston Queen Elizabeth I college campus. Martin Fletcher, City Highways Director, confirmed that the next step forward was to meet with two objectors to try and get the objections withdrawn. If the objections were not withdrawn the case would be sent through to the Secretary of State. Councillor Kitterick noted college concerns about safeguarding QE students but confirmed that the gate to the path was now open to the public.

The Chair noted that the Victoria Park Pavilion had received approval to proceed and was seeking an anchor tenant, which would be going to a tender process to ensure the refit would meet the new tenant’s requirements. A timeframe would be clearer in the next 6-7 months.

It was noted that the Bandstand had been re-submitted for a different location following noise concerns, which was being discussed with Sport England.

The City Warden will give an update on environmental and enforcement activities in the Ward.

The City Warden, Mikail Mandhu, was present to provide an update on the Castle ward. Apologies from City Warden, Darren Evans were noted.

The City Warden provided a summarised update of the issues in the ward which were noted as follows:

·       An increase in movement from businesses coming and leaving the ward was noted and the City Wardens were pro-active in approaching new businesses and issuing notices for the correct disposal of waste in the ward.

·       Regarding the ongoing fly-tipping issue at The Criterion pub, Wardens were continuing to monitor the situation but had noted that fly-tipping had been decreasing.

·       The Warden noted Duty of Care notices had been issued to businesses, progressing to a section 47 notice of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, requesting businesses remove their bins from the highway.

·       A section 46 notice had been sent to all tenants in the city centre which provided guidelines for residents on the correct disposal of waste.

A member of the public enquired about whether The Criterion had opened as it had been vacant. The Warden clarified that the pub wasn’t in operation but there were residential flats upstairs affected.

The Chair noted that an update regarding the situation on 80 Queens Road would be requested for a future Castle ward meeting from City Warden, Darren Evans. A member of the public built on the issue, noting contact with residents behind the 80 Queens Road premises, which had seen further rubbish and fly-tipping. Residents had cleaned up the area, but the issue persisted. A resident had attempted to sell their property but couldn’t due to the rubbish build up.

A member of the public noted issues with the gate on Montague Road.

The Chair thanked the Warden for the report.

Leicestershire Police will provide an update on policing priorities in the Ward.

Sergeant Jonathan Jackson, Leicestershire Police, was present to present to provide an update by Police Inspector Nadia Rana on policing matters in the ward and the following points were highlighted:

·       At the last meeting, it was noted that drug dealing and bicycle theft had seen an increase in the ward. Bike theft had since declined alongside robbery and anti-social behaviour (ASB).

·       It was noted that the children involved in the anti-social behaviour around Haymarket bus station had come from chaotic backgrounds and Leicestershire Police were working with partners to provide support to the children and families involved.

·       Leicestershire Police were working with Leicester Riders basketball, with funding from the Leicester City Council and Police and Crime Commissioner, to provide safe spaces to encourage children to become more involved in sport, which had noted a reduction in anti-social behaviour and lower-level crime. Funding had also been received from StreetGames fund and further work with Leicester Tigers and Football Club to get more children in the ward involved in sport.

·       Operation Goshawk, an operation that puts police resources where they were most needed, continued after recent sucesses with the aim to increase physical presence in crime hotspot areas. The operation had since extended to nightly patrols from its previous finish at 12pm in hope of tackling serious crime at night.

·       Following the cycle operation in improvements from the last meeting, cycle theft had since seen an 83% decrease.

·       The Homeless and Disadvantaged scheme, run jointly by the Council and Leicestershire Police, continued to provide support to the street community.

·       A new, 9-month operation, Operation Flawless, which tackled drug usage had started enforcement two weeks prior, noting a number of cleared lines across the city centre and £300k being taken off the streets. The operation was in its ‘hold’ phase and police were working with partners to ensure no new influence moves into cleared areas. A ‘build’ phase ensured that people felt supported and safe within the community. A number of actions were identified which included, but was not limited to patch walks, sniffer dogs, engagement with criminal families and beat surgeries.

·       ‘Biscuit with a Bobby’ events where members of the public could speak to police officers and receive refreshments were ongoing throughout the city and members of the public were invited to come along and share any concerns.

·       Leicestershire Police were working with partners to tackle known issues in the night-time economy.

·       Knife crime and robbery in the ward was noted to have reduced.

Sergeant Jackson encouraged members of the public to get in contact with police officers either through calling 101 or through Neighbourhood Link and www.leics.police.uk, and noted that public intelligence drove police work.

Members of the public enquired about whether they could get in contact about suspicious behaviour witnessed and noted that both call times through 101 and online form fill-in had been lengthy and tedious. Sergeant Jackson noted that comments would be fed back.

Members of the public raised concern about the ongoing issues with delivery service  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

A member of the Traffic Operations Team will provide an update on Highways related matters in the Ward.

Martin Fletcher, City Highways Director, was present to provide an update on highways related matters in the ward.

The Director referred back to the actions of the last meeting, noting that four parking spaces had been lost during work on road markings but would aim to create more space around the ward.

The City Highways Director highlighted the following points:

·       An Annual Highways Capital Maintenance Programme was now in place on University Road.

·       Phase 3 of the Clarendon Park Residential Parking scheme was due to go live on 10^th March 2023 and residents were invited to apply.

·       A survey was being finalised to review potential improvements to Queens Road. A report summarising the engagement feedback analysis period was expected in the next few months.

·       Work was underway on Pocklingtons Walk to close off the right turn permanently.

·       A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) was active across the city centre, which in part implemented a red route near the Haymarket bus station to prevent illegal parking.

·       Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points had been rolled out across the city.

·       Work to create more disabled parking bays was ongoing.

·       Efforts to improve cycling signage was in progress.

·       International hotel works were due to start again, with a drop-in session available at City Hall on 13^th February to discuss the development.

·       Parking issues at St John the Baptist school were ongoing. Highways and traffic officers were reviewing potential resolutions, such as closing the road during pick-up or drop-off times for an hour.

Councillors enquired whether schools could be granted power to stop traffic. It was noted that schools could be granted power and traffic enforcement officers would provide support for the initial few weeks.

A member of the public reported that faded double yellow and zig zag lines on East Avenue were being used as an excuse for traffic issues and required re-painting in.

Councillors and members of the public discussed possible resolutions for school-based traffic concerns, including possible park and stride schemes.

A member of the public raised concerns about the visibility for pedestrians on the junction between Waterloo Way and South Albion Street. It was noted to be a known issue with a variety of concerns including the hill reducing visibility for drivers. It was possible to redesign the road, but the work would take a long period of time to design and implement.

A member of the public enquired about the timeline for the improvements on Queens Road. It was noted that the work would stagnate for 3 months during the election period and it was considered unlikely for the improvements to finish this year.

The Chair raised concern about the accidents caused by diverted traffic on the Northcote and Queens Road junction. The Director noted awareness of the issue, but a solution had yet to be made.

Councillors and members of the public enquired about the data and proposed self-funding system for the EV charging points.  It was noted that funding for the EV scheme had been received from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

Councillors are reminded that they will need to 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.

The Community Engagement Officer provided an update on the Ward Community Budget.

The Chair summarised the approved Ward Community Budget applications as follows:

·       Clarendon Park Traders Association - £3000 for Christmas Lights.

·       Clarendon Park Traders Association – £2750 for the Clarendon Park Christmas Fair.

·       Stars Performing Arts School - £684 for Industry ready workshop.

·       John Woolman House Tenant Association – £275 for piano re-tuning.

·       Justin Webber (Senior Building Conservation Officer) - £1500 for Satellite dish removal in the New Walk Conservation Area.

·       St Leonards Road Planter - £500 for Clarendon Park planters.

·       Adderley Road Garden Group – £500 for planters and trees.

It was noted that there was no money left in the Castle ward community budget and new applications would only be considered from 1^st April 2023.

Councillor Kitterick discussed the satellite removal work in the ward, noting that residents can arrange for free satellite dish removal and recommended residents get in touch with ward councillors if they were interested.

A member of the public enquired about the area referred to as the conservation area in the ward. It was noted the area referred to was the area close to the Stoneygate ward and further information on the area would be provided by the Councillors.

The Chair agreed to take the proposed housing developments on Regent Road as a matter of other business.

Councillors discussed the development proposal with members of the public, who raised the following concerns:

·       Access to light for nearby residential buildings would fall below recommended levels in the daylight report.

·       Due to the development being in a conservation area, it would charge the feel and look of the area.

·       Local residents were very concerns about how the building would impact their properties.

·       Due to the building proposed being made of brick, any possibility of reflected light would be reduced.

·       The building would impact those working or studying in nearby residences through lack of light and obscured views.

·       A drainage report noted that sewage would be increased due to an extra 287 people in a small area, despite the fact that West Street sewer had reportedly no more capacity.

·       Due to a number of residences being sunken down, the five story would appear to be a six story for those residents.

·       Parking had already been noted as an issue in the area and increasing residents would make parking even more difficult.

Councillors encouraged members of the public to develop a representation on the strongest points for objection

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 7:52pm.