Agenda and minutes

Councillors will elect a Chair for the meeting.   

Councillor Senior was elected as Chair for 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.

Councillors Clayton, Kitterick and Senior declared that they assisted with the organisation of the Summer Arts and Crafts Fair being the subject of a bid for grant funding.  It was clarified that the Councillors assisted the Clarendon Park Traders Association with the organisation of the event on an entirely voluntary basis.

Councillor Senior declared that her partner was employed by the Council and that his role involved advice on transport matters when planning applications were being considered.  She advised that she would therefore not make any comments at the Community Meeting on relevant current or imminent planning applications if these were considered.

Councillor Senior further declared that she was a member of the local Police Panel and that in respect of the Castle Classic Cycle Race she occupied a city centre flat.

The Minutes of the previous Castle Community Meeting held on 5^th November 2013 have been circulated, and Members will be asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the Minutes of the meeting of the previous Castle Ward Community meeting held on 5 November 2013 be confirmed as a correct record.

A short presentation will be given by officers leading on the New Walk Centre demolition project.

Matt Wallace (New Walk Centre Project Team) and Sarah Woffenden (Demolition Project Manager) were welcomed to the meeting.

Matt and Sarah presented details of the ambitious plans the Council had concerning the redevelopment of the New Walk Centre site.  He advised of the initial soft market testing and of discussions with potential developers and occupiers.

It was noted that a mixed use development of commercial, office, leisure/hotel, residential, and complementary retail use had been the significant area of interest arising from the initial discussions.

It was reported that the demolition process would entail significant enabling works, which would be undertaken following the vacation of the buildings at the end of June 2014.  It was noted that these works would include:

·         Structural surveys and utilities investigations

·         Soft strip

·         Recycling of materials, including furniture and fittings

·         Relocation of substations

Having regard to the demolition itself, it was reported that three options were being considered;

• Ultra high reach

• Used in inner city confined situations
• Requires traffic control measures
• Involves atomised dust suppression

• Floor by floor deconstruction

o   Full height encapsulated scaffolding

o   Mobile crane assists the lifting operations during deconstruction

·         High speed implosion

o   Would involve significant publicity/communication with residents and businesses

Details of the anticipated timeline including the options for demolition/deconstruction and the likely handover to developers in 2015 were presented.  It was noted that dependent on the approved use and scale of the redevelopment, works could continue late into 2017 with a completion date beyond.

The communications and engagement activities undertaken to date were described and it was confirmed that over 300 letters had been sent to local residents and businesses.

It was also confirmed that an enquiry system had been established to assist the process at NewWalkCentreQandA@leicester.gov.uk. 

In conclusion, suggestions to assist the future communication of the progress of the project were requested.

Matt and Sarah were thanked for their presentation and report.

In response to questions it was confirmed that any communication to the above email address would be kept on a central database allowing for responses to be sent and regular updates to be issued.  It was accepted that ten working days was an appropriate timescale to respond to email communications.

Concerns of the noise pollution form the demolition works were expressed and the experiences of the recent Marlborough House demolition were described to highlight recent problems.  It was reported by residents in this regard that although assurances had been made to the contrary, demolition works causing significant noise pollution had continued outside of normal working hours.  It was therefore suggested that more adequate contract monitoring would be required for the New Walk Centre site, including an emphasis on acceptable working hours should be made part of the contract documents.

In respect of the Marlborough House site generally, it was reported that options for the marketing of the vacant site as a package together with the New Walk Centre site were being considered.

Reference was made to the costs of each option and estimates as comparisons were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

A short presentation will be given by University Hospitals Leicester on the Leicester Royal Infirmary development proposal, and to answer any residents questions that may arise.

Mark Whiteman and Richard Kinnersley (Leicester Royal Infirmary) were welcomed to the meeting.

Mark gave details of the proposals to increase the capacity of the Accident and Emergency Department and reported of statistics showing that over 160,000 patients received treatment during the previous year and on one occasion 692 patients had been dealt with in a single day, a rate of approximately 30 each hour.

It was clear from recent experience that the current buildings and levels of service required significant devilment and improvement to meet demand.

Richard reported on the initial development plans to increase the capacity of the service including revision to the car park policies and to the physical alterations to the site.  It was noted that a planning application would be submitted later in the year.

In respect of a timeline for the development, Richard advised that works were expected to commence in 2015 with a completion date for the Accident and Emergency Department occupying improved premises by the spring of 2016.

In response to questions works to the wings within the existing Victorian buildings were described and it was noted that some demolition would be required, including the chapel building.

Transport implications and traffic planning of the areas around the site were also being considered, it being noted that ambulances had reported recent difficulties in accessing the site and reports of queuing ambulances at peak times were common.

The long-term parking policies of the hospital, to reduce the need for outpatients to come to the city, were reported.  It was considered that the car parking drop off points for accident and emergency use would be improved as part of those revised policies and development proposals.

The estimated cost of the new build was reported as £48m and the tendering processes to ensure procurement of local suppliers and contractors were clarified.  In response to a question concerning the listed buildings on site, it was confirmed that the 1771 building would not be affected by the proposed works.

In conclusion, the situation concerning smokers using adjacent residential areas was discussed.  Mark stated that the policy of the hospital was currently to not allow smoking on site and therefore staff used areas on the boundary.  It was suggested that the hospital may reconsider this policy with the introduction of appropriately placed smoking areas, as the legitimate concerns of residents were acknowledged.

Mark and Richard were thanked for their attendance and report.

Philip Parkinson, Interim Chair of Healthwatch Leicester, will provide an update on the work of Healthwatch, and inform of how people can get involved to improve local health and social care services.

This item was deferred.

An update will be provided on the previously reported consultation on Homes in Multiple Occupancy, and letting boards in the area.

Councillor Kitterick reported on an Article 4 Direction which meant that following its imminent confirmation, the Direction would come into effect from August 2014, after which it would be more difficult for developers to convert properties into houses in multiple occupation.

Having regard to the previously reported issues concerning letting boards, it was noted that although powers existed to enforce their removal, agents were being allowed one year to remove unnecessary letting boards, before those more stringent powers would be considered.

An update will be given on recent Police developments and successes. A discussion will also take place on burglary prevention for residents.

Sergeant Simon Preston updated the meeting on his activities within the Ward.

It was reported that a slight increase in burglaries from dwellings had been experienced and that various schemes and crime reduction methods, including window alarms, were being promoted.  It was reported that the use of postcode markings to register valuables significantly assisted the police in their efforts and community representatives and public present were asked to consider promoting this initiative within their communities.

The theft of valuables from individuals, such as mobile phones and other electronic equipment was increasing.  It was noted that this reflected the increase in technological items being carried by the public.  It was suggested that the public should pay particular attention to their surroundings and be more aware of the increase in this criminal activity.  The reductions in theft of cars and theft from cars were reported, due to increased security being ‘designed in’ to modern vehicles.  It was considered that there was a correlation to the increases in other opportunist thefts from individuals of phones and electronic equipment.

Sgt Preston was thanked for his attendance and update.

Chris Bramley-Brown updated the meeting on his environmental and enforcement activities in the ward.

It was reported that significant work had been undertaken to remove fly-tips and that an initiative to enforce skip and scaffolding licences had been successful.

Residents in some streets in the ward had been reminded of their responsibilities to ensure that bins were not left on-street.  The removal of A-Boards and other pavement obstructions was also being enforced.

Chris referred to recent enforcement of an unlawful fly-post, advertising a local dance club, which had led to a successful prosecution.

In conclusion, reference was made to a potential increase in the use of parking bays which were currently underused in the wider area of the hospital, similar to those in the adjacent streets which worked well.  It was considered that the matter could be pursued in liaison with the hospital and parking enforcement colleagues.

Chris was thanked for this report and update.

Councillors are reminded that they will need to declare any interest they may have in budget applications, and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

The following budget applications will be considered:

i)             Leicester Basketball Developments CIC – Shoot to the Future                                                                                                    £1,000.00

Application received for funding to support the project of youth development in the community by means of basketball. The project has proven success, and whilst there is a strong emphasis on fun, there is an element of discipline involved.

ii)            Hamish Whiteley, Leicester Secular Society – Purchase and installation of a defibrillator in Secular Hall             £800.00

Application for the purchase and installation of a defibrillator, available for users of the building, and for pedestrians in the Humberstone Gate area. 12 people would also be trained in its usage.

iii)           Community Piano Lessons – Music Foundry c/o Alice Little

£1,710.00

Application received for funding for room hire and administrators fees for piano lessons.

iv)        Welford Road Cemetery Directional Signage – Brian Stafford, Leicester City Council                                                          £2,605.92

Application for funding for additional signage at the cemetery in the form of lecturn style ‘you are here’ graphics.

v)         ArtBeat Festival – Clarendon Park Community Arts Festival                                                                                                                     £2,000.00

Application received for funding to allow local artists to showcase their work, and for local residents to experience a variety of art activities.

vi)        My Home – Metro-Boulot-Dodo (Joint Bid with Aylestone and Rushey Mead Wards – total £4,500)                                   £1,500.00

Application received for funding for a community arts project.

vii)       Highfields Festival June 2014 – Highfields Community Association (Joint Bid to five wards total £10,000)           £2,000.00

Application received for funding towards a community festival, for staging, managing, events and publicity.

Applications agreed under the fast track process

African Caribbean Centre – Community meeting to support positive outcomes for the African Caribbean community - £100

African Caribbean Centre – Nelson Mandela commemoration - £250

The following applications for Ward funding were submitted for consideration and were determined as indicated:

1)        Application reference 1820

Rock Salt Bin & Extra Salt (St. Andrews TARA)

SUPPORTED in the sum of £200

2)        Application reference 1823

The Bridge Homelessness Mentoring Project

SUPPORTED in the sum of £500

3)        Application reference 1825

 Clarendon Park Traders Association for Summer Arts & Crafts Fair

SUPPORTED in the sum of £2,750

(partial funding of £499 initially, and remaining balance of £2,251 to from 2014/15 fund, subject to new funding allocation received).

4)        Application reference 1826

St John Baptist Primary School Entrance Safety Project

SUPPORTED in the sum of £2,000

CASTLE CLASSIC CYCLE RACE – 17 AUGUST 2014

Andy Salkeld (Transport Development Officer) referred to the above race and reported on the event planning currently underway. It was noted that 2014 would be the second year of the event and that early confirmation of the date meant that traffic and wider implications could be dealt with a suitable lead in period to ensure minimum disruption.

Janet Hudson (British Cycling) gave details of the classification of the race and confirmed that the top national cyclists would be competing.  It was reported that the race may be broadcast on ITV4 as one of British Cycling’s Grand Prix events.

It was expected that over 5000 spectators would attend the event and that other attractions would support the main race event.  Partnership working with schools, colleges, sporting clubs, and businesses was referred to, with very supportive and enthusiastic initial responses being received.

Detailed information to residents and businesses would be provided nearer to the event.

Andy and Janet were thanked for the report and update.

The meeting closed at 8.10 pm