Agenda and minutes

Councillors will elect a Chair for the meeting.

Councillor Palmer took the chair for the meeting.

Apologies were received from Councillor Blower. They were also received from Scott Kennedy-Lount and Nicola Bassindale.

The first main item on theagenda 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.

Councillors are asked to declare any interest they may have in the business on the agenda, and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

Councillor Palmer was asked to declare any interests he may have in the business on the agenda and/or declare if Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applied to him. No such declarations were made.

The minutes of the previous Eyres Monsell Community Meeting, held on 9 November 2009, are attached and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

The minutes of the Eyres Monsell Community Meeting, held on 9 November 2009, were agreed as a correct record.

There will be an update on several projects which are ongoing and planned to improve the area and get more people involved in the local community

Councillor Palmer and Ian Stapleton, Area Housing Manager, gave an introduction to the large amount of positive and exciting initiatives on the estate. Much of this involved agencies and residents working together. These initiatives were discussed as follows:

The EMAS

This was a community awards event which would take place on 12 March in the Working Men’s Club. This would recognise people’s contribution to making life better for people on the estate. Nomination forms were to be released shortly. It was also reported that six local residents had recently been invited to 10 Downing Street in recognition of their work.

Community newsletter

A community newsletter was being launched and would involve the local community. Ian Stapleton invited ideas for articles.

Shelter for young people/ball court lights

Councillor Palmer explained that government funding had been secured to support community work and respond to issues raised at community meetings. Such work included the installation of a shelter for young people opposite the Glen and lights for the ball court.

Operation Piccolo

This was a joint initiative with the Police and City Council. This would provide additional security and energy efficiency for bungalows. A query was raised regarding a greater risk of frozen pipes following improved home insulation. It was reported that residents would be advised on how to avoid this. Residents also asked if the scheme could be extended to include vulnerable people who lived in cottage flats and houses. It was reported that the bungalows were being targeted as they were particularly highlighted by thermal imaging and that resources for the project were limited but that we would consider all other older/vulnerable people if and when resources permit. It was suggested that information about the initiative could be published in the community newsletter or sent out with the minutes of this meeting.

Big Tidy Up

The next event was scheduled for 22 February. The focus would be on clearing litter, tidying and recycling. Further events would be scheduled through the year. It was reported that Biffa had offered the use of a waste vehicle for free on the day. Residents raised concern about mess left following waste collection. They were advised to let the Council know straight away of any such instances so they could be dealt with quickly.

Refurbishment of Eyres Monsell Primary School

Councillor Palmer reported that the re-launch event following the refurbishment had been a huge success, with performances by the students and Act Up Theatre Company. It was a great community facility and it was suggested that a future Community Meeting could be held there.

Re-launch of Magpie Youth Centre

The newly-refurbished centre had recently been officially re-launched and it now offered a wide range of facilities for young people.

Saffron Resource Centre

Peter Thomson form Saffron Resource Centre explained work they were doing to ensure that children weren’t missing out on entitlement to free transport to school. It was agreed that information about this service would be included in the community newsletter.

Residents raised concerns about  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

There will be an update on local policing issues from the Neighbourhood Policing Team in the Eyres Monsell Ward.

Sergeant Andy Partridge introduced himself to the meeting. He explained that policing boundaries had changed to align with ward boundaries.

PC Mark Brennan gave a presentation on recent policing work, pointing out that a focus was to tackle antisocial behaviour on Swinford Avenue and Howden Road. He asked residents to keep them informed of any issues of concern.

A resident thanked police for their work on Hillsborough Close and their continued visibility in the area. It was noted that this had been possible with the involvement of residents.

Residents raised queries about the Exchange and the Invincible sites. It was reported that a notice had been served on the owners of the Invincible to clear the site, but since then a caravan had been dumped there. Work was ongoing to get this removed within legal constraints. Councillor Palmer explained that the proposals for the redevelopment of the Exchange had been delayed due to current economic circumstances. However, the Council remained committed to the scheme and a new developer was now involved. In response to residents’ concerns, he stated that a planning application had never been submitted by the original developers, and is would be done shortly. It was noted that residents had been led to believe by the original developers that planning permission had already been obtained.

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.

Jerry Connolly, Member Support Officer, will give an update on the current position with Community Meeting budgets and will introduce applications that have been received.

The following applications have been received and will be discussed at the meeting:

Application 1: Improving lighting at rear of bungalows

Application 2: Police Neighbourhood Action Team Transport

Application 3: Act Up Young People’s Theatre Company – Part 1

Application 4: Act Up Young People’s Theatre Company – Part 2

Application 5: Dog waste bins

Application 6: Youth Engagement Project

Jerry Connolly, Members’ Services Officer, introduced applications for funding from the Community Meeting budgets. Applications were discussed as follows:

Application 1: Improving lighting at rear of bungalows

Ian Stapleton explained the application. Poor lighting was to be replaced and increased to improve security. Trees that offered shelter had been pruned. He thanked Sue Green for the work she had done on the scheme. Funding had also been obtained from the JAG.

AGREED: that the meeting supports the funding of a maximum of £1500 from the Ward Community Fund.

Application 2: Police Neighbourhood Action Team Transport

David Budd introduced a request for funding from the Neighbourhood Action Team for £500 towards providing a non-police fleet car for one year. This would support police work by enabling the team to gather evidence for referral to field intelligence, officers and magistrates and obtain warrants and search premises. An officer showed the meeting the protective clothing and equipment worn for this.  The team had contributed to 134 arrests in Freemen, Aylestone, Eyres Monsell and Knighton. The vehicle would enable them to work more effectively and safely. Aylestone, Freemen and Knighton were also being asked for a contribution.

AGREED: that the meeting supports funding £500 from the Ward Community Fund.

Applications 3 and 4: Act Up Young People’s Theatre Company

Jerry reported that this bid was to extend the work of this highly commended group. Aylestone and Freemen wards were also being asked to contribute. Councillor Palmer stated that he was supportive of the work, which was professional and impressive. He suggested that the group be invited to perform prior to a future Community Meeting.

AGREED: that the meeting supports the funding of £866 from the Community Cohesion Fund and £1163 from the Community Fund.

Application 5: Dog waste bins

This application was deferred to the next financial year. Residents were asked to identify on a map where they would like bins to be placed in order for sites to be investigated. It was noted that combined litter and dog waste bins were now available and could be an option for the ward.

Application 6: Youth Engagement Project

Ian Stapleton explained the application, stating that young people had been consulted about what they felt they needed, and they requested a shelter and lighting to the ball court. It was noted that these young people caused no problems for residents. The lighting would be on sensors and timers, and there was very little light leakage. Residents felt that it was important to show that the young people were trusted and give them something useful.

AGREED: that the meeting supports the funding of £10,453 from the Ward Action Plan budget.

There will be a discussion on the provision of waste bins in Eyres Monsell and any issues residents have regarding the location of bins.

It was agreed that this item would be considered at the next meeting and would take into account the locations that residents had identified earlier in the meeting.

The meeting closed at 8.03pm.