Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Russell and Miss B Hewitt.

Councillors were asked to declare any interest they had in the business on the agenda, and/or indicate if Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applied to them.

No such interests were declared.

The minutes of the Westcotes Community Meeting held on 21 June 2011 are attached and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2011 were agreed as a correct record.

a)     Minute 3, “Ward Community Budget 2011/12

To date, alley gates had been fitted in five streets and keys had been given to residents.  As a result, bins had been removed from the streets.

b)     Minute 4a, “Minutes of Previous Meeting: Minute 35 – Planning Applications”

Councillor Connelly reminded the Meeting that he was a member of the City Council’s Planning and Development Control Committee.  He therefore could not give opinions on planning matters that could be seen as a predetermined view, as this would prevent him from being involved in discussions and/or votes at Committee meetings on the applications.

Councillor Connelly advised the Meeting that:-

·           he would be making representations at the Planning and Development Control Committee against applications for the development of student accommodation in Western Road (the Equity Shoe site) and Upperton Road;

·           two variations to the plans for the block of student accommodation in Upperton Road were being requested.  One of these was an application to have a telecommunications mast on the roof of the building and the other was for advertising on the side of the building.  It was not known what sort of advertising this would be; and

·           the application to use 10 Westcotes Drive as a hostel had been refused and the hostel there was no longer operating.

Councillor Connelly advised that he had already made representations at the Planning and Development Control Committee about the use of the premises at 20 Westcotes Drive as a hostel.  The owner of the premises had claimed that it had operated as a hostel for over ten years and had produced a letter from the previous owner to substantiate this claim.  The Ward Councillors and local residents contested this claim, so Councillor Connelly had asked for the application for a certificate of lawful use to be referred to the Committee.  A public meeting would be held to discuss this further when it was known when the application would be considered by the Planning and Development Control Committee.

A member of the community confirmed that, at one time, the premises had been used as a lodge for ex-servicemen.  Investigations were being made in to whether referrals to this had been made by the Council or other agencies.  If this had been done, it could be classed as having been a hostel.  However, local residents felt that to change from a lodge for elderly, frail people to a hostel for young people was inappropriate. 

Councillor Connelly reported that a student accommodation summit had been held on 9 September.  At this, it had been noted that a speculative application for the development of the old CPH Thurmaston building in Upperton Road for student accommodation had been submitted.  It was understood that the developer would buy the land if the application was successful.

An Article of Direction had been applied for in relation to this application.  The application submitted included the demolition of the existing building, so under the Article a decision on the demolition would have to be taken  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

Officers from the City Council’s Waste Management service will be at the meeting to explain the new recycling collection service that is being introduced across the City

Cristina Calleja, Waste Minimisation Officer with Leicester City Council, explained that, feedback from residents had shown that they wanted to be able to recycle a greater variety of materials.  A new recycling scheme therefore had been trialled over the previous six months.

This had been very successful, with participation rates doubling and recycling rates increasing from 40% of waste collected to 60% in the trial areas.  As a result, it had been decided to extend the new scheme across the City and letters from the City Mayor were being sent to residents advising them of this.

During the first two weeks of October, all households would receive a roll of 50 orange recycling bags, in to which a range of recyclable materials could be placed.  The first collections would be made on 17 October 2011.

It was noted that, if residents wanted to keep their green recycling box for their own use they could do so, but if they wished to return it, this could be done using a sticker that would be provided in the information pack being sent to residents.

The move away from using green boxes was welcomed, as information on what could be put in them could be confusing.  In addition, some people had used their green recycling box as an overflow for general waste and the boxes had become an eyesore.

The following points were noted during discussion on this item:-

·           If a bag was heavily contaminated, a sticker would be put on it explaining the problem and asking the resident to put the rubbish in with their general waste;

·           The Bins on Streets campaign would be extended to orange bags left on streets; and

·           If bags had split, but could still be picked up safely, they would be taken.  If the contents of the bag had spread across the street, they would be cleared up by the Council’s cleansing services.  However, no problems of this nature had been experienced during the scheme trial.

The City Warden will give an update on issues in the Westcotes Ward

Jamie Stubbs, City Warden for the Westcotes Ward, updated the Community Meeting as follows:-

·           The campaign to reduce the number of rubbish bins left on streets had been continuing.  The areas already covered were being monitored and it was hoped to continue to extend the scheme.  Approximately 30 Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued in relation to bins left on streets;

·           Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued for graffiti left in the area.  The City Warden service was working with the Police to reduce incidences of this;

·           Leaflets that had been flyposted were removed and, the companies concerned prosecuted; and

·           Litter picking campaigns would be restarting, so any suggestions of where this could be done would be welcome.

On behalf of the Meeting, the Chair thanked Jamie Stubbs for resolving problems that had been experienced with a restaurant in Hinckley Road leaving its bins out, with rubbish spilling out of them on to the road.  It was noted that the City Mayor did not have a financial interest in this business.  His daughter previously had owned the restaurant, but no longer did so.

Officers from Leicestershire Constabulary will be at the meeting to provide an update on police issues in Westcotes Ward

Sergeant Simon Barnes of Leicestershire Constabulary updated the Meeting as follows:-

·           He thanked Jamie Stubbs, City Warden for the Westcotes Ward, for her work getting graffiti removed in the Ward;

·           The Westcotes Neighbourhood Police could be found on the Twitter and Facebook social network sites as Westcotes Cops.  It was hoped that information could be provided through these sources, along with things such as positive news stories and reminders about events;

·           There was little the police could do to influence planning applications, although where appropriate they provided comments on their concerns and possible issues arising from the applications.  For example, a large development could lead to a large increase in population, which in turn could lead to an increase in drink and drug related activities and vulnerable people;

·           The Police felt that there should be no more massage parlours on Narborough Road.  However, there were concerns about the safety of the women working there, because if there were no parlours the women could work out of sight, making them more vulnerable, but consideration had to be given to the whole area;

·           Progress had been made in getting an arm added to the CCTV camera on Wilberforce Road, so that the range of the camera could be improved;

·           The Police would continue to work with the housing association to improve the situation for residents on the “herbs estate” in relation to anti-social behaviour in Bede Park;

·           No particular problems had been reported since the last meeting.  It was known from anecdotal evidence that problems had been experienced, but they could not be dealt with by the Police unless they were reported.  However, the street pastors had been very helpful in reporting incidents they had seen;

·           Crime statistics were as follows:-

o  26 burglaries of dwellings, which was an increase of 6 over the same period last year;

o  15 burglaries other than dwellings, an increase of 4 over the same period last year;

o  10 robberies, a reduction from 13 over the same period last year;

o  12 thefts from persons.  This was an increase from 7 over the same period last year and was being looked at closely, but some appeared to be due to carelessness by the victims;

o  32 thefts from motor vehicles, a decrease from 34 over the same period last year.  Arrests had been made after various vehicles had been damaged.  The advice to keep the vehicle locked and valuables out of site was reiterated; and

o  21 anti-social behaviour incidents, which was a decrease from 23 over the same period last year.  This was seen as a static position.  Work was needed to encourage people to report these incidents, as many reports were generated by the Police through work on other issues; and

·           On Saturday, 1 October, from 2.00 – 4.00 pm the Police would be at the Iceland car park on Narborough Road with a “How many valuables are in the car?” event.  This would be publicised widely.

Residents reported that there appeared to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

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

a)      Representatives of Fullhurst College have been invited to the meeting to give feedback on how the previously approved grant to the College’s Hardship Fund has been used.

b)     The Members’ Support Officer will provide an update on the 2011/12 Community Meeting budget.

c)      The following applications for grants are submitted for consideration:-

Application 1

Applicant:      Stonham Project Leicester – Glazebrook Road

Project:           Life Skills Training

Amount requested:

The total cost of 9 modules is £77, making the total cost for the two clients £154

Summary:

This project targets homeless people who live in Stonham’s move-on property in Mountcastle Road.  The central idea is to offer training to all clients in the project, a total of 2 people. 

The training will offer a wide range of life skills to help them access further training, work and a move to their own accommodation.  All parts of the course would be accredited by the open College Network, (which is recognised by employers), and cover such topics as life skills, confidence building, successful tenancy management and assertiveness.  There will be nine elements in total and each element will be worth one credit towards the overall qualification.

The training material needs to be bought for each client, as this covers the cost of accreditation for each individual.  Project workers from the Stonham Project will deliver the training.

This scheme will have very positive benefits for the residents, as there is little or no provision of this type of learning or education provided by mainstream providers, so this project will help break down one of the many barriers that homeless people face.

The learning can take place on an individual level, or in a group situation, as it is completely flexible to each resident’s need.  Some of the residents find group learning too intrusive, so in this situation one-to-one tutoring and support can be provided.

There will be two people who benefit and for some this will be their first qualification.  Giving residents a chance to achieve something of this nature will not only increase their knowledge, but will help to motivate them and give a sense of success and achievement.

Consideration has been given to using the City Council’s Supporting Tenants and Residents (STAR) service, but this training is less intensive and does not give the clients an official qualification.  The courses for which funding is sought are tailor made to each client, with the distance learning modules working alongside Stonham support plans.  For example if a client has money issues, this would be highlighted on their support plan and they would be put forward for the debt module in the programme.

In addition, STAR’s training generally focuses on pre tenancy work, which will be explored with clients, but Stonham also will be looking at other support areas that the client has.  ...  view the full agenda text for item 19.

a)     Fullhurst College

The Meeting noted that representatives of Fullhurst College had sent their sincere apologies that they could not be the meeting to give feedback on how the previously approved grant to the College’s Hardship Fund had been used.  However, they had advised that:-

·           Approximately 10 uniforms had been provided to date, mostly to new starters;

·           Recipients were not means tested, but their background was checked with their former primary school;

·           A uniform swap shop had been started at the end of the summer term; and

·           Second hand uniform would be sold at the College’s Christmas and summer fetes.  The proceeds from this would be reinvested in the Fund.

b)     2011/12 Community Meeting Budget

Elaine Baker, Democratic Services Officer with Leicester City Council, reported that grants totalling £2,830 had been approved up to the date of this meeting.  Consequently, £12,170 remained in the Ward Community Budget for 2011/12.

c)     Grant Applications

The following applications for grants were then considered:-

i)       Stonham Project Leicester – Life Skills Training

AGREED:

                   that a grant of £154 to Stonham Project Leicester be supported for the provision of life skills training for residents at the Project’s Glazebrok Road property.

ii)     David Kayemba – Leicester Zim Warriors Football Club

The Meeting noted that applications for assistance towards the purchase of nets, corner flags, kits, balls and other equipment, and towards costs associated with running the Club had been made to several Wards, as players came from various parts of the City.

David Kayemba addressed the meeting, explaining that, at present, the Club did not have any children’s teams, but it was hoped that it could in the future.  Matches currently were played in Victoria Park.  Bede Park was used for training.  However, the Club hoped to find facilities further away from residential properties.

AGREED:

                   that a grant of £360 to Leicester Zim Warriors Football Club be supported towards the purchase of nets, corner flags, kits, balls and other equipment, and towards costs associated with running the Club.

iii)    Ward Members – Cycle Racks on Bede Street

Councillor Connelly presented a verbal report of a request from members of the public for cycle racks to be provided on Bede Street, outside the new Co-op store, so that cyclist could secure their bikes while they went shopping.  It was proposed that two racks should be installed, at a cost of approximately £250 each.  The bollards currently there would not be removed.

AGREED:

that a grant of up to £500 be supported for the installation of two cycle racks on Bede Street.

iv)    Ward Members – Cycle Racks on Hinckley Road

Councillor Connelly presented a verbal report of a request from parents of pupils at King Richard School III School for cycle racks to be installed on Hinckley Road, near its junction with Andrewes Street.  At present, vehicles often parked on the pavement at this location, which obstructed the view of people using the junction or pedestrian crossing.  It was felt that putting cycle racks there would keep  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

The Chair thanked all present for attending and closed the meeting at 8.32 pm