Agenda and minutes

Councillors will elect a Chair for the meeting.

Councillor Russell was elected as Chair for the meeting.

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.

Councillors were asked to declare any interests they had in the business on the agenda and/or indicate that 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 30 November 2010 are attached and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 November 2010 were agreed as a correct record.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Councillor Connelly advised the meeting that four planning applications for sites in Westcotes Ward had been considered at the meeting of the Council’s Planning and Development Control Committee held on 18 January 2011.  The Ward Members had made representations on each of these applications.

·            Westcotes Drive

This application was for the redevelopment of the former factory site in to housing, (but not student accommodation).

Following concerns that the development initially proposed would not be in keeping with the area, the application had been amended, so that the line of the building would be in line with other properties on the road and the type of dwelling had been changed to six three-bed properties and two two-bed ones.  The two-bed properties would front on to Shaftesbury Road.  A small off-street car park also would be provided.

The provision of three-bed properties was particularly welcome, as there was a shortage of this sort of property in the Ward.

·            Student Accommodation on Upperton Road

This application was for the redevelopment of the old Network Rail site.

The applicant originally had wanted to build a 15-storey accommodation block, but following consultation this had been changed to a block with a maximum height of seven stories.  This had been accepted by the Committee.

As part of the development, a Section 106 Agreement had been entered in to for £100,000 to be provided for the development of green space.  The Ward Members did not want this to only be considered for use for a ball court, but hoped that the Community Meeting could be consulted on how the money should be spent.

·            Duns Lane / Western Boulevard – De Montfort University Leisure Centre

The University had stated that the Leisure Centre would be open to the public and a note to the applicant had been included in the permission to that effect.  The University also had stated that its prices for use of the facilities would be comparable to charges made for use of the Council’s leisure centres.

It was hoped that building work could start in April 2011.

·            Braunstone Gate: Narborough Road Retail Park

This was the site of the former MFI store.  The Committee had approved its redevelopment for use for a supermarket, which the Ward Members generally supported. 

It was noted that this development was by a developer, not a particular supermarket.  The supermarket moving on to the site was likely to be announced in March 2011.  It would have been preferable if the application had come directly from a supermarket, so that direct negotiations could have been held on matters such as how staff would be recruited and what that supermarket’s policy was on controlling the use of shopping trolleys

A survey had been carried out and, although some people spoken to opposed this development, the majority supported it.  Some people saw this development as a good way to regenerate a derelict site and some welcomed it as an opportunity to increase local employment.  When asked if they would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

Officers from Leicestershire Constabulary will be present to discuss policing issues in the Westcotes Ward.

Inspector Bill Knopp introduced himself to the meeting, explaining that officers from the Neighbourhood Beat Team apologised for not being at the meeting, but they were involved in a search for a missing person.  Inspector Knopp advised:-

·            There had been 14 incidents of anti-social behaviour in the Ward during last month.  Although there was no obvious pattern to these, it was twice as many incidents as had been experienced in the same month last year;

·            The number of burglaries had increased to 41 in the last three months.  A group of people recently had been arrested who it was believed were responsible for some of these;

·            There was a long-term burglary problem in the Westcotes area.  Rates were decreasing across the City, but they were not decreasing in Westcotes as quickly as in other areas, which meant that burglary rates were high here compared to other parts of the City.  Some of this was due to the high transient population and the type of property, but some was drug-related; and

·            Theft from motor vehicles also had increased in the Ward.  This was mostly the theft of registration plates, which it was thought could then be used in “drive away” thefts of fuel from petrol stations.  Clutch screws were available from the Neighbourhood Police Team, which could be used to prevent registration plates from being removed.

Inspector Knopp then introduced Marion Lewis, Neighbourhood Watch Co-Ordinator, who had been working on re-launching Neighbourhood Watch.  Marian Lewis explained her work and gave a presentation on the re-launch of Neighbourhood Watch, a copy of which is attached at the end of these minutes for information.

During this presentation and the ensuing discussion, particular attention was drawn to the following points:-

·            During 2010, £1 million had been awarded to build the sustainability of Neighbourhood Watch nationally.  Part of this had been the development of a new logo, and “brand repositioning” through the adoption of the Our Watch message;

·            Statistics showed that residents in areas with Neighbourhood Watch schemes were over 300 times less likely to be a victim of crime than residents in other areas;

·            Membership of Neighbourhood Watch was free and every scheme was registered with the Police.  There currently were 240,000 Neighbourhood Watch members in Leicestershire;

·            A new website had been set up and could be found at www.ourwatch.org.uk;

·            In order to encourage more people to join Neighbourhood Watch, especially younger people, a virtual membership scheme had been started.  Virtual members also were advised of “real” meetings in their areas, so they could make contact with other members if they wished.  Information on this could be found on the Our Watch website; and

·            If anyone interested in joining Neighbourhood Watch did not have access to a computer, details of schemes could be obtained from the Police;

·            When anyone signed up to Neighbourhood Watch, they could choose how they received messages and other information, (for example, by e-mail or telephone), and at what times of day; and

·            Crimes could not be reported  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

The City Warden will be present at the meeting to give an update on issues in the area.

Barbara Whitcombe, City Warden Team Manager, gave an introduction to the City Council’s One Clean Leicester initiative, explaining that a new method of reporting environmental problems such as litter or graffiti was via a free downloadable application for smart phones.  Further details on this initiative are attached at the end of these minutes for information.

Photographs also could be sent via this application and, if appropriate, they would be published on the City Council’s website. Once received, the complaint would be allocated to the appropriate team and the sender of the message would receive an acknowledgement.  The sender also would receive confirmation when the complaint had been resolved.  Progress with reported incidents could be followed on www.springcleanleiceater.blogspot.com.

Complaints and problems still could be reported in the usual ways, such as text, e-mail or via City Wardens or Ward Councillors, but the new scheme enabled complaints to be dealt with more quickly.  For example, sending a photograph of the problem in question could save time, because it could help ensure that the most appropriate response was given. 

Issues that could be reported included abandoned and nuisance vehicles, bins on streets, dog fouling and fly posting.  However, it was noted that, in order to enter private land to resolve environmental problems, permission was needed from the landowner.

It had been found that, if graffiti was removed as soon as it was done, it often did not return.  Efforts also were being made to encourage people to be more responsible about what they threw away.  Everyone therefore was encouraged to report areas needing cleaning up as soon as possible.

Barbara Whitcombe advised that income from Fixed Penalty Notices was used to buy items to further the work of the City Wardens.  For example, some of the income recently had been used to buy 10,000 “stubbies”, in which used cigarette ends could be placed.

In response to a query, it was noted that, although there had been a delay in receiving the funding previously agreed for a large litter bin on the Great Central Way, it should have been installed by now.  The Ward Councillors undertook to investigate why it had not been installed yet.

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)      The Members Support Officer will provide an update on the 2010/11 Community Meeting budget.

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

i)       Westcotes Library

Applicant:       Mary Pringle, Senior Community Librarian, Westcotes Library

Proposal:       Westcotes Library – promoting the library and its services to the community in Westcotes Ward

Amount:

Summary:

The items requested would be used to promote the library and its services to members of the community in Westcotes Ward, in particular parents and children, to encourage more parents to bring their children to the library.

The portable tabletop display kit would be used by library staff attending parents’ evenings and book weeks at local schools, as well as other outreach events. These kits can be used very effectively to enhance a stall with a clear, professional display highlighting services available at the library.

The larger folding display system would be used within the library to publicise events in an attractive and modern way, ensuring that customers are aware of the many activities and services that the library offers. This display equipment is flexible and lightweight and could be used throughout the library, as opposed to the old, heavy display boards used at present, which must be secured to a wall to prevent accidents. A new portable system would allow library staff to provide displays in different areas of the library and reach more of their customers, enhancing their enjoyment of the library.

ii)      Kaleidoscope Arts Project

Applicant:       Kaleidoscope Arts

Proposal:       Kaleidoscope Arts Project – Save The Manor and bring the community together through art

Amount:

Summary:

Awards for All funding of £10,000 has been applied for through the Big Lottery Fund and match funding of £1,000 is required.  This money would enable Kaleidoscope Arts put on a series of art based taster sessions, from May to the end of June, which would lead up to an event on 25 June to help Save The Manor community centre, promote all the courses / facilities available and ultimately promote the main course that the group will be running from September – December.  This would be to produce a community film made by the community for the community.

The Manor is a council-owned former manor house with exceptional potential as a community centre. Threatened with closure, the committee has until June 2011 to get 2,000 people through the door before the premises are closed for good. Kaleidoscope Arts provides  ...  view the full agenda text for item 38.

i)        Westcotes Library – Promotion of the Library

AGREED:

That funding of £382.40 be approved from the Ward Action Plan Budget to Westcotes Library for the purchase of a portable presentation system and a portable folding display system.

ii)       Kaleidoscope Arts Project – Support the Manor

Amanda Leandro, of Kaleidoscope Arts, introduced herself to the meeting and explained that this project had been set up to support the Manor House Neighbourhood Centre.

The Centre had been given until June 2011 to get 2,000 people through its doors, before a decision was made on whether the Centre should stay open.  It therefore was proposed to hold taster sessions, workshops and a one-day event, to encourage people to use it.  These events also would provide people with “soft” learning skills that could be used in other situations, for example to help get in to employment.

The Chair advised the meeting that under-spent funds from the 10,000 tress project had been used to keep the Centre open until June.

AGREED:

that funding of £1,000 be approved from the Ward Action Plan Budget to Kaleidoscope Arts towards its work to support the Manor Neighbourhood Centre.

iii)      Love Hoops Foundation – Active Women

The meeting was advised that this application had been agreed via the “fast track” urgency procedure and had been presented for information.

NOTED:

that £250 had been approved to the Love Hoops Foundation towards the Active Women project as follows:-

a)         £86.47 from the Ward Action Plan Budget;

b)         £32.46 from the Ward Community Fund; and

c)          £131.07 from the Ward Community Cohesion Fund.

iv)      Bethany Court Leicester – Computer for Communal Lounge

AGREED:

that funding of £2,000 be approved for the purchase by Bethany Court Leicester of the following items for use in the communal lounge at Bethany Court:-

·        2 computers;

·        2 computer chairs

·        a printer and cartridges;

·        2 monitors;

·        consumables (such as paper and ink); and

·        insurance for these items.

v)       Councillor Sarah Russell / Leicester City Council Environmental Services – Briton Street Clean Up

Councillor Russell advised the meeting that, although the pavement in Briton Street was very clean, pedestrians dropped rubbish over walls and household rubbish accumulated in front gardens.  Briton Street had been suggested as a good location to pilot a “full street” clean up, as it had the heaviest pedestrian traffic, (apart from Narborough Road).

As this was a pilot project, it was not possible to provide an actual cost for the work, so the sum of £1,000 had been requested.  If the scheme cost less than this, the clean up would continue beyond Briton Street, and any costs above that would be borne by the cleansing service.

Concern was expressed that some of the property to be cleared was owned by people who were able to afford to clear it themselves.  The Ward Councillors advised the meeting that this had been considered, but some of the rubbish to be cleared had not been left by the tenants or landlords, (for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Last Meeting

Further to minute 28, (“Elected Mayor Consultation”), of the minutes of the Westcotes Community Meeting held on 30 November 2010, it was noted that De Montfort University was hosting an event called “Elected Mayor: The Big Debate”, on Monday, 18 April 2011.

Some places in the audience had been reserved for people from neighbourhoods and anyone interested in attending was invited to speak to the Ward Members at the end of the meeting.