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 Russell in the Chair.  Councillor Connelly also present.

Everyone welcomed and introductions given.

No interests were declared.

None received

The Action Log from the meeting held on 25 March 2014 has been circulated.

All to note:-

·           Minute 21 – Technical issues regarding the CCTV camera had been resolved and, if it had not already been installed, it would be very soon

·           Minute 39 – The first patch walk had been held immediately before this meeting. The Neighbourhood Development Manager asked to report to the next meeting on progress with actions identified during this walk and any others held before that meeting. 

Details of actions arising from the patch walk attached for information

·           Minute 45 – The consultation on Transforming Neighbourhood Services has ended.  Proposals will be published in July 2014.  Residents and community groups encouraged to participate in the consultation that will be held on these

Janet Hudson and Andy Salkeld (Transport Development Officer)will be at the meeting to give a brief overview of what will be happening at these races, (for example, road closures).

All to note that:-

·           The Castle Classic is an elite cycle race that will be held on Sunday 17 August 2014, (if this does not clash with a Leicester City Football Club home fixture)

·           There will be an amateur event on the morning of the Castle Classic, along with a triathlon event

·           Sky Ride takes place on Sunday 24 August 2014 and will be a family friendly event

Officers asked to consider liaising with the boat club to see if a regatta can be held as part of next year’s Sky Ride event

Laura Horton and Stephen Cooper will be at the meeting to talk about how the Leicester Centre for Integrated Living will be running the West End Neighbourhood Centre.

All to note that:-

·           Leicester Centre for Integrated Living is a charity run by and for disabled people, which has taken over management of the West End Neighbourhood Centre

·           It is hoped that various improvements can be made to the centre and a greater number of services offered

·           All previous users of the centre are able to continue to use it

·           Charges are made to hire rooms at the centre, but community groups are offered preferential rates

Representatives of Leicester Centre for Integrated Living asked to liaise with representatives of Upstairs at the Western, to see if the centre could be used for a theatrical performance and / or live streaming of theatre performances at the Western

Adrian Edge, (Landscape Development Manager), will provide an update on plans to install play equipment in Bede Park.

·           All to note that the Council has now bought the land at the rear of Tesco.  This will be used to extend Bede Park

·           A consultation will be held on people’s preferences for how this area should be used

·           Approximately £175,000 is available from Section 106 planning contributions for work in the park

Landscape Development Manager asked to submit suggestions to the next meeting for how the newly incorporated area of Bede Park can be used

a)      Darryl Watson, (Senior Planner), will be at the meeting to discuss planning applications for Freemans Meadow; and

b)      An update on planning and development issues in the Westcotes Ward not covered elsewhere on the agenda will be given.

a)     Planning Applications for Freemans Meadow

All to note that:-

·           A planning application has been received to increase the number of properties that can be built on Freemans Meadow before the developer needs to provide a second access to the development

·           Applications also have been received for 36 houses on Ivanhoe Meadow and to use land near the river as open space

·           Although the roads in Freemans Meadow were built to an adoptable standard, none had been adopted.  This meant it was not possible to apply things such as traffic regulation orders or residents’ parking schemes to those roads

·           The current bridge in the development was not of an adoptable standard.  A second one therefore would need to be built if work was to be done on the first one to bring it up to adoptable standard

Planning officers asked to consider concerns raised at the meeting about the proposals, including:-

o    The proposed additional housing would make the development feel overcrowded

o    The number of houses proposed would make it difficult for emergency vehicles to access the development

o    The development proposed would block the wildlife corridor that currently ran from Birstall in to the city and then out to Oadby and Wigston

o    Several houses would be built between the development and the green space, which would restrict access to the river

o    The developer could continue to submit applications to increase the number of properties that could be built on Freemans Meadow before a second access / bridge needed to be provided

Ward Councillors asked to also pass on these concerns

b)     Other Planning and Development Issues in the Ward

Ward Councillors asked to look in to the planning application submitted for a health spa next door to Sainsbury’s on Narborough Road

All to note that approximately £100,000 of Section 106 planning contribution funding is available for improvements to green spaces in the Ward

The City Warden will give an update on issues in the Westcotes Wardnot covered elsewhere on the agenda.

All to note the update attached

Assistant Mayor (Neighbourhood Services and Community Involvement) asked to consider whether training can be provided on how to use the One Clean Leicester website when it is re-launched later in the year

All to note that Adrian Ablett (“the can man”) collected and recycled over 10,000 cans last month.  At the request of local people, Narborough Road and adjoining streets were being targeted

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

All to note that:-

·           Burglary had been the main issue in the Ward, with a big increase in February, March and April.  Several core offenders were now back in custody, so it was anticipated that the situation would improve

·           The number of thefts from persons was increasing, with mobile phones being the main items stolen.  Over the last few weeks youths had been using screwdrivers to threaten people in the Great Central Way / West Bridge area between midnight and approximately 2.00 am.  This group also was targeting Asian females for their jewellery

·           Overall, crime in the Ward was reducing slowly

·           It was hoped that a Designated Public Place Order could be created for the city, which would give the Police power to take drink off people who the Police believed were behaving, or would behave, anti-socially

·           The Police were working with ASRA housing to see if a Police office could be established at the ASRA office

Police requested to:-

a)    take action over large groups of drinkers meeting in Bede Park, as these groups are deterring families from using the Park; and

b)    liaise with the Police Licensing Officer regarding concerns about people drinking in the vicinity of shops on Narborough Road

Councillors are reminded that under the Council’s Code of Conduct they should 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.

·           Community Storage (1007) – Grant of £4,600 to Laura Hutton supported, subject to the applicant working with the Leicester Centre for Integrated Living to find a cheaper alternative for storage and using remaining funds for community development work

·           Phase 3 Development: LED Lighting and Raised Seating (5017) – Grant of £4,223 To Upstairs at the Western supported

·           IriJa (New Yam) Festival (5025) – Grant of £800 to the Nigeria Community Association supported, this grant to be used for events encouraging communities to come together. The Neighbourhood Development Officer asked to work with the applicant to find ways of making the Festival more sustainable for future years, (for example, through links with the Council’s Festivals and Events team)

All to note that:-

o    £316 has been carried forward from last year’s budget, giving a total grant fund of £18,316 for 2014/15

o    The following grants have been supported under the Council’s fast track procedure:

§  Greenshoots: Polish Translation (1020) – Grant of £90 to Andy Boranman

§  Under 5 Toddler Time Activities (1006) – Grant of £500 to Rambha Odedra

Thanks to be extended to all involved in the very successful Riverside Festival held over the weekend of 7 and 8 June 2014.  Attendees asked to give feedback on the event (positive or negative) and to let the Council know what they would like to see at next year’s event