Agenda and minutes

Councillors will elect a Chair for the meeting.

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.

It was noted that this was a readjourned meeting from the meeting on 14 December 2022.

Councillor Byrne as Chair led on introductions.

There were no apologies for absence.

The Action Log of the meeting held on 22^nd September 2022, is attached and Members will be asked to confirm it as an accurate record.

AGREED:

That the Action Log of the meeting held 22 September 2022 be confirmed as a correct record.

Councillors will provide an update on ward related matters.

It was noted that Abbey Park Road was now scheduled to reopen fully in March and that the process had been delayed due to Cadent Gas doing works.

An update on the local plan will be provided.

Grant Butterworth, Head of Planning, was present to give an update on the current consultation of the Draft Local Plan and its impact on Abbey Ward. It was noted that:

·         The Local Plan was a 15-year plan for  growth in Leicester. The Plan had to meet targets and policies set out by the Government.

·         Leicester had already grown through the city boundary so development opportunity in the city itself was limited. Therefore, most District Councils had agreed a Statement of Common Ground to help meet almost half of Leicester’s housing target.

·         There had been 3 previous consultations on the Plan, with the last one being in 2020. The current stage of consultation would close on 27 February. The Plan would formally be submitted to Government in the summer.

·         In the current Draft Plan, there were 7 proposed sites in Abbey Ward, all on greenfield land.

·         The proposed site on Thurcaston Road was one of two potential site options in the Plan for a 12-pitch transit site for Gypsy and Traveller communities. Statute required that the Plan make provision for Traveller sites.

·         A Planning application for the Heacham Drive site had been submitted.

Discussion was focused on the proposed Traveller site on Thurcaston Road. Residents raised their strong objections to the proposal. It was noted that this site was proposed for industrial use in the previous drafts of the Plan and that this had been changed in the latest version. Officers noted that this was because they could not combine permanent and transit Traveller site proposals as originally envisaged therefore, they had to include new options in this consultation to meet statutory requirements.

Residents noted that other potential sites for the transit site had been dismissed for various criteria including environmental quality, road access, and distance from other Traveller sites. Residents felt that these criteria had not been applied and considered equally and that this site did not meet the criteria as well and cited various reasons why it did not. Officers encouraged residents to raise these points through the official consultation so that they could be considered by the Council and the Government.

It was noted that individual site proposals in the Local Plan would still need to be finalised and go through the Planning application process should they be allocated. The Planning application process would be where detailed highway issues and other practicalities were considered.

In response to a question, it was noted that the Plan included an Open Spaces Assessment as set out the Government rules around open space in new developments as well as on a ‘per head’ plan wide basis.

It was noted that all residents had received leaflets publicising consultations as well as letters being sent to those living adjacent to proposed site allocations and that the response levels at previous stages were not high.

In response to a question, it was noted that the size of a pitch was roughly equivalent to 1 Caravan.

Councillors stated that they were opposed to the proposed site  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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

Kelly James, City Warden for the area, was present to provide an update on environmental issues in the ward, it was noted that:

·         The policy on dog fouling was to issue FPNs when caught. Bins had been installed on Galleywood Drive and Bewcastle Grove and were well used.

·         There had been issues with littering on Abbey Rise, the situation on the road would continue to be monitored.

·         Issues had been reported with taxis on Marwood Road.

·         Any stolen trolleys could be reported to the retailer on the Trolleywise app.

·         As part of the Great British Spring Clean, in April volunteers would be cleaning up parks and waterways in the city.  

Highways officers will give an update on highways matters in the Ward.

Steve Richards, Highways Officer, was present to provide an update on Highways issues in the ward, it was noted that a cycle lane was now being put in on Beaumont Leys Lane, Councillors would be contacted regarding the works.

Issues with pavement parking on Ravensbridge Drive were noted despite waiting restrictions being in place.

Residents noted issues with parking spaces on Bewcastle Grove and suggested that the grass verge could be turned into a space.

Residents raised concerns about the quality of the footway on Marwood Road, it was noted that footways were regularly inspected. It was also noted that Marwood Road would soon be resurfaced.

ACTION:

Officers to consider the suggestion of turning the grass verge on Bewcastle Grove into a parking space.

Councillors are reminded that under the Council’s Code of Conduct they should declare any interest they may have in budget applications.

An update will be given on the Ward Community Budget. A summary of grant applications submitted for consideration since the last meeting is attached.

It was noted that the full budget for Abbey ward had now been spent. New applications would be considered in the new Municipal Year after May.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 7.31pm.