Agenda and minutes

Helen O’Brien, Nature Conservation Officer, Leicester City Council, was in attendance to give detail about the work which will be undertaken to improve the riverside and green space at Abbey Meadows.

Helen stated that the Council was successful in bidding for money for a series of projects for the Soar Valley area, and in total, received £120,000.  The project relating to Abbey Meadows commenced last winter in order to avoid the bird nesting season.  Helen explained that the project aimed to generally enhance the area and make improvements for wildlife habitats.  It was also aimed to improve the habitats at the area surrounding Abbey Pumping Station, which was commonly used by kingfishers. 

Helen reported that the wetland creation project proposed to extend the ditch that lied alongside Corporation Road, and it was planned to open it up to allow it to become more of a natural feature.  This would change the overall look and feel of the feature, and it was hoped that it would encourage habitats for species including bees, insects, bats and birds.

In response to a question around site maintenance, Helen stated that it was expected that highways maintenance officers would be responsible, but that if it was deemed for an alternative Council service to assume responsibility, then the appropriate budget could be transferred accordingly.  Helen also encouraged volunteers to work with Kimberley Stones, City Warden in respect of keeping the general area tidy.

It was reported that contact has been made with Council officers in respect of the site drainage.

Residents and Ward Members generally welcomed the developments outlined by Helen.  It was felt that the proposals could also help to ease safety concerns in the area around Abbey Pumping Station. 

Helen reported that the City Council’s Planning Policy Team was going looking at site allocations for the whole of the city, and that she would be contributing to this by offering information about the most appropriate uses for the Abbey Meadows site. 

As there were no Police representatives present, this item was deferred to the next meeting.

John Thomson, Area Housing Manager for Beaumont Leys and Mowmacre, was in attendance to provide an update on Housing Services in Abbey Ward.

John explained that a programme of work was to be proposed for the Abbey Ward under the Capital Receipts Initiative, and that tenants were being consulted as part of the process.  He explained that the proposals attempted to tackle housing needs and responded to issues of anti-social behaviour. 

It was reported that a total of £141,000 was available for initiatives during 2011/12 in Abbey and Beaumont Leys, and that John was attempting to acquire additional monies for Abbey.

John explained that the proposals included a scheme to install a CCTV system to cover key access and trouble spots, and would be the largest cost of those proposed.  Other schemes included a number of proposals for Kinley Road, including the installation of hand-rails, knee-rails and railings.  Also proposed was the installation of a metal gate along Garth Avenue, a gate for the Scout Hut on Marwood Road and railings for Bewcastle Grove and Wheatland Road.  It was also reported that a further proposal concerned the provision of additional parking on Hadrian Road. In total the proposals for Abbey amounted to £85,000. 

Members of the public and Councillors were in general agreement that the proposals for Kinley Road should go forward as an initial priority, and that the car park improvement work for Hadrian Road be not progressed at this stage.  A resident stated that incidents of anti-social behaviour on Kinley Road were frequently occurring.  John acknowledged this but stated that there was likely to be some tenant evictions as a result of these problems.

Norman Rochester, Community Partner, was of the view that since it’s construction, very little money has been spent on maintaining and improving the Abbey Rise estate.  He felt that it was important that expectations improve of those that live in the area and that people’s pride in the area needed to return.  He felt that the money proposed for improvements would be of great benefit.  Another resident was in agreement and spoke of the deterioration of the Abbey Rise estate during recent years, with a number of residents causing problems for others.  John acknowledged these views and felt that the installation of CCTV would assist in curtailing such problems. 

Kimberley Stones, City Warden, was present to inform residents of the recent work of the City Warden’s team in Abbey.

Kimberley explained that she was contracted to continue working as City Warden for Abbey until April 2012, and felt that she had helped to make some significant improvements within the Ward. 

She stated that although the ward was large in geographical size, she attempted to get to those parts of the ward where she needed to be at particular times. 

She further stated that as part of her role, she supported local businesses and also ensured that they minimised the amount of litter produced.  She asked those present to inform her of any business in Abbey that was responsible for littering. 

A resident felt that there was a need for a greater number of dog waste bins in the ward.  Kimberley reminded the meeting that dog mess could now be placed in any form of bin.  It was further stated that an additional provision of bins was currently unlikely due to recent cases of arson to bins within the ward. 

Jerry Connolly, Members Support Officer introduced the budget to the meeting.  He explained that this meeting was the first during the 2011/12 municipal year and that members had £15,000 available to spend.  Jerry detailed the purpose of the budget, stating that members were looking to fund projects and organisations that positively affected local people.  Examples of schemes which were often funded included youth diversion projects.

Jerry announced that five applications were detailed on the agenda.  In addition, the Councillors had agreed to consider three applications that had been received after the agenda had been despatched.

The following applications were considered:

1.    Sun Shelters for Wolsey House Primary School

            Amount requested: £4,000

This proposal was to erect five permanent shade canopy structures to provide shade and protection for pupils.

            RESOLVED:

                                    That the application be rejected.

2.    Cornerstone PCC – Community Picnic

Amount requested:  £500

            It was explained that the event would take place on Saturday 10^th    September 2011 between 13:30 and 16:30 at Alderman Richard     Hallam School.  Financial support had also been requested from Fosse    and Beaumont Leys Community Meetings.

RESOLVED:

                        That a sum of £250 be supported towards this                                                  application.

3.    St Partick’s Afternoon Club – Taxi to and from Community Meetings and the Forum for Older People

Amount Requested:  £100

It was explained that a similar arrangement had been previously     established.

RESOLVED:

                        That a sum of £100 be supported towards this                                                  application, on the condition that the individuals who                                                 benefit from the service provide reports from Forum for                            Older People meetings at future community meetings. 

4.    Guru Nanak Community Centre – Keeping Fit and Healthy

Amount requested: £1,300

This request was to purchase gym equipment to be accessed by both        younger and older people.  There was a commitment that the         Community Centre would match fund any pledge from the community         meeting.

RESOLVED:

                        That a sum of £1,300 be supported in principle, subject to                             the receipt of satisfactory information relating to the                                                organisation’s accounts.

5.    Leicester City Ladies Football Club – Coaches and Training Equipment for Saturday Morning Sessions

Amount requested:  £1,250

The applicant stated that this proposal would improve the level of football coaching for young women, and stated that there was a relatively low-level of such provision within this area of the city.  The applicant also stated that the club had established three additional teams recently, and the club were growing in prominence both locally and regionally.

It was noted that a sum of £1,250 had also been requested from the Beaumont Leys Community Meeting.

RESOLVED:

                        That a sum of £1,250 be supported towards this                                   application. 

6.    Food Parcel Scheme Partnership – Food Parcel Scheme

Amount requested:  £250

The applicant explained that this was a partnership project which    helped people who were in emergency situations by supplying them           with food and basic hygiene items.  

RESOLVED:

                        That a sum of £250 be supported towards this                                      application. 

7.    Abbey Ward Fireworks Event led by Stocking Farm Youth Centre

Amount requested:  £500

It was stated that events such as this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

The meeting closed at 8:02pm.