Agenda and minutes

Councillor Byrne was elected Chair for the meeting.

There were no apologies for absence.

The first main item on the agenda 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 to be discussed.

 

 

There were no declarations of interest.

The Minutes of the previous Abbey Ward Community Meeting held on 26 November 2013 are attached and Members will be asked to confirm them as a correct record.

 

RESOLVED:

that the Minutes of the Abbey Ward Community Meeting held on 26 November 2013 be confirmed as a correct record.

Officers from the Transport Strategy & Programmes Section will discuss bus pinch point locations in the Ward.

Mark Korczak and Steve Warwick (Transport Strategy and Programmes) presented details of the Council’s consultation concerning bus pinch points.

 

It was reported that funding had been made available in the 2014/15 financial year to improve identified pinch point locations.  Pinch points were defined as:

 

“anything that prevents a bus from keeping its timetable, ranging from general congestion, parked vehicles, timing of traffic lights, to busy junctions”.

 

The maps of known problem sites were displayed with information concerning the collation of data received as part of the process.

 

The suggested methodology to prioritise identified sites was explained, together with the assessment criteria involving frequency and severity scoring.

 

A provisional list of locations within the Ward, which had been identified from initial consultation including the Bus Users Panel, was discussed. 

 

In reply to questions, the types of measures suggested to improve the problem locations including physical measures and increased lane enforcements were clarified.

 

It was confirmed that the list could be influenced through the ongoing consultation and community representatives and residents were encouraged to submit their views to the Transport Strategy Team.

 

Mark and Steve were thanked for their presentation.

 

Councillors will report on the implications of the School becoming an Academy.

Councillor Riyait reported on the school’s intention to become an academy following an Ofsted report that defined the school as ‘inadequate’.  The majority of Governors had supported the move to become an academy to take the school out of ‘special measures’ following the inadequate report.

 

In response to questions Councillor Riyait confirmed that the main issues affecting the schools performance related to poor behaviour and poor attendance records, which had been exacerbated by the long-term absence of the Head teacher.

 

As a recently appointed Community Governor, Councillor Riyait stated that he would be in an improved position to deal with any views on the schools performance in the future.

 

Norman Rochester commented on the experiences at Woodstock Primary School that had decided to stay in Local Authority control and had made significant improvements through increased involvement of the community in school activities.

 

 

 

 

The Police will update the meeting on their operational activities.

Sgt Zakoscielny and PC Blount were in attendance to provide an update on the Police activities in the Ward.

 

PC Blount reported on crime statistics in the ward over the previous three months.

 

It was reported that a recent operation had led to a reduction in burglaries, following the arrest and detention of a prominent offender.

 

A rise in theft from unattended vehicles was reported and that unsociable behaviour continued to be a concern.  PC Blount encouraged community representatives and resident s to report incidents, using the Crimestopper 101 number.  The importance of regular reporting of incidents was expressed as this aided the Police in their prioritisation of activities.

 

A new Police Twitter account of the Ward had been launched “@LPAbbey” and posts to the account were encouraged.

 

In respect of the problems caused by large groups congregating in public areas, it was confirmed that unless an offence was being committed it was difficult for the police to disperse groups.  It was clarified that loitering was not an offence and although residents found the groups to be intimidating, police powers to deal with the perceived problems did not exist.

 

In response to questions PC Blount reported on the problems concerning cycling on the footway and advised that this would be dealt with when seen, but that the Police were unlikely to commit specific resources to the issue.

 

Clarification of the ‘Sentinel’ system to record anti-social behaviour was also provided.

 

Sgt Zakoscielny and PC Blount were thanked for their report.

The City Warden will update the meeting on environmental and enforcement activities.

Matt Davinson (City Warden) reported on his environmental and enforcement activities in the Ward.

 

Matt advised that reports of dog fouling and litter had reduced but that fly-tipping had increased.  It was noted that many items were large single items left outside rental properties resulting from the vacation of premises by students.  He confirmed that problems could be reported to him, or to Cleansing Services who would arrange for bulky items to be collected.

 

In response to questions concerning the statement that incidents of dog fouling had decreased, Matt confirmed that he could increase patrols and enforcement of dog fouling in the Kinley Road area and asked for specific times and descriptions of offenders to be sent to him.

 

Matt was thanked for his update.

 

The Area Housing Manager will update the meeting on housing issues.

Ela Krychowska-Hall (Area Housing Manager) provided an update on Housing issues in the Ward.

 

It was reported that reports of anti-social behaviour had decreased overall, although one serious incident had occurred recently.  Following liaison with police colleagues it was noted that the early intervention had prevented the problem from escalating.

 

It was reported that low complaints had been received in respect of housing repairs and that there were currently 23 void properties awaiting tenants.

 

Ela referred to the finance available for improvement schemes and to the ongoing consultation through the various TARAs.  Following the consultative process improvements had been proposed, including the resurfacing to walkways and paths which had been well received by tenants.

 

The list of projects for 2014/15 was being populated and would include works to the Thurcaston Road courtyards which had been in a poor state for some years and required refurbishment and repair.  It was noted that this may involve laying a rubberised play area surface to the courtyard areas.

 

In response to questions Ela clarified the way in which reports, including problems of damp intrusion were dealt with by the inspection teams.

 

Ela was thanked for her update.

 

Councillors are reminded that they will need to declare any interest they may have in budget applications.

 

 

a)         Officers will present the latest position with regard to the Abbey Ward Community Budget.

 

 

b)        The following applications have been approved under the Fast-Track procedure since the previous meeting:

 

Application 1           (1325)

 

Applicant:      Friends of Mowmacre

 

Amount:         £500

 

Proposal:       Fare Share Food Bank 

 

Application 2           (1327)

 

Applicant:      Little Tykes Parent and Tots Group

 

Amount:         £500

 

Proposal:       Toys and Craft Supplies for Group

 

Application 3           (1328)

 

Applicant:      Mowmacre Bowls Club

 

Amount:         £500

 

Proposal:       Coach Trip to Bowls Festival at Skegness

 

Application 4           (0004) - Joint Bid

 

Applicant:      Shree Sanatan Mandir

 

Amount:         £500

 

Proposal:        Holi Celebration on Cossington Park

 

Application 5           (1332)

 

Applicant:      Mowmacre Young People’s Play and Development Association

 

Amount:         £490.80

                       

Proposal:       Half Term Playscheme

 

 

c)         The following applications have been received for consideration:

 

Application 6           (1326)

 

Applicant:      Mowmacre Hill Primary School 

 

Amount:         £5400

                       

Proposal:       Mowmacre Hill SPARK Festival

 

 

Application 7           (1329)

 

Applicant:      Mowmacre Event Planning Partnership

 

Amount:         £1,000

                       

Proposal:       Mowmacre Bonfire Event

 

 

Application 8           (1331)

 

Applicant:      Guru Nanak Community Centre

 

Amount:         £1,200

                       

Proposal:       40 Chairs for use in the Community Centre

 

 

d)        The following fast-track application has been declined since the previous meeting, Officers and Councillors are offering support through separate sources:

 

Application 9           (1330)

 

Applicant:      Mowmacre Tenants and Residents Association

 

Amount:         £120

                       

Proposal:       3 Office Chairs

 

 

e)         Any further grant applications received before the meeting will be submitted for consideration.

The Member Support Officer presented the latest position with regard to the Abbey Ward Community meeting budget.

 

 

A)        It was reported that the following applications had been approved under the Fast-Track procedure since the previous meeting:

 

 

Application 1           (1325)

 

Applicant:      Friends of Mowmacre

 

Amount:         £500

 

Proposal:       Fare Share Food Bank 

 

 

Application 2           (1327)

 

Applicant:      Little Tykes Parent and Tots Group

 

Amount:         £500

 

Proposal:       Toys and Craft Supplies for Group

 

 

Application 3           (1328)

 

Applicant:      Mowmacre Bowls Club

 

Amount:         £500

 

Proposal:       Coach Trip to Bowls Festival at Skegness

 

 

Application 4           (0004) - Joint Bid

 

Applicant:      Shree Sanatan Mandir

 

Amount:         £500

 

Proposal:        Holi Celebration on Cossington Park

 

 

Application 5           (1332)

 

Applicant:      Mowmacre Young People’s Play and Development Association

 

Amount:         £490.80

                       

Proposal:       Half Term Playscheme

 

 

B)       The following applications were received for consideration and were determined as indicated:

 

 

Application 6           (1326)

 

Applicant:      Mowmacre Hill Primary School 

 

Amount:         £5400

                       

Proposal:       Mowmacre Hill SPARK Festival

 

AGREED:

                        that the application be supported in the sum of £2,700.

 

 

Application 7           (1329)

 

Applicant:      Mowmacre Event Planning Partnership

 

Amount:         £1,000

                       

Proposal:       Mowmacre Bonfire Event

 

 

AGREED:

                        that the application be supported in the sum of £1,000.

 

 

Application 8           (1331)

 

Applicant:      Guru Nanak Community Centre

 

Amount:         £1,200

                       

Proposal:       40 Chairs for use in the Community Centre

 

AGREED:

that the application be declined but that the applicant be offered chairs surplus to the Council’s requirements arising from the review of Community Centres.

 

 

Application 9

 

Applicant:      Friends of Mowmacre

 

Amount:         £700

 

Proposal:       Fare Share Food Bank – Annual Membership

 

Mrs Jackie Marriott was invited to address the meeting concerning the future development of the food bank and a proposal to improve delivery methods to Fare Share. 

 

Further to the fast-track approval of £500 as detailed above (Application 1), Mrs Marriott reported on the proposed annual membership of Fare Share which would ensure regular deliveries, subject to a membership fee being paid.

 

The principles of the Fare Share Food Bank were discussed and community representatives and the Police representatives present confirmed their support to the scheme. Suggestions to incorporate lunch clubs and cooking classes were reported and those proposed developments were encouraged.  It was also reported that the Fare Share Distribution Centre at Narborough had recently been visited by Councillors, Officers and representatives of the Friends of Mowmacre.

 

The invoice for the annual membership had been received and details were reported to the meeting. It was reported that the membership fee of £700 required the approval of Councillors at the Ward meeting and that the necessary formal application form would ensue. 

 

AGREED:

that the proposal be supported in principle in the sum of £700 subject to the completion of a satisfactory application.

 

 

C)       It was reported that the following application had been declined since the previous meeting, but that Officers and Councillors were offering support to the applicant through separate sources:

 

 

Application 10         (1330)

 

Applicant:      Mowmacre Tenants and Residents Association

 

Amount:         £120

                       

Proposal:       3 Office Chairs

 

 

D)       Evaluation Forms

 

It was reported that a form had been received from Mrs Shorten following  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

A)           HALIFAX DRIVE CROSSING

 

It was requested that the feasibility of a pedestrian crossing be investigated at the top of Halifax Drive. 

 

It was reported that the area was to be made a 20mph scheme which would involve traffic calming measures.

 

Councillors agreed to pursue the installation of a crossing as an addition to the agreed works.

 

The meeting closed at 7.20 pm.