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.

Councillor Riyait – Chair, welcomed everyone and led introductions.

Apologies were received from Councillor Byrne.

There were no declarations of interest in the business to be discussed.

The Action Log of the meeting held on 11^th December 2014, is attached and Members will be asked to confirm it as a correct record.

Any update on actions taken since the last meeting will be reported at the meeting.

The action log of 11 December 2015 was circulated and confirmed as an accurate record.

No actions arising.

An Officer from Leicestershire Police will be at the meeting to provide an update on local policing issues affecting the Abbey ward.

Sgt Emma Spencer briefly explained the changes to the police force following the recent restructure. There were now 3 main areas of responsibility: Community Policing, Crime Investigation and Response to Incidents.

The Community Policing team were present at the meeting and introduced to those present. The changes were a positive move for the Abbey ward which would now see more officers on the streets locally.

Sgt Emma Spencer gave an update on local policing issues and reported crime statistics since the last meeting were noted.

·       Drummond Walk – drugs issues in the area were being tackled and residents invited to speak to the police about any concerns they have in that area.

·       Appleton Avenue – ASB issues were being tackled.

·       Bewcastle Grove – residents’ concerns about using the shop because of people “hanging” about had been addressed. Tensions between local residents and travellers using the shop were also being monitored.

Residents were reminded to ensure vehicles and properties (homes and sheds) were locked and items of value not left on display.

Mark Aspey, Commissioning Manager from the Care Services and Commissioning Department will be present to inform the meeting about the consultation and invite comments on substance misuse services in the City.

Mark Aspey, Commissioning Manager of Care Services gave a brief outline of the substance misuse services in the city which provided specialist help to people with drug and alcohol problems including social support and medical interventions.

Mark explained that there were care, advice and support services for those referred through the Criminal Justice system and other agencies i.e. Housing. There were also services available to people who voluntarily sought help and for the families affected by those taking drugs or with alcohol problems.

Mark explained that the services were currently being reviewed and there would be a formal consultation to choose the preferred recommendation and have the right services in place when the current service contracts expired. Residents were encouraged to comment on the services and help shape the future recommendations.

Adrian Edge, Landscape Development Manager will be present to outline proposals for play areas in Abbey Rise.

Adrian Edge gave details about plans to introduce a play area and outdoor gym near to Langley Walk, Abbey Rise.

Adrian explained that there were few play areas in the Abbey Ward as a whole and the plan was to have an area suitable for all ages to use.

Adrian said that 200 houses in the area nearest Langley Walk had been leafleted and residents were invited to comment on the proposals resulting in 20 responses, the majority were positive but some concerns about ASB were mentioned. The local primary school was also consulted and 4 themes were suggested. The children chose the Desert Island theme which would now be developed in terms of the items to be installed.

Those present at the meeting discussed the proposal which included the following points:

·       One person had put details on a Facebook page and this had generated positive feedback and 89 “likes”,

·       Experiences in other areas would be built on to ensure the area was properly maintained, elsewhere in the city similar projects had taken place which had been very successful,

·       Park inspectors would carry out weekly checks and would deal with any issues such as glass or sharps and removing graffiti. There would also be a more detailed monthly inspection to check equipment was in proper working order,

·       The site would have signage and a contact number would be displayed so that problems could be reported.

Residents were invited to comment further especially as to the outdoor gym equipment to be installed. The intention was for the play area to be installed during April 2015.

An officer from the City Wardens Service will give an update on issues in the Ward.

Matt Davinson, City Warden gave an update on matters affecting the Abbey ward.

·       Fly Tipping – 40 fly tips dealt with since last meeting,

·       Nuisance Parking on Marwood Road – plan was to letter drop the area to see if a widespread concern to the residents on that road,

·       Abbey Rise – had a lot of attention over last 2 months to clear untidy land. Bushes had been cut back along the disused railway exposing lots of rubbish, the owner of the land had been informed to clear the rubbish and that would be monitored,

·       Litter Pick Day – the city warden was trying to organise an event in the area but needed volunteers to assist on the day,

·       Dog Fouling – continued to be a problem in the area and the warden service was trying to raise awareness of the issue and encourage dog owners to act responsibly,

·       Love Leicester App was launched recently. Everyone was encouraged to down load and use that to report all issues. The city warden had dealt with 39 reports in last 2 weeks received through the app.

Actions:

1.     The Issue of nuisance and dangerous parking on the junction at Beaumanor Road, Thurcaston Road and Wesley Street to be reported to the Highways team for consideration of yellow lines.

2.     A representative of the Cleansing Services team to be invited to the next meeting to respond to residents’ concerns.

3.     A representative of the Parking Enforcement team to be invited to the next meeting to respond to residents’ concerns.

Residents were encouraged to continue reporting concerns with the Warden Service or their Councillor at the Councillor surgeries held in the ward.

A local Housing Officer will provide an update on housing issues in the Abbey Ward.

Ela Krychowska-Hall, Area Housing Manager provided an update on Housing issues in the area:

• Anti-social behaviour – there were 5 serious cases across the Abbey ward and 25 minor cases being addressed. Work continued on early intervention to prevent issues from escalating.
• Voids – there were very few in the area, repairs were being done and properties occupied within 1 month. The area was very high demand with 9000 people on the waiting list.

The following improvement projects were planned for the area:

• Court yards at the back of Thurcaston Road 70% were now resurfaced, work would start next week on 3 more courtyards on Langley Avenue/Walk had already been done. The long wooden fence in the area would be taken down and completely replaced.
• Sheds – doors would be replaced with uPVC doors, each would be numbered and referenced so housing knew which should belonged to which flat.
• Painting - £109,000 to be spent on painting the flats along Thurcaston Road, Abbey Lane and Langley Avenue.
• Window Boxes on flats would be removed prior to painting; Canopies on entrances would be inspected and repaired.

A resident queried whether there were garages in the area that could be rented from the council and how that would be done. Ella agreed to investigate and report to the next meeting.

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.

Councillors were reminded that under the Council’s code of conduct, they should declare any interest they may have in the budget applications.

Applications considered at the meeting:

Belgrave Rugby Football Club (5067) A joint bid to develop land into further training pitches. Application for £1000 – Grant of £1000 Supported.

Mowmacre Bowls Club (1296) A bid to support a bus trip for club members to a Bowling Tournament in Skegness. Application for £600 – Grant of £600 Supported.

Shree Sanatan Mandir & Community Centre (5074) A joint bid to support an annual Holi celebration event on Cossington Park. Application for £500 – Grant of £500 Supported.

Friends of Mowmacre (1344) A bid to support the cost of the annual subscription for a fareshare delivery to the Foodbank. Application for £800 – Grant of £800 Supported.

Friends of Mowmacre, c/o Mowmacre TARA (1340) A bid to deliver a one week intensive employability boot camp for 8-10 people between the age of 19 and 24 years old. Application for £2,500 – Grant of £2,000 Supported.

Mowmacre Events Planning Partnership c/o Friends of Mowmacre (1360) A bid to hold community bonfire event in November 2015. Application for £1000 – Grant of £1000 Supported.

AOB1

Milo from the Community Wellness Team gave a brief update on the work being done in the area.

There were plans to hold a community event in late June with a sponsored run and walk over 2 kilmetres. More details would be circulated in the area in due course.

AOB2

A resident raised concerns about traffic on Langley Avenue. Councillor Riyait agreed to speak to the resident outside of the meeting to discuss further.

AOB3

A resident raised concerns about a planning application on Stadium Estate. Councillor Riyait indicated that councillors in the area and the local MP would oppose it on behalf of residents if it was proceeding but understood the application had been withdrawn and that would be checked and advised.

The meeting closed at 8.05pm