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.

Cllr Byrne – Chair, welcomed those present and led introductions.

No interests were declared.

Apologies – Hetha Copland, Mrs Shorten, Mrs King, Gordon & Kathleen Chantrill, Youth Services.

The Action Log of the meeting held on 26^th August 2014, is attached and Members will be asked to confirm it as an accurate record.

26^th August 2014 Circulated and Confirmed as a correct record.

No matters arising.

Elizabeth Logan, a Senior Planning in the Planning, Transportation and Economic Development Department will provide information and a presentation on the Local Plan issues and options.

Elizabeth Logan, Senior Planner delivered a presentation and outlined details of the new Local Plan together with issues and options.

The meeting was informed the public consultation on the local plan was now open and would continue until the end of January 2015.

The public were invited to make comments through the consultation on such matters as where future housing should go, what type of housing was needed, transport issues, any areas that needed protecting. Further information was available on the council’s website together with online forms that could be used to provide feedback. Officers agreed to provide hard copies of the forms to local centres for members of the public to complete.

A Police Officer will be at the meeting to provide an update on local policing issues in the Ward.

No-one from Leicestershire Police was available to attend the meeting.

An update on local policing issues to be provided to the next meeting.

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

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

·       43 complaints had been received in the ward since the last meeting;

·       Fly Tipping – biggest concern in the area and reports were being tackled as quickly as possible;

·       Cars for Sale – an ongoing issue was continuing to be investigated;

·       Bird Feeding Complaint – this had been investigated and involved someone feeding birds in their garden and there was nothing wrong in that;

·       Dog Fouling – remained a concern especially in areas around Border Drive, Marwood Road, Appleton Avenue and Patton Close.

Residents were encouraged to raise 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 Ward.

Ela Krychowska-Hall, Area Housing Manager provided an update on the following Housing related issues:

• Housing Stock Profile
• Tenants Profile
• Anti-social behaviour was lower than previously, and early intervention was preventing issues from escalating, a zero tolerance policy was in place.
• Housing repairs – in January 2014 there were 1015 outstanding repairs but as at the time of the meeting there were now just 465 outstanding repairs the oldest of which dated back to September 2014 – therefore a much better service was being provided to tenants.

The following improvement projects were planned for the area:

• Thurcaston Road – resurfacing of courtyards ongoing programme and replacement of shed doors.
• Canonsleigh Rd/Shelford Walk – painting of ceilings to external walkways;
• Pytchley Close – replacing of landscaped areas to front of blocks with hard surfaces;
• Play area on Langley Walk;
• Aesthetics of whole area – removal of overgrown shrubbery and re-turfing;

A member of the team will give an update on the work and projects of the NHS Wellness team in the Abbey Ward.

Michelle Welland from the Community Wellness Team gave an update on the work being done in the ward. The team were continuing to be involved with local residents and there were now 30+ projects underway. The team had provided start-up funding for new groups but that funding was now all spent.

The Healthy Living Centres in the area were all well attended and leaflets were available providing more information on events and groups which included a Photography group, a Knit and Natter group, garden projects and a cycling project. There were lots of daytime events and the potential for evening events too although currently only 1 group met in the evening. Youth sessions were also taking place on Thursdays and the Christmas Event had been very well supported with 200 children seeing Santa and the event raised £700 towards the older people’s Christmas meal.

Future plans included a themed community sponsored walk aimed at people raising funds for their projects and it was hoped this would incorporate an event to recognise volunteers.

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:

·       Waterside Enhancement (1152) – Proposal to enhance the riverside area at the rear of the National Space Centre to include installing seating, preparing the ground and setting seeds for a wild flower meadow. Application for £1000 – Grant of £1000 Supported to Adrian Lane.

·       Combating Isolation & Loneliness for the Elderly (1179) – Proposal to start a community hub for the elderly in the proximity of Stadium Estate. Application for £1,500 – Grant of £750 Supported to Raj Khuti.

·       NHS Wellness Team (???) – Proposal to hold a community sponsored walk/fun run in Abbey Park with an event afterwards to recognise volunteers in the community. Application £1000 – Grant of £1000 Provisionally Supported on understanding that an application in writing is submitted within 7 working days.

A short update will be provided on Transforming Neighbourhood Services and any impacts on the Abbey Ward.

There was no-one present to deliver this item. An update on transforming neighbourhood services to be provided to the next meeting.

The next Abbey Ward community meeting to take place on Tuesday 3^rd March 2015 at 6pm at a venue to be confirmed in due course.

The meeting closed at 7.05pm.