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 Bhavsar – Chair for the meeting, welcomed everyone and led introductions.

Apologies were received from Matt Davinson City Warden, Adrian Edge and Hetha Copland.

The Action Log of the meeting held on 24^th August, is attached and Members will be asked to confirm it as an accurate record.

The action log of 24 August 2015 was circulated and confirmed as an accurate record.

An officer from Local Services and Enforcement will provide an update on the new play area at Langley Walk, Abbey Rise.

This item was deferred to a future meeting as no-one was available to present.

A representative is invited to address the meeting and provide an update on issues relating to Biffa and Waste Management in the Abbey Ward.

Geoff Soden was present and provided an update on the waste management service and discussed the ongoing issues regarding the Bursom/Biffa waste plant and explained that a series of measures had been introduced. There was increased monitoring and it was accepted that there were still smells emanating from the site.

 It was explained that the council could only take direct action if the Environment Agency served notice on Biffa for failing to comply. Residents were encouraged to make their complaints direct to the Environment Agency rather than to Biffa or the council and to use the Freephone number 0800 807060.

Information leaflets were circulated giving details of weekly refuse collections, recycling collections and the new garden waste scheme.

The “Pass It On scheme” was promoted which aimed to divert bulky re-useable items such as sofa’s or wardrobes to people in need.

The meeting was also informed that a new household waste site was available at Gypsum Close including a “Pay as You Throw” scheme for small businesses and a LORO’s shop on site where bulky items could be donated for resale.

An officer from the Highways Team will provide an update on issues relevant to the Abbey Ward.

Robert Bateman, Team Leader for Highways & Traffic Design) gave an update on highways issues and repairs that had been undertaken in the Abbey Ward.

·       the Leicester Northwest highways and transport project between the county and city aimed to improve road networks along the A50 corridor, towards the A47 and the A6 and roads around the western by-pass and outer ring road. The first phase of works around the Glenfield Hospital, New Parks Way and Groby Road had started and was expected to last 15 months.

·       Wesley Street – ongoing issues were discussed and the meeting were informed more enforcement in the area was planned. It was agreed to conduct a traffic count over a one week period.

ACTION: Highways team to conduct a traffic count for a one week period on the section of road that crossed Wesley Street, Beaumanor Road and Thurcaston Lane.

·       An additional Cycle Lane had been proposed for Thurcaston Lane – it was noted that residents had concerns regarding that.

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

Sgt Julie Strong introduced herself to the meeting and gave an update on local policing issues and reported crime statistics since the last meeting were noted.

·       Residents were concerned that speeding vehicles on Abbey Lane was still an issue – officers confirmed there were ongoing traffic operations in the area and all of the team were trained in using the hand held speed guns.

·       Thurcaston Road – police continued to enforce along the Hump Back bridge.

ACTION: The Chair asked that the Sgt look at figures for enforcement in that area and to provide that data to the Councillors who would use that information to argue for a speed camera in that area.

·       Police were making use of shared facilities in the community to be more accessible. Community Officers were available at various times at the Stocking Farm Healthy Living Centre and also at the Tudor Centre.

·       A Xmas Extravaganza was planned at the Healthy Living Centre on Marwood Road and the police would be there to engage with the community. Police officers had donated 100 selection boxes that would be given out to children at the event.

·       Residents raised concerns about the number of cyclists on pavements in particular around Heacham Drive, Babingley Drive and Burnham Drive – Police agreed to take action and monitor this issue.

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

Stacey Hewitt, Local Housing Officer gave an update on housing matters relating to the Abbey Ward.

It was noted that following further changes another new manager had been appointed as Area Housing Manager Ramila Dhobi in place of Chrissie Field and she was based at Home Farm Square.

It was noted that:

·       Thurcaston Road courtyards project was ongoing, all had now been resurfaced with soft tarmac and were suitable for child play,

·       Pytchley Close – work to landscaped areas was continuing to remove overgrown shrubbery,

·       The housing team were working closely with a project “Leicester to Work” which helped people out of work for some time to get back into work and improve their CV’s,

·       Residents were encouraged to provide feedback on services in the neighbourhood as part of the ongoing consultation exercise.

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

Apologies were received from Matt Davinson, City Warden.

An update on City Warden services to be provided 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.

Applications Fast Tracked since the last meeting

·       Mowmacre Young Peoples (1518) –Playscheme - Grant of £500

·       Sakhar (1547) – Children’s well-being classes -Grant of £400

·       GLAD & Community Wellness Service (5120) – Christmas Extravaganza Fun Run - Grant of £500

·       GLAD & Community Wellness Service (5121) – Christmas Extravaganza Work shops - Grant of £500

Applications Considered at the meeting

·       Belgrave Rugby Club (5123) – towards cost of maintaining playing field and improved security around club house. Application for £1000. Grant of £1000 Supported.

·       Restorative Justice Initiative (1570) – to recruit and train 12 local women as part of the Women of Peace project. Application for £1698. Grant of £1698 Supported.

·       Spring Education Centre (1500) – towards the costs of provision of computers for children. Application for £1600. Grant of £800 Supported. Group to provide additional information if it wishes to obtain further support.

It was announced that Mitun Dabhelia would be moving to a new job. Councillors thanked Mitun for all his hard work and engagement with the community in the Abbey Ward.

The next meeting will take place on Monday 29^th February 2016 at 6pm in the Tudor Centre, Bewcastle Grove, Mowmacre Hill, Leicester.

The meeting closed at 7.30pm