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 Byrne – Chair for the meeting, led introduction and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

Received from Councillor Bhavsar and Matt Davinson, City Warden.

The Action Log of the meeting held on 29^th February 2016, is attached and Members will be asked to confirm it as an accurate record.

Received and agreed as an accurate record.

Councillors will provide an update on ward matters.

·       At the last meeting there were discussions about issues on Wesley St, since then a meeting had taken place between residents and Wastecycle, ongoing issues were being looked at with the Highways team.

·       A meeting had taken place with a local school to look at safety issues and improvements that could be made relating to parent parking.

·       A public meeting had been arranged on Tuesday 26^th July 2016 to discuss ongoing issues relating to Biffa.

·       A meeting had taken place with residents from the lower end of Anstey Lane to discuss and consider issues relating to parking outside the two public houses in that area.

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

PC Mel Germon introduced himself to the meeting and gave a brief update on policing issues in the area since the last meeting.

Reported crime statistics since the last meeting were noted.

·       A problem solving plan was in place for Drummond Road to target drugs issues and anti-social behaviour.

·       A campaign would take place over Summer to address issues with people riding motorcycles off road.

Residents were encouraged to report all incidents and advised that if they wanted to remain anonymous they could. The police were also willing to see away from their homes if they preferred not to have a house visit and the police were contactable through 101 or at local beat surgeries.

An officer from the Highways team will provide a brief update on Abbey Ward matters.

An officer from the Highways Team was not available at the meeting; however a written update had been provided and was read to those present:

Works carried out in 2015/16

·       20mph zones had been introduced in the following areas: Marwood Road, Border Drive and Holderness Road and included traffic calming measures

·       Concrete bay replacements had been put in at Heacham Drive, Parker Drive and Halifax Drive,

·       Redhill Way and Circle lining renewal

·       Approximately 200 potholes and 280 footway defects had been repaired,

Works during 2016/17

·       Redhill Way/Thurcaston Road roundabout resurfaced

·       Bollards to be installed on Hadrian Road to stop footway parking

·       Ongoing routine safety inspections of footway and carriageway surface

The ward community engagement officer will give a brief update on the Transforming Neighbourhoods Scheme.

The Community Engagement Officer provided an update on the Transforming Neighbourhoods Scheme.

On 17^th June 2016 after a public consultation the council made the decision to reorganise neighbourhood services in the North West area.

For Abbey Ward this meant that:

·       Mowmacre (Jersey Road) Neighbourhood Housing Office – services would move to the improved Beaumont Leys Library and the vacant property would be marketed commercially,

·       Beaumont Leys (Marwood Road) STAR office – services would move to the improved Beaumont Leys Library and the shop will be re-let,

·       Stocking Farm Community Centre, Youth Centre and Healthy Living Centre – a separate decision would be taken for the Stocking Farm complex to achieve the required saving on building running costs.

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

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

It was noted that:

·       Housing services had been working with the Beaumont Leys Policing Team to respond to crime and create a burglary reduction incentive and the Police were thanked for all their help with this.

·       An Abbey Burglary Reduction Day had taken place and ward funding secured at the last meeting had been used towards security packs that were distributed to householders at that event. Feedback from people attending the event was very positive.

·       There were still some security packs available and these could be collected from the Housing officer or the police at Beaumont Leys station.

·       The remaining funding had been allocated to the cost of installing security lights around Colsterdale Close.

·       It was planned to hold a Community Safety Day in October 2016 – details to be formalised.

·       Leicester to Work – the housing team were working with this scheme which encouraged people to work in the community building their skills and CV’s.

·       Improvements had taken place in Wembury Gardens, Garth Avenue, Halifax Drive.

·       ASB there were no cases at the moment where eviction action was being sought.

The City Warden will give an update on issues in the 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 together with a summary of grant applications submitted for consideration since the last meeting.

Details of how to apply for ward funding can be found at: http://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council/decisions-meetings-and-minutes/community-meetings

The Community Engagement Officer advised that 7 applications had been received since the last meeting.

Applications considered since the last meeting:

AFC Ladies Football – Grant of £1250 Supported

Gorse Hill City Farm – Grant of £775 Supported

The remaining balance of the Community Budget was £16025 and 5 applications were awaiting final approval.

·       A joint bid for funding was being sought towards the cost of a Community Shed at the Redhill allotments. This was pending a decision from Councillors. Mary-Louise Harrison, president of Belgrave Allotment Society gave an outline of the 5 sites in and around Abbey, Belgrave and Rushey Mead wards. The Redhill and Beaumont Leys Lane (Orton Close) allotments had approx. 200 members and a lot of regeneration work had been done at these sites. The meeting was advised that there would also be an Open Day on 30^th July 2016 at the Redhill Allotment site and everyone was welcome to attend.

The Chair encouraged applicants to lodge their applications in advance of the meetings to ensure they were considered. Those for £500 or less would continue to be fast tracked.

Applicants were also advised that all applications should be submitted online.

Update on previously funded bids

·       Never 2 Late Project – this was a police evidence based scheme which was being monitored for the first 6 months after young people had attended the project to see if their behaviour had improved enough for them to be offered an incentive. At the current time the funding had not been spent, the money was in place and it was hoped that in the next couple of months the police would be able to start providing the incentives for the young people and that was where the funding would be used.

·       Jo Wicks, Anti-Social Behaviour Investigator from the Leicester Anti-Social Behaviour Unit (known as LASBU) had applied for a grant of £702 at the last meeting for a pair of permanent goal posts, which would be situated on the large green area on Barsby Walk. 

Leicester City Council’s Housing Department had just installed knee rail fencing across both sides of the green to prevent vehicle access, but this fencing also made the green a safer place to play. The goal posts were installed at the location on 29^th March 2016.  These goal posts have contributed to there being a decrease in reports of street football in the area and the local Councillors were thanked for their support of this application.

To note the date of the next meeting:

Monday 14^th November 2016 at 6pm at St Patricks Church Hall, 100 Beaumont Leys Lane, Leicester LE4 2BD.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 6.35pm