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 introductions and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies were received from Vanshree Raja, Marie Murray and Maureen Gee.

The Action Log of the meeting held on 30^th October 2017, is attached and Members will be asked to confirm it as an accurate record.

The action log of 30^th October 2017 was agreed as an accurate record.

Councillors will provide an update on ward matters.

Councillors reported that:

·       Disappointingly funding from Heritage Lottery Fund for the proposed Railway Museum had been refused. It was noted that other options were being explored to try and progress the project.

·       Concerns had been raised by local residents in connection with the newly refurbished Broadway pub on Abbey Lane and ASB in the nearby area.

·       Issues relating to strong odours from Cofresh, Parker Dr were ongoing, however the company had installed a new abatement system to address the issues but equipment was not yet fully operational.

·       Ward funding had been used to support 2 Christmas parties in the ward for children and older persons, both of those events were very successful.

·        The Director of Environmental Service had visited the Norwich Road area following concerns raised previously. The area had been cleaned and the level of street drinkers was being monitored.

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

Sgt Matt Blackburn gave an update on local policing issues across the Abbey Ward.

It was noted that:

·       Abbey Meadows – patrols had been increased later at night, several people involved in ASB had been identified and vehicle details taken which had been successful at reducing issues and there were no recent reports of incidents from that area

·       Tudor Centre – the police team had continued working hard to tackle ASB issues around the centre and local shops, engaging with staff in the Tudor Centre and local shops to identify ring leaders. A number of successful arrests had followed and 1 key person was awaiting sentence for crimes including theft from motor vehicle and robbery. There had been a significant reduction in incidents and police would continue to monitor the situation.

·       There were 15 reports of burglary in the ward this year so far compared to 12 for the same period last year; this included burglary of non-dwelling e.g. sheds. People were reminded to be vigilant and install security measures where they could, lock windows, secure back gates and sheds etc.

·       Number plate thefts were increasing especially across the West Leicester area. Stolen plates were then being used on vehicles involved in crime. People were informed that theft of plates could be combatted by improving security of vehicles and using tamper proof screws on plates.

Councillor Riyait referred to the concerns of residents living close the Broadway Pub about ASB and asked if police could meet with residents to hear those concerns. Sgt Blackburn agreed to look into that.

Councillor Bhavsar referred to issues of speeding cars around Babingley Drive and Parker Drive areas. Sgt Blackburn to take further details outside of the meeting and investigate.

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

Charlotte Glover City Warden provided a brief update on issues across the Abbey Ward and circulated an information leaflet to those present on steps taken since the last meeting.

It was noted that:

·       Norwich Road had been cleared,

·       Duty of care inspections had been undertaken on businesses throughout the ward

·       Several community protection notices had been issued to tackle untidy gardens across the ward.

·       Wardens would be addressing issue of dog fouling and were waiting for better weather before stencilling commenced in areas around the Tudor Centre, Bewcastle Grove and down to the shops at bottom of Border Drive.

The City Warden agreed to:

·       Investigate concerns regarding garages, vehicles and rubbish from those on Tollemache Avenue and to update councillors.

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

An update on housing issues across the ward was not available as both officers had sent apologies.

Councillors asked that an update be provided to the next meeting.

An officer from the Highways and Traffic team will provide an update on highways matters across the Ward.

Mark Govan from Highways provided a brief update on highways and traffic issues across the ward which included the following points:

·       Loughborough Road bridge project – one way in bound lane closure due to Environment Agency works to improve flood flow under bridge. Works will be ongoing with single lane closure until September 2018 and both lanes closed from September 2018 until completion of works November 2018.

·       Traffic diversions were in place. Only buses and taxis were permitted to use the Thurcaston Road bridge. All other vehicles including blue badge drivers should follow other routes as Camera Enforcement was in place.

·       Outdoor Pursuits centre had expressed concerns at impact upon their business. Highways were aware and were considering options for access.

·       Anstey Lane – nuisance parking continued to be an issue. Highways were looking at other measures that could be applied i.e. additional bollards, railing in the grass verge, additional warden visits and ticketing.

·       School run parking projects :–

Wolsey House Primary – SRP plan and works completed including coloured pencil shaped bollards, refreshing signage and road markings.

Belgrave St Peters – following school visit plans were being drawn up to introduce appropriate measures,

Alderman Richard Hallam Primary – meeting planned for 21 February.

·       Highway maintenance works had been completed around Red Hill Circle roundabout, Heacham Dr, Checketts Rd, with further works scheduled around Parker Dr near Selco bldg., and Menzies Road later in the year as well as the junction of Hadrian Road, David Avenue and Galway Road.

·       There were still concerns about Halifax Dr down to Beaumont Leys with cars speeding and noise generated by concrete rib carriaging. Residents were informed a scheme had been put together for some pedestrian refuges on Halifax Dr, unfortunately this had not made the current round of environmental work this year. Suggested this be raised by Councillors as a ward priority to go into the 201819 programme. MG to raise with MF and Cllr Master

·       Traffic Road Regulation Order works – The Discovery Road estate and part of Exploration Drive were currently un-adopted and steps were being taken to adopt the roads in this area which would enable the authority to introduce restrictions and prevent nuisance parking of commuters.

ACTIONS Highways to:

1.     Review if Outdoor Pursuits centre only can have access inbound from Red Hill Circle

2.     Check status of developments for adoption on Abbey Park Road and Exploration Drive and provide update to next meeting

3.     Provide update on possible speed reduction scheme for Halifax Drive in LEW programme

4.     Provide update to next meeting on progress to address ongoing parking issues on Anstey Lane near Social Club.

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.

Recipients of ward funding will be invited to give feedback on their projects.

The Community Engagement Officer informed the meeting that Councillors had supported the following applications since the last meeting:

·       St Luke’s Church - £500 supported towards youth activities.

·       Guru Nanak  - £475 supported to purchase gym equipment

It was noted that 5 other applications were pending a decision since the last meeting and Councillors would meet to consider these soon.

Potential applicants for future funding were reminded that all applications must now be made online.  Applications were considered in 3 tranches with deadlines set throughout the year. Applications for funding over £500 were assessed by Councillors in a budget meeting. Applications under £500 were processed through a fast track arrangement. The next deadline for applications to be considered in the next round would be 31 May 2018.

·       The Chair invited Tony from Abbey Pumping Station to give a brief update and it was noted that the new annual event leaflet had been published and was available to those present, this included details of half-term children’s events taking place next week and Easter events consisting of self-led craft activities. The café was also open on Tuesdays.

·       The Chair introduced Minister Petra to those present. It was noted that the Minister had recently moved to the Abbey ward from Loughborough to start a new independent church in the Tudor Centre every Sunday at 11am.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 6.35pm.