Agenda and minutes

The Chair will introduce those present and make any necessary announcements.

Any apologies absence will be noted.

The Chair and any other Councillors who are present will make any declarations as required by the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor Rae Bhatia as Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and led introductions.

Apologies were received from Charlotte Glover (City Warden), Ramila Dhobi (Housing Officer) and Sergeant Ian Parker (Local Policing Unit).

During discussion on item 21 – Ward Councillors Feedback, Councillor Westley declared an Other Disclosable Interest in that he lived on the specific Drive being discussed.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, this interest was not considered so significant that it was likely to prejudice Councillor Westley’s judgement of the public interests. Councillor Westley was not therefore required to withdraw from the meeting during consideration and discussion of the agenda item.

The Action Log of the previous meeting held 30 October is attached for information and discussion.

The Action Log of the previous meeting held 30 October 2019 was confirmed as a correct record.

Matters arising included the following:

Item 14 ‘Any Other Business’ – Trees and Woodlands Update

It was noted that Councillor Dempster was awaiting a meeting date with Deputy City Mayor Clarke and the Director of Neighbourhoods and Environmental Services.

Item 15 ‘Housing Update’

The Ward Community Engagement Officer (WCEO) noted that she had passed on the information to Marie in Housing and was awaiting a response.

Councillors will provide an update on ward information.

Beaumont Leys Ward Councillors gave the following update;

Councillor Dempster

·         Expressed concern with the recent Marmot enquiry which noted that life expectancy had stalled and was decreasing. It was hoped that at the next meeting it could be looked at what this meant for Beaumont Leys and the North area of the City.

Councillor Westley

·         The Council were now purchasing empty/ derelict homes which was felt to be a good thing especially with the situation of overcrowding, families in hostels across the city and the lack of government funding reaching a crisis.

·         Buswells Lodge School – It was reported that a child had been knocked over outside the school. Councillors Rae Bhatia and Vi Dempster carried out a patch walk with Officers regarding parking in that area. It was noted that Officers took comments and information back to be looked into and residents would be consulted before any implementation took place.

Councillor Rae Bhatia

·         The Leicester City Council Local Plan consultation would commence on 9 March 2020. It was encouraged for residents in the Beaumont Leys Ward to engage in the consultation and provide feedback on proposals for the ward.

·         Croft Road - The pending Traffic Road Operations (TRO) had now been approved.

·         A50 Groby Road – Residents approached the Ward Councillors with concerns regarding the proposal for a stretch of this road to become a 24hr bus lane. The Ward Councillors contacted Officers and requested that the proposal be reconsidered in terms of timeline, length and not be 24hr lane.

Residents’ concerns:

·         That the Local Plan consultation should be available via other methods rather than just online.

·         It was noted that the Local Plan team would be arranging meetings across the City in various wards to address the Local Plan consultation. This would hopefully address any residents concerns and give people the opportunity to access the consultation in person rather than only online. AGREED: Residents would be further informed about this in due course.

·         Following a residents request for traffic to be looked near Beaumont Leys school and the Ashton Green proposals regarding the school and doctors surgery, Councillor Rae Bhatia noted the village centre would be a long term plan of which the Councillors had been consulting with officers and another meeting would be taking place soon.

·         Some residents of St Mellions Close had concerns of flooding down the footpath from Thurcaston park. The Councillors agreed to do a patch walk in that area on Friday at 9.30am. If other officers were not available to attend, feedback would be provided to them.

Officers from Leicestershire Police will be at the meeting to provide an update on police issues in the Beaumont Leys Ward.

PC Oliver Allen and PCSO Paige Martin were present at the meeting, gave apologies for their Sergeant’s absence and informed us that he would be leaving in the near future.

A massive change in the police service was reported to be taking place.

The Officers noted their current priorities in the area some of which included;

·         Linney Road and Oronsay Road – motorbike issues.

·         Upper Temple Walk/ Balisfire Grove – Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) issues. It was also requested for witnesses to inform the Police.

·         Information was provided on recent developments with the suspects following the rainbow park incident last year.

·         PC Allen noted that over 100 PC’s would be recruited. Councillor Rae Bhatia requested that an employment fair take place at the Beaumont Leys shopping centre or library so residents could look into the new Police employment opportunities available.

·         Councillor Dempster requested the Officers to provide specific data into the subareas of Beaumont Leys for the next meeting. Councillor Rae Bhatia added that this data could be provided according to the polling station areas of the Ward. PC Allen would speak to the Sergeant regarding this.

Housing Officer Marie Murray will give an update on housing issues in the Ward.

In the absence of the Housing Officer, the Ward Community Engagement Officer (WCEO) read the update provided. The update has been attached to the end of this Action Log;

·         Councillors expressed concern that the Housing Officers were now only located in St Marks which meant their they had very little presence in the ward.

ACTIONS:

·         The Councillors would make enquiries into the above and report back at the next meeting.

·         The WCEO to request the Housing officers to provide a report as to how they were interacting with the Tenants and Leaseholders Forum in this area.

Highways Officer Rupert Bedder will give an update on highways issues in the ward.

Rupert Bedder – Highways Network Asset Manager was present at the meeting and provided an update on actions from the previous meeting and a general Highways update of works taking place. The following was noted.

Update on actions from previous meeting;

·         A TRO process had begun to look at introducing yellow lines on Croft Road to prevent parking. The consultation process had begun, Officers were looking at the views of Ward Councillors for Croft road, Sheene Road and Bennion Road.

·         Lanes at Glenfrith Way was still a concern for the Ward Councillors. Following discussion with Officers, this had been reviewed but at present would not be pursued. The report also recognised there were no recorded accidents on this stretch of road and high costs would not give benefit to the roundabout.

·         Trees and bushes overhanging onto the highway and obscuring the bus stop on Tilling Road (near Health Centre). The team had now cutback the trees and the Highways inspector had been in contact with the Health Centre encouraging maintenance of their land.

ACTION:

o   Councillors also requested for the bus stop to be moved forward. Rupert would take this information back to Officers but noted that a programme for bus stops was currently taking place across the City.

·         In regard to previous concerns of a number of mini roundabouts. The traffic safety team had been contacted and reported that neither site was of concern. However, they recognised that the roundabout at Bennion Road/ Heatherbrook Road could be improved but would look to do so as part of a maintenance scheme.

·         The Groby Road bus lane / 30mph scheme was progressing. Vehicle Activated Speed (VAS) signs, would be looked at as part of this scheme if required.

·         It was reported that the land near Keepers Walk which had previously been reported to have vehicles obstructing, was noted as private land.

Highways Update 19/20;

·         Resurfacing on Astill Lodge Road.

·         Patching on Krefeld Way.

·         Surface Dressing on Heatherbrook Road, Darenth Drive, Tyes End and Orme Close.

Highways Update 20/21;

·         Resurfacing on Krefeld Way were planned to be taking place during Easter.

·         Beauville Drive/ Badgers Close and parking issues – considerations to install Double Yellow Lines (DYL) along the length of the school and TRO’s were being discussed with the Traffic Team.

·         5 lengths of wooden knee railing had been installed on Bennion Road opposite Redruth Road junction to stop vehicles parking partly on the grass or on the road near to the small pedestrian refuge. It was making it difficult for buses and HGVs to get through.

·         A street nameplate would soon be installed on Broombriggs Road to highlight 8-12 which were set back from the road, the issue had been raised by Councillor Rae Bhatia during the patchwalk.

·         194 pothole repairs and 252 footway repairs had taken place this financial year.

·         Stokes Drive - 20mph scheme and traffic calmed area was in the approved programme of 20mph schemes and was scheduled for delivery in 2022/2023.  Estimated cost was £50-60k.

Residents and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

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

In the absence of the City Warden Officer, the Ward Community Engagement Officer (WCEO) read the information provided. This update has been attached to the end of this Action Log.

·         Councillor Westley requested a City Warden report which gave a detailed breakdown of activities and enforcement taking place in each of the specific sub areas of Beaumont Leys for the next meeting.

·         Councillor Rae Bhatia and Vi Dempster had been in touch with the Cleansing Team and it had been agreed to install another dog bin on Milton Crescent due to dog fowling.

ACTION:

·         The WCEO to contact the Parks team regarding the issue with trees on Lords Avenue.

Karthryn Birks will give an update on Leicester Adult Skills and Learning.

Kerry Gray will give an update on Bishopdale.

Kerry Gray representative from Leicester Adult Skills and Learning Service (LASALS) was present at the meeting and provided information about the new centre on Bishopdale road.

The following was noted;

·         That some of the provisions from Fosse Centre had now been relocated to the new centre.

·         Two classrooms had been created with another two rooms currently designated for pottery and art.

·         There was an intention to develop gardening and a nature conservation.

·         A variety of courses would be taking place there including a mental health course.

·         It was noted that the rooms could be used for other purposes for instance Ward Councillors surgeries.

·         Phase two of the project would be to install parking out the front, planning for courses which would commence in September and it was hoped that the service would be able to secure funding to refurbish the kitchen.

·         Councillor Westley encouraged the representative to apply for a contribution from the Ward Community Budget to refurbish the kitchen.

·         Councillor Dempster urged the service to meet with the Barleycroft group to ensure they were not doing the same things.

Students from De Montfort University will provide an update on their current project to build a sports facility in the local area.  Designs will be presented for comment an feedback.

Representatives/ students from De Montfort University were present at the meeting to provide information on project options that they would potentially be proposing to be installed in the Home Farm area of the ward.

All to note;

·         It would be a facility which could have a basketball court, soft ground play area, cafeteria amongst other facilities.

·         Very detailed architectural diagrams were shown at the meeting.

·         It was noted that finance had not yet been secured to build the facility and it was requested of the possibilities of using the library for a consultation on this.

·         Councillors thanked the DMU representatives and expressed the ideas were good, but it was important for them to understand the extent of the project and the need to secure funding for this to take place.

ACTION:

·         WCEO - The Chair requested that the representatives emailed the Councillors an electronic version of the plan/ phases.

Councillors are reminded that under the Councillors’ Code of Conduct they should declare any interest they may have in budget applications.

An update will be given on the Ward Community Budget.

The Ward Community Engagement Officer provided an update on the Ward Community Budget.

It was noted that since the last meeting 9 applications had been supported and 1 had not been supported.

Applications supported were as follows;

Application not supported were as follows;

·         Councillor Dempster requested attendees to direct any community organisations with or working with older people to apply.

·         Heathley Park project provided feedback on their journey and progress which had been made. The representative informed the meeting on how the funding received had been used to support their annual events which had been successful. One of the groups anticipated plans which was to set up a nationally recognised neighbourhood watch

·         A representative from the Beaumont Leys Partnership project was present at the meeting and informed residents that their project assisted in the setting up of Residents Associations.

The meeting closed at 8:01pm.