Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Denise Jarvis, Senior Parks Officer.

Councillor Vi Dempster was Chair for the meeting.

Councillors were asked to declare any interest they had in the business on the agenda, and/or indicate if Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applied to them.

There were no declarations.

The minutes of the previous Beaumont Leys Community Meeting, held on 21^st September 2011, are attached and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

The minutes of the Beaumont Leys Community Meeting held on 21 September 2011 were approved as a correct record.

An update will be given on recent Police developments and successes.

Sergeant Richard Jackson gave an update on Policing issues and answered questions from residents, highlighting the following points:-

-       In nearly all key main crime categories (burglary, theft, anti-social behaviour and domestic violence), crime figures were reduced based on the same time period in 2010, except for theft from motor vehicles which had increased. To tackle this problem the Police are using a “Rat Trap” vehicle to entice offenders. The rat-trap vehicle is ultimately a regular vehicle kitted out with covert cameras. It will be parked in high-crime areas of the ward with officers nearby, the success of which will be reported at the next Community Meeting.

-       Since the last ward meeting the Police have executed 7 misuse of drugs warrants, resulting in four people being remanded in custody, three of which were related to a large scale cannabis factory. Immigration also assisted in the incident due to the immigration status of the offenders.

-       Beaumont Leys Police and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service have opened a safety shop in the Beaumont Leys Shopping Centre for shoppers in the run up to Christmas. Funded by Leicester City Council, Beaumont Leys and Abbey Ward community funds, the shop provides crime prevention and fire safety advice, free crime prevention products, such as personal attack alarms and UV pens. Visitors to the shop can also enter a fire safety and crime prevention competition to win prizes, including bikes with safety gear and locks. The shop is also supported by Tesco Shopping Centre.

-       People are being encouraged to use the new 101 telephone number for contacting the Police, which has gone live. The number is for the reporting of non-emergency incidents, and brought Leicestershire in line with other forces using the same number. The number will replace the seven 2s telephone number eventually.

-       A three-day exercise resulted in over £1,000 being collected in outstanding fines. Monies collected go to the CPS, and not the Police.

-       Legislation in relation to the riots was discussed. Some small business’ insurance did not cover riots, so the Riot Act provided compensation for people who were not covered, the bill for which was sent to the Police and not Government. Information would be provided in the local press over the next few weeks or so.

It was stated crime had fallen dramatically over the last nine months, which was a great achievement. The Police were thanked for all their hard work.

A discussion will take place addressing the concerns of residents over drugs and possible weapons in the area. Input will be given by the Police, Youth Service and Drug and Alcohol Action Team.

At the last meeting the issue of drugs was discussed, considered a key issue for the area.

Police and youth workers in the area are to develop a programme of work amongst young people, to raise awareness and clear up confusion over the re-classification of drugs. Young people would be informed about the effects of a criminal conviction on future employment, possible adoption, the impact of drugs on young people in the community. It was agreed the mindset of young people needed changing, as they did not recognise drug use as a problem. It has been proven there was direct link between substance misuse and mental health issues. It was also suggested that the programme included information parents and carers.

A bid for £15k Innovation Fund money from the Home Office will be placed, the project for which will focus on anti-social behaviour and crime associated with drugs.

John Thomson, Housing Manager, informed the meeting that there were significant problems with drug misuse and Council tenants, with issues around mental health, nuisance, coming and going at dealer’s houses and poor relationships with neighbours, though it was rare to find a cannabis factory in Council property. Residents were asked to provide evidence to the Police and Leicester City Council, which was required to prove criminal activity.

Sergeant Jackson stated that if people had evidence of drug dealing, then property could be seized until ownership was proven. There were also issues over the occupants, who were sometimes illegal immigrants and not tenants. Housing would, of course, weigh-up factors, for example, the vulnerability of the person(s), the nuisance caused that the type of drugs used. It was suggested that information be published in One Neighbourhood to inform residents in the area of assistance available and methods of reporting problems.

One resident asked that if a drug dealer was a tenant in private property, then the owner should be threatened with court. Sergeant Jackson stated that proof would be needed that the landlord was aware that drug misuse was taking place in their property, which could be difficult to prove.

A representative from Waste Management will be present at the meeting to provide an update on the new Orange Bag recycling scheme.

John Dickens from Biffa updated the meeting on the orange bag recycling scheme across the City. He noted the following points:

-       The scheme had gone down very well, with total items recycled doubling in quantity from the same time period in 2010, from approximately 298 tonnes, an increase of 150 tonnes.

-       Contaminated bags (for example, containing waste food) number approximately 100 per week out of 115,000 households.

-       Areas not participating will be tackled in the New Year. Also flats currently not included in the scheme will be looked at, and a service for them developed.

-       In each roll of bags towards the end a yellow sticker can be completed requesting new bags.

-       Clothes should be recycled in charity bags or clothes banks.

-       Food waste in dustbins was processed at Beaumont Leys and turned into organic waste.

-       Community recycling centres will be open over the Christmas period, details of opening times can be found on the City Council’s website, along with information on what can be included in orange bags.

The City Warden provided an update on issues dealt with by the City Wardens in Beaumont Leys Ward and answered questions from residents:

-       The City Warden had an article in the winter One Neighbourhood publication.

-       A complaint had been received from a resident regarding fly-tipping on Pitchens Close. This had been monitored since and a couple of incidents of tipping cleared.

-        A big problem for wardens and residents was garden waste. Residents were visited and informed of the ‘Bulk Collection’ service and told that dumping garden waste was fly tipping.

-       Councillors asked residents to report areas with significant issues, and that a patch-walk with City Council staff was planned, from which an action plan would be drawn up.

-       Cars for sale on grass verges were a problem. The meeting was informed that if there were two cars within 15 metres of each other, then action could be taken.

-       Dog fouling continued to be a problem. 40-45 penalty tickets had been issued, sometimes to the same people, who did not learn.

-       Residents were informed that a requested bin had been installed on the Black Pad which could be used as general rubbish and dog waste. Bushes had also been cut back on the Black Pad which had revealed litter.

-       Residents commented that the stencils on pavements regarding dog fouling were good, but a more permanent marking was needed, as some had already worn away.

-       Residents were reminded about the One Clean Leicester application for smart phones which allow residents to report litter, graffiti, flytipping, dog fouling or any other environmental problem via the City Council website, by text message or picture message.

-       It was important to pass on the message to friends and relatives not to fly-tip. It cost the Council a lot of money – it tool £10,000 to clean fly-tipping from Castle Hill Country Park, which in turn cost the taxpayer.

-       An article on fly-tipping was covered in the Winter Edition of the One Neighbourhood magazine.

-       The new Barley Croft Community Centre, due to open on 3^rd February 2012, incorporates three services under one roof:

o   Barley Croft Primary School

o   Barley Croft Youth Centre

o   Barley Croft Healthy Living Centre

      Residents were asked to let people at the Centre know what services they wanted to see in the building. Councillor Dempster stated the new Centre was an example of where the Council had invested to save. At Barley Croft the Council had spent money on the school, redesigning the classrooms previously open plan, and re-modelling the front of the building. There was one reception which provided a better joined-up service and made savings.

-       It was reported that Tomorrow Together had distributed 14,000 One Neighbourhood magazines (including inserting a flyer in each) in just over one week around the Beaumont Leys and Abbey Wards, covering the re-opening of the centre.

Councillors are reminded that they will need to declare any interest they may have in budget applications, and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

The following budget applications will be considered:-

Application 1

Applicant:      Mr David Kayemba

Amount:         £360

Proposal:       Leicester Zim Warriors FC

Summary:     Leicester Zim Warriors FC is a current football team that plays at Victoria Park. It comprises of 48 members who come from mixed cultural backgrounds. The group consists of mainly unemployed young men using sport as a diversionary activity, breaking down community safety issues, minimising anti-social behaviour alongside building self-esteem and confidence in those who participate.

The group is under threat of closure if they are not able to find the needed funds. The league in which the group participate commenced on the 28^th August and the funding is needed to allow the club to participate. The group supports vulnerable young people who are making the transition from their home cultures to living in the UK.

The overall cost being applied for is £1,800 with this being divided being the wards from which the young people come from (Beaumont Leys, Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields, Castle, Spinney Hills and Westcotes).

Application 2

Applicant:      Beaumont Leys LPU

Amount:         £500

Proposal:       Community Speedwatch

Summary:     The proposal is for Beaumont Leys Police Station to purchase a hand held speed camera device, to be utilised on an ongoing basis to deal with and respond to issues around speeding throughout Abbey, Beaumont Leys and New Parks.

The device costs £2,100 and the bid applied for is £1,500 with this being divided being three wards at £500 each (Abbey, Beaumont Leys and New Parks).

Application 3

Applicant:      Ur Choice Young Peoples Project

Amount:         £100

Proposal:       To host an end of year get-together and awards ceremony for the Beaumont Lodge community and volunteers.

Summary:     The funding would enable the hosting of an event to publicly acknowledge, reward and encourage continued community involvement of young people and adults who participate in the development of the centre and other community activities. The event will help to build community spirit, camaraderie and strengthen existing friendships.

Application 4

Applicant:      Soft Touch Arts

Amount:         £564

Proposal:       Comedy Short Film Making Project

Summary:     Soft Touch have been undertaking film making projects with young people for 25 years.  It has applied to First Light (a national young film makers’ fund) for £10,024 to work with three groups of young people to each make a short comedy film, (90 seconds maximum).  First Light requires match funding in cash of 10% of the project cost and 10% in-kind funding.  The in-kind funding has already been secured.

The three groups to be worked with are:-

The Contact Project meeting at Christ the King Church in Beaumont Leys

The Contact Project meeting at St Matthews

An independent group of young people from Beaumont Leys / New Parks

The latter two groups both worked with Soft Touch in the summer on a  ...  view the full agenda text for item 29.

Jerry Connolly, Member Support Officer introduced the budget requests which had been submitted to the Committee.

Application 1 – Leicester Zim Warriors Football Club

The application was for £360 to allow the football club to participate in the league which commenced on 28^th August 2011.

There were some comments from Councillors during deliberation of this item.

-       The application was for a City Centre programme

-       There was no significant benefit to Beaumont Leys residents.

RECOMMENDED:

that the application be refused.

Application 2 – Community Speedwatch

Sergeant Richard Jackson introduced an application for £500 towards to cost of a Community speed gun, to address problems of speeding drivers. Community members would be trained to use the speed gun, and to take down the registration numbers if people were concerned with speeding motorists.

There were some comments from residents during discussion on this item.

-       Residents were more concerned over drivers using mobile phones whilst driving.

-       They were concerned that residents would become vigilantes in the community.

There were some comments from Councillors during discussion on this item.

-       Councillors were mindful of the recommendations from schools.

-       The two adjoining wards were in support of the application.

-       There were some concerns over future running costs.

RECOMMENDED:

that the application be supported and £500 be allocated.

Application 3 – Soft Touch Arts – comedy short film making project

The application was for £564 towards the project.

There were some comments from Councillors during discussion on this item.

-       That a caveat be included that Soft Touch had contact with Leicester City Council Youth Service, Ur Choice Project, and Beaumont Lodge Youth Group.

RECOMMENDED:

that the application be supported and £564 be allocated.

Application 4 – Beaumont Lodge Neighbourhood Association – end of year get together and awards ceremony

The application was for £550 and stated the funding would enable the hosting of an event to publicly acknowledge, reward and encourage continued community involvement of young people and adults who participate in the development of the centre and other community activities. The event will help to build community spirit, camaraderie and strengthen existing friendships.

There were some comments from Councillors during discussion on this item.

-       Councillors were happy to support the application on the basis that £200 be allocated to the event, as there was still some way to go to the end of the financial year and they wished to have some funding for the next community meeting.

RECOMMENDED:

that the application be supported and £200 be allocated.

Application 5 – Beaumont Lodge Neighbourhood Association – end of year disco for children and young people

The application was for £150 funding to enable the hosting of a disco for at least 50 children and young people on Friday 9^th December 2011.

Beaumont Lodge had raised £130 through its own fundraising efforts.

RECOMMENDED:

that the application be supported and £150 be allocated.

Matters Approved Under the Fast Track Procedure

The following budget requests were included on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

The meeting closed at 7.56pm.