Agenda and minutes

AGREED:

that Councillor Westley be elected as Chair for the meeting.

Councillor Westley informed the meeting that the shopping centre car park had a 4-hour parking limit.

Councillor Westley also stated that the Gipsy and Traveller review was still out for public consultation until July 13^th 2012, after which time the results would be passed back to the Ward Councillors and various groups, and the City Mayor would then make a decision. Councillor Westley asked that members of the public continued to send in forms for the consultation.

Apologies were received from Mr and Mrs Bennett.

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

A declaration of interest was made by Louis Mpofu, Youth Council, regarding budget Application 1from Ur Choice Young Peoples Project, as he was involved with the organisation.

The minutes of the Beaumont Leys Community Meeting, held on 7^th December 2012 have been circulated and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

The minutes of the Beaumont Leys Community Meeting held on 7^th December 2011 as previously circulated were approved as a correct record.

An update will be given on recent Police developments and successes. There will also be an update on the Joint Action Group.

Sergeant Dave Thompson introduced himself and informed the meeting he had taken over from Sergeant Rich Jackson, and informed residents that if they had any issues, then he could be contacted directly. Sergeant Thompson then gave an update on Policing issues and answered questions from residents, highlighting the following points:-

-       Crime statistics in the ward for the 12 month period from April 2011 to April 2012 were down by 11%.

-       There were 29.6% fewer burglaries.

-       Theft of motor vehicles was down by 14.6%.

-       Theft from motor vehicles was down by 3.7%.

Sergeant Thompson the reduction in crime was a testimony to the work of the team, and he encouraged people to report suspicious activity during the summer months, during which crime prevention would be highlighted amongst residents. During July in 2011 there had been a small spike of burglaries in dwelling houses due to people leaving open windows and doors due to the warm weather, and that he was raising awareness of the issue for the forthcoming summer period. He asked that residents remember to lock doors and windows, and ensure that valuables were locked away, especially on the ground floors of homes, and that valuables in cars were kept out of sight, and any indications of the use of a sat nav.

Sergeant Thompson also informed residents that concerns had been raised regarding speeding in the ward. The Police had acquired a speed gun which had been deployed in certain areas following one serious accident and one slight injury in the area. Councillor Westley stated that the Ward Community Fund had contributed to the purchase of the speed gun. Sergeant Thompson agreed to a request to bring a report on how the speed gun was working and crime statistics to the next meeting on 5^th September 2012.

With regards to drugs misuse, Sergeant Thompson reported that a large number of warrants had been issued in the ward, and he asked that residents report any suspicious activity to the Police.

A point was raised in which it was reported that large numbers of young people were having their mobile phones taken from them, and that it appeared to be a growing trend. Sergeant Thompson encouraged young people to report the incidents.

It was stated by some residents at the meeting that the Gipsy and Traveller site at Greengate Lane had horses near to the roadside and young children driving vehicles, and that the issues had been reported to the Police. The residents were informed that the Ward Councillors had been to look at the site, and that the Police attached to the Multi Agency Traveller Unit would deal with the reported issues. Inspector Morris present at the meeting, informed residents that he would go through the incidents reported to ensure they were followed up.

Ward Councillors acknowledged the Police update and were pleased that figures for reported crime had gone down. The Police were thanked for all of their hard work.

The Local City Warden will provide an update for the area.

Matthew Davinson, City Warden for Beaumont Leys and Abbey Wards, provided an update on issues dealt with in Beaumont Leys Ward and answered questions from residents:

-       City Warden numbers had been reduced from 22 to 16 in the city.

-       Fly tipping in Bluegates Road had ceased.

-       A Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) on Lombard Crescent had been issued.

-       Councillors and residents reported issues of dog fouling behind Beaumont Lodge and the fly tipping of garden rubbish on Castle Hill Country Park.

Matthew reported that issues were reported to the relevant sections, for example, Parks staff for parkland. He stated that residents on Heathley Park had problems with people parking on double yellow lines. He had liaised with City Highways who would consult with all residents over the issues. He asked that people report issues to him, but if witnesses were not willing to give statements, there was not a lot City Wardens could do. Matthew also reported that the Council operated a collections services for garden waste, and that he would monitor the situation.

Councillor Dempster asked residents to also contact Councillors with particular issues so that patch walks could be organised with the relevant officers. Councillor Westley reported that there was a ‘Big Clean’ operation in the city which would affect all areas. Residents were informed that warning letters and fines would be issued to people who were caught fly tipping.

Residents asked if another bin could be put between Glebelands and Thurcaston Park for dog waste. Matthew informed the residents that any bin could now be used for dog waste, but he would contact City Cleansing to ask if another bin could be installed in the middle of the pathway.

It was reported to Matthew that an area of grassy verge neat the Barleycroft Youth Centre was unusable by children, as it required clearing of needles, etc. Youth Workers at the meeting asked if the number for City Cleansing enquiries could be included in any newsletters that were circulated in the future, to enable people to report issues. Residents also reported issues regarding wooden fences and grass verges on Beaumont Leys Lane. Matthew stated he would  pass on all issues to the relevant services.

Councillor Meghani informed the meeting that 11 new grit binds for parts of the ward had been secured, the locations of which could be found on the City Council’s website.

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.

Approved under the fast-track process:

1.    Ur Choice Young Peoples Project

Amount:         £500

Proposal:       Funding towards rent and running costs.

The following budget applications will be considered:-

Application 1

Applicant:      Ur Choice Young Peoples Project

Amount:         £2504

Proposal:       Youth Action Group and Drop-In

Summary:     Ur Choice Project would like to work with young people over four months to train them as local young community leaders who are concerned with, or are interested in developing provision and looking at community issues, and to establish a youth action group with a drop-in facility for local young people.

Application 2

Applicant:      Beaumont Town football Club

Amount:         £4,000

Proposal:       The Beaumont Leys Football Club and the Midland Rainbow Tournament

Summary:     The proposal is for funding towards support for the Midland Rainbows Football Tournament, and equipment required, as part of fundraising for the Rainbows Hospice.

Application 3

Applicant:      Cornerstone PCC (Church of England) with Churches together in North West Leicester

Amount:         £500

(also applied to Fosse Ward - £1,000 and Abbey Ward, £500)

Proposal:       Community Fun Day

Summary:     The event would be held in the grounds of Alderman Richard Hallam School, Avebury Avenue, on Saturday 15^th September 2012 – 13.30 to 16.30, and aims to build on the events held over the previous five years. The event is free – no charge would be made for those who attend except for refreshments.

Jerry Connolly, Member Support Officer, informed the meeting that each year, £18,000 was given to each ward’s community for various projects, for example, gardens, communal areas, festivals and fun days. He stated that for the first time, there was a member of the Young People’s Council on the team.

Jerry introduced the budget requests which had been submitted, which were then handed over to the applicants to describe the main priorities. There was then a short recess whilst Ward Councillors reached their decision on each application.

Application 1 – Ur Choice Young Peoples Project – Youth Action Group and Drop-In

The application was for £2,504 to work with young people over four months to train them as local young community leaders. Councillors had already agreed that £500 be allocated under the fast-track process towards rent and running costs.

The applicant reported that the project was looking to apply for other funds, and that the project would be based at Home Farm.

RECOMMENDED:

that the application be supported and £2,004 be allocated.

Application 2 – Beaumont Town Football Club – The Beaumont Leys Football Club and the Midland Rainbows Tournament

The application was for £4,000 towards support for the Midland Rainbows Football Tournament, and equipment required, as part of fundraising for the Rainbows Hospice. The applicant presented at statement of case at the meeting.

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

-       That £2,500 be supported subject to the applicant looking for other funding, for example, from the six schools in the area, Sport England. Jerry Connolly, Members Support Officer would assist the applicant to source other funding.

-       Councillors stated that if there was no other funding forthcoming, they would agree the full amount.

RECOMMENDED:

that the application be supported and £2,500 be allocated, subject to other funding being applied for.

Application 2 – Cornerstone PCC (Church of England) with Churches Together in North West Leicester – Community Fun Day

The application was for £500 for a community fund day in the grounds of Alderman Richard Hallam School on 15^th September 2012. Applications had also been made to other wards Community Funding at Fosse (£1,000) and Abbey (£500).

Councillors asked if it was known how many people from the Beaumont Leys area attended the event. The applicant stated it was difficult to tell, but that all junior schools in the area had been leafleted.

RECOMMENDED:

that the application be supported and £500 be allocated.

Matters Approved Under the Fast Track Procedure

The following budget request was included on the agenda for formally noting as it had been agreed by Councillors in-between meetings to enable the project to take place.

1.    Ur Choice Young Peoples Project - £500

RESOLVED:

that the previously agreed funding be noted.

A consultation paper for the Beaumont Leys ward community plan for 2012 is attached to the agenda. The public will be asked what they think are the main issues and priorities for the community, in order of importance.

A discussion will take place at the meeting to talk through the issues.

A consultation paper for the Beaumont Leys Ward Community Plan for 2012 was attached the agenda. Members of the public were asked what they thought were the main issues and priorities for the community in order of importance. The consultation paper was also available on request electronically for completion. Attendees at the meeting were asked to complete the form and return them to Jerry Connolly. A report would be prepared for the next meeting.

An update on the Gypsy and Traveller sites was given at the beginning of the meeting. Councillor Westley also informed the meeting that Gypsies and Travellers on the site at Greengate Lane were being taken to Court for an order for them to be moved from the site. Residents asked if they would be moved from the site before the Bank Holiday, and they were asked to leave their contact details for a response.

Date of the Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled to take place on 5^th September 2012, 6.00pm.

The meeting closed at 7.55pm.