Agenda and minutes

AGREED:

that Councillor Meghani be elected as Chair for the meeting.

Apologies were received from Hazel Daly, Barleycroft Youth Centre, and Matthew Davinson, City Warden.

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.

There were no declarations of interest made.

The minutes of the previous Beaumont Leys Community Meeting, held on 30 May 2012, are attached and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED;

that the minutes of the previous Beaumont Leys Community Meeting held on 30^th May 2012 were approved as a correct record.

Minute 5 – Policing Update

Jerry Connolly, Members Support Officer, Leicester City Council, informed the meeting that he had received correspondence from the LE4 Action Group regarding the Gipsy and Traveller site at Greengate Lane., and that the correspondence had been passed on to Inspector Morris, Leicestershire Constabulary.

An update will be given on recent Police developments and successes. There will also be an update on use of the speed gun within the Ward.

PC Adam Woolman, Leicestershire Constabulary, introduced himself and provided the meeting with the latest crime statistics for Beaumont Leys Ward, and reported there had been an increase in crime in the area.

At the meeting he reported that burglaries and vehicle crime had increased, with the theft of cycles also increasing. PC Woolman suggested that the increase in figures might be due to people funding drub habits, or people of previous good character who were no facing money issues due to the recession.

The following crime figures were provided after the meeting:

1/3/12 – 31/5/12 – 76 recorded crime relating to core crime or similar, 75 of which are detailed below:

Burglary dwelling – 29

Burglary other than dwelling (i.e. sheds/garages/businesses) – 12

Theft from a motor vehicle – 14

Theft of a motor vehicle – 8

Robbery – 8

Theft person – 4

1/6/12 – 31/8/12 – 69 recorded crimes

Burglary dwelling – 23

Burglary other than dwelling – 12

Theft from a motor vehicle – 14

Theft of a motor vehicle – 8

Robbery – 7

Theft person – 5

PC Woolman reported that the Police were targeting drugs on the estate, and that a significant amount had been recovered, including Class A drugs, and the location of small cannabis factories. The meeting was informed that the Police worked closely with Housing Officers, who were keen to evict people after they had been found and convicted of dealing drugs, though the process was a long one.

In relation to the speed gun funding, the meeting was informed it had been used across the area and there had been 50 prosecutions as a result of deploying the gun. The Police had also raised awareness of speeding with drivers. Jerry Connolly stated that considerable interest has been shown at the Abbey Ward Community Meeting into using the gun. Jerry asked the meeting if residents would like to use the speed gun. PC Woolman stated that evidence gathered by residents could not be used to prosecute if there were no police present. However, he asked that interested residents leave their details with the police, and they would be notified when the police could go out with residents and show them how to use the speed gun initially. Information gathered by residents could be passed on to the police who would then check details with the DVLA and contact the driver. The driver would then be advised of the impact of speeding. The meeting was also informed that camera vans were still operated by the police.

The Police were also working with schools with regards to anti-social behaviour, raising awareness of the impact that anti-social behaviour had on people.

In answer to questions from residents, PC Woolman reported that many incidents were recorded under the heading ‘Domestic Abuse’, and that specialist units graded issues as ‘low’ or ‘high’ risk, and people could also be referred to specialist groups. He reported that a stringent system of questioning was in place, and that positive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

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

The City Warden had sent his apologies for the agenda item.

Members will provide an update on patchwalks in the Beaumont Leys.

Councillors informed the meeting that two patchwalks in Beaumont Leys had taken place.

The first was around Home Farm, were concerns were raised over the condition of the buildings which had been burnt out three years ago. Councillors stated that Property had been asked to demolish the wall, and that an agreement had been reached that the building would go on the Capital Works programme and be demolished.

The second patchwalk had taken place around Astill Lodge with a group of residents, and it was reported that quite a few issues had been raised, including the following.

(i)            Lighting along path

(ii)          Overgrown greenery

(iii)         Dog fouling

Councillors stated that Housing Officers also carried out patchwalks in the area and fed back issues to Councillors. Residents were encouraged to contact Councillors if they wanted a patchwalk in a particular area.

Councillors stated that a lot had been achieved over the last year, but it was a big ward and areas with particular issues had to be prioritised, for example, anti-social behaviour, or areas with health and safety issues. The meeting was informed that a patchwalk would be carried out in Heathley Park in the near future. Councillors also reported that seating on Astill Lodge Road that was old and in poor repair had been removed. A resident asked the recognition be given for the good work that City Cleansing did.

Residents reported that fences in The Poppins and in Halley Close had been damaged, and though the Police were doing all they could, a dummy camera could be installed to deter whoever was breaking the fenced. They also asked that tree surgeons cut back the vegetation. Councillor Dempster reported that plants were put in when Beaumont Leys was built, but there was no Capital Programme to maintain them. A resident also reported that greenery on Krefeld Way needed to be cut back as it was not possible to see traffic lights.

Residents reported that fly tipping was a regular problem at the back of Ipswich Close, where people were going through a gate and dumping rubbish. It was thought the culprits were from Council properties, and the problem had been ongoing for 15 years or more. Councillor Westley stated the City Wardens dealt with issues around fly tipping, and that sometimes it was possible to catch the culprits as some left home addresses in the rubbish bags. What was more difficult was catching people who left garden waste. Councillor Dempster stated that the issue was a problem across the city, even in Bradgate Heights, where there was no social housing, people still dumped garden waste, but the message needed to go out that garden waste was as bad as rubbish. A resident suggested that the city have brown bins for garden waste as they did in the County.

Officers will present information on school admissions.

Councillors informed the meeting that, following the major rebuild of Beaumont Leys School under Building Schools for the Future (BSF), Babington Community College had prepared plans for its own redevelopment under BSF.

Councillor Dempster reported that both schools were above target, and all schools in the city had shown upwards trends in Key Stages 1, 2 and 4. Councillor Dempster stated she hoped residents in the city would have the confidence to send their children to schools in their catchment area, and that it was important to visit local schools prior to making a decision. She went on that children who went to a local school made local friendships, and that if a child’s school was not in the catchment area, parents would have to finance their travel.

Steve Letten, Service Manager (Admissions and Exclusions), underlined the points made by Councillor Dempster, and went further by stating parents became distraught if a school placement did not work out.

Steve reported that some 80% of parents received their first choice. He informed the meeting that the process would school admission would start on 6^th September 2012 for children in Year 6. He explained that parents should aim to apply online, as the system was secure and easy to use, and changes could be made to application up to the closing date. Key dates were contained in the booklet which had been sent to all parents with children in year 6, and parents were encouraged to return applications, or complete online by the 31^st October 2012 deadline to ensure their applications would be dealt with first.

Parents were asked to make realistic preferences, and that historical data was available on the schools that could provide information for parents to enable them to make an informed choice. Advice was strongly given to parents to consider applying for placements in their catchment area, which the child was certain to get if expressed as a preference. Parents were asked to make three choices.

The meeting was informed that contact for advice was the independent Choice Advice Service, which was a voluntary group, as the Admissions Service remained neutral and did not get involved.

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.  NDI IGBO Leicestershire (Nigeria Community Association)

Amount:         £200

Proposal:       IRI JI (New Yam) Festival 2012

The following budget applications will be considered:-

Application 1

Applicant:      Carlym Quantrill (MEPP)

Amount:         £500

Proposal:       Community Bonfire Event

Summary:     The proposal is for a contribution towards a free Community Bonfire Event for residents in Abbey and Beaumont Leys Wards.

Application 2

Applicant:      Somali Advice and Information Services (SOMINFOS)

Amount:         £662.50

(also applied to Charnwood, Spinney Hill and Stoneygate Wards, 2650 total)

Proposal:       Somali week for book fair and festival

Summary:     About 350 books on different topics regarding Somali culture, history, social life, amongst others will be on display.

A budget information sheet is attached to the agenda for information.

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

Application 1 – Carlym Quantrill (MEPP) – Community Bonfire Event

The application was for £500 for a contribution towards a free Community Bonfire Event for residents in Abbey and Beaumont Leys Wards.

The applicant stated that with an arranged community event, crime and illegal bonfires in the area would be reduced. Police said that not only were the numbers of illegal fires within the area reduced radically, but the criminal damage, running into thousands of pounds, caused by the breaking up of fences to fuel the illegal fires was also sharply reduced.

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported in full and £500 be allocated.

Application 2 – Somali Advice and Information Services (SOMINFOS) – Somali week for book fair and festival

The application was a joint bid for £2650.00 (also applied to Charnwood, Spinney Hill and Stoneygate Wards), for a week-long festival where approximately 350 books on different topics regarding Somali culture, history, social life, amongst others would be on display.

The application was presented by Jerry on behalf of the applicant who was not present, and the total requested was a proportion of the full amount.

Councillors stated that they required further information from the applicant.

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported in principle, but the organisation be contacted for further information and a revised figure negotiated.

Application 3 – Friends of Castle Hill Country Park – 2012/2013 Conservation

The application was a late submission which Councillors were happy to consider. The application was for £1,050 for contribution to conservation work, tree planting, rubbing plates, natural seating area and archaeological survey of the historical field.

Residents and Councillors stated they valued and appreciated the work the group carried out.

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported in full and £1,050 be allocated, with the caveat that the application was not an annual request.

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.  NDI IGBO Leicestershire (Nigeria Community Association) - £200

RESOLVED:

That the previously agreed funding be noted.

Nick Langton, Braunstone Town Football Club, was present to update the meeting on how previous Community Meeting funding of £2,500 had been used by the Club toward the Midlands Rainbows Tournament.

Nick reported that the Club, which had reached its 30^th anniversary, had grown in numbers and stature this year. During the summer there had been a programme of tournaments, and every child had received a trophy to take home. During the tournament, £1,000 had been raised for Rainbows and he believed that the Club would do better next year.

Nick informed the meeting that the Football Investment Strategy Funding had been used for the pavilion and external works and the ground was now a relatively secure complex. Some of the funding was also used for equipment. Nick stated the Club were now backing a men’s football team to which men were returning from other clubs. He also stated that for the past five years the Club had the best youth team in the County.

Nick informed the meeting that for part of the programme 3,000 leaflets, some of which had been distributed at schools, though he required some help in accessing some of the schools in the area, to inform them of the Club which would also keep children off the streets. He stated that there were now 40 members of the Academy and the Junior section was going very well. Councillor Dempster stated she was happy to take the details of the schools Nick required access to, though she defended the schools and their capacity to engage with community groups. She stated that she would ensure that information of the project would go on the City Council’s website.

(i)            Beaumont Leys Ward Action Plan 2012 – 2014 – Priorities for Beaumont Leys Ward

Jerry reported that consultation on the Action Plan had raised the following issues, amongst others, of priority for residents in the Ward:

·         Gypsies and travellers

·         Speeding

·         Facilities for children

·         Health Data

·         Poverty Data – it was revealed that there were 1,870 children in poverty in the Ward

Jerry informed the meeting that he would ask the One Neighbourhood editor if the draft Plan could be published in the next edition, and would be brought back to the next meeting.

(ii)          Glenfield Children’s Heart Unit

Councillors reported that at the Joint Health Committee meeting on 4^th September 2012, they had debated the Government’s decision to close the Unit, at which it was decided that the figures and proposal did not add up, and that a lot of data had not been taken into account. It was also stated that ECMO Units took years of dedication and training and could not just be moved. The meeting was informed that the Committee would send a letter to the Secretary of State condemning the decision by Friday 7^th September, opposing the closure of the Unit.

The meeting closed at 8.15pm.