Agenda and minutes

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 Sue Waddington, Chair welcomed everyone and led introductions.

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies were received from Councillor Westley, Charlotte Glover (City Warden) and Leicestershire Police.

The Action Log of the Beaumont Leys community meeting held on 8^th March 2017 is attached and Members will be asked to confirm it as an accurate record.

The action log of the last meeting on 8^th March 2017 was circulated and confirmed as an accurate record.

Progress on actions:

·       John Calvert Court – residents had presented Councillors with a petition regarding their concerns that this building had been empty for several years and the owners had continuously failed to take action to protect the building and prevent it becoming a magnet for ASB.

Action: CEO to write to owners to invite to meeting with councillors and residents to discuss issues.

·       Barleycroft Shopping area – development plans were in progress and shop owners were being contacted to engage with the redevelopment and assist in funding improvements to shop frontages.

To include an update on issues within the ward.

Councillor Bhatia reported that:

·       2 outdoor gyms had been installed, 1 behind the Beaumont Leys Library on Beaumont Park and 1 at Astill Lodge Park. Residents requested another gym to be installed in the ward.

Action: CEO to add request for an outside gym to the open spaces programme.

·       A petition had been handed in relating to the A50 resurfacing issues, this had been actioned by the council as a priority.

Councillor Waddington reported that:

·       Local residents had petitioned to oppose a Burger van on Garland Crescent and the applicant had withdrawn his application to trade there.

·       Ashton Green – Morris Homes had commenced building and the first homes should be available September 2017. The second phase of land was out to tender and 5 companies had shown an interest. The Ashton Green development would include affordable housing too.

·       Defibrillators and appropriate signage had now been installed on all of the City parks.

There will be an update on the Council Tax Consultation.

Councillor Waddington advised that the Council would be starting a further consultation to review the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

As a result of funding cuts from government the Council had already conducted a consultation exercise during August and September 2017 and were now asking residents again for their views on how best to make savings in the scheme.

·       The scheme currently paid a maximum of 80% towards the council tax for people of working age who qualified,

·       The council tax reduction scheme helped people on a low income pay their council tax and was a means tested discount,

Full details of the consultation were available on the council’s website and everyone was encouraged to participate and provide feedback.

Beaumont Leys Muslims will outline details of their plans for Home Farm Neighbourhood Centre and their work within the ward.

Beaumont Leys Muslims gave a short presentation of their plans for the Home Farm Neighbourhood Centre.

See attached slides at end of notes

A housing officer from the local housing team will provide an update on housing works and issues within the ward.

The Housing Officer gave a brief update and overview of projects within the ward:

·       Work continued on Harris Close, Scalpay Close and Iona Close including removal of rubble, slabs and re-tarmacking.

·       Overgrown shrubbery and tree removal continued.

·       Calvert Close – internal painting to flats.

·       There were 24 voids this was partly due to a housing block on Oronsay Close coming back into Council ownership and properties waiting to be relet.

·       ASB cases had reduced significantly with no major cases currently.

·       Evictions – one since March 2017.

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

The City Warden was unavailable to attend and provided a written update attached at end of action log.

Officers from Leicestershire Police will be at the meeting to provide an update on local policing matters within the Beaumont Leys Ward.

A representative from Leicestershire Police was unavailable to attend however a written update was provided which included the following:

·       In May 2017 Sergeant 161 Ian Parker was pleased to become the new dedicated neighbourhood Sergeant for the Beaumont Leys beat, he replaces 1588 Yakub Ismail.

·       In July PC 4384 Jane Dolby will be returning to the beat after a year’s acting Sergeant duties.

·       2 of the current Beaumont beat PCSO’s will shortly be moving on to Safeguarding PCSO roles and the beat team will have 3 student PCSO officers.

·       In response to the terrorist related incidents over the past few months in London and Manchester, the beat teams have been providing extra visible reassurance and patrols at and around prominent places such as the Glenfield Hospital and the Beaumont Leys shopping centre.

·       There is currently one Problem Solving Plan (PSP) aimed at tackling knife crime - ‘Operation Anvil’ - due to an increase in knife related incidents. Proactive operations and enforcement days are planned with input at local schools.

·       PC 2991 Craig Smith-Curtis sends thanks for the funding provided for the joint services day planned for Tuesday 8^th August at the Beaumont Shopping centre from 10am onwards.

·       Total crime across the force has risen with Beaumont Leys beat seeing a 19% rise but there was no significant rise of any one particular crime type. Statistics noted as follows:

o   February 2016 – 128 offences / February 2017 – 152 offences

o   March 2016 – 158 offences / March 2017 – 160 offences

o   April 2016 – 144 offences / April 2017 – 161 offences

o   May 2016 – 155 offences / May 2017 – 195 offences

o   These figures contain a high proportion of low value shoplifting, fraud and cyber related offences. Hate crime offences and ASB have seen reduction in reporting.

·       Current beat surgery locations and frequency are being reviewed for effectiveness and accessibility. Other viable opportunities are being explored to improve how we communicate and, engage with our diverse local communities.

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 community ward budget;

The CEO reported the opening balance for the new financial year was £19690.

Applications considered prior to the meeting:-

Beaumont Leys Policing Team – application to fund Community and Public Services Day on 8 August 2017 – Supported to the amount of £985

Beaumont Leys Library – application to fund ticket subsidies for Sylvia South drama performance – Supported to the amount of £140

Beaumont Leys Muslims – application to fund Eid Community Fun Day – Supported to the amount of £450

Community Safety Team – application to fund guardrails on Barnsdale Rd Footpath – Supported to the amount of £400

Saturdads – application to fund Saturdads Birthday BBQ - Supported to the amount of £475

Saturdads – application to fund Saturdads Day Trip to Beach – Supported to the amount of £480

Leicestershire Police – application to support project for prevention of vehicle registration plates theft – Supported to the amount of £500

Abbey Ward Branch – application to fund a Children’s Christmas Party and a Senior Citizens Christmas Party – Supported to the amount of £500

Malawi Association UK – application to support Celebrating Malawi Achievements - Supported to the amount of £500

Leicester Ivorian Association – application to support Celebrating Cameroon National Day – Supported to the amount of £100

Cooke E Learning – application to fund a Celebration Event – Supported to the amount of £500

Stokeswood Allotment Society – application to fund provision of equipment for a Craft Fair – Supported to the amount of £1500

Applications Considered at the meeting:

Castle Hill Country Park Play Area – application to support funding to provide inclusive piece of play equipment for all levels of physical ability - £2634 Supported

Take Me Home – application to fund Project Ubuntu: 3 events aimed to bring communities together – Supported to the amount of £500

None.

To note that meetings for the remainder of the municipal year will take place on:

Wednesday 4^th October 2017

Wednesday 7^th March 2018.

Meetings will take place in Beaumont Leys Library with information stalls at 5.30pm and the main meeting starting at 6pm unless notified otherwise.

Dates of future meetings noted as follows:

Wednesday 4^th October 2017

Wednesday 7^th March 2018

The meeting closed at 7.20pm.