Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2011 were agreed as a correct record.

Tom Smith and Mick Carr from the Handyperson’s Service were present to raise awareness of the services offered to residents, and made the following points:

 

·         The team provided a range of services that covered areas including electrics and plumbing.  The only service not carried out was in relation to gas maintenance. 

·         Private-home owners were entitled to receive the services as well as Council tenants. 

·         The team worked to assist victims of household burglaries and domestic violence.

·         Members of the public who wished to find out more were encouraged to ring the Handyperson’s Service on 0116 2211321.

 

Tom acknowledged that there had been a number of community safety concerns in relation to the alleyway on Grove Road.  It was explained that funding was being finalised to install wrought iron gates and security fencing to help to curtail these problems.  A request for ward funding was to be considered later in the meeting.

 

Members of the public and Ward Councillors were of the view that these measures were to be in place by 4 July.  Tom stated that this date was inaccurate, but that it was likely that the gates would be installed towards the end of July.  He also informed the meeting that the gates were currently being constructed.  Once the gates were installed, keys would be provided to those residents affected. 

 

Several members of the public spoke of the urgency to install these preventative measures and of the escalation of the problems of anti-social behaviour on Grove Road, including young people and children climbing over railings.  It was generally felt that there was a low visible police presence along this road. 

Officers from Regeneration, Transport and Highways, Leicester City Council, were present to provide an update on issues previously raised and to discuss other key issues within Spinney Hills.

 

Councillors stated that there would not be a residents parking scheme throughout Spinney Hills, but that a small proportion of the South Highfields Scheme would fall within the Spinney Hills Ward. 

 

Concerns were raised with regards to problems caused on Diseworth Street as a result of the installation of road ramps and it was felt by residents that the existing bollards and chicane should be removed.  The Highways Officer present stated that the speed restrictions were installed following road safety concerns and the removal of these would carry a substantial cost.  He was of the view that this was unlikely to be permitted for the foreseeable future.

 

It was felt by residents that there was a shortage of parking provision along Grove Road. One suggestion was made to remove a section of the existing payment to create additional spaces.  It was also felt that Grove Road suffered from problems with traffic.  There was concern that this heavily restricts the accessibility of emergency vehicles.  The Highways Officer commented that the existing speed restrictions created less space for vehicles to park, and that it was not possible to create any additional parking.  It was also felt that the condition of the Grove Road road-surface was especially poor and contained a large amount of potholes.  Councillor Dawood referred to the proposal to fill 1000 potholes in Leicester and suggested that Grove Road form part of this programme.

 

In response to questions from members of the public, the Highways Officer present confirmed that it will take up to nine months to remove the current parking restrictions on Gwendolen Road. 

 

Action	Officer Identified	Deadline
That it be suggested that Grove Road form part of the programme for filling 1000 potholes in Leicester.	Chris Middleton	As soon as possible

 

Yagnesh Antunes, City Warden for Spinney Hills, was in attendance to provide an update on his recent work within the ward and to give an overview of his responsibilities.

 

He explained that he dealt with a range of matters including littering, dog fouling and fly-tipping. 

 

Yagnesh circulated a six-month action plan which he was currently working to.  One key component of this was the ‘bins on street’ initiative, which had helped to reduce the number of bins illegally left on roadsides since the project’s inception. 

 

It was reported that nuisance parking along East Park Road had been a common problem.  However, it was pointed out that there are now fewer reports of cars illegally for sale along this road, and that fixed penalty notices would be issued to any perpetrators who are reported.  It was also made clear that notices are issued to businesses who tip shredded paper onto public pavements.

Inspector Bill Knopp from the Spinney Hills Local Policing Unit was present to provide an update on local policing issues and community safety matters within the ward.

 

He reported that during the last period, there had been 21 reported assaults and 10 incidents of anti-social behaviour.  Inspector Knopp was of the view that the actual figures were higher than those reported and encouraged residents to continue to report local crime by ringing 0116 2222222.

 

Inspector Knopp informed the meeting that several arrests had been made recently in connection with crimes including the possession of drugs and for robbery, but warned people to remain vigilant with personal belongings, particularly mobile phones.  It was reported that mobile phones belonging to school aged children were being commonly targeted.

 

It was further reported that 18 anti-social behaviour warning letters had been received by offenders in the local area, and that following recent large-scale disturbances within the St Peter’s Estate, 13 arrests had been made for violent disorder.  The investigation into this incident was currently on-going.

 

Inspector Knopp informed residents that incidents of disorder along Grove Road were to be discussed at the forthcoming Joint Action Group (JAG) meeting.  Residents were of the view that anti-social behaviour on Grove Road had worsened and an enhanced police presence was welcomed.  A police officer in attendance did state that two anti-social behaviour waning letters had been received by individuals who lived on Grove Road. A representative from LASBU was present who spoke of the need to establish a partnership approach when tackling such incidents of anti-social behaviour.  It was also stated that a problem solving plan aimed at curbing such behaviour was being drawn up.  A representative from Foundation Housing confirmed that the housing association was an integral part of the partnership and that they would be contributing to paying for particular measures to increase community safety in the area.

 

A resident was of the view that incidents of drug dealing occurred on Grove Road, and that offenders were not deterred due to a shortage in street lighting.  Councillor Dawood reported that a site visit to Grove Road was to take place and as part of this, the adequacy of the current provision of lighting was to be considered. 

 

Another resident spoke of the benefits that neighbourhood watch schemes have had in curbing problems of anti-social behaviour.  Inspector Knopp confirmed that Home Office funding towards these schemes had increased, and encouraged interested residents to either join an existing scheme or to seek to establish a new one.  The Ward Councillors spoke welcomed the creation of additional Neighbourhood Watch schemes but stated that it was vital that local residents led on these, whilst working with themselves and the police.

 

Following a question by a resident, Inspector Knopp confirmed that  Grove Road was covered by the Hamilton Local Policing Unit, but that response times to emergency calls were no different in any particular area of Leicester.

 

In response to issues raised by residents, the City Warden confirmed that he  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

The Chair explained that 12 funding applications were to be considered. There was a total of £15,000 in the budget for the current year and therefore the Councillors had discussed how best they could support each funding application prior to the meeting.  The following funding applications were presented:

 

Taylor Road Year 6 Development Day

 

Submitted by:  Taylor Road Basketball Development CIC

 

Amount Requested: £1,200

 

This application was for Year 6 pupils at Taylor Road School to attend a development day at Leicester Riders Basketball Club.  Recipients would be provided with an outing to a professional basketball game, with an opportunity to interact with professional sports people. 

 

RESOLVED:

                        that the funding application be rejected.

 

 

Super Cup Tournament

 

Submitted by: Leicester United Sports and Culture

 

Amount Requested: £500

 

This application was for an event in Leicester which catered for ten teams across the City and the outer estates. 

 

It was noted that this event had a city-wide impact and took place in April 2011. 

 

RESOLVED:

                        That the funding application be rejected.

 

 

Community Football

 

Submitted by: Community Football Academy

 

Amount Requested: £945

 

It was noted that this application was for an open evening/awards ceremony on Saturday 14^th May at Judgemeadow Community College.

 

RESOLVED:

                        that the application be rejected.   

 

Active Women Basketball

 

Submitted by: Love Hoops Foundation

 

Amount Requested: £600

 

It was noted that the applicant had sought funding from a number of other wards.  The application was to offer free coaching and basketball playing opportunities to young women in Leicester.

 

RESOLVED:

                        That the application be rejected.  

 

 

One Community – One Leicester

 

Submitted by: Kidmah Organisation

 

Amount Requested: £4,950

 

This application was for community based arts, leisure, sports and social activity days, similar to events that have taken past previously at Crown Hills College.

 

RESOLVED:

                        That a sum of £1,000 be supported towards this application, on                    the condition that further background information relating to the                   project be provided.

 

 

Volunteering Project

 

Submitted by: St Matthews Community Solution Centre

 

Amount Requested: £1,000

 

It was noted that the organisation was establishing a new volunteering project for residents of the area and for homeless people across the City.  A coordinator for the project had already been employed by the organisation.  The money sought would help to provide tools, equipment and plants.

 

RESOLVED:

                        that a sum of £750 be supported towards this application, on the                 condition that further background information relating to the                          project be provided.

 

 

Back to Netball

 

Submitted by: Leicestershire Netball

 

Amount Requested: £745

 

This application was to pilot a ten-week course for women to get back into Netball at a local venue near them.  The money sought would help to pay for venue costs and the provision of a netball coach. 

 

It was noted that this event had a city-wide impact.

 

RESOLVED:

                        That the application be rejected. 

 

 

Grove Road Alleygates and Fencing Proposals

 

Submitted by: Grove Road Residents (Leicester Safer Partnership)

 

Amount Requested: £2,575

 

This application was for wrought iron gates and fencing to curb problems of anti-social behaviour at the Alleyway on Grove Road.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

It was confirmed that the next meeting would take place at 6:00pm on Monday 19 September 2011 and would be held at Coleman Primary School, Gwendolen Road.

The meeting closed at 8:00pm.