Agenda and minutes

Councillor Dawood was elected as Chair for the meeting.

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest made.

The minutes of the previous Spinney Hills Ward Community Meeting, held on 17 September 2012, are attached and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

Councillors were asked to agree the minutes of the previous Spinney Hills Community Meeting.

Councillor Chowdhury asked for an amendment to be made to the wording of his declaration of interest to read ‘.. that he worked for a voluntary community organisation …’

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the Spinney Hills Ward Community Meeting held on 17 September 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute 17. Multi Access Centres in Spinney Hills Ward

The Chair stated that an update on the work of the MACs would be provided at a future Ward Community Meeting.

Minute 18. Benefits and Advice Service

The Chair stated he would seek advice from Leicester City Council, and would make the information available to residents.

Minute 19. Police Activity – Update

Vulcan Road had successfully acquired Section 30 Dispersal Zone status, due to an on-going problem of groups congregating in the area.

Minute 21. City Wardens – Update

The City Warden had issued Section 93 Notices, and had worked with businesses in the area to help them clean up the area. Work on this was on-going.

The Chair thanked the Police, Sgt. Chauhan and Nazira Vania (Community Safety Team) for the work done on the Section 30 Dispersal application. He also thanked the residents on Vulcan Road for their patience and perseverance.

Officers will be present to provide an update on the changes to the Council Tax and Housing Benefits system.

The agenda item was deferred to a future meeting.

A)        HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC

Officers will be present to discuss highways and traffic issues within the area.

B)        CITY WARDEN

Darren Evans, City Warden, will be in attendance to provide an update on his activities within the area.

C)        POLICE AND COMMUNITY SAFETY

The Police and the Anti-Social Behaviour co-ordinator will be in attendance to provide an update on their activities within the area.

A) HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC

Chris Middleton, Transport Development Officer, informed the meeting that from 21 January 2013, the one-way system would be extended to incorporate Chatsworth Street, Haddon Street, Bakewell Street and Buxton Street.

A 20 mph zone had been proposed for St Matthews. Feedback could be taken to officers, and there would be a period when objections could be made.

Chris asked the meeting if there were questions from residents regarding the opening up of Vulcan Road, which could be fed back to Transport officers. A resident asked if Bona Matturi, Senior Engineer, Transport would be available at a meeting scheduled to take place on 12 December 2012 at the Spinney Hill LPU. Chris informed the meeting that an officer would be present at the meeting. Residents were informed that an Action Plan would be put in place for when the Section 30 Dispersal Order lapsed, as they were concerned that issues would return to the area. The Chair responded information on the Action Plan would be taken to the meeting at Spinney Hill LPU.

Councillor Aqbany informed residents that road works had commenced on Diseworth Street on the reduction of road ramps and the removal of a chicane and bollards.

A resident asked why the waiting time on Dysart Way for pedestrians and cyclists was 45 seconds. It was suggested better designated crossings were put in place as pedestrians and cyclists had to wait at three sets of lights. Chris responded he would take the request back to officers, and would provide a response to a future Community Meeting.

A resident asked if Mere Road could be made one-way as there were problems with traffic. Chris responded it was a busy road that took traffic in both directions. He added there would be many people who would not want the road making one-way, as this would push traffic onto nearby streets, and would cause additional problems. A resident suggested using Park Vale Road as a one-way street. Chris responded that Park Vale Road was used by motorists to reach East Park Road. He added he would look at the current road system in the area and bring information back to a future meeting. He informed the meeting there were limited resources to make changes in the area.

B) CITY WARDEN

Darren Evans, City Warden for the Ward, reported on his current activities:

·         Fly-tipping had decreased in the area.

·         Good results had been gained from the Section 93 Duty of Care project, through local businesses cleaning their properties and managing their rubbish, particularly around East Park Road and takeaways.

·         The on-going regular work and patrols included St Matthews and issues regarding cars for sale.

·         The whole of the City Warden Services was involved in trying to identify the source of the graffiti tag SO12, and were involved in the removal of the graffiti city-wide.

·         A project would be undertaken on London Road which involved businesses in cleaning frontages of premises.

·         City Wardens would work with businesses on Saffron Lane  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

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.

Anita Patel, Members Support Officer, will present the latest position with regard to the Spinney Hills Ward Community Budget.

The following applications have been received for consideration.

Application 1

Applicant       Upwards UK Ltd

Amount          £500

Proposal        Caribbean fast Food

Summary      Aims are to:-

-       Provide healthy food, helping all to appreciate Caribbean food, at a reasonable price.

-       Provide training, work placement and employment for the unemployed from all communities.

-       Create a profitable, sustainable business where everyone is welcome.

Application 2

Applicant       St Matthews Tenants Association

Amount          £300

Proposal        Malabar Road fruit and vegetable garden and island garden near shops.

Summary      Improve two key areas, firstly at land opposite tenant’s houses and the second area at land opposite the shops on Malabar Road.  To provide a soft fruit mini orchard  and an ornamental garden.

Application 3

Applicant       African Caribbean Centre

Amount          £500

Proposal        Island Meltdown

Summary      Community cohesion event celebrating unity and diversity within the local communities.  The event will include stalls, workshops, performances, children’s activities and food and drink.

Application 4

Applicant       Leicester Organisation for Sickle Cell Anaemia Research

Amount          £812.25

Proposal        Health Awareness Day working jointly with NHS

Summary      An event at the African Caribbean Centre to improve health and raise awareness of Sickle Cell Anaemia Hypertension & Kidney Disease, Diabetes, Bowel Lung and Breast Cancer, Prostrate Cancer and Smoking.  The event will have a range of speakers and will be aimed at local families.

Application 5

Applicant       Matwad Volleyball Club

Amount          £1000

Proposal        Volleyball Club

Summary      Assistance with fees incurred by the Club in hiring premises during winter months.

Anita Patel, Member Support Officer, presented the Community Meeting Budget and submitted the following applications for consideration:

Application 1:

Upwards UK Ltd – Caribbean Fast Food

Amount requested: £500

RESOLVED:

that the application not be supported.

Application 2:

St Matthews Tenants Association – Malabar Road fruit and vegetable garden and island garden near shops

Amount requested: £300

RESOLVED:

that the application be fully supported to the sum of £300.

Application 3:

African Caribbean Centre – Island Meltdown

Amount requested: £500

RESOLVED:

that the application not be supported.

Application 4:

Leicester Organisation for Sickle Cell Anaemia Research – Health Awareness Day working jointly with NHS

Amount requested: £812.25

The applicant was present and reported that a good turnout of people were present at a previous event. Feedback from the event was excellent. Councillor Chowdhury asked the organisation to provide a report on what did or didn’t work on the day. He also suggested the organisation try other charities and sources of money to sustain the research.

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported to the sum of £500.

Application 5:

Matwad Volleyball Club – Volleyball Club

Amount requested: £1000

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported to the sum of £800.

Late Application

NDI IGBO LEICESTERSHIRE (Nigerian Community Association) – Christmas Gala Night / Get Together

Amount requested: £300

Members were informed the late application had been submitted to several wards. Councillors requested further information before they would consider the application. The applicant was present at the meeting, and was informed he would be written to.

(i)            The meeting was informed of the Sure Start Open Day on 6^th December 2012, 9.00am – 12.00pm, in centres around the city as part of a showcase week.

(ii)          Councillor Aqbany reported that Taylor Road School on St Matthews had received good results. Councillor Chowdhury stated it was commendable considering the demographic of the school. He added people in the area valued education and he congratulated the school staff, student and parents for their achievement.

The meeting closed at 7.50pm.