Agenda and minutes

Officers from the Welfare Benefits Service will update the meeting concerning the reform of the benefits system.

Councillor Dr. Chowdhury proceeded with the meeting in the absence of an elected Chair.

 

It was agreed that the agenda would be heard out of order.

 

Karen Wenlock, Revenue and Benefits Manager, was present to update the meeting on changes to Housing and Council Tax Benefits, which came into force on 1^st April 2013.

 

Karen said the Council Tax Benefit scheme was replaced by a local Council Tax Reduction Scheme which applied to each working age household, but the scheme would look at pensioners in 2014.

 

Karen said the scheme compared residents income to need and calculated the amount of reduction, if any, residents were entitled to. Karen said it would result in people paying Council Tax for the first time. She said that if people found themselves in debt because of the changes it could result in court action, though the Council had a discretionary fund which had a limited budget to assist people who found themselves in difficulty.

 

Karen also informed the meeting of changes to the Housing Benefit system, which would see people’s benefits reduced to under-occupancy of accommodation (more bedrooms than required by the household or ‘Bedroom Tax’). Karen said the bedroom tax applied to working age people who claimed housing benefit and had at least one spare bedroom, and had been brought in to alleviate the shortage of family homes. The figures given were houses with one extra bedroom would receive 14% less in housing benefit (about £12 per week), and those with two or more extra bedrooms would receive 25% less benefit (about £22 per week).

 

Karen took questions from residents and Councillors. Karen said there were a few categories for exemptions, and residents were advised to speak with their own landlords, who would define the bedroom numbers in a property and not the government. Karen said each landlord would look at each case individually, as there was no definition of a room size. She said that the Council would look at each case on its own merits. Karen said that students living with parents would still receive a bedroom allowance, with a temporary absence with temporary return rule in place, for example, Christmas, Easter. She added that the room allowance would increase after a child reached the age of 16 years anyway.

 

Karen reported that the amount of weekly benefits (including housing benefit) would be capped, at £500 for a family and £350 for a single person, and would mainly affect larger families of working age with high rents. The Department for Work and Pensions would write to all people affected. Karen said there would be some exemptions and further information on the changes brought to the meetings attention could be found on the internet at www.leicester.gov.uk/housingbenefit

 

Karen then discussed the new Universal Credit due to be rolled out across the UK between 2013 and 2017. Karen said the changes would be run by the government, and it was not yet known when they would take place in Leicester. She said  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

Councillor Dawood was elected as Chair for the meeting.

Apologies were received from Councillor Aqbany, Sgt. Chauhan, Nazira Vania (Community Safety Team), Priya Thamotheram and Stuart White.

There were no Declarations of Interest made at this time.

The minutes of the previous Spinney Hills Community Meeting, held on 11 March 2013, are attached and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

 

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the Spinney Hills Ward Community Meeting held on 11^th March 2013 be confirmed as a correct record.

Officers from the Youth Service will inform the meeting of Summer activities which have been organised for children and young people in the Ward.

Linda Holmes, Operations Manager, Leicester City Council, was present to inform the meeting of Summer Youth Activities in the ward for the month of June. Spinney Hills Ward had two active youth centres; St Matthews Youth Centre on Malabar Road, and the Highfields Youth Project on Melbourne Road.

 

Linda informed the meeting that Youth Workers in the city had been reorganised in March 2013 and were based a four youth work hubs, each of which had two targeted Youth Support Workers. She said full-time Youth Workers were based in neighbourhood hubs with other team workers, and neighbourhood workers. She added that mainscale youth workers were based at Stocking Farm, but there were youth workers still based at St Matthews. Linda said Youth Service cuts were reflected in the management tier, and Angela Thompson and Gerry Burke were the two Area Youth Work Managers for the Spinney Hills side of the city.

 

Linda said programmes of activity had not altered, and job descriptions had not changed. Linda said services would be far more targeted using youth work resources to target the most vulnerable young people, sometimes working one-to-one with young people. Outreach workers also worked on a regular basis at nights, and Outreach Workers were in St Matthews and Highfields at the Late Lounge till late on Friday evenings. She said the staff at St Matthews was mainstreamed, but there were issues in Highfields with the letting of the centre, though staffing would be mainstreamed there also.

 

Linda said the team was flexible enough to be moved around to respond quickly to issues in the community, for example, in response to a request from the Police to attend an anti-social behaviour incident. In response to residents’ questions, Linda said that anti-social behaviour could not be resolved by youth workers alone, and that it was working in partnership with other agencies that resolved issues.

 

Linda said there was also a Young Persons Involvement Worker, who worked across the city, encouraging young people to become involved in the political workings of the city. She said Leicester City Youth Council replicated what happened at Leicester City Council, to ensure that young people were involved in the decision making process in the wards.

 

Linda said there was no data to measure the impact of the reorganisation at present, though data would be gathered for the end of the first quarter since March 2013 and monitored.

 

A resident said there was a daily requirement for youth workers in the area and asked where they could access the service from. Linda said the Youth Service was still the same, and had commissioned Street Vibe to work in the area. The Chair asked that the Youth Work service contact the resident directly.

 

Linda said that if people wanted to contact her to talk about anything discussed at the Community Meeting, or raise any issues for Spinney Ward, then she could be emailed on Linda.Holmes2@leicester.gov.uk

 

The Chair thanked Linda for the information.

The Police and the Council’s Community safety Officer will give an update on their activities in the Ward.

PC Varney provided residents with an outline of the area that Spinney Hills covered, and gave an update on statistics for the area for the past 90 days:

 

	Spinney Hills	St Matthews
Burglary – Dwelling	9	0
Street Robbery	14	2
Theft of Motor	11	5

 

PC Varney reported the two street robberies occurred on Humberstone Road and Belgrave Gate, both were mobile phones. He added two males were due to appear in court for the thefts.

 

PC Varney said there were 33 vulnerable adults in Spinney Hills, four of whom lived on St Matthews.

 

A resident informed the police that there was open drug dealing on Berners Street. PC Varney informed residents to call 101, which would create a report which would then go on the system. He added there were designated officers for designated areas, and said he would speak with the resident for details after the meeting.

 

A resident reported anti-social behaviour, with people playing football on Dale Street. PC Varney said this was a common problem, and the police were aware of it. The police recognised that children needed to play, but there was a park nearby.

 

Residents reported issues on Vulcan Road, with open drug dealing, prostitution, the congregation of gangs, with residents feeling intimidated and afraid to leave their homes. PC Varney said there were issues on Vulcan Road and the police were doing something about it, but could not say what due to operational reasons. He added that there was an increased presence in the area to deal with issues.

 

Residents said the crime reporting number 101 was good enough for reporting domestics, but not good enough for other issues, PC Varney said people should complain to the Chief Constable if they were unhappy about using the number, which was used nationally.

 

Residents raised concerns around people parking on double yellow lines, and obstructing traffic in the area. PC Varney told residents to call the Council on (0116) 2527000 to report issues to Vinchy Parking. He said if traffic was obstructing the pathway, then the issue could be dealt with by the police. He asked that where possible registration numbers of the vehicles should be passed on to the police, to enable them to speak to drivers.

 

Daxa Pancholi, Head of Community Safety & Safer Leicester Partnership, Leicester City Council, was present to talk about work that had been undertaken in the area, with reference to Vulcan Road.

 

Daxa informed residents that there was a finite number of CCTV cameras for use around the city, but two had been placed on Vulcan Road following resident’s concerns due to anti-social behaviour, and the perception it was an unsafe environment. She added a lot of data sharing occurred between the council and the police, and four-weekly meetings were held, which assisted the investigation of issues.

 

The Chair said it was important that data sharing occurred, and that people should take ownership of their areas and become actively involved. He asked the interested residents leave their  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The City Warden will give an update on environmental and enforcement activities in the Ward.

 

Darren Evans, City Warden for the Ward, informed the meeting of his enforcement activities:

 

·         Action would be taken against the increasing number of cars for sale on East Park Road and St Matthews.

·         A leaflet drop about bird feeding had been undertaken in the area.

·         Flytipping had increased due to bins being overfilled. Contact would be made with bin owners.

·         Section 93 Street Litter Control Notices would continue. Premises had a duty of care to the local environment to clean up their rubbish, and premises on St Matthews and 2 shops on Vulcan Road had been identified.

·         A graffiti project would continue. 150 leaflets had been distributed, and suspects had been identified.

 

An update on the number of bins in use on St Matthews would be provided at a future meeting.

 

The Chair thanked Darren for the update.

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.

 

 

The 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           (3035)

 

Applicant:      Balanbal Development Association

 

Amount:         £ 747

 

Proposal:       Local People; Local Problem – ‘Respect and Responsibility’

 

Summary:     Community based programme for Somali young people to divert                 them from negative and anti-social behaviours and direct them               to making a positive contribution to their society and to the city.

 

 

Application 2           (3036)

 

Applicant:      St Peters and Stoughton Street Tenants and Residents Assn.

 

Amount:         £ (Actual cost not known - Estimates being sought)

 

Proposal:       Salt/Grit boxes

 

Summary:     Two yellow salt/grit boxes to be located in the Apollo Close and                    Atlas Close area.

 

 

Application 3           (3037)

 

Applicant:      Highfields Library

 

Amount:         £ 950

 

Proposal:       Children’s Summer Reading Activities at Highfields Library

 

Summary:     To develop and deliver a summer programme of activities for                        children 5/15 years at Highfields Library linked to the Leicester                     Libraries Summer Reading Challenge – ‘Creepy House’

 

 

Application 4           (3038)

 

Applicant:      Shree Patel Samaj

 

Amount:         £ 835

 

Proposal:       Multi-Cultural Celebration

 

Summary:     A celebratory event at Gujarati Arya Association in November                       2013 to encourage community cohesion and cultural education.

 

 

Application 5           (3039)

 

Applicant:      Somali Advice and Information Services (SOMINFOS)          

 

Amount:         £ 5696

 

Proposal:       Empowering Somali Unemployed people

 

Summary:     Workshop sessions, short courses and publicity aimed at                              empowering Somali males and females who are unemployed.

 

 

Application 6           (3040)

 

Applicant:      Children and Young People’s Alliance (CAPtA)

 

Amount:         £ 1986

 

Proposal:       Computer Skills Workshop

 

Summary:     Computer workshop sessions to help local people, particularly                     women, to develop computer literacy skills.

 

 

Application 7           (3041)

 

Applicant:      LCC Community Safety Team

 

Amount:         £ 3000

 

Proposal:       Highfields Summer Late Lounge

 

Summary:     Activities at the Highfields Centre over the school holiday period                 on Friday and Saturday evenings to engage young people at                         risk of entering into Anti-Social behaviour.

 

 

Application 8           (3042)

 

Applicant:      The Contact Project

 

Amount:         £ 650

 

Proposal:       St Matthews Community Parks Day 2013

 

Summary:     Community cohesion event at Bushey Park.

 

 

Application 9           (3043)

 

Applicant:      West Indian Senior Citizens Project

 

Amount:         £ 500

 

Proposal:       Seaside trip to Skegness

 

Summary:     A trip for users of the daycentre and carers, the majority of                             which are elderly members of the afro-Caribbean community.

 

 

Application 9           (3044)

 

Applicant:      Khalifa Highfields Cricket Club

 

Amount:         £ 950

 

Proposal:       Development/Equipment/Training/Enhancement

 

Summary:     Purchase of equipment and subsidy of club costs and entry                                     fees for the national Sunday league summer tournament.

 

 

The Member Support Officer provided an update on the latest position with regard to the Ward Community Budget.

 

The following applications for Ward Community Grant funding had been received:

 

Application   1          (3035)

 

Applicant       Arabey Hashi Abdi, Balandal Development Association

 

Amount          £747

 

Proposal        Local People, Local Problem – Respect and responsibility amongst Somali young people

 

Summary       Through education and training, to divert young Somali people from negative and anti-social behaviours, and direct them to making a positive contribution to their society and the City of Leicester

 

RESOLVED:

                        that the application be deferred pending further information.

 

 

Application   2          (3036)

 

Applicant       Mr Ebrahim Jasat, St Peters & Stoughton Street Tenants & Residents Association

 

Amount          £800

 

Proposal        2 Grit boxes

 

Summary       To be placed in Apollo Close and Atlas Close area

 

RESOLVED:

                        that the application be supported in full for £800 subject to viability.

 

 

Application   3          (3037)

 

Applicant       Highfields Library

 

Amount          £950

 

Proposal        Children Summer Reading Activities at Highfields Library

 

Summary       Develop/deliver/evaluate a summer programme of activities for children 5/15 years, at Highfields Library linked to the Leicester Libraries Summer Reading Challenge – Creepy House

 

RESOLVED:

                        that the application be supported in full for £950.

 

 

Application   4          (3038)

 

Applicant       Shree Patel Samaj

 

Amount          £835

 

Proposal        Multi-Cultural Celebration

 

Summary       Application also includes rent of hall, publicity and transport costs.

 

RESOLVED:

                                    that the application be supported in full for £835.

 

 

Application   5          (3032)

 

Applicant       Nazira Vania, Community Safety Team, Leicester City Council

 

Amount          £2,000 (joint bid with Stoneygate Ward, total bid £3,000)

 

Proposal        Highfields Late Lounge – targeted youth engagement project for Summer 2013

 

Summary       The engagement project would be run on Friday and Saturday evenings to provide positive activities for young people engaged in or at risk of engaging in anti-social behaviour (ASB) and/or crime.

 

RESOLVED:

                        that the application be supported to the value of £1,000.

 

 

Application   6          (3044)

 

Applicant       Khalifa Highfields Cricket Club

 

Amount          £950

 

Proposal        Development of Cricket Club and Summer Tournament

 

Summary       Assistance to purchase equipment training support and subsidise their match fees (consisting with umpire and pitch costs).

 

RESOLVED:

                        that the application be supported in full for £950.

 

 

Application   7          (3039)

 

Applicant       Somali Advice and Information Services (SOMINFOS)

 

Amount          £1,424 (joint bid with Beaumont Leys, Charnwood and Stoneygate Wards, total bid £5,696)

 

Proposal        Empowering un-experienced Somali male and female who are unemployed

 

Summary       the application was to hold 26 session of workshops and short courses.

 

RESOLVED:

                        that the application not be supported.

 

 

Application   8          (3042)

 

Applicant       Gavan Wilmot, Contact Project

 

Amount          £650

 

Proposal        St Matthews Community Parks Day 2013

 

Summary       The application was request funding support for the annual community event, and included stage hire from Billy Bates Ltd, and bouncy castle hire.

 

RESOLVED:

                        that the application be supported in full for £650.

 

1.    Shilen Pattni, Operations Manager, Community Services, provided an update on the relocation of the library into the Community Centre. Residents were told that works would commence on the 10^th June 2013 to accommodate books from the library. Hoardings would be put up prior to improvement works of the foyer, the moving of the reception space, and door to the front of the building which would make the building more inviting to visitor. The centre would also house the Housing Service, Support for Tenants and Residents (STAR) service, Sure Start and Leicester’s Adult Skills and Learning Service (LASALS). Residents was warned to be careful when approaching or using the centre, as there would be construction vehicle in the area.

 

Residents were also informed that access to the library would be extended from 22 hour to 60 hours per week. The library would be open plan and in clear view from the reception. The library would also be self-service, but a member of staff would be present for longer to deal with any issues. Residents were told there would be no change to the library in Highfields which was fully functional.

 

2.    A resident reported there were garages on St Peters Estate with no double yellow lines and people were parking in front of the garages. He asked that the Council have the yellow lines installed.

 

3.    Residents asked for an update on the recent issue of pork being found in Halal burgers in city schools following DNA testing. The food was supplied by Paragon Quality Foods Limited. Margeret Libreri, Director Learning Services, reported that work was on-going with the Muslim Parents Association. Communications had been sent to parents, and reassurance had been given that other supply chains had been tested and there was no cause for concern.

 

Margaret said that further information on the testing of the food and other information could not be given at the meeting, as it could compromise possible criminal action. Residents asked that subsequent re-testing results be brought to a future meeting.

 

At the meeting, Margaret was asked for information securing Halal compliance during the tendering process for new suppliers, and the following information was provided.

 

·         Following recent national and local concerns about food adulteration the city council is committed to regulat DNA testing into the future and is working with representatives of the Federation of Muslim Organisations and Muslim Parents Association of Leicester to review:

 

o   Tender specifications

o   Certification options

o   Operating procedures

o   Menu ingredients

 

Minutes of the working group would be posted on the City Council website and the chosen websites of the above organisations. Information could be found at

 

http://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council-services/education-lifelong-learning/about-schools/school-catering/

 

4.    The Chair said that a meeting should be arranged between residents and the police to discuss issues on Vulcan Road. Contact details of residents were given after the meeting.

The meeting closed at 8.07pm.