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 Dawood, elected as Chair, welcomed everyone and led introductions.

Apologies were received from Jamie Stubbs, City Warden.

No interests were declared.

The Action Log from the previous Spinney Hills Community Meeting held on 12 January 2015 is attached at Appendix A and Members will be asked to confirm them as a correct record. Any update on actions taken since the last meeting will be reported at the meeting.

The Action Log from the meeting held on 12 January 2015 was circulated and confirmed as a correct record.

·         It was noted that after the elections, the existing Spinney Hills ward would become Spinney and Wycliffe wards with two Councillors for each ward.

·         Councillors and Inspector Gillard would be visiting Maidstone Road this evening in relation to ASB.

Officers from the Local Policing Unit will be at the meeting to provide an update on Police issues in the Spinney Hills Ward.

There was no local policing update as no officers were present at the meeting.

The City Warden will provide an overview on environmental and enforcement activities in the Spinney Hills Ward.

There was no City Warden Service update as the City Warden sent apologies as was unable to attend the meeting.

Highways and Traffic Officers will give an update on Highways and Traffic issues in the Ward.

Michael Jeeves from the Road Safety Team gave an update on Traffic issues in the ward:

·         It was noted that a petition had been submitted regarding Morley Road and St Saviours Road highlighting the existing road and pavement extensions fitted as part of a previous scheme over 20 years ago. Transport Officer explained that a meeting was held onsite with the lead petitioner and it was now currently being assessed as to what action could be taken in regards to the state of the current humps. One suggestion was to make the humps slightly longer.

·         Issues of pot holes were reported on Donnington Street, Guthlaxton Street and Swain Street (near the railway bridge before Maidstone Road). Transport Officer, Michael Jeeves would report this back to Highways. Councillor Chowdhury requested a patch-walk with Officers to identify further potholes and issues in the ward.

·         On Drinkstone Road, Police and Traffic Wardens would hold an enforcement action day in the Spinney hills ward on 13 March 2015, due to emergency service access issues.

·         It was requested for Highways Officers to look into what had happened to the proposal for a one-way system on Nansen Road.

·         In relation to parking in the St Matthews area, a survey was carried out by Transport Officers which showed there were 700 car spaces on street with 2000 households. It was also stated that many commuters parked in those spaces.

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 following bids will be considered at the meeting:

Joint Bid: 5066

Applicant: Leicester Zimbabwean Community Project

Project Name & Summary: 2015 Community Get Together

Amount Requested: £500.00

Bid: 1291

Applicant: Disability Enabling & Empowerment Project

Project Name: Supported Training for Disabled Residents

Amount Requested: £1,000.00

Bid: 1309

Applicant: St Peters & Stoughton Street Tenants & Residents Association

Project Name: Cleaning Up St Peters

Amount Requested: £750.00

Joint Bid: 5069

Applicant: Highfields Community Association

Project Name: Highfields Festival 2015

Amount Requested: £2,000.00

Bid: 1316

Applicant: Shubaan Youth Organisation

Project Name & Summary: Shubaan British Values Project

Amount Requested: £1,000.00

Bid: 5071

Applicant: Big Fish Little Fish

Project Name & Summary: International Women’s Day

Amount Requested: £500.00

An update will be given at the meeting on the Ward Community budget and any other applications received.

Angela Martin, the Community Engagement Officer (CEO) gave an update on the Ward Community Budget:

5069 – Highfields Community Association – Highfields Festival 2015

Amount Requested - £2,000

Grant of £538.66 was SUPPORTED

1316 – Shubaan Youth Organisation – Shubaan British Values Project

Amount Requested - £1,000

Grant of £538.66 was SUPPORTED

1309 – St Peters & Stoughton Street Older People Association - Activities

Amount Requested – £1,000

Grant of £538.66 was SUPPORTED

It was noted that no further ward funding would be available in the Spinney Hills Ward for this financial year 2014/15.

·         An attendee invited Ward Councillors to what was aspired to be ‘Leicester’s first gardening school’ on Copdale Road for people with learning disabilities, mental health issues and physical impairment. Further works with children on small empty green spaces would also be anticipated.

·         A representative on behalf of friends of the African Caribbean community relayed concerns regarding the condition of the African Caribbean Community Centre. It was reported that the roof leaked and had asbestos and there were floods in the basement when heavy rain fell. It was noted that friends of African Caribbean Centre/ community had development ideas relating to the buildings conditions. The representative was requested to provide contact details to the CEO whereby a meeting could be convened to find a way forward. Councillor Aqbany requested that photographs be taken of the issues and passed onto the CEO.

·         St Matthews Big Local informed the meeting that funding was available to residents and local charities/ businesses in the St Matthews area for activities/ projects. Training courses were also available for St Matthews residents and the Big Local were in the process of installing street bins in the area. Various meetings had taken place with several Officers to discuss issues such as; having an outdoor gym in St Matthews, road safety and looking into installing bollards around Taylor Road Primary school. Further information could be found on the St Matthews Big Local website.

·         A resident stated that the pavement outside the Spinney Hills Adventure Playground towards Hartington Road was very dark and narrow due to bushes. The resident was asked to pass contact details on to the CEO and Highways Officers. Councillors requested they be copied in so the discussion could go ahead.

·         In regards to the electoral ward boundary changes, Councillor Chowdhury commented that the two new wards should work together to serve the existing Spinney Hills Community. Councillor Aqbany stated that the Councillors would be there for the people.

·         Residents thanked the Spinney Hills Ward Councillors for the works and support to the ward.

The meeting closed at 7.10pm