Agenda and minutes

Councillors will elect a Chair for the meeting.

The Chair will introduce those present and make any necessary announcements.

The Chair and any other Councillors who are present will make any declarations of interest in the business of the meeting as required by the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.

In the absence of Aylestone Ward Councillors the meeting continued as an informal briefing session for those present.

The Community Engagement Officer led the introductions and introduced the officers present.

Apologies were received from Councillor Adam Clarke, Alan and Ann Sturgess.

The Action Log for the last meeting held on 31 January 2019 is attached for information and discussion.

The Action Log from the Ward Community Meeting held on 31 January 2019 will be presented at the next meeting scheduled for 27 November 2019.

An officer will be present to discuss the proposed access to Great Central Way from Marsden Lane.

Louise Seymour, Head of Development Projects, Leicester City Council, presented visuals of the proposed Marsden Lane ramp (attached for information).

It was explained that a planning application for the ramp would be submitted in the next three to four weeks, and as part of the consultation process had been brought to the Aylestone Ward Community Meeting.

The following information was provided:

The ramp would go from Great Central Way (GCW) to Marsden Lane car park to provide ramp access for all, including pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchairs and scooter users but it would not replace the steps in situ. It would be located just south of the farm and east of the car park area. The proposed ramp would be large due to the height difference between the canal and car park and the need to achieve a 1:15 gradient. There would be a three-metre flat area every nine meters of the ramp to assist those pushing wheelchair, prams etc.

The ramp will be timber and is considered sympathetic to its environment. The timber will have a high level of fire-retardant treatment and has been designed by engineers with maintenance and durability in mind. The ramp would be sectional ramp so the chances of it all burning was extremely unlikely.

The following questions were raised and responses by officers given:

Will they fill the sides of the ramp for the safety of children?

The ramp will be designed safely. At its highest part it will have a 1.4metre parapet. The current design is an artist’s impression and will be built to building control and safety standards.

Is it comparable to the Everards bridge?

We have been told it is very similar.

Will there be any bollards or anything as on occasion people come across on quad bikes?

There will not be bollards as it would also cause an obstruction for wheelchairs, scooters and pushchairs. Anti-social behaviour cannot be designed out in this sort of structure as it will affect accessibility and has to be designed to minimum width.

Given that is going to improve access, the car park is very small and overflowing into the street. What provisions are going to be made for that as the access will naturally attract more people? Also the stables will be in full public view and security issues need addressing.

There is already access to the GCW and there were no plans to change the car park. There was ongoing consultation on the ramp and there will be a planning application to comment on. Council officers will liaise with the owner of the stable site, and the users.

There is a gate at either end in Everards meadow. I noticed all mothers with prams and cyclists were closing the gate behind them. Still with access for all in mind could there be a gate on this bridge?

This was noted and it was agreed that this could be looked at, however it would need to remain accessible to wheelchair and scooter users.

I  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

An officer will be present to update on traffic and highways issues in the ward.

Rupert Bedder, Highway’s Network Asset Manager, was present to provide an update on actions raised at the last Ward Community Meeting and information on highways developments in the Ward.

The following points were made:

·         Action Point from the meeting on 31 January 2019 – Enterprise Cars had been reported for discharging water across icy pavements. A notice under section163 of the Highways Act had been sent to the company, and no further complaints had been received. If there were further issues, the notice would be reissued and then monitored after the 28 days expired to gather evidence. A reminder would be sent to make them aware that legal action was being considered.

·         Surface dressing and patching had been undertaken on Soar Valley Way, Milligan Road and Aylestone Drive.

·         At Montrose School a 20mph zone and traffic calming had been implemented on Milligan Road.

·         Officers were aware of issues in the Aylestone Park area, Grace Road and surrounding streets, and were in the process of installing double yellow lines within 10metres of junctions. In conjunction with Saffron residents, officers were looking at residents only parking orders during events. General designs in affected areas and nearby streets would go out for consultation in 2020.

·         It was noted that T20 matches caused many issues. Parking Enforcement teams had been instructed to be more present around T20 and nearby streets. Also, the Team had taken photos at problem junctions at the last T20 on 7^th August 2019 and again on 23^rd August 2019. A total of 12 tickets were issued at the last match. The police were on standby for dangerous issues and could be contacted on 101 if inconsiderate parking caused an obstruction.

·         On Percy Road there were issues with people wanting dropped kerbs. There would be a policy review and potential opportunities which may arise from a wider area parking scheme. Allowing parallel or angled parking potentially increased the risks for footway users from vehicles manoeuvring and reducing the requirements for the length of hardstanding areas would lead to more vehicles overhanging and obstructing the footway.

·         A letter was sent to residents of Marsden Lane informing them of an experimental scheme to deter rat running and control speeding. The scheme will be monitored over the next six months and report at a ward meeting. Also, an additional bus lane camera will also be installed soon to stop people using the bus lane to access Marsden Lane. The interim proposal will be monitored and the results made available at a Ward Community Meeting after the experimental period of about six months. Officers were also happy to have a meeting on site with residents about the issues.

·         Officers were looking to make collapsible bollards on Sharplands completely immovable as they were being abused by people. The police and fire service had been spoken to, and contact would be made with EMAS, but were happy to make a permanent closure following application for a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).

·         Following concerns from a local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Leicestershire Police will be at the meeting to provide an update on police issues in the Ward.

PCSO Vince Preston provided the following information:

·         A Neighbourhood Watch scheme had been set up and had around 100 members. Residents could call on 101 or email the police if they wanted to join.

·         Five vehicles had been seized following use in crime.

·         A cannabis factory had been closed.

·         A patchwalk on Montrose Road had taken place following concerns.

·         Public consultation events will be advertised on social platforms.

·         Issues on Aylestone Meadows included bikes and trespassing. Residents were asked to call 101 or record issues online.

·         Vehicle crime – residents were asked to check car door handles as opportunists were taking items from unlocked vehicles.

·         The following crime statistics were provided for the three-month period in comparison to 2018:

2018   2019

Anti-social behaviour          7          2

Street drinking                      1          4

Vehicle related nuisance    12        6

Burglaries to dwellings       13        12

Theft from motor vehicles  18        11

Drug seizure                         6          22

It was reported that crime in general was low for the area. The definition of anti-social behaviour was “anything that causes alarm, harassment or distress”.

The City Warden will give an update on issues in the Ward.

Noel Cazley, City Warden, circulated a leaflet (attached for information). The following was also noted:

·         Adverts tied to posts advertising Britannia Drives had caused problems. No-one has the right to attach anything to Council Street furniture or trees (even missing pets) and can be fined anything up to £150 for fly posting. The council would prosecute businesses fly posting, but were more lenient with charities. Notices for missing pets were monitored and removed after three weeks.

·         Working with Blaby District Council a company Palletwise had been investigated following dangerous signs around the city attached with a blue cord only. The signs had originated from the travelling site at Meynells Gorse, using a false address in Eyres Monsell and a landline that went through to a mobile phone. The signs were removed and destroyed immediately.

·         Anti-social behaviour protection notice legislation could be used, for example, Percy Road fly tipping and overgrowth – a warning letter would be sent out as it was causing alarm and distress. If the mess is not cleared up the owner would be issued with a community protection notice, and if breached would be charged £100 every day after that and prosecuted.

·         People were using the public highway to sell cars. Officers carried out DVLA checks and issued £100 fines to individuals. A community protection notice when issued can state that no cars can be parked on the highway.

·         There were a lot of problems with fly tipping city wide. There was a householder duty of care to check the driver had a waste carrier licence. If people were to use a ‘white van man’ to collect waste, who then fly-tipped the waste the householder would be prosecuted unless they could prove they had checked for a waste carrier licence, e.g. keep texts and emails, take down details of the vehicle, etc.

·         It was noted the Council offered a free collection service for bulky waste of up to five items, and could be used every two months, and was bookable through the Council’s website, or telephone number found on orange bags.

Councillors are reminded that under the Council’s Code of Conduct they should declare any interest they may have in budget applications.

An update will be given on the Ward Community Budget. A summary of grant applications submitted for consideration since the last meeting is attached.

In the absence of Ward Councillors this agenda item was not taken.

The date of the next meeting was scheduled for 27^th November 2019 – venue to be confirmed.

There being no other items of urgent business, the meeting closed at 8.13pm.