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 as required by the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor Clarke in the Chair.

Everyone welcomed and introductions given.

Councillor Porter declared an Other Disclosable Interest in the presentation by Arriva, as he had expressed concern publically about bus services in the area.

Councillor Clarke also declared an Other Disclosable Interest in the presentation by Arriva, as he was the lead signatory on a petition about possible changes to the 87 service.

Councillor Porter declared a Prejudicial Other Disclosable Interest in item 3 of the Action Log of the meeting held on 28 September 2015, (“Franklyn Fields”), as he had received support from local people, who had given their time and made financial contributions, in support of his campaign about this development.

Councillor Porter also declared an Other Disclosable Interest in grant application reference 1660, (provision of play equipment for Gilmorton Avenue play area), as he had promoted this application.

Councillor Clarke declared Other Disclosable Interests in grant applications referenced 1553, (Aylestone Village: Community Christmas Tree 2015/16, from Aylestone Local Action Group) and 1542, (lavender for Old Church Street, from Friends of Aylestone Hall Gardens), in that he had been involved in these projects.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, these interests were not considered so significant that they were likely to prejudice the Members judgement of the public interest.  This also related to the item on Franklyn Fields, as discussion on this development was not included on the agenda for this meeting.  The Members therefore were not required to withdraw from the meeting.

Received from Peter Fowler (Head of Granby Primary School)

The Action Log for the last meeting, held on 28 September 2015, is attached and Members are asked to confirm it as an accurate record.

The Action Log from the meeting on 28 September 2015 was received and noted.

All to note that Morris Homes would be at the Baptist Church Hall between 3.00 pm and 9.00 pm on Wednesday 9 March 2016 to discuss the Franklyn Fields development.  (Item 3, “Update on Franklyn Fields”)

Ward Members to check that promotional material for the above meeting has been circulated appropriately.

Representatives of Arriva bus company will be at the meeting

All to note that:

·           Arriva services 86 and 87 are being reviewed to see how they can be improved;

·           One possibility being considered was the merging of the two routes, but no decisions had been taken on how such a service would be routed;

·           It was hoped that a decision on this would be taken by the end of March 2016;

·           The number of passengers using the 84 and 85 services had increased significantly over the last two years.  Particular increases had been noted in Broughton Astley and from schools in Countesthorpe, but there had been growth across the whole route.  This had enabled an additional service from Broughton Astley to be introduced on Sundays;

·           The lack of available seats could be a deciding factor for whether a particular service was used;

·           Bus companies were unable to liaise to with other bus service providers when considering the frequency of services;

·           Approximately one-third of passenger journeys were made using a free pass; and

·           Arriva considered the bus lanes in the area to be successful.

Arriva asked to consider putting notices up at bus stops advising people of the current consultation on routes 86 and 87.

Ward Councillors to support a proposal that an additional stop is added to route 40 on Lutterworth Road, (near Graham Goode Motors).

Council officers will be at the meeting to discuss the Universal Credit benefit.

All to note that:

·           Universal credit was replacing various benefits;

·           The roll-out in Leicester had started on 25 January 2016 and initially would be affecting single people with no children;

·           Further information could be obtained via telephone number 0116 454 1006; and

·           An online application form could be obtained from www.leicester.gov.uk/dhps

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

All to note:

·           There had been an increase in theft from cars, mainly attributable to valuable items being left in cars and cars being unlocked;

·           Over the last 28 days Aylestone had the lowest number of burglaries in the beat team’s area, but there had been four burglaries in non-residential properties;

·           Anti-social behaviour on Aylestone Meadows remained a problem, but the Council had been asked to cut down the bushes on the edge of the Meadows to improve visibility;

·           If reporting a crime in progress, the number to ring is 999;

·           To speak to the Police on other matters, ring 101 and leave a message for the beat officer, who would contact the person leaving the message;

·           The Police Station on Welford Road was closing, but this would not affect local policing;

·           Investigations in to right turning traffic at the junction of Old Church Street and Middleton Street were ongoing;

·           Vehicles parked on a road for a long time without being moved should be reported to the Police in case they are associated with criminal activity; and

·           Mobile speed cameras were still available for members of the public to use, but there was a waiting list for them.

Police to investigate the van parking on Cheshire Road

All residents asked to report criminal issues to the Police, so that they could be aware of what was happening in the Ward and focus resources where needed.

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

All to note:

·           The update attached at the end of this Action Log;

·           Dog fouling and fly tipping were two of the main issues in the Ward, so patrols would continue to be made to monitor these;

·           Community Protection Notices were now being issued for a wide range of anti-social behaviour matters;

·           Work on preventing bins being left on streets had stopped due to changes in the law, but work on this would be starting again in a few weeks;

·           A new City Warden, Harvey Roberts, would be working the Ward; and

·           Morris Homes had installed traffic monitoring equipment in Marsden Lane in relation to the development of Franklyn Fields.

City Warden to investigate rubbish gathering in Banks Road, which appeared to be coming from fast food outlets in the road, the condition of trees in the road and blockages to drains in that road.

Ward Councillors to check with Morris Homes whether the traffic monitoring equipment in Marsden Lane is still needed.

Residents asked to report environmental issues to the City Warden.

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.

·           Aylestone Village: Community Christmas Tree 2015/16 (ref: 1553) – Grant of £1,800 to Aylestone Local Action Group supported

·           Aylestone Village: Winter Plants and Spring Bulbs 2015/16 (ref: 1554) – Grant of £325 to Aylestone Local Action Group supported

·           Granby Road Defibrillator (ref: 1616) – Grant of £500 to Granby Primary School supported

·           Foodbank (ref: 1667) – Grant of £600 to Gilmorton Development Group supported

·           School Based Defibrillator (ref: 1687) – Grant of £500 to Montrose School supported

·           Aylestone Village: Flowers and Plants for the Summer of 2016 (ref: 1691) – Grant of £490 to Aylestone Local Action Group supported

All to note that:

o    £840 remains in the Ward Community Budget, which will be carried forward to the 2016/17 financial year; and

o    A grant application received from the Spirit of Aylestone Group will be carried forward for consideration in the 2016/17 financial year.

Ward and Community Engagement Officer to make information on all grant applications available on the Council’s website in advance of future Aylestone Community Meetings.

a)     Flats in Monsell Drive

All to note that a planning application had been received to demolish the smaller part of the flats at the end of Monsell Drive and use the remaining part as a nursing home.

b)     Emergency Resilience

All to note that a meeting with the City Council’s Resilience Manager had been arranged for 23 March 2016, (venue to be confirmed), to discuss how emergency situations in the Ward could be responded to.

c)     Parking During Elton John Concert

All to note that:

·           Consideration was being given to having a one-way traffic system and residents’ parking permits when Elton John staged a concert at the Leicestershire County Cricket Club ground on 11 June 2016;

·           The Cricket Club had applied for a ten-day entertainment licence, in case the date of the concert needed to be changed;

·           The Cricket Club was hosting a meeting on 3 March 2016 for residents to discuss concerns about this concert.

The next Aylestone Community Meeting to be held before this event and an item on parking and traffic arrangements during the concert to be included on the agenda of that meeting.

The meeting closed at 7.38 pm