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.

Councillor Porter, Chair for the meeting, welcomed everyone and led introductions.

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies for absence were received from Ann and Alan Sturgess – Aylestone Park Residents Group.

The Action Log for the last meeting held on 3 October 2017 is attached for information and discussion.

The Action Log of the previous meeting held on 3 October 2017 was confirmed as a correct record.

An update will be provided regarding the issues on Marsden Lane, Sanvey Lane, Aylestone Road and Milligan Road.

It was noted that there were reported issues of drivers using Milligan Road, Aylestone Drive, Marsden Lane and Sanvey Lane to rat run (a tactic used to avoid heavy traffic and long delays at traffic signals).

Robert Bateman (Special Projects Manager for Planning, Development and Transportation) informed the meeting of the options available, the following was noted;

·         Highways Officers initially looked at blocking off parts of Sanvey Lane – however, this would have been inconvenient to residents.

·         The other option which Highways were considering to consult residents on was the installation of a combination of speed cushions and traffic gates.

·         Residents present at the meeting had concerns that the above proposal would not be suitable for Sanvey Lane and Marsden Lane due to the current parking issues.

·         Some residents suggested inserting a barrier using a timer which would open and close at certain busy hours of the day; however, other residents opposed this idea.

·         Residents noted that the impact of the 24/7 hour bus lane on Aylestone Road needed to be addressed.

·         Robert Bateman noted that the Highways team would be looking at the rat running issues on Aylestone Drive and Milligan Road in more detail.

·         Residents also requested for the following to be looked into;

o   Traffic and speeding issues which build up from the City and,

o   The yellow box junction and merge near bus lane on Aylestone Road/ Paigle Road.

·         Councillor Porter reminded the meeting that due to difficulties of buses getting through the top of St Andrews Road and Duncan Road, Aylestone Ward Councillors had suggested to re-route the bus service.

AGREED:

All Highways options, plans and proposals to address the rat runs and other issues on Marsden Lane, Sanvey Lane, Aylestone Drive and Milligan Road would be presented at the next meeting. Following this there would be a consultation.

Officers will give an update on the development of Franklyn Fields.

Grant Butterworth (Head of Planning) was present at the meeting.

Councillor Porter noted that the application for Franklyn Fields had been approved at the Planning, Development and Control Committee (PDC).

·         Grant informed the meeting that the application was granted subject to conditions and the next stage of the process would be for the legal agreements to be signed.

·         An s106 agreement with Morris Homes to secure planning obligations was yet to be completed.

·         Provisions within the s106 agreement were expected to include a nature reserve which could be collaborated with Parks services, nature volunteers and neighbourhood colleagues.

·         Councillor Clarke noted that a meeting could be held at the City Hall with the nature conservation officer and local nature volunteer groups to look into the nature reserve/ conservation.

·         Following a residents comment about school places, Grant explained that the Council was now less in control of schools; however a financial contribution from the developer would go to into the programme for the expansion of schools.

·         In response to residents and Councillor Porters concerns regarding the roads and congestion, Grant confirmed that initial assessments and transport assessments were carried out in relation to this application.

AGREED:

To circulate the report with the minutes which would set out details of the application conditions etc.

An update will be provided regarding Enterprise Rent-A-Car in the Aylestone Ward.

Councillor Clarke explained the situation in relation to complaints received from residents that; Enterprise Car Hire were extending their business into the highways, taking up available parking areas and reported to be causing nuisance to residents. In addition, they were reported to be extending services past permitted hours.

·         Robert Bateman commented that his transport/ highways colleagues had suggested a resident’s only parking zone so residents could park on the roads opposite Lutterworth Road.

·         Some residents opposed the above highways/ transport teams idea as they would object to paying and also it would cause problems for visitors of resident’s. It was generally felt the issue would just be placed elsewhere.

·         Grant Butterworth noted that following several complaints, a contravention notice had been issued and diaries were sent out to residents for them to provide specific information on this matter. Grant encouraged residents to fill out and return the diary forms.

·         It was noted that further evidence was required before an enforcement notice could be issued.

·         Councillor Clarke stated that Enterprise were in dialogue with the Council and had also requested extra parking space.

AGREED:

1.    Robert Bateman to have a look at possible restrictions placed for number of vehicles being parked by Enterprise (Robert did state it was usually a matter of weight).

2.    After the meeting, Councillor Clarke would provide residents with the email of Enterprise for them to also make contact regarding their concerns.

3.    An update to be provided at the next meeting.

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

PCSO Ben Leaning presented crime statistics for the ward over the past month. For further information on crime in the ward, residents were encouraged to visit the Police.uk website and choose the Aylestone ward.

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

Noel Cazley (City Warden) provided an update on environmental activities the City Warden was involved in, in the ward. This included;

·         Obstructions on Double Yellow Lines (DYL),

·         Environmental offences

·         Recent investigations of businesses selling vehicles on the highway.

·         Duty of care on premises to ensure they dispose of waste correctly.

·         City Warden patrols taking place throughout the day.

·         An action was recently carried out for fly tipping removed at Marsden Lane.

·         Residents were encouraged to report any environmental issues on the Love Leicester app.

A resident had concerns regarding chewing gum on pavements. It was noted that the City Wardens did campaigns on this topic.

Councillor Porter requested that Milligan Road required regular traffic enforcement. The City Warden noted this.

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 provided on the Ward Community Budget.

Laura Burt – Ward Community and Engagement Officer gave an update on the Ward Community Budget.

·         It was noted that since the last meeting, one application had been supported and the remaining balance was reported as £11, 368.50.

·         Councillor Clarke informed the meeting regarding the online application process and that the Ward Community and Engagement Officers were available to provide help.

·         Residents/ community groups were encouraged to apply.

·         A resident queried Leicester City Training Grounds – in relation to any plans for moving it?

·         Grant Butterworth noted that officers were preparing a report on potential Local Plan development sites, which would be submitted to the City Mayor.  If included, it would be subject to consultation on the draft local plan later in the year. It was unsure as to what would happen with the training ground, but it would be considered alongside a range of other sites as part of the development of the local plan.

The Chair declared the meeting closed at 8.28pm.