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

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

The Action Log of the Meeting held on 11 August 2016 is attached at Appendix A and Members are asked to confirm it as an accurate record. Any update on actions taken since the last meeting will be reported at the meeting.

The Action Log of the previous meeting held on 11 August 2016 was confirmed as a correct record.

The Stoneygate Ward Councillors will provide an update on the issues they have been dealing with in the Stoneygate Ward.

The Ward Councillors provided the following updates on their recent activities:

Councillor Chaplin.

·      Residents in attendance to hear the discussion on the Stoughton Drive residents parking scheme and on the St Philips and St Johns developments were welcomed.  It was noted that the item would be considered later in the agenda as part of the Highways Update.

·      There had been an increase in complaints concerning anti-social activity in and around Prebend Gardens.  A meeting had been held with local Police Officers where the issue and similar problems at Cedar Road Park had been reported.  It was hoped that changes to the Police beat patrols would be established following site visits.

·      The Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Commission had considered the NHS proposals and publication of the Strategic Transformational Plan (STP) for Leicester and Rutland.  Meetings were ongoing particularly in regard to the rationalising of acute care from 3 to 2 sites. There would be a formal consultation exercise to comment on the plan although no dates had been announced by the NHS and the scope of the exercise seemed narrow.  Residents were encouraged to join the debate and to contact Ward Councillors with their views at the appropriate time.

·      The future of Adventure Playgrounds had received significant media attention, and a campaign to support their retention had been supported.  Options to assist the future operation of the playgrounds were being considered in the New Year.

·      Evington Road continued to attract planning applications for hot food takeaway use, together with other uses attracting litter and anti-social behaviour in the area.  Representations on applications had been made at the Planning and Development Control Committee and liaison with the City Centre Director and Planning Department continued.

·      The proposals to implement a ‘Channel Shift’ to encourage the use of the website had begun and feedback from residents was encouraged.

·      The residents parking scheme at the western part of the Ward had been advertised and details would be reported in the Highways Update later in the agenda.

·      An increase in housing option problems had been experienced.  Particular concerns relating to homeless families had been reported and taken up with relevant partner agencies.

·      The proposals for charging for bulk waste collections and for domestic refuse at recycling centres had caused concern, it being noted that the ward suffered from a high level of fly-tips.  The Assistant Mayor had noted the concerns expressed at a recent Scrutiny Commission, as part of the formal consultation process.

·      A London Road Cycle Lane scheme was being considered and Ward members had expressed their wish to be fully involved in the development of any plans.

·      A planning application for student accommodation on Conduit Street had been received and representations were being made.  It was considered that the development would not be unacceptable if it had a high quality design.  Residents were encouraged to view the plans and submit comments to the Planning Department.

·      The Dawn Centre was due to hold its Christmas celebration event and residents were encouraged to donate gifts to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

Highways officers will give an update on Stoughton Drive residents parking scheme, St. Philips and St. Johns developments.

Martin Fletcher and Robert Bateman (Highways) reported on the work undertaken to produce schemes making particular reference to the meetings held with Ward Councillors to determine priorities.

It was reported that the Councillors’ manifesto pledge concerning residents parking had been taken into account and that options had been explored to design suitable schemes for consideration.  This included an extension to the schemes into the western part of the Ward.

Outline plans would be prepared following engagement with interested parties and details were displayed for comment.  A formal consultation would take place where comments and concerns could be submitted.

In terms of the likely timescale it was noted that a significant amount of consultation would be necessary before any proposals were identified.

Evington Valley Road was cited as an area requiring particular attention due to the parking problems currently experienced.

In response to questions it was noted that parking surveys were undertaken and that numbers of permits per household were carefully considered, to allow parking for non-residential uses in the area, whilst satisfying the need for residents to park close to their properties.  It was confirmed that on-street parking for residents could not be guaranteed and that flexibility was necessary to allow a suitable scheme to be implemented.

The Chair of ERNA, Helen Everett, was invited to comment on the issue.  She referred to the group’s monthly meetings and encouraged the attendance of residents to properly debate a way forward.  The importance of the traffic and parking surveys to assist this debate were emphasised.

It was noted that the business community would also have a view on proposals and that an adequate number parking spaces for shoppers were also needed.

Residents expressed the need for a solution and referred to the problems currently experienced, in this regard it was reported that residents parking schemes could have a displacement effect on other nearby residential areas.

In discussing the issues concerning Stoughton Drive, officers commented on the recent patchwalk undertaken to assess problems.  Residents were thanked for their imput to the process and for the photographic and video evidence submitted.

Details of a scheme designed to alleviate problems was displayed for information and comment.  It was clarified that the scheme was a first draft and that residents’ comments would be considered further before a final proposal was submitted for approval.

Residents confirmed that the initial reaction to the proposals was positive and that the improved crossing points were particular welcomed.  It was suggested that a mobile speed camera be positioned in the area to assist the evidence of need for the scheme.  Enforcement of inconsiderate driving was raised as a concern.

Having regard for the need to ensure continued engagement with residents it was also suggested that a leaflet exercise be undertaken to promote the need to view the proposals and to make comments on the likely effect of the scheme.

In conclusion, it was reported that the scheme could be altered to take account of residents’ comments and then be costed, with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

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

Darren Evans (City Warden) commented on his enforcement and environmental activities in the Ward.  He provided an update on key areas of work making reference to ‘Bins on Streets’ enforcement and fly tipping data.

It was noted in regard to fly tipping that a reduction in reported instances was encouraging but that the Ward was the third highest of 21 Wards for reports fly tips in the city.

He encouraged residents to use the LoveLeicester app to report any issues requiring attention.

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

PCSO Phil Bramliss was introduced to the meeting. 

Crime statistics were provided in respect of burglaries, robberies, theft of vehicles and theft from vehicles.

In respect of continued reports of anti-social behaviour, it was noted that operations had been undertaken to reduce problems, and that CCTV footage was being used to monitor issues and help to increase enforcement.

Reference was made to the work to help those people found sleeping rough in inappropriate situations as reported earlier in the meeting.  It was confirmed that it was not an offence to sleep in the street.

In respect of street drinking, it was also confirmed that increased patrols were helping to show a decrease in significant problems being reported.

In conclusion and in response to a question, it was clarified that the Council’s enforcement officers had powers to ticket unlawfully parked vehicles, but that the Police could deal with obstructions.

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

An update on the Ward Community Budget will be provided at the meeting.

It was reported that of 10 applications received for Councillors’ consideration, 8 had been approved and 2 were not supported.  The reasons for the applications being not supported were outlined by Councillors.

£10,694 remained in the budget for the financial year and organisers of community projects were encouraged to bid for support.

The meeting closed at 8.30 pm.