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 Fonseca in the Chair

Everyone welcomed and introductions given

Democratic Support Officer was asked to pass on to the Labour Group, the meeting’s continuing dissatisfaction of Councillor Wann’s absence.

No interests were declared.

The Action Logs from the following meetings are attached for information and discussion:-

a)     Ordinary meeting held on 27 March 2014 (Appendix A1); and

b)     Special budget meeting held on 30 May 2014 (Appendix A2).

Agreed as a true record and noted

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

PCSO Georgina Cook discussed the issues in the area since April until today.

All to note:

·           No significant crime increase in the ward

·           9 burglaries from dwellings

·           20 criminal damage reports

·           5 drug offences

·           No robberies

·           2 thefts from motor vehicles

·           Residents asked to call 101, 999 or Crimestoppers if they see or encounter any suspicious activity or offences

·           Plans to restructure local policing ongoing, which would enable police to spend more time on the street

Councillor Fonseca requested an update on the recent racial incident involving a school boy and statistics of crime in this area compared to others. Georgina Cook replied as follows:

·         No further information on the school boy incident available yet.

·         Crime rate in this area is quite low compared to other wards

Police requested to note residents’ concern that a burglar who was arrested following a break-in saw who had called the Police.

The Chair thanked Georgina Cook for her contribution to the meeting

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

As the City Warden was unable to be present, the Community Engagement Officer gave an update on City Warden issues on her behalf.

·           Nicole Powell no longer covers this area. The continuing City Warden is Charlotte Glover.

·           There was a Fly tip on Averial Road which was cleaned up within 12 hours

·           The City Warden will continue to undertake dog fouling patrols

·           A Ward clean-up was planned with children on the summer play scheme being held at Thurnby Lodge School

Phone number given to public (0116 454 1002) if public want to contact City Wardens.

The meeting thanked the City Wardens for their work, (for example, dog waste bins were now emptied regularly).

Highways officers will give an update on highways issues in the Ward.

As no Highways officers were present, the Chair advised that the new road crossing near Thurnby Lodge School and the proposed 20 mile per hour zone are included in the list of schemes to be done.

Highways officers asked to note that:

·           Pavement parking still an issue with public vehicles and council vans. Residents were asked to email the Community Engagement Officer with the pool or licence plate number if council vehicles are seen parked incorrectly.

·           Areas of concern for pavement parking, in addition to those previously identified include: Ocean Road & Thurncourt Road.

The question arose as to what residential parking means as some residents are having problems. Resident’s contact details passed to Community Engagement Officer to look into this.

Housing officers will give an update on housing issues in the Ward.

As no Housing officers could be present, an update was tabled at the meeting.  A copy of this is attached at the end of this Action Log for information.

Housing officers are asked to action the following:

·           Replace the noticeboard, which had been removed when improvements by the shops on Thurncourt Road were done.

·           Weeds need removing from the footpath between Stornaway Road and the shops on Thurncourt Road.

·           Residents request that the hedge be removed from the front of Thurnby Lodge Youth and Community Centre and the fence extended along front, in order to improve safety for vehicles entering and leaving the Centre and to enable people to see the notice board and flower beds.

Trees and bushes are overhanging Thurncourt Road, particularly near Willowbrook School.  These are making it difficult for children to pass, especially as one bush has thorns.

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

A list of grant applications submitted for consideration at this meeting is attached.

Since the Special budget meeting in May, 2 requests have been fast tracked:

·           Friday Bingo (1059) – Grant of £300 to June Worley supported

·           Tuesday Bingo (1060) – Grant of £500 to Brenda Ayres supported

3 applications submitted to this meeting:

·           Thurnby Lodge play scheme (1061) open to Thurnby Lodge & Willowbrook pupils – A bid was received seeking £1,500. Grant of £1,000 to Stef Tattersall supported

·           1^st Thurnby Lodge Brownies (1104) – Grant of £490 supported for a pack holiday

·           Taxi Support Scheme (1105) – A bid was received seeking £1,000. Grant of £500 to Allan Gratrix supported. Applicant asked to provide an evaluation form for how the grant was used, as it is important to see who is using the service

Other budget discussions:

·           Boyzee (3205) Community Engagement Officer still investigating whether funding for this project can be found from alternative sources. Suggestion that there also may be police funding available for anti-social behaviour activities/ projects.

·           Funding for a cycle stand was no longer needed, as the Council would be providing the stand

Budget of £4,727 remains for rest of financial year

·           Next meeting will commence with a community walk. Residents asked for suggestions for the route.

·           Community Engagement Officer to invite the City Mayor to attend a Thurncourt Community Meeting at some point before the elections in 2015, to explain what the Council is doing for the Ward

Monday 13^th October 2014 – 6.30pm.  (Details of the Community Walk to be confirmed)