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 – Chair, welcomed everyone and led introductions.

Apologies were received from Chrissie Field, Area Manager (Housing) and Charlotte Glover, City Warden.

No interests were declared.

The Action Log of the Meeting held on 13 October 2014 is attached at Appendix A and Members are asked to confirm it as an accurate record.

The Action Log from the meeting held on 13 October 2014 was circulated and confirmed as a correct record.

The Planning Team will give a presentation on the New Local Plan Issues and Options Consultation.

Elizabeth Logan and David Wood from the Planning Team presented information on the New Local Plan Issues and Options consultation.

The New Local Plan was a statutory document which Leicester City Council had been producing to show where and how Leicester could be developed over the next 15 years and more. Some of these developments would include:

·         A growing City – economy, housing, city centre

·         People and Spaces – neighbourhoods, spaces, heritage, health

·         The Environment – transport, climate change, green space and sport

·         The Local Plan was currently at the stage of public consultation, whereby comments and suggestions were being encouraged from the public.

·         Attendees were asked to contact the team with comments or questions by: Email – planning.policy@leicester.gov.uk or filling in the online response form at www.leicester.gov.uk/issuesandoptions

Comments and queries were given from attendees regarding derelict properties being put back in use, the request for more schools and green/ brownfield areas.

The City Warden will provide an overview on environmental and enforcement activities in the Thurncourt Ward.

Anita Clarke, the Community Engagement Officer (CEO) read a brief update provided by City Wardens as no representative from the City Warden team was able to be present at the meeting.

• Dog fouling issues had been looked into on Havencrest Drive.

• City Wardens had worked with residents to combat bird feeding on the Highway especially near Rosshill Crescent.

• It was noted that City Wardens were working with waste management and housing teams to establish recycling at the flats above the shops on Thurncourt Road.

• A resident stated that dog fouling issues were an issue on Bowhill grove which was a common pathway. Concerns that residents had been reporting the issue but responses from the City Warden service seemed to take some time. This information would be passed onto the City Warden.

• Attendees were advised to take a picture of any environmental issues and send it in through the Love Leicester App. There were concerns regarding the dangers of taking images and that some people do not have a smart mobile phone.

Housing Officers will provide a report on housing matters in the Ward.

Andy East, Team Leader (Housing) gave an update on activities and works proposed in the Thurncourt Ward:

·         Some projects completed in 2014/15  comprised of; bulb planting on Ocean Road, the creation of five car parking spaces on Dudley Avenue and works to Thurncourt Road shops, some of which included repainting of the canopy, installing hanging baskets and spring bulb planting.

·         Projects still to be completed for 2014/15 included painting of Gable ends and external rendering on Elmcroft Avenue bungalows. This work had now been passed to a contractor.

·         Several works such as fitting solid metal gates to the rear of the Thurncourt Road shop units would be carried out in 2015/16. Other schemes had been requested and Housing were awaiting approval.

Residents’ Concerns:

The grass verge going down the steps on Dudley Avenue was very dark and similar on Gervas Road. The Housing Officer took residents details to look into this, it was also noted that in areas with LED lighting, residents could contact the street lighting team to arrange the lights to be boosted brighter.

Transport Officers will give an update on transport issues and activities in the Ward.

Mark Govan from the Transport Team informed attendees that the proposed zebra crossing on Dakyn Road near Thurnby Lodge Primary School was anticipated to commence in March 2015.

Residents had several Highways concerns which included:

·         People were parking on the grass verges and footpath on Colchester Road. Similar issues on other roads at the corner of Herthull Road and top of Dudley Avenue resulting in difficulties to pass on pavement. Transport Officer would look into this issue.

·         Dudley Avenue/ bottom of Dakyn Road, opposite the park and school had some uneven paving.

·         Concerns were noted of the dangers when crossing on parts of Thurncourt Road.

·         Speeding cars were thought to be an issue on Nursery Road. Attendees stated the speed bumps were not effective.

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

PC Ben Orton, gave an update on issues within the Thurncourt Ward. The following was discussed:

• There had been recent re-structure and staffing changes in the Leicestershire Police, however, there would now be more Police community engagement.

• In the past three months there had been; 9 reports of burglaries (dwellings), 1 burglary (other), 3 thefts from motor vehicles, 1 drugs offence, 3 thefts of motor vehicles, 10 reports of Criminal damage.

• Residents were asked to report any suspicious activity by calling 101 or Crimes stoppers on 0800 555111.

Ward Budget feedback will be provided at the meeting. There will be no bids to consider.

Thurncourt Community gave feedback on several projects supported by the Ward Community fund:

‘Bringing Lapland to the Community’ was said to have been a successful project with positive feedback.

As a result of the community fund, the Boyzee – Willowbrook Activity Centre would now be able to support the club for one night a week until the summer season.

Thurnby Kick Start soccer academy had increased numbers.

The ‘Taxi scheme’ was able to reduce taxi fares for elderly persons and requested the ward to consider further future funding for this scheme.

Local resident Allan Gratrix who applied for funds for the Bloom Campaign had planted seeds and provided local allotments with raised beds amongst other works.

The next Thurncourt Community Meeting will be held on Monday 30^th March 2015 at 6.30pm – venue to be confirmed.

Attendees at the meeting had heard that there would be a further meeting in March 2015. However, outside of the meeting it was agreed that this would no longer take place.

The meeting closed at 7.20pm.