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 Gee as Chair led on introductions.

It was noted there were no declarations of interest and no apologies for absence had been received.

The Action Log of the previous Thurncourt Community Meeting held on 2 September 2019 is attached for information and discussion.

The action log from the last meeting was noted.

Councillors will provide an update on ward related matters.

Councillors updated the meeting on recent work they had been involved with across the ward.

It was noted that:

·         Members were conducting casework related to Universal Credit and Housing matters across the ward

·         Work was underway with trying to reduce the 2 year wait time for residents on Band 3 and ensuring residents were on the correct banding

·         Members suggested that a future coffee morning be arranged for a consultation around the new development plans

·         Following a road traffic accident where a resident was left paralysed, members were working closely with  the highways team on traffic calming measures on Thurncourt Road and Scraptoft Lane

Officers from the Local Policing Unit will be at the meeting to provide an update on police matters in the Ward.

Sergeant Mistry from the local policing unit was in attendance with PC Steve Base.

An overview of crime in the Ward was provided.

It was noted that:

·         There had been 27 commercial robberies, 7 theft of vehicles and and 15 thefts from vehicles. Officers were working with Multi-Agency groups to tackle this issue

·         Following reports of drug related concerns from different areas of the ward, a centinal report had been created and the problem identified. 2 properties had been identified involved in cuckooing county lines which was a national issue and as a result 2 people had been evicted from their properties

·         Mayflower Public House had been boarded up following residents concerns, but it was suggested that the secure fencing had been damaged as a result of bad weather and that the site was now being used by fly tippers

Residents suggested that although figures showed that the number of crimes was decreasing, overall crime was on the rise. It was also suggested that the Mayflower pub site was causing other environmental concerns with rodents and anti-social behaviour.

It was suggested that The City Warden along with the Environmental team may be able to tackle some of the concerns raised by residents on the Mayflower Pub site.

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

Mark Govan form the Council’s Planning, Development and Transportation Team was in attendance to provide an update on local highways matters.

It was noted that:

·         Traffic Calming measures along Thurncourt Road were being considered and should be installed in this financial year

·         Additional resurfacing work on Scraptoft Lane was also being considered

·         Suggestions for additional consideration to the junction at Scraptoft Lane from Bowhill Grove and New Romney Crescent were also raised

·         Members suggested the use of a mini roundabout at the junction of Bowhill Grove and Scraptoft Lane would reduce congestion and allow for better flow of traffic

·         The Avril Road bridge work over Bushby Brook would be an estimated 10 weeks for completion

·         Residents requested for the provision of layby parking on Stornway Road, to make it easier for carers that attend to provide support

·         Ongoing parking issues were reported on Fastnet Road

·         Residents also raised their concerns with speeding issues between Trocadero (Shell) on Uppingham Road and Colchester Road

Housing Officers will give an update on housing related matters in the Ward.

Andy East the Neighbourhood Housing Team Manager was in attendance at the meeting and provided the meeting with an update on local issues.

It was noted that:

·         Really effective work on the bin stores and 3 stair wells on the flats above the Willowbrook shops had been completed

·         A Challenging scheme for dropped kurbs for tenants had been raised

·         Money was being spent annually on additional parking spaces on Sundbury Green and other grass verges locally to provide for residents request for additional parking.

·         Some works had been delayed as a result of cars not being moved

·         New knee high rail fencing had been installed on Thurncourt Road

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

The City Warden was not in attendance to provide the meeting with an update.

Residents raised their concerns with locations around the ward where there were issues to be raised with the city warden on fly tipping matters.

A request for higher presence of dog fouling officers was made by residents.

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

The Community Engagement Officer updated the meeting on the ward community budget.

Residents requested that successful applicants for the ward budget be recorded in future action logs.

There being no items of urgent business, the meeting closed at 7:50pm.