Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

The first main item on theagenda is Declarations of Interest where Councillors have to say if there is anything on the agenda they have a personal interest in. For example if a meeting was due to discuss a budget application put forward by a community group and one of the Councillors was a member of that group, they would not be able to take part in the decision on that budget application.

Councillors are asked to declare any interest they may have in the business on the agenda, and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

There were no declarations of interest.

There will be an opportunity to discuss and assist in developing the future Ward Action Plan for the Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields ward.

The Chair stated that an action plan was being developed which would allow residents in the area to submit issues which they felt needed tackling. The issues raised would try to influence the City Council budget process for next year which was currently underway and would be known to candidates standing at next year’s local elections.

Some of the big issues in the area included:

• Braunstone Hall – issues included use and maintenance of the hall and keeping it free from crime and disorder.
• Educational Standards and Skills in Braunstone – it was noted that skills were still low and should be improved to raise standards.
• Employment – The Chair stated that it would be aimed to improve the employment rate in Braunstone.
• Youth Provision – The Chair stated that quality youth services that met local needs, needed to be built and maintained.
• Crime and Anti-social Behaviour – It was reported that feedback from the Police had been received that 50% of vehicles were exceeding the speed limit on Braunstone Avenue. The Chair stated that the aim would be for the Police, Council and Community to continue to work together to resolve crime, disorder and anti social behaviour problems in a timely fashion.
• Infrastructure – The Chair stated that it needed to be ensured that there was better use of derelict land such as uses for housing.

The Chair reported on the main issues that had been noted on the patch walks that had been conducted by the Members in the ward. These fell into the Environment and Traffic and Streets categories. The Chair also stated the proposed actions to address the issues that had been raised. These included:

Environmental Issues

• Litter and rubbish – It was proposed that areas needed to be kept clear of rubbish and the provision of additional litter bins would be explored. It was also proposed that all actions necessary should be taken to make shop forecourts safe and keep them clear of litter. Council house frontages also needed to be maintained in a proper state of repair and free of litter.
• Graffiti – It was proposed areas needed to be kept clear of graffiti.
• Street cleaning – It was proposed that there should be improved street cleaning in the ward.
• Weeds on footpaths – It was proposed that all grassed areas, shrubberies and beds needed to be properly and regularly maintained. It was also proposed that it needed to be ensured weed treatments were carried out according to the scheduled programme. It was also proposed that community planting opportunities should be explored.

Traffic and Streets

• Vehicles parked on pavements – It was proposed that ways needed to be explored to stop vehicles from parking on the pavement and grass verges. It also needed to be ensured that road and paving surfaces needed to be in a fit state. It was also proposed that the prevalence of dropped kerbs within the estate needed to be explored and appropriate action taken.
• State of grass  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107.

There will be an opportunity to find out more information about the Braunstone Clean Up initiative.

Angie Wright, b-inspired, informed the Community Meeting of the Braunstone clean up which was due to take place on 22 October.

Angie stated that there was now a set of groups working together which included the City Council, Police and the City Warden. A program would be set each year of what work needed to be completed. A recent clean up in Braunstone Park had been completed which had involved people working together and children had also assisted. Angie added that it was hoped the work to the underpasses to Gallards Hill and Bendbow Rise would be completed this year, including planting.

The Community Meeting was notified that the next clean up would take place on 22 October in Rancliffe Gardens. Residents were invited to help out. Angie also thanked the Community Meeting for the funding which they had received.

Ellen Watts, Area Manager, Housing Services will be present to provide a presentation on environmental improvements to Council housing estates.

Ellen Watts, Area Manager, Housing Services provided a presentation on Braunstone Environment Improvement Projects.

The total budget available for the ward was £111,000 however in order for work to be carried out specific criteria needed to met, including:

• Only requiring a capital injunction so there were no ongoing revenue costs.
• Directly benefit local inhabitants.
• Reinforce the value of housing improvements being undertaken.
• Improving the quality of life for local people.
• Improving securing of properties and estates.
• Meet the aspirations of tenants.

Ellen explained the schemes that would be taking place, these included:

• Scheme one costing £42,000. This would involve the conversion of six three bedroom house into two bedrooms and relocating the bathroom upstairs. It was explained that the reason for this was the shortage of two bedroom homes in the area which resulted in fewer vacancies and extended waiting times for applicants. Another reason for this scheme was that it would enable the old downstairs bathroom to be used as a utility room and ease the pressure on small kitchens.

• Scheme two costing £57,000. This would involve the replacement of soffits and fascias to 24 bungalows on Wyatt Close with more sustainable eco wood product. It was explained that the reason for this was that there was no current programme or plan to repair or repaint these soffits and fascias which were deteriorating.

• Scheme three costing £10,000. This would involve putting £10,000 towards improving the visual effect of the underpasses. It was noted that the Highways and Transport section at the Council has already agreed to fund £20,000 towards the improvements.

Ellen explained that anyone directly affected had been consulted and were in favour of the proposals. It was also noted that b-inspired had assisted in a general consultation about other ideas and a positive result had been received.

The Community Meeting endorsed the proposals that had been presented.

In response to a query, Ellen commented that lighting would be installed on Hand Avenue and high gates would be installed on Mortimer Close. It was also noted that work would be done on Audley End.

The minutes of the previous Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields Community Meeting, have been circulated and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the meeting of the Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields Community Meeting, held on 17 August 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

Councillors are reminded that they will need to declare any interest they may have in budget applications, and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

Mary-Louise Harrison, Members Support Officer will give an update on the

Community Meeting Budget. The following applications have been received:

·        b-inspired – Braunstone Community Bonfire and Fireworks Display, £2000.                                                                                       Appendix A1

·        Braunstone Resident’s Network Committee – Braunstone Community Awards, £500.                                                                       Appendix A2

The Chair presented the Community Meeting budget.

The following applications had been submitted for consideration:

·        b-inspired, Braunstone Community Bonfire and Fireworks Display 2010 - £2,000

The application was for funding to contribute towards the costs of staging the Braunstone Community Bonfire and Firework Display on Thursday 4 November 2010 on Braunstone Park. The Chair requested that there should be a condition that steps should be taken to ensure that people from Rowley Fields attended the event.

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported with the above condition and £2,000 be allocated from the Ward Community Fund subject to final approval from the Cabinet Lead for Front Line Service Improvement and Neighbourhoods and the Leader of the Council.

·        Braunstone Resident’s Network Committee, Braunstone Community Awards - £500

The application was for funding for the running of Braunstone Awards which asked residents to nominate individuals and groups for their good work.

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported with the above condition and £500 be allocated from the Ward Community Cohesion Fund subject to final approval from the Cabinet Lead for Community Cohesion and the Leader of the Council.

·        b-inspired, Braunstone Clean Up Campaign 2010 - £205

The application was provision of a temporary toilet facility for two weeks near the site of the Braunstone Clean Up.

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported with the above condition and £205 be allocated from the Ward Action Plan Fund subject to final approval from the Cabinet Lead for Front Line Service Improvement and Neighbourhoods and the Leader of the Council.

·        Tony Russell, Turf at Cort Crescent Community Centre - £725 + VAT

The application was for the replacement of bark with turf at the front of Cort Crescent Community Centre. It was noted that following discussions with the applicant, the amount requested was now £325.

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported with the above condition and £325 be allocated from the Ward Community Fund subject to final approval from the Cabinet Lead for Front Line Service Improvement and Neighbourhoods and the Leader of the Council.

The Chair reported that the next meeting which was scheduled for December may have to be moved to January as there was difficult in obtaining the desired venue.

The meeting closed at 7.25pm.