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.

The minutes of the previous Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields Community Meeting, held on 13 January 2011, 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 13 January 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

Jenny Loran, Service Development Manager will provide an update on the Recycling pilot scheme.  

Jenny Loran, Service Development Manager was present to provide a presentation on the Recycling Pilot scheme.

Jenny explained that some of the benefits of the pilot scheme were that it would allow an expanded range of items to be recycled and it was easy to understand for residents. The Community Meeting was informed that every property in the trial area with a green box had been provided with a roll of orange sacks with clear instructions on them. It was stated that the sacks would be collected each week along side the regular grey bin collections.

Residents were informed that the trial had commenced on 14 September 2010 for six months. The trial had taken place in four different areas with approximately 6500 properties included. It was noted that it had been aimed to obtain an adequate mix with regards to the areas for the trial.

Jenny explained the progress of the pilot scheme so far. It was noted that there had been positive results such as over 50% of people recycling on a weekly basis and around 70% - 80% of people taking part in recycling. The Community Meeting was informed that the Braunstone area had seen a great leap in recycling. Additionally it was explained that there had been a reduction in waste in wheelie bins.

Residents were encouraged to provide feedback on the scheme. It was also noted that focus groups were planned for March 2011. Jenny stated that concerns had been raised some people had been running out of bags quickly as some households were going through a number of bags. It was also noted that different colour bags and making the bags easier to tie up were being looked into. Jenny thanked people who were involved in the trial.

It was queried whether reasons had been provided for people who were in the area for the pilot but were not participating. Jenny stated that various reasons had been provided such as not understanding the scheme and there being not enough room in the house for the bags.

A further query was raised regarding some households having bags they would not use and this being a waste. Jenny stated that this was one of the reasons why different colour bags were being looked into.

It was queried how the situation of people not willing to participate in collections was being dealt with. Jenny stated that there were no plans to force people to recycle and that education was the priority. 

It was noted that there were no plans to finish the trial on the date previously planned, this is to allow more time to make a decision on if the scheme could be rolled out city wide.

The Chair thanked Jenny for her presentation.

Pamela Barber from the Leicestershire Probation Service will be present to talk about the Community Payback scheme.

Pamela Barber, Leicestershire Probation Service was present to inform the Community Meeting about the Community Payback scheme.

Pamela explained that if anyone was told to do unpaid work by the Courts then this was overseen by the probation service. The Community Meeting was informed that it was aimed to get people to work more often. It was noted that there had been some positive work around estates where residents had communicated with the workers. Pamela encouraged residents to suggest work which needed doing. The Community Meeting was informed that there was contact with partners such as the Council and the Police.

It was queried whether the scheme worked with young offenders. Pamela stated that work was done with the Youth Offending Service however youth workers wouldn’t wear the highlighted vests which adult workers did. The Community Meeting were informed that some workers returned to finish off projects even after their community service period had ended.

In response to a query regarding travel costs for workers, Pamela commented that it was attempted to give work in the worker’s local area however if they had to travel somewhere then money for bus travel was provided.

The Chair thanked Pamela for her attendance.

Members agreed to take this extra item.

Barbara Whitcombe, Team Manager, City Wardens was present to talk about the One Clean Leicester initiative.

Barbara informed the Community Meeting there was a mobile phone application available to report environmental problems and other ways to report problems included via email, phone, text and computer. It was noted that with the phone application, a GPS connection was needed to report the location of the problem.

The Community Meeting was informed that when a problem was reported, a confirmation email was sent to the individual reporting the problem. The photo submitted would then be checked and placed on the website and a further email would be sent confirming this. Individuals were able to view their report on the website and monitor it’s status. Once the problem had been resolved, an email would be sent notifying the individual of this. Residents were informed that they needed to search for City of Leicester on the Council’s website to report a problem.

Barbara explained some of the issues that could be reported, these included, abandoned and nuisance vehicles, bins on streets, dog fouling and fly posting. The Community Meeting was informed there would be another One Clean Leicester clean up organised and an offer was being made to clear up private land for free.

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 introduced the Ward Action Plan. Residents were informed that a book version of the plan was being developed. It was noted that the area of Braunstone was bounded by Braunstone Lane, Hinckley Road, the Railway line, Braunstone Avenue, Fullhust Avenue and Narborough Road.

The Chair explained some of the big issues in the area and how these would be tackled. These included:

• Braunstone Hall – The Chair stated that Members were committed to the restoration of the hall. It was noted that the Council has committed to invest in the structure. Residents were informed that the land had been offered for sale however offers had been the amount which had been expected. The Chair explained that there had been two expressions of interest for the hall and work was being done over the next two weeks on this.
• Health and Health Inequalities – The Chair explained that this area of the city had the worst results for health and health inequalities in the city. Residents were informed that local GP’s were being spoken to, to form a joint strategy group on this area in Braunstone.
• Educational Standards and Skills – The Chair explained that the Neighbourhood Management Board were organising a seminar on this subject and this would be taking place on 11 March. Residents were informed that the area had the worst performance of educational standards in new areas however ways were being explored in which strategies to tackle this could be developed.
• Traffic Issues – It was noted that these included the Evesham Road link, public transport issues and issues regarding Hockley Farm Road.

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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 133.

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.

There will be an update on the Community Meeting Budget. Please find summaries of applications received for consideration below. Full application forms can be accessed by contacting Democratic Support on 0116 2298814 or by visiting the Council’s website at www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk.

1)     Active Women, Love Hoops Foundation - £250.                    Appendix A1

2)     Gallards Hill and Bendbow Rise Environmental Improvements, Abdul Tarafder, Design & Project Management, Leicester City Council - £5,000.

Appendix A2

3)  Older People’s Consultation, b-inspired - £3,010.                  Appendix A3

4)     Leicester and Leicestershire Photographic Society Exhibition and    

Programme of Talks/Demonstrations, Leicester and Leicestershire Photographic Society - £471.87.                                  Appendix A4

The Chair presented the Community Meeting budget.

The following applications had been submitted for consideration:

·        Active Women, Love Hoops Foundation - £250

The application was for funding of a project which aimed to offer coaching and playing opportunities to 360 young women in Leicester.

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported and £250 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.

·        Gallards Hill and Bendbow Rise Environmental Improvements, Abdul Tarafder, Design and Project Management, Leicester City Council  - £5,000

The application was for funding for environmental improvements to the underpass on Gallards Hill and Bendbow Rise.

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported and £5,000 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.

·        Older People’s Consultation, b-inspired - £3,010

The application was to devise and carry out a targeted consultation with people aged 60+ and living within Braunstone.

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported and £3,010 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.

·        Leicester and Leicestershire Photographic Society Exhibition and Programme of Talks/Demonstrations, Leicester and Leicestershire Photographic Society - £471.87

The application was for funding of the Leicester and Leicestershire Photographic Society Exhibition and Programme of Talks/Demonstrations.

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported and £472 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 following additional application was also considered:

·        Additional Publicity for Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields Ward Meetings between January and March 2011, Members Support Office - £1,000.

The application was to fund extra publicity for the Community Meeting between January and March 2011.

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported and £1,000 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.

The Chair introduced Noel Cazley, the new City Warden for the Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields Ward.

Residents raised concern regarding the surface in front of the Merridale Medical Centre. It was felt the surface needed repairing as the granite slabs had come out. It was stated that this had been raised with the surgery however they had stated that they would not be spending money on repairs. The Chair stated that the building was owned by Leicester LIFTco and it was their responsibility to ensure the building was kept in a good state of repair. It was stated that Leicester Lifeco should be contacted to raise the concerns of residents.

It was noted that the next meeting would be taking place on Tuesday 15 March 2011, 5pm at the Braunstone Victoria Working Men’s Club.

 The meeting closed at 6:50pm.