Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest. 

Councillor Cooke declared a personal non prejudicial interest as he was a Governor of St Mary’s School.

The minutes of the previous Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields Community Meeting, held on 15 March 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 15 March 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

There will be a presentation on the Braunstone Arc project.

Ian Davies and Thilo Beck provided information on the Braunstone Arc (Amplified Resilience Community) Project.

Ian explained that the project was funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and De Montfort University. The aim of the project was to help communities become more resilient by focussing on issues such as the use of social media. There was also the aim of communities being able to state what their needs were.

There was a focus on sharing information and linking services already available in the communities. There was also a focus on sharing information in different ways for example when people were informed of services they would also pass the message on.

It was queried how people were aware of the project. Ian explained that in February this year he had visited a number of organisations in Braunstone and circulated information about the project. Ian notified residents that there appeared to be a three way divide in the ward. One aspect of the project was designed to create a link with the Knighton Ward.

Discussion took place on accessing information online. Ian stated that a number of low income households were online more than high income households. This could be affected by factors such as high income users not using computers when coming back from work. A resident commented that some people were more comfortable with paper. Thilo commented that it was possible to have online and paper services such as it was with the Braunstone Alert. A resident suggested that the ward should be linked with the New Parks ward rather than the Knighton ward as there were more similarities.

Thilo commented that the project was about showing resources, using networks and social media including sharing information, resources and knowledge. Councillor Naylor commented that then project was also about collecting information and how that information was used. Concern was raised that the information would be collected however would not be accessible. It was suggested that literature about the project should have been brought to the meeting and this would have opened more interest.

A resident raised concern that they had not heard of the project. It was suggested that each neighbourhood centre in the area should have literature about the project. It was also stated that the contact details of the people involved in the project would be given out.

There will be an opportunity to find out about the work being done by Leicestershire Community Projects Trust to tackle substance misuse.

This item was deferred until the next meeting due to the unavailability of officers to attend the meeting.

The Chair agreed to accept this extra item.

PC Anton Wilson provided a policing update. He informed residents that there were some issues involving youngsters from Fullhurst School.

A resident queried if problems could be emailed to the Police. PC Anton Wilson stated that if the issue was not urgent then members of the public were able to call 0116 2222222 as any issues reported would be logged. Additionally PC Wilson reported that there was a ‘beat’ phone which was carried by officers however the number was not advertised. In response to a query, PC Wilson explained that the number was not advertised as the Police could then end up receiving derogatory calls however he agreed to provide the number to anyone if they requested it.

It was queried who the team leader was at the local policing unit. PC Wilson reported that there would always be a sergeant and Inspector overseeing. Concern was raised at the frequent changing of Inspectors and the lack of continuity because of this. PC Wilson explained that officers moved jobs due to wanting to progress.

Members will provide an update on the Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields Ward Action Plan.

Councillor Cooke presented the Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields Ward Community Action Plan 2011-15.

He explained that the plan was intended to be a live document and was an audit of things which needed addressing.

A resident raised concern at the communal garden at the back of a bungalow on the corner of Folville Road and Audley End. He stated that then garden was in a poor condition and he did not have the physical ability to maintain. Councillor Cooke stated a lot of poor ground maintenance had been discovered in the ward following patchwalks. He informed residents that officers had been taken around the ward and shown the issues and had been questioned how they would deal with them. A resident stated that Parks Services were now only servicing twice a year where previously they used to service the area six times a week.

Residents also raised the following additional concerns:

·         Further concern was raised regarding the trees on Hallam Crescent East as they were blocking light from the street lamps.

·         A wasps nest in the chimney hearth. Councillor Cooke recommended contacting the Council’s pest control service.

·         Some residents raised concern that there were events being held in Braunstone Park however these were not being advertised. They suggested that a list of events be provided. Councillor Cooke agreed to look into this issue.

Councillor Cooke outlined some of the big issues that were included in the action plan, these included:

·         Braunstone Hall – it was reported that the previous developer could not afford the repairs to the hall and therefore the Council had sold the land and used the money however this had contravened tendering laws therefore a retendering process had taken place. There had been three more interests in the hall, one of the interested parties had submitted their scheme for the hall while the other two had until September to submit theirs.

·         Health and Health Inequalities – It was reported that Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields had one of the poorest rates of Health Inequalities. Residents were informed that there would be a strategy to tackle this issue in the ward.

·         Educational Standard and Skills – It was reported that the Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields ward had one of the lowest levels of educational attainment. Residents were informed that a Steering Group had been formed to tackle this issue and it was hoped to develop an educational strategy.

·         Assimilating New Arrivals – It was reported that conversations on this issue had been held with the Race Equality Council. Residents were informed that B-Inspired had looked at a project to assist new arrivals with providers and services coming together. Councillor Cooke reported that work had also been done with people on the electoral register.

A resident stated that there had been talk of forming a ‘Friends of Braunstone Park Group however the Council’s Parks Services had stated that there had been no interest on this in the community. He requested that the Members take this issue  ...  view the full minutes text for item 161.

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.

The following budget application has been received:

Applicant:Braunstone Foundation (T/A b-inspired)

Amount: £4,000

Proposal:Braunstone Community Carnival 2011 (incorporating the Sports Fest)

Summary: The Braunstone Community Carnival is an annual event and will celebrate its 11^th Anniversary this year.  The event has been supported by the BCA (now Braunstone Foundation) for the last 10 years and has been made possible by the voluntary support of many local groups and residents.  The event has grown in popularity each year and reached an approx. 20,000 attendance in 2010; with visitors coming from Braunstone, across Leicester, Leicestershire and beyond.

The event is planned for Saturday 02nd July, 2010 (12noon to 5.00PM) and will take place on Braunstone Park. The event starts with a procession of colourful floats and dancing troupes around the circumference of the Park and then there is a programme of entertainment at the park, including a main stage for local performers, many stalls and exhibits and a Fun Fair.  The event is a real family event and is very popular with children.  This year we will be fully incorporating the Sporting elements previously delivered as theSports Fest, which we believe will improve the sustainability of both events by sharing costs and income generated.

The cost of staging the event is £32,705. The event has been well supported in the past by BCA, both financially and with staff to organise the event funded through the New Deal for Communities programme.  The Braunstone Foundation is again making a funding contribution of upto half the costs.

Councillor Cooke presented the Community Meeting budget.

The following applications were submitted for consideration:

·         Braunstone Community Carnival 2011, Braunstone Foundation (T/A b-inspired), - £4,000

It was explained that the application was to help with the costs of the Braunstone Community Carnival which had been held on Saturday 2 July 2011. It was noted that that the amount requested for the event had doubled since last year and concern was raised that the amount requested would be an even higher figure if the amount doubled next year. Members provided assurances that if the amount requested was doubled next year as well than the requested amount would not be funded due to this being a large amount of the Community Meeting budget.

Residents were informed that the event had been attended by 15,000 people and had been a success.

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported and £4,000 be allocated subject to final approval from the relevant Cabinet Lead.

·         Fullhurst Community College hardship fund start up, Tom Campbell, Head, Fullhurst Community College, - £5,000

It was explained that the application was to create a fund to prove equipment to disadvantaged students. It was noted that the Westcotes Community Meeting had funded £1,250 towards the fund and the application would also be considered at the Western Park Community Meeting. The Members decided to match the funding provided by the Westcotes Community Meeting.

RESOLVED:

that the application be supported and £1,250 be allocated subject to final approval from the relevant Cabinet Lead.

It was confirmed that the next meeting would take place on Tuesday 16 August at Christ Church United Reformed Church, Dumbleton Avenue.

It was agreed to distribute the dates of future meetings for the entire year with the minutes.

The meeting closed at 7:39pm.