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.

The Chair, Councillor Cooke welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Rev Chris Burch.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

Councillor Glover and Councillor Naylor declared and Other Disclosable Interest in relation to the ward grant application No. 5026.  Councillor Glover as Chair of Streetvibe and Councillor Naylor as a member of Streetvibe.  Both councillors indicated they would not take part in the consideration of the application.

The Action Log for the last meeting held on 11 June 2014 is attached.  Members are asked to confirm it as a correct record.

The Action Log for the last meeting held on 11 June 2014 was confirmed as a correct record.

To receive an update on from Steve Goddard (Head of Community Services) and Adrian Wills (Head of Libraries) on the Council’s Transforming Neighbourhood Services initiative.

Adrian Wills (Head of Libraries) gave an update on the Council’s Transforming Neighbourhood Services initiative, which was designed to deliver a wide range of neighbourhood services at reduced costs to meet spending targets.   Buildings included libraries, community centres, adult learning and local customer service points.  Consultation on the ‘West Area’ involving 10 buildings 6 of which were in the ward – the proposals for each building were explained in the consultation leaflet distributed at the meeting. There were no proposals to close any buildings at this stage but some had been identified for asset transfer to community groups in the first instance to run the centres on behalf of the community and charge other groups to use it.  If community groups did not wish to run a facility, help would be given to groups to carry on their activities at other centres.  

Noted that 2 community groups had already expressed an interest in running a centre, prior to the proposals being advertised. 

Public encouraged to make views known as part of the consultation which closes on 8 August, either on-line or completing the leaflet.  It would be some time before a decision on the final proposals was known. 

Examples of community group models for running Woodgate Resource Centre and Westend Neighbourhood Centre were outlined

Elaine Halford to show the Braunstone Video, which promotes the positive aspects of Braunstone.

Elaine Halford showed the Braunstone Video, which promoted the positive aspects of Braunstone.

Geraldine Connor, Integrated Services Neighbourhood Manager, Children, Young People & Families, Leicester City Council to provide an update on Children’s Centres and to provide feedback on the ward funding for the Awareness Campaign.

Geraldine Connor, Integrated Services Neighbourhood Manager, Children, Young People & Families, Leicester City Council provided an update on Children’s Centres and provided feedback on the ward funding for the Awareness Campaign.

It was noted that the new arrangements for children’s centres were implemented on 1 July 2014.  23 centres had been retained in 6 clusters from the previous 8 neighbourhoods.  The cluster for the ward included Braunstone, West End, Rowley Fields, New Parks and Braunstone Frith.  Front line staff had been retained but there had been reductions in management posts and opening hours.

Feedback given on the Awareness Campaign which received ward grant funding for child safety was outlined.  The campaign had focussed on, risks to children from E Cigarettes, burn and scald risk from hair straighteners, and changes in H&S advice on items such as plug socket covers and had been well attended and evaluated. Accidents in the home had reduced and a summary of the achievements could be supplied to the next meeting.

The offer of using the Sure Start Children’s Centre as a possible venue for ward meetings was accepted.

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

Sgt Gorman and PC Oliver attended the meeting to give an update on Policing issues in the Ward.  The focus was still on reducing anti-social behaviour.

Use of motor bikes on the parks becoming an issue again and it was proposed to leaflet the areas where those involved were known to live to advise them of the measures that will be taken.

It was noted that interest had been shown in neighbourhood watch scheme again.

Public requested to provide information to the Police to assist them in their work using either ‘twitter’, the 101 telephone number or e-mail.

It was noted that work was in progress on lighting the skatepark.  Design and installation costs were currently being prepared by the project’s private consultants.

Recent Anti-Social behaviour and damage to the Stables and the Grove were reported.

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

Noel Cazeley, City Warden gave an update on local ward issues.  Fly-tipping remained the biggest issue. 

Public requested to provide information on fly-tipping to the Wardens so that they could deal with the problem. Some fly-tipping was on private land which took longer to deal with as Notices had to be served on the landowners.

Councillor Glover offered to let the Wardens have the details of the contact at ASRA Housing Association to assist in speeding up the removal of fly-tips from their land.   

The final notice on the abandoned property on Lavender Road/Winchester Avenue had been served and the owner had until 21 September 2014 to clear the site or the Council would have the power to remove the fly-tip and recharge the owner.

City Warden agreed to look at the issue of cars parking on the vergers along Hockley Park Road and to the removal of tipping on Hand Avenue.  

Ward Councillors will provide an update and feedback on any local ward issues.

Anita Robinson will provide feedback on the Braunstone Spring Clean which received ward community funding.

Councillor Cooke reported that the recent discharge of sewage into the River Biam had been resolved.  Also works were to commence on 22 August 2014 on Cort Crescent and Braunstone Way in connection with the new electricity sub-station to improve electricity supplies in the west of the City. 

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

The approved expenditure on grants so far this year for the Ward is £6,878.13 which leaves a balance of £12,177.14 for future applications including those below.

The following applications have been received and will be considered at the meeting:-

Noted that the total approved expenditure on grants so far this year for the Ward was £6,878.13 which left a balance of £12,177.14 for future applications including those below.

Application 5020 for grant of £1,400.  Leicester Play Fair to fund a Playfair Summer PGL Activity Camp trip for 10 young people (age 10-12 years) from each ward to join a further group of 20 young people from other wards in the City.  Joint bid with Castle and Charnwood Wards total cost £4,200.  APPLICATION HAD BEEN WITHDRAWN

Application 5026 for grant of £1,667.  Streetvibe Young Peoples Service for alterations to the youth bus to provide extra space for young people to access both areas and to maximise the resource.  The upgrade will allow those who don’t want to access the main area to still participate in a more suitable area.  Joint bid with Eyres Monsell and Spinney Hills Wards.  Total cost £5,000. Eyres Monsell had approved £500 and Spinney Hills had rejected the application. £4,500 APPROVED

Application 5031 for grant of £833.  Quba Centre for Eid celebration for approximately 800 from the African community in St Matthews, Highfields, Beaumont Leys and Braunstone.  Various events will include food workshops, educational and fun activities for young people and health and wellbeing activities for the elderly.  Joint bid with Spinney Hills and Beaumont Leys Wards.  Total cost £2,500.  APPLICATION REFUSED.  Applicants to be advised that funding for an EID celebration within the Ward would be considered more favourably.  Funding for the provision food would not be looked upon favourably but support for other costs would be more favourably supported.  Councillors would be happy to meet the applicants to discuss further proposals.

Application No 1136 for a grant of £800.  Office Update Hunters for assistance in purchasing football kit and registration fees to set up a Sunday League Football Team.  £800 APPROVED.

To note that future meetings will be held on the following dates at 5.00pm:-

Tuesday 14 October 2014 at the Christ Church United Reformed Church, Dumbleton Avenue.

Thursday 4 December 2014 at the Blessed Sacrament Church, Gooding Avenue.

Tuesday 17 February 2015 at Croft Crescent Community Centre, Cort Crescent.

Tuesday 10 March 2015 at the Brite Centre, Braunstone Avenue.

Noted that future meetings will be held on the following dates at 5.00pm:-

Tuesday 14 October 2014 at the Christ Church United Reformed Church, Dumbleton Avenue.  (May be subject to change as it coincides with a planned day of official strike action by local government trade unions)

Thursday 4 December 2014 at the Blessed Sacrament Church, Gooding Avenue.

Tuesday 17 February 2015 at Croft Crescent Community Centre, Cort Crescent.

Tuesday 10 March 2015 at the Brite Centre, Braunstone Avenue.

Elizabeth Garner for the Leicester Cycling Campaign Group distributed leaflets on a number of cycling events that had been organised in August, and encouraged people to take part in them.  These were:-

17 August – Castle Park- Caslte Classic Elite Bike Race

18 August – Air Bagg  – Humberstone Gate 

19/20 August – Bike Try-outs- involving 20 minute free session on learning to repair punctures and bike maintenance etc.

24 August – Sky Bike Ride 

Mountain Bike sessions would be held on the last Sunday of each month.

Anita Robinson, Parks Service gave an update on the Braunstone Big Spring Clean which took place on Braunstone Park on 7 May.  The event had received ward grant funding.  Pictures of the clean up and painting of street furniture were shown to the meeting. 106 volunteers turned up and were thanked for their efforts. 

Public to note next year’s spring clean is Wednesday 6 May 2105.

Work on Braunstone Hall was expected to start in January 2015.

Other forthcoming events to note on Braunstone Park:-

Sunday 31 August 2014 – Japanese Drummers in the Walled Garden

Tuesday 9 September 2014 – Dementia Friendly Walk for Dementia sufferers and carers – 11.00am for 1 hour.

Thursday 11-Sunday 14 September 2014 – Heritage Open Days – 10.00am to 1.00pm at the Stable Block Museum.  (3 talks being given – 11.00am – ‘The Old Village’, 11.30am - ‘The Winstanleys’ and 12 noon ‘Braunstone Park as a military camp during World War II.

Tuesday 30 September 2014 – Museum Open Morning with Braunstone History Group

Tuesday 7 October 2014 – Dementia Friendly Walk – 11.00am

Wednesday 8 October 2014 – Environmental Day 10.00am

Tuesday 28 October 2014 – Museum Open Morning with Braunstone History Group

Wednesday 29 October 2014 – Make a Difference Day 10.00am

Tuesday 25 November 2014 – Museum Open Morning with Braunstone History Group

Braunstone Fishing Club reported that 25 people had recently been recruited.  After September only members of the Fishing Club would be allowed to fish in the lake.  A survey of fish in the lake to be carried out on Sunday 7 September 2014 and anyone interested was invited to attend and take part.  It was also planned to run sessions to teach children to fish.  The Club were also arranging to introduce smaller fish into the lake as part of the arrangements to encourage fishing.

Western Park – Gate – A member of the public referred to an entrance gate at Western Park that had not been replaced after vandalism.  Councillor Cooke indicated that this may not be in the ward but he would make enquiries.

The meeting closed at 7.10 pm.