Agenda and minutes

Councillors will elect a Chair for the meeting.

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 Corrall in the Chair

Everyone welcomed and introductions given

No declarations of interest were made

Received from Ellen Watts, (Area Manager, Housing service) and Highways officers

The Action Log from the last meeting, held on 17 March 2015, is attached.

An update on bus services will be given at the meeting, (action point 45, “Traffic and Transport in Rowley Fields”, refers).

The Action Log from the meeting on 1 March 2015 was received and noted.

Further to item 45, “Traffic and Transportation in Rowley Fields”, all to note that discussions had been held with the City Mayor about the size of the roads and type of traffic using them.  For example, single-decker buses would be more suitable for Dumbleton Avenue.

The Area Housing Manager will give an update on housing issues in the ward, including an update on Housing Voids.

All to note that work in the area included, the installation of four bollards in Cort Crescent (near the bunding), tree works to be done at the spinney, internal redecoration of nine blocks, bathroom replacements (including moving some upstairs), creating storage areas for mobility scooters, dividing back gardens in Gadsby Avenue and replacing fencing on various roads.

All to note that:

·           In August there were 14 void properties in Braunstone

·           City-wide, the average turn-round time for voids was 42.7 days.  In Braunstone it was 43.2 days.   The target was 25 days, but this was under review

·           A lot of work had to be done on some void properties, for example stripping the plaster, rewiring, asbestos checks, and fitting new kitchens and/or bathrooms

·           In general, there were no difficulties letting properties in the ward.

Highways officers will be at the meeting to answer questions on highways issues in the ward and provide information on road markings in Cort Crescent and issues with speeding traffic.

Highways officers asked to address the following issues:-

·           Pavement parking in Winchester Avenue.  Particularly on a Sunday, it is not possible to get a wheelchair or pushchair along there.  Parking also takes place over the dropped kerb, making it unusable.  Vehicles also park on the corner of Nutfield Avenue, making visibility and access very difficult.

·           Poor road surfaces on some of the side roads off Winchester Avenue.

·           Braunstone Lane East (off Narborough Road).  Ward Members have previously requested roadside direction signs to Ellesmere College, but nothing has been heard about when they will be installed.

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

All to note:-

·           The new Police Neighbourhood Team supervisor was Sergeant Lee Eckersley

·           Damage to houses and property had been caused by travellers.  This was being addressed by liaison through Police linked to the travellers

·           Work on anti-social behaviour was on-going.  A persistent offender was due to appear in court

Residents invited to contact the Police Neighbourhood Team if they would like officers to attend any events.

All to note that Braunstone Blues brings organisations together to address issues.  The Police and the Fire and Rescue service were participating, but a response was awaited from the Ambulance service.  Vulnerabilities had been identified and were being addressed.

Police asked to advise Braunstone Blues that residents are unaware of the group and ask that this be addressed.

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

All to note:

·           The Love Leicester app was being promoted for reporting environmental issues.  As each warden covered several wards, the app also was used to prioritise work.

·           The main issue in the ward was accumulated rubbish in gardens.  Housing officers dealt well with Council properties, but it was a long process to reach the stage where an owner of a private property could be required to tidy their garden.

·           Due to problems with properties being emptied on to pavements, a leaflet drop was being done to remind residents of the free bulky item collection service.  If a collection was missed and the items were left on the highway, the City Warden could liaise with the contractor to get them cleared.

·           Some businesses had been fined for fly tipping and this appeared to be discouraging others from doing it.

·           The Council would not be providing skips on streets, as some landlords abused the service, using the skips to clear properties, so other residents could not get items in to the skips.

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

All invited to contact the Ward Councillors regarding ward issues.

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

a)     An update will be given on applications received for grants from the Ward Community Budget; and

b)     Representatives from Hunters FC will be at the meeting to talk about their application for a grant to purchase equipment.

·           Equipment Purchase (ref: 5082) – Grant of £400 to Hunters FC and Hunters FC Reserves supported

·           African Chaplaincy: Cultural & Educational Trips (ref: 1456) – application deferred to enable further information to be sought from the applicant

·           SideKick Dance (ref: JB5111) – grant of £500 to Simon Coopey supported.  Applicant to be asked to provide feedback to the Community Meeting in due course

·           Braunstone Bingo Group (ref: 1511) – application deferred, as received at the meeting, so insufficient time available to assess it

All to note that the following grants already have been approved since the last meeting:-

o    Braunstone Carnival (ref: 1413) – grant of £1,000 to Braunstone Foundation- B-Inspired

o    Workshops in Hair & Beauty & Practical parenting for young people (ref: 1412) – grant of £1,000 to Angels and Monsters

o    Mashi - Tales of Birbel - Joint Bid with Eyres Monsell (ref: 5083) – grant of £350 to Adel Al-Salloum, Director Spark Arts

o    Films to Make you feel good (ref: 5084) – grant of £1,750 to Phoenix Independent Cinema

o    Clash - NCS Arthritis Awareness and Fundraising Campaign (ref: 1468) – grant of £1,365 to Christine Thomas

All to note that an application for a grant for an anti-radicalisation project had not been supported, as it was not felt to be suitable for funding from this budget.  (For example, government funded work going in to schools already was in place.)

All applicants to note that all applications for Community Meeting grants must to be received at least 10 days before the meeting at which they are to be considered, in order to have sufficient time for them to be processed.

i)       Braunstone Hall Planning Application

All to note:-

·           The planning application for the conversion of Braunstone Hall in to a hotel had been passed, subject to various conditions.

·           It appeared that access would be along Hinckley Road / Janet Setchfield Avenue.  Movable bollards would be placed in front of the hall and visitors would have to press a buzzer to gain access.  The exit would be along Gooding Avenue.  These arrangements raised concerns about traffic building up in the area.

ii)     Future Meetings 

All invited to suggest items for consideration at future meetings to Ward Councillors

The meeting closed at 6.27 pm