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 Edward Rogers of the Braunstone Blues and Alan Baum of the Rowley Fields Community  Association.

The Action Log for the last meeting, held on 2 March 2016 is attached for information and discussion.

Agreed as correct

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

See “Any Other Business” below

An update will be given on highways and transport issues in the Ward, including updates on:

·           Evesham Road / Evelyn Drive and

·           bus stops on Winstanley Drive

All to note that:

·           Access points for the proposed development on Faircharm Industrial Estate will be in Evesham Road / Evelyn Drive.

·           Bus stop clearways are being created in Winstanley Avenue.

Head of Highways asked to advise Ward Members why Rowley Fields Avenue is being resurfaced before Dumbleton Avenue, the latter having been given a higher priority by Members.

An update will be given on planning issues relating to the Faircharm Industrial Estate

All to note that:

·           It is anticipated that the planning application for the development of the estate will be presented to the Council’s Planning and Development Control Committee for determination on either 31 August or 21 September 2016.

·           Members of the public who have commented on the planning application for the development of the estate will be informed when it is on the agenda.

·           The meeting can be attended by the public and there are arrangements for members of the public who have objected to the proposals to address the Committee if they wish to do so.

·           The access beyond Evesham Drive currently is not highway, but it is intended that it will be adopted as part of the development.

·           The access in Evelyn Drive will be made two-way under current proposals for this development.

Housing officers will be at the meeting to provide an update on work being carried out within the Ward

All to note that:

·           There are six environmental projects underway.

·           Work at Blackmore Drive includes internal painting, the supply and fitting of steel capping to supports on the stairs, and the provision of a steel storage shed with charging points for mobility scooters.

·           Fences and gates will be installed in the gardens of the Fosse Road “cottage” flats, as there currently are no boundary markers.

·           The programme of converting older three bedroomed properties to two bedroomed properties by moving the bathroom upstairs is continuing.

·           Between April and June 2016 there was a total of 251 void properties across the city, with 23 of these being in Braunstone.  The number of voids in Braunstone remains fairly constant, but there is no problem re-letting them.

·           Work often is needed on properties between lettings, such as replacing old plaster, placing old electrical wiring and replacing old kitchens and/or bathrooms.

a)     Leicestershire Police will be at the meeting to provide an update on police issues in the Ward; and

b)     An update also will be provided on Braunstone Blues.

All to note that:

·           Sgt Darren Cramp and PC Andy Gardner recently have joined the Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields Neighbourhood Team.

·           There have been a large number of thefts from unattended vehicles, but a suspect has been arrested.

·           A big problem in the area, and a force priority, is distraction burglary, with people claiming to be from the Water Board targeting older residents.  Several suspects have been arrested, but residents need to remain vigilant.

·           Anti-social behaviour often increases over the summer months.  At current staffing levels, the Police often cannot get to such incidents as quickly as they would like.

·           Although nationally there has been a steep increase in reported hate crime, this does not appear to have happened in Leicester.  Work is ongoing to try to avoid the number of incidents increasing.

All residents encouraged to report any incidents of hate crime to the Police.

The Police asked to consider producing information in community languages, it being recognised that the number of languages spoken in the area may make this difficult with current resources.

All residents invited to let the Police know of any issues arising in the area.

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

All to note that:

·           Ways are being sought to make information about fly-tipping available in the Ward in community languages.  At present, this is largely being done with the co-operation of shop-keepers.

·           The first Section 80 warrant has been served on premises, to make the owner tidy it up.

·           Work is ongoing to identify the people creating problems with fly tipping at the Avery Hill Recycling Centre and in Raymond Road.

·           Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued to the owners of the garages on Raymond Road, as they have not responded to previous efforts to clear the area.  If the Notices are not effective, court proceedings will be started and the courts asked to require the land to be tidied, all of the garages repaired and a six-foot fence erected around the perimeter.  The people found to be living in the garages have been logged with the Council’s multi-agency travellers’ unit.

·           The next phase of the work to stop residents leaving bins on streets once emptied will take place in the Raymond Road area.

·           A resident in Winforde Crescent has been prohibited from repairing vehicles on the highway in the county for the next two years.  The vehicles currently there should be removed by early August 2016.

·           The City Warden can only take action on environmental issues in the Ward if they are reported to the Council.  All residents therefore encouraged to do this.

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 the Ward Community Budget; and

b)     Feedback from previous grant recipients will be presented

All to note:

·           The update on the Ward Community Budget attached at the end of this Action Log.

·           Feedback received from the Rowley Fields Community Association and attached at the end of this Action Log.

·           Feedback from B-Inspired regarding grants received, as follows:

o    Can You Dig It has been an ongoing project since November 2015, growing food on a farm plot in Enderby.  Seeds have been plated in eco-pots made at sessions held at the Brite Centre and 20-foot long polytunnel has been erected.  Excess food is donated to FoodShare and residents have benefited from improved wellbeing.  Despite problems with rabbits and the weather, this scheme is working well.  Some funding has now also been received from Leicestershire County Council and it is hoped that a business plan can be developed in two – three years’ time.

o    Grant funding has been used to buy a container in which to store food donated to Braunstone FoodShare.  The land is being prepared and the container should be installed soon.  Some funding for this also has been received from Braunstone Blues.

o    Talk Time have used grant funding to hire the Oak Centre for meetings, so that the group is more accessible to the community.  Unfortunately, a steep rise in room hire prices means that the group is looking for a new meeting place.  It is hoped that it can be accommodated at St Peters Hall.

Ward Members asked to raise the problems being encountered by community groups as a result of increases in room hire prices at the Oak centre with the Assistant City Mayor for Neighbourhood Services.

To note that further meetings will be held at 5.30 pm on the following dates:-

Thursday 10 November 2016

Thursday 23 March 2017

Venues for these meetings will be advised nearer the dates.

Thursday 10 November 2016

Thursday 23 March 2017

Venues for these meetings will be advised nearer the dates.

a)     Travellers

All to note that the travellers at the Leisure Centre are attending a family funeral.  The Council is taking steps to remove them from this land.

b)     Sports Field Fencing, Rowley Fields

All to note that the Council has advised that fencing is needed around the sports field in Rowley Fields, due to the needs of the children at the school.  As local people use this area, it has been suggested that part of the fields be left for public use, but discussions on this are ongoing.

c)     The Manor House

All to note that work on finding the best way for this centre to be managed is ongoing.

d)     Khalsa Football Federation Tournament

Residents extended their thanks to Councillor Singh Johal for the excellent football tournament that had been staged over the weekend of 23 and 24 July 2016

e)     Notification of Redevelopment of Buildings

Residents not receiving notification from the Council’s Planning service of building developments in their immediate vicinity are advised to contact that service to ask why they have not been included in notifications.

f)      Neighbourhood Action Plan

All to note that the Neighbourhood Action Plan is nearly finished.  When it is completed, an electronic copy can be obtained from B-Inspired.  The top priorities identified in the Plan are litter and anti-social behaviour, so B-Inspired will work with the City Warden to address these issues.

g)     The Grove Football Facility

All to note that, as the football facility at The Grove is under-used, some funding has been obtained for a coach to provide one or two football training sessions for 20 weeks.  This is likely to start in September 2016.  After the 20 weeks, it is hoped that someone will volunteer to take on the management of football at this facility.

The meeting closed at 6.45 pm