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 of interest as required by the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor Singh-Johal, Chair for the meeting, welcomed everyone and led introductions.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Halford.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Action Log of the Meeting held on 7 November 2017 is attached at Appendix A and Members are asked to confirm it as an accurate record. Any update on actions taken since the last meeting will be reported at the meeting.

Item 53 – there was clarification that the automatic gates at Janet Setchfield Avenue had not yet been installed, but were in the process of discussion and due to be installed.

The Braunstone Park & Rowley Fields Ward Councillors will provide an update on the issues they have been dealing with in the Ward.

Councillor Singh Johal noted that, it had been agreed with Leicester City Council (LCC) that the Sunflowers nursery in Braunstone Leisure Centre would remain in the building and would not lose its space.

The proposal to put a gym extension in the centre would not go ahead but could probably happen elsewhere.

An update will be provided on the Evesham Road Link.

It was noted that a residents’ meeting was previously held at Manor House on 31 January 2018. A written response from Council Officers was circulated at this meeting and is attached at the end of this action log.

Grant Butterworth – Head of Planning was present at the meeting and provided information and responded to resident’s queries.

The following was noted:

·         In regards to the local plan consultation, the government required a long term look ahead regarding plans and developments within the city for the future.

·         The local plan consultation whereby residents could submit their views/ opinions on potential developments and Highways plans across the city (including Evesham Road link) finished in December 2017.

·         Officers were currently at the stage of assembling responses from the local plan consultation.

·         The next stage would be to produce a report taking into account the responses and present to the City Mayor recommendations on which sites and which infrastructure schemes should be taken forward. Following that a draft Local Plan would be developed, which would be presented for approval at a future Full Council.

·         It was noted that this draft plan would be subject of a further round of consultation later in the year before being presented to the government who would then hold an Examination in Public, at which stage people could again give their views.

·         There would therefore be further opportunities for residents to make their views known.

Stuart Maxwell – City Transport Director was present at the meeting and confirmed that it was very early days and this stage was to listen to people’s views and opinions and look into whether developments would be deliverable, look at the costs involved, positives/ negatives and other impacts.

Residents had a number concerns, many of which were addressed by Grant and Stuart, however most concerns were hypothetical as Officers had already confirmed that there were no definite plans as yet and this stage was to seek public opinion and gather responses.

Residents had the following Highways concerns:

·         It was requested for the resurfacing of Evesham Road to be looked into. A resident reported that Somerville Road had grit resurfacing issues such as damaging cars, it was requested that Evesham Road was not resurfaced with the same grit.

·         Braunstone Avenue - junction near KFC was reported to have pot holes.

·         A 20mph zone sign was required on Collingham Road.

·         Rat run problems were reported near St Mary’s Fields Primary School and Collingham Road.

·         The Ward Community Engagement Officer (WCEO) would forward all the above concerns to the Highways team to be looked into.

·         A petition was available at the meeting for residents to sign.

·         The officers could be contacted by email:

Grant Butterworth – grant.butterworth@leicester.gov.uk (comments regarding local plan)

Stuart Maxwell – stuart.maxwell@leicester.gov.uk (comments regarding scheme)

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

Sergeant (Sgt) Wayne Chapman gave the following update at the meeting:

·         There were currently two Problem Solving Plans (PSPs) taking place in the ward; bikes on Braunstone Park which had reduced as some bikes were removed and section 59 served. In addition to Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) on Gaddesby Avenue which was now limited to two addresses and one perpetrator was on bail.

·         The previous issues on Pilkington Road, Police had worked with the Council and the family had now moved.

Residents’ concerns:

·         An armed robbery was reported to have taken place off Cort Crescent on Saturday. Sgt Chapman would look into this.

·         The motorbikes issue on Great Central Way was reported to still be taking place, afternoon and night times.

·         A resolution to address the current issue with the road/path in Braunstone Park was requested – it was noted that Councillor Halford had been looking into the installation of lights and a pathway on the side of the road but there was no further feedback on this as yet.

·         Residents were reminded of safety precautions such as keeping doors locked, keeping valuables out of reach and putting door chains on.

The City Warden will give an update on issues in the Braunstone Park & Rowley Fields Ward.

Matthew Davinson, City Warden for the ward was present at the meeting and gave a presentation on activities and enforcement taking place in the ward. The following was noted:

·         Fly tipping on public highways was noted as a concern.

·         Four new patrolling wardens were now part of the City Warden team, dealing with certain aspects.

·         The top of Evesham Road, turning right onto Narborough Road by BT connect, there was a garden reported to not be in a good state. Matt noted that the landlord cleared this last year but he would look into it again.

·         Residents were advised to contact the City Warden if they had information regarding offences. Use of reporting offences via the Love Leicester App was encouraged.

·         Gallards Hill (Wellinger Way near the park end) someone was reported to be running a vehicle business. Various vehicles were reported to be regularly parked. Residents noted difficulties passing with mobility scooters. The WCEO would inform the Planning Team to investigate.

·         A resident had sent an email to Councillor Singh Johal regarding a concern about a specific taxi service and their operations. The Councillor would look into this and respond to the resident.

·         Residents required the Domino’s pizza bins to be moved. It was noted that another City Warden had dealt with this by serving them a notice, however, Matt would follow up on this.

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

An update will be given on the Ward Community Budget.

Punum Patel – WCEO gave an update on the Ward Community Budget:

It was noted that 13 applications had been supported since the last meeting, as follows:

Applications

Applicant: Park Services, Shared Waters Project

Project Name/ Summary: Shared waters

Decision: Application supported with grant of £476

Applicant: The Broader View        

Project Name/ Summary: Braunstone to Paris

Decision: Application supported with grant of £400

Applicant: Braunstone Foundation

Project Name/ Summary: Braunstone B-inspired Community Growing Project – Orchard Development

Decision: Application supported with grant of £3,000

Applicant: Manor House Stay and Play

Project Name/ Summary:    Manor House Stay and Play

Decision: Application supported with grant of £500

Applicant: Cool Runnings Cookery School

Project Name/ Summary: Cool Running Cookery Club

Decision: Application supported with grant of £500

Applicant: Angels and Monsters  

Project Name/ Summary: Young Parents Workshops

Decision: Application supported with grant of £500

Applicant: Polish Play and Learn

Project Name/ Summary: Play and Learn

Decision: Application supported with grant of £800

Applicant: Baby Basics

Project Name/ Summary: Baskets for babies

Decision: Application supported with grant of £250

Applicant: Braunstone Adventure Playground

Project Name/ Summary: Grow and Grow

Decision: Application supported with grant of £1,036

Applicant: St Peters Art Group

Project Name/ Summary: St Peters Art Group

Decision: Application supported with grant of £500

Applicant: Friends of Western Park

Project Name/ Summary: Western Park family festival

Decision: Application supported with grant of £500

Applicant: The Braunstone History Group

Project Name/ Summary: Support the 8 exhibitions for next year

Decision: Application supported with grant of £500

Applicant: Friends of Highway Spinney

Project Name/ Summary: Replacing Notice Boards

Decision: Application supported with grant of £436

It was noted that the balance remaining was £3,162 and any further applications would be looked at in the new financial year.

Punum noted that all applications must be made online and support was available if required. The Ward Community Engagement Team number was noted as 0116 454 1940.

The meeting closed at 7.40pm.