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.

Councillor Bajaj – Chair, welcomed everyone and led introductions.

There were no apologies for absence.

Attached for information and discussion.

The Action Log from the meeting held 17 June 2014 was circulated and confirmed as a correct record.

Councillors Deepak Bajaj and Baljit Singh will provide an update on the issues they have been dealing with as Councillors for the Evington Ward.

Members of the community were asked to note the Councillors’ Ward Report.

The following points were highlighted:

·         Evington’s borders were to increase following the electoral boundary review.

·         Attendees were asked to note that there will be a project to place signage on Evington Lane to show the historic village.

·         There were requests from residents for a pilot scheme of road markings on Grocot Road, to allow better wheelchair and pushchair access.

·         Concerns were expressed that contractors with heavy machinery caused broken slabs on Hextall Road & Grocot Road resulting in public injury. The contractors had been contacted to deal with this matter.

Several events which took place in Evington were highlighted as a success including the following:

·         The City of Leicester School re-opening on 29 Aug 2014.

·         The Conference organised with the Sikh community at the Town Hall.

·         The Evington Fete was now bigger and better. Congratulations were given to all involved in the event.

·         The replacement of Evington library heating system.

·         Those involved in the refurbishment of the War memorial.

There will be a presentation on the Leicester City Council’s Handypersons’ Service

Tariq Latif, leader of the Handypersons’ service presented information on the service:

·         Attendees were asked to note that the Handypersons’ service carried out small maintenance jobs and minor repair work on domestic properties in Leicester.

·         The service was mainly provided at a reduced cost for persons over 60 years old, disabled, single parents or low income families.

There will be an update following the installations of the new speed cushions on Headland Road

The Chair gave an update of Highways issues in the Evington Ward:

·         Members of the community were asked to note that a draft report of the speed cushions test on Headland Road would be sent to the City Mayor shortly.

·         Additional concerns relating to speeding traffic, parking issues and pavement walking access were noted. Further recommendations of speed bumps for the speeding traffic and a drop off/ pick up area by the school were proposed.

·         Councillor Singh requested that a ‘Patchwalk’ be arranged with officers to identify problems within the area.

·         Following two more accidents on Ethel Road, concerns were expressed for the need of a crossing outside the Tesco store. Attendees suggested various ideas such as; a layby, a speed monitoring camera or a zebra crossing as a way of tackling the issue.

Officers will provide an overview of the Green Bin Scheme and the City Council waste site.

Kimberley Stones, from the Recycling and Waste team gave a presentation on the following:

·         Items which could be recycled and the various methods of recycling. In addition, information was provided on disposing of garden waste, composting and Household Waste Recycle Centres (HWRC).

·         The Recycling & Waste team were asking residents to donate items which could be re-used, rather than disposing of them. These re-usable items could then be given to those in need.

For more information on the service, residents were advised to contact the Recycling & Waste team on – 0116 454 1002.

Officers from the Local Policing Unit will be at the meeting to provide an update on police issues in Evington Ward.

PC Rob Evans gave an update on local policing issues:

·         There had been a significant reduction in the level of crime in the Evington Ward.

·         Progress had now been made with previous parking issues near Whitehall school, monitoring will continue.

·         It was reported that there were plans to set up a police operation near the park, to address anti-social behaviour issues.

·         Residents were asked to note that by Feb/ March 2015, there would be some changes in Policing. It was also noted that by this date, Neighbourhood Policing Officers would have a greater presence in the Evington area.

·         There was a request for more information to be provided on recent changes in ‘domestic abuse’ laws. It was suggested that a representative from the Domestic Violence Team be invited to a future meeting.

The City Warden will provide an overview of street scene enforcement issues in the Evington Ward.

Nicole Powell, City Warden distributed information leaflets on City Warden issues in the Evington Ward and responded to queries and comments raised by the attendees:

·         It was suggested that dog fouling stencils be put down near houses on St. Denys road, following issues with dog littering.

·         Residents were asked to note that the Santander branch would be closing in December. There were currently discussions with the Nottingham Building Society regarding the possibility of opening a branch or agency in Evington.

Friends Of Evington

Attendees were asked to note:

·         Friends of Evington, was a charity and had received money from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

·         Improvements had been made to the kitchen in Evington Park House, some money for this work had come from the Ward Community Fund.

·         The Friends of Evington produced the ‘Evington Echo’ and their website was also being developed.

·         The war memorial project was still ongoing. There had been successful co-operative working between the Council and volunteers.

·         Storytelling in schools in respect of World War One had also taken place.

·         Evington in Bloom and Britain in Bloom – the results of the competition were awaited.

An attendee commented that the aim originally expressed in the Ward meeting was to restore pride in Evington and she now felt that the community had achieved this aim.

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

To note the following funding applications have been fast tracked and approved for payment:

Bid: 1132

Applicant: Mrs Audrey Matthews

Project Name: Quilling and Paper Craft Class

Project Summary: To purchase an X-club machine and dyes to be used by the group bringing the techniques more up-to-date

Amount Requested and supported £200

Joint Bid: 5042

Applicant: For Families

Project Name: Children’s Activity Sessions

Project Summary:They want to provide an after school family session. On future meetings they want to promote a healthy lifestyle and care for the environment. Additionally, they intend to support and participate in craft workshops and physical activities for children / parents. They also want to reunite all cultures and celebrations on many events.

Amount Requested £500. Amount supported £200

The following bids will be considered at the meeting:

Bid: 1133

Applicant: Downing Drive Friends and Neighbours

Project Name: Install 30 Linear Metres tanalised timber knee rail fencing, to prevent parking on the grass area and causing rutting.

Project Summary: Fencing required in order to prevent parking on the green, ruts in the ground and general damage to the area.

Amount Requested £1942

Bid: 1125

Applicant: Linden Primary School

Project Name: Link between Linden’s Forest School and the local community

Project Summary: They want to use an eco hut in the school grounds that will have both school use and use during term times and weekend and holiday time when it can be used by the community. The eco hut will house tools and other materials and will be a way of organising gardening and forest school activities.

Amount Requested £2500

Bid: 1151

Applicant: Evington Youth Group

Project Name: Continued Activities for the Evington Youth Group Club

Project Summary: This year, they have lost two of their youth leaders, so for all outside activities they will have to pay two further leaders to help with their activities. They need to replace a lot of the sporting equipment and their canteen equipment.

Amount Requested £2500

Bid: 1161

Applicant: Asian Gardeners

Project Name: Room Hire

Project Summary: To have funding for room hire at Evington Park House for the group to meet and socialise. The group has 23 members who meet regularly and provide friendship and support for each other. As part of the meeting they also help community groups and undertake volunteering and join in with organised community sessions.

Amount Requested £600

Punum Patel, the Community Engagement Officer presented an update on the Community Meeting Budget.

The attendees were asked to note:

1132: Quilling and Paper Craft Class

Applicant: Mrs Audrey Matthews

Amount Requested: £200

Result: Funding of £200 was previously agreed through the fast track process

5042: Children’s Activity Sessions

Applicant: For Families

Amount Requested: £500

Result: Funding of £200 was previously agreed through the fast track process

1133: Install 30 Linear Metres tanalised knee rail fencing

Applicant: Downing Drive Friends and Neighbours

Amount Requested: £1942

Result: Deferred pending more details

1125: Link Between Linden’s Forest School and the local community

Applicant: Linden Primary School

Amount Requested: £2500

Result: Deferred pending more details

1181: Continued Activities for the Evington Youth Group Club

Applicant: Evington Youth Group

Amount Requested: £2500

Result: Funding of £2500 supported

1161: Room Hire

Applicant: Asian Gardeners

Amount Requested: £600

Result: Funding of £600 supported

1171: Local Cinema Screening

Applicant: Community Services

Amount Requested: £250

Result: Funding of £250 supported and approved at Ward meeting

Further Evington Community Meetings have been arranged as follows:

Monday 15 December 2014 at 6.00 pm at Judgemeadow Community College

Wednesday 11 February 2015 at 6.00pm at Judgemeadow Community College.

Noted that future Community Meetings had been arranged as follows:

Monday 15 December 2014 at Judgemeadow Community College - 6.00pm

Wednesday 11 February 2015 at 6.00pm

The City of Leicester was suggested as a possible meeting venue for the Wed 11 Feb 2015 meeting.

·         Attendees were informed that it was anticipated that there would be a Christmas tree erected again this year in Evington village. The cost of the tree was already covered but additional funding might be sought to cover the cost of an electrician.

The meeting closed at 7.49pm