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 welcomed everyone and led introductions.

Apologies were received from local resident Gwen Clifford.

No interests were declared.

The Action Log of the Meeting held on 15 December 2014 is attached at Appendix A and Members are asked to confirm it as an accurate record.

The Action Log from the meeting held on 15 December 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.

Ward Councillors gave feedback on any issues and activities within the Ward.

Councillor Singh:

·         Attendees were informed of the questions Councillor Singh asked the City Mayor at the last Council meeting regarding the Waterside Development Project and the performance of UHL relating to the A&E ‘waiting time’ apparent shortfall.

·         The installation of Evington Park new toilet facilities should commence end of March 2015.

·         Residents approached Councillor Singh in regards to possible ground sinking near the junction of Spencefield Lane. It was said that this was being looked into and could result in some re-surfacing; however, this could take time.

·         Attempts were being made to resurrect the local Tenants and Residents Association (TARA). Councillor Singh would send out invites to institute the first meeting towards this.

Councillor Bajaj:

·         Attendees were requested to talk to Councillor Bajaj after the meeting to discuss possible meeting dates with Councillors/ Officers alongside the Evington Community who would like to have an input in the Heritage project for Evington village. Suggestions would be welcomed for images to be put on banners and heritage sites/ storyboards amongst other ideas.

·         Attendees were informed that information could be obtained from the Council website and Councillor Bajaj regarding new temporary bus schedules during the Haymarket bus station renovation.

·         Harringworth Road parking bays had been completed. The work for Cordery Road new parking bays would start at the end of February.

Chrissie Field, Area Manager for Housing gave a short update on the Housing projects in Evington:

·         Funds were now available for; number signs to be erected on Ethel Road flats and sheds, re-turfing and re-shrubbing at the back of flats on Harwin Road & Ethel Road.

·         Residents half way down Goodwood Road were concerned with shrubs being ripped up. The Housing Officer would look into this issue.

Highways Officers will provide an update on Highways issues in the Ward.

The Chair read an update provided by Mark Govan from the Highways Team.

·         The Vehicle Actuated Sign (VAS) should go back up on Ethel Road in the same location within the next month, or so.

·         Downing drive area 20mph project was still under review and Pedestrian/ Vehicle surveys had been carried out on Downing Drive near the City Of Leicester to see if a crossing was appropriate. Highways maintenance issues on Marydene Drive would be reviewed as part of this overall scheme.

The City Warden will provide an overview on environmental and enforcement activities in the Ward.

Nicole Powell, City Warden gave an update on issues and activities taking place in the ward:

·         Dog fouling had increased in the ward. Residents stated that the dog fouling stencils needed to be replaced near Newhaven Road.

·         City Wardens were available to assist people install the Love Leicester app which gives users a fast and direct contact to the correct departments dealing with City Warden service issues.

·         Some attendees showed disagreement regarding the previous City Warden update leaflet in respect of the Old Leicester Pub site. The City Warden and Evington Ward Councillors would follow this up and go down to the site to see what could be done, an Evington Echo representative requested one of their reporters to be included in the visit.

·         The Bridge Road Recycling site would be closing in Spring 2015.

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

PC Edd Mckinnon who had now been assigned to the Evington Ward, provided Policing information at the meeting:

·         It was noted that there had been a significant decrease in crime.

·         There would be more Police community engagement.

Residents’ Concerns:

·         Concerns were raised about driving/ parking on the grass verges on Greenacre Drive. It was noted that with photographic evidence, the Council could investigate further and/ or take up the matter with those parking and recharge them. Councillor Bajaj and a housing officer would meet residents affected by this.

·         A resident had concerns regarding drug activity in the ward. The resident had called the Police but received no response. PC Mckinnon agreed to meet with resident after the meeting. Councillor Bajaj requested Police to be more visible on Sedgebrook Road where drug users had been visible.

·         Parking issues were present on Marydene drive. Police had been and would be doing more work around school areas to address parking issues.

Attendees will have the opportunity to provide reports or updates on community activities and involvement.

Representatives of Community Groups including organisers/ participants of the Christmas tree festival stated that it was a splendid evening shared with 60-70 residents.

The Evington Village Fete and Show was in the early stages of planning and would take place in August 2015.

Downing Drive Friends and Neighbours had the fence erected which was required to prevent parking on the green. The group planned to add shrubs and flowers around the fence.

The war memorial project was now complete and a feedback form would be soon sent out for people to give feedback.

The Evington Echo was now posting online one piece of news from Evington every day.

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 at the meeting on the Ward Community budget, and applications received.

Punum Patel, the Community Engagement Officer presented an update on the Community Meeting Budget. The following items were considered at the meeting:

1298: Meesha 88 – Request for £1527.00 to organise and run a variety of health, fitness and football activities for the 50+ older members and women’s running group - Grant of £549.47 APPROVED, subject to further information regarding the groups’ status.

1299: (FOE) Evington in Bloom Campaign – Request for £2,000.00 to prepare and enter the Royal Horticultural/ East Midlands in Bloom regional competition – NOT SUPPORTED – Applicant was advised to make a future application.

1308: Evington Councillors – Request for £1500.00 – Replacement of Evington Library Clock – Grant of £1,500.00 APPROVED

1312: COG Youth Services – Amount Requested £575.00 to assist young people find volunteering opportunities – Grant of £549.47 APPROVED.

It was noted that there would be no further community ward funding available in the Evington Ward for this financial year 2014/15.

Attendees discussed any other business:

·         It was thought that Evington Park had a bench in storage which could be used to replace the derelict bench outside of Evington library. The probation service would help to install the bench. A resident suggested the probation service could help to install the bench.

·         Councillor Bajaj said, despite the possible closure of libraries in Leicester, the Evington library would stay.

·         A resident requested later starts to meetings.

·         Councillor Singh informed attendees that he would be standing for a different ward at the elections; however, it had been a privilege representing the Evington Ward, collaborating on a number of projects and providing support to the Community over the past four years. Residents also thanked Councillor Singh for his input to the Evington Ward.

The meeting closed at 7.15pm