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, elected as Chair, welcomed everyone and led introductions.

Apologies were received from Councillor Hunter and Nicole Powell (City Warden).

There were no declarations of interest.

The Action Log of the Meeting held on 20 July 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.

The Action Log from the meeting held on 20 July 2017 was circulated and confirmed as a correct record.

The Evington Ward Councillors will provide an update on the issues they have been dealing with in the Evington Ward.

Evington Ward Councillors gave feedback on issues they had been dealing with in the ward, since the last meeting. The following was discussed:

Councillor Bajaj:

·         It was noted that Evington Leisure Centre had secured finance for investment in the building and equipment, one of the features included a new dance studio.

·         Councillor Bajaj had been dealing with casework such as housing, planning and Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) issues.

Councillor Govind:

·         Residents were reminded that they could attend the patch walks which usually take place for the Evington Ward during either October or November.

·         Residents were encouraged to provide contact details for updates on Ward Meetings and patch walks.

·         Attendees were informed that the 54 bus route had been re-instated on Gamel Road.

An update will be provided on the Patch Walk which took place in the Evington Ward.

Councillor Govind provided an update on the recent patch walk which took place in the Evington ward on 23 November 2017. The following was noted:

Coleman Close

St Chads, along Coleman Road, up the General Hospital entrance

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

PC Simon Thompson gave an update on the activity the Police had been involved in, in the Evington Ward. The following was noted:

·         In regards to the previous minutes, it was noted that the street drinkers on Uppingham Road and Green Lane Road had reduced.

·         Beggars outside the Tesco Metro Ethel Road had also decreased, it was noted there was now one regular. However, Tesco Metro staff had raised no complaints regarding the beggar who was regularly present outside the shop. Police action would not be taken unless residents had concerns and contacted the Police.

·         It was noted that there was an increase of burglaries, 40+ in the past three months. A police operation was now in place to address this issue and had since seen a decrease.

·         Falmouth Road issues – the street lighting was reported as not good, ASB, loud music, alleged drug smoking. PC Thompson noted that if funding for CCTV was available this could assist in the matter. Councillor Govind noted that Leicester East Wards via the ward community funds were proposing to contribute funds for Police CCTV working closely with partnership agencies.

·         Spencefield Lane concerns – parking, parents blocking driveways and leaving cars.

·         Residents were encouraged to visit the Police.uk website for further information on crime in the area and to also call 101 with any issues.

·         Sergeant Jo Harland was also present at the meeting and provided updates regarding her team and how residents could become neighbourhood watch co-ordinators. If anyone was interested they were advised to contact the Police or email Ward Councillors.

A Highways Officer will provide an update on a number of transport and highways issues and developments in the Evington Ward.

Mark Govan - Temporary Engineer for Planning, Development & Transportation presented the following information:

Highways Matters:

·         Whitehall Road 20mph scheme - The scheme was partly completed during half term, including a raised zebra crossing. There were problems with the speed cushion supplier and would now be possibly installed in summer 2018.

·         Downing Drive 20mph scheme  - 3 objections received, report being prepared, dependent on resolution of objections, possible construction in Summer 2018.

·         Evington Village 20mph scheme – 1 objection received, report being prepared, dependent on resolution of objection, possible construction in Summer 2018.

·         Davenport Road 20mph scheme – In programme for 2018/19, zone and possible speed cushions on Davenport Road.

·         Spencefield Lane – Pedestrian refuge proposals due for construction in the summer 2018 holidays.

·         Coleman Road Service Road – Various proposals were being considered in this area, including residents parking on the service road and various restrictions and the introduction of Pay & Display machines on Coleman Road near the hospital.

·         Consultation about residents’ parking on the Coleman Rd/ Service Rd was in place and letters were sent out on 13.2.18, to 252 – 326, Coleman Rd. The consultation would finish on 9^th March.

·         Coleman Road o/s hospital – Various proposals were being considered in this area, including statutory consultation to start shortly on introducing new waiting restrictions on Coleman Rd (including pay and display restrictions outside the hospital on Coleman Road), Coleman Close (10m both sides at its junction with Coleman Rd) and Davenport Rd (additional 6 metres at its junction with Spencefield Lane.

·         Bollards and Railings – Several bollards and railings had been installed in the ward, with a few more to be carried out.

Residents’ concerns:

·         Some residents had concerns that the Council would be proceeding with the installation of speed cushions and the 20mph programme in the ward.

·         Some residents felt that the wrong decision had been made on the Whitehall Road scheme. Councillor Govind noted that the correct processes were followed and consultation carried out before the works took place.

·         During the congestion in the morning rush hour on Goodwood Road, vehicles were reported to be using Greenacre Drive as a cut through. Residents requested solutions – Mark would look into this.

·         The CCTV enforcement car was queried – Mark advised that all signs, line and Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO’s) needed to be in place before the markings could be enforced. This was a long process across all schools in Leicester City.

·         Two residents residing on Goodwood Road/ Greenacre Drive had an issue with the fence/ railings which had been installed near the property (prevent rat runs). Mark Govan noted the residents address and would visit the site.

·         Clovelly Road – was noted as a one way turning right out of the Tesco Metro car park. However, it was reported that some drivers were turning left and going the wrong way. It was requested that improved signage and/ or the installation of railings alongside double yellow lines to prevent parking. Mark agreed to visit the site  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

The City Warden will give an update on activities and enforcement taking place in the Ward.

Punum Patel – Ward Community Engagement Officer read the update provided by the City Warden which highlighted activities and enforcement that had been taking place in the ward.

Residents’ concerns:

Susan Avenue and Judith Drive - During the month of January, a large vehicle was reported to be blocking pedestrian access and causing obstruction being parked on double yellow lines. Mark Govan would inform the parking team.

A Housing Officer will be present at the meeting to provide information on housing issues and schemes taking place in the Ward.

Andy East – Neighbourhood Housing Team Leader presented the information attached at the end of this action log regarding 2017-18 works within the environmental budget and grounds maintenance budget. Residents were also informed of planned works for 2018-19.

·         Andy noted that the Rowlatts Hill Neighbourhood Housing Office would be closing on Friday 6 July 2018.

·         The Housing front line desk would be located at St Barnabas library and would be open from April after the closure of Humberstone Neighbourhood Housing Office.

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

An update on the Community Ward Budget will be provided at the meeting.

Punum Patel (WCEO) gave the following update on the Ward Community Budget:

·         It was noted that 13 applications had been received – 2 had been supported, 4 had not been supported and 7 were still to be decided.

·         Further information on the online application process was provided and residents were advised to call the Ward Community Engagement Team contact number on 0116 454 1940 if they had further queries.

The meeting closed at 8.10pm.