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 Hunter as Chair, welcomed everyone and introductions were given.

Apologies for absence

Andy East – Neighbourhood Housing Team Leader

Nicole Powell – City Warden

Police Sergeant Jo Harland

Martin Fletcher – City Highways Director

Disappointment was expressed that an officer from Highways was not present for the discussion on highways issues.

The Action Log of the Meeting held on 22 February 2018 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 previous meeting held on 22 February 2018 was agreed and noted.

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

Attendees were asked to note the Ward Councillors feedback which included the following highways issues:

·      Safety measures have been implemented in various locations around the ward (Goodwood Crescent, Davenport Road and Gamel Road).

·      There were plans for residential parking and pay and display machines around the General Hospital area.

·      With the introduction of 20MPH zones in various locations around the ward the Downing Drive 20MPH zone that had been supported by residents and at planning was soon to be implemented.

A number of concerns and comments were raised by residents which included the following:

·         There were problems with the parking in Falmouth Road between the hours of 07:30 and 17:00, with cars being parked on both sides of the road, causing it to be a danger to both drivers and pedestrians and leaving no room for residents’ parking.

·         Concerns were expressed that Falmouth Road was now being used as a cut thorough road by motorists and it was hoped a solution would be found.

·         The introduction of parking meters on Coleman Road had resulted in congestion on other streets in the area.

·         The Chair stated that Councillors and Highways officers would carry out a patchwalk in the Coleman Road area in October / November. Residents were asked to leave Contact details with the Community Engagement Officer so that they could be informed of the patch walk arrangements. ACTION: Community Engagement Officer 

·         Residents raised concerns about inconsiderate parking on Spencefield Lane during school drop off and pick up hours.

·         In relation to school parking, complaints were made relating to abusive parents and some teachers when challenged about inconsiderate parking. Residents also complained about not being able to get in and out of their driveways during school drop off and pick up hours.

·         Grass verges outside residents’ properties were being damaged by parked vehicles.

·         The Chair mentioned that enforcement had been carried out at the local schools and parents had been fined. The Council was not ignoring the problem but inconsiderate parking at schools was a city wide issue, not just an Evington issue. The Chair mentioned that the City Mayor was in the process of coming to a city wide solution to tackle the problem.

·         In relation to speed cushions on Whitehall Road, a resident expressed concerns that the consultation had demonstrated that the majority of the responses were against the installation of speed cushions due to the detrimental effect on pollution and air quality.

·      Local residents brought to the attention of the councillors the number of near misses outside the leisure centre arising from people parking on Downing Drive, particularly in front of the bus stop. A request was made for double yellow lines in that vicinity. The Chair stated that this would be reported to Highways:   Action: Community Engagement Officer.

·      Concerns were expressed that nothing was being done to address parking on the double yellow lines outside the Tesco Metro on Ethel Road.  Although the lines had been repainted on the one way street coming out of Tesco, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

An Officer will be present at the meeting to give a presentation on the Crowdfunding programme.

The Chair agreed to move this item up on the agenda.

Attendees were asked to note a presentation relating to Crowd Fund Leicester, a scheme designed to help community led projects. A copy of the presentation is attached to the back of the minutes.

In response to a question attendees heard that pledges for money were only collected at the end once all the money had been pledged.

ACTION: Residents to forward any ideas or proposals for projects that would enhance the community to the Crowd Fund Leicester team. Further information can be found by accessing the link below:

https://www.spacehive.com/movement/crowdfundleicester

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

PC Ash Lorgat gave an update on the Police Report on behalf of the local PC as local officers were unable to attend.

·      In regards to parking concerns, residents were advised to contact local officers to conduct traffic operations for obstructive parking.

·      PC Ash Lorgat to communicate with his colleagues in relation to traffic operations.

·      In response to a query relating to parking on double yellow lines, PC Ash Lorgat explained that the Council was responsible for enforcement for parking on double yellow lines. The Police could take action where parking was causing an obstruction.

Crime Figures (01/05/2018 – 16/07/2018):

·      Burglary dwelling 15 reported

·      Burglary non dwelling 11 reported

·      Robberies 4

·      Theft of motor vehicles 7

·      Theft from motor vehicles 20

·      Stop and Searches of people and vehicles 12

·      Anti – Social behaviour had gone up from 35 to 38 incidents. These figures were related to the recent changes in weather and the end of the school year. PCSO’s to run local operations with patrols.

An update on Highways and Transport works in the Evington Ward will be provided.

Highways and Transport issues had been discussed under the Ward Councillors Report and there was no further discussion on this item.

Information on housing issues and schemes taking place in the Ward will be provided at the meeting.

An update was read out on behalf of the Housing Officer as he was unable to attend the meeting.

This has been attached to the back of the action log.

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

The City Warden was unable to attend the meeting but a leaflet was circulated in her absence. This is attached at the back of the Action Log.

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 Ward Community Budget will be provided at the meeting.

Ward Community Engagement Officer gave an update on the Ward Community Budget:

·      The opening balance of the budget at 1 April 2018 was at £19,800.

·      Community Ward Budget had funded the following six projects: Evington Newsletter, St Denys Church, Back to the future, Evington Village Fete, Radio Gwendolen and the amendments to waiting restrictions totalling £12,295

·      The balance remaining in the budget was £7,505.

·      Residents raised concerns in regards to a planning application for an extension to the Polish Church. Councillor Govind explained that he could not get involved as he was a member of the Planning and Development Control Committee and advised residents to submit an objection if they had any concerns.

·      The Ward Community Engagement Officer encouraged residents to leave contact details so they can be added to the mailing list and to give permission for legal requirements due to the recent change in Data Protection Law.

The meeting closed at 7:50pm