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 as required by the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor Bajaj as Chair for the meeting led introductions.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no apologies for absence.

The Action Log from the meeting held on 10 July 2018 is attached and members will be asked to confirm it as an accurate record.

The action log from the meeting held on 17 July 2018 was agreed as a correct record.

The Ward Councillors will provide an update on ward related matters.

Councillors updated residents on recent activities on the ward as a result of actions raised at the patch walk that had taken place.

It was noted that:

·      Double yellow lines had been extended on Coleman Road from the entrance of the hospital down to St Chads Church whilst the slip road would remain as residential parking.

·      Parts of Coleman Road were being considered for the residential parking scheme and were currently at consultation stage.

·      Coleman Neighbourhood Centre and the Library would remain open and after negotiations the centre would be staffed for 16 hours over the week, groups had been set up for children and after school sessions. The centre had also been renovated.

·      Knee high fences on grass verges on Coleman Road and Greenacre Drive had been installed to deter cars being parked on the grass verges.

·      The steel barrier on Ethel Road had been repaired and some further repairs were still ongoing.

·      Untaxed vehicles had been reported and residents were advised to report this issue online.

·      Bus services had been notified of speeding along Headland Road following the collision incident and bus speeds had reduced.

·      The Pay and Display machines to be installed outside the General Hospital would be for card payments only.

·      The residential parking scheme had been introduced and 38 parking enforcement tickets had been issued.

·      Wicklow Drive and Goodwood Road had new road layouts introduced.

·      A pedestrian refuge had been installed on Spencefield Lane.

·      Road resurfacing work had commenced at various locations across the ward.

Councillors informed residents that individual issues could be raised with councillors at ward surgeries.

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

Sergeant Carl Walsh from Leicestershire Police gave an update on recent activities in the ward.

It was noted that:

·      A pod camera had been installed on the Rowletts Hill Estate as a result of the recent stabbing along with a tree and a wall being removed to deter anti-social behaviour (ASB).

·      Ethel Road and Westmeath Avenue residential blocks were having problems with ASB that were currently being worked on.

·      The Police were working with partner agencies to resolve the loitering issue outside of the Tesco store on Ethel Road.

ACTION: Ward Councillors requested that the Police provide crime statistics for the ward at future Ward meetings.

An Officer from the Highways and Transport Team will provide an update on highways and transport matters in the ward.

Rupert Bedder the Highways Asset Manager was in attendance and provided an update on works that were being undertaken after being highlighted at the patch walk.

It was noted that:

·      A relevant Officer had been assigned to undertake the various tasks.

·      Church Road would have bollards installed to manage traffic.

·      Uppingham Road, Goodwood Road and Ambassador Road had resurfacing work completed.

·      The issues raised with the car park on Croyde Close had been passed to the Highways Department.

·      The give-way at St Chads Church and Coleman Road was a priority as visibility for passing cars was poor and a solution was being sought.

·      Air quality monitoring was in place on Wakerley Road.

·      A walking programme was being introduced to schools to encourage more people walk to school to avoid parking and pollution issues.

Residents were informed that focus was being put on ward priorities to programme work.

Residents raised their concerns with inconsiderate parking blocking driveways on Ambassador Road and Greenacre Drive. A proposal for a one-way system was put forward.

Housing Officers will be at the meeting to discuss housing issues in the ward.

Andy East the Neighbourhood Housing Leader was in attendance at the meeting gave an update.

It was reported that as a result of the Rowlatts Hill Neighbourhood Housing Office closure, a reception service was being provided at St Barnabas Library, French Road, off St Barnabas Road. The same service was also provided at St Mathews Library, Malabar Road.

2018/19 Environmental Budget

It was noted that:

·      Various locations on the Rowlatts Hill Estate had seen their bin stores bricked up. New bin stores were created in the courtyards which had resulted in less litter and increased recycling.

·      Matting at entrances to tackle wet floors is proposed for future schemes as new fire doors had been installed.

·      The Tenants and Residents Association had raised concerns with ASB issues on Radstone Walk, fencing to tackle the issue had been installed to the side and rear of Radstone Walk shops.

2019/20 Environmental Budget

It was noted that 7 garages on Rowlatts Hill Road would be demolished to create extra parking spaces, garage users have been offered alternative garages and only three are left to be vacated. Once all licences had ended demolition work would be arranged.

Pest Control had investigated a pest issue on block of flats on Ethel Road and Harwin Road, where drain test had been arranged and the issue had been identified. Non-return traps had been installed to solve the issue and further investigation of the runs and drains would be arranged in the future. 

An Officer from Healthwatch Leicester and Leicestershire will be in attendance to provide a presentation.

Gillian Jillett – Healthwatch representative introduced the newly merged Healthwatch Leicester and Leicestershire and it was noted that Healthwatch:

·      Was an independent voice for the people of Leicester and Leicestershire.

·      Listened, represented people’s views and provided local information and signposting.

·      Influenced health and social care locally to ensure local peoples voices were heard.

·      Visited General Practices (GP’s) and care homes, suggesting improvements. A revisit was then made to see if the suggested changes were implemented.

Residents were encouraged to share their experiences, or if they had any issues or concerns relating to Health and Social Care Services across the City (Contact details attached).

·      Emergency dental services were now available 7 days a week, a leaflet with contact information was circulated (as attached).

It was also noted that a Question Time event was planned to take place in May 2019. Further Information on the event could be found on the Healthwatch Leicester and Leicestershire website.

The City Warden will give an update on issues in the Ward.

Nicole the City warden updated the residents on recent activities.

It was noted that:

·      15 bags of garden waste would be collected every 2 months.

·      The Bulky Waste collection was still available for residents to dispose of 5 Large household items.

·      The fixed penalty notice for fly tipping had increased to £400.00.

·      34 complaints had been resolved.

·      Reports of dog fouling issues had been received and stencil painting was planned for April/May. Ethel Road and Falmouth Road leading to the Tesco were identified amongst the hot spots.

ACTION: City Warden to visit hot spots.

·      Fly posters had been removed.

Residents were informed of the big clean up that was carried out across the city, with students from De Montfort University. Locations in the ward had benefitted from this and the students were praised for their contributions.

Residents were encouraged not to feed the birds.

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.

Since the last Ward Community Meeting on 19 July 2018 a total of 16 applications were received. 10 of which were supported and 4 that were rejected.

2 applications would be looked at in the new financial year and all applications would be put on to the Council website in the near future.

It was noted that the  Ward Community Engagement Officer could be contacted for support with the application process.

It was noted that the Leicester Helpline Number was currently down and would be live again shortly.

Residents were thanked for their attendance and input over the years.

The meeting closed at 08:15pm