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 Thomas was elected as Chair for the meeting.

Councillor Thomas welcomed those present to the first Belgrave meeting since the ward boundary changes and led introductions.

Councillor Sood led everyone in a moment of reflection to mark the passing of Pravin Ruparelia who had been the general manager at the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre for 33 years and had died peacefully on 6^th August 2015.

Apologies were received from Jay Patel – Anti-Social Behaviour officer, Adrian Lane – Park Services, Mo Patel – City Warden

The Action Log of the last Belgrave and Latimer Ward community meeting held on 10^th March 2015 is attached and Members will be asked to confirm it as an accurate record.

The action log of the last Belgrave and Latimer Ward Community Meeting was noted as an accurate record.

An officer from the Economic Development and Regeneration team will be present to provide an update on the redevelopment at the former Sainsbury’s site.

Andrew L Smith, Director of Planning, Transport & Economic Development, gave an update on plans to redevelop the former Sainsburys site including the regeneration project for the Golden Mile which had been ongoing for a number of years which included the points below:

·       Local consultants had been engaged by Sainsburys and were keen to get local input; the consultants would engage the local community and inform the timescales involved with the first public consultation events during the next 3 to 5 months.

·       The Council were keen that the right development was introduced to the area that would add value, be complimentary and bring some vitality to that part of Belgrave. As it was the gateway into Belgrave Road this was a great opportunity to create a development there that announced arrival into the Golden Mile.

·       A new improvement scheme had been announced in the media, this was entirely separate to the Sainsburys redevelopment. Transport experts would engage with the community to look at how to improve Belgrave Road to create a better environment for shopping, slowing traffic and making the area greener. Local people would be invited to say what they wanted and an open session was planned at the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre on 1^st December 2015.

During discussion a number of points were made:

·       The Sainsburys site was now being used by “Boy Racers” at night – this was taken note of by local police officers present,

·       The old bus depot on Abbey Park Road was purchased some years ago by a Housing Development Trust for residential housing but they had struggled to get the development started. The Council had limited powers to take action as it was a site waiting for development.

·       Belgrave Road was the main arterial route into the City and important to make it look its best to sell Leicester to those coming into City and raise the economy,

·       The building next to the Mahatma Gandhi statue was in the ownership of Brahma Samaj and they had received permission to make improvements which should commence soon to restore that property,

·       The pay meters in the new parking area next to the old Sainsbury’s were not currently in use until the development on the other side was under way,

·       The Quality Shop Fronts scheme had been trying to address issues with shop fronts including upper floors and as well as painting included removal of clutter e.g. old satellite dishes, wires, aerials and replacing guttering.

Action: Details of all public consultations to be provided at the first opportunity to the Belgrave Library for public display.

Sgt Simon Walters of the Leicestershire Police will be at the meeting to provide an update on local policing issues in the Ward.

The Chair announced that Sgt Widdowson had now moved to another area and Sgt Gamble was welcomed to the meeting as her replacement.

An update on local policing issues was given to the meeting and reported crime statistics were noted.

The meeting were informed that:

·       Patrols were being directed to hotspot areas,

·       Late night patrols were taking place and more special constables were being used,

·       Repeat offenders were being targeted,

·       Police were engaging with the local community to raise awareness of crime and provide crime prevention advice and personal safety items,

·       It was important to report all issues as resources were finite and sent to where reports came in.

Residents were encouraged to report all issues especially anti-social behaviour and related problems such as drugs and street drinking. Residents were also asked to remain vigilant, keep properties secure, investigate noises outside and keep their valuables out of sight.

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

Mo Patel had sent apologies that he was unable to attend and had sent information leaflets to be circulated at the meeting providing details of recent work undertaken in the area.

Adrian Lane, Senior Riverside Officer will attend to present the Shared Waters Willow Brook display.

Adrian Lane sent his apologies and as there was no one else available to present this item it was deferred to the next meeting.

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. A summary of grant applications submitted for consideration since the last meeting is attached.

The Chair explained that as Belgrave was now just one ward the community budget was £18,000 and councillors had decided to deal with all bids in three tranches before each meeting date. The decision relating to the bids was that of the Councillors and would not be for discussion by the floor although details of all community funding would be fedback at each meeting. Any bids that had not been received in time for the meeting would be put over to the next meeting.

Applications considered:

·       5081 Sakhi Mandal Women’s Group, to run a Health and Wellbeing programme for women aged 60+. Application for £500. Grant of £350 SUPPORTED.

·       5086 Waterfront Sports and Education Academy, to run a summer scheme from July to end August 2015. Application for £3,900. Grant of £1000 SUPPORTED.

·       5087 Faride Kavde, working in partnership with Leicestershire Police to run a Summer Dance & Fit scheme. Application £2,250. Grant of £1000 SUPPORTED.

·       1426 Rushey Fields Residents Association, a day trip to the seaside. Application £500. NOT SUPPORTED.

·       5100 Benjamin William Connell, installation of an artificial cricket wicket on school grounds. Application £1,716.67. NOT SUPPORTED.

·       1482 Yoga Reflexology Group, a project for a community cohesion group for 10 days during October. Application £3,500. Grant of £3,100 SUPPORTED.

·       1484 Church of the Resurrection, to support a community fun day on 27^th September. Application £500. Grant of £380.

·       5107 Jeetesh Chauhan, family fun day for members of Shree Sarvodaya Samaj. Application £450. NOT SUPPORTED

The Chair announced that in future the meeting would only take “Any Other Notified Business” and anyone wanting to raise matters would have to inform officers before the publication of papers for future meetings. Officers would then obtain appropriate responses that could be given at the meeting. It was also noted that in extenuating circumstances the Chair may allow urgent items to be raised.

To note:-

Tuesday 15^th December 2015 at 6.30pm

Tuesday 22^nd March 2016 at 6.30pm

To note the next meeting will take place on Tuesday 15^th December 2015 at 6.30pm

The meeting closed at 8.10pm.