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 present will make any declarations as required by the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor Cank assumed the Chair until Councillor Singh’s arrival and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies were received from Jethro Swift, City Warden, Robert Bateman, Highways.

COUNCIThe Action Log of the meeting held on 18^th October 2016 is attached and Members will be asked to confirm it as an accurate record.

The action log of 13 February 2017 was circulated and confirmed as an accurate record.

An officer from Neighbourhood Services will address the meeting on the Transforming Neighbourhood Services programme and outcomes from recent consultations.

The Community Engagement Officer gave an update on the Transforming Neighbourhood Services project.

6.39pm Councillor Singh joins the meeting.

Residents discussed the impact of potential closures of centres and effect on services.

Councillor Singh clarified that the Better Use of Council Buildings and Transforming Neighbourhood Services were two separate reviews taking place.

It was confirmed that the Rushey Mead library would be relocated into the Rushey Mead Recreation Centre.

Councillors will provide an update on ward matters.

Councillor Cank reported that:

·       Bollards were being installed at Northfields Primary School this week.

·       Housing issues remained a concern in the ward as there was low housing stock. People were being encouraged to consider bidding for suitable houses across the city and not just in a specific area they wanted.

Councillor Singh reported that:

·       Trevino Drive/Huggetts Close – road widening had seen a significant improvement to the issues previously reported there.

·       The police and crime commissioner had recently presented his 3 year plan to the Overview Select Committee, and there were assurances that neighbourhood policing would continue to be a priority.

A Leicester City Council Housing Officer will provide an update on housing issues in the Ward.

Marlene Blake, Neighbourhood Housing Team Leader was introduced to the meeting and gave a brief update on neighbourhood housing which included the following points:

·       Nick Griffiths the new District Manager, for Housing in the East area had started in post last week.

·       Environmental budgets – housing officers were currently collating ideas for spending of any underspends and suggestions were welcomed.

·       Void properties – there were 13 in the area, the oldest 2 had been voided since Dec 2016 and the remainder were from this week. It was taking on average 21 days to turn properties around.

·       Under-occupied properties – consideration was being given to marketing housing swaps and promoting that.

·       Enquiries were being made on any nomination rights for first lets on new housing developments in the area. Letting rights might resolve some of the housing issues in the ward.

Councillor Singh asked that details of housing repair figures be provided to the next meeting.

Councillors agreed to inform Marlene of priority areas for consideration.

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

A written update was circulated to those present.

To receive and note an update on Highways issues in the ward.

A Highways officer was not available for the meeting however it was noted that Hastings Road was currently closed for a week of road works.

Councillor Cank reported that she had spoken with the Head of Highways regarding parking issues on the Cromwell Estate. It was hoped that a pilot scheme currently in place in Braemar Drive would be extended to the Cromwell Estate if successful.

Councillors requested an update to be provided to the next meeting.

Representatives from Leicestershire Police gave a brief summary of issues across the ward which included the following comments:

·       Crime statistics were available from Leicestershire police website

·       There were 2 problem solving plans in the area to tackle ASB and flytipping issues.

·       Beat Surgeries continue to take place in Emerald Centre and shortly at Danbury Gardens.

·       Huggett Close football complaints – police were working with residents to find solutions.

·       Barkby Thorpe Road area – series of theft from cars had taken place, extra surveillance had taken place leading to arrests.

Residents expressed concerns about parking obstructions and lorries around the Swinton Road area.

Councillor Singh agreed to raise that issue with Highways to look into.

Police agreed to look into the Swinton Road issues.

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.

Recipients of previous ward funding will be invited to feedback to the meeting.

For the financial year end 2016/17 it was noted that the opening balance was £18,850.

Spends:

Quarter 1 = £2,575

Quarter 2 = £5,347

Quarter 3 = £10,499

It was noted that the total spend 2016/17 was £18,421 and the carried forward to next year’s budget was £429.

It was reported that Councillors had committee £10,000 (Q3) towards the cost of installing a Ball Park in the Troon Ward.

AOB 1

Concerns were expressed about the low attendance at this meeting.

It was suggested that the council should invest in a number of public noticeboards around the ward where publicity about meetings could be posted.

Councillor Singh responded that several meetings had been well attended when held at the Emerald Centre. Publicity had gone out however noticeboards were not the solution as that would involve planning consents and there would be the issue of cost and ongoing maintenance.

Councillors agreed to take back the point made about lack of publicity for ward meetings generally.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 7.35pm.