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 of interest as required by the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor Cank, in the Chair, welcomed all present.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

There were no apologies for absence.

The Action Log for the last meeting, held on 30 July 2019, is attached for information and discussion

The Action Log of the meeting held on 30 July 2019 was agreed as a correct record.

The following updates on actions were reported and noted:

·         Noticeboards

The noticeboards funded from the Ward Community Budget had been ordered although only three of the four originally sought were to be bought and installed.  It was clarified that difficulties had been experienced in  gaining permission to install a noticeboard at the proposed location in Woodgreen Road.

·         Fly-tipping / Fly-posting

Problems persisted with fly tipping in the Ward, particularly at the rear of units at the Barkby Road Industrial Estate.  It was noted that the fly posting on the railings at Fairfax Road had been removed.

·         Anti-Social Behaviour

Problems of anti-social behaviour in and around Grosvenor Court had recurred and Councillors had referred the issues to the Police.

·         Parking on Sandfield Close

Parking problems at Sandfield Close which were heightened when the car park at the Life Abundant Pentecostal Church reached capacity had been explored further.  The increase in on-street parking had caused concern and it was noted that the car park at the Three Kilns Public House was often chained off to prevent its use.  It was noted that some mis-use of the car park in the past and the dumping of rubbish had led to the owners’ unwillingness to open the public house car park to general use.

Ward Councillors will provide an update on local ward issues

Councillors provided the following updates on their recent activities in the Ward:

Councillor Cank reported that:

·         Football goalposts had been installed in Craven Park although pitches had not been marked out due to inclement weather. It was noted that the goalposts were not full-size as they were intended to be used by youngsters.

·         Bollards to prevent inconsiderate parking were being considered at several locations, since the success of the schemes at Essex Road/Hampden Road/Gypsy Lane.  Locations for similar schemes were being evaluated, including the junction of Fairfax Road and Essex Road.

·         The complex process in arranging residents parking schemes and the annual cost of permits was noted.  It was confirmed that there was a need for a lengthy consultation exercise and a large number of locations across the city were already currently waiting evaluation.  Pavement parking schemes were under evaluation at Harrison Road and Braemar Drive which it was considered may reduce problems.

Councillor Joel reported that:

·         Representations form residents had been received concerning poor internet access.  Meetings had been convened with Council officers to alleviate the problems.  It was accepted that when the houses had been built as new estates the need for a suitable internet connection was not made a condition of their approval.

Leicestershire Police will be at the meeting to provide an update on police issues in the Ward

As a Police representative was unable to attend, no update was given.

It was noted that a patchwalk had been organised by the Police involving Councillors to deliver a plan aimed at tackling anti-social and nuisance behaviour across several Wards.  The recent knife amnesty and improvements to the lighting and grounds maintenance of problem areas were noted.  It was considered that although those recent initiatives had led to a reduction in reported incidents, the problem of displacement meant that the issues often continued at other locations.

Highways officers will be at the meeting to provide an update on highways issues in the Ward

All to note:

• Since the previous meeting:

o  Double yellow lines had been added at Wood Green Road in the vicinity of the shops as part of a recent scheme. It was expected that parking problems would be reduced.

o  The road surfacing works at Fairfax Road and Essex Road had been completed by a utility contractor.

o  Problems with the tree roots in Hugget Close had been investigated and although no footway issues were evident the resident had been consulted and kept informed of the actions.

o  In response to reports of overgrown trees obstructing signs on Red Hill Way, the trees had been cut back.

• There was a need to review the location of speed signs on Victoria Road East, as they were either not working or obscured by trees.  It was considered that a relocation of the sign adjacent to Cordelia Close was necessary.

• There was a request to install pedestrian crossings at Barky Thorpe Road and Humberstone Lane, following representations made by parents who needed a safer crossing to a nursery school.  The previous request to install a crossing adjacent to the Tesco Extra store was reiterated.

• Parking problems on Portishead Road and Swainson Road would be investigated, with a view to double yellow lines being installed as part of a future scheme.

• The 20mh zone near the school in Gypsy Lane needed enhanced enforcement and an assessment of the suitability of a traffic light controlled crossing rather than the existing zebra crossing, or a tabled crossing had been requested.

• A 20mph zone had been brought in at Barkby Thorpe Road.

• A family cycling festival had recently been undertaken on Jesse Jackson Park.  A good attendance had led to many cycles being security marked.

• Improved signage to prevent HGVs turning into Gypsy Lane from Victoria Park Road had been installed. Problems persisted with HGVs parking in residential areas, particularly at Portishead Road and Swainson Road.

White line markings to prevent parking in front of gates were ineffective and problems with accessing garages and properties were reported.  It was confirmed that the lines were installed to indicate that access was required and could be enforced by the Police.

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

As a City Warden was unable to attend the meeting, no update was given.

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.

The Community Engagement Officer reported that three applications had been received and approved by the Ward Councillors, all for £500 under the fast track process.

The funding had been approved for the following organisations and events:

• Falcons Primary School
• Highfields Rangers
• Black History Month

In noting the successful bids comment was made that the funding should benefit the residents of the Troon Ward, and joint bids across other Wards were recognised.

The remaining balance was confirmed as £15,820 and applications for funding were encouraged.

Information was circulated concerning the Community Advice and Law Centre in respect of immigration advice.

The meeting closed at 7.40 pm.