Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Jean Wynd.

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 Cutkelvin, Chair for the meeting, welcomed everyone and led the introductions.

No declarations of interest were made.

Attached for information is the Action Log from the last Saffron Ward community meeting.

Point 16(g) – the Saffron Christmas Fete and Christmas pantomime were hugely successful. Thanks were given to the Saffron Management Board for making the events possible.

The Action Log for the previous meeting on 1 November 2016 was confirmed as a correct record.

Councillors will provide an update on ward information.

·         There would now be three Community Meetings a year (reduced from four);

·         The agendas for Community Meetings were set by what local people wanted, and council officers were invited to talk about local issues and priorities for the area, for example, planning applications on St Mary’s allotments, traffic calming, council services;

·         Residents could contact Councillors through the Members Services Team at Leicester City Council;

·         Regular updates were received at Community Meetings from the City Warden, the Police and the Housing Team;

·         The outdoor gym was now in use;

·         Traffic calming had been installed on Bloomfield Road and Copinger Road;

·         A rat infestation in a Housing Association property on St Andrews had been addressed, and pest control called;

·         Planning application on St Mary’s allotment area had been approved. A mix of houses and flats with green space to be provided. People on the council housing waiting list could apply for those properties (Not known if there were any bungalows planned);

·         Youth Services were under review – consultation on the services and use of buildings would be undertaken;

·         Saffron Lane was next on the list of priorities for a cycle lane on both sides of the road;

·         Information on affordable, useable space for children outside of youth centres would be sought and brought back to the next meeting.

Options for traffic safety / calming in the area.

Steve Warrington and Graham Seaton (Transport Development Officers) were present. A discussion took place on the options for traffic safety / calming in the area. The following points were made:

·         Mean traffic speeds under the bridge were – East-bound (23mph), West-bound (18mph);

·         Carriageway width was 3metres wide with two footways;

·         The bridge was owned by Network Rail and most work would need their consent;

·         There had been no accidents under the bridge since 1990;

Options Suggested:

Need to be:

1.    Effective

2.    Affordable

3.    Practical

Suggested by residents at the meeting:

·         One-way system

·         Patch surface

·         Introduce 5 mph speed limit through the bridge

·         Hazard signs on bridge

·         Rising bollards

·         Closing bridge permanent / periodically

·         Widen footway

·         Guard rail on the pathways

·         Road humps

·         Chicane further away

·         Paint the bridge brickwork white

·         Lighting

·         Traffic signals

·         Activated signs

·         Signs & Lines / hatch marking

·         Improved signage for lorries

The issue would be discussed at the next meeting, and a site visit between Councillors, Officers and residents arranged.

An update on the housing repairs move over to Blackbird Road will be provided.

This item was deferred – no officer present.

A resident reported issues for the Repairs Service in accessing buildings with security doors – will be reported to officers.

There will be an update on current Housing works within the Ward.

This item was deferred – no officer present.

The local City Warden will be present to update the meeting on any environmental works within the Saffron Ward.

Noel Cazley, City Warden, circulated an information sheet (attached) and provided the following information:

·         Bins on Streets – following action in St Andrews there was a reduction in bins on streets, but still had fly tipping incidents, some of which was bulk collection;

·         Since December, 40 Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued, 4 of which had received final notice;

·         Large increase in dog fouling complaints since the law change – now a criminal offence with a £100 fine – Signage for dog control orders to be amended around the city;

·         A scheme would be devised for landlords to be given 48 hours to clear a property up when students moved out;

·         Public space protection orders did not cover council property – tenants were required to keep their properties and gardens well maintained under their tenancy agreements.

There will be an update on any Policing works within the Saffron Ward.

PCSO Karim Baladi and PCSO Jordan Spencer updated the meeting with the following:

·         Additional patrols had led to reduced anti-social behaviour (ASB) and vehicle damage;

·         The Kicks football project had had good impact and some of the children attending had done very well – The scheme would be introduced to surrounding areas;

·         Beat surgeries were running. There had been poor attendance at the Kingfisher Centre due to its low footfall outside. A different venue would be sought. The Police could not gain access to flats to leaflet drop information;

·         Consultation had taken place regarding vehicles parking outside Marriot School;

·         There had been a couple of anti-social behaviour issues in the ward. People should report incidents to the police;

·         PCSO Spencer happy to be the ‘Go To’ person for the Neston Gardens area. Contact details are:

PCSO Jordan Spencer 6661

PCSO Karim Baladi 6154

Call 101 Ext 5436

Jordan.Spencer@Leicestershire.Pnn.Police.uk

Councillors are reminded that under the Council’s Code of Conduct they should declare any interest they may have in budget applications.

There will be a report on the current Community Ward Budget.

It was reported that all the budget for the year was spent.

New funding applications can be submitted after 10^th April 2017 for consideration on 31^st May 2017, if over £500.

Leicestershire County Cricket Club

·         An annual season ticket at Grace Road cricket ground was now £50.

·         The venue had held an Elton John concert, and would host the Ladies World Cup cricket.

·         Floodlights – not planning to extend use beyond 7.00pm.

The meeting closed at 7.58pm.